Chester County, Pennsylvania

County in Pennsylvania, United States

Not to be confused with Chester, Pennsylvania.

County in Pennsylvania

Chester County

County

Chester County Courthouse

Flag

Seal

Location within the U.S. state of Pennsylvania

Pennsylvania's location within the U.S.

Coordinates: 39°58′N 75°45′W﻿ / ﻿39.97°N 75.75°W﻿ / 39.97; -75.75
Country|  United States
State|  Pennsylvania
Founded| August 24, 1682
Named after| Chester, England
Seat| West Chester
Largest borough| West Chester
Government

• County commission|

* Josh Maxwell (D)
* Marian Moskowitz (D)
* Eric Roe (R)

Area

• Total

| 759 sq mi (1,970 km2)
• Land| 751 sq mi (1,950 km2)
• Water| 8.7 sq mi (23 km2)  1.1%
Population

(2020)

• Total

| 534,413

• Estimate

(2024)[1]

| 560,745
• Density| 747/sq mi (288/km2)
Time zone| UTC−5 (Eastern)
• Summer (DST)| UTC−4 (EDT)
Congressional districts| 5th, 6th
Website| www.chesco.org

Pennsylvania Historical Marker

Designated| October 26, 1982[2]

Chester County (Pennsylvania Dutch: Tscheschter Kaundi), colloquially referred to as Chesco, is a county in the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania. It is located in the Delaware Valley region, located in the southeastern part of the state. As of the 2020 census, the population was 545,823.[3] increasing by 7.1% from 498,886 in 2010.[4] The county seat is West Chester.[5] The most populous of the county's 73 municipalities, including cities, boroughs, and townships,) is Tredyffrin Township. The most populous boroughs are West Chester and Phoenixville. Coatesville is the only municipality in the county that is classified as a city. The county is part of the Southeast region of the commonwealth.[a]

Chester County was one of the three original Pennsylvania counties created by William Penn in 1682. It was named for Chester, England. It is part of the Philadelphia-Camden-Wilmington, PA-NJ-DE-MD metropolitan statistical area. Along with northern Delaware County and southern Montgomery County, eastern Chester County is home to many communities that comprise part of the Philadelphia Main Line western suburbs of Philadelphia.

As of 2020, the county had the highest median household income level in Pennsylvania, and the 35th-highest in the nation.

## History

[edit]

Interactive map of Chester County, Pennsylvania

A historic marker describing Chester County

Philadelphia, Bucks, and Chester were the three counties created by William Penn on August 24, 1682, in the colonial-era Province of Pennsylvania.[6][7]

At the time, Chester County's borders were Philadelphia County to the north, the ill-defined western edge of the colony, located approximately at the Susquehanna River to the west, the Delaware River to the east, and Delaware and Maryland to the south. Chester County replaced the Pennsylvania portion of New Netherland's upland in New York, which was officially eliminated when Pennsylvania was chartered on March 4, 1681, and ceased existing in June of that year.[8][9] Much of the Welsh Tract was in eastern Chester County, and Welsh place names, given by early settlers, continue to predominate there.

The fourth county in the state, Lancaster County, was formed from Chester County on May 10, 1729. On March 11, 1752, Berks County was formed from the northern section of Chester County and parts of Lancaster and Philadelphia counties.

The southern border of Chester County is the Mason-Dixon Line, surveyed in 1765. An error in surveying resulted in the Wedge, extending south of the line. Chester County claimed the Wedge until 1921, when it was ceded to Delaware.[citation needed]

The original Chester County seat was the City of Chester, a center of naval shipbuilding, at the eastern edge of the county. In an effort to accommodate the increased population of the western part of the county, the county seat was moved to a more central location in 1788; in order to mollify the eastern portion of the county, the village, known as Turk's Head, was renamed West Chester. In response to the new location of the county seat, the eastern portion of the county separated and formed the new Delaware County in 1789 with the City of Chester as its county seat.[10]

Much of the history of Chester County arises from its location between Philadelphia and the Susquehanna River. The first "road to the West," a reference to Lancaster County, passed through the central part of Chester County, following the Great Valley westward; with some realignments, it became the Lincoln Highway and later U.S. Route 30. This road is still named Lancaster Avenue in most of the Chester County towns it runs through. The first railroad, which became the Pennsylvania Railroad, followed much the same route, and the Reading Railroad progressed up the Schuylkill River to Reading. Industry tended to concentrate along the rail lines. Easy transportation allowed workers to commute to urban jobs, and the rise of the suburbs followed. To this day, the county's developed areas extend along major lines of transportation.

The southern border of Chester County is the Mason-Dixon Line, surveyed in 1767. An error in surveying resulted in the Wedge, extending south of the line. Chester County claimed the Wedge until 1921, when it was ceded to Delaware.[citation needed]

During the American Revolutionary War, the Battle of Brandywine was fought in the southeastern part of the county. The Battle of the Clouds and the Battle of Paoli both took place in the northeastern part of the county, along with George Washington's encampment at Valley Forge.

## Geography

[edit]

According to the U.S. Census Bureau, the county has a total area of 759 square miles (1,970 km2), of which 751 square miles (1,950 km2) is land and 8.7 square miles (23 km2) (1.1%) is water.[11] The topography consists of rolling hills and valleys and it is part of the region known as the Piedmont.

Watersheds that serve Chester County include the Octoraro, Brandywine, and Chester creeks, and the Schuylkill River. Many of the soils are fertile, rich loam as much as twenty-four inches thick; together with the temperate climate, this was long a major agricultural area.[12] Because of its proximity to Philadelphia, Chester County has seen large waves of development over the past half-century due to suburbanization. Although development in Chester County has increased, agriculture is still a major part of the county's economy, and the number of horse farms is increasing in the county.[citation needed] Mushroom growing is a specialty in the southern portion of the county.

Chester County is the only county to border both Delaware and Maryland.

Elevations (in feet): High point—1020 Welsh Mt., Honeybrook Twp. Other high points—960 Thomas Hill, Warwick Twp; 960 Barren Hill, West Caln Twp. Low point—66 Schuylkill River, Chester-Montgomery county line. Cities and boroughs: Coatesville 314; Downingtown 255; Kennett Square 300; Oxford 535; Parkesburg 542; Phoenixville 127; Spring City 114; West Chester 459.[13]

### Adjacent counties

[edit]

* Berks County (north)
* Montgomery County (northeast)
* Delaware County (east)
* New Castle County, Delaware (southeast)
* Cecil County, Maryland (south)
* Lancaster County (west)

### National protected area

[edit]

* Valley Forge National Historical Park (part)

### State protected areas

[edit]

* French Creek State Park
* Marsh Creek State Park
* White Clay Creek Preserve

### Major roads and highways

[edit]

I-76/Pennsylvania Turnpike westbound in Chester County

* I-76 / Penna Turnpike
* US 1
* US 30

US 30 Bus.
* US 202
* US 322

US 322 Bus.
* US 422
* PA 3
* PA 10
* PA 23
* PA 29
* PA 41
* PA 52
* PA 82
* PA 100
* PA 113
* PA 162
* PA 252
* PA 272
* PA 282
* PA 340
* PA 345
* PA 352
* PA 372
* PA 401
* PA 472
* PA 724
* PA 796
* PA 841
* PA 842
* PA 896
* PA 926

## Economy and environment

[edit]

Lanchester Landfill, located on the border of Chester and Lancaster Counties, captures methane which is sold for renewable natural gas credits, and piped to seven local businesses. This reduces the county's methane emissions, and provides an alternative to fracking for shale gas.[14] In addition, several companies have their headquarters or a major presence in the county including Bentley Systems, EBS Healthcare, Main Line Health, Lavazza North America (formerly Mars Drinks), Depuy Synthes (part of Johnson & Johnson), Metabo, QVC, Hankin Group, Axalta Coating Systems, CTDI, Pactiv, Ricoh Americas, Blinding Edge Pictures, J.G. Wentworth, The Vanguard Group, and Victory Brewing Company among others.

