West Alexander, Pennsylvania

West Alexander is a census-designated place in Donegal Township, Washington County, Pennsylvania, United States. The population was 604 at the 2010 census. At the 2000 census the population was 320 at which time it was a borough. The borough was dissolved into surrounding Donegal Township, effective January 1, 2009.[1][2]

West Alexander
Census-designated place
Main Street
Location of West Alexander in Washington County
West Alexander
Location of West Alexander in Pennsylvania
Coordinates: 40°6′15″N 80°30′28″W
CountryUnited States
StatePennsylvania
CountyWashington
Established1796
Area
 • Total0.2 sq mi (0.5 km2)
Population
 (2010)
 • Total604
 • Density3,000/sq mi (1,200/km2)
Time zoneUTC-4 (EST)
 • Summer (DST)UTC-5 (EDT)
Area code(s)724

Geography

West Alexander is located at 40°6′15″N 80°30′28″W (40.104190, -80.507841).[3]

According to the United States Census Bureau, the borough had a total area of 0.2 square miles (0.52 km2), all of it land.

Demographics

As of the census[4] of 2000, there were 320 people, 116 households, and 83 families residing in the borough. The population density was 2,033.5 people per square mile (772.2/km2). There were 125 housing units at an average density of 794.3 per square mile (301.6/km2). The racial makeup of the borough was 97.81% White, 1.56% African American, and 0.62% from two or more races. Hispanic or Latino of any race were 0.94% of the population.

There were 116 households, out of which 34.5% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 56.9% were married couples living together, 12.9% had a female householder with no husband present, and 28.4% were non-families. 25.9% of all households were made up of individuals, and 15.5% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.61 and the average family size was 3.16.

In the borough the population was spread out, with 29.7% under the age of 18, 4.4% from 18 to 24, 30.3% from 25 to 44, 19.4% from 45 to 64, and 16.3% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 35 years. For every 100 females, there were 81.8 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 78.6 males.

The median income for a household in the borough was $26,563, and the median income for a family was $30,625. Males had a median income of $29,271 versus $21,364 for females. The per capita income for the borough was $13,815. About 6.1% of families and 17.8% of the population were below the poverty line, including 21.8% of those under age 18 and 29.2% of those age 65 or over.

Dissolution

Though the borough had a successful commerce center based on antique and gift shops in its National Register of Historic Places-listed historic district, a fire in 1990 destroyed several of those businesses and closed others. The town never completely recovered. The fire, combined with a $3.2 million debt for a sewage treatment plant, forced residents to consider a merger with Donegal Township, which was completed in 2009.[1][5]

References
  1. Gazarik, Richard (2013-02-11). "Pa. communities often turn to merger or consolidation to ease financial strains". Pittsburgh Tribune-Review TribLive. Archived from the original on 2014-09-15. Retrieved 2014-09-15.
  2. "Flood Insurance Study, Washington County, Pennsylvania" (PDF). Federal Emergency Management Agency. 2013-10-25. Archived from the original (PDF) on 2014-09-15. Retrieved 2014-09-15.
  3. "US Gazetteer files: 2010, 2000, and 1990". United States Census Bureau. 2011-02-12. Retrieved 2011-04-23.
  4. "U.S. Census website". United States Census Bureau. Retrieved 2008-01-31.
  5. Denise Bachman (1999-12-26). "At the crossroads, Once thriving West Alexander tries to rebound from fire and hard times". Green County: Observer-Reporter.
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