Kutztown, Pennsylvania
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| Kutztown, Pennsylvania | |
|---|---|
| Name | Kutztown |
| Settlement type | Borough |
| Subdivision type | Country |
| Subdivision name | United States |
| Subdivision type1 | U.S. state |
| Subdivision name1 | Pennsylvania |
| Subdivision type2 | County |
| Subdivision name2 | Berks |
| Established title | Settled |
| Established date | 1779 |
| Established title1 | Incorporated |
| Established date1 | 1815 |
| Government type | Borough |
| Leader title | Mayor |
| Leader name | James F. Schlegel |
| Area total km2 | 4.20 |
| Area total sq mi | 1.62 |
| Area land km2 | 4.20 |
| Area land sq mi | 1.62 |
| Area water km2 | 0.00 |
| Area water sq mi | 0.00 |
| Elevation ft | 413 |
| Population as of | 2020 |
| Population total | 4138 |
| Population density km2 | 985.24 |
| Population density sq mi | 2554.32 |
| Timezone | EST |
| Utc offset | -5 |
| Timezone DST | EDT |
| Utc offset DST | -4 |
| Postal code type | ZIP Code |
| Postal code | 19530 |
| Area code | 610 and 484 |
| Blank name | FIPS code |
| Blank info | 42-40656 |
| Blank1 name | GNIS feature ID |
| Blank1 info | 1213649 |
| Website | https://www.kutztownboro.org/ |
Kutztown, Pennsylvania is a borough in Berks County, Pennsylvania, known as the home of Kutztown University of Pennsylvania and the annual Kutztown Folk Festival. The community, with deep Pennsylvania Dutch roots, blends a historic downtown with a vibrant college-town atmosphere. Located in the Lehigh Valley region, it serves as a cultural and educational hub within the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania.
History
The area was originally settled by German Palatines in the mid-18th century, with the town formally laid out by George Kutz in 1779. It developed as an agricultural and commercial center within the fertile region of the Great Appalachian Valley. The arrival of the East Pennsylvania Railroad in the 19th century spurred growth, connecting the borough to markets in Allentown and Reading. The establishment of the Keystone State Normal School in 1866, which later became Kutztown University of Pennsylvania, fundamentally shaped its identity. The preservation of Pennsylvania German culture was championed by figures like Preston A. Barba and is celebrated at the Kutztown Folk Festival, founded in 1950.
Geography
According to the United States Census Bureau, the borough has a total area of 1.62 square miles, all land. It is situated in the Ridge-and-Valley Appalachians, with Saucony Creek flowing through the southern part of the community. The borough is entirely surrounded by Maxatawny Township and is located approximately 20 miles southwest of Allentown and 17 miles northeast of Reading. Major transportation routes include Pennsylvania Route 737 (Main Street) and Pennsylvania Route 222, which runs just east of the borough limits.
Demographics
As of the 2020 United States Census, the population was 4,138. The population density was approximately 2,554 people per square mile. The racial makeup was predominantly White, with smaller populations of African American, Asian, and Hispanic or Latino residents. The presence of Kutztown University of Pennsylvania creates a significant demographic of college-aged adults, influencing age distribution and housing patterns, with many residents living in rental units. The median household income historically trends below the Pennsylvania state average, partly reflecting its student population.
Education
The borough is dominated by Kutztown University of Pennsylvania, a public university within the Pennsylvania State System of Higher Education. The university offers undergraduate and graduate programs to over 7,000 students. Public primary and secondary education is provided by the Kutztown Area School District, which includes Kutztown Area High School. The district also serves several surrounding townships. Private education options include the Kutztown Christian School. The borough is also home to the Kutztown Community Library, part of the Berks County Public Libraries system.
Culture and recreation
The renowned Kutztown Folk Festival, a nine-day event celebrating Pennsylvania Dutch culture, draws tens of thousands of visitors each July. The borough's downtown features numerous restaurants, shops, and historic buildings along Main Street. Cultural venues include the Sharadin Art Gallery at the university and the Pennsylvania German Cultural Heritage Center at the Kutztown University Farm. Recreational facilities include the Kutztown Park, which hosts community events, and the Albright's Covered Bridge, a historic Burr Truss bridge spanning Saucony Creek just outside the borough.
Notable people
Notable individuals associated with the borough include baseball player Curt Simmons, who played for the Philadelphia Phillies and St. Louis Cardinals; artist and illustrator Charles J. Andres; and National Football League player John Mobley. Academic figures include historian and folklorist Alfred L. Shoemaker, a co-founder of the Kutztown Folk Festival, and William H. R. Curtin, a former U.S. Representative.
Category:Boroughs in Pennsylvania Category:Boroughs in Berks County, Pennsylvania Category:Populated places established in 1779