Warwick Township, Bucks County, Pennsylvania

History

Warwick was formed by petition February 13, 1733 by eighteen residents. It was named after a town in central England and was the home to many Scots-Irish Presbyterians. In 1819, the Township lost over half its territory to the north when Doylestown Township was established.

History is closely tied to several existing structures. The Neshaminy Presbyterian Church is one of the earliest religious associations in Pennsylvania, dating back to 1726. The Moland House was General George Washington's headquarters when 11,000 Continental Army troops camped in Warwick Township from August 10 to August 23, 1777, while on their way to the Battle of Brandywine. The encampment stretched along both sides of Old York Road, on the slope of Carr's Hill to the north, on both sides of Bristol Road, from Mearns Road to Meetinghouse Road. General Washington held a "Council of War" with his four major generals and six brigadier generals in the Moland House. There are nearby historical homes such as the Reading Furnace, which was owned by prominent ironmaster Samuel Van Leer.

While in Warwick Township, the American flag that was designed by Betsy Ross was presented to General Washington, and Warwick Township was the site where the American flag was first flown.

It was here the Marquis de La Fayette and Count Casimir Pulaski joined the American Revolution and distinguished themselves at the Battle of Brandywine and for many years thereafter in the fight for American freedom from England.

The Bridge Valley Bridge and Moland House are listed on the National Register of Historic Places.

Geography

The township is located 20 miles north of Philadelphia and 10 miles west of Trenton, New Jersey. According to the United States Census Bureau, the township has a total area of 11.1 square miles (28.9 km2), all land. It is drained by the Delaware River via the Neshaminy Creek, which forms part of Warwick's northern border. Its villages include Breadysville (also in Warminster Township), Bridge Valley, Grenoble, Hartsville (also in Warminster Township), Jamison, Sugar Bottom, and Traymore.

Other natural features include Dark Hollow and Little Neshaminy Creek.

Neighboring municipalities

• Warminster Township (southwest)
• Warrington Township (west)
• Doylestown Township (northwest)
• Buckingham Township (north)
• Wrightstown Township (northeast)
• Northampton Township (southeast)
• Ivyland (tangent to the south)

Demographics

As of the 2010 census, the township was 93.4% White, 1.3% Black or African American, 0.2% Native American, 3.7% Asian, and 1.0% were two or more races. 2.1% of the population were of Hispanic or Latino ancestry.

As of the census of 2000, there were 11,977 people, 3,933 households, and 3,268 families residing in the township. The population density was 1,075.3 PD/sqmi. There were 4,050 housing units at an average density of 363.6 /sqmi. The racial makeup of the township was 95.93% White, 1.04% African American, 0.07% Native American, 2.14% Asian, 0.05% Pacific Islander, 0.13% from other races, and 0.64% from two or more races. Hispanic or Latino of any race were 1.03% of the population.

There were 3,933 households, out of which 50.4% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 74.3% were married couples living together, 6.5% had a female householder with no husband present, and 16.9% were non-families. 13.1% of all households were made up of individuals, and 3.4% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 3.04 and the average family size was 3.38.

In the township the population was spread out, with 33.1% under the age of 18, 4.9% from 18 to 24, 36.2% from 25 to 44, 20.1% from 45 to 64, and 5.8% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 34 years. For every 100 females there were 96.6 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 93.0 males.

The median income for a household in the township was $81,711, and the median income for a family was $88,145. Males had a median income of $60,334 versus $36,751 for females. The per capita income for the township was $29,734. About 1.2% of families and 2.3% of the population were below the poverty line, including 1.7% of those under age 18 and 5.9% of those age 65 or over.

Climate

According to the Köppen climate classification system, Warwick Township, Pennsylvania has a hot-summer, wet all year, humid continental climate (Dfa). Dfa climates are characterized by at least one month having an average mean temperature ≤ 32.0 °F (≤ 0.0 °C), at least four months with an average mean temperature ≥ 50.0 °F (≥ 10.0 °C), at least one month with an average mean temperature ≥ 71.6 °F (≥ 22.0 °C), and no significant precipitation difference between seasons. During the summer months, episodes of extreme heat and humidity can occur with heat index values ≥ 100 °F (≥ 38 °C). On average, the wettest month of the year is July which corresponds with the annual peak in thunderstorm activity. During the winter months, episodes of extreme cold and wind can occur with wind chill values

| Jan dew point F = 21.0 | Feb dew point F = 22.4 | Mar dew point F = 27.8 | Apr dew point F = 37.6 | May dew point F = 48.4 | Jun dew point F = 59.3 | Jul dew point F = 63.7 | Aug dew point F = 63.3 | Sep dew point F = 56.8 | Oct dew point F = 45.2 | Nov dew point F = 35.4 | Dec dew point F = 26.1 | year dew point F = 42.3

Transportation

As of 2022 there were 73.44 mi of public roads in Warwick Township, of which 13.87 mi were maintained by the Pennsylvania Department of Transportation (PennDOT) and 59.57 mi were maintained by the township.

Pennsylvania Route 263 (York Road) is the main north–south road in Warwick Township. Almshouse Road runs northwest–southeast through the center of the township and crosses PA 263 in Jamison. Bristol Road runs northwest–southeast along the southern border of the township and crosses PA 263 in Hartsville. The New Hope Railroad passes briefly through the eastern portion of the township. There is no public transportation within the borders of Warwick Township, with the Warminster station along SEPTA Regional Rail's Warminster Line located in neighboring Warminster Township.

Ecology

According to the A. W. Kuchler U.S. potential natural vegetation types, Warwick Township, Pennsylvania would have an Appalachian Oak (104) vegetation type with an Eastern Hardwood Forest (25) vegetation form.

References

References

1. "Population and Housing Unit Estimates".
2. "2016 U.S. Gazetteer Files". United States Census Bureau.
3. {{NRISref
4. "DVRPC > Site Search".
5. "Census 2020".
6. "Census 2010: Philadelphia gains, Pittsburgh shrinks in population". [[USA Today]].
7. "U.S. Census website". [[United States Census Bureau]].
8. "USDA Interactive Plant Hardiness Map". [[United States Department of Agriculture]].
9. "PRISM Climate Group, Oregon State U".
10. "Warwick Township map". PennDOT.
11. (2015). "Bucks County, Pennsylvania Highway Map". [[Pennsylvania Department of Transportation.
12. "Transit Routes in Bucks County". TMA Bucks.
13. "U.S. Potential Natural Vegetation, Original Kuchler Types, v2.0 (Spatially Adjusted to Correct Geometric Distortions)". [[Data Basin]].