Upper St. Clair Township, Allegheny County, Pennsylvania

Upper St. Clair is a township with home rule status in southern Allegheny County, Pennsylvania, situated about 8 miles (13 km) south of Downtown Pittsburgh. It is known for being an affluent suburb with a nationally recognized school district. As of the 2010 census, the township population was 19,229.

Not to be confused with East St. Clair Township, Bedford County, Pennsylvania; St. Clair Township, Westmoreland County, Pennsylvania; or West St. Clair Township, Bedford County, Pennsylvania.

Upper St. Clair Township,
Allegheny County, Pennsylvania
First Class Township with home rule
Location in Allegheny County and state of Pennsylvania
CountryUnited States
StatePennsylvania
CountyAllegheny
Settled1762
Incorporated1788
Government
 • TypeBoard of Commissioners
 • PresidentMark D. Christie
 • Twp. ManagerMatthew Serakowski
Area
 • Total9.83 sq mi (25.45 km2)
 • Land9.82 sq mi (25.43 km2)
 • Water0.01 sq mi (0.02 km2)
Population
 (2010)
 • Total19,229
 • Estimate 
(2018)[2]
19,685
 • Density2,018.03/sq mi (779.15/km2)
Time zoneUTC-5 (Eastern (EST))
 • Summer (DST)UTC-4 (EDT)
Area code(s)412
FIPS code42-003-79274
Websitehttp://www.twpusc.org

Around 9% of the township's area is dedicated to 14 parks and multiple fields, totaling approximately 733 acres.[3] The township has six borders with neighboring communities, including South Fayette Township to the west, Bridgeville to the northwest, Scott Township and Mt. Lebanon to the north, Bethel Park to the east, and Peters Township in Washington County to the south.

Etymology

St. Clair Township was named after General Arthur St. Clair of Revolutionary War fame, the 9th President of the United States in Congress Assembled. Under his administration as President from February 2, 1787 to October 29, 1787, the Northwest Ordinance and United States Constitution of 1787 were passed.[4]

History

The first European settler in present-day Upper St. Clair was John Fife, who settled near what is now the intersection of Washington and McLaughlin Run roads in 1762.[5]

St. Clair was one of the original townships of Allegheny County, Pennsylvania at the county's creation in 1788. In 1836, the St. Clair Township was divided into two separate townships, Upper St. Clair and Lower St. Clair. The residents of Upper St. Clair formed their township to ensure better government service that could be obtained by separating from the more densely populated northern part of the township. Upper St. Clair Township was further subdivided throughout the 19th and 20th centuries as several parts of the original township separated to form new townships and boroughs. In 1973, Upper St. Clair Township adopted a home rule charter that took effect on January 5, 1976, and is no longer governed by the Pennsylvania Township Code.[6]

The Whiskey Rebellion of 1794 had its roots in Upper St. Clair.

Formed as a volunteer militia company in 1844 by residents of the township, the "St. Clair Guards" later became Company H of the 62nd Pennsylvania Infantry.

The community was home to several mines beginning in the late 19th century. Freehold Real Estate Co. built the first major residential development in March 1913 along Washington Road, which at the time was conveniently close to streetcar service.

Today, the community has many fashionable homes and is considered one of the wealthiest suburbs of Pittsburgh.[7]

Geography

According to the United States Census Bureau, the township is located at 40°20′8.2986″N 80°4′46.9956″W. It has a total area of 9.8 square miles (25 km2), of which 0.10% is water.[8]

Education

Taxes

School tax millage rate - The Upper Saint Clair School District in 2017 was 25.16. This ranked 8th highest/most expensive out of Allegheny County's 45 school districts [between Woodland Hills SD (7th highest) and Northgate SD (9th highest)].[9]

Demographics
Historical population
CensusPop.%±
18501,626—
18601,84713.6%
1870810−56.1%
18808292.3%
18901,54886.7%
19002,69374.0%
19101,311−51.3%
19201,45811.2%
19301,94733.5%
19402,48627.7%
19503,62946.0%
19608,287128.4%
197015,47186.7%
198019,02323.0%
199019,6923.5%
200020,0531.8%
201019,229−4.1%
2018 (est.)19,685[2]2.4%
Sources:[10][11][12][13][14][15][16][17]

As of the census[16] of 2000, there were 20,053 people, 6,966 households, and 5,823 families residing in the township. The population density was 2,055.7 people per square mile (794.1/km²). There were 7,091 housing units at an average density of 726.9/sq mi (280.8/km²). The racial makeup of the township was 93.79% White, 0.18% African American, 0.02% Native American, 4.02% Asian, 0.02% Pacific Islander, 0.07% from other races, and 0.62% from two or more races. Hispanic or Latino people of any race were 0.78% of the population.

