West Branch Township, Potter County, Pennsylvania

West Branch Township is a township in Potter County, Pennsylvania, United States. The population was 392 at the 2000 census. There are two Pennsylvania state parks in West Branch Township. Cherry Springs State Park is a popular destination for astronomical observation. Lyman Run State Park is in the northern part of the township and is partially in neighboring Ulysses Township.

Not to be confused with Branch Township, Schuylkill County, Pennsylvania or North Branch Township, Wyoming County, Pennsylvania.
West Branch Township, Pennsylvania
Township
Cherry Springs State Park
Map of Potter County, Pennsylvania highlighting West Branch Township
Map of Potter County, Pennsylvania
CountryUnited States
StatePennsylvania
CountyPotter
Settled1835
Incorporated1856
Area
 • Total62.18 sq mi (161.04 km2)
 • Land62.11 sq mi (160.87 km2)
 • Water0.07 sq mi (0.17 km2)
Population
 (2010)
 • Total393
 • Estimate 
(2018)[2]
382
 • Density6.21/sq mi (2.40/km2)
Time zoneUTC-5 (EST)
 • Summer (DST)UTC-4 (EDT)
FIPS code42-105-82568

History

The Cherry Springs Picnic Pavilion was added to the National Register of Historic Places in 1987.[3]

Geography

According to the United States Census Bureau, the township has a total area of 62.7 square miles (162.4 km²), of which, 62.6 square miles (162.2 km²) of it is land and 0.1 square miles (0.2 km²) of it (0.11%) is water.

West Branch Township is bordered by Ulysses and Pike Townships to the north, Tioga County to the east, Abbott and Wharton Townships to the south and Summit Township to the west.

Demographics
Historical population
CensusPop.%±
2010393—
Est. 2018382[2]−2.8%
U.S. Decennial Census[4]

As of the census[5] of 2000, there were 392 people, 159 households, and 123 families residing in the township. The population density was 6.3 people per square mile (2.4/km²). There were 669 housing units at an average density of 10.7/sq mi (4.1/km²). The racial makeup of the township was 97.19% White, 1.28% Asian, and 1.53% from two or more races.

There were 159 households, out of which 21.4% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 70.4% were married couples living together, 2.5% had a female householder with no husband present, and 22.6% were non-families. 18.9% of all households were made up of individuals, and 11.3% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.47 and the average family size was 2.72.

In the township the population was spread out, with 19.1% under the age of 18, 4.8% from 18 to 24, 22.4% from 25 to 44, 29.1% from 45 to 64, and 24.5% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 48 years. For every 100 females, there were 98.0 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 100.6 males.

The median income for a household in the township was $39,688, and the median income for a family was $43,750. Males had a median income of $34,750 versus $20,536 for females. The per capita income for the township was $17,214. About 9.8% of families and 12.4% of the population were below the poverty line, including 12.7% of those under age 18 and 14.7% of those age 65 or over.

Politics and government

West Branch Township is governed by 3 locally elected Township Supervisors.

In 2013, West Branch Township residents pay 54.5137 mills in property taxes (GASD - 37.0137 mills, county - 15 mills and township - 2.5 mills).[6]

Potter County level

Three County Commissioners elected by county residents.

State level
Federal level

Education
Map of Potter County, Pennsylvania School Districts

Residents of West Branch Township may attend the local, public schools operated by Galeton Area School District which provides taxpayer funded preschool, full day kindergarten through 12th grade. The District's enrollment declined to 362 students preschool through 12th grade. in 2013. Galeton Area School District ranked 409th out of 500 public schools for academic achievement of its pupils in 2013. West Branch Township residents may also apply to attend any of the Commonwealth's 13 public cyber charter schools at no additional cost to the parents. The Galeton Area School District is required to pay the charter school and cyber charter school tuition for residents who attend these public schools.[7][8] By Commonwealth law, if the District provides transportation for its own students, then the District must provide transportation to any school that lies within 10 miles of its borders. 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 Galeton Area School District were: Elementary School - $9,828.42, High School - $12,543.99.[9]

Seneca Highlands Intermediate Unit #9 provides a wide variety of services to children living in its region which includes West Branch Township. Early screening, special educations services, speech and hearing therapy 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.

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References
  1. "2016 U.S. Gazetteer Files". United States Census Bureau. Retrieved Aug 14, 2017.
  2. Bureau, U. S. Census. "U.S. Census website". United States Census Bureau. US Census Bureau. Retrieved 28 November 2019.
  3. "National Register Information System". National Register of Historic Places. National Park Service. July 9, 2010.
  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. Potter County administration (2013). "2013 Potter County Millage Rates" (PDF). Archived from the original (PDF) on 2014-01-13. Retrieved 2014-01-13.
  7. Pennsylvania Department of Education (2013). "Charter Schools".
  8. Pennsylvania Department of Education (2013). "What is a Charter School?".
  9. Pennsylvania Department of Education (May 2012). "Pennsylvania Public School District Tuition Rates".

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