Clarion County, Pennsylvania
Encyclopedia
As of the census
of 2000, there were 41,765 people, 16,052 households, and 10,738 families residing in the county. The population density
was 69 people per square mile (27/km²). There were 19,426 housing units at an average density of 32 per square mile (12/km²). The racial makeup of the county was 98.16% White
, 0.79% Black
or African American
, 0.11% Native American
, 0.34% Asian
, 0.08% from other races
, and 0.52% from two or more races. 0.41% of the population were Hispanic
or Latino
of any race. 45.0% were of German, 10.3% American
, 9.8% Irish
, 6.7% Italian
and 6.2% English
ancestry according to Census 2000.
There were 16,052 households out of which 28.60% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 54.90% were married couples
living together, 8.40% had a female householder with no husband present, and 33.10% were non-families. 26.00% of all households were made up of individuals and 11.30% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.46 and the average family size was 2.95.
In the county, the population was spread out with 21.60% under the age of 18, 15.40% from 18 to 24, 25.20% from 25 to 44, 22.70% from 45 to 64, and 15.20% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 36 years. For every 100 females there were 93.30 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 90.40 males.
The 500 school districts of Pennsylvania were ranked for student academic achievement by the Pittsburgh Business Times in 2008.
The nine school districts of Clarion County have low enrollment. The Pennsylvania Department of Education
projects that they will continue to experience steadily declining enrollment through 2019. A new school district composed of Clarion Area School District
, Clarion-Limestone Area School District
and North Clarion County School District
would have a student population of 2500 with declining enrollment projected in all three former districts through 2019. A new district composed of Union School District (Pennsylvania)
, Keystone School District and adding Perry Township
and Richland Township
would have a student population under 2000 pupils. Consolidation would bring the elimination of costly main office, administrator positions. This would assist the district residents with the rising school administrator, employee and teachers' pension costs by controlling the need to raise taxes.
Over the next 10 years, rural Pennsylvania school enrollment is projected to decrease 8 percent. The most significant enrollment decline is projected to be in western Pennsylvania, where rural school districts may have a 16 percent decline. More than 40 percent of elementary schools and more than 60 percent of secondary schools in western Pennsylvania are projected to experience significant enrollment decreases (15 percent or greater). As the enrollment declines, per pupil administrative costs of the schools will continue to rise.
Pennsylvania has one of the highest numbers of school districts in the nation. In Pennsylvania, 80% of the school districts serve student populations under
5,000, and 40% serve less than 2,000. Less than 95 of Pennsylvania's 501 school districts have enrollment below 1250 students, in 2007.
This results in excessive school administration bureaucracy and not enough course diversity. In a survey of 88 superintendents of small districts, 42% of the 49 respondents stated that they thought consolidation would save money without closing any schools.
Property taxes in Pennsylvania are relatively high on a national scale. According to the Tax Foundation, Pennsylvania ranked 11th in the U.S. in 2008 in terms of property taxes paid as a percentage of home value (1.34%) and 12th in the country in terms of property taxes as a percentage of income (3.55%).
Census
A census is the procedure of systematically acquiring and recording information about the members of a given population. It is a regularly occurring and official count of a particular population. The term is used mostly in connection with national population and housing censuses; other common...
of 2000, there were 41,765 people, 16,052 households, and 10,738 families residing in the county. The population density
Population density
Population density is a measurement of population per unit area or unit volume. It is frequently applied to living organisms, and particularly to humans...
was 69 people per square mile (27/km²). There were 19,426 housing units at an average density of 32 per square mile (12/km²). The racial makeup of the county was 98.16% White
Race (United States Census)
Race and ethnicity in the United States Census, as defined by the Federal Office of Management and Budget and the United States Census Bureau, are self-identification data items in which residents choose the race or races with which they most closely identify, and indicate whether or not they are...
, 0.79% Black
Race (United States Census)
Race and ethnicity in the United States Census, as defined by the Federal Office of Management and Budget and the United States Census Bureau, are self-identification data items in which residents choose the race or races with which they most closely identify, and indicate whether or not they are...
or African American
Race (United States Census)
Race and ethnicity in the United States Census, as defined by the Federal Office of Management and Budget and the United States Census Bureau, are self-identification data items in which residents choose the race or races with which they most closely identify, and indicate whether or not they are...
, 0.11% Native American
Race (United States Census)
Race and ethnicity in the United States Census, as defined by the Federal Office of Management and Budget and the United States Census Bureau, are self-identification data items in which residents choose the race or races with which they most closely identify, and indicate whether or not they are...
