Benner Township is a township in Centre County, Pennsylvania, United States. It is part of the State College, Pennsylvania Metropolitan Statistical Area. It is located approximately at (40.9134, -77.7648) along Buffalo Run Road (Pennsylvania Route 550), near Bellefonte.

The population was 5,217 at the 2000 census.

Geography

According to the United States Census Bureau, the township has a total area of 28.5 square miles (73.8 km²), all of it land.

Benner Township is bordered by Spring Township to the northeast, College Township to the south, Patton Township to the southwest and Union Township to the northwest.

Demographics

As of the census of 2000, there were 5,217 people, 1,324 households, and 932 families residing in the township. The population density was 183.0 people per square mile (70.7/km²). There were 1,386 housing units at an average density of 48.6/sq mi (18.8/km²). The racial makeup of the township was 76.10% White, 19.84% African American, 0.23% Native American, 0.46% Asian, 0.06% Pacific Islander, 2.86% from other races, and 0.46% from two or more races. Hispanic or Latino of any race were 3.51% of the population.

There were 1,324 households out of which 28.2% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 60.9% were married couples living together, 6.3% had a female householder with no husband present, and 29.6% were non-families. 23.9% of all households were made up of individuals and 7.2% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.42 and the average family size was 2.89.

In the township the population was spread out with 13.5% under the age of 18, 9.7% from 18 to 24, 44.7% from 25 to 44, 24.3% from 45 to 64, and 7.9% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 38 years. For every 100 females there were 222.0 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 252.2 males.

The median income for a household in the township was $42,083, and the median income for a family was $47,800. Males had a median income of $30,033 versus $23,979 for females. The per capita income for the township was $17,665. About 0.9% of families and 2.2% of the population were below the poverty line, including 1.3% of those under age 18 and none of those age 65 or over.

Government

Board of Supervisors: David C. Breon (Chairman); James Swartzell (Vice Chairman); John Elnitski, Jr.

Board of Auditors: Thomas Strouse (Chairman); Rory Spangler (Vice Chairman)

Tax Collector: Janet Houser (real estate taxes)

Constable: James Millander

References