Akron, Pennsylvania: Difference between revisions

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{{short description|Borough in Pennsylvania, US}}

'''Akron, Pennsylvania''' is located in [[Lancaster County, Pennsylvania]]. It is a small town with two main roads going through it: Main Street and Pennsylvania State Route 272. The town is mostly residential with a number of small businesses. The headquarters of the [[Mennonites|Mennonite]] church's relief organization, the [[Mennonite Central Committee]], is located in the center of the town. The town features the Roland Park which has baseball fields, pavillions, a pond, a gazebo, tennis courts, and a 18 target [[Disc golf]] (aka [[Frisbee Golf]]) course.

{{Use mdy dates|date=January 2025}}

{{Infobox settlement

| name = Akron, Pennsylvania

| settlement_type = [[Borough (Pennsylvania)|Borough]]

| image_skyline = 2008 05 10 - Akron - Main@272 b.JPG

| image_alt =

| image_caption = Main Street at [[Pennsylvania Route 272]]

| image_flag =

| flag_alt =

| image_seal =

| seal_alt =

| image_shield =

| shield_alt =

| etymology =

| nickname =

| motto =

| image_map = File:Lancaster County Pennsylvania Incorporated and Unincorporated areas Akron Highlighted.svg

| mapsize =

| map_alt =

| map_caption = Location of Akron in [[Lancaster County, Pennsylvania]] (left) and of Lancaster County in [[Pennsylvania]] (right)

| pushpin_map = Pennsylvania#USA

| pushpin_label = Akron

| pushpin_label_position = top

| pushpin_map_alt =

| pushpin_map_caption = Location in Pennsylvania##Location in the United States

| coordinates = {{coord|40|09|23|N|76|12|14|W|display=inline,title}}

| coor_pinpoint =

| coordinates_footnotes =

| subdivision_type = Country

| subdivision_name = United States

| subdivision_type1 = [[U.S. state|State]]

| subdivision_name1 = [[Pennsylvania]]

| subdivision_type2 = County

| subdivision_name2 = [[Lancaster County, Pennsylvania|Lancaster]]

| established_title =

| established_date =

| established_title1 =

| established_date1 =

| founder =

| seat_type =

| seat =

| leader_party =

| leader_title = Mayor

| leader_name = John McBeth

| unit_pref = Imperial

| area_footnotes = <ref name="TigerWebMapServer">{{cite web|title=ArcGIS REST Services Directory|url=https://tigerweb.geo.census.gov/arcgis/rest/services/TIGERweb/Places_CouSub_ConCity_SubMCD/MapServer/5/query?where=STATE='42'&outFields=NAME,STATE,PLACE,AREALAND,AREAWATER,LSADC,CENTLAT,CENTLON&orderByFields=PLACE&returnGeometry=false&returnTrueCurves=false&f=json|publisher=[[United States Census Bureau]]|accessdate=October 12, 2022}}</ref>

| area_total_sq_mi = 1.23

| area_land_sq_mi = 1.23

| area_water_sq_mi = 0.01

| area_urban_sq_mi =

| area_rural_sq_mi =

| area_metro_sq_mi =

| area_water_percent =

| area_note =

| elevation_footnotes =

| elevation_ft = 509

| population_footnotes = <ref name="USCensusDecennial2020CenPopScriptOnly"/>

| population_total = 4152

| population_as_of = [[2020 United States census|2020]]

| population_density_sq_mi = 3383.86

| population_demonym =

| population_note =

| timezone1 = [[North American Eastern Time Zone|EST]]

| utc_offset1 = -5

| timezone1_DST = [[Eastern Daylight Time|EDT]]

| utc_offset1_DST = -4

| postal_code_type = [[ZIP Code]]

| postal_code = 17501

| area_code_type =

| area_code = [[Area codes 717 and 223|717]] {{force singular}}

| blank_name_sec1 =

| blank_info_sec1 =

| website = {{URL|www.akron-pa.com}}

| pop_est_as_of =

| pop_est_footnotes =

| population_est =

| blank_name = [[Federal Information Processing Standards|FIPS code]]