, 0.34% Asian
Race (United States Census)
Race and ethnicity in the United States Census, as defined by the Federal Office of Management and Budget and the United States Census Bureau, are self-identification data items in which residents choose the race or races with which they most closely identify, and indicate whether or not they are...
, 0.08% from other races
Race (United States Census)
Race and ethnicity in the United States Census, as defined by the Federal Office of Management and Budget and the United States Census Bureau, are self-identification data items in which residents choose the race or races with which they most closely identify, and indicate whether or not they are...
, and 0.52% from two or more races. 0.41% of the population were Hispanic
Race (United States Census)
Race and ethnicity in the United States Census, as defined by the Federal Office of Management and Budget and the United States Census Bureau, are self-identification data items in which residents choose the race or races with which they most closely identify, and indicate whether or not they are...
or Latino
Race (United States Census)
Race and ethnicity in the United States Census, as defined by the Federal Office of Management and Budget and the United States Census Bureau, are self-identification data items in which residents choose the race or races with which they most closely identify, and indicate whether or not they are...
of any race. 45.0% were of German, 10.3% American
United States
The United States of America is a federal constitutional republic comprising fifty states and a federal district...
, 9.8% Irish
Irish people
The Irish people are an ethnic group who originate in Ireland, an island in northwestern Europe. Ireland has been populated for around 9,000 years , with the Irish people's earliest ancestors recorded having legends of being descended from groups such as the Nemedians, Fomorians, Fir Bolg, Tuatha...
, 6.7% Italian
Italian people
The Italian people are an ethnic group that share a common Italian culture, ancestry and speak the Italian language as a mother tongue. Within Italy, Italians are defined by citizenship, regardless of ancestry or country of residence , and are distinguished from people...
and 6.2% English
English people
The English are a nation and ethnic group native to England, who speak English. The English identity is of early mediaeval origin, when they were known in Old English as the Anglecynn. England is now a country of the United Kingdom, and the majority of English people in England are British Citizens...
ancestry according to Census 2000.
There were 16,052 households out of which 28.60% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 54.90% were married couples
Marriage
Marriage is a social union or legal contract between people that creates kinship. It is an institution in which interpersonal relationships, usually intimate and sexual, are acknowledged in a variety of ways, depending on the culture or subculture in which it is found...
living together, 8.40% had a female householder with no husband present, and 33.10% were non-families. 26.00% of all households were made up of individuals and 11.30% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.46 and the average family size was 2.95.
In the county, the population was spread out with 21.60% under the age of 18, 15.40% from 18 to 24, 25.20% from 25 to 44, 22.70% from 45 to 64, and 15.20% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 36 years. For every 100 females there were 93.30 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 90.40 males.
Notable residents
- Hunter CorbettHunter CorbettDr. Hunter Corbett was a pioneer American missionary to Yantai, Shandong China, he served with the American Presbyterian Mission...
: A Pioneer of an American Presbyterian missionary to China, ministered in China for 56 years. - Chris KirkpatrickChris KirkpatrickChristopher Alan "Chris" Kirkpatrick is an American singer, dancer, entertainer, and voice actor who is best known as a founding member of the pop group 'N Sync in which he sang counter tenor. He has provided the voice for many kids shows, including the voice of Chip Skylark on The Fairly Odd...
- musician ('N Sync'N SyncN Sync was an American boy band formed in Orlando, Florida, in 1995 and launched in Germany by BMG Ariola Munich, *NSYNC consisted of JC Chasez, Justin Timberlake, Lance Bass, Joey Fatone and Chris Kirkpatrick...
). Born in Clarion - Ernest M. SkinnerErnest M. SkinnerErnest M. Skinner was one of the most successful American organ builders of the early 20th century.-Early years:...
- pipe organPipe organThe pipe organ is a musical instrument that produces sound by driving pressurized air through pipes selected via a keyboard. Because each organ pipe produces a single pitch, the pipes are provided in sets called ranks, each of which has a common timbre and volume throughout the keyboard compass...
builder, inventor. Born in Clarion - Jane WolfeJane WolfeJane Wolfe was an American silent film character actress and Thelemite.-Early life:A Pennsylvania Dutch, Wolfe was born in St. Petersburg, Pennsylvania on March 21, 1875...
