Masontown, Pennsylvania
Encyclopedia
Masontown is a borough in Fayette County
, Pennsylvania
, United States
. It is part of the Pittsburgh Metro Area
. The population was 3,611 at the 2000 census. The town is served by the Albert Gallatin Area School District
. It is a small crossroads for the rural portions of western Fayette County, and it contains a small shopping center and a grocery store within its business district.
According to the United States Census Bureau
, the borough has a total area of 1.5 square miles (3.9 km²), all of it land.
of 2000, there were 3,611 people, 1,536 households, and 984 families residing in the borough. The population density
was 2,376.6 people per square mile (917.2/km²). There were 1,701 housing units at an average density of 1,119.5 per square mile (432.1/km²). The racial makeup of the borough was 93.27% White, 5.59% African American, 0.22% Native American, 0.03% Asian, 0.30% from other races
, and 0.58% from two or more races. Hispanic or Latino of any race were 0.22% of the population.
There were 1,536 households out of which 27.6% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 44.5% were married couples
living together, 15.8% had a female householder with no husband present, and 35.9% were non-families. 33.1% of all households were made up of individuals and 20.4% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.32 and the average family size was 2.90.
In the borough the population was spread out with 23.0% under the age of 18, 7.8% from 18 to 24, 23.2% from 25 to 44, 23.1% from 45 to 64, and 22.9% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 42 years. For every 100 females there were 83.1 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 77.2 males.
The median income for a household in the borough was $24,049, and the median income for a family was $27,609. Males had a median income of $35,948 versus $18,194 for females. The per capita income
for the borough was $13,875. About 19.7% of families and 25.2% of the population were below the poverty line, including 37.2% of those under age 18 and 16.6% of those age 65 or over.
Fayette County, Pennsylvania
Fayette County is a county located in the U.S. state of Pennsylvania. As of the2010 census, the population was 136,606. The county is part of the Pittsburgh Metropolitan Statistical Area....
, 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...
, United States
United States
The United States of America is a federal constitutional republic comprising fifty states and a federal district...
. It is part of the Pittsburgh Metro Area
Pittsburgh Metro Area
The Pittsburgh Metropolitan Area is the metropolitan area surrounding the city of Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. It is renowned for its industries including steel, glass and oil; moreover, its economy also thrives on healthcare, education, technology, robotics, financial services and more recently film...
. The population was 3,611 at the 2000 census. The town is served by the Albert Gallatin Area School District
Albert Gallatin Area School District
The Albert Gallatin Area School District is a school district located in Fayette County, Pennsylvania. It is named after Albert Gallatin former U.S. Secretary of the Treasury, planner of the Lewis and Clark expedition, engineer of the financial details of the Louisiana Purchase, and founder of New...
. It is a small crossroads for the rural portions of western Fayette County, and it contains a small shopping center and a grocery store within its business district.
History
Fort Mason was built as a blockhouse from 1774-1778 by John Mason, also known as Johannes Phillip Maurer (1730-1812). Masontown became a town in 1798. He later moved to Ohio and is buried on a family farm in Columbiana County.Geography
Masontown is located at 39°50′46"N 79°54′13"W (39.846228, -79.903492).According to the United States Census Bureau
United 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 borough has a total area of 1.5 square miles (3.9 km²), all of it land.
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 3,611 people, 1,536 households, and 984 families residing in the borough. 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 2,376.6 people per square mile (917.2/km²). There were 1,701 housing units at an average density of 1,119.5 per square mile (432.1/km²). The racial makeup of the borough was 93.27% White, 5.59% African American, 0.22% Native American, 0.03% Asian, 0.30% 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 0.58% from two or more races. Hispanic or Latino of any race were 0.22% of the population.
There were 1,536 households out of which 27.6% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 44.5% 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, 15.8% had a female householder with no husband present, and 35.9% were non-families. 33.1% of all households were made up of individuals and 20.4% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.32 and the average family size was 2.90.
In the borough the population was spread out with 23.0% under the age of 18, 7.8% from 18 to 24, 23.2% from 25 to 44, 23.1% from 45 to 64, and 22.9% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 42 years. For every 100 females there were 83.1 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 77.2 males.
The median income for a household in the borough was $24,049, and the median income for a family was $27,609. Males had a median income of $35,948 versus $18,194 for females. The per capita income
Per capita income
Per capita income or income per person is a measure of mean income within an economic aggregate, such as a country or city. It is calculated by taking a measure of all sources of income in the aggregate and dividing it by the total population...
for the borough was $13,875. About 19.7% of families and 25.2% of the population were below the poverty line, including 37.2% of those under age 18 and 16.6% of those age 65 or over.
Notable natives and residents
- Frank L. BowmanFrank L. BowmanFrank Llewellyn Bowman was an American politician who represented West Virginia in the United States House of Representatives from 1925-1933.-Biography:...
, American politician who represented West Virginia in the United States House of RepresentativesUnited States House of RepresentativesThe United States House of Representatives is one of the two Houses of the United States Congress, the bicameral legislature which also includes the Senate.The composition and powers of the House are established in Article One of the Constitution... - Mike NixonMike NixonMike Nixon is a former American football player, coach and scout who spent close to a half-century connected to the game...
, longtime Pittsburgh Steeler coach and scout - Lester C. McClelland, aircraft commander of Air Force One under Presidents Ford and Carter, 1974–1980; born September 25, 1932.