Editing Frackville, Pennsylvania

{{short description|Borough in Pennsylvania, US}}
{{Use mdy dates|date=January 2025}}
{{More citations needed|date=August 2018}}
{{Infobox settlement
| name                   = Frackville
| settlement_type        = [[borough (Pennsylvania)|Borough]]
| image_skyline          = Frackville Lehigh Avenue PA1.jpg
| image_alt              = 
| image_caption          = Lehigh Avenue in Frackville in 2015
| image_flag             = 
| flag_alt               = 
| image_seal             = 
| seal_alt               = 
| image_shield           = 
| shield_alt             = 
| etymology              = Daniel Frack
| nickname               = Mountain City
| motto                  = 
| image_map              = File:Schuylkill County Pennsylvania Incorporated and Unincorporated areas Frackville Highlighted.svg
| mapsize                = 
| map_alt                = 
| map_caption            = Location of Frackville in [[Schuylkill County, Pennsylvania]]
| pushpin_map            = Pennsylvania#USA
| pushpin_label_position = 
| pushpin_map_alt        = 
| pushpin_map_caption    = Location of Frackville in [[Pennsylvania]]
| coordinates            = {{Coord|40|47|01|N|76|14|01|W|type:city_region:US-PA|display=inline,title}}
| coor_pinpoint          = 
| coordinates_footnotes  = 
| subdivision_type       = Country
| subdivision_name       = United States
| subdivision_type1      = [[U.S. state|State]]
| subdivision_name1      = [[Pennsylvania]]
| subdivision_type2      = County
| subdivision_name2      = [[Schuylkill County, Pennsylvania|Schuylkill]]
| established_title      = Settled
| established_date       = 1861
| established_title1     = 
| established_date1      = 
| founder                = 
| seat_type              = 
| seat                   = 
| leader_party           = 
| leader_title           = Mayor
| leader_name            = Kim Phillips
| unit_pref              = Imperial
| area_footnotes         = <ref name="TigerWebMapServer">{{cite web|title=ArcGIS REST Services Directory|url=https://tigerweb.geo.census.gov/arcgis/rest/services/TIGERweb/Places_CouSub_ConCity_SubMCD/MapServer/5/query?where=STATE='42'&outFields=NAME,STATE,PLACE,AREALAND,AREAWATER,LSADC,CENTLAT,CENTLON&orderByFields=PLACE&returnGeometry=false&returnTrueCurves=false&f=json|publisher=United States Census Bureau|accessdate=October 12, 2022}}</ref>
| area_total_sq_mi       = 0.59
| area_land_sq_mi        = 0.59
| area_water_sq_mi       = 0.00
| area_urban_sq_mi       = 
| area_rural_sq_mi       = 
| area_metro_sq_mi       = 
| area_water_percent     = 
| area_note              = 
| elevation_footnotes    = 
| elevation_ft           = 1470
| population_footnotes   = <ref name="USCensusDecennial2020CenPopScriptOnly"/>
| population_total       = 3860
| population_as_of       = [[2020 United States census|2020]]
| population_density_sq_mi = 6487.39
| population_demonym     = 
| population_note        = 
| timezone1              = [[North American Eastern Time Zone|EST]]
| utc_offset1            = −5
| timezone1_DST          = [[Eastern Daylight Time|EDT]]
| utc_offset1_DST        = −4
| postal_code_type       = [[ZIP Code]]
| postal_code            = 17931
| area_code_type         = 
| area_codes              = [[Area codes 570 and 272|570 and 272]]
| blank_name_sec1        = 
| blank_info_sec1        = 
| website                = [http://www.frackvillepa.org www.frackvillepa.org]
|pop_est_as_of = 
|pop_est_footnotes = 
|population_est = 
|blank_name = [[Federal Information Processing Standards|FIPS code]]
|blank_info = 42-27232
|area_total_km2 = 1.54
|area_land_km2 = 1.54
|area_water_km2 = 0.00
|population_density_km2 = 2506.05
}}

'''Frackville''' is a [[borough (Pennsylvania)|borough]] in [[Schuylkill County, Pennsylvania]]. Incorporated in 1876, Frackville is located at the intersection of [[Interstate 81 in Pennsylvania|Interstate 81]] and [[Pennsylvania State Route 61]], which is approximately {{convert|102|mi|km}} northwest of [[Philadelphia, Pennsylvania|Philadelphia]] and {{convert|60|mi|km}} southwest of [[Scranton, Pennsylvania|Scranton]]. Frackville is named for Daniel Frack, an early Anglo-American settler.<ref>{{cite book | url=https://archive.org/details/bub_gb_9V1IAAAAMAAJ | title=The Origin of Certain Place Names in the United States | publisher=Govt. Print. Off. | author=Gannett, Henry | year=1905 | pages=[https://archive.org/details/bub_gb_9V1IAAAAMAAJ/page/n119 130]}}</ref>

==History==
[[File:Frackville PA B Eye view 1889.jpg|thumb|An 1889 aerial view of Frackville]]
[[File:Frackville, Schuylkill Co PA 01.JPG|thumb|A south view on Frackville]]
Frackville was settled in 1861. It was incorporated more than a decade later in 1876, when the [[village]]s of Frackville and Mountain City merged to form the borough of Frackville.  The name "Mountain City", however, is still a common nickname for the borough.  A diner and beer distributor were both named after it.

