Elk County, Pennsylvania
Encyclopedia
Elk County is a county
located in the U.S. state
of Pennsylvania
. As of the 2010 census, the population was 31,946.
Elk County was created on April 18, 1843, from parts of Jefferson
, Clearfield
and McKean
Counties, and is named for the Eastern elk
that historically inhabited the region. Its county seat
is Ridgway
..
, the county has a total area of 832 square miles (2,154.9 km²), of which 799 square miles (2,069.4 km²) is land and 4 square miles (10.4 km²) (0.43%) is water.
of 2000, there were 35,112 people, 14,124 households, and 9,745 families residing in the county. The population density
was 42 people per square mile (16/km²). There were 18,115 housing units at an average density of 22 per square mile (8/km²). The racial makeup of the county was 98.96% White
, 0.15% Black
or African American
, 0.09% Native American
, 0.35% Asian
, 0.04% Pacific Islander
, 0.10% from other races
, and 0.31% from two or more races. 0.40% of the population were Hispanic
or Latino
of any race. 42.8% were of German, 17.8% Italian
, 7.4% Irish
and 5.1% Swedish ancestry according to Census 2000.
There were 14,124 households out of which 31.00% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 56.00% were married couples
living together, 8.70% had a female householder with no husband present, and 31.00% were non-families. 27.30% of all households were made up of individuals and 13.60% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.45 and the average family size was 2.99.
In the county, the population was spread out with 24.00% under the age of 18, 6.80% from 18 to 24, 28.60% from 25 to 44, 23.30% from 45 to 64, and 17.30% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 39 years. For every 100 females there were 98.00 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 95.30 males.
Elk County tends to be politically competitive in statewide elections. Although George W. Bush
carried it in both 2000 and 2004, Barack Obama
won 50.8% of its vote to 46.5% for John McCain
. The three state row offices winners also carried Elk and Democratic incumbent State Representative Dan Surra
lost after nine terms to Republican Matt Gabler in 2008.
Under Pennsylvania law, there are four types of incorporated municipalities: cities, boroughs, townships, and, in at most two cases, towns. The following cities, boroughs, and townships are located in Elk County:
County (United States)
In the United States, a county is a geographic subdivision of a state , usually assigned some governmental authority. The term "county" is used in 48 of the 50 states; Louisiana is divided into parishes and Alaska into boroughs. Parishes and boroughs are called "county-equivalents" by the U.S...
located in the U.S. state
U.S. state
A U.S. state is any one of the 50 federated states of the United States of America that share sovereignty with the federal government. Because of this shared sovereignty, an American is a citizen both of the federal entity and of his or her state of domicile. Four states use the official title of...
of Pennsylvania
Pennsylvania
The Commonwealth of Pennsylvania is a U.S. state that is located in the Northeastern and Mid-Atlantic regions of the United States. The state borders Delaware and Maryland to the south, West Virginia to the southwest, Ohio to the west, New York and Ontario, Canada, to the north, and New Jersey to...
. As of the 2010 census, the population was 31,946.
Elk County was created on April 18, 1843, from parts of Jefferson
Jefferson County, Pennsylvania
Jefferson County is a county located in the U.S. state of Pennsylvania. In 2010, its population was 45,200. It was established on March 26, 1804, from part of Lycoming County and named for then-President Thomas Jefferson. Its county seat is Brookville...
, Clearfield
Clearfield County, Pennsylvania
Clearfield County is a county located in the U.S. state of Pennsylvania. As of 2010, the population was 81,642.Clearfield County was created on March 26, 1804, from parts of Huntingdon and Lycoming Counties but was administered as part of Centre County until 1812...
and McKean
McKean County, Pennsylvania
As of the census of 2000, there were 45,936 people, 18,024 households, and 12,094 families residing in the county. The population density was 47 people per square mile . There were 21,644 housing units at an average density of 22 per square mile...
Counties, and is named for the Eastern elk
Eastern elk
The Eastern elk is one of six subspecies of elk that inhabited northern and eastern United States, and southern Canada. The last Eastern elk was shot in Pennsylvania on September 1, 1877. The subspecies was declared as extinct by the United States Fish and Wildlife Service in 1880...
that historically inhabited the region. Its county seat
County seat
A county seat is an administrative center, or seat of government, for a county or civil parish. The term is primarily used in the United States....
is Ridgway
Ridgway, Pennsylvania
Ridgway is a borough in and the county seat of Elk County, Pennsylvania, United States.-History:Ridgway was founded by Philadelphian shipping merchant Jacob Ridgway and James Gillis. Jacob Ridgway earned substantial wealth both in Philadelphia and abroad in London. He constantly sent sums of money...
..
