| Adams County, Pennsylvania | |
| Map | |
 Location in the state of Pennsylvania |
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 Pennsylvania's location in the U.S. |
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| Statistics | |
| Founded | January 22, 1800 |
|---|---|
| Seat | Gettysburg |
| Largest city | Gettysburg |
| Area - Total - Land - Water |
522 sq mi (1,352 km²) 520 sq mi (1,347 km²) 2 sq mi (5 km²), 0.29% |
| Population - (2000) - Density |
91,292 176/sq mi (68/km²) |
| Website: www.adamscounty.us | |
| Named for: second President of the United States, John Adams | |
Adams County is a county located in the U.S. state of Pennsylvania. As of the 2000 census, the population was 91,292. It was created on January 22, 1800, from part of York County and named in honor of the second President of the United States, John Adams. Its county seat is Gettysburg[1].
Contents |
Law and government
Pennsylvania State Senate
Pennsylvania House Of Representatives
- Dan Moul, Republican, Pennsylvania's 91st Representative District
- Will Tallman, Republican, Pennsylvania's 193rd Representative District
United States House of Representatives
Geography
According to the U.S. Census Bureau, the county has a total area of 522 square miles (1,351 km²), of which, 520 square miles (1,347 km²) of it is land and 2 square miles (4 km²) of it (0.29%) is water. The Bourough of Gettysburg is located at the center of Adams County. This county seat community is surrounded on three sides by the Gettysburg National Military Park (GNMP). The Eisenhower National Historic Site adjoins GNMP on its southwest edge. Most of Adams County's rural landscapes and its mid-19th century roadway pattern remain intact today. Thirteen historic roadways converge at or near Gettysburg Borough. Two circular rings of towns surround Gettysburg; the first ring is typically found at a distance of about 7 miles (11 km) form Gettysburg. The second ring is found at a distance of 12 to 15 miles (24 km) from the County Seat. This "spokes and wheel" pattern represents one of the few examples of Central Place Theory in the Eastern United States.
The county is in the watershed of the Chesapeake Bay and is drained by the Susquehanna River and Potomac River.
Adjacent counties
- Cumberland County (north)
- York County (east)
- Carroll County, Maryland (southeast)
- Frederick County, Maryland (southwest)
- Franklin County (west)
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Cumberland County | |
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| Franklin County |  |
York County | ||
 Adams County, Pennsylvania  |
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| Frederick County, Maryland | Carroll County, Maryland |
National protected areas
Demographics
As of the census[2] of 2000, there were 91,292 people, 33,652 households, and 24,767 families residing in the county. The population density was 176 people per square mile (68/km²). There were 35,831 housing units at an average density of 69 per square mile (27/km²). The racial makeup of the county was 95.39% White, 1.21% Black or African American, 0.20% Native American, 0.49% Asian, 0.02% Pacific Islander, 1.71% from other races, and 0.97% from two or more races. 3.64% of the population were Hispanic or Latino of any race. 42.7% were of German, 14.1% American, 8.5% Irish and 7.1% English ancestry according to Census 2000. 95.0% spoke English and 3.6% Spanish as their first language.
There were 33,652 households out of which 33.70% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 61.10% were married couples living together, 8.50% had a female householder with no husband present, and 26.40% were non-families. 21.30% of all households were made up of individuals and 9.20% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.61 and the average family size was 3.02.
In the county, the population was spread out with 24.90% under the age of 18, 9.20% from 18 to 24, 28.90% from 25 to 44, 23.00% from 45 to 64, and 13.90% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 37 years. For every 100 females there were 96.30 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 93.80 males.
Municipalities
Under Pennsylvania law, there are four types of incorporated municipalities: cities, boroughs, townships, and, in at most two cases, towns. The following boroughs and townships are located in Adams County:
Boroughs
- Abbottstown
- Arendtsville
- Bendersville
- Biglerville
- Bonneauville
- Carroll Valley
- East Berlin
- Fairfield
- Gettysburg
- Littlestown
- McSherrystown
- New Oxford
- York Springs
Townships
Census-designated places
Census-designated places are geographical areas designated by the U.S. Census Bureau for the purposes of compiling demographic data, but are not actual jurisdictions under Pennsylvania law. Other unincorporated communities, such as villages, may be listed here as well.
Education
Colleges and universities
Community, Junior and Technical Colleges
Public School Districts
- Bermudian Springs School District
- Conewago Valley School District
- Fairfield Area School District
- Gettysburg Area School District
- Littlestown Area School District
- Upper Adams School District
Transportation
Bus transportation
Public bus service in Adams County is available through the Adams County Transit Authority.
Road transportation
Interstates
No Interstates pass through Adams County.
US Highway System
U.S. Route 15 enters Adams County, Pennsylvania south of Gettysburg. Business Route 15 (Emmitsburg Road) goes through Gettysburg, while US 15 bypasses the borough. The bypass continues to York Springs. US 15 then leaves Adams County and passes through Dillsburg in York County.
- U.S. Route 30, the historic Lincoln Highway passes through Adams County.
Pennsylvania Highway System
Notable residents
- Joel Funk Asper, born in Adams County, United States Congressman from Missouri[3]
- Henry Roelif Brinkerhoff (1787-1844), born in Adams County, United States Congressman[3]
- Dwight D. Eisenhower and Mamie Eisenhower; their retirement home outside Gettysburg is preserved as Eisenhower National Historic Site.
- Alpha Jefferson Kynett, (1829-1899), born in Adams County, noted Methodist clergyman and leader of the temperance movement.[3]
- Eddie Plank (1875-1926), Major League Baseball player, pitcher. Third winningest left-handed pitcher of all time. Baseball Hall of Fame induction 1946.
- John Studebaker (1833-1917) was the American co-founder and later executive of what would become the Studebaker Corporation automobile company. He was the third son of the founding Studebaker family and played a key role in the growth of the company during his years as president, from 1868 until his death in 1917.
Recreation
There is one Pennsylvania state park in Adams County.
- Caledonia State Park is named for an iron furnace that was owned by Thaddeus Stevens. Part of this park is in neighboring Franklin County. It is just off U.S. Route 30 between Chambersburg and Gettysburg.
See also
References
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- ^ "Find a County". National Association of Counties. http://www.naco.org/Template.cfm?Section=Find_a_County&Template=/cffiles/counties/usamap.cfm. Retrieved 2008-01-31.
- ^ "American FactFinder". United States Census Bureau. http://factfinder.census.gov. Retrieved 2008-01-31.
- ^ a b c Who Was Who in America, Historical Volume, 1607-1896. Chicago: Marquis Who's Who. 1963.
External links
- Adams County Government & Politics (Archived 2009-10-24)
- Adams County Visitor Information
- Gettysburg Photographs.com
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