| New Freedom, Pennsylvania | |
| Mapsize: | 260px |
| Pushpin Map: | Pennsylvania#USA |
| Pushpin Label: | New Freedom |
| Pushpin Label Position: | top |
| Pushpin Map Caption: | Location of New Freedom in Pennsylvania |
| Subdivision Name: | United States |
| Government Type: | Borough Council |
| Leader Title: | Mayor |
| Leader Name: | Kim Butcher |
| Established Title: | Settled |
| Established Date: | 1783 |
| Established Title1: | Incorporated |
| Established Date1: | 1879 |
| Unit Pref: | Imperial |
| Area Footnotes: | [1] |
| Area Total Sq Mi: | 2.08 |
| Population Total: | 4877 |
| Population Density Sq Mi: | 2343.58 |
| Utc Offset: | -5 |
| Timezone Dst: | EDT |
| Utc Offset Dst: | -4 |
| Coordinates: | 39.7367°N -76.6986°W |
| Elevation Ft: | 643 |
| Postal Code: | 17349 |
| Website: | New Freedom |
| Blank Info: | 42-53568 |
| Area Total Km2: | 5.39 |
| Area Land Km2: | 5.39 |
| Area Water Km2: | 0.00 |
| Area Land Sq Mi: | 2.08 |
| Area Water Sq Mi: | 0.00 |
| Population Density Km2: | 905.06 |
New Freedom is a borough in York County, Pennsylvania, United States. As of the 2020 census, the borough had a population of 4,874.[2] It is part of the York–Hanover metropolitan area. Once an industrial/railroad town, the community has evolved into a predominantly residential community.
New Freedom Borough is located in the southern portion of York County, Pennsylvania. The borough borders the Mason-Dixon line and was incorporated in 1873. Originally named “Freedom” for the Free family, there was another town already in existence with that name, so New Freedom was chosen as the official name.[3]
People of German, English, and Scotch-Irish descent settled the area. The rich, fertile soil provided a comfortable living for farming and agricultural opportunities. Summers Canning Company operated in the town for years, canning the freshest harvests and then shipping the final products. Summers Canning Company was sold to Hanover Foods in 1984.[4] A mural depicting scenes from the Summers Canning Company is displayed on a building along the York County Heritage Rail Trail.
The Northern Central Railway was a primary factor for early growth of the town. The rail service established a vital means of commerce and transportation until Hurricane Agnes in 1972 destroyed much of the rail line and bridges in York County.
Located 30 miles north of Baltimore, Maryland and 38 miles south of Harrisburg, Pennsylvania, the town is changing from an area of commerce and minor industry to a commuter community.
New Freedom is located at 39.7367°N -76.6986°W (39.736703, −76.698541).[5]
According to the United States Census Bureau, the borough has a total area of 2sqmi, all land.
As of the census of 2000, there were 3,512 people, 1,296 households, and 1,031 families residing in the borough. The population density was 1711.8/mi2. There were 1,340 housing units at an average density of 653.1/mi2. The racial makeup of the borough was 96.53% White, 0.77% African American, 0.14% Native American, 1.40% Asian, 0.03% Pacific Islander, 0.09% from other races, and 1.05% from two or more races. Hispanic or Latino of any race were 0.48% of the population.
There were 1,296 households, out of which 38.4% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 70.1% were married couples living together, 7.1% had a female householder with no spouse present, and 20.4% were non-families. 16.9% of all households were made up of individuals, and 7.3% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.70 and the average family size was 3.04.
In the borough the population was spread out, with 26.2% under the age of 18, 5.8% from 18 to 24, 29.0% from 25 to 44, 27.8% from 45 to 64, and 11.3% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 40 years. For every 100 females there were 94.9 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 93.8 males.
The median income for a household in the borough was $66,458, and the median income for a family was $70,319. Males had a median income of $46,563 versus $31,576 for females. The per capita income for the borough was $24,828. About 1.3% of families and 2.7% of the population were below the poverty line, including 1.3% of those under age 18 and 11.7% of those age 65 or over.
The York County Heritage Rail Trail cuts through the center of New Freedom. The trail, which was established in 1992, runs from just south of New Freedom north into the city of York. The trail also connects to 20adj=midNaNadj=mid Northern Central Railroad Trail in Maryland, heading south from the Mason-Dixon line.
Popular seasonal events in New Freedom include:
A community park in the middle of town is known as the "Freedom Green".New Freedom teens attend Susquehannock High School and Southern Middle School, part of Pennsylvania's Southern York County School District, as well as private schools including Shrewsbury Christian Academy, York Catholic High School, or York Country Day School. In 2010, St. John the Baptist opened a new Roman Catholic Parochial School in the New Freedom borough.
New Freedom is home to the D. Landreth Seed Company, which is the oldest seed company in America.[6]