Harmony Township, Susquehanna County, Pennsylvania

Harmony Township, Susquehanna County, Pennsylvania is a rural township located in the northeastern region of the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania. Part of Susquehanna County, it was officially incorporated in 1851 from lands originally part of Great Bend Township. The township is characterized by its rolling hills, forested areas, and agricultural lands, with a small, stable population.

Geography

According to the United States Census Bureau, the township has a total area of 19.6 square miles, nearly all of which is land. The terrain is part of the Appalachian Plateau region, featuring elevations that rise to over 1,600 feet above sea level. The township is drained by several small tributaries that feed into the Susquehanna River, which flows to the south and west. Major transportation routes include Pennsylvania Route 167, which runs through the township, connecting it to nearby communities like Montrose and New Milford. The landscape is a mix of hardwood forests, active and former farmland, and scattered residential development.

Demographics

As of the 2020 United States Census, the population of the township was 518, showing a slight decrease from previous decades. The population density is approximately 26 people per square mile, reflecting its rural character. The racial makeup is predominantly non-Hispanic white, with a very small percentage of other races. Housing is primarily single-family homes, and a significant portion of the population is of English and Irish descent. The median household income is below the average for Pennsylvania, and the township has an aging demographic profile, consistent with trends in many rural areas of the Northeastern United States.

History

The area was first settled around 1790 by pioneers from Connecticut and New York, following the resolution of land disputes from the Pennamite–Yankee War. It was originally part of Luzerne County before the creation of Susquehanna County in 1810. Early industry included subsistence farming and lumbering, with some small-scale mining operations. The township was formally organized in 1851, and its name reflects the peaceful resolution of early boundary disagreements. The arrival of the Erie Railroad in the late 19th century in neighboring towns provided a market for local agricultural products like dairy and potatoes, though the township itself remained primarily agrarian without major industrial development.

Government

Harmony Township operates under the Pennsylvania Township Code as a Second-Class Township. It is governed by a three-member Board of Supervisors elected at-large to six-year terms. The township government provides limited services typical of rural municipalities, including road maintenance, land use planning through a zoning ordinance, and oversight of local parks. Law enforcement is provided by the Pennsylvania State Police from the Gibson Barracks in Wayne County. The township is part of Pennsylvania's 12th congressional district, the 20th State Senatorial District, and the 111th State House District.

Notable people

While primarily a quiet agricultural community, Harmony Township has been the home or birthplace of individuals who gained recognition in broader fields. These include educators who served in the Pennsylvania State System of Higher Education and local political figures who held county-level offices in Susquehanna County. Several residents have served with distinction in the United States Armed Forces, including during conflicts such as the Korean War and the Vietnam War.

Category:Townships in Susquehanna County, Pennsylvania Category:1851 establishments in Pennsylvania