Cheltenham Township is a township located in Montgomery County, Pennsylvania. As of the 2000 census, the township had a total population of 36,875.

Geography

According to the United States Census Bureau, the township has a total area of 23.4 km² (9.0 mi²). None of the area is covered with water. It includes the towns of Cheltenham, Elkins Park, Wyncote, Glenside, Melrose Park, LaMott and Laverock.

Demographics

As of the census² of 2000, there are 36,875 people, 14,346 households, and 9,640 families residing in the township. The population density is 1,576.7/km² (4,083.1/mi²). There are 14,897 housing units at an average density of 637.0/km² (1,649.5/mi²). The racial makeup of the township is 66.45% White, 24.61% African American, 0.12% Native American, 6.44% Asian, 0.06% Pacific Islander, 0.79% from other races, and 1.53% from two or more races. 1.99% of the population are Hispanic or Latino of any race.

30.4% of the townships households have children under the age of 18 living with them, 53.4% are headed by married couples living together, 10.6% have a female householder with no husband present, and 32.8% are non-families. 27.6% of all households are made up of individuals and 12.5% have someone living alone who is 65 years of age or older. The average household size is 2.47 and the average family size is 3.05.

In the township the population is spread out with 22.8% under the age of 18, 8.5% from 18 to 24, 25.9% from 25 to 44, 24.1% from 45 to 64, and 18.6% who are 65 years of age or older. The median age is 40 years. For every 100 females there are 86.3 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there are 81.0 males.

The median income for a household in the township is $61,713, and the median income for a family is $76,792. Males have a median income of $50,564 versus $36,439 for females. The per capita income for the township is $31,424. 5.1% of the population and 3.0% of families are below the poverty line. Out of the total population, 6.5% of those under the age of 18 and 3.2% of those 65 and older are living below the poverty line.

Education

The Cheltenham School District is one of the top ranked school districts in the State of Pennsylvania. There are seven public schools and a number of private schools. They include Cheltenham Elementary School(k-4), Myers Elementary School(k-4), Glenside Elementary School(k-4), Wyncote Elementary School(k-4), Elkins Park School(5-6), Cedarbrook Junior High School(7-8), and Cheltenham High School(9-12). The main private high school in Cheltenham Township is McDevitt High School (9-12).

Libraries

Cheltenham Township has four libaries which are the East Cheltenham Free Libary, Elkins Park free Libary, La Mott Free Libary, and the Glenside Free libary.

Public Transit

The SEPTA regional rail line has stations in Elkins Park and on the border of Wyncote (Jenkintown station).

Beginning on January 31, 2005, Cheltenham Township will partner with Abington Township to launch a shared transit service. The Cheltenham Transit Service will operate on Tuesdays, Thursdays and Saturdays according to the same route and timetable as the current schedule. A new bus will be used for the service since Laidlaw Transit Service will be the new contractor. All other policies and procedures will remain the same. The bus will run in Abington Township on Mondays, Wednesdays and Fridays.

The addition of Saturday to the Cheltenham Transit Service schedule offers riders new flexibility in their weekend travels. Although the change will result in a net reduction in service, Township officials consider this option preferable to eliminating the transit bus altogether.

Emergency Servies

Nearly 200 volunteer fire fighters serve in the Township's five fire companies -- Cheltenham, Elkins Park, Glenside, LaMott and Ogontz. Every volunteer spends hundreds of hours each year practicing fire fighting techniques and training with sophisticated equipment. Fire fighters also strive to prevent fires from happening through education programs. Specially trained fire fighters visit local schools to teach youngsters how to avoid fire dangers. The Fire Expo, held in conjunction with National Fire Prevention Week each October, offers impressive apparatus demonstrations as well as expert advice on using smoke detectors properly and devising a personal home fire escape plan.

There are four fire departments located in Cheltenham Township.

External links

• School District of Cheltenham Township (http://www.cheltenham.org)
• Cheltenham Township (http://www.cheltenhamtownship.org)