Early in the 20th century, [[Anthracite coal|anthracite]] [[coal mining]] was the chief industry of this area, [[Northeastern Pennsylvania]]'s historic [[Coal Region]]. While many mines were operated in the area, the borough developed about 4 miles south of [[Shenandoah, Pennsylvania|Shenandoah]] as a predominantly residential community - for workers in and related to mining. With many immigrants to the borough and region, they developed businesses reflecting their cultures. In 1922, Frackville had its own independent brewery. This was short lived after [[Prohibition]] was implemented by a national constitutional amendment. (It was later repealed.)

[[The Mahanoy Plane]], which operated from 1862 to 1931 on Broad Mountain just to the north of the borough, was able to hoist 50,000 tons of coal daily.  A small [[coal town]], also known as a "patch town", owned the name "Mahanoy Plane". It is located at the northern foot of Frackville's Broad Mountain. Railroad companies once located here transported coal from the region to markets.

Since the late 20th century, coal mining has largely ceased in the area. Industrial relics and infrastructure can be found in the thick forest north of the borough's youth baseball complex, but historical preservation or restoration has yet to take place of such structures.

Frackville celebrated its [[centennial]] in 1976, while James Nahas was mayor. The week-long event, from August 22 to 28, hosted parades each night and brought the community closer together. The borough's 125th anniversary celebration was held in 2001 and had similar events and effects.  It culminated with a Frackville Cruise Night, which had car routes defined for roadways throughout the borough.

Many Frackville's residents are employed at local factories of other industries, retail outlets, and the numerous Pennsylvania State Prisons in the immediate area. More commute daily for work in the cities of [[Pottsville, Pennsylvania|Pottsville]], [[Hazleton, Pennsylvania|Hazleton]], [[Allentown, Pennsylvania|Allentown]], [[Reading, Pennsylvania|Reading]], or [[Harrisburg, Pennsylvania|Harrisburg]].

In 1900, the population was 2,595; in 1910, 3,118; and in 1940, 8,035, its peak. With the decline in coal mining and related jobs in the region, the population has declined. It was 4,361 at the 2000 census and 3,805 in 2010.

With access via Exit 24 from [[Interstate 81 in Pennsylvania|Interstate 81]], Frackville is a popular stop for travelers. Destinations include Dutch Kitchen, a renovated diner.  The [[Schuylkill Mall]], a former [[Crown American]] [[shopping mall]] and one of the largest in Pennsylvania, operated in the south end of the borough from 1980 to January 15, 2018. The mall was demolished and replaced by an industrial warehouse.

Frackville was home of the Schuylkill County Brew Fest from 2015 to 2018.  The fest moved in 2019 to Pottsville, Pennsylvania.

==Geography==
Frackville is located at {{coord|40|47|1|N|76|14|1|W|type:city}} (40.783618, -76.233662).<ref name="GR1">{{cite web|url=https://www.census.gov/geographies/reference-files/time-series/geo/gazetteer-files.html|publisher=[[United States Census Bureau]]|access-date=2011-04-23|date=2011-02-12|title=US Gazetteer files: 2010, 2000, and 1990}}</ref>

According to the [[United States Census Bureau]], the borough has a total area of {{convert|0.6|sqmi|km2}}, all  land. It is located on the north slope of [[Broad Mountain (Lehigh Valley)|Broad Mountain]] and is drained by the [[Mahanoy Creek]] into the [[Susquehanna River]]. It has a warm-summer [[humid continental climate]] (''Dfb'') and average monthly temperatures range from 24.8&nbsp;°F in January to 70.5&nbsp;°F in July.<ref>[https://prism.oregonstate.edu/explorer/]</ref> The [[hardiness zone]] is 6a.

==Police agencies==
Frackville is served by local, state and county law enforcement agencies. It has 24/7 police coverage from the Frackville Borough Police Department.  The Frackville Police Station is located in the Borough Hall Building.  The Pennsylvania State Police have a barracks located at the east end of the borough (PSP Frackville Barracks).  The Schuylkill County Sheriff's Department also retains jurisdiction and provides police service to Frackville.

