The Susquehanna Valley is a region of low-lying land that borders the Susquehanna River in the U.S. states of New York , Pennsylvania , and Maryland . The valley consists of areas that lie along the main branch of the river, which flows from Upstate New York through Pennsylvania and Maryland into the Chesapeake Bay , as well as areas that lie along the shorter West Branch in Pennsylvania.
30-669: The Harrisburg–Carlisle metropolitan statistical area , officially the Harrisburg–Carlisle, PA Metropolitan Statistical Area , and also referred to as the Susquehanna Valley , is defined by the Office of Management and Budget as an area consisting of three counties in South Central Pennsylvania , anchored by the cities of Harrisburg and Carlisle . As of the 2020 census , the metropolitan statistical area (MSA) had
60-663: A population of 591,712, making it the fourth-most-populous metropolitan area in Pennsylvania , after the Delaware Valley , Greater Pittsburgh , and the Lehigh Valley . Since 2012, it has been defined as part of the Harrisburg–York–Lebanon combined statistical area , which also includes York , Lebanon , and Adams counties. The Harrisburg–Carlisle Metropolitan Area consists of three counties, located entirely within
90-611: A population of 9,550. It is part of the Harrisburg–; Carlisle Metropolitan Statistical Area . Middletown was founded in 1755 along the left bank of the Susquehanna River and was incorporated as a borough in 1828 after a sudden boom in development and population occurred as a result of the construction of the Union Canal , connecting Lancaster to Middletown. In 1824, Pennsylvania 's statelegislature authorized and funded
120-539: A rich agricultural area forming the western edge of Pennsylvania Dutch Country . The George Everhart (Frey) Trust, named for a citizen of Middletown from the 1800s, still manages leases on much of the land in and around Middletown. The trust was founded to operate the Frey Orphanage and did so for many years, in three locations in Middletown. The orphanage eventually closed, and the final location, on Red Hill, has become
150-428: A wider selection of destinations and airlines. Harrisburg–Carlisle is served by Amtrak 's Keystone Service and Pennsylvanian . Amtrak's Keystone Service , which terminates at Harrisburg Transportation Center , allows for rail trips to points east, including Philadelphia and New York City . The Pennsylvanian connects Harrisburg–Carlisle with Pittsburgh and New York City (by way of Philadelphia). Currently,
180-417: Is 62 °F, while the average low is 44 °F. Harrisburg receives about 41 inches of rainfall annually. Places with more than 40,000 inhabitants Places with 10,000 to 20,000 inhabitants Places with 1,000 to 10,000 inhabitants Places with fewer than 1,000 inhabitants As of the 2000 census , there were 509,074 people, 202,380 households, and 134,557 families residing within
210-609: Is land and 0.04 square miles (0.1 km ), or 2.33%, is water. As of the census of 2000, there were 9,242 people, 4,032 households, and 2,370 families residing in the borough. The population density was 4,536.5 inhabitants per square mile (1,751.6/km ). There were 4,387 housing units at an average density of 2,153.4 per square mile (831.4/km ). The racial makeup of the borough was 88.77% White , 7.34% African American , 0.27% Native American , 0.53% Asian , 0.04% Pacific Islander , 0.92% from other races , and 2.13% from two or more races. Hispanic or Latino of any race were 3.18% of
240-652: Is located entirely within the Harrisburg–York–Lebanon media market. It is the 42nd largest in the United States, with 772,810 households as of 2021. The Harrisburg TV market is served by: The Harrisburg area's radio market is ranked 78th in the nation. This is a list of FM stations in the Harrisburg–Carlisle metropolitan area: This is a list of AM stations in the Harrisburg–Carlisle metropolitan area: The entire Harrisburg–Carlisle metropolitan area
270-718: Is served by two area codes: Susquehanna Valley As of 2014, seventeen of the oldest covered bridges in the United States were located in the Susquehanna Valley. Historians and environmentalists at the Chesapeake Conservancy have described the Susquehanna River as the "lifeblood" of the Chesapeake Bay and also as "extension of the Susquehanna Valley that the Atlantic Ocean has steadily flooded over
