Chester County is a county located in the U.S. state of Pennsylvania. As of 2000, the population was 433,501. The county seat is West Chester. It is the wealthiest county in Pennsylvania.
Chester County is one of the three original counties of Pennsylvania created by William Penn in 1682. It is named for Cheshire, England. It is part of the Delaware Valley area.

History
According to the U.S. Census Bureau, the county has a total area of 1,968 km² (760 mi²). 1,958 km² (756 mi²) of it is land and 10 km² (4 mi²) of it (0.51%) is water.

Geography

Berks County (north)
Montgomery County (northeast)
Delaware County (east)
New Castle County, Delaware (southeast)
Cecil County, Maryland (south)
Lancaster County (west) Adjacent counties

French Creek State Park
Marsh Creek State Park
White Clay Creek Preserve State parks
As of the census² of 2000, there were 433,501 people, 157,905 households, and 113,375 families residing in the county. The population density was 221/km² (573/mi²). There were 163,773 housing units at an average density of 84/km² (217/mi²). The racial makeup of the county was 89.21% White, 6.24% Black or African American, 0.15% Native American, 1.95% Asian, 0.03% Pacific Islander, 1.35% from other races, and 1.06% from two or more races. 3.72% of the population were Hispanic or Latino of any race. 18.0% were of Irish, 17.3% German, 13.1% Italian, 10.1% English and 5.6% American ancestry according to Census 2000.
There were 157,905 households out of which 35.10% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 60.50% were married couples living together, 8.10% had a female householder with no husband present, and 28.20% were non-families. 22.60% of all households were made up of individuals and 7.60% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.65 and the average family size was 3.15.
In the county, the population was spread out with 26.20% under the age of 18, 7.90% from 18 to 24, 30.40% from 25 to 44, 23.80% from 45 to 64, and 11.70% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 37 years. For every 100 females there were 96.40 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 93.10 males.
The median income for a household in the county was $65,295, and the median income for a family was $76,916. Males had a median income of $51,223 versus $34,854 for females. The per capita income for the county was $31,627. About 3.10% of families and 5.20% of the population were below the poverty line, including 5.10% of those under age 18 and 5.50% of those age 65 or over.

Demographics
As of May 2007, there are 303,342 registered voters in Chester County. In the past Chester County has been reliably Republican. In recent elections however it has been trending Democratic. In 2000 Gore lost it by almost 10 percent but in 2004 George Bush defeated John Kerry by a much smaller margin of only 4 percent.

Democratic: 95,153 (31.37%)
Republican: 156,373 (51.55%)
Other Parties: 51,816 (17.08%) Politics
Chester County is administered by a three-person Board of Commissioners, who are elected for four-year terms, which take place in the year preceding US Presidential elections. The Commissioners have selective policy-making authority to provide certain local services and facilities on a county-wide basis. Accordingly, the commissioners are responsible for the management of the fiscal and administrative functions of the county.

Government

Carol Aichele
Patrick O'Donnell
Donald A. Mancici Commissioners

Teena Peters, Clerk of Courts
Valentino R. DiGiorgio, III, Controller
Robert O. Satriale, Coroner
Joe Carroll, District Attorney
Martha E. Smith, Jury Commissioner
Mimi Sack, Jury Commissioner
Bryan Walters, Prothonotary
Terence Farrell, Recorder of Deeds
Paula Gowen, Register of Wills
Carolyn Bunny Welsh, Sheriff
Alan Randzin, Treasurer Other Elected Officials

United States House of Representatives

United States Senate

Pennsylvania House of Representatives

Municipalities

Coatesville Cities

Atglen
Avondale
Downingtown
Elverson
Honey Brook
Kennett Square
Malvern
Modena
Oxford
Parkesburg
Phoenixville
South Coatesville
Spring City
West Chester
West Grove Boroughs

Birmingham Township
Caln Township
Charlestown Township
East Bradford Township
East Brandywine Township
East Caln Township
East Coventry Township
East Fallowfield Township
East Goshen Township
East Marlborough Township
East Nantmeal Township
East Nottingham Township
East Pikeland Township
East Vincent Township
East Whiteland Township
Easttown Township
Elk Township
Franklin Township
Highland Township
Honey Brook Township
Kennett Township
London Britain Township
London Grove Township
Londonderry Township
Lower Oxford Township
New Garden Township
New London Township
Newlin Township
North Coventry Township
Penn Township
Pennsbury Township
Pocopson Township
Sadsbury Township
Schuylkill Township
South Coventry Township
Thornbury Township
Tredyffrin Township
Upper Oxford Township
Upper Uwchlan Township
Uwchlan Township
Valley Township
Wallace Township
Warwick Township
West Bradford Township
West Brandywine Township
West Caln Township
West Fallowfield Township
West Goshen Township
West Marlborough Township
West Nantmeal Township
West Nottingham Township
West Pikeland Township
West Sadsbury Township
West Vincent Township
West Whiteland Township
Westtown Township
Willistown Township Townships
Census-designated places are geographical areas designated by the U.S. Census Bureau for the purposes of compiling demographic data. They are not actual jurisdictions under Pennsylvania law. Other unincorporated communities, such as villages, may be listed here as well.

Chesterbrook
Devon-Berwyn
Exton
Kenilworth
Lionville-Marchwood
Paoli
South Pottstown
Thorndale
Toughkenamon
West Goshen Census Designated Places

Education

Cheyney University of Pennsylvania (partially in Delaware County)
Delaware County Community College (Exton and Downingtown Campuses)
Immaculata University
Lincoln University
Penn State Great Valley
Valley Forge Christian College
West Chester University of Pennsylvania Public School Districts

Bishop Shanahan High School (Archdiocese of Philadelphia)
Center for Arts and Tehnology (Administered by Chester County Intermediate Unit)
Devon Preparatory School
Malvern Preparatory School
Villa Maria Academy (Malvern, Pennsylvania)
West Fallowfield Christian School
Westtown School
Windsor Christian Academy
Windsor Christian Preschool
Upland Country Day School (UCDS) - Pre-K through 9th Grade