Loyalsock Township, Pennsylvania

Loyalsock Township is a township in Lycoming County, Pennsylvania, United States. The population was 11,561 at the 2020 census.

thumb|left|Native American stone tools excavated from Canfield Island in the [[West Branch Susquehanna River, seen from exhibit at the Lycoming County Historical Museum in Williamsport]]

In the American Revolutionary War, settlements throughout the Susquehanna valley and what was to become Loyalsock Township were attacked by Loyalists and Native Americans allied with the British. After the Wyoming Valley battle and massacre in the summer of 1778 (near what is now Wilkes-Barre) and smaller local attacks, the "Big Runaway" occurred throughout the West Branch Susquehanna valley. Settlers fled fearing more attacks by the British and their allies. Homes and fields were abandoned, with livestock driven along and a few possessions floated on rafts on the river east to Muncy, then further south to Sunbury. The abandoned property was burnt by the attackers. Some settlers soon returned, only to flee again in the summer of 1779 in the "Little Runaway". Sullivan's Expedition helped stabilize the area and encouraged resettlement, which continued after the war. Hughes hid runaway slaves in the hold of his barge on his return trip up the Susquehanna to Lycoming County, where he provided shelter on his property near the Loyalsock Township border with Williamsport before they moved further north and to eventual freedom in Canada. Hughes' home was located in a hollow or small valley in the mountains just north of Williamsport. This hollow is now known as "Freedom Road", having previously been called "Nigger Hollow".

|date=August 2014

Demographics

As of the census of 2000, there were 10,876 people, 4,501 households, and 2,966 families residing in the township. The population density was . There were 4,687 housing units at an average density of . The racial makeup of the township was 94.81% White, 2.64% African American, 0.13% Native American, 1.05% Asian, 0.01% Pacific Islander, 0.33% from other races, and 1.03% from two or more races. Hispanic or Latino of any race were 0.86% of the population.

There were 4,501 households, out of which 26.1% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 53.5% were married couples living together, 9.5% had a female householder with no husband present, and 34.1% were non-families. Of all households, 31.0% were made up of individuals, and 18.9% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.25 and the average family size was 2.80.

In the township the population was spread out, with 20.7% under the age of 18, 5.0% from 18 to 24, 20.7% from 25 to 44, 24.3% from 45 to 64, and 29.4% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 47 years. For every 100 females there were 81.6 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 76.0 males.

The median income for a household in the township was $36,806, and the median income for a family was $47,952. Males had a median income of $39,623 versus $24,684 for females. The per capita income for the township was $23,480. About 6.8% of families and 8.7% of the population were below the poverty line, including 15.7% of those under age 18 and 4.3% of those age 65 or over.

Transportation

Major roadways

25px - Interstate 180
U.S. Route 220
East Third Street (Former U.S. Route 220)
Washington Boulevard
Four Mile Drive
Northway Road
Lycoming Creek Road
Warrensville Road
Poco Farm Road
Bloomingrove Road

The southern part of the township is crossed by Interstate 180, with two exits (Exits 25 and 23) into Loyalsock. I-180 leads west to its western terminus in Williamsport, and southeast to Interstate 80 near Milton. U.S. Route 220 runs concurrently with I-180 through the township.

The township has multiple major roadways, most notably East Third Street, which begins in Williamsport to the west and ends at the township's eastern border with Montoursville, where the road name changes to Broad Street. Northway Road begins at Exit 25 off I-180 and continues north until it reaches the township's northern border. Four Mile Drive begins at the township's western border with Williamsport and stretches to Warrensville Road, near the eastern border, and Loyalsock Creek. Four Mile Drive has a mixture of commercial and residential properties, including Donald E. Schick Elementary School and Divine Providence Hospital.

Air

Located in neighboring Montoursville is Williamsport Regional Airport (KIPT/IPT). On 23 May 2024, Southern Airways Express (SAE) began regular passenger flights 7 days a week from Williamsport to Washington Dulles International Airport.

Rail

The Lycoming Valley Railroad runs along the West Branch Susquehanna River on the southern border of the township.

Economy

Top employers

{| class="wikitable sortable" border="1"

! #

! Employer

! # of Employees

|Loyalsock School District

|209

|Loyalsock Township

|189

|Liberty Mutual

|111

|Valley Farms Dairy

|83

|UPMC Susquehanna Divine Providence

|49

Education

Loyalsock Township School District consists of a high school, middle school and elementary school. All schools in the district rank in the top 150 in the state in test scores and teacher preparedness.

The schools in the district are:

Donald E. Schick Elementary (formerly known as Four Mile Elementary)
Loyalsock Township Middle School
Loyalsock Township High School

Former:

J George Becht Elementary (1929-2005). Named after Lycoming County Superintendent of Schools 1893-1902 J George Becht.

A lancer is the mascot for the school district. The school colors are maroon, white and Carolina blue. In 2008, 2013 and 2014, the boy's varsity baseball team won the PIAA AA State Championship. In 2021, the boy’s varsity basketball team won the PIAA Class AAA State Championship.

Public safety

Police

Loyalsock does not have a police department. The township is policed by the Pennsylvania State Police Troop F - Montoursville. Loyalsock School District does however have a police department, the Loyalsock Township School District Police Department, who protect the districts two school complexes during school hours.

Fire and rescue

Fire department coverage is provided by the Loyalsock Volunteer Fire Company, Lycoming County Station 18. It has an EMS department that staffs one Mobile Intensive Care Unit (MICU) ambulance 24/7, a Basic Life Support ambulance intermittently during the week, and a third reserve Basic Life Support ambulance. Station 18 also provides fire and rescue. Loyalsock VFC houses the counties only Mobile Air unit. They have been in operation since 1925.

Notable people

The following are notable people who were born, lived or currently reside within the township:

Pat Daneker, former Major League Baseball pitcher
Bob Farley, former MLB outfielder
Dylan Rockoff, singer
Jeff Wheeland, politician
Tom Woodruff Jr., actor
Gene Yaw, politician