New Holland was settled in 1728 by brothers John Michael and John Phillip Ranc (Ranck).[5] Before it became known as New Holland, it had been called "Hog Swamp", "Earltown" and "New Design".[6]
According to the United States Census Bureau, the borough has a total area of 1.9 square miles (4.9 km2), all land.[10] The borough lies on a low ridge, with the north side draining via Groff Creek and other small streams to the Conestoga River and the south side draining to Mill Creek, a westward-flowing tributary of the Conestoga, which flows southwestward to the Susquehanna River.
As of the census[13] of 2000, there were 5,092 people, 2,084 households, and 1,448 families residing in the borough. The population density was 2,444.2 people per square mile (943.7 people/km2). There were 2,159 housing units at an average density of 1,036.3 per square mile (400.1/km2). The racial makeup of the borough was 90.34% White, 1.02% African American, 0.08% Native American, .025% Asian, 0.02% Pacific Islander, 2.57% from other races, and 1.67% from two or more races. Hispanic or Latino of any race were 6.42% of the population.
The age demographics in the borough are diverse, with 22.4% under the age of 18, 8.1% from 18 to 24, 28.6% from 25 to 44, 24.9% from 45 to 64, and 16.1% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 40 years. For every 100 females there were 95.3 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 94.1 males.
The median income for a household in the borough was $44,446, and the median income for a family was $50,758. Males had a median income of $37,002 versus $25,766 for females. The per capita income for the borough was $20,187. About 3.4% of families and 5.2% of the population were below the poverty line, including 7.5% of those under age 18 and 1.5% of those age 65 or over.
The area is served by the Eastern Lancaster County Library (ELANCO Library),[15] formerly known as New Holland Library. The ELANCO Library is located on Chestnut Street in New Holland and is a member of the Library System of Lancaster County.
Culture
The New Holland Farmers Fair is an annual festival held in New Holland.[16] Since its inception in 1927, the fair has been held 88 times; due to World War II, the fair was not held from 1941 to 1945.[17] The fair was not held in 2020 due to the COVID-19 pandemic.[18]
