Warminster Township, Pennsylvania | |
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 Location of Warminster Township in Bucks County | |
  Warminster Township Location of Warminster Township in Pennsylvania Show map of Pennsylvania Warminster Township Warminster Township (the United States) Show map of the United States | |
| Coordinates:40°12′15″N75°05′29″W / 40.20417°N 75.09139°W /40.20417; -75.09139 | |
| Country |  United States |
| State |  Pennsylvania |
| County | Bucks |
| Founded | 1711 |
| Government | |
| • Type | Council-manager |
| Area | |
• Total | 10.18 sq mi (26.4 km2) |
| • Land | 10.16 sq mi (26.3 km2) |
| • Water | 0.02 sq mi (0.052 km2) |
| Elevation | 315 ft (96 m) |
| Population | |
• Total | 32,682 |
• Estimate (2016)[3] | 32,460 |
| • Density | 3,217/sq mi (1,242/km2) |
| Time zone | UTC-5 (EST) |
| • Summer (DST) | UTC-4 (EDT) |
| ZIP Code | 18974 |
| Area codes | 215, 267 and 445 |
| FIPS code | 42-017-80952 |
| Website | www |
Warminster Township, also referred to asWarminster, is located inBucks County, Pennsylvania, United States. It was formally established in 1711. The township is 13.7 miles north ofPhiladelphia and had a population of 33,603 according to the2020 U.S. census.
The town was called Warminster Township as early as 1685, before its borders were formally established in 1711. It was originally part of Southampton Township, which was founded in 1682 byWilliam Penn.[4] Warminster was named aftera small town in the county ofWiltshire, at the western extremity ofSalisbury Plain,England.[5] Warminster, Pennsylvania was mostly settled by English and Scotch-Irish colonists after William Penn received a grant of land in the area fromKing Charles, II.[4] It was the site of theBattle of Crooked Billet during the Revolutionary War, which resulted in a resounding defeat forGeorge Washington's colonial troops.[4]
Warminster'sCraven Hall is included in theNational Register of Historic Places listings in Bucks County, Pennsylvania. Warminster's most significant historical figure wasWilliam Tennent, an outspoken religious leader and educator.[4]
Warminster began as a small farming community, and agriculture was central to most of its history. The first steamboat model was designed and made in Warminster township. John Fitch and Steven Pagano were the inventors and designers of the model steam boat that was tried out on the Delaware river and successfully floated.
DuringWorld War II, the U.S. Navy acquired an industrial site here from theBrewster Aeronautical Corporation in 1943. The Center initially served as a weapons development and airplane testing facility. TheNaval Air Warfare Center, previously called the Johnsville Naval Air Development Center and then the Naval Air Development Center, operated in Warminster from World War II until it closed in 1996. As recently as 1955, the township had no residential subdivisions and only one housing complex, Lacey Park off County Line Road.
In the 1960s the naval site became adapted as a training center for the Mercury, Gemini, and Apollo space programs. The facility also developed a prototype "black box," best known as the indestructible recorder of cockpit conversations and information in the event of a crash.[6][7]
Warminster Township is 3.7 miles northwest of Philadelphia at their closest points[8][9] and has a total area of 10.2 square miles (26.5 km2), all land. Warminster is drained by theDelaware River tributaries of theNeshaminy Creek and thePennypack Creek.[10] Its villages include Babytown, Breadysville (also in Warwick Township,) Casey Highlands, Davisville,Hartsville (also in Warwick Township), Johnsville, Rosewood Park, Warminster, andWarminster Heights.[10]
| Census | Pop. | Note | %± |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1930 | 1,452 | — | |
| 1940 | 1,977 | 36.2% | |
| 1950 | 7,127 | 260.5% | |
| 1960 | 15,994 | 124.4% | |
| 1970 | 34,900 | 118.2% | |
| 1980 | 35,463 | 1.6% | |
| 1990 | 32,832 | −7.4% | |
| 2000 | 31,383 | −4.4% | |
| 2010 | 32,682 | 4.1% | |
| 2020 | 33,603 | 2.8% | |
| [11][12] | |||
As of the 2010 U.S.census,[13] Warminster Township had a population of 32,682 people. The racial makeup of the township was 89.3%White, 3.1%African American, 0.2%Native American, 1.9%Asian, 0.1%Pacific Islander, 3.7% fromother races, and 1.8% from two or more races.Hispanic orLatino of any race were 7.7% of the population.
