Schaefferstown (Pennsylvania German: Schaefferschteddel) is an unincorporated community and census-designated place (CDP) in Heidelberg Township, Lebanon County, Pennsylvania, United States. The population was 941 at the 2010 census.
History
Schaefferstown is one of the oldest towns in Lebanon County (which was formed from parts of Dauphin County and Lancaster County in 1813), being at least a century older than the county itself. It is the main town in Heidelberg Township. Although the exact date of the first settlers is unknown, it is certain that they settled here before 1725. Those first settlers were believed to have been German Jews though no physical evidence of their presence in the area that would become Schaefferstown exists. It is said twenty or so Jewish traders lived in the area in a place known as Lebanon Tradiing Post. An old jewish burial ground is said to have been situated about a quarter mile south of Tower Hill and almost a hundred yards east of South Market Street in Schaefferstown.
Brendle Farms, Philip Erpff House, and Rex House are listed on the National Register of Historic Places. Bomberger's Distillery, also listed, was located near Schaefferstown. The buildings of the distillery were demolished. The Schaeffer House was added to the National Register of Historic Places and designated a National Historic Landmark in 2011. Other historic buildings include the extravagant Second Empire style Weigley Mansion. Schaefferstown also hosts three museums: The Alexander Schaeffer House and Farm, Gemberling-Rex House and the Thomas R. Brendle Museum.
Geography
Schaefferstown is in southeastern Lebanon County, in the center of Heidelberg Township. Pennsylvania Route 897 passes through the center of town, leading east to Swartzville and northwest to Lebanon, the county seat. Pennsylvania Route 501 passes through the west side of the community, leading north to Myerstown and south to Lititz. Pennsylvania Route 419 follows PA 897 through the center of Schaefferstown, leading northeast to Womelsdorf and west-southwest to Cornwall.
According to the United States Census Bureau, the Schaefferstown CDP has a total area of , all land. Most of the community drains south to Hammer Creek, a tributary of Cocalico Creek and part of the Conestoga River watershed flowing to the Susquehanna. The northernmost part of the CDP drains toward Tulpehocken Creek, a tributary of the Schuylkill River and part of the Delaware River watershed.
Schaefferstown is home to Fountain Park, the oldest chartered waterworks still in operation in the United States.
Demographics
As of the census of 2000, there were 984 people, 374 households, and 286 families residing in the CDP. The population density was . There were 386 housing units at an average density of . The racial makeup of the CDP was 99.29% White, 0.51% African American, 0.10% Asian, 0.10% from other races. Hispanic or Latino of any race were 0.20% of the population.
There were 374 households, out of which 31.8% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 67.4% were married couples living together, 6.7% had a female householder with no husband present, and 23.3% were non-families. 20.6% of all households were made up of individuals, and 9.4% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.63 and the average family size was 3.04.
In the CDP, the population was spread out, with 24.8% under the age of 18, 8.8% from 18 to 24, 23.7% from 25 to 44, 28.0% from 45 to 64, and 14.6% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 39 years. For every 100 females, there were 99.2 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 96.3 males.
The median income for a household in the CDP was $43,542, and the median income for a family was $52,609. Males had a median income of $31,625 versus $26,528 for females. The per capita income for the CDP was $29,176. About 2.0% of families and 5.7% of the population were below the poverty line, including 20.3% of those under age 18 and none of those age 65 or over.