## Demographics

[edit]

Historical population Census| Pop.| Note| %±

|
|
|

1790| 27,829| | —
1800| 32,093| | 15.3%
1810| 39,596| | 23.4%
1820| 44,451| | 12.3%
1830| 50,910| | 14.5%
1840| 57,515| | 13.0%
1850| 66,438| | 15.5%
1860| 74,578| | 12.3%
1870| 77,805| | 4.3%
1880| 83,481| | 7.3%
1890| 89,377| | 7.1%
1900| 95,695| | 7.1%
1910| 109,213| | 14.1%
1920| 115,120| | 5.4%
1930| 126,629| | 10.0%
1940| 135,626| | 7.1%
1950| 159,141| | 17.3%
1960| 210,608| | 32.3%
1970| 278,311| | 32.1%
1980| 316,660| | 13.8%
1990| 376,396| | 18.9%
2000| 433,501| | 15.2%
2010| 498,886| | 15.1%
2020| 534,413| | 7.1%
2024 (est.)| 560,745| | 4.9%
U.S. Decennial Census[15]
1790–1960[16] 1900–1990[17]
1990–2000[18] 2010–2019[4] 2024[4]

As of the 2010 census, the county was 82.1% White Non-Hispanic, 6.1% Black or African American, 0.2% Native American or Alaskan Native, 3.9% Asian, 0.0% Native Hawaiian, 1.8% were two or more races, and 2.4% were some other race. 6.5% of the population were Hispanic or Latino.

As of the census[19] of 2000, there were 433,501 people, 157,905 households, and 113,375 families residing in the county. The population density was 573 inhabitants per square mile (221/km2). There were 163,773 housing units at an average density of 217 units per square mile (84/km2). The racial makeup of the county was 89.21% White, 6.24% Black or African American, 0.15% Native American, 1.95% Asian, 0.03% Pacific Islander, 1.35% from other races, and 1.06% from two or more races. 3.72% of the population were Hispanic or Latino of any race. 18.0% were of Irish, 17.3% German, 13.1% Italian, 10.1% English and 5.6% American ancestry. 91.4% spoke English and 3.7% Spanish as their first language.

There were 157,905 households, out of which 35.10% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 60.50% were married couples living together, 8.10% had a female householder with no husband present, and 28.20% were non-families. 22.60% of all households were made up of individuals, and 7.60% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.65 and the average family size was 3.15.

In the county, the population was spread out, with 26.20% under the age of 18, 7.90% from 18 to 24, 30.40% from 25 to 44, 23.80% from 45 to 64, and 11.70% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 37 years. For every 100 females there were 96.40 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 93.10 males.

The median income for a household in the county was $65,295, and the median income for a family was $76,916 (these figures had risen to $80,818 and $97,894 respectively as of a 2007 estimate). Males had a median income of $51,223 versus $34,854 for females. The per capita income for the county was $31,627. About 3.10% of families and 5.20% of the population were below the poverty line, including 5.10% of those under age 18 and 5.50% of those age 65 or over.

The region was originally occupied by the Lenni Lenape people, who greeted European settlers in the seventeenth century with amity and kindness. British settlers were mostly English, Scotch-Irish and Welsh in ethnicity. From the late 19th to early 20th century, the industrial areas of the region, such as Coatesville, attracted immigrants and job seekers from Germany and Ireland, Eastern Europe, Italy, and the American rural South, with both black and white migrants coming north. Later Hispanic immigrants have included Puerto Ricans and, most recently, Mexicans.

Long a primarily rural area, Chester County is now [when?] the fastest-growing county in the Delaware Valley; it is one of the fastest growing in the entire Northeastern section of the United States.

### Religion

[edit]

Uwchlan Meetinghouse in Uwchlan Township

In keeping with its colonial history, Chester County is home to a number of historic Quaker buildings, including Birmingham, Birmingham Orthodox, Bradford, Caln, Old Kennett, Parkersville, Schuylkill, Westtown, and Uwchlan meeting houses.

Other historic religious buildings include St. Malachi Church, southeastern Pennsylvania's oldest active Catholic mission church, and the Episcopal St. Mary's, St. Paul's, and St. Peter's churches, and Washington Memorial Chapel. The First Presbyterian Church of West Chester, Coventryville United Methodist Church, which is part of the Coventryville Historic District, and Beth Israel Congregation of Chester County, a Conservative synagogue in Coatesville, a site of Eastern European immigration in the 20th century, are located in the county.

### 2020 census

[edit]

Chester County Racial Composition[20] Race  | Num.  | Perc.

|
|

White (NH)  | 405,476  | 75.87%
Black or African American (NH)  | 28,391  | 5.31%
Native American (NH)  | 532  | 0.1%
Asian (NH)  | 35,143  | 6.62%
Pacific Islander (NH)  | 119  | 0.02%
Other/Mixed (NH)  | 21,210  | 4%
Hispanic or Latino | 43,542  | 8.15%

## Politics

[edit]

### Voter registration

[edit]

Chart of Voter Registration

1. Democratic (41.23%)
2. Republican (39.69%)
3. Independent (13.99%)
4. Other Parties (5.09%)

As of November 18, 2024, there were 396,404 registered voters in Chester County.[21]

Voter Registration and Party Enrollment

Party  | Number of Voters  | Percentage
| Democratic | 163,426  | 41.23%
| Republican | 157,315  | 39.69%
| Independent | 55,490  | 13.99%
| Third Parties | 20,173  | 5.09%
Total  | 396,404  | 100%

### Election results

[edit]

2024 US presidential election in Chester County

Harris—70-80%

Harris—60-70%

Harris—50-60%

Harris—<50%

Trump—50-60%

Trump—60-70%

Trump—70-80%

Chester County has historically been reliably Republican at the county level. After voting Democratic in 1856 for Pennsylvania native James Buchanan, it only did so three more times in the next 160 years—in 1912, 1964, and 2008. In recent elections, however, the county has been trending Democratic, although not as overwhelmingly as its fellow Main Line counties of Montgomery and Delaware. It remains the most conservative of these three.

In 2000, George W. Bush defeated Al Gore in the county by almost 10%, but in 2004, John Kerry cut Bush's margin of victory by over half, to just 4.5%. In 2008, Chester County voted for Barack Obama by 9%. In 2009, with a smaller turnout, Republican candidates swept all county-row offices, winning with an average margin of 20%. In 2012, the county voted for the Republican presidential candidate Mitt Romney, by a very small margin of 0.2%, or about 500 votes.[22]

In 2016, despite Pennsylvania voting for a Republican presidential candidate for the first time since 1988, Chester County voted more Democratic than in 2012, with Hillary Clinton leading Donald Trump by over 25,000 votes or 9.4 percentage points; a 9.2 percentage point swing from 2012. The only two statewide winners in 2016 to carry Chester County were U.S. Senator Pat Toomey (R) and Pennsylvania State Treasurer Joe Torsella (D). Republican candidates John Brown and John Rafferty carried Chester County, though both lost their races for Auditor General and Attorney General, respectively (Rafferty, a State Senator whose district includes northern Chester County, carried the county by a slim margin of 50 votes[23]) Emphasizing its Democratic shift even further, Joe Biden defeated Donald Trump by 17.1 points in Chester County in the 2020 election; Trump's percentage of votes was the lowest for any Republican since 1912. Such a major shift in the county was a major factor in Biden's success in flipping Pennsylvania back into the Democratic column. Although Trump gained back some ground in 2024 where he won back Pennsylvania; he still lost the county by 14 points to Kamala Harris despite matching his 2016 performance there.

On November 8, 2017, Democrats made historic inroads in Chester County by winning their first county row office seats in history, picking up four row office seats.[24] On November 5, 2019, Democrats swept the county row office seat elections and took a majority on the Board of Commissioners, both firsts in the county's history.[25] In both the 2021 and 2023 elections, Democrats followed up with another sweep of the county row offices, along with retaining their majority on the Board of Commissioners.[26]

