Valley-Hi, Pennsylvania Explained

Valley-Hi, Pennsylvania
Settlement Type:Borough
Pushpin Map:Pennsylvania#USA
Pushpin Label:Valley-Hi
Pushpin Map Alt:Valley-Hi
Pushpin Map Caption:Location of Valley-Hi in Pennsylvania
Coordinates:40.0261°N -78.1961°W
Subdivision Type:Country
Subdivision Name:United States
Subdivision Type1:State
Subdivision Name1:Pennsylvania
Subdivision Type2:County
Subdivision Name2:Fulton County
Established Title:Incorporated
Established Date:December 31, 1973
Leader Title:Mayor
Leader Name:Roy Gothie
Unit Pref:Imperial
Area Footnotes:[1]
Area Total Km2:1.47
Area Land Km2:1.31
Area Water Km2:0.17
Area Total Sq Mi:0.57
Area Land Sq Mi:0.50
Area Water Sq Mi:0.07
Elevation Ft:1352
Population Footnotes:[2]
Population Total:7
Population As Of:2020
Population Density Km2:11.49
Population Density Sq Mi:29.76
Timezone1:EST
Utc Offset1:-4
Timezone1 Dst:EDT
Utc Offset1 Dst:-5
Postal Code Type:ZIP code
Postal Code:15533
Area Code:814
Blank Name Sec1:FIPS code
Blank Info Sec1:42-79644
Blank Name:FIPS code
Blank Info:42-057-79644
Blank1 Name:GNIS feature ID
Blank1 Info:2086651

Valley-Hi is a borough in Fulton County, Pennsylvania, United States. The population was 7 at the 2020 census.[2]

History

Land around Valley-Hi Eagle Lake was purchased by developer Jack Gothie in the 1960s who was originally intending to develop a new ski resort there due to its easy access from the Pennsylvania Turnpike and U.S. Route 30.[3] The ski resort was not built, but he did retain the land and built houses around the lake. Following the construction of a bypass of two tunnels along the Turnpike, Gothie received compensation and an additional piece of land. A piece of road that was intended for public access was blocked by Gothie in 1973.[4]

Valley-Hi borough was established in late 1973 when Gothie and a group of residents petitioned Fulton County to create the county's second borough (after McConnellsburg). Gothie claimed the proposal was wanted so that police and fire services could be provided to the residents of his development. His intent was to keep the access road to the borough and any municipal services private and owned by the Valley-Hi Development Corporation (later renamed Valley-Hi Development Association).[5] An application was submitted and with no objections from the county nor Brush Creek Township, the township from which the borough would be created, the borough was incorporated on December 31, 1973.[6] However, the Fulton County commissioners later filed a challenge to the original petition claiming the state election code requires voting districts to have at least 100 voters thus a borough mayor, council members, and other offices could not be elected.[7] The borough's status was in limbo through the late 1970s with the Fulton County commissioners wanting to dissolve it but Commonwealth Court of Pennsylvania judges ruling to reinstate it, with the final ruling coming in September 1980.[8] [9] Jack Gothie would be elected to serve as mayor or councilman of the borough until his death in 1997.

Geography

Valley-Hi is located in northwestern Fulton County.

According to the United States Census Bureau, the borough has a total area of 1.5km2, of which 1.3km2 is land and 0.2km2, or 11.36%, is water, consisting of a reservoir around which the community is situated.

Demographics

2010 census

At the 2010 census, there were 15 people, 6 households, and 5 families residing within the borough. The population density was 30sp=usNaNsp=us. There were 30 housing units at an average density of 60sp=usNaNsp=us. The racial makeup of the borough was 100% White.[10]

There were 6 households, 2 had children under the age of 18 living with them, 83.3% were headed by married couples living together, and 16.7% were non-families. 16.7% of households were made up of individuals, and none had someone living alone who was 65 or older. The average household size was 2.50, and the average family size was 2.80.[10]

The age distribution was 26.7% under age 18, 0% from 18 to 24, 46.6% from 25 to 44, 6.7% from 45 to 64, and 20.0% 65 or older. The median age was 38.5 years. For every 100 females there were 114.3 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 83.3 males.[10]

2000 census

At the 2000 census there were 20 people, 7 households, and 4 families in the borough. The population density was 39.7sp=usNaNsp=us. There were 29 housing units at an average density of 57.5sp=usNaNsp=us. The racial makeup of the borough was 100.00% White.There were 7 households, out of which none had children under the age of 18 living with them, 71.4% were married couples living together, and 28.6% were non-families. 28.6% of households were made up of individuals, and none had someone living alone who was 65 or older. The average household size was 2.86 and the average family size was 3.40.

The age distribution was 10.0% from 18 to 24, 30.0% from 25 to 44, 50.0% from 45 to 64, and 10.0% 65 or older. The median age was 56 years. For every 100 females there were 66.7 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 66.7 males.

The median household income was $28,750 and the median family income was $16,250. Males had a median income of $0 versus $19,583 for females. The per capita income for the borough was $17,677. There are 33.3% of families living below the poverty line and 15.4% of the population, including no under eighteens and none of those over 64.

Notes and References

  1. Web site: 2019 U.S. Gazetteer Files. United States Census Bureau. July 28, 2020.
  2. Web site: Bureau . US Census . City and Town Population Totals: 2020—2021 . Census.gov . US Census Bureau . July 25, 2022.
  3. News: Ski Area Plans Reviewed - Propose Major Project For Breezewood Area . April 16, 1964 . Bedford County Press and Everett Press . . May 9, 2024.
  4. News: Unknown . The Fulton Democrat . September 18, 1975 . May 9, 2024 . Newspapers.com.
  5. News: Valley-Hi is target of another challenge . Public Opinion . July 1, 1978 . May 9, 2024 . Newspapers.com.
  6. News: Valley Hi Becomes Second Borough in Fulton County . March 22, 1974 . . . May 9, 2024.
  7. News: Jack Gothie's Valley-Hi borough remains in limbo . Public Option . December 19, 1974 . May 9, 2024 . Newspapers.com.
  8. News: Unknown. May 9, 2024 . October 28, 1980 . Public Opinion . Newspapers.com .
  9. Web site: In Re:Incorp. of Boro. of Valley-Hi . Casetext . September 24, 1980 . May 9, 2024.
  10. Web site: Profile of General Population and Housing Characteristics: 2010 Demographic Profile Data (DP-1): Valley-Hi borough, Pennsylvania. https://archive.today/20200212143149/http://factfinder.census.gov/bkmk/table/1.0/en/DEC/10_DP/DPDP1/1600000US4279644. dead. February 12, 2020. U.S. Census Bureau, American Factfinder. January 18, 2013.