- silent film actress and thelemiteThelemaThelema is a religious philosophy that was established, defined and developed by the early 20th century British writer and ceremonial magician, Aleister Crowley. He believed himself to be the prophet of a new age, the Æon of Horus, based upon a religious experience that he had in Egypt in 1904...
. Born in St. Petersburg - Dominick LabinoDominick LabinoDominick Labino Dominick Labino was an internationally-known scientist, inventor, artist and master craftsman in glass. Labino's art works in glass are in the permanent collections of more than 100 museums throughout the world...
- renowned glass artist. Born in Fairmount City (Redbank Township), managed the Owens-Illinois glass plant in Clarion Borough. - Jim KellyJim KellyJames Edward Kelly is a former American football quarterback in the NFL for the Buffalo Bills and the USFL's Houston Gamblers....
- Athlete, NFL (Buffalo BillsBuffalo BillsThe Buffalo Bills are a professional football team based in Buffalo, New York. They are currently members of the East Division of the American Football Conference in the National Football League...
). Grew up in East Brady
Municipalities
Under Pennsylvania law, there are four types of incorporated municipalities: cities, boroughs, townships, and, in at most two cases, towns. The following boroughs and townships are located in Clarion County:Boroughs
|
Hawthorn, Pennsylvania Hawthorn is a borough in Clarion County, Pennsylvania, United States. The population was 587 at the 2000 census.-Geography:Hawthorn is located at .... Knox, Pennsylvania Knox is a borough in Clarion County, Pennsylvania, United States. The population was 1,176 at the 2000 census.-Geography:Knox is located at .... New Bethlehem, Pennsylvania New Bethlehem is a borough in Clarion County, Pennsylvania, United States. The population was 1,057 at the 2000 census.-Geography:New Bethlehem is located at .... Rimersburg, Pennsylvania Rimersburg is a borough in Clarion County in the U.S. state of Pennsylvania. The population was 1,051 at the 2000 census.-Geography:Rimersburg is located at .According to the United States Census Bureau, the borough has a total area of , all of it land.... |
Shippenville, Pennsylvania Shippenville is a borough in Clarion County, Pennsylvania, United States. The population was 505 at the 2000 census.-Geography:Shippenville is located at .... Sligo, Pennsylvania Sligo is a borough in Clarion County, Pennsylvania, United States. The population was 728 at the 2000 census.It was named after the town and county of Sligo in Ireland.-Geography:Sligo is located at .... St. Petersburg, Pennsylvania St. Petersburg is a borough in Clarion County, Pennsylvania, United States. The population was 405 at the 2000 census.-Geography:St. Petersburg is located at .According to the United States Census Bureau, the borough has a total area of , all of it land.... Strattanville, Pennsylvania Strattanville is a borough in Clarion County, Pennsylvania, United States. The population was 542 at the 2000 census.-Geography:Strattanville is located at .... |
Townships
|
Limestone Township, Clarion County, Pennsylvania Limestone Township is a township in Clarion County, Pennsylvania, United States. The population was 1,773 at the 2000 census.-Geography:According to the United States Census Bureau, the township has a total area of 37.7 square miles , of which, 37.7 square miles of it is land and... Madison Township, Clarion County, Pennsylvania Madison Township is a township in Clarion County, Pennsylvania, United States. The population was 1,442 at the 2000 census.-Geography:According to the United States Census Bureau, the township has a total area of 27.9 square miles , of which, 27.1 square miles of it is land and... Millcreek Township, Clarion County, Pennsylvania Millcreek Township is a township in Clarion County, Pennsylvania, United States. The population was 415 at the 2000 census.-Geography:According to the United States Census Bureau, the township has a total area of 29.2 square miles , of which, 28.9 square miles of it is land and... Monroe Township, Clarion County, Pennsylvania Monroe Township is a township in Clarion County, Pennsylvania, United States. As of the 2000 census, the township had a total population of 1,587.-Geography:... Paint Township, Clarion County, Pennsylvania Paint Township is a township in Clarion County, Pennsylvania, United States. The population was 1,778 at the 2000 census.-Geography:According to the United States Census Bureau, the township has a total area of 20.8 square miles , of which, 20.5 square miles of it is land and... Perry Township, Clarion County, Pennsylvania Perry Township is a township in Clarion County, Pennsylvania, United States. The population was 1,064 at the 2000 census.-Geography:According to the United States Census Bureau, the township has a total area of 30.3 square miles , of which, 29.0 square miles of it is land and... |