| blank_info = 42-00540

| area_total_km2 = 3.19

| area_land_km2 = 3.18

| area_water_km2 = 0.02

| population_density_km2 = 1307.03

}}

'''Akron''' is a [[Borough (Pennsylvania)|borough]] in [[Lancaster County, Pennsylvania]], United States. As of the [[2020 United States census|2020 census]], it had a population of 4,169,<ref name="USCensusEst2020-2021">{{cite web |last1=|first1= |title=City and Town Population Totals: 2020-2021 |url=https://www.census.gov/data/tables/time-series/demo/popest/2020s-total-cities-and-towns.html |website=Census.gov |publisher=[[US Census Bureau]] |access-date=9 July 2022}}</ref>

The town is a quiet town with low traffic on all of the side roads. There is very little crime.

== General Information ==

*Zip code: 17501

*Area code: 717

*Local phone code: 859

*Main Street's speed limit: 25 miles per hour

== History ==

Akron was incorporated as a borough in 1895.<ref>{{Cite web|url=http://www.akron-pa.com/history.html|title=Akron PA - A Brief History|website=www.akron-pa.com|access-date=2018-12-13}}</ref> Before this point, a small village called New Berlin sat at the center of the borough.<ref>{{Cite web |title=Map of Lancaster County, Pennsylvania. |url=https://www.loc.gov/resource/g3823l.la000762/ |access-date=2022-03-18 |website=Library of Congress|date=January 1851 }}</ref> A railroad used to run through Akron and served a railroad station in the town. A trolley also used to run in parts of the borough. The railroad has since been abandoned and is now the Warwick to Ephrata Rail Trail.

A railroad used to run through '''Akron''' and there was a railroad station in the town. The railroad is now gone, but along the old site of the railroad remnants of the tracks can still be found, such as railroad ties.

==Geography==

== Law and Government ==

Akron is located in northern Lancaster County at {{Coord|40|9|23|N|76|12|14|W|type:city}} (40.156472, -76.204000).<ref name="GR1">{{cite web|url=https://www.census.gov/geographies/reference-files/time-series/geo/gazetteer-files.html|publisher=[[United States Census Bureau]]|access-date=2011-04-23|date=2011-02-12|title=US Gazetteer files: 2010, 2000, and 1990}}</ref> It is bordered to the north by the borough of [[Ephrata, Pennsylvania|Ephrata]]. Two main roads pass through the borough: Main Street and 7th Street ([[Pennsylvania Route 272]]). [[Lancaster, Pennsylvania|Lancaster]], the [[county seat]], is {{convert|11|mi}} to the southwest, and [[Reading, Pennsylvania|Reading]] is {{convert|21|mi}} to the northeast.

Akron [[borough]] is an independent local government unit located in Lancaster County. It is run by an elected borough council and an elected mayor.

The borough is located on a hill. According to the [[United States Census Bureau]], the borough has a total area of {{convert|1.23|sqmi|2}}, all land.<ref name="CenPopGazetteer2019">{{cite web|title=2019 U.S. Gazetteer Files: Places: Pennsylvania|url=https://www2.census.gov/geo/docs/maps-data/data/gazetteer/2019_Gazetteer/2019_gaz_place_42.txt|publisher=United States Census Bureau|access-date=September 1, 2020}}</ref> [[Cocalico Creek]] forms part of the northern border of the borough and loops past the west side of the borough, leading to the [[Conestoga River]], a tributary of the [[Susquehanna River|Susquehanna]].

== Geography ==

The borough is located on a hill. It has a total area of 3.3 [[square kilometer|km&sup2;]] (1.3 [[square mile|mi&sup2;]]). None of the area is covered by water.

