Mount Joy Township, Adams County, Pennsylvania

Mount Joy Township is a township in Adams County, Pennsylvania, United States. The population was 3,670 at the 2010 census.[3]

Not to be confused with Mount Joy Township, Lancaster County, Pennsylvania.
Mount Joy Township,
Adams County,
Pennsylvania
Township
The Spangler-Benner Farm, a historic site in the township
Location in Adams County and the state of Pennsylvania.
CountryUnited States
StatePennsylvania
CountyAdams
Settled1749
IncorporatedBefore 1800
Area
 • Total26.23 sq mi (67.93 km2)
 • Land26.00 sq mi (67.35 km2)
 • Water0.23 sq mi (0.58 km2)
Population
 (2010)
 • Total3,670
 • Estimate 
(2016)[2]
3,700
 • Density142.30/sq mi (54.94/km2)
Time zoneUTC-5 (Eastern (EST))
 • Summer (DST)UTC-4 (EDT)
Area code(s)717
FIPS code42-001-51640
Websitewww.mtjoytwp.us

Geography

According to the United States Census Bureau, the township has a total area of 26.2 square miles (67.9 km2), of which 26.0 square miles (67.3 km2) is land and 0.23 square miles (0.6 km2), or 0.86%, is water.[3]

Demographics
Historical population
CensusPop.%±
20003,232—
20103,67013.6%
2016 (est.)3,700[2]0.8%
U.S. Decennial Census[4]

As of the census[5] of 2000, there were 3,232 people, 1,191 households, and 943 families residing in the township. The population density was 124.8 people per square mile (48.2/km²). There were 1,267 housing units at an average density of 48.9/sq mi (18.9/km²). The racial makeup of the township was 96.38% White, 1.45% African American, 0.34% Native American, 0.46% Asian, 0.68% from other races, and 0.68% from two or more races. Hispanic or Latino of any race were 1.98% of the population.

There were 1,191 households, out of which 32.8% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 66.8% were married couples living together, 8.5% had a female householder with no husband present, and 20.8% were non-families. 17.0% of all households were made up of individuals, and 7.4% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.62 and the average family size was 2.93.

In the township the population was spread out, with 27.2% under the age of 18, 5.2% from 18 to 24, 25.1% from 25 to 44, 29.0% from 45 to 64, and 13.6% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 40 years. For every 100 females there were 96.1 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 93.1 males.

The median income for a household in the township was $46,101, and the median income for a family was $53,802. Males had a median income of $37,068 versus $27,346 for females. The per capita income for the township was $21,181. About 2.1% of families and 3.3% of the population were below the poverty line, including 2.0% of those under age 18 and 6.2% of those age 65 or over.

Government

The Mount Joy Township is governed by five, locally elected, Township Supervisors. In Pennsylvania, the term of office of a Supervisor is 6 years. Township is one of 21 townships in Adams County, Pennsylvania. In 2014, Mount Joy Township Supervisors are: John Gormont, Chairman; David Updyke, Vice Chairman; Gilbert Clark, Michael Gearhart and Brad Trostle. The Supervisors meet the third Thursday of each month at 7pm at the township building located at 902 Hoffman Home Road.

In 2012, Mount Joy Township property owners were subject to the following millage rates: Township - .44 mills; Gettysburg Area School District - 10.31 mills and Adams County 3.55 mills.[6] For 2013-14, the school district's millage is 10.3072 mills. The Adams County millage rose to 3.9193 mills. The District also levies an earned income tax which applies only to wage earners.

County level

Three, elected at large, Adams County Commissioners. In 2014, they are: Randy Phiel, Chairman; Jim Martin, Vice Chairman; and Marty Karsteter Qually.

State level
Federal level

Education
Map of Adams County, Pennsylvania School Districts

Residents in the western region of Mount Joy Township may attend the local, public schools operated by Gettysburg Area School District which provides full day kindergarten through 12th grade. In 2013, the Gettysburg Area School District's enrollment had declined to 2,997 students in kindergarten through 12th grade.[7] In 2013, the Pittsburgh Business Times ranked Gettysburg Area School District 171st out of 498 public schools for academic achievement of its pupils.[8] In 2012, Gettysburg Area School District achieved Adequate Yearly Progress (AYP), even though the Gettysburg Area High School was in Making Progress: in School Improvement II AYP status , due to lagging student achievement, especially in reading.[9]

Residents in the eastern region of Mount Joy Township may attend the local, public schools operated by Littlestown Area School District which provides full day kindergarten through 12th grade. In 2013, the Littlestown Area School District's enrollment had declined to 2,037 students in kindergarten through 12th grade. in 2013, the Pittsburgh Business Times ranked the Littlestown Area School District 263rd out of 498 Pennsylvania school districts, for the academic achievement of its students. In 2012, Littlestown Area School District achieved Adequate Yearly Progress.[10] Littlestown Senior High School achieved AYP status every year from 2003 through 2012.[11]

High school aged students residing in Mount Joy Township can attend the taxpayer funded Adams County Tech Prep for training in the building trades, the culinary arts, Diesel Mechanics, allied health including Emergency Medical Technician certification and other areas. The school is located on the Gettysburg Area High School campus at 1130 Old Harrisburg Road. Adams County Tech Prep is funded by a consortium of the school districts, which includes: Gettysburg Area School District, Littlestown Area School District, Fairfield Area School District, Conewago Valley School District and Bermudian Springs School District.

