Dallas Township, Pennsylvania

Dallas Township is a township in Luzerne County, Pennsylvania, United States. It is part of the Back Mountain, a 118 square mile (306 km2) region in northern Luzerne County. The population was 9,124 at the 2020 census.

History
In 1797, Ephraim McCoy, a Revolutionary War soldier, was one of the first known white settlers to construct a log cabin near modern-day Dallas. Additional settlers followed in McCoy's footsteps. Sawmills were constructed along Toby Creek in the early 19th century. Sections of the township were converted into farmland following the clearing of trees.

The township was formed in 1817 from territory taken from Kingston Township, and it was named for Alexander J. Dallas, who was the 6th United States Secretary of the Treasury and also the father of George M. Dallas, the vice president of James K. Polk.

Geography
According to the United States Census Bureau, the township has a total area of 48.5 km2, of which 48.0 km2 is land and 0.5 km2, or 1.09%, is water.

The southern portion of the township is densely populated. The rest of Dallas Township consists of farmland and forests. Kunkle is a small village in the northern half of Dallas Township. There are also several lakes and creeks (e.g., Toby Creek, Huntsville Creek, and Leonard Creek) scattered throughout the community. PA 309 is the main highway in the township; it runs north to south through the community. Other numbered routes include PA 118 and PA 415.

Demographics
As of the 2020 census, there were 9,099 people and 3,314 households living in the township, with an average 2.45 persons per household. The racial makeup of the township was 96.4% White, 1.2% African American, 0.07% Native American, 0.8% Asian, 0.0% Pacific Islander, and 0.6% from two or more races. Hispanic or Latino of any race were 1.2% of the population. 3.1% of the population spoke a language other than English at home, and 1.4% were foreign born.

The population distribution of the township was 19.0% below the age of 18, 57% between 19 and 64, and 24.0% over the age of 65. 95.2% of the population had a high school degree or higher, while 40% had a bachelor's degree or higher.

The median income for a household in the township was $70,250. The per capita income for the township was $36,291. About 10.6% of the population were below the poverty line.

As of the census of 2000, there were 8,179 people, 2,917 households, and 2,047 families living in the township. The population density was 436.7 PD/sqmi. There were 3,125 housing units at an average density of 166.9 /sqmi. The racial makeup of the township was 98.45% White, 0.21% African American, 0.06% Native American, 0.72% Asian, 0.01% Pacific Islander, 0.13% from other races, and 0.42% from two or more races. Hispanic or Latino of any race were 0.56% of the population.

There were 2,917 households, out of which 30.8% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 59.5% were married couples living together, 7.5% had a female householder with no husband present, and 29.8% were non-families. 26.3% of all households were made up of individuals, and 14.6% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.49 and the average family size was 3.01.

In the township the population was spread out, with 21.1% under the age of 18, 12.1% from 18 to 24, 23.5% from 25 to 44, 23.2% from 45 to 64, and 20.2% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 41 years. For every 100 females, there were 82.0 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 74.8 males.

Education
Dallas Township is part of Dallas School District. Misericordia University is located within the township.