== Economy Demographics==

{{US Census population

The economy is mostly made up of small businesses. There are very few large busineses because the town is small and mostly residential. The largest business is the non-profit [[Mennonite Central Committee]], which has its headquarters in the town.

|align=left

|1880= 284

|1890= 606

|1900= 653

|1910= 719

|1920= 723

|1930= 747

|1940= 877

|1950= 1028

|1960= 2167

|1970= 3149

|1980= 3471

|1990= 3869

|2000= 4046

|2010= 3876

|2020= 4169

|estyear=2021

|estimate=4145

|estref=<ref name="USCensusEst2020-2021"/>

|footnote=Sources:<ref name="GR9">{{cite web|url=https://www.census.gov/programs-surveys/decennial-census.html|publisher=[[United States Census Bureau]]|access-date=2012-03-04|title=Census of Population and Housing: Decennial Censuses }}</ref><ref name=CensusPopEst>{{cite web|title=Incorporated Places and Minor Civil Divisions Datasets: Subcounty Resident Population Estimates: April 1, 2010 to July 1, 2012|url=https://www.census.gov/popest/data/cities/totals/2012/SUB-EST2012.html|work=Population Estimates|publisher=U.S. Census Bureau|access-date=11 December 2013|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130611010502/http://www.census.gov/popest/data/cities/totals/2012/SUB-EST2012.html|archive-date=11 June 2013}}</ref><ref name="DecennialCensus">{{cite web|url=http://www.census.gov/prod/www/decennial.html|title=Census of Population and Housing|publisher=Census.gov|accessdate=June 4, 2016}}</ref><ref name="USCensusDecennial2020CenPopScriptOnly">{{cite web|url=https://api.census.gov/data/2020/dec/pl?get=P1_001N,NAME&for=place:*&in=state:42&key=5ccd0821c15d9f4520e2dcc0f8d92b2ec9336108|title=Census Population API|publisher=United States Census Bureau|accessdate=Oct 12, 2022}}</ref>

}}

As of the [[census]]<ref name="GR2">{{cite web|url=https://www.census.gov |publisher=[[United States Census Bureau]] |access-date=2008-01-31 |title=U.S. Census website }}</ref> of 2000, there were 4,046 people, 1,622 households, and 1,138 families residing in the borough. The [[population density]] was {{convert|3,199.8|/mi2|/km2|disp=preunit|people&nbsp;|people}}. There were 1,687 housing units at an average density of {{convert|1,334.2|/mi2|/km2}}. The racial makeup of the borough was 96.42% [[White (U.S. Census)|White]], 0.54% [[African American (U.S. Census)|Black]] or [[Race (United States Census)|African American]], 0.22% [[Native American (U.S. Census)|Native American]], 1.38% [[Asian (U.S. Census)|Asian]], 0.79% from [[Race (United States Census)|other races]], and 0.64% from two or more races. 2.22% of the population were [[Hispanics in the United States|Hispanic]] or [[Latino (U.S. Census)|Latino]] of any race.

There were 1,622 households, out of which 27.7% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 60.5% were [[Marriage|married couples]] living together, 7.4% had a female householder with no husband present, and 29.8% were non-families. 24.8% of all households were made up of individuals, and 9.1% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.41 and the average family size was 2.86.

== Demographics ==

As of [[2000]], there are 4,046 people, 1,622 households, and 1,138 families residing in the borough. The population density is 1,239.8/km&sup2; (3,199.8/mi&sup2;). There are 1,687 housing units at an average density of 516.9 persons/km&sup2; (1,334.2 persons/mi&sup2;). The racial makeup of the borough is 96.42% White, 0.54% [[African American]], 0.22% [[Native American]], 1.38% [[Asia|Asian]], 0.00% Pacific Islander, 0.79% from other races, and 0.64% from two or more races. 2.22% of the population are [[Hispanic]] or [[Latino]] of any race.

In the borough the population was spread out, with 21.7% under the age of 18, 6.5% from 18 to 24, 28.3% from 25 to 44, 24.2% from 45 to 64, and 19.3% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 41 years. For every 100 females there were 89.9 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 89.3 males.

The median income for a household in the borough was $45,407, and the median income for a family was $53,365. Males had a median income of $37,061 versus $24,545 for females. The [[per capita income]] for the borough was $19,983. About 3.4% of families and 4.6% of the population were below the [[poverty line]], including 4.9% of those under age 18 and 8.1% of those age 65 or over.