Porter Township, Clarion County, Pennsylvania Porter Township is a township in Clarion County, Pennsylvania, United States. The population was 1,466 at the 2000 census.-Geography:According to the United States Census Bureau, the township has a total area of 44.5 square miles , of which, 44.5 square miles of it is land and... Redbank Township, Clarion County, Pennsylvania Redbank Township is a township in Clarion County, Pennsylvania, United States. The population was 1,502 at the 2000 census.-Geography:According to the United States Census Bureau, the township has a total area of 30.1 square miles , all of it land.-Demographics:As of the census of 2000, there... Richland Township, Clarion County, Pennsylvania Richland Township is a township in Clarion County, Pennsylvania, United States. The population was 553 at the 2000 census.-Geography:According to the United States Census Bureau, the township has a total area of 15.7 square miles , of which, 15.1 square miles of it is land and... Salem Township, Clarion County, Pennsylvania Salem Township is a township in Clarion County, Pennsylvania, United States. The population was 852 at the 2000 census.-Geography:According to the United States Census Bureau, the township has a total area of 16.3 square miles , of which, 16.1 square miles of it is land and... Washington Township, Clarion County, Pennsylvania Washington Township is a township in Clarion County, Pennsylvania, United States. The population was 2,037 at the 2000 census.-Geography:According to the United States Census Bureau, the township has a total area of 32.5 square miles , all of it land.-Demographics:As of the census of 2000,... |
Education
Public School Districts
- Armstrong School District (also in Armstrong County)
- Allegheny-Clarion Valley School DistrictAllegheny-Clarion Valley School DistrictThe Allegheny-Clarion Valley School District is a small, public school district in western Pennsylvania. It spans portions of four counties. In Armstrong County it covers the City of Parker and Hovey Township. In Butler County it covers Allegheny Township. In Clarion County it covers the Boroughs...
- Clarion Area School DistrictClarion Area School DistrictThe Clarion Area School District is a small, rural public school district which covers the Borough of Clarion and Highland Township, Monroe Township and Paint Township in Clarion County, Pennsylvania. It encompasses approximately 71 square miles. According to 2000 federal census data, it serves a...
- Clarion-Limestone Area School DistrictClarion-Limestone Area School DistrictThe Clarion-Limestone Area School District is a small, rural, public school district which spans portions of two counties in Clarion County. it covers the Borough of Strattanville and Clarion Township, Limestone Township and Millcreek Township. In Jefferson County it covers the Borough of Corsica...
- Karns City Area School DistrictKarns City Area School DistrictKarns City Area School District is a public school district in Butler County, Pennsylvania and Armstrong County, Pennsylvania. The boroughs of Chicora, Fairview, Karns City, Petrolia, and Bruin, as well as the townships of Parker, Fairview, Donegal, Perry, Sugar Creek, Brady's Bend, and Brady are...
- Keystone School DistrictKeystone School DistrictThe Keystone School District is a small, rural public school district in Clarion County, Pennsylvania. It serves the boroughs of Shippenville, Knox, and Callensburg, as well as the townships of Beaver Township, Elk Township, Licking Township, Ashland Township, and Salem Township. The Keystone...
- North Clarion County School DistrictNorth Clarion County School DistrictNorth Clarion County School District is located next to a corn/potato/soy bean field in Clarion County, Pennsylvania. It consists of the North Clarion County Elementary School with pre-kindergarten through grade 6 and the North Clarion County Junior/Senior High School serving students in grades 7...
- Redbank Valley School DistrictRedbank Valley School DistrictRedbank Valley School District is a public school district in Armstrong County, Pennsylvania and Clarion County, Pennsylvania. The boroughs of South Bethlehem, New Bethlehem, and Hawhorne, as well as the townships of Redbank , Redbank , Madison, Mahoning, and Porter Township are within district...
- Union School DistrictUnion School District (Pennsylvania)The Union School District is a public school district in Clarion County, Pennsylvania. It serves the boroughs of Sligo and Rimersburg, as well as the townships of Madison, Toby, and Piney. Union School District encompasses approximately 80 square miles. According to 2000 federal census data, it...
The 500 school districts of Pennsylvania were ranked for student academic achievement by the Pittsburgh Business Times in 2008.