There were 6,966 households, out of which 60.8% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 76.3% were married couples living together, 5.6% had a female householder with no husband present, and 16.4% were non-families. 15.0% of all households were made up of individuals, and 9.0% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.81 and the average family size was 3.14.

In the township the population was spread out, with 28.3% under the age of 18, 4.3% from 18 to 24, 22.6% from 25 to 44, 28.3% from 45 to 64, and 16.4% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 42 years. For every 100 females there were 93.7 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 89.1 males.

Government and politics

The structure of Upper St. Clair is a managerial government along with an elected Board of Commissioners consisting of seven members. In a Commission/Manager form of government, the main responsibility of the Board of Commissioner is to function as a policy-making body of government, while the managerial body is responsible for the administrative functions of the Township.

Matthew R. Serakowski is the current Township Manager and Mark S. Mansfield is the current Assistant Township Manager. The elected Board of Commissioners are Mark D. Christie (President), Nicholas J. Seitanakis (Vice President), Russell Del Re, C. Elise Logan, Robert W. Orchowski, Daniel R. Paoly, and Ronald J. Pardini.[18]

Jonathan Wharton is the current Chief of Police, who was appointed in August 2018.[19]

Presidential Elections Results[20][21]
Year Republican Democratic Third Parties
2020 46% 6,380 53% 7,353 1% 173
2016 52% 6,064 48% 5.618 1% 76
2012 62% 7,388 37% 4,468 1% 87

Best places to live in the U.S.

Upper St. Clair was ranked as one of the 10 best places to live in the United States in 2009, according to U.S. News & World Report.[22]

Notable people

References
  1. "2016 U.S. Gazetteer Files". United States Census Bureau. Retrieved August 13, 2017.
  2. Bureau, U. S. Census. "U.S. Census website". United States Census Bureau. US Census Bureau. Retrieved December 1, 2019.
  3. "Recreation & Leisure - Parks & Fields". www.twpusc.org. Retrieved October 22, 2020.
    • Klos, Stanley L. (2004). ""Arthur St. Clair"". President Who? Forgotten Founders. Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania: Evisum, Inc. ISBN 0-9752627-5-0.
  5. "History of Upper St. Clair". Township of Upper St. Clair. Archived from the original on July 14, 2010. Retrieved July 23, 2009.
  6. Pennsylvania Code Title 302, Section 25.1–101 et seq.
  7. "Top 20 and Bottom 20 Wealthiest Suburbs". ERSI. Retrieved December 15, 2016.
  8. "Census 2000 Gazetteer Files". United States Census Bureau. Archived from the original on December 17, 2002. Retrieved July 25, 2009.
  9. EL. "Allegheny County Treasurer". Retrieved September 1, 2017.
  10. "Population of Civil Divisions Less than Counties" (PDF). 1870 United States Census. U.S. Census Bureau. Retrieved November 25, 2013.
  11. "Population of Civil Divisions Less than Counties" (PDF). 1880 United States Census. U.S. Census Bureau. Retrieved November 24, 2013.
  12. "Population-Pennsylvania" (PDF). U.S. Census 1910. U.S. Census Bureau. Retrieved November 22, 2013.
  13. "Number and Distribution of Inhabitants:Pennsylvania-Tennessee" (PDF). Fifteenth Census. U.S. Census Bureau.
  14. "Number of Inhabitants: Pennsylvania" (PDF). 18th Census of the United States. U.S. Census Bureau. Retrieved November 22, 2013.
  15. "Pennsylvania: Population and Housing Unit Counts" (PDF). U.S. Census Bureau. Retrieved November 22, 2013.
  16. "U.S. Census website". United States Census Bureau. Retrieved January 31, 2008.
  17. "Incorporated Places and Minor Civil Divisions Datasets: Subcounty Population Estimates: April 1, 2010 to July 1, 2012". U.S. Census Bureau. Archived from the original on June 11, 2013. Retrieved November 25, 2013.
  18. "Government - Board of Commissioners". www.twpusc.org. Retrieved February 8, 2019.
  19. Kish, Terry. "Upper St. Clair welcomes new police chief". The Almanac. Retrieved February 8, 2019.
  20. EL. "2012 Allegheny County election". Pittsburgh Tribune-Review. Retrieved October 15, 2017.
  21. EL. "2016 Pennsylvani general election..." Pittsburgh Post-Gazette. Retrieved October 15, 2017.
  22. "Best Places to Live 2009". U.S. News & World Report. Retrieved July 23, 2009.
  23. "45 Sean Lee". Penn State Official Athletic Site – Football. Retrieved July 23, 2009.
  24. "Ryan Malone". NHL.com -Players. Retrieved July 23, 2009.
  25. Owen, Rob (August 25, 2000). "TV Preview: 'Robot' survivor?". Pittsburgh Post-Gazette. Retrieved January 4, 2018.
  26. "Pens sign Upper St. Clair native Reese". Retrieved July 2, 2012.


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