==Schools==

===Elementary===

* Akron Elementary in [[Ephrata Area School District]]

== Police, government, and fire protection ==

Akron borough is an independent local government unit located in Lancaster County. It is run by an elected borough council and an elected mayor. The current mayor is John McBeth. The borough council is currently run by President Nathan Imhoff. Established in 1893, the Akron Volunteer Fire Company Lancaster County Station 12<ref>{{Cite web |title=The Volunteer Fire Company of Akron Pennsylvania-Station 12- Home Page |url=http://www.akronfire.org/ |access-date=2023-01-23 |website=www.akronfire.org |language=en}}</ref> has approximately 50 active members and three pieces of current operating fire apparatus: one engine, one rescue engine, and one squad.{{Citation needed|date=March 2008}}

== Economy ==

The economy is mostly made up of small businesses. There are very few large businesses because the town is small and mostly residential. The American headquarters of the [[Mennonite Central Committee]], which started the Fair Trade retailer [[Ten Thousand Villages]], are located in the town.

== Recreation ==

There are 1,622 households out of which 27.7% have children under the age of 18 living with them, 60.5% are married couples living together, 7.4% have a woman whose husband does not live with her, and 29.8% are non-families. 24.8% of all households are made up of individuals and 9.1% have someone living alone who is 65 years of age or older. The average household size is 2.41 and the average family size is 2.86.

[[File:Lloyd H Roland Memorial Park.jpg|thumb|The gazebo at Lloyd H. Roland Memorial Park]]

Loyd H. Roland Memorial Park (also known as Akron Park),<ref>{{cite web|title=Parks|url=http://www.akron-pa.com/parks.html|website=www.akron-pa.com|access-date=23 May 2018}}</ref> is a 70-plus acre park located on Main Street on the east side of Akron. The park has baseball fields, tennis courts, a beach volleyball court, a basketball court, a playground, hiking trails, a pond, picnic pavilions, a gazebo, and an 18-hole disc golf course.

==Culture==

In the borough the population is spread out with 21.7% under the age of 18, 6.5% from 18 to 24, 28.3% from 25 to 44, 24.2% from 45 to 64, and 19.3% who are 65 years of age or older. The median age is 41 years. For every 100 females there are 89.9 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there are 89.3 males.

Akron is one of the many Pennsylvania towns to drop or raise a unique item at midnight on [[New Year's Eve]]. The "Shoe-In" begins several hours before midnight with children's activities, carriage rides, music, and a bonfire. People donate children's shoes which are passed on to the needy. In honor of the area's former shoemaking industry (that used to be located where the Ten-Thousand Villages corporate offices are currently located) a giant [[sneakers|sneaker]] is lowered at midnight.<ref>{{Cite news|url=http://lititzrecord.com/entertainment/permanent-pole-akrons-new-years-eve-shoe-drop/|title=Permanent pole for Akron's New Year's Eve shoe drop - Lititz Record Express|date=2016-12-21|newspaper=Lititz Record Express|language=en-US|access-date=2017-01-26}}</ref>

== References ==

The median income for a household in the borough is $45,407, and the median income for a family is $53,365. Males have a median income of $37,061 versus $24,545 for females. The per capita income for the borough is $19,983. 4.6% of the population and 3.4% of families are below the poverty line. Out of the total people living in poverty, 4.9% are under the age of 18 and 8.1% are 65 or older.

{{Reflist}}

==External Services links==

{{Commons category-inline}}

Volunteer fire company of '''Akron'''

*{{Official website|www.akron-pa.com}}

*1229 Main Street

*http://www.akronfire.org

{{Lancaster County, Pennsylvania}}

'''Akron''' borough police department

*117 S 7th St

*[phone]

{{authority control}}

== Lodging ==

*[[Bella Vista Bed and Breakfast]]

[[Category:Populated places established in 1884]]

== Restaurants ==

[[Category:Boroughs in Lancaster County, Pennsylvania]]

*Akron restaurant

[[Category:1884 establishments in Pennsylvania]]

*Piero's