Geography
According to the U.S. Census BureauUnited States Census Bureau
The United States Census Bureau is the government agency that is responsible for the United States Census. It also gathers other national demographic and economic data...
, the county has a total area of 832 square miles (2,154.9 km²), of which 799 square miles (2,069.4 km²) is land and 4 square miles (10.4 km²) (0.43%) is water.
Adjacent counties
- McKean CountyMcKean County, PennsylvaniaAs of the census of 2000, there were 45,936 people, 18,024 households, and 12,094 families residing in the county. The population density was 47 people per square mile . There were 21,644 housing units at an average density of 22 per square mile...
(north) - Cameron CountyCameron County, PennsylvaniaAs of the census of 2000, there were 5,974 people, 2,465 households, and 1,624 families residing in the county. The population density was 15 people per square mile . There were 4,592 housing units at an average density of 12 per square mile...
(east) - Clearfield CountyClearfield County, PennsylvaniaClearfield County is a county located in the U.S. state of Pennsylvania. As of 2010, the population was 81,642.Clearfield County was created on March 26, 1804, from parts of Huntingdon and Lycoming Counties but was administered as part of Centre County until 1812...
(south) - Jefferson CountyJefferson County, PennsylvaniaJefferson County is a county located in the U.S. state of Pennsylvania. In 2010, its population was 45,200. It was established on March 26, 1804, from part of Lycoming County and named for then-President Thomas Jefferson. Its county seat is Brookville...
(southwest) - Forest CountyForest County, PennsylvaniaForest County is a county located in the U.S. state of Pennsylvania. As of 2010, the population is 7,716. Forest County is famous as a rural retreat. Nearly 75% of all dwellings in the county are second or vacation homes . Forest County does not have a single traffic light, the only county in the...
(west) - Warren CountyWarren County, PennsylvaniaWarren County is a county located in the U.S. state of Pennsylvania. As of 2010, the population was 41,815. It was formed in 1800 from parts of Allegheny and Lycoming counties; attached to Crawford County until 1805 and then to Venango County until Warren was formally organized in 1819. Its county...
(northwest)
Demographics
As of the censusCensus
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 35,112 people, 14,124 households, and 9,745 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 42 people per square mile (16/km²). There were 18,115 housing units at an average density of 22 per square mile (8/km²). The racial makeup of the county was 98.96% 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...
, 0.15% 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...
, 0.09% 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...
, 0.35% 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...
, 0.04% Pacific Islander
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...
, 0.10% 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 0.31% from two or more races. 0.40% 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. 42.8% were of German, 17.8% 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...
, 7.4% 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...
and 5.1% Swedish ancestry according to Census 2000.
There were 14,124 households out of which 31.00% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 56.00% 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, 8.70% had a female householder with no husband present, and 31.00% were non-families. 27.30% of all households were made up of individuals and 13.60% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.45 and the average family size was 2.99.
In the county, the population was spread out with 24.00% under the age of 18, 6.80% from 18 to 24, 28.60% from 25 to 44, 23.30% from 45 to 64, and 17.30% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 39 years. For every 100 females there were 98.00 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 95.30 males.
Politics and government
As of November 2008, there are 20,523 registered voters in Elk County http://www.dos.state.pa.us/elections/lib/elections/055_voter_registration_statistics/currentstats/currentvotestats.xls.- DemocraticDemocratic Party (United States)The Democratic Party is one of two major contemporary political parties in the United States, along with the Republican Party. The party's socially liberal and progressive platform is largely considered center-left in the U.S. political spectrum. The party has the lengthiest record of continuous...
: 11,201 (54.58%) - RepublicanRepublican Party (United States)The Republican Party is one of the two major contemporary political parties in the United States, along with the Democratic Party. Founded by anti-slavery expansion activists in 1854, it is often called the GOP . The party's platform generally reflects American conservatism in the U.S...
: 7,317 (35.65%) - Other parties: 2,005 (9.77%)
Elk County tends to be politically competitive in statewide elections. Although George W. Bush
George W. Bush
George Walker Bush is an American politician who served as the 43rd President of the United States, from 2001 to 2009. Before that, he was the 46th Governor of Texas, having served from 1995 to 2000....
carried it in both 2000 and 2004, Barack Obama
Barack Obama
Barack Hussein Obama II is the 44th and current President of the United States. He is the first African American to hold the office. Obama previously served as a United States Senator from Illinois, from January 2005 until he resigned following his victory in the 2008 presidential election.Born in...
won 50.8% of its vote to 46.5% for John McCain
John McCain
John Sidney McCain III is the senior United States Senator from Arizona. He was the Republican nominee for president in the 2008 United States election....
