Whitehall Township, Pennsylvania
Whitehall Township is a township in
Lehigh County,
Pennsylvania, in the
United States. Whitehall Township is a suburb of
Allentown, Pennsylvania, in the
Lehigh Valley region of the state.
The population of Whitehall Township was 24,896 at the 2000 census.
The
Lehigh Valley Mall, the largest Lehigh Valley-based shopping mall, is located in Whitehall Township.
According to the
United States Census Bureau, the township has a total area of 33.1
km² (12.8
mi²). 32.6 km² (12.6 mi²) of it is land and 0.6 km² (0.2 mi²) of it (1.80%) is water.
Township Boundary Map (source: Lehigh County, PA web site)
As of the
census² of 2000, there were 24,896 people, 10,376 households, and 6,817 families residing in the township. The
population density was 764.7/km² (1,981.1/mi²). There were 10,744 housing units at an average density of 330.0/km² (855.0/mi²). The racial makeup of the township was 90.56%
White, 2.74%
African American, 0.13%
Native American, 3.62%
Asian, 0.06%
Pacific Islander, 1.71% from
other races, and 1.18% from two or more races.
Hispanic or
Latino of any race were 4.37% of the population.
There were 10,376 households out of which 27.0% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 53.3% were
married couples living together, 8.8% had a female householder with no husband present, and 34.3% were non-families. 28.6% of all households were made up of individuals and 452% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.37 and the average family size was 2.93.
In the township the population was spread out with 21.2% under the age of 18, 7.3% from 18 to 24, 30.6% from 25 to 44, 22.7% from 45 to 64, and 18.1% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 40 years. For every 100 females there were 92.0 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 89.3 males.
The median income for a household in the township was $43,070, and the median income for a family was $51,597. Males had a median income of $39,175 versus $26,933 for females. The
per capita income for the township was $21,383. About 4.4% of families and 6.5% of the population were below the
poverty line, including 8.7% of those under age 18 and 7.0% of those age 65 or over.
Whitehall Township operates as a First Class Township. On November 5, 1974, the township adopted a Home Rule Charter (
here) form of government that became effective January 5, 1976.
As part of this governmental arrangement, the Township has separate executive and a legislative branches. The legislative branch consists of a Township Board of Commissioners of seven (7) members, each serving 4-year terms. Four of the seats have terms that overlap the remaining three seat terms (e.g. four of the current terms end in 2007, while the remaining 3 terms end in 2009). The seated members then elect a President and Vice President who conduct Board meetings.
The executive branch consists of a Township Executive, who also serves a 4-year term. The Township Execuitve may appoint an Assistant Township Executive at his/her disression, with approval from the Board of Commissioners. The Assistant Township Executive does not automatially become Township Executive should the standing Execuitve leave office for any reason--a replacement is to be appointed by the Board fo Commissioners.
Whitehall Township also maintains an elected Treasurer who serves a 4-year term.
Current Officals (Name (Party; Salary) Term Ends) [2006-05-25]
ExecutiveDaniel T. McNeill (D appointed in 2006; $69,403.93) 2007
TreasurerRonald G. Reaman (D; $33,200) 2009
CommissionersKenneth S. Snyder Sr., President (D; $3,600) 2007
Linda K. Snyder, Vice President (D; $4,125) 2009
Bruce A. Brinker, secretary (D; $4,125) 2007
Clair Hunsberger (D; $3,600) 2007
Thomas Slonaker (D; $4,125) 2009
Gerard Palagonia (D; $4,125) 2009
Vacancy 2007
(source:
Leauge of Women Voters of the Lehigh Valley)
