Exurb of the Week: Jackson Township (Butler County) (Pittsburgh, Zelienople: homes, school district)

[runpens1]

Jackson is a 22 square mile rural township that is experiencing solid exurban growth at the current time in southwestern Butler County, located just north of Cranberry Township and surrounding the towns of Zelienople, Harmony, and Evans City, in the Seneca Valley School District. Its population was just shy of 4,000 at the 2010 Census.

Jackson Township was established in 1854 from portions of then-current Cranberry and Connonquenessing Townships to create smaller townships within Butler County. It is named for Andrew Jackson, the 7th president of the United States of America. Much of the township's early economy was based on agriculture as well as several tanneries and distilleries and the saw and grist mill industries that attracted people from outside the township. Prior to the latter half of the 2010 decade, Jackson Township had remained a predominantly agricultural community. There were some, however limited, smaller modern-day housing subdivisions within the township. There were (and still are) a few smaller business districts along route 19 south and north of Zelienople that include a few car dealerships, fast food restaurants, a smaller plaza that includes a Bilo grocery store and a medium-sized home center as well the Seneca Valley school complexes, and a few limited businesses along route 68.

During the latter half of the 2010's, Jackson Township began to come a ways as it has seen growth expand out from Cranberry. There have been several denser patches of newer, larger modern housing developments going up in the part of the township directly across from the Cranberry border as well as a new industrial and commercial center along 19 in this part that includes a UPS center as well as an Anytime Fitness and a few smaller businesses. Township officials have called for the township's population to grow to near or slightly over 5,000 at the 2020 Census and possibly, if the growth continues, approaching an estimated 7,000 by 2025. That could most likely be one the highest percentage increases in the whole state. The main factors that helped Jackson Township's growth and transformation at the present time include its proximity to all Cranberry Township has to offer and the ability to access Interstate 79 quickly and conveniently, something that is not always easily done in Cranberry these days. Given the fact there is still plenty of open land within the township, it is safe to assume Jackson Township will continue to transform from a generally agricultural community to a bedroom community like much of this part of the metro area has.

[SteelCityRising]

It's an absolute shame to see Jackson Township's open space ruined like this. There's no need for all of this exurban sprawl in a metro area with a stagnant population.

[erieguy]

Originally Posted by SteelCityRising

It's an absolute shame to see Jackson Township's open space ruined like this. There's no need for all of this exurban sprawl in a metro area with a stagnant population.

Make urban areas more desirable and less chance of exurban sprawl. With WFH options, it’s likely to happen more.

[amattaro]

Originally Posted by SteelCityRising

It's an absolute shame to see Jackson Township's open space ruined like this. There's no need for all of this exurban sprawl in a metro area with a stagnant population.

Who defines “need”?

[runpens1]

Originally Posted by SteelCityRising

It's an absolute shame to see Jackson Township's open space ruined like this. There's no need for all of this exurban sprawl in a metro area with a stagnant population.

Yeah I think we all figured it was bound to happen since it is right north of Cranberry, and that particular part of the metro has not had stagnant population. I do hope it won't expand further north of that though.

[Copanut]

There's an obvious demand by a large segment of society who does not want the urban lifestyle.

[SteelCityRising]

Originally Posted by amattaro

Who defines “need”?

Why are we clearing more land for more homes in a metro area with a ton of vacant housing that also has a stagnant population?

[PghPatriot]

Originally Posted by SteelCityRising

Why are we clearing more land for more homes in a metro area with a ton of vacant housing that also has a stagnant population?

Because not everyone wants to live in the city.

[erieguy]

Originally Posted by SteelCityRising

Why are we clearing more land for more homes in a metro area with a ton of vacant housing that also has a stagnant population?

Where’s the vacant housing located?

[runpens1]

Originally Posted by erieguy

Where’s the vacant housing located?

Yeah it doesn't seem like there is necessarily lots of vacant housing but rather just migration of younger people out of the Pittsburgh area, smaller family sizes, etc.