The City of Coatsville, Pennsylvania, has a population of 13,147, which ranks 99% above the national average. The city was incorporated in 1915. Before that, it was known as Bridge-Town and Midway. Bridge-Town was named after the two bridges that crossed the Brandywine River, while Midway was named after the railroad station that was located midway between Lancaster and Philadelphia. The two communities were merged to form Coatesville borough in 1867 and a city in 1915.
Despite these challenges, residents are resolute and committed to making Coatesville a better place. According to Tony Washington, a disabled veteran living in a modest house on a potholed street, Coatesville's economic problems are largely the result of racism and the ghettoization of the community. Currently, Tony Washington lives on a small income from Department of Veterans Affairs and Social Security, and estimates that he pays $700 monthly in utilities.
The population of Coatesville City is largely concentrated in the central part of the city, where there are more retail establishments than residents. The central area of the city has more retail businesses, and crime is more likely to occur in blocks with few residents. However, the red areas on the crime map do not necessarily indicate areas of safety for residents. Despite this, it is still possible to find a peaceful neighborhood in Coatesville.
Located in extreme southeastern Pennsylvania, Coatesville has a diverse population. While thirty-four percent of the population was under the age of eighteen, the rest of the population was 50.6% female and 49.4% male. The city has four thousand and nine hundred and eighty-five dwellings. Ninety-two percent of them were occupied by residents, and 37.5% were owner-occupied.