Facts



Facts about West Goshen Township

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.

Form of Government	Second Class Township
Year Organized	1817
Area	12 square miles
Location	Southeastern quadrant of Pennsylvania in eastern Chester County; west of Philadelphia; north of Wilmington, Delaware; east of Lancaster.
Governing Body	Board of Supervisors--five members are elected at large for six year terms
Administration	Township Manager appointed by the Board of Supervisors
Township Services	Full services, including police, sewage collection and treatment, solid waste collection, and parks and recreation programs
Services Provided by Others:	Southeastern Pennsylvania Transit Authority (SEPTA); Aqua America Pennsylvania; fire protection provided by Fame, Good Will, Goshen, and West Chester Fire Companies; EMS provided by Goshen Fire Company and Good Fellowship Ambulance Company.
Services Provided to Areas Outside the Township	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
Public Schools Serving West Goshen Students	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, Rustin High School
Public Schools Located in West Goshen Township	Fern Hill Elementary School, Glen Acres Elementary School, Fugett Middle School, E.N. Pierce Middle School, West Chester East High School
Miles of Municipal Roads	93
Miles of State Roads	28
Population	20,130
Male	49.2%
Female	50.8%
0 - 20 age group	28.6%
21 - 44 age group	40.5%
45 - 64 age group	19.9%
65+ age group	11.0%
Median Age	34.0 years
Republican	60.7%
Democrat	26.1%
Other	0.7%
No Party Affiliation	12.5%
Assessed Valuation	$1,428,537,020
Municipal Millage	2.0
School Millage	12.54
Transfer Tax	0.5%
Municipal Earned Income Tax	0.5%
School Earned Income Tax	0.5%
Emergency and Municipal Services Tax	$52