United States presidential election results for Chester County, Pennsylvania[27][28] Year  | Republican | Democratic | Third party(ies)

|
|
|

No. | % | No. | % | No. | %
2024 | 137,299  | 42.06%  | 184,281  | 56.45% | 4,849  | 1.49%
2020 | 128,565  | 40.72%  | 182,372  | 57.76% | 4,816  | 1.53%
2016 | 116,114  | 42.53%  | 141,682  | 51.90% | 15,202  | 5.57%
2012 | 124,840  | 49.43% | 124,311  | 49.22%  | 3,425  | 1.36%
2008 | 114,421  | 44.83%  | 137,833  | 54.00% | 2,998  | 1.17%
2004 | 120,036  | 52.00% | 109,708  | 47.53%  | 1,079  | 0.47%
2000 | 100,080  | 53.33% | 82,047  | 43.72%  | 5,549  | 2.96%
1996 | 77,029  | 48.64% | 64,783  | 40.91%  | 16,554  | 10.45%
1992 | 74,002  | 43.73% | 59,643  | 35.25%  | 35,563  | 21.02%
1988 | 93,522  | 67.00% | 44,853  | 32.13%  | 1,210  | 0.87%
1984 | 92,221  | 70.11% | 38,870  | 29.55%  | 440  | 0.33%
1980 | 73,046  | 60.92% | 34,307  | 28.61%  | 12,543  | 10.46%
1976 | 67,686  | 60.42% | 42,712  | 38.13%  | 1,628  | 1.45%
1972 | 72,726  | 68.44% | 31,118  | 29.29%  | 2,415  | 2.27%
1968 | 56,073  | 57.19% | 32,606  | 33.25%  | 9,372  | 9.56%
1964 | 40,280  | 45.46%  | 47,940  | 54.10% | 390  | 0.44%
1960 | 53,059  | 63.64% | 30,167  | 36.18%  | 147  | 0.18%
1956 | 47,225  | 70.24% | 19,957  | 29.68%  | 50  | 0.07%
1952 | 39,961  | 64.86% | 21,490  | 34.88%  | 164  | 0.27%
1948 | 29,258  | 65.78% | 14,670  | 32.98%  | 550  | 1.24%
1944 | 26,655  | 58.70% | 18,548  | 40.84%  | 208  | 0.46%
1940 | 28,222  | 55.47% | 22,473  | 44.17%  | 183  | 0.36%
1936 | 29,340  | 51.81% | 26,676  | 47.11%  | 613  | 1.08%
1932 | 29,425  | 69.21% | 12,040  | 28.32%  | 1,052  | 2.47%
1928 | 36,659  | 82.27% | 7,689  | 17.26%  | 210  | 0.47%
1924 | 22,333  | 75.76% | 5,946  | 20.17%  | 1,201  | 4.07%
1920 | 18,129  | 69.57% | 7,004  | 26.88%  | 927  | 3.56%
1916 | 11,845  | 56.77% | 8,514  | 40.81%  | 505  | 2.42%
1912 | 5,708  | 28.85%  | 6,901  | 34.88% | 7,177  | 36.27%
1908 | 13,118  | 64.07% | 6,555  | 32.01%  | 803  | 3.92%
1904 | 14,200  | 73.90% | 4,342  | 22.60%  | 673  | 3.50%
1900 | 13,809  | 66.20% | 6,214  | 29.79%  | 835  | 4.00%
1896 | 14,232  | 67.80% | 6,058  | 28.86%  | 700  | 3.33%
1892 | 10,982  | 55.57% | 7,850  | 39.72%  | 932  | 4.72%
1888 | 11,578  | 58.51% | 7,541  | 38.11%  | 669  | 3.38%
1884 | 10,885  | 58.59% | 7,102  | 38.23%  | 592  | 3.19%
1880 | 11,298  | 59.25% | 7,524  | 39.46%  | 246  | 1.29%
United States Senate election results for Chester County, Pennsylvania1[29] Year  | Republican | Democratic | Third party(ies)

|
|
|

No. | % | No. | % | No. | %
2024 | 138,271  | 42.60%  | 178,765  | 55.07% | 7,551  | 2.33%
Gubernatorial elections results in Chester County Year  | Republican Party | Democratic Party | Libertarian Party | Green Party | Other

|
|
|
|
|

2022 | 35.9% 92,585 | 62.3% 160,793 | 1.1% 2,713 |  |
2018 | 37.2% 87,873 | 61.3% 145,212 | 1.0% 2,448 | 0.5% 1,242 |
2014 | 48.2% 75,097 | 51.8% 80,701 |  |  |
2010 | 56.0% 97,112 | 44.0% 76,440 |  |  |
2006 | 34.9% 60,437 | 65.2% 112,960 |  |  |
2002 | 41.1% 58,669 | 57.4% 81,996 | 0.8% 1,159 | 0.7% 990 |
1998 | 67.6% 68,572 | 21.0% 21,337 |  |  | 11.3% 11,500
1994 | 53.1% 61,890 | 29.7% 34,652 |  |  | 17.2% 20,019
1990 | 47.5% 44,262 | 52.5% 48,935 |  |  |

## Government

[edit]

### County Commissioners

[edit]

Chester County is administered by a three-person Board of Commissioners who serve four-year terms. Elections take place in the odd-numbered years that precede U.S. presidential elections, with the next election scheduled for 2027. The commissioners have selective policy-making authority to provide certain local services and facilities on a county-wide basis. Accordingly, the commissioners are responsible for the management of the fiscal and administrative functions of the county. Currently, the Democrats hold a majority on the board, with Commissioners Josh Maxwell and Marian Moskowitz holding two of the three seats. County law requires the minority party to be represented with one seat, which is held by Eric Roe of the Republican Party.[30]

As of December 30, 2023[update]:[31]

Commissioner  | Party  | Position

|
|

Josh Maxwell | Democratic | Chair
Marian Moskowitz | Democratic | Vice Chair
Eric Roe | Republican |

### County row officers

[edit]

As of October 20, 2024[update]:[32]

Office  | Official  | Party  | Term ends

|
|
|

Clerk of Courts | Yolanda Van de Krol | Democratic | 2025
Controller | Margaret Reif | Democratic | 2025
Coroner | Sophia Garcia-Jackson | Democratic | 2025
District Attorney | Christopher de Barrena-Sarobe | Democratic | 2027
Prothonotary | Kristen Hume | Republican | Acting[b]
Recorder of Deeds | Diane O'Dwyer | Democratic | 2027
Register of Wills | Michele Vaughn | Democratic | 2027
Sheriff | Kevin Dykes | Democratic | 2027
Treasurer | Patricia Maisano | Democratic | 2025

1. ^ Includes Philadelphia, Montgomery, Bucks, Delaware, Chester, Lehigh and Northampton Counties
2. ^ Serving in an Acting capacity after the resignation of Deborah Bookman in 2024. A new election for this office will be held in 2027.[32]

### United States House of Representatives

[edit]

As of January 3, 2023:

District  | Representative  | Party

|
|

5 | Mary Gay Scanlon | Democratic
6 | Chrissy Houlahan | Democratic

### United States Senate

[edit]

As of January 3, 2025:

Senator | Party

|

John Fetterman | Democratic
Dave McCormick | Republican

### State House of Representatives

[edit]

State House districts in Chester County

As of January 3, 2025:

District  | Representative  | Party

|
|

13 | John Lawrence | Republican
26 | Paul Friel | Democratic
74 | Dan Williams | Democratic
155 | Danielle Otten | Democratic
156 | Chris Pielli | Democratic
157 | Melissa Shusterman | Democratic
158 | Christina Sappey | Democratic
160 | Craig Williams | Republican
167 | Kristine Howard | Democratic

### State Senate

[edit]

State Senate districts in Chester County

As of January 3, 2025:

District  | Senator  | Party

|
|

9 | John Kane | Democratic
19 | Carolyn Comitta | Democratic
44 | Katie Muth | Democratic

## Education

[edit]

### Colleges and universities

[edit]

Philips Memorial Building at West Chester University

* Cheyney University of Pennsylvania (partially in Delaware County)
* Delaware County Community College (locations in Downingtown and West Grove)
* Immaculata University
* Lansdale School of Business (location in Phoenixville)
* Lincoln University
* Penn State Great Valley School of Graduate Professional Studies
* University of Valley Forge
* West Chester University

### Public school districts

[edit]

Map of Chester County's public school districts

School districts include:[33]

* Avon Grove School District
* Coatesville Area School District
* Downingtown Area School District
* Great Valley School District
* Kennett Consolidated School District
* Octorara Area School District
* Owen J. Roberts School District
* Oxford Area School District
* Phoenixville Area School District
* Spring-Ford Area School District
* Tredyffrin/Easttown School District
* Twin Valley School District
* Unionville-Chadds Ford School District
* West Chester Area School District

### Charter schools

[edit]

See also: Education in Pennsylvania

* Achievement House Charter School grades 9–12, Exton
* Avon Grove Charter School grades K-12, West Grove
* Chester County Family Academy Charter School grades K-2, West Chester
* Collegium Charter School grades K-12, Exton
* Pennsylvania Leadership Charter School K-12, West Chester
* Renaissance Academy Charter School grades K-12, Phoenixville
* Sankofa Academy Charter School grades 5–8, West Chester
* 21st Century Cyber Charter School grades 6–12. Downingtown.

