Elizabethtown, Pennsylvania

General Information

• Zip code: 17022
• Area code: 717

History There are two stories about the origin of this town's name. In one version it is named after Elizabeth Reeby, wife of Michael Reeby who sold the first building lots here in about 1795. Another version has it named after the wife of Captain Barnabas Hughes who purchased a tavern here in 1750.

Geography Elizabethtown is located at 40°9'12" North, 76°36'2" West (40.153207, -76.600431)¹.

The borough has a total area of 6.8 km² (2.6 mi²). 6.7 km² (2.6 mi²) of it is land and 0.38% is water.

Demographics As of the census of 2000, there are 11,887 people, 4,271 households, and 2,703 families residing in the borough. The population density is 1,765.2/km² (4,567.4/mi²). There are 4,483 housing units at an average density of 665.7/km² (1,722.5/mi²). The racial makeup of the borough is 96.32% White, 0.90% African American, 0.18% Native American, 1.23% Asian, 0.04% Pacific Islander, 0.45% from other races, and 0.87% from two or more races. 1.45% of the population are Hispanic or Latino of any race.

There are 4,271 households out of which 28.5% have children under the age of 18 living with them, 51.2% are married couples living together, 8.9% have a female householder with no husband present, and 36.7% are non-families. 30.8% of all households are made up of individuals and 12.5% have someone living alone who is 65 years of age or older. The average household size is 2.31 and the average family size is 2.88.

In the borough the population is spread out with 19.3% under the age of 18, 18.8% from 18 to 24, 26.7% from 25 to 44, 17.1% from 45 to 64, and 18.2% who are 65 years of age or older. The median age is 34 years. For every 100 females there are 82.2 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there are 78.5 males.

The median income for a household in the borough is $42,752, and the median income for a family is $52,214. Males have a median income of $35,764 versus $26,316 for females. The per capita income for the borough is $18,384. 5.2% of the population and 3.3% of families are below the poverty line. Out of the total people living in poverty, 6.7% are under the age of 18 and 3.9% are 65 or older.

Colleges and Universities

• Elizabethtown College

Attractions

• Masonic Homes -- A retirement community which provides tours.

Lodging

• Elizabethtown Inn
• Holiday Inn Express
• West Ridge Guest House, LLC

Shopping

• Cramer's Posie Patch

See also: other Elizabethtowns