Mount Joy Township residents may also choose between two local public charter schools: Vida Charter School and Gettysburg Montessori Charter School. In Pennsylvania, residents may attend public charter schools at no cost to the parents. The tuition is paid by their public school system. By Commonwealth law, if the public school district provides transportation for its own students, then the district must also provide transportation to any school that lies within 10 miles of its borders, as well as, all schools within its borders.[12]

Vida Charter School is a public school located in the Eisenhower Center, 120 East Broadway, Gettysburg. Vida Charter School offers full day kindergarten through 6th grade. In 2013, Vida Charter School achieved a score 81.1 of out of 100 for student achievement.[13] According to the Pennsylvania Department of Education, 2,181 public schools (less than 73 percent of Pennsylvania public schools), achieved an academic score of 70 or higher. In 2012, Vida Charter School achieved Adequate yearly Progress (AYP).[14]

Children residing in Mount Joy Township of may also attend Gettysburg Montessori Charter School which offers a private preschool and a public, full day Kindergarten through 6th grade program. This public charter school operates at 120 E Broadway, Gettysburg. The Gettysburg Montessori Charter School achieved AYP in both 2011 and 2012.[15] In 2013, Gettysburg Montessori Charter School achieved a score of 64 out of 100. The score reflects on grade level: reading, science, writing and mathematics achievement.[16]

Mount Joy Township residents may also apply to attend any of the Commonwealth's 14 public cyber charter schools (in 2013) at no additional cost to the parents. The resident’s public school district is required to pay the charter school and cyber charter school tuition for residents who attend these public schools.[17][18] Residents may also seek admission for their school aged child to any other public school district. When accepted for admission, the student's parents are responsible for paying an annual tuition fee set by the Pennsylvania Department of Education. In 2012, the tuition fees for Gettysburg Area School District were: Elementary School - $9,935.50, High School - $11,168.47.[19] The tuition fees for Littlestown Area School District were: Elementary School - $8,680.32, High School - $9,654.27.

Lincoln Intermediate Unit #12 provides a wide variety of services to children living in its region which includes Mount Joy Township. Early screening, special educations services, speech and hearing therapy, Head Start preschool classes and many other services like driver education are available. Services for children during the preschool years are provided without cost to their families when the child is determined to meet eligibility requirements.

Community members have access to the Adams County Public Library which is located on 140 Baltimore Street in Gettysburg; the Fairfield Area Library located at 31 Worts Drive in Fairfield; the Adams County Historical Society Library which is located on 111 Seminary Ridge, in Gettysburg; the Adams County Law Library located in the Court House, 117 Baltimore Street, Room 305 in Gettysburg and to the statewide PA Power Library which is an online library funded with tax dollars from the state's education budget.

At Harrisburg Area Community College Gettysburg Campus, Mount Joy Township residents have access to college courses at a discounted tuition rate for state residents. Gettysburg Area School District is not a tax funding district of the College. Littlestown Area School District also does not contribute its tax dollars. Residents do contribute to the community college through state taxation and funding.

References
  1. "2016 U.S. Gazetteer Files". United States Census Bureau. Retrieved Aug 11, 2017.
  2. "Population and Housing Unit Estimates". Retrieved June 9, 2017.
  3. "Geographic Identifiers: 2010 Demographic Profile Data (G001): Mount Joy township, Adams County, Pennsylvania". U.S. Census Bureau, American Factfinder. Archived from the original on February 12, 2020. Retrieved July 19, 2013.
  4. "Census of Population and Housing". Census.gov. Retrieved June 4, 2016.
  5. "U.S. Census website". United States Census Bureau. Retrieved 2008-01-31.
  6. ROCK Commercial Real Estate (October 20, 2012). "Millage rates for Adams County, PA". Archived from the original on February 26, 2014.
  7. Pennsylvania Department of Education (October 4, 2013). "District Fast Facts - Gettysburg Area School District".
  8. Pittsburgh Business Times (April 5, 2013). "Guide to Pennsylvania Schools Statewide ranking 2013".
  9. Pennsylvania Department of Education (September 21, 2012). "Gettysburg Area School District AYP Overview 2012". Archived from the original on February 22, 2014.
  10. Pennsylvania Department of Education, Littlestown Area School District AYP Overview 2012, 2013
  11. Pennsylvania Department of Education, Littlestown Senior High School AYP Overview 2012, 2013
  12. Pennsylvania Department of Education (2013). "Pupil Transportation - Frequently Asked Questions".
  13. Pennsylvania Department of Education (October 4, 2013). "Vida Charter School Academic Performance Data 2013".
  14. Pennsylvania Department of Education, Vida Charter School AYP Overview 2012, September 21, 2012
  15. Pennsylvania Department of Education (September 21, 2012). "Gettysburg Montessori Charter School AYP Overview 2012". Archived from the original on February 22, 2014.
  16. Pennsylvania Department of Education (October 4, 2013). "Gettysburg Montessori Charter School, Academic Performance Data 2013".
  17. Pennsylvania Department of Education (2013). "Charter Schools".
  18. Pennsylvania Department of Education (2013). "What is a Charter School?".
  19. Pennsylvania Department of Education (May 2012). "Pennsylvania Public School District Tuition Rates".

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