During the American Civil War on October 11, 1862, Confederate General J.E.B. Stuart and his men looted Chambersburg during a raid into the north.
Geography
Chambersburg is located at 39°56'5" North, 77°39'23" West (39.934813, -77.656352)1.
According to the United States Census Bureau, the borough has a total area of 17.8 km² (6.9 mi²). 17.8 km² (6.9 mi²) of it is land and none of the area is covered with water.
Demographics
As of the census of 2000, there are 17,862 people, 7,722 households, and 4,386 families residing in the borough. The population density is 1,003.9/km² (2,601.3/mi²). There are 8,305 housing units at an average density of 466.8/km² (1,209.5/mi²). The racial makeup of the borough is 86.43% White, 7.56% African American, 0.18% Native American, 0.87% Asian, 0.05% Pacific Islander, 3.08% from other races, and 1.83% from two or more races. 6.38% of the population are Hispanic or Latino of any race.
There are 7,722 households out of which 24.1% have children under the age of 18 living with them, 41.2% are married couples living together, 11.7% have a female householder with no husband present, and 43.2% are non-families. 37.5% of all households are made up of individuals and 16.8% have someone living alone who is 65 years of age or older. The average household size is 2.16 and the average family size is 2.83.
In the borough the population is spread out with 20.8% under the age of 18, 9.1% from 18 to 24, 26.8% from 25 to 44, 20.6% from 45 to 64, and 22.7% who are 65 years of age or older. The median age is 40 years. For every 100 females there are 81.7 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there are 77.1 males.
The median income for a household in the borough is $32,336, and the median income for a family is $40,352. Males have a median income of $31,803 versus $21,548 for females. The per capita income for the borough is $19,278. 12.9% of the population and 9.8% of families are below the poverty line. Out of the total people living in poverty, 18.3% are under the age of 18 and 9.1% are 65 or older.