### Independent schools

[edit]

* Bishop Shanahan High School (Archdiocese of Philadelphia)
* Center for Arts and Technology (Administered by Chester County Intermediate Unit)[34]
* Chesterbrook Academy Preschool (West Chester, Pennsylvania)[35]
* Chesterbrook Academy Elementary School (West Chester, Pennsylvania)[36]
* Church Farm School (now called CFS the School at Church Farm)
* Delaware Valley Friends School[37]
* Devon Preparatory School
* Fairville Friends School[38] (Chadds Ford, Pennsylvania)
* Goshen Friends School[39] (West Chester, Pennsylvania)
* Kimberton Waldorf School[40] (Kimberton, Pennsylvania)
* London Grove Friends Kindergarten (Kennett Square, Pennsylvania)
* Malvern Preparatory School
* The Concept School - 6th through 12th Grade[41]
* Upattinas School and Resource Center (Glenmoore, Pennsylvania)
* Upland Country Day School (UCDS) - Pre-K through 9th Grade[42]
* Villa Maria Academy (Malvern, Pennsylvania)
* Villa Maria Academy Lower School (Immaculata, Pennsylvania)
* West-Mont Christian Academy[43]
* West Chester Friends School[44]
* West Fallowfield Christian School
* Westtown School
* Windsor Christian Academy - K through 6th Grade[45]
* Windsor Christian Preschool[46]
* Regina Luminis Academy[47]

### Libraries

[edit]

The Chester County Library System in southeastern Pennsylvania was organized in 1965. It is a federated system composed of a District Center Library in Exton and sixteen member libraries. The system provides materials and information for life, work and pleasure.

## Communities

[edit]

Map of Chester County with labels showing cities (in yellow), boroughs (in red), townships (in white), and census-designated places (in blue)

Under Pennsylvania law, there are four types of incorporated municipalities: cities, boroughs, townships, and, in at most two cases, towns. The post office uses community names and boundaries that usually do not correspond to the townships, and usually only have the same names as the municipalities for the cities and boroughs. The names used by the post office are generally used by residents to describe where they live. The following cities, boroughs and townships are located in Chester County:

### City

[edit]

* Coatesville

### Boroughs

[edit]

* Atglen
* Avondale
* Downingtown
* Elverson
* Honey Brook
* Kennett Square
* Malvern
* Modena
* Oxford
* Parkesburg
* Phoenixville
* South Coatesville
* Spring City
* West Chester (county seat)
* West Grove

### Townships

[edit]

* Birmingham
* Caln
* Charlestown
* East Bradford
* East Brandywine
* East Caln
* East Coventry
* East Fallowfield
* East Goshen
* East Marlborough
* East Nantmeal
* East Nottingham
* East Pikeland
* East Vincent
* East Whiteland
* Easttown
* Elk
* Franklin
* Highland
* Honey Brook
* Kennett
* London Britain
* London Grove
* Londonderry
* Lower Oxford
* New Garden
* New London
* Newlin
* North Coventry
* Penn
* Pennsbury
* Pocopson
* Sadsbury
* Schuylkill
* South Coventry
* Thornbury
* Tredyffrin
* Upper Oxford
* Upper Uwchlan
* Uwchlan
* Valley
* Wallace
* Warwick
* West Bradford
* West Brandywine
* West Caln
* West Fallowfield
* West Goshen
* West Marlborough
* West Nantmeal
* West Nottingham
* West Pikeland
* West Sadsbury
* West Vincent
* West Whiteland
* Westtown
* Willistown

### Census-designated places

[edit]

Census-designated places are unincorporated communities designated by the U.S. Census Bureau for the purposes of compiling demographic data. They are not actual jurisdictions under Pennsylvania law.

* Berwyn
* Caln
* Chadds Ford (partly in Delaware County)
* Chesterbrook
* Cheyney University (partly in Delaware County)
* Cochranville
* Devon
* Dilworthtown (partly in Delaware County)
* Eagle
* Eagleview
* Exton
* Frazer
* Glenmoore
* Hamorton
* Hayti
* Kenilworth
* Kimberton
* Lincoln University
* Lionville
* Marshallton
* Nottingham
* Paoli
* Pomeroy
* Pughtown
* Sadsburyville
* South Pottstown
* Thorndale
* Toughkenamon
* Unionville
* Westwood

### Other unincorporated communities

[edit]

* Birchrunville
* Black Horse
* Brandamore
* Bucktown
* Byers Station
* Cambridge (mostly in Lancaster County)
* Cedarville
* Chatham
* Chester Springs
* Chesterville
* Compass
* Coventryville
* Cromby
* Darlington Corners
* Daylesford
* Devault
* Doe Run
* Dorlan
* Embreeville
* Ercildoun
* Faggs Manor
* Glenloch
* Goshenville
* Hallman
* Harmonyville
* Hayesville
* Hephzibah
* Hickory Hill
* Hiestand
* Homeville
* Hopewell
* Humphreyville
* Icedale
* Ironsides
* Isabella
* Jennersville
* Kaolin
* Kelton
* Kemblesville
* Knauertown
* Landenberg
* Lenape
* Lewisville
* London Grove
* Longwood
* Lower Hopewell
* Ludwigs Corner
* Lyndell
* Mendenhall
* Milford Mills
* Mortonville
* Morstein
* Nantmeal Village
* Northbrook
* Parker Ford
* Pocopson
* Russellville
* Saint Peters
* Siousca
* Springdell
* Steelville
* Strafford
* Strickersville
* Sugartown
* Suplee
* Valley Forge
* Wagontown
* Warwick
* West Goshen
* Whitford
* Willowdale
* Yellow Springs

### Historic community

[edit]

* Barnestown

### Population ranking

[edit]

The population ranking of the following table is based on the 2020 census of Chester County.[48]

† county seat

Rank  | City/Town/etc.  | Municipal type  | Population (2020 Census)

|
|
|

1  | Tredyffrin | Township  | 31,927
2  | West Goshen | Township  | 23,040
3  | West Whiteland | Township  | 19,632
4  | Uwchlan | Township  | 19,161
5  | West Chester † | Borough  | 18,671
6  | Phoenixville | Borough  | 18,602
7  | East Goshen | Township  | 18,410
8  | Caln | Township  | 14,432
9  | West Bradford | Township  | 14,316
10  | East Whiteland | Township  | 13,917
11  | Coatesville | City  | 13,350
12  | Upper Uwchlan | Township  | 12,275
13  | New Garden | Township  | 11,363
14  | Willistown | Township  | 11,273
15  | Westtown | Township  | 11,154
16  | Easttown | Township  | 10,984
17  | East Bradford | Township  | 10,339
18  | East Brandywine | Township  | 9,738
19  | East Nottingham | Township  | 8,982
20  | West Caln | Township  | 8,910
21  | London Grove | Township  | 8,797
22  | Schuylkill | Township  | 8,780
23  | North Coventry | Township  | 8,441
24  | Kennett | Township  | 8,289
25  | Honey Brook | Township  | 8,274
26  | East Pikeland | Township  | 8,260
27  | Valley | Township  | 7,985
28  | Downingtown | Borough  | 7,892
29  | East Fallowfield | Township  | 7,626
30  | East Vincent | Township  | 7,433
31  | West Brandywine | Township  | 7,331
32  | East Marlborough | Township  | 7,306
33  | East Coventry | Township  | 7,068
34  | West Vincent | Township  | 6,668
35  | Lionville | CDP  | 6,582
36  | Paoli | CDP  | 6,002
37  | Charlestown | Township  | 6,001
38  | Kennett Square | Borough  | 5,936
39  | New London | Township  | 5,810
40  | Oxford | Borough  | 5,736
41  | Penn | Township  | 5,644
42  | Exton | CDP  | 5,622
43  | Chesterbrook | CDP  | 5,610
44  | Lower Oxford | Township  | 5,420
45  | East Caln | Township  | 5,384
46  | Pocopson | Township  | 4,455
47  | Franklin | Township  | 4,433
48  | Sadsbury | Township  | 4,125
49  | Birmingham | Township  | 4,085
50  | West Pikeland | Township  | 4,024
51  | Pennsbury | Township  | 3,876
52  | Parkesburg | Borough  | 3,862
53  | Berwyn | CDP  | 3,775
54  | Wallace | Township  | 3,711
55  | Thorndale | CDP  | 3,669
56  | Frazer | CDP  | 3,635
57  | Spring City | Borough  | 3,494
58  | Malvern | Borough  | 3,419
59  | London Britain | Township  | 3,179
60  | Thornbury | Township  | 3,177
61  | Hayti | CDP  | 2,890
62  | South Coventry | Township  | 2,796
63  | West Grove | Borough  | 2,770
64  | West Nottingham | Township  | 2,764
65  | Warwick | Township  | 2,590
66  | Upper Oxford | Township  | 2,560
67  | Londonderry | Township  | 2,476
68  | West Fallowfield | Township  | 2,459
69  | West Sadsbury | Township  | 2,436
70  | West Nantmeal | Township  | 2,251
71  | Eagleview | CDP  | 2,193
72  | South Pottstown | CDP  | 2,150
73  | Kenilworth | CDP  | 2,148
74  | Honey Brook | Borough  | 1,892
75  | East Nantmeal | Township  | 1,832
76  | Lincoln University | CDP  | 1,739
77  | Elk | Township  | 1,698
78  | South Coatesville | Borough  | 1,601
79  | Devon | CDP  | 1,580
80  | Caln | CDP  | 1,494
81  | Chadds Ford (partially in Delaware County)  | CDP  | 1,476
82  | Newlin | Township  | 1,358
83  | Elverson | Borough  | 1,330
84  | Atglen | Borough  | 1,313
85  | Toughkenamon | CDP  | 1,297
86  | Avondale | Borough  | 1,274
87  | Nottingham | CDP  | 1,260
88  | Highland | Township  | 1,259
89  | Dilworthtown (partially in Delaware County)  | CDP  | 1,150
90  | Pomeroy | CDP  | 1,085
91  | Westwood | CDP  | 1,003
92  | Sadsburyville | CDP  | 1,001
93  | Glenmoore | CDP  | 872
94  | Pughtown | CDP  | 849
95  | West Marlborough | Township  | 819
96  | Cochranville | CDP  | 631
97  | Unionville | CDP  | 577
98  | Kimberton | CDP  | 568
99  | Cheyney University (partially in Delaware County)  | CDP  | 565
100  | Modena | Borough  | 541
101  | Marshallton | CDP  | 500
102  | Eagle | CDP  | 498
103  | Hamorton | CDP  | 179