- Armstrong School District - 283rd (also in Armstrong County)
- Allegheny-Clarion Valley School District - 396th
- Clarion Area School District - 125th
- Clarion-Limestone Area School District - 191st
- Karns City Area School District - 270th (also in Armstrong County and Butler County)
- Keystone School District -297th
- North Clarion County School District - 225th
- Redbank Valley School District - 167th
- Union School District (Pennsylvania)|Union School District - 455th
The nine school districts of Clarion County have low enrollment. The Pennsylvania Department of Education
Pennsylvania Department of Education
The Pennsylvania Department of Education is the executive department of the state charged with K-12 and adult educational budgeting, management and guidelines. As the state education agency, its activities are directed by Pennsylvania's Secretary of Education, Gerald L. Zahorchak...
projects that they will continue to experience steadily declining enrollment through 2019. A new school district composed of Clarion Area School District
Clarion Area School District
The Clarion Area School District is a small, rural public school district which covers the Borough of Clarion and Highland Township, Monroe Township and Paint Township in Clarion County, Pennsylvania. It encompasses approximately 71 square miles. According to 2000 federal census data, it serves a...
, Clarion-Limestone Area School District
Clarion-Limestone Area School District
The Clarion-Limestone Area School District is a small, rural, public school district which spans portions of two counties in Clarion County. it covers the Borough of Strattanville and Clarion Township, Limestone Township and Millcreek Township. In Jefferson County it covers the Borough of Corsica...
and North Clarion County School District
North Clarion County School District
North Clarion County School District is located next to a corn/potato/soy bean field in Clarion County, Pennsylvania. It consists of the North Clarion County Elementary School with pre-kindergarten through grade 6 and the North Clarion County Junior/Senior High School serving students in grades 7...
would have a student population of 2500 with declining enrollment projected in all three former districts through 2019. A new district composed of Union School District (Pennsylvania)
Union School District (Pennsylvania)
The Union School District is a public school district in Clarion County, Pennsylvania. It serves the boroughs of Sligo and Rimersburg, as well as the townships of Madison, Toby, and Piney. Union School District encompasses approximately 80 square miles. According to 2000 federal census data, it...
, Keystone School District and adding Perry Township
Perry Township, Clarion County, Pennsylvania
Perry Township is a township in Clarion County, Pennsylvania, United States. The population was 1,064 at the 2000 census.-Geography:According to the United States Census Bureau, the township has a total area of 30.3 square miles , of which, 29.0 square miles of it is land and...
and Richland Township
Richland Township, Clarion County, Pennsylvania
Richland Township is a township in Clarion County, Pennsylvania, United States. The population was 553 at the 2000 census.-Geography:According to the United States Census Bureau, the township has a total area of 15.7 square miles , of which, 15.1 square miles of it is land and...
would have a student population under 2000 pupils. Consolidation would bring the elimination of costly main office, administrator positions. This would assist the district residents with the rising school administrator, employee and teachers' pension costs by controlling the need to raise taxes.
Over the next 10 years, rural Pennsylvania school enrollment is projected to decrease 8 percent. The most significant enrollment decline is projected to be in western Pennsylvania, where rural school districts may have a 16 percent decline. More than 40 percent of elementary schools and more than 60 percent of secondary schools in western Pennsylvania are projected to experience significant enrollment decreases (15 percent or greater). As the enrollment declines, per pupil administrative costs of the schools will continue to rise.
Pennsylvania has one of the highest numbers of school districts in the nation. In Pennsylvania, 80% of the school districts serve student populations under
5,000, and 40% serve less than 2,000. Less than 95 of Pennsylvania's 501 school districts have enrollment below 1250 students, in 2007.
This results in excessive school administration bureaucracy and not enough course diversity. In a survey of 88 superintendents of small districts, 42% of the 49 respondents stated that they thought consolidation would save money without closing any schools.
Property taxes in Pennsylvania are relatively high on a national scale. According to the Tax Foundation, Pennsylvania ranked 11th in the U.S. in 2008 in terms of property taxes paid as a percentage of home value (1.34%) and 12th in the country in terms of property taxes as a percentage of income (3.55%).
See also
- List of municipal authorities in Clarion County, Pennsylvania
- National Register of Historic Places listings in Clarion County, PennsylvaniaNational Register of Historic Places listings in Clarion County, PennsylvaniaThis is a list of the National Register of Historic Places listings in Clarion County, Pennsylvania.This is intended to be a complete list of the properties and districts on the National Register of Historic Places in Clarion County, Pennsylvania, United States...
- Oil Creek Library DistrictOil Creek Library DistrictThe Oil Creek Library District is an administrative unit designated by the Pennsylvania Office of Commonwealth Libraries and charged with facilitating and enhancing public library service in Clarion, Venango, and Jefferson Counties. The District's offices are currently located at the Oil City...