Coaldale
(Editor's Note: This is the third in a series of photo features showing area communities. Others will be published periodically. If you live in Coaldale, see if you can find your home in any of the accompanying photos.)
By ANDREW LEIBENGUTHaleibenguth@tnonline.comStill known and named for its long coal-mining history, the Borough of Coaldale, bordering Carbon County and situated at the far east side of Schuylkill County, now serves as a home to about 600 families.In addition, its hospital and popular shirt factory served as other historic locations. Founded by John Moser and settled in 1827, Coaldale was incorporated in 1906 from part of the former Rahn Township. The area on the western border of the borough is known by locals as Seek.According to the 2000 US Census, there were 2,295 people, 1,046 households, and 606 families residing in the borough. It added that of the 1,046 households, 22.3 percent had had children under the age of 18 living with them, 40.2 percent were married couples living together, 11.9 percent had a female householder with no husband present, and 42 percent were non-families. 38.7 percent of all households were made up of individuals and 24.4 percent had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older.The borough's population was spread out with 19.2 percent under the age of 18, 7.1 percent from 18 to 24, 25.6 percent from 25 to 44, 19.6 percent from 45 to 64, and 28.5 percent who were 65 years of age or older. The Census website added that the median age was 44 years. For every 100 females there were 87.5 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 83.3 males.In 2000, the median income for a household in the borough was $23,362, and the median income for a family was $31,905. Males had a median income of $28,317 versus $18,083 for females. About 8.3 percent of families and 13.2 percent of the population were below the poverty line, including 23.7 percent of those under age 18 and 10.5 percent of those age 65 or over.