| Collier Township | |
| Settlement Type: | Township |
| Image Blank Emblem: | Logo of Collier Township, Pennsylvania.png |
| Blank Emblem Type: | Logo |
| Mapsize: | 260px |
| Subdivision Type: | Country |
| Subdivision Name: | United States |
| Subdivision Type1: | State |
| Subdivision Name1: | Pennsylvania |
| Subdivision Type2: | County |
| Subdivision Name2: | Allegheny |
| Leader Title: | President, Board of Commissioners |
| Leader Name: | George Macino (R) |
| Area Footnotes: | [1] |
| Area Total Sq Mi: | 13.62 |
| Area Land Sq Mi: | 13.57 |
| Area Water Sq Mi: | 0.05 |
| Population As Of: | 2020 |
| Population Total: | 8931 |
| Population Density Sq Mi: | 589.69 |
| Timezone: | Eastern (EST) |
| Utc Offset: | -5 |
| Timezone Dst: | EDT |
| Utc Offset Dst: | -4 |
| Coordinates: | 40.3833°N -80.1164°W |
| Postal Code Type: | 15106, 15071, 15142, 15017, 15205 |
| Blank Name: | FIPS code |
| Blank Info: | 42-003-15216 |
| Blank1 Name: | GNIS feature ID |
| Pop Est As Of: | 2022 |
| Population Est: | 8936 |
| Unit Pref: | Imperial |
| Area Total Km2: | 35.28 |
| Area Land Km2: | 35.16 |
| Area Water Km2: | 0.12 |
| Population Density Km2: | 227.67 |
Collier Township is a township in Allegheny County, Pennsylvania, United States. The population was 8,931 at the 2020 census,[2] an increase over the figure of 7,080 tabulated in 2010.
According to the United States Census Bureau, the township has a total area of 14.2sqmi, of which 14.2sqmi is land and 0.04sqmi is water. The total area comprised by water is thus 0.21%.
Kirwan Heights, Rennerdale, Cubbage Hill, Ewingsville, Fort Pitt, Nevillewood, Presto, Walker's Mill.
Since 1968, Kirwan Heights was designated, along with neighboring borough Heidelberg, as Exit 55 on Interstate 79. In July 2012, PennDOT changed the signs to "Heidelberg/Collier". However, the sign at the PA 50 junction off this exit still indicates "PA 50 West/Kirwan Heights".
Collier is served by five ZIP codes: 15106 (Carnegie), 15071 (Oakdale), 15142 (Presto), 15017 (Bridgeville), and 15205 (Pittsburgh).
Collier Township has seven borders, including Robinson Township to the north and northeast, Carnegie and Heidelberg to the east, Scott Township to the east and southeast, Bridgeville to the south-southeast, South Fayette Township to the south and southwest, and North Fayette Township to the west.
The earliest settlers of the township were James Ewing. James Ewing was born in Cecil County, Maryland, about 1730, emigrated to the west in 1770, and built a gristmill on Robinson's run. His claim comprised a thousand acres (4 km). Gabriel and Isaac Walker were born in Lancaster County, Pa., the former in 1744, the latter in 1746. The Scotch-Irish brothers emigrated to the west in 1772, and purchased two thousand acres (8 km) from John Henry. Gabriel located near Hays crossing, on the Pan Handle railroad, and Isaac at Walker's Mills.
Collier Township was erected on June 7, 1875, comprising portions of Robinson and South Fayette townships, and a half-square mile of North Fayette. The township is named for Hon. Frederick H. Collier, a county court judge.
As of the 2000 census, there were 5,265 people, 2,224 households, and 1,547 families residing in the township. The population density was 371sp=usNaNsp=us. There were 2,358 housing units at an average density of 166.2sp=usNaNsp=us. The racial makeup of the township was 98.06% White, 0.74% African American, 0.49% Asian, 0.21% from other races, and 0.49% from two or more races. Hispanic or Latino of any race were 0.36% of the population.
There were 2,224 households, out of which 23.6% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 58.0% were married couples living together, 8.5% had a female householder with no husband present, and 30.4% were non-families. 27.4% of all households were made up of individuals, and 16.1% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.36 and the average family size was 2.87.
In the township the population was spread out, with 19.4% under the age of 18, 4.7% from 18 to 24, 24.3% from 25 to 44, 26.3% from 45 to 64, and 25.3% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 46 years. For every 100 females, there were 91.8 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 86.6 males.
The median income for a household in the township was $41,989, and the median income for a family was $50,469. Males had a median income of $41,667 versus $31,837 for females. The per capita income for the township was $24,841. About 3.7% of families and 6.4% of the population were below the poverty line, including 9.0% of those under age 18 and 3.2% of those age 65 or over.
| Year | Republican | Democratic | Third parties | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2020 | 52% 3,058 | 46% 2,699 | 1% 68 | |
| 2016 | 53% 2,578 | 41% 1,996 | 6% 257 | |
| 2012 | 58% 2,137 | 42% 1,541 | 0% 35 |
Collier Township's public education is provided by the Chartiers Valley School District. In 2012, the Pennsylvania System of School Assessment (PSSA) ranked Chartiers Valley High School in the upper two-fifths of all Pennsylvania high schools (263rd out of 676 high schools).[6] The school's mascot is the Colts. The Chartiers Valley School District also serves the municipalities of Bridgeville, Scott and Heidelberg.[7] Chartiers Valley High School is physically located in Collier Township,[8] although its address is Bridgeville.[9]
In the summer of 2012, Collier Township's 12-year-old little league team represented the State of Pennsylvania in the Little League World Series.[10] On its way to representing the state, Collier Township did not lose a game while defeating McKeesport, Moon, North Allegheny,[11] Bullskin, Sharon, Latrobe,[12] Southern Columbia, Hershey and Morrisville (twice).[13] Collier Township then advanced to the Mid-Atlantic Regional Tournament at Bristol, Connecticut. They played New Jersey (LOSS), Maryland (WIN), Delaware (LOSS) and New York (WIN). Collier Township advanced to the Mid-Atlantic Regional Semi-Finals, where they again lost to New Jersey.[14] The game was shown live on ESPN2.
In the summer of 2013, Collier Township's 11 to 13-year-old Intermediate League team (largely represented by the same players from the 2012 LLWS team) were the United States champions in the Intermediate (50/70) World Series. On their way to representing the United States, Collier Township did not lose a game in the East Regionals in Commack, New York, defeating Massachusetts (41–0), Rhode Island (23–2), Maryland (16–0), New Jersey (15–0), and in the Regional Championship game New York (12–2).[15] In the United States bracket held at Livermore, California, Collier Township lost to Houston, Texas (4–6), beat Nogales, Arizona (7–3), beat Jenison, Michigan (4–3), beat Pleasanton, California (3–1), and in the National Championship game, beat Houston, Texas (5–4). In the World Series game, also held at Livermore, California, Collier Township lost to Osaka, Japan (1–10).[16] The (50/70) designation represents the distance from the pitchers rubber to home plate (50 feet), and the distance between the bases (70 feet). These distances are larger than the standard little league field (46/60).[17]
See main article: 2009 Collier Township shooting. On August 4, 2009, at approximately 8:15 p.m. EST, a gunman killed three people and wounded nine others before committing suicide at the LA Fitness gym in the Great Southern Shopping Center. He was identified as 48-year-old George Sodini, a systems analyst at the law firm of K&L Gates and a resident of Scott Township.[18]
"History of Allegheny County, Pennsylvania, Volume II", A. Warner & Co., Publishers, Chicago, Ill., 1899, Chapter II, pp. 26–28. Original images and transcriptions available at Historic Pittsburgh