## Climate

[edit]

Chester County has four distinct seasons and has a hot-summer humid continental climate (Dfa) except for some far southern lowlands and areas along the Schuylkill River which have a humid subtropical climate (Cfa). The hardiness zone 7a except for 7b near the Brandywine Creek in Birmingham Township. [1]

Climate data for Honey Brook Twp (Elevation: 728 ft (222 m)) 1981–2010 Averages

Month  | Jan  | Feb  | Mar  | Apr  | May  | Jun  | Jul  | Aug  | Sep  | Oct  | Nov  | Dec  | Year
Mean daily maximum °F (°C)  | 37.6
(3.1)  | 40.4
(4.7)  | 49.5
(9.7)  | 60.1
(15.6)  | 70.8
(21.6)  | 78.9
(26.1)  | 82.9
(28.3)  | 82.3
(27.9)  | 75.3
(24.1)  | 64.1
(17.8)  | 52.3
(11.3)  | 41.4
(5.2)  | 61.4
(16.3)
Daily mean °F (°C)  | 29.1
(−1.6)  | 31.3
(−0.4)  | 39.2
(4.0)  | 49.3
(9.6)  | 59.6
(15.3)  | 68.1
(20.1)  | 72.6
(22.6)  | 71.8
(22.1)  | 64.7
(18.2)  | 53.6
(12.0)  | 43.8
(6.6)  | 33.9
(1.1)  | 51.5
(10.8)
Mean daily minimum °F (°C)  | 20.7
(−6.3)  | 22.3
(−5.4)  | 28.9
(−1.7)  | 38.4
(3.6)  | 48.4
(9.1)  | 57.3
(14.1)  | 62.3
(16.8)  | 61.3
(16.3)  | 54.2
(12.3)  | 43.1
(6.2)  | 35.2
(1.8)  | 26.4
(−3.1)  | 41.6
(5.3)
Average precipitation inches (mm)  | 3.13
(80)  | 2.73
(69)  | 3.78
(96)  | 3.79
(96)  | 4.08
(104)  | 4.11
(104)  | 4.92
(125)  | 3.64
(92)  | 4.37
(111)  | 4.19
(106)  | 3.73
(95)  | 3.66
(93)  | 46.13
(1,172)
Average relative humidity (%)  | 69.9  | 67.8  | 62.1  | 62.2  | 64.5  | 72.7  | 72.6  | 73.6  | 74.7  | 72.6  | 72.4  | 72.8  | 69.8
Average dew point °F (°C)  | 20.5
(−6.4)  | 21.9
(−5.6)  | 27.3
(−2.6)  | 36.9
(2.7)  | 47.6
(8.7)  | 59.0
(15.0)  | 63.3
(17.4)  | 62.9
(17.2)  | 56.5
(13.6)  | 45.0
(7.2)  | 35.5
(1.9)  | 26.1
(−3.3)  | 42.0
(5.6)
Source: PRISM[49]

Climate data for Coatesville, Pennsylvania

Month  | Jan  | Feb  | Mar  | Apr  | May  | Jun  | Jul  | Aug  | Sep  | Oct  | Nov  | Dec  | Year
Mean daily maximum °C (°F)  | 3.7
(38.7)  | 4
(40)  | 10.2
(50.4)  | 16.8
(62.2)  | 22.7
(72.9)  | 27.4
(81.3)  | 29.9
(85.8)  | 28.7
(83.7)  | 25.4
(77.7)  | 19.1
(66.3)  | 11.9
(53.4)  | 5.3
(41.6)  | 17.1
(62.8)
Mean daily minimum °C (°F)  | −6.2
(20.8)  | −6.2
(20.9)  | −1.4
(29.4)  | 3.8
(38.8)  | 9.5
(49.1)  | 14.6
(58.3)  | 17.3
(63.2)  | 16.3
(61.3)  | 12.4
(54.3)  | 5.7
(42.3)  | 0.4
(32.8)  | −4.6
(23.8)  | 5.1
(41.2)
Average precipitation mm (inches)  | 91
(3.6)  | 84
(3.3)  | 97
(3.8)  | 94
(3.7)  | 99
(3.9)  | 110
(4.5)  | 110
(4.4)  | 110
(4.5)  | 94
(3.7)  | 84
(3.3)  | 84
(3.3)  | 97
(3.8)  | 1,160
(45.8)
Source: Weatherbase[50]

Climate data for London Britain (Elevation: 167 ft (51 m)) 1981–2010 Averages

Month  | Jan  | Feb  | Mar  | Apr  | May  | Jun  | Jul  | Aug  | Sep  | Oct  | Nov  | Dec  | Year
Mean daily maximum °F (°C)  | 40.4
(4.7)  | 43.4
(6.3)  | 52.2
(11.2)  | 64.1
(17.8)  | 73.6
(23.1)  | 82.5
(28.1)  | 86.7
(30.4)  | 85.0
(29.4)  | 77.9
(25.5)  | 66.6
(19.2)  | 55.5
(13.1)  | 44.3
(6.8)  | 64.4
(18.0)
Daily mean °F (°C)  | 31.9
(−0.1)  | 34.5
(1.4)  | 42.2
(5.7)  | 52.8
(11.6)  | 62.4
(16.9)  | 71.7
(22.1)  | 76.1
(24.5)  | 74.6
(23.7)  | 67.3
(19.6)  | 55.8
(13.2)  | 46.0
(7.8)  | 36.1
(2.3)  | 54.4
(12.4)
Mean daily minimum °F (°C)  | 23.5
(−4.7)  | 25.6
(−3.6)  | 32.2
(0.1)  | 41.5
(5.3)  | 51.3
(10.7)  | 61.0
(16.1)  | 65.6
(18.7)  | 64.2
(17.9)  | 56.8
(13.8)  | 44.9
(7.2)  | 36.4
(2.4)  | 27.9
(−2.3)  | 44.3
(6.8)
Average precipitation inches (mm)  | 3.30
(84)  | 2.79
(71)  | 4.21
(107)  | 3.72
(94)  | 4.18
(106)  | 4.05
(103)  | 4.66
(118)  | 3.66
(93)  | 4.48
(114)  | 3.49
(89)  | 3.50
(89)  | 3.73
(95)  | 45.77
(1,163)
Average relative humidity (%)  | 66.8  | 63.3  | 59.0  | 58.6  | 62.7  | 66.6  | 68.1  | 69.6  | 71.1  | 69.3  | 67.9  | 68.1  | 65.9
Average dew point °F (°C)  | 22.1
(−5.5)  | 23.3
(−4.8)  | 28.9
(−1.7)  | 38.7
(3.7)  | 49.5
(9.7)  | 60.0
(15.6)  | 64.8
(18.2)  | 64.0
(17.8)  | 57.6
(14.2)  | 45.9
(7.7)  | 36.0
(2.2)  | 26.6
(−3.0)  | 43.2
(6.2)
Source: PRISM[49]

