Southampton Township is a rural community with an outdoorsy edge
Southampton Township is a mostly rural community in the southwestern corner of Cumberland County that stretches from the agricultural floor of the Cumberland Valley up into the forested hills of Michaux State Forest. Unusually, the township is bordered by Southampton Township in Franklin County — a separate township that shares its name. Both townships encircle the borough of Shippensburg, which provides most of the retail and services for the area. Most of Cumberland's Southampton Township is covered by state forest and farmland, but new developments have sprung up in recent years around the edges of Shippensburg, which is best known as the site of Shippensburg University of Pennsylvania. “In a lot of ways, the Township is basically a suburb,” says Realtor Shannon Kinkaid of Berkshire Hathaway HomeSale Realty, who has lived in the area for nearly 25 years. “People might buy a house in Southhampton, but unless they’re farmers, they’re probably working in Shippensburg or Carlisle, and that’s definitely where they’re going for shopping and dining.”
Modern subdivisions have sprung up around Shippensburg
Farms and farmhouses dominate the landscape of Southampton Township, but in terms of numbers, the vast majority of homes in the community are located in the denser modern subdivisions around Shippensburg. Properties generally feature large yards, and often back up onto forest or farmland. Midcentury ranch-style homes in the township generally sell for between $220,000 and $370,000, while larger two-story new traditional homes usually sell for between $300,000 and $590,000. Manufactured homes sell for between $25,000 and $200,000.
Michaux State Forest offers a large trail network
The western portion of Southampton Township is covered by Michaux State Forest. The area features numerous trails and campgrounds, many of which offer sweeping views of the surrounding mountains and forests. The area is popular with hikers and horseback riders in warmer months, and snowmobilers and cross-country skiers in winter. The area is also crisscrossed by streams and creeks popular with fishing enthusiasts. Residents looking for more manicured outdoor spaces typically head to Shippensburg, which is home to a number of city parks featuring playgrounds and athletic fields.
Shippensburg public schools
The township is part of the Shippensburg Area School District. Students may attend James Burd Elementary for kindergarten through third grade and Shippensburg Intermediate School for grades 4 through 6. Both have B grades on Niche. Shippensburg Middle School has a B-minus and Shippensburg High has a B and offers dual enrollment courses through Shippensburg University of Pennsylvania. The university itself is the largest employer in the region and plays a central role in the local cultural and entertainment offerings.
Locals head to Shippensburg for their shopping
Southampton residents typically head to Shippensburg for their shopping and dining needs as well. The borough’s outskirts have a Walmart and a couple of supermarkets, while its quaint downtown area is home to nearly all of the area’s local restaurants, along with a few smaller stores and boutiques. Additional shopping, including the very popular Maplewood Farm Market, can be found along Olde Scotland Road, which connects Shippensburg to the larger town of Chambersburg.
Festivals at the Shippensburg Fairgrounds
“The local event schedule basically revolves around the university,” Kincaid says. “The big exceptions are the Shippensburg Community Fair and the Uprise Music Festival.” These events, held in July and September respectively, both take place at the Shippensburg Fairgrounds and draw thousands of visitors.
Interstate 81 is a major commuting route for the township
Interstate 81 and U.S. Route 11 run parallel through the center of Southampton Township, connecting the community to nearby cities. It’s a roughly 17-mile drive to Chambersburg, 20 miles to Carlisle, and 45 miles to Harrisburg. There’s no bus service in Southampton, so residents rely on cars to get around. Harrisburg International Airport is the nearest major airport and offers flights to over a dozen destinations.
