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History
The lands of Goshen were
purchased in 1681 from William Penn as part of the Welsh
tract of Westtown. By 1704, Goshen and Westtown
had become separate townships. In 1788, the
formation of the Borough of West Chester reduced the
size of Goshen. Finally, in 1817, the Township
divided into East and West Goshen Townships. At
the time of the 1820 census, West Goshen's population
numbered 757.
West Goshen was primarily
a farming community in its early history. Before
long, many different businesses began to appear,
including several women-owned enterprises. Trades
such as cabinet-making, tailoring, weaving,
clock-making, and wool-making characterized the area,
The completion of railroads in the 1830's and 1850's
facilitated the delivery of goods and services to the
Township, and marked the migration of many
Philadelphians seeking country residences.
By 1930, West Goshen's
population had risen to 1,958. The farming
community had grown into a suburban neighborhood.
In 1950, the population was 3,500. The Township
experienced its most explosive growth during the 1960's
and 1970's, and today can boast over 20,000 residents
and a balanced mix of residential, business, office,
retail, and industrial uses.
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Form
of Government
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Second
Class Township
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Year
Organized
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1817
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Area
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12 square
miles
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Location
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Southeastern
quadrant of Pennsylvania in eastern
Chester County; west of Philadelphia;
north of Wilmington, Delaware; east of
Lancaster.
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Governing
Body
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Board of
Supervisors--three members are elected
at large for six year terms; one member
is elected every two years in the odd
year
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Administration
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Township
Manager appointed by the Board of
Supervisors
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Township
Services
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Full
services, including police, sewage
collection and treatment, solid waste
collection, and parks and recreation
programs
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Services
Provided by Others:
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Southeastern
Pennsylvania Transit Authority (SEPTA);
Philadelphia Suburban Water; fire
protection provided by Fame, East
Goshen, and West Chester Fire Companies
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Services
Provided to Areas Outside the Township
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The Sewer
Authority and the Township have entered
into agreements with East Goshen,
Westtown, and West Whiteland Townships
to accept flows from these
municipalities into the West Goshen
Sewer system
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Public
Schools Serving
West Goshen Students
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East
Bradford Elementary School, Exton
Elementary School, Fern Hill Elementary
School, Glen Acres Elementary School,
Hillsdale Elementary School, Mary C.
Howse Elementary School, Sarah W.
Starkweather Elementary School,
Westtown-Thornbury Elementary School,
J.R. Fugett Middle School, E.N. Pierce
Middle School, G.A. Stetson Middle
School, B. Reed Henderson High School,
West Chester East High School
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Public
Schools Located in
West Goshen Township
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Fern Hill
Elementary School, Glen Acres Elementary
School, Fugett Middle School, E.N.
Pierce Middle School, West Chester East
High School
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Miles
of Municipal Roads
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82
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Miles
of State Roads
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40
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Population
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20,130
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Male
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49.2%
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Female
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50.8%
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0 - 20 age group
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28.6%
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21 - 44 age group
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40.5%
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45 - 64 age group
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19.9%
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65+ age group
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11.0%
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Median Age
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34.0 years
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Republican
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60.7%
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Democrat
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26.1%
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Other
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0.7%
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No Party Affiliation
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12.5%
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Assessed
Valuation
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$1,428,537,020
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Municipal
Millage
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0.85
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School
Millage
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10.69
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Transfer
Tax
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0.5%
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Municipal
Earned Income Tax
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0.5%
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School
Earned Income Tax
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0.5%
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