## Public health

[edit]

### Opioid crisis

[edit]

Main article: Opioid epidemic in the United States

In both 2018 and 2019, deaths from drug overdoses in Chester County declined. Of the 104 drug overdoses recorded by the coroner, an estimated 77 percent involved the presence of fentanyl. One of the reasons for the decline in overdose deaths was "the saturation across the county of Narcan, the anti-opioid nasal spray that can revive someone suffering an overdose." In 2019, any resident of Chester County could obtain a free Narcan dose at community training events across the county.[51]

## Notable people

[edit]

* Jesse B. Aikin (1808–1900), first to produce a song book with a seven-shape note system
* Samuel Barber (1910–1981), one of the most celebrated composers of the 20th century
* Eusebius Barnard (1802–1865), Quaker minister and station master on the Underground Railroad
* Mifflin E. Bell (1847–1904), architect who served from 1883 to 1886 as Supervising Architect of the US Treasury Department
* Daniel Garrison Brinton (1837–1899), physician and ethnologist who taught at the University of Pennsylvania
* Scott Brunner (born 1957), NFL quarterback during the 1980s
* Margaret F. Butler (1861–1931), professor of otorhinolaryngology at the Woman's Medical College of Pennsylvania
* Samuel Butler (1825–1891), Pennsylvania State Representative and Pennsylvania Treasurer from 1880 to 1882
* Smedley Butler (1881-1940), twice recipient of the Medal of Honor, thwarted the Business Plot, advocate for veterans, author
* William L. Carlisle (1890–1964), famous train robber
* Jefferson David Chalfant (1856–1931), painter best known for his trompe-l'œil still lifes
* John Cochran (1730–1807), physician and 4th Surgeon General of the United States Army
* James D. Corrothers (1869–1917), African American poet, journalist, minister, and friend of Paul Laurence Dunbar
* Isabel Darlington (1865–1950), lawyer and the first woman to gain admittance to the bar and practice law in Chester County
* Bruce Davidson (born 1949), multiple Olympian in equestrian eventing; noted competition-horse breeder and trainer
* Sarah Dolley (1829–1909), physician and the first woman to complete a medical internship in the United States
* Ryan Dunn (1977–2011), actor, television personality, and daredevil; died in a car crash in West Goshen
* William Hood Dunwoody (1841–1914), businessman and partner in the firm that became General Mills
* Phillip Dutton (born 1963), Australian-born Olympic-level equestrian rider in eventing
* Wharton Esherick (1887-1970), sculptor, designer, woodworker
* John Filson (1747–1788), author, historian, pioneer, surveyor, and founder of Cincinnati
* James Fitzpatrick (1748–1778), highwayman and loyalist during the American Revolutionary War
* Bartholomew Fussell (1794–1871), abolitionist active in the Underground Railroad; early advocate for women's careers in medicine
* Kyle Gallner (born 1986), actor
* Robert Grace (1709–1766), first manufacturer of the Franklin stove
* Joseph Graham (1759–1836), Revolutionary War militia officer, North Carolina politician, and ironmonger
* Isaac Israel Hayes (1832–1881), Arctic explorer and physician
* Francis James (1799–1886), lawyer, state senator, and member of the US House of Representatives
* Charlton Thomas Lewis (1834–1904), lawyer and lexicographer who compiled several Latin-English dictionaries
* George Lippard (1822–1854), novelist (The Quaker City; or, The Monks of Monk Hall), journalist, and social reformer
* Rebecca Webb Lukens (1794–1854), first female owner and manager of the company that became the Lukens Steel Mill
* William Maclay (1737–1804), Pennsylvania state legislator and US Senator who served in the 1st United States Congress
* Franklin MacVeagh (1837–1934), banker and U.S. Secretary of the Treasury
* Bam Margera (born 1979), professional skateboarder, television and radio personality, and daredevil
* Boyd Martin (born 1979), Australian-born equestrian competing in eventing; has participated in two Summer Olympics
* Jon Matlack (born 1950), baseball pitcher for the New York Mets and Texas Rangers (1971–83), All Star and N.L. champion
* Henry McBride (1867–1962), art critic who wrote for Art News, The Dial, and The New York Sun
* Joseph McClellan (1746–1834), Continental Army captain, brevet colonel of militia, and Pennsylvania State Senator
* Charles Follen McKim (1847–1909), one of the most prominent American Beaux-Arts architects of the late nineteenth century
* Joseph McMinn (1758–1824), politician who served as Speaker of the Tennessee Senate and 4th Governor of Tennessee
* Thomas Harrison Montgomery Jr. (1873–1912), zoologist and expert in cell biology, invertebrates, and birds
* George Foot Moore (1851–1931), historian of religion, minister, and professor at Andover Theological Seminary and Harvard University
* Hezekiah Niles (1777–1839), editor and publisher of the Weekly Register, one of the highest circulating papers in the United States
* John Grubb Parke, Union general during the American Civil War and victor of the Battle of Fort Stedman (1865)
* Herb Pennock (1894–1948), Hall of Fame baseball pitcher; also known as the "Squire of Kennett Square"
* Elijah F. Pennypacker (1804–1888), abolitionist and Underground Railroad station master
* George Morris Philips (1851–1920), principal of West Chester University from 1881 to 1920
* Evan Pugh (1828–1864), agricultural chemist and first president of Pennsylvania State University
* Thomas Buchanan Read (1822–1872), poet and portrait painter
* George W. Roberts (1833–1862), Union Army colonel killed in action at the Battle of Stones River
* Barclay Rubincam (1920–1978), regionalist painter affiliated with the Brandywine School
* Bayard Rustin (1912–1987), civil rights leader posthumously awarded the Presidential Medal of Freedom
* Matt Ryan (born 1985), NFL quarterback formerly for the Atlanta Falcons and Indianapolis Colts
* Maria Sanford (1836–1920), Chester County school superintendent; professor at Swarthmore College and the University of Minnesota
* John Wallace Scott (1832–1903), Medal of Honor recipient during the Civil War
* Isaac Sharpless (1848–1920), president of Haverford College
* M. Night Shyamalan (born 1970), film director
* William Thomas Smedley (1858–1920), artist; member of the National Academy of Design
* James Smith (1719–1806), signer to the United States Declaration of Independence
* Kerr Smith (born 1972), actor
* William Preston Snyder (1851–1920), president pro tempore of the Pennsylvania Senate and Pennsylvania Auditor General
* Bayard Taylor (1825–1878), poet, novelist, and travel writer
* Joseph Henry Taylor (1844–1908), author, newspaper editor, and frontiersman
* Miles Teller (born 1987), actor
* Martha Gibbons Thomas (1869–1942), first woman elected to the Pennsylvania House of Representatives from Chester County
* Richard Thomas (1744–1832), Pennsylvania state senator, U.S. Representative, and colonel during the American Revolutionary War
* Richard Troxell, international opera star, aka "America's Tenor"
* Bernardhus Van Leer (1687–1790), German-American physician and centenarian
* Samuel Van Leer (1747–1825), captain during the American Revolution; owned Reading Furnace and other nearby historical places
* Anthony Wayne (1745–1796), Revolutionary War general known as "Mad Anthony" Wayne
* George Alexis Weymouth (1936–2016), artist (painter); "whip" stager; founder of the Brandywine Conservancy and the Brandywine River Museum
* Thomas Wharton Jr. (1735–1778), served as the first President of Pennsylvania (an office akin to Governor) following the Declaration of Independence
* William H. Whyte (1917–1999), urbanist and sociologist who coined the term "groupthink" and wrote The Organization Man bestselling book on management
* James P. Wickersham (1825–1891), principal of Millersville State Normal School, state school superintendent, and chargé d'affaires in Denmark
* Hugh Williamson (1735–1819), Founding Father, signatory of the U.S. Constitution, and US representative from North Carolina
* William (Amos) Wilson (1762–1821), folklore figure known as "The Pennsylvania Hermit"
* Andrew Wyeth (1917–2009), artist
* Jamie Wyeth (born 1946), artist
* N. C. Wyeth (1882–1945), artist and illustrator

