Cherry Ridge

🌳 Cherry Ridge Township is a quiet, scenic community in Wayne County, Pennsylvania, just southeast of Honesdale. Though modest in size, it’s rich in history and natural beauty, with roots stretching back to the late 18th century.

🗺️ Geography & Villages

• Area: ~22.26 square miles, with 21.42 sq mi of land and 0.83 sq mi of water
• Elevation: ~1,401 feet
• Villages: Includes Cherry Ridge, Clemo, and Hoadleys
• Landscape: Rolling hills, wetlands, and farmland — a mix of residential and agricultural use

🏛️ History & Heritage

• Established: April 30, 1844, from parts of Texas and Canaan Townships
• Named for: The abundance of cherry trees in the area
• Early Settlers: Included Enos Woodward and Col. John H. Schenck, who cleared large tracts for farming
• Historic Highlights:
  • First school built around 1810
  • Home to one of PA’s largest tanneries in the 1850s
  • Dr. Lucius Collins, a Revolutionary War surgeon, practiced medicine here and helped establish the township’s first church

👥 Demographics

• Population: ~1,913 (2020 Census)
• Median Age: ~44.7 years
• Households: ~773, with an average size of 2.45 people
• Racial Makeup: ~98.6% White, ~2% Hispanic or Latino
• Median Household Income: ~$49,375
• Poverty Rate: ~6%, with higher rates among children and seniors

🏘️ Community & Governance

• Township Type: Second-class township
• Government: Managed by a Board of Supervisors
• School District: Served by the Wayne Highlands School District
• Community Hall: Hosts monthly meetings and planning sessions