300-583: Is the primary airport for the Harrisburg–Carlisle area. Located in Middletown , the airport serviced 1.137 million passengers in 2017. It is Pennsylvania's 3rd-busiest airport. It is owned and operated by the Susquehanna Area Regional Airport Authority , which also operates several other airports throughout South Central Pennsylvania . Some residents use Baltimore/Washington , Ronald Reagan Washington , and Philadelphia airports for
330-643: The Frey Village Retirement Community , a Diakon Lutheran senior living facility. Middletown is located 3 miles (5 km) north of the Three Mile Island Nuclear Power Plant. The Unit #2 reactor at the Three Mile Island Nuclear Power Plant suffered a partial meltdown in 1979 , causing then Pennsylvania governor Dick Thornburgh to order the evacuation of pregnant women and pre-school children from
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#1733085240697360-625: The National Register of Historic Places . Middletown is located in southern Dauphin County at 40°11′55″N 76°43′46″W / 40.19861°N 76.72944°W / 40.19861; -76.72944 (40.198491, -76.729326). Its southern border is along the Susquehanna River , and its eastern border is formed by Swatara Creek , across which is the borough of Royalton . Pennsylvania Route 230 (Main Street) leads northwest 10 miles (16 km) to
390-467: The Commonwealth of Pennsylvania. The following three counties are designated as being part of the greater Harrisburg–Carlisle area: Officially, Lebanon County is not part of the Harrisburg–Carlisle metropolitan statistical area, and has nt been since 2003. It is rather part of combined statistical area, but it is culturally considered to be part of Greater Harrisburg, with Harrisburg suburbs extending into
420-552: The Harrisburg–Carlisle region is not served by any commuter rail ; however, there were plans to bring it to the metropolitan and combined statistical areas. Plans included a commuter rail line, called the Capital Red Rose Corridor , running from Lancaster to Harrisburg, with a possible extension to Carlisle. The region is interconnected by bus services , which offer service for local and regional trips, as well as for intercity trips. The primary bus service provider for
450-513: The Indian Echo Caverns entrance. In the town there is an American Legion , a borough office building, and a post office. The legion (located at the intersection of High and Spruce Streets) and the post office is located on Main Street. The borough office building is located on West Emaus Street. The town also has several churches. The Middletown Volunteer Fire Department occasionally serves as
480-453: The MSA was $ 21,432. In 2009, the urban population of the MSA increased to 383,008 from 362,782 in 2000, a change of 20,226 people. The Harrisburg–Carlisle metropolitan area is served by a number of interstates , US routes , and state highways that help facilitate the movement of people and goods throughout the region. Major routes in the region include: Harrisburg International Airport (MDT)
510-468: The MSA. The racial makeup of the MSA was 86.20% White, 9.39% African American, 0.15% Native American, 1.68% Asian, 0.03% Pacific Islander, 1.17% from other races, and 1.37% from two or more races. Hispanic or Latino people of any race were 2.67% of the population. The median income for a household in the MSA was $ 43,374, and the median income for a family was $ 51,792. Males had a median income of $ 36,368 versus $ 26,793 for females. The per capita income for
540-637: The Union Canal, and it was named from its location halfway between Lancaster and Carlisle , where an ascent exists to a low pass allowing easier wagon-era travel among the barrier mountains of the Ridge-and-valley Appalachians giving access into north-central Maryland and the valley of the Potomac River . It is the oldest incorporated community in Dauphin County and is located within
570-549: The area. Within days, 140,000 people had left the area. President Jimmy Carter visited Middletown's Community Building to calm the nerves of anxious residents. Because the town is old, diverse historic architectural styles abound. Middletown has everything from log houses, some whose construction is obscured by modern siding, to Victorian mansions, and beyond. The Simon Cameron House and Bank , B'nai Jacob Synagogue , St. Peter's Kierch , Charles and Joseph Raymond Houses , Henry Smith Farm , and Swatara Ferry House are listed on
600-408: The average family size was 2.90. In the borough the population was spread out, with 23.0% under the age of 18, 8.5% from 18 to 24, 30.1% from 25 to 44, 21.1% from 45 to 64, and 17.3% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 37 years. For every 100 females, there were 84.9 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 80.5 males. The median income for a household in the borough