## See also

[edit]

* Duffy's Cut
* National Register of Historic Places listings in Chester County, Pennsylvania

## References

[edit]

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2. ^ "PHMC Historical Markers Search". Pennsylvania Historical and Museum Commission. Commonwealth of Pennsylvania. Archived from the original (Searchable database) on March 21, 2016. Retrieved January 25, 2014.
3. ^ "2020 Census Demographic Data". US Census Bureau. Archived from the original on August 12, 2021. Retrieved August 20, 2021.
4. ^ a b c "QuickFacts Chester County, Pennsylvania". United States Census Bureau. Retrieved June 18, 2018.
5. ^ "Find a County". National Association of Counties. Archived from the original on May 3, 2015. Retrieved June 7, 2011.
6. ^ Commonwealth of Pennsylvania (1852–1935). Pennsylvania Archives. 9 Series, 109 Volumes. Philadelphia, Pennsylvania and Harrisburg, Pennsylvania. pp. Series 2, Volume 5: 739–744.`{{cite book}}`: CS1 maint: location missing publisher (link)
7. ^ Futhey, John; Cope, Gilbert (1881). History of Chester County, Pennsylvania, with genealogical and biographical sketches. Philadelphia: L. H. Everts.
8. ^ Armstrong, Edward, ed. (1860). Record of the Court at Upland, in Pennsylvania, 1676 to 1681. Memoirs of the Historical Society of Pennsylvania Volume 7. p. 196.
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12. ^ Commission, Chester County Planning. "Chester County Ag Council". www.chescofarming.org. Retrieved January 17, 2023.
13. ^ Elevations in Pennsylvania, Commonwealth of Pennsylvania Dept. of Environmental Resources, Bureau of Topographic and Geologic Survey, Information Circular 4, Fourth Series
14. ^ Hurdle, Jon (March 8, 2016). "Chester County landfill gas used as alternative to fracking". StateImpact Pennsylvania. Retrieved February 26, 2020.
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16. ^ "Historical Census Browser". University of Virginia Library. Archived from the original on August 11, 2012. Retrieved March 6, 2015.
17. ^ Forstall, Richard L., ed. (March 24, 1995). "Population of Counties by Decennial Census: 1900 to 1990". United States Census Bureau. Retrieved March 6, 2015.
18. ^ "Census 2000 PHC-T-4. Ranking Tables for Counties: 1990 and 2000" (PDF). United States Census Bureau. April 2, 2001. Archived (PDF) from the original on October 9, 2022. Retrieved March 6, 2015.
19. ^ "U.S. Census website". United States Census Bureau. Retrieved January 31, 2008.
20. ^ "P2 HISPANIC OR LATINO, AND NOT HISPANIC OR LATINO BY RACE – 2020: DEC Redistricting Data (PL 94-171) – Chester County, Pennsylvania".
21. ^ Pennsylvania Department of State (February 5, 2024). "Voter registration statistics by county". dos.pa.gov. Retrieved February 7, 2024.
22. ^ Leip, David. "Dave Leip's Atlas of U.S. Presidential Elections". uselectionatlas.org.
23. ^ "Pennsylvania Attorney General Results: Josh Shapiro Wins". The New York Times. Retrieved January 14, 2017.
24. ^ Chambless, J. (November 8, 2017). "Election results 2017: Democrats take the lead - Chester County Press". Chester County Press. Archived from the original on November 9, 2017.
25. ^ Rellahan, Michael (November 6, 2019). "Commissioners race won by Chesco Democrats". Daily Local News. Retrieved November 6, 2019.
26. ^ "Another sweep for Chester County Democrats as courthouse remains 'blue'". Daily Local. November 8, 2023. Retrieved January 3, 2024.
27. ^ Leip, David. "Dave Leip's Atlas of U.S. Presidential Elections". uselectionatlas.org.
28. ^ The leading "other" candidate, Progressive Theodore Roosevelt, received 6,596 votes, while Socialist candidate Eugene Debs received 314 votes, Prohibition candidate Eugene Chafin received 263 votes, and Socialist Labor candidate Arthur Reimer received 4 votes.
29. ^ "2024 Senate Election (Official Returns)". Commonwealth of Pennsylvania by county. November 5, 2024. Retrieved December 5, 2024.
30. ^ "Democrats maintain majority control of Chester County Board of Commissioners". WHYY. Retrieved January 3, 2024.
31. ^ "Chester County Newly-Elected Officials, Judges Take Oath of Office". Chester County, PA. Retrieved January 3, 2024.
32. ^ a b Rellahan, Michael (October 18, 2024). "Chester County official under investigation by financial watchdog resigns, citing personal reasons". Daily Local News. Retrieved January 4, 2025.
33. ^ "2020 CENSUS - SCHOOL DISTRICT REFERENCE MAP: Chester County, PA" (PDF). U.S. Census Bureau. Archived (PDF) from the original on October 9, 2022. Retrieved July 20, 2022. \- Text list
34. ^ "Chester County Intermediate Unit / Overview". cciu.org.
35. ^ "Our Preschool | Chesterbrook Academy of West Chester, PA". Chesterbrook Academy. Retrieved July 18, 2025.
36. ^ "Our School | Chesterbrook Academy West Chester". Chesterbrook Academy. Retrieved July 18, 2025.
37. ^ "Private School for Children with LD & Dyslexia in Philadelphia - DVFS". dvfs.org.
38. ^ "Fairville Friends School - Home". fairvillefriends.org/.
39. ^ "Goshen Friends School - Home". goshenfriends.org.
40. ^ "Kimberton Waldorf School - The Art of Education". kimberton.org.
41. ^ "Welcome to TCS! - The Concept School". theconceptschool.org.
42. ^ "Upland Country Day School Best Private Schools in Chester County". uplandcds.org.
43. ^ "West-Mont Christian Academy". west-mont.org.
44. ^ "westchesterfriends". westchesterfriends.
45. ^ "Windsor Christian Academy – Classical Christian Education in Upper Uwchlan, PA". windsorca.org.
46. ^ "Windsor Christian Preschool - Offering Morning or Afternoon Preschool Classes for 2-1/2, 3, 4, or 5 Year Olds". windsorcp.org.
47. ^ "Regina Luminis Academy - Catholic Classical Education". Regina Luminis Academy - Catholic Classical Education.
48. ^ "2020 U.S. Census website". United States Census Bureau. Retrieved August 10, 2022.
49. ^ a b "PRISM Climate Group, Oregon State University". Retrieved August 9, 2019.
50. ^ "Weatherbase.com". Weatherbase. 2013. Retrieved on September 2, 2019.
51. ^ Rellahan, Michael P. (February 20, 2020). "Overdoses in Chester County decrease for second year in a row". Daily Local News. Retrieved February 20, 2020.

## Further reading

[edit]

* The Chester County Historical Society (2004). Chester County. Images of America. Arcadia Publishing. ISBN 9780738536613. LCCN 2004107293.

## External links

[edit]

Wikimedia Commons has media related to Chester County, Pennsylvania.

Wikivoyage has a travel guide for Chester County, Pennsylvania.