==Demographics==
{{US Census population
|1880= 1707
|1890= 2520
|1900= 2594
|1910= 3118
|1920= 5590
|1930= 8034
|1940= 8035
|1950= 6541
|1960= 5654
|1970= 5445
|1980= 5308
|1990= 4700
|2000= 4361
|2010= 3805
|2020= 3867
|estyear=2021
|estimate=3870
|estref=<ref name="USCensusEst2020-2021">{{cite web |title=City and Town Population Totals: 2020—2021 |url=https://www.census.gov/data/tables/time-series/demo/popest/2020s-total-cities-and-towns.html |website=Census.gov |publisher=US Census Bureau |access-date=August 1, 2022}}</ref>
|footnote=Sources:<ref name="USDecennialCensus">{{cite web|title=Census of Population and Housing|url=https://www.census.gov/programs-surveys/decennial-census.html|publisher=U.S. Census Bureau|access-date=11 December 2013}}</ref><ref name="GR2">{{cite web|url=https://www.census.gov|publisher=[[United States Census Bureau]]|access-date=2008-01-31|title=U.S. Census website}}</ref><ref name=CensusPopEst>{{cite web|title=Incorporated Places and Minor Civil Divisions Datasets: Subcounty Resident Population Estimates: April 1, 2010 to July 1, 2012|url=https://www.census.gov/popest/data/cities/totals/2012/SUB-EST2012.html|work=Population Estimates|publisher=U.S. Census Bureau|access-date=11 December 2013|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130611010502/http://www.census.gov/popest/data/cities/totals/2012/SUB-EST2012.html|archive-date=11 June 2013}}</ref><ref name="USCensusDecennial2020CenPopScriptOnly">{{cite web|url=https://api.census.gov/data/2020/dec/pl?get=P1_001N,NAME&for=place:*&in=state:42&key=5ccd0821c15d9f4520e2dcc0f8d92b2ec9336108|title=Census Population API|publisher=United States Census Bureau|accessdate=Oct 12, 2022}}</ref>
}}
As of the 2000 census,<ref name="GR2" /> there were 4,361 people, 1,914 households, and 1,169 families residing in the borough. The population density was {{convert|7,309.8|PD/sqmi|PD/km2|sp=us|adj=off}}. There were 2,094 housing units at an average density of {{convert|3,509.9|/sqmi|/km2|sp=us|adj=off}}. The racial makeup of the borough was 98.14% [[White (U.S. Census)|White]], 1.05% [[Asian (U.S. Census)|Asian]], 0.37% [[African American (U.S. Census)|African American]], 0.07% [[Native American (U.S. Census)|Native American]], 0.25% from [[Race (United States Census)|other races]], and 0.11% from two or more races. [[Hispanic (U.S. Census)|Hispanic]] or [[Latino (U.S. Census)|Latino]] of any race were 0.71% of the population.

The most common ancestries claimed by residents of Frackville are [[Polish people|Polish]] (19.8%), [[Italians|Italian]] (17.2%), [[Germans|German]] (11.1%), [[Lithuanians|Lithuanian]] (7.8%), and [[Ukrainians|Ukrainian]] (5.6%), reflecting late 19th and early 20th-century immigration to the area.

There were 1,914 households, out of which 24.7% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 45.9% were [[Marriage|married couples]] living together, 10.6% had a female householder with no husband present, and 38.9% were non-families. 36.2% of all households were made up of individuals, and 20.4% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.22 and the average family size was 2.88.

In the borough the population was spread out, with 19.7% under the age of 18, 6.6% from 18 to 24, 25.4% from 25 to 44, 22.5% from 45 to 64, and 25.8% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 44 years. For every 100 females, there were 88.5 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 82.3 males.

The median income for a household in the borough was $32,071, and the median income for a family was $47,553. Males had a median income of $31,412 versus $21,836 for females. The [[per capita income]] for the borough was $18,587. About 2.7% of families and 7.4% of the population were below the [[poverty line]], including 4.6% of those under age 18 and 12.6% of those age 65 or over.

==Education==
The school district is [[North Schuylkill School District]]<!--UNI 10110-->.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www2.census.gov/geo/maps/DC2020/PL20/st42_pa/schooldistrict_maps/c42107_schuylkill/DC20SD_C42107.pdf|title=2020 CENSUS - SCHOOL DISTRICT REFERENCE MAP: Schuylkill County, PA|publisher=[[U.S. Census Bureau]]|access-date=2024-12-14}} - [https://www2.census.gov/geo/maps/DC2020/PL20/st42_pa/schooldistrict_maps/c42107_schuylkill/DC20SD_C42107_SD2MS.txt Text list]</ref>

==References==
{{Reflist}}

==External links==
{{commons category}}
* [http://www.frackvillepa.org/ Borough of Frackville Official Website]
* [http://www.frackvillelibrary.com/ Frackville Free Public Library]
* [https://web.archive.org/web/20090723060414/http://geocities.com/Heartland/Acres/5200/index.htm Frackville Area Historical Society]

{{Schuylkill County, Pennsylvania}}
{{authority control}}

[[Category:1876 establishments in Pennsylvania]]
[[Category:Boroughs in Schuylkill County, Pennsylvania]]
[[Category:Coal towns in Pennsylvania]]
[[Category:Populated places established in 1861]]
[[Category:Ukrainian communities in the United States]]