Warminster Township is governed by a five-member Board of Supervisors, currently:
Public schools (part of theCentennial School District):[14]
Warminster Township's Recreation Services Division provides many events and community services, including overseeing and maintaining 420 acres (170 ha) of recreation areas within 13 parks. Sports teams, includingsoccer,football,basketball,swimming,wrestling,baseball, andsoftball are provided by various adult and youth sports organizations throughout their respective seasons. The township has partnered with the Central Bucks YMCA starting in January 2015 to offer many of the recreational programs previously offered by the township. The Parks and Recreation Department also offers discount tickets to amusement parks, attractions, ski resorts, and movies.[16]
Warminster Community Park is the largest of the township's parks at 243 acres (98 ha), with over five miles of walking trails.[16] Other facilities at Warminster Community Park include nature areas, basketball courts, a playground, pavilion, picnic area, pond, restrooms, and soccer fields.[17] Warminster Community Park is also home to Bark Park, a fenced-in, off-leashdog park.[18] Also located at Warminster Community Park is Safety Town, a miniature version of Warminster Township where children can ride tricycles and big wheels. The miniature town is sponsored by local businesses, who appear on the storefronts of buildings, and has signs and pavement markings to teach children the rules of the road.[19]
Small neighborhood parks make up the bulk of the other parks in Warminster Township.[16] Smaller parks in the township include Barness Park, a 14-acre (5.7 ha) park which has a walking trail and nature area; The Crossing, a 14-acre (5.7 ha) park which has a walking trail, a playground, open space, and nature area; Crooked Billet Green, an 8.2-acre (3.3 ha) park which has basketball courts, a playground, and a softball field; Devonshire Court, a 6.8-acre (2.8 ha) park which has open space and a nature trail; Ivy Woods, a 12-acre (4.9 ha) park which is undeveloped; Kemper Park, a 30-acre (12 ha) park which has walking trails, nature areas, picnic areas and pavilions, a playground, and a softball field; Log College Park, a 26.6-acre (10.8 ha) park which has a basketball court, tennis court, nature areas, a playground, and grass volleyball courts; Maple Street Park, a 0.6-acre (0.24 ha) park which has a basketball court and playground; Meadow Run Park, a 2.9-acre (1.2 ha) park which has a picnic area and playground; Munro Park, a 36-acre (15 ha) park which has a baseball field, lighted soccer fields, picnic areas, a playground, a seasonal refreshment stand, restrooms, softball fields, tennis courts, a basketball court, and askate park; Szymanek Park, a 10.8-acre (4.4 ha) park which has basketball courts, a football field, restrooms, a softball field, and a playground; and Werner Park, a 6.8-acre (2.8 ha) park which has a lighted football field, picnic areas, a playground, a seasonal refreshment stand, restrooms, and a softball field.[17]
The township is also home to a publicgolf course called Five Ponds Golf Club, which is the best-reviewed public golf course in Bucks County. The golf course is owned by Warminster Township and privately managed.[20]
_just_west_of_Davisville_Road_in_Warminster_Township%2c_Bucks_County%2c_Pennsylvania.jpg)
As of 2018 there were 113.97 miles (183.42 km) of public roads in Warminster Township, of which 13.14 miles (21.15 km) were maintained by thePennsylvania Department of Transportation (PennDOT) and 100.83 miles (162.27 km) were maintained by the township.[21]
Numbered routes in Warminster Township includePennsylvania Route 132 (Street Road), which runs northwest–southeast through the township betweenWarrington andSouthampton;Pennsylvania Route 263 (York Road), which runs north–south through the township betweenHatboro andJamison; andPennsylvania Route 332 (Jacksonville Road), which runs southwest–northeast through the township between Hatboro andIvyland. Other important roads include County Line Road, which runs northwest–southeast along the southwestern border withMontgomery County; Bristol Road, which runs northwest–southeast along the northeastern border of the township; Davisville Road, which runs southwest–northeast along the southeastern border of the township; and Mearns Road, which begins at Street Road in the center of the township and heads northeast.[22]
SEPTA provides train and bus service in Warminster Township. TheWarminster station serves as the terminus ofSEPTA Regional Rail'sWarminster Line commuter rail service intoCenter City Philadelphia.SEPTA City BusRoute 22 begins in Warminster and heads south toOlney Transportation Center inNorth Philadelphia viaWillow Grove.[23][24]TMA Bucks operates theRichboro-Warminster Rushbus, which offers peak-hour shuttles between a connection with the Warminster Line train and the Route 22 bus at the Warminster station and certain businesses in Warminster and surrounding areas in Ivyland,Northampton Township, andRichboro.[25][26][27] Two cab companies also operate within the township.[27]