* Chester County Home Page
* Chester County Government Meeting Minutes and local news at TownWatcher
* Chester County Press Newspapers & Magazines
* Collection of Chester County Quaker property records and other manuscripts from Friends Historical Library of Swarthmore College

Places adjacent to Chester County, Pennsylvania

|  | Berks County | Montgomery County

|
|

|  |
Lancaster County |

Chester County, Pennsylvania

| Delaware County
|  |
| Cecil County, Maryland | New Castle County, Delaware

* v
* t
* e

Municipalities and communities of Chester County, Pennsylvania, United States

County seat: West Chester

City|

* Coatesville

Boroughs|

* Atglen
* Avondale
* Downingtown
* Elverson
* Honey Brook
* Kennett Square
* Malvern
* Modena
* Oxford
* Parkesburg
* Phoenixville
* South Coatesville
* Spring City
* West Chester
* West Grove

Townships|

* Birmingham
* Caln
* Charlestown
* East Bradford
* East Brandywine
* East Caln
* East Coventry
* East Fallowfield
* East Goshen
* East Marlborough
* East Nantmeal
* East Nottingham
* East Pikeland
* East Vincent
* East Whiteland
* Easttown
* Elk
* Franklin
* Highland
* Honey Brook
* Kennett
* London Britain
* London Grove
* Londonderry
* Lower Oxford
* New Garden
* New London
* Newlin
* North Coventry
* Penn
* Pennsbury
* Pocopson
* Sadsbury
* Schuylkill
* South Coventry
* Thornbury
* Tredyffrin
* Upper Oxford
* Upper Uwchlan
* Uwchlan
* Valley
* Wallace
* Warwick
* West Bradford
* West Brandywine
* West Caln
* West Fallowfield
* West Goshen
* West Marlborough
* West Nantmeal
* West Nottingham
* West Pikeland
* West Sadsbury
* West Vincent
* West Whiteland
* Morstein
* Westtown
* Willistown

CDPs|

* Berwyn
* Caln
* Cambridge‡
* Chadds Ford‡
* Chesterbrook
* Cheyney University‡
* Cochranville
* Devon
* Dilworthtown‡
* Eagle
* Eagleview
* Exton
* Frazer
* Glenmoore
* Hamorton
* Hayti
* Kenilworth
* Kimberton
* Lincoln University
* Lionville
* Marshallton
* Nottingham
* Paoli
* Pomeroy
* Pughtown
* Sadsburyville
* South Pottstown
* Thorndale
* Toughkenamon
* Unionville
* Westwood

Other
communities|

* Birchrunville
* Brandamore
* Bucktown
* Byers Station
* Cedarville
* Chatham
* Chester Springs
* Chesterville
* Compass
* Coventryville
* Cromby
* Darlington Corners
* Daylesford
* Devault
* Doe Run
* Dorlan
* Embreeville
* Ercildoun
* Faggs Manor
* Glenloch
* Goshenville
* Hallman
* Harmonyville
* Hayesville
* Hephzibah
* Hickory Hill
* Hiestand
* Hinsonville
* Homeville
* Hopewell†
* Howellville
* Humphreyville
* Icedale
* Ironsides
* Isabella
* Jennersville
* Kaolin
* Kelton
* Kemblesville
* Knauertown
* Landenberg
* Lenape
* Lewisville
* London Grove
* Longwood Gardens
* Lower Hopewell
* Ludwigs Corner
* Lyndell
* Mendenhall
* Milford Mills
* Mortonville
* Nantmeal Village
* Parker Ford
* Pocopson
* Russellville
* St. Peters
* Siousca
* Springdell
* Steelville
* Strafford‡
* Strickersville
* Sugartown
* Suplee
* Valley Forge
* Wagontown
* Warwick
* Wayne‡
* West Goshen
* Whitford
* Willowdale
* Yellow Springs

Footnotes|

‡This populated place also has portions in an adjacent county or counties †Former borough

* Pennsylvania portal
* United States portal

* v
* t
* e

Commonwealth of Pennsylvania

Harrisburg (capital)

Topics|

* Outline
* Delegations
* Government
* History
* Geography
* Geology
* Law
* Notable Pennsylvanians
* State parks
* Symbols
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Society|

* Abortion
* Agriculture
* Climate change
* Culture
* Crime
* Demographics
* Economy
* Education
* Gambling
* LGBT rights
* Politics
* Sports

Metro areas|

* Altoona
* Erie
* Harrisburg–Carlisle
* Harrisburg–York–Lebanon
* Johnstown
* Lancaster
* Lebanon
* Lehigh Valley
* New York
* Philadelphia
* Pittsburgh
* Reading
* Scranton‑Wilkes-Barre
* State College
* Washington-Baltimore
* Williamsport
* York-Hanover

Largest cities|

* Allentown
* Altoona
* Bethlehem
* Butler
* Chester
* DuBois
* Easton
* Erie
* Greensburg
* Harrisburg
* Hazleton
* Johnstown
* Lancaster
* Lebanon
* McKeesport
* New Castle
* Philadelphia
* Pittsburgh
* Pottsville
* Reading
* Scranton
* Sunbury
* Wilkes-Barre
* Williamsport
* York

Largest
municipalities|

* Abington Township
* Bensalem Township
* Bethel Park
* Bristol Township
* Cheltenham Township
* Cranberry Township
* Darby
* Falls Township
* Hampden Township
* Haverford Township
* Hempfield Township
* Lower Macungie Township
* Lower Makefield Township
* Lower Merion Township
* Lower Paxton Township
* Manheim Township
* McCandless
* Middletown Township
* Millcreek Township
* Monroeville
* Mt. Lebanon
* Norristown
* Northampton Township
* North Huntingdon Township
* Penn Hills
* Radnor Township
* Ridley Township
* Ross Township
* Shaler Township
* Spring Township
* State College
* Tredyffrin Township
* Upper Darby Township
* Upper Merion Township
* Warminster Township
* West Chester
* Whitehall Township
* York Township

Regions|

* Allegheny Mountains
* Allegheny National Forest
* Allegheny Plateau
* Bald Eagle Valley
* Blue Ridge
* Coal Region
* Cumberland Valley
* Delaware Valley
* Dutch Country
* Endless Mountains
* Great Valley
* Happy Valley
* Laurel Highlands
* Lebanon Valley
* Lehigh Valley
* Mahoning Valley
* Main Line
* Nittany Valley
* Northeastern
* Northern Tier
* North Central
* North Penn Valley
* Ohio Valley
* Oil Region
* Oley Valley
* Pennsylvania Highlands
* Pennsylvania Wilds
* Penns Valley
* Piedmont
* Pocono Mountains
* Ridge and Valley
* South Central
* Susquehanna Valley
* Western
* Wyoming Valley

Counties|

* Adams
* Allegheny
* Armstrong
* Beaver
* Bedford
* Berks
* Blair
* Bradford
* Bucks
* Butler
* Cambria
* Cameron
* Carbon
* Centre
* Chester
* Clarion
* Clearfield
* Clinton
* Columbia
* Crawford
* Cumberland
* Dauphin
* Delaware
* Elk
* Erie
* Fayette
* Forest
* Franklin
* Fulton
* Greene
* Huntingdon
* Indiana
* Jefferson
* Juniata
* Lackawanna
* Lancaster
* Lawrence
* Lebanon
* Lehigh
* Luzerne
* Lycoming
* McKean
* Mercer
* Mifflin
* Monroe
* Montgomery
* Montour
* Northampton
* Northumberland
* Perry
* Philadelphia
* Pike
* Potter
* Schuylkill
* Snyder
* Somerset
* Sullivan
* Susquehanna
* Tioga
* Union
* Venango
* Warren
* Washington
* Wayne
* Westmoreland
* Wyoming
* York

Pennsylvania portal

* v
* t
* e

Philadelphia metropolitan area

Counties|

* Atlantic (NJ)
* Berks (PA)
* Bucks (PA)
* Burlington (NJ)
* Camden (NJ)
* Cape May (NJ)
* Cecil (MD)
* Chester (PA)
* Cumberland (NJ)
* Delaware (PA)
* Gloucester (NJ)
* Kent (DE)
* Mercer (NJ)
* Montgomery (PA)
* New Castle (DE)
* Philadelphia (PA)
* Salem (NJ)

Major cities|

* Philadelphia

Cities and towns
50k-99k|

* Abington
* Bensalem
* Bristol
* Camden
* Cherry Hill
* Gloucester Township
* Hamilton
* Lower Merion
* Pennsauken
* Reading
* Trenton
* Upper Darby
* Vineland
* Wilmington

Cities and towns
30k-50k|

* Atlantic City
* Cheltenham
* Chester
* Deptford
* Dover
* Egg Harbor
* Evesham
* Ewing
* Falls
* Galloway
* Haverford
* Lawrence
* Lower Makefield
* Middletown
* Millville
* Monroe
* Mount Laurel
* Newark
* Norristown
* Northampton
* Radnor
* Ridley
* Warminster
* Washington
* Willingboro
* Winslow

See also|

* Northeast megalopolis

Authority control databases

International|

* ISNI
* VIAF
* WorldCat

National|

* Germany
* United States
* Israel

Geographic|

* MusicBrainz area

Other|

* NARA
* Yale LUX

*[Pop.]: Population
*[%±]: Percent change
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