Manchester

🌿 Manchester Township is a historically rich and geographically expansive area in Wayne County, Pennsylvania, nestled along the Delaware River in the northeastern corner of the county. Here’s a detailed look at its character:

📍 Geography & Location

• Covers approximately 45 square miles, with 44.1 sq mi of land and 0.9 sq mi of water
• Elevation: around 1,437 feet (438 meters)
• Borders Buckingham Township to the south, separated by Equinunk Creek
• Includes the village of Equinunk, a key community hub

🏘️ Community & Demographics

• Population: about 800 residents as of 2016
• Rural and sparsely populated, with a density of roughly 18 people per square mile
• Predominantly White population, with a median age of 48 years
• Many households are made up of individuals, and a significant portion of residents are 65 or older

🕰️ Historical Highlights

• Formed in 1826 from part of Buckingham Township
• Named after Manchester, England, reflecting the origins of early settlers
• Home to the Equinunk Historic District, listed on the National Register of Historic Places in 1999
• Early industries included maple sugar production, potash extraction, and rafting on the Delaware River
• The Union Sugar Company, founded in the 1790s, attempted to develop the area agriculturally but dissolved by 1796

🏫 Governance & Services

• Governed by a Board of Supervisors, with monthly meetings held at the township building in Equinunk
• Part of the Wayne Highlands School District
• Has a Subdivision/Land Development Ordinance and a Comprehensive Plan, but no formal zoning regulations