Freight rail service to Warminster Township is provided by thePennsylvania Northeastern Railroad (which operates along SEPTA trackage) and theNew Hope Railroad. Both railroads have an interchange point in the township.[22][28][29]
Electricity and natural gas in Warminster Township is provided byPECO Energy Company, a subsidiary ofExelon.[30][31][32] Trash and recycling collection in Warminster Township is provided under contract by J.P. Mascaro & Sons.[33] Cable, telephone, and internet service to the area is provided byXfinity andVerizon. Warminster Township is served byarea codes 215, 267, and 445.[34]
Water and sewer service in the township is provided by the Warminster Municipal Authority, which serves 10,300 customers. The Warminster Municipal Authority receives water from groundwater wells in the township along with water purchased from theNorth Wales Water Authority.[35] Multiple groundwater wells in the township are contaminated withperfluorooctanesulfonic acid (PFOS) andperfluorooctanoic acid (PFOA) from the formerNaval Air Warfare Center Warminster site, leading to the authority having to close wells to install treatment systems to decontaminate the water. TheUnited States Navy paid for the treatment systems for the wells. As a result, the Warminster Municipal Authority has increased the amount of water it purchases from the North Wales Water Authority to ensure safe drinking water.[36]
Jefferson Health–Abington operates the Jefferson Health–Warminster (formerly Abington Health Center–Warminster) outpatient center in the township, which offers outpatient services, community health services and programs, and support groups.[37] The health center is located in the former Warminster Hospital, whose emergency room and inpatient services were closed after Abington Memorial Hospital purchased the hospital in October 2007 from Solis Healthcare, who had acquired it fromTenet Healthcare two months prior.[38]
Warminster has a total crime rate lower than 53% of all U.S. cities, and a violent crime rate 4.13 times lower than the national average.[39]
The Warminster police department consists of four built-in special units:[40]
Four Warminsterpolice chiefs have been fired for or convicted of wrongdoing:
According to theKöppen climate classification system, Warminster 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 withheat index values ≥ 100 °F (≥ 38 °C). On average, the wettest month of the year is July which corresponds with the annual peak inthunderstorm activity. During the winter months, episodes of extreme cold and wind can occur withwind chill values < 0 °F (< -18 °C). Theplant hardiness zone is 7a with an average annual extreme minimum air temperature of 1.3 °F (-17.1 °C).[44] The average seasonal (Nov-Apr) snowfall total is between 24 and 30 inches (61 and 76 cm), and the average snowiest month is February which corresponds with the annual peak innor'easter activity.
| Climate data for Warminster Township, Bucks County, Pennsylvania (1981 – 2010 averages) | |||||||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Month | Jan | Feb | Mar | Apr | May | Jun | Jul | Aug | Sep | Oct | Nov | Dec | Year |
| Mean daily maximum °F (°C) | 39.5 (4.2) | 42.7 (5.9) | 50.9 (10.5) | 62.6 (17.0) | 72.5 (22.5) | 81.5 (27.5) | 85.6 (29.8) | 84.1 (28.9) | 77.2 (25.1) | 65.9 (18.8) | 55.0 (12.8) | 43.7 (6.5) | 63.5 (17.5) |
| Daily mean °F (°C) | 31.2 (−0.4) | 33.9 (1.1) | 41.4 (5.2) | 52.1 (11.2) | 61.7 (16.5) | 71.1 (21.7) | 75.6 (24.2) | 74.1 (23.4) | 66.8 (19.3) | 55.2 (12.9) | 45.6 (7.6) | 35.7 (2.1) | 53.8 (12.1) |
| Mean daily minimum °F (°C) | 23.0 (−5.0) | 25.2 (−3.8) | 31.9 (−0.1) | 41.5 (5.3) | 50.9 (10.5) | 60.6 (15.9) | 65.5 (18.6) | 64.2 (17.9) | 56.5 (13.6) | 44.5 (6.9) | 36.1 (2.3) | 27.6 (−2.4) | 44.0 (6.7) |
| Averageprecipitation inches (mm) | 3.42 (87) | 2.70 (69) | 3.95 (100) | 4.00 (102) | 4.31 (109) | 4.22 (107) | 5.14 (131) | 4.32 (110) | 4.37 (111) | 3.75 (95) | 3.69 (94) | 3.96 (101) | 47.83 (1,215) |
| Averagerelative humidity (%) | 66.7 | 62.9 | 58.9 | 57.8 | 62.1 | 66.3 | 67.3 | 69.5 | 70.8 | 69.8 | 67.9 | 68.4 | 65.7 |
| Averagedew point °F (°C) | 21.4 (−5.9) | 22.6 (−5.2) | 28.1 (−2.2) | 37.7 (3.2) | 48.6 (9.2) | 59.3 (15.2) | 64.0 (17.8) | 63.5 (17.5) | 57.0 (13.9) | 45.5 (7.5) | 35.6 (2.0) | 26.3 (−3.2) | 42.6 (5.9) |
| Source: PRISM Climate Group[45] | |||||||||||||
According to theA. W. Kuchler U.S.potential natural vegetation types, Warminster Township, Pennsylvania would have an AppalachianOak (104) vegetation type with an EasternHardwood Forest (25) vegetation form.[46]
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