Canaan

🌄 Canaan Township in Wayne County, Pennsylvania is a historically significant and geographically compact community in the northeastern part of the state. Despite its modest size, it plays an outsized role in the region’s infrastructure and history.

🗺️ Geography & Villages

Area: ~19.2 square miles, with 18.4 sq mi of land and 0.8 sq mi of water
Elevation: ~1,568 feet
Villages: Includes Canaan, Farview, Fermoy, Keen, and Steene
Borders: Adjacent to South Canaan Township and the borough of Waymart

🏛️ History & Infrastructure

Established: March 21, 1798 — one of Wayne County’s original five townships
Named After: The biblical region of Canaan
Historic Sites: Canaan Corners was once a major stagecoach hub and livestock route
Correctional Facilities:
- USP Canaan (Federal prison) — capacity ~1,088 inmates
- SCI Waymart (State prison) — capacity ~1,470 inmates
- These institutions significantly impact the township’s population statistics

👥 Demographics

Population: ~3,606 (2023 estimate) — inflated due to institutional residents
Racial Makeup: ~50% White, ~35% Black, ~14% Hispanic or Latino
Median Age: ~39.6 years
Median Household Income: ~$69,063
Per Capita Income: ~$11,830 — lower due to the prison population skew