Conshohocken (/ˌkɒnʃəˈhɒkən/) (Lenape: Kanshihakink [1]) is a borough on the Schuylkill River in Montgomery County, Pennsylvania, in suburban Philadelphia. Historically a large mill town and industrial and manufacturing center, after the decline of industry in recent years Conshohocken has developed into a center of riverfront commercial and residential development.[2] In the regional slang, it is sometimes referred to by the colloquial nickname Conshy (/ˈkɒnʃi/).[3] The name 'Conshohocken' is Unami-Lenapi (Delaware Indian) for either Kanshi'hak'ing, or "Elegant-ground- place"[4] or, more likely, Chottschinschu'hak'ing, which means "Big-trough-ground-place" or "Large-bowl-ground-place" to denote the big bend in the Tulpe'hanna (Turtle River, or modern Schuylkill River).[5]

In 1940, a New York Times columnist noted lightheartedly that "Some of the residents of Conshohocken, Pa. are concerned because Kitty Foyle's father, in Christopher Morley's novel "Kitty Foyle" (Lippincott), uses the name of their town as a swear word. Others think that it may help advertise the town. One thing is sure—it makes a rattling good cuss-word."[6]

The sister community of West Conshohocken is located on the opposite side of the Schuylkill River.
Geography

Conshohocken is located at 40°4′38″N 75°18′7″W (40.077135, -75.302009).[7]

According to the United States Census Bureau, the borough has a total area of 1.0 square mile (2.6 km2), of which, 1.0 square mile (2.6 km2) of it is land and 0.04 square miles (0.10 km2) of it (2.97%) is water.

Conshohocken fronts the Schuylkill River. A rather sharp bend in the river at Conshohocken gives the Schuylkill Expressway, which hugs the far bank, a curve that is well known to regional radio listeners as the Conshohocken curve (it is a staple of traffic reports). Railroad tracks line both river banks, reflecting the valley's heavy industrial past as well as its continuing rail activity including CSX and SEPTA. A rail trail portion of the Schuylkill River Trail also passes through.
Politics and history

Conshohocken has a city manager form of government with a mayor and a seven-member borough council. The mayor is Robert Frost.

The borough is part of the Thirteenth Congressional District (represented by Rep. Allyson Schwartz), the 148th State House District (represented by Rep. Mary Jo Daley) and the 17th State Senate District (represented by Sen. Daylin Leach).
Demographics
Historical population
Census Pop. %±
1850 727 —
1860 1,741 139.5%
1870 3,071 76.4%
1880 4,561 48.5%
1890 5,470 19.9%
1900 5,762 5.3%
1910 7,480 29.8%
1920 8,481 13.4%
1930 10,815 27.5%
1940 10,776 −0.4%
1950 10,922 1.4%
1960 10,259 −6.1%
1970 10,195 −0.6%
1980 8,599 −15.7%
1990 8,064 −6.2%
2000 7,589 −5.9%
2010 7,883 3.9%
Est. 2014 7,895 [8] 0.2%
Sources:[9][10][11][12]
Presidential elections results Year Republican Democratic
2012 39.4% 1,781 58.9% 2,666
2008 34.3% 1,473 65.0% 2,796
2004 35.9% 1,350 63.7% 2,397
2000 32.4% 946 65.1% 1,900

As of the 2010 census, the borough was 88.7% White, 6.5% Black or African American, 0.1% Native American, 1.8% Asian, and 1.7% were two or more races. 3.5% of the population were of Hispanic or Latino ancestry [1].

As of the census[11] of 2000, there were 7,589 people, 3,329 households, and 1,834 families residing in the borough. The population density was 7,720.4 people per square mile (2,989.9/km²). There were 3,518 housing units at an average density of 3,578.9 per square mile (1,386.0/km²). The racial makeup of the borough was 89.88% White, 7.77% African American, 0.08% Native American, 0.84% Asian, 0.01% Pacific Islander, 0.49% from other races, and 0.92% from two or more races. Hispanic or Latino of any race were 1.34% of the population.

There were 3,329 households out of which 22.9% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 36.5% were married couples living together, 14.1% had a female householder with no husband present, and 44.9% were non-families. 36.0% of all households were made up of individuals and 12.6% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.27 and the average family size was 3.02.

In the borough the population was spread out with 20.8% under the age of 18, 8.8% from 18 to 24, 35.9% from 25 to 44, 19.4% from 45 to 64, and 15.1% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 35 years. For every 100 females there were 94.2 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 91.1 males.

The median income for a household in the borough was $43,599, and the median income for a family was $50,601. Males had a median income of $36,299 versus $30,541 for females. The per capita income for the borough was $22,128. About 4.2% of families and 5.8% of the population were below the poverty line, including 6.9% of those under age 18 and 12.7% of those age 65 or over.
Transportation

Conshohocken is served by two SEPTA regional railroad stations, both of which are along the Manayunk/Norristown Line. The main one officially located at Washington and Harry Streets, and the other at Spring Mill at the end of East North Lane, south of Hector Street. There is great opportunity here for a better partnership between government (federal, state and local), area businesses and the SEPTA to increase service levels and improve the shelter available at the stations, particularly for a rapidly growing number of reverse commuters from Philadelphia and beyond.

The area is also served by two interstate highways: I-76 (here the Schuylkill Expressway) and I-476 (locally referred to as "the Blue Route").
Education

Residents of Conshohocken are served by the Colonial School District. Private schools in the area include AIM Academy.
Economy

AlliedBarton's headquarters and IKEA's US headquarters are in Conshohocken. The NBOME National Center for Clinical Skills Testing is located in Conshohocken.
See also

Dragonfly Forest

References

"Lenape Talking Dictionary". Retrieved 2012-05-27.
Fact Sheets-CONSHOHOCKEN BOROUGH
ALL ABOUT Conshy, Conshohocken Pa
http://www.talk-lenape.org/search.php?q=Kanshihakink+&x=35&y=5&ls=lenape.
Brinton, Daniel G., C.F. Denke, and Albert Anthony. A Lenâpé - English Dictionary. Biblio Bazaar, 2009. ISBN 978-1103149223, pp. 28 and 47.
Brooks, Philip, "Notes on Rare Books," The New York Times, January 14, 1940, p. BR13
"US Gazetteer files: 2010, 2000, and 1990". United States Census Bureau. 2011-02-12. Retrieved 2011-04-23.
"Annual Estimates of the Resident Population for Incorporated Places: April 1, 2010 to July 1, 2014". Retrieved June 4, 2015.
"Number of Inhabitants: Pennsylvania" (PDF). 18th Census of the United States. U.S. Census Bureau. Retrieved 22 November 2013.
"Pennsylvania: Population and Housing Unit Counts" (PDF). U.S. Census Bureau. Retrieved 22 November 2013.
"American FactFinder". United States Census Bureau. Retrieved 2008-01-31.

"Annual Estimates of the Resident Population". U.S. Census Bureau. Retrieved 22 November 2013.

External links

Borough website
Pictorial History of the Conshohockens
Conshohocken News/Gossip