630-617: The borough limits, is one of the main attractions near Middletown. The caverns were originally used by the Susquehannock tribe, who lived and hunted in the nearby area until their population and authority was quickly decimated by the spread of infectious disease in the late 1670s, leading to their absorption by neighboring tribes. It opened to the public in 1929. The shortline Middletown and Hummelstown Railroad operates heritage and freight service between its namesake towns of Middletown and just south of Hummelstown proper, stopping in front of
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#1733085240697660-578: The canal construction as part of the broad sweeping commercial initiative called the Main Line of Public Works ; a forward looking project designing to connect Philadelphia to Pittsburgh by canals and river navigations and Philadelphia to challenge New York City and the Erie Canal for emerging mid-western markets beyond the Allegheny Mountains . Middletown was selected as the western terminus of
690-516: The center of Harrisburg and southeast 8 miles (13 km) to Elizabethtown . Via the PA 283 expressway it is 28 miles (45 km) southeast to Lancaster . The Pennsylvania Turnpike ( Interstate 76 ) passes through the northern part of the borough, but the nearest access is 4 miles (6 km) west near Highspire . According to the U.S. Census Bureau , the borough has a total area of 2.1 square miles (5.4 km ), of which 2.0 square miles (5.3 km )
720-421: The county. Additionally, three more counties are included as part of the Harrisburg–York–Lebanon, PA combined statistical area. Collectively, they have a population of 1,271,801 people, making it the 46th-most-populous combined statistical area (CSA) in the United States, and the 3rd-most-populous CSA in the state of Pennsylvania. Harrisburg–Carlisle is located in the Susquehanna River 's valley , which makes
750-560: The last 15,000 years." Within Pennsylvania, the Susquehanna Valley is linked inextricably with the Chesapeake Bay watershed, which extends from Virginia, West Virginia, Washington, D.C., and Maryland through Delaware, Pennsylvania and New York. Pennsylvania's connections to the watershed are "primarily in the counties along the Susquehanna River, the West Branch of the Susquehanna, and their tributaries," according to Shelby Splain. "Located in
780-470: The middle of the commonwealth, about half of the land in Pennsylvania drains into it." 41°58′N 75°45′W / 41.967°N 75.750°W / 41.967; -75.750 Middletown, Dauphin County, Pennsylvania Middletown is a borough in Dauphin County , Pennsylvania , on the Susquehanna River , 10 miles (16 km) southeast of Harrisburg . As of the 2020 census , it had
810-407: The population. There were 4,032 households, out of which 28.2% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 40.8% were married couples living together, 13.9% had a female householder with no husband present, and 41.2% were non-families. 35.2% of all households were made up of individuals, and 14.2% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.23 and
840-584: The region is Capital Area Transit (CAT). CAT provides local and commuter bus service in eastern Cumberland and southern Dauphin counties. Its services are used by about 8,000 daily riders. Intercity bus service is primarily provided by Greyhound Lines and Fullington Trailways . The Harrisburg–Carlisle metropolitan area is home to several universities. The following is a list of non-profit colleges and universities within Harrisburg–Carlisle: The Harrisburg–Carlisle metropolitan area
870-458: The terrain rolling, with occasional flat land and tall hills. The metropolitan area is underlain with limestone, which makes the land ideal for farming. Much of the region is within the piedmont region of the United States . The Harrisburg metropolitan area has a humid continental climate , experiencing four mild seasons: summer , autumn , winter , and spring . The average high temperature
900-492: Was $ 35,425, and the median income for a family was $ 43,661. Males had a median income of $ 32,891 versus $ 24,692 for females. The per capita income for the borough was $ 18,535. About 4.6% of families and 6.6% of the population were below the poverty line , including 6.6% of those under age 18 and 5.6% of those age 65 or over. The Middletown Area Historical Society is both a museum and visitor center located at 29 East Main Street. Indian Echo Caverns , located 5 miles north of
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