Swatara Township, Dauphin County, Pennsylvania

Geography According to the United States Census Bureau, the township has a total area of 40.8 km² (15.8 mi²). 34.3 km² (13.2 mi²) of it is land and 6.5 km² (2.5 mi²) of it is water. The total area is 15.94% water.

Demographics As of the census of 2000, there are 22,611 people, 8,703 households, and 5,778 families residing in the township. The population density is 659.9/km² (1,708.4/mi²). There are 9,068 housing units at an average density of 264.6/km² (685.2/mi²). The racial makeup of the township is 78.19% White, 15.98% African American, 0.12% Native American, 1.74% Asian, 0.05% Pacific Islander, 1.73% from other races, and 2.18% from two or more races. 4.74% of the population are Hispanic or Latino of any race.

There are 8,703 households out of which 29.9% have children under the age of 18 living with them, 49.4% are married couples living together, 13.4% have a female householder with no husband present, and 33.6% are non-families. 29.0% of all households are made up of individuals and 11.2% have someone living alone who is 65 years of age or older. The average household size is 2.37 and the average family size is 2.93.

In the township the population is spread out with 22.5% under the age of 18, 8.0% from 18 to 24, 31.8% from 25 to 44, 22.2% from 45 to 64, and 15.6% who are 65 years of age or older. The median age is 38 years. For every 100 females there are 96.5 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there are 93.7 males.

The median income for a household in the township is $40,421, and the median income for a family is $49,713. Males have a median income of $36,095 versus $27,594 for females. The per capita income for the township is $20,224. 8.6% of the population and 6.9% of families are below the poverty line. Out of the total people living in poverty, 14.4% are under the age of 18 and 8.0% are 65 or older.