West Pennsboro Township is a farming community just outside Carlisle
Established in the mid-18th century, West Pennsboro Township is a rural expanse home to several small villages just outside Carlisle, the Cumberland County seat, and the borough of Newville. Sprawling farmlands and natural open space characterize the township. Employment opportunities are close by in Carlisle’s industrial parks, including distribution centers for Ross and Giant Food and an Amazon fulfillment facility. The township is between the Conodoguinet Creek to the north and Route 11 to the south, creating solid boundaries for residents. West Pennsboro Township has an overall CAP Index Crime Score of 2 out of 10, lower than the national average score of 4. As of the 2020 U.S. Census, this community was home to just under 6,000 full-time residents.
Single-family homes between $200,000 and $650,000
Residential buildings—specifically single-family homes—comprise the vast majority of the property mix in West Pennsboro Township. Potential homebuyers can find investment properties for as low as $60,000, but most turnkey houses range from approximately $200,000 to $650,000. A couple of multi-acre estates with custom designs have sold for upwards of $2 million. The average housing cost here is on par with the rest of the Harrisburg metropolitan area. As residents drive down the township streets, they’ll see large, grassy yards and a mix of colonial-inspired properties, new builds, split-levels, Craftsman homes and ranch styles. Homes date throughout the 1900s, with a handful of modern properties built during the 21st century.
Zoning for Big Spring School District
Students living in West Pennsboro Township are zoned for Bring Spring School District, which receives an overall B rating from Niche. Primary learners have school choice between schools. The district’s three elementary school options—Oak Flat Elementary, Mount Rock Elementary and Newville Elementary—are rated B. Big Spring Middle School receives another B rating, while Big Spring High School is rated B-minus. The high school offers Pathways programs, which are personalized curriculum guidelines for students geared towards specific career fields or higher education goals.
Outdoor recreation at community parks, creeks and golf clubs
West Pennsboro Township’s location in the Cumberland Valley makes it ideal for outdoor recreation. Local parks like the 27-acre West Pennsboro Township Park draw locals for various amenities, including open lawn space, pavilions and charcoal grills for picnicking as well as athletic facilities for sports like frisbee golf and pickleball. The park also has a pedestrian trail that stretches just over a mile. Other popular outdoor attractions in the township include the Cumberland Golf Club, which features a private 18-hole course, and fly fishing along Big Spring Creek.
Limited commercial amenities in the village of Plainfield
Most of the township’s limited commercial establishments are located along Main Street in the village of Plainfield. There are a handful of gas stations with convenience stores and restaurants like Graziella’s, an Italian spot with a rustic, Tuscany-inspired interior. Down the street, Dollar General sells basic food items and household goods. Country Barn Grocery, outside the village, also offers a small range of groceries. For larger food hauls and errands, shopping centers with chains like GIANT and Lowe’s Home Improvement are less than 11 miles away in nearby Carlisle. Just off Route 11, the Cumberland Drive-In Theatre is a popular spot where visitors can watch featured movies on the weekends while enjoying concessions.
Driving through the Cumberland Valley
Several major thoroughfares pass through West Pennsboro Township, including Interstates 76, 81 and U.S. Route 11, which is also known as Ritner Highway. All three highways travel east into Carlisle and continue even farther to the Harrisburg area, just over 30 miles away. Since there are no public transit services within the community, most residents rely on cars for everyday travel. The nearest airport, Harrisburg International Airport, is 40 miles away, or a 45-minute drive. UPMC Carlisle is a regional general hospital near the township with a 24-hour emergency department.