. The three state row offices winners also carried Elk and Democratic incumbent State Representative Dan Surra
Dan A. Surra
Dan A. Surra was a Democratic member of the Pennsylvania House of Representatives, representing the 75th District since 1991. He served as Majority Caucus Administrator. He was defeated for re-election in 2008 by Republican Matt Gabler.-External links:...
lost after nine terms to Republican Matt Gabler in 2008.
County commissioners
- Daniel Freeburg, Chairman, Republican
- Janis Kemmer, Republican
- June Sorg, Democrat
Other county offices
- Clerk of Courts and Prothonotary, Susanne Schneider, Republican
- Coroner, Michelle Muccio, Republican
- District Attorney, Bradley Kraus, Democrat
- Register of Wills and Recorder of Deeds, Pete Weidenboerner, Democrat
- Sheriff, Jeffrey Krieg, Democrat
- Treasurer, Peggy Schneider, Democrat
Municipalities
Townships
- Benezette Township
- Fox TownshipFox Township, Elk County, PennsylvaniaFox Township is a township in Elk County, Pennsylvania, United States. The population was 3,734 at the 2000 census.-Geography:According to the United States Census Bureau, the township has a total area of , of which is land and is water....
- Highland TownshipHighland Township, Elk County, PennsylvaniaHighland Township is a township in Elk County, Pennsylvania, United States. The population was 509 at the 2000 census.-Geography:According to the United States Census Bureau, the township has a total area of , of which is land and is water...
- Horton Township
- Jay Township
- Jones Township
- Millstone Township
- Ridgway Township
- Spring Creek TownshipSpring Creek Township, Elk County, PennsylvaniaSpring Creek Township is a township in Elk County, Pennsylvania, United States. The population was 260 at the 2000 census.-History:The Lake City School was added to the National Register of Historic Places in 2008.-Geography:...
Education
Community, Junior and Technical Colleges
- North Central Industrial Technical Education Center
Public School Districts
- Brockway Area School DistrictBrockway Area School DistrictThe Brockway Area School District serves over 1,100 students and spans portions of two counties. In Elk County, Pennsylvania it covers a small portion of Horton Township. In Jefferson County, Pennsylvania it covers the Borough of Brockway and Polk Township, Snyder Township and Washington...
- Forest Area School DistrictForest Area School DistrictForest Area School District is a diminutive, rural, public school district in northwestern Pennsylvania. It is the public school entity for all of Forest County. It serves the communities of Marienville and Tionesta, President in Venango County and Millstone Township in Elk County...
- Kane Area School DistrictKane Area School DistrictThe Kane Area School District is a small, rural, public school district located in southwestern McKean County and parts of Elk County in northwestern Pennsylvania in the United States, near the Allegheny National Forest. They are known as the Kane Wolves...
- Johnsonburg Area School DistrictJohnsonburg Area School DistrictThe Johnsonburg Area School District is a public school district serving parts of Elk County, Pennsylvania. It encompasses the communities of Johnsonburg, Ridgeway Township, and Jones Township. The district contains one elementary school and one junior/senior high school....
- Ridgway Area School DistrictRidgway Area School DistrictThe Ridgway Area School District is a public school district serving parts of Elk County, Pennsylvania. It encompasses the communities of Ridgway, Ridgway Township, Spring Creek Township, and Horton Township. Students in grades K-5 attend the elementary school, those in grades 6-8 attend the middle...
- Saint Marys Area School DistrictSaint Marys Area School DistrictThe Saint Marys Area School District is a public school district serving parts of Elk County, Pennsylvania. It encompasses the city of Saint Marys and the townships of Fox, Jay, and Benezette. The district contains five schools: Fox Elementary, Bennett's Valley Elementary, South Elementary, Saint...
Recreation
There are two Pennsylvania state parks in Elk County.- Bendigo State ParkBendigo State ParkBendigo State Park is a Pennsylvania state park in Jones Township, Elk County, Pennsylvania in the United States.The park is in a valley on the East Branch Clarion River. Only of the park is developed. The other is undeveloped woodlands of beech, birch, cherry and maple.-History:Bendigo State...
- Elk State ParkElk State ParkElk State Park is a Pennsylvania state park in Jones Township, Elk County and Sergeant Township, McKean County, Pennsylvania, in the United States. East Branch Clarion River Lake is a man-made lake covering within the park. The lake and streams in the park are stocked with cold and warm water fish...
See also
- List of municipal authorities in Elk County, Pennsylvania
- National Register of Historic Places listings in Elk County, PennsylvaniaNational Register of Historic Places listings in Elk County, PennsylvaniaThis is a list of the National Register of Historic Places listings in Elk County, Pennsylvania.This is intended to be a complete list of the properties and districts on the National Register of Historic Places in Elk County, Pennsylvania, United States...