Nesquehoning, Pennsylvania
Encyclopedia
Nesquehoning is a borough in Carbon County
, Pennsylvania
, United States
. The population was 3,288 at the 2000 census. The name is of Native American origin, commonly believed to signify "narrow valley;" however native language scholars translate the name as "at the black lick" or "at the dirty lick," referring to mineral licks frequented by deer or other animals. Nesquehoning was established as a result of the anthracite coal
mining industry. It was incorporated as a borough in 1974, having previously been a part of Mauch Chunk Township.
According to the United States Census Bureau
, the borough has a total area of 21.6 square miles (55.9 km²), of which, 21.2 square miles (54.8 km²) of it is land and 0.4 square miles (1.1 km²) of it (1.90%) is water. Nesquehoning is located 3 miles west of Jim Thorpe and 4 miles northeast of Lansford. Nesquehoning's elevation is at 830 feet above sea level.
Nesquehoning Village - This neighborhood is located in the southeastern section of the Borough with the Nesquehoning Creek
serving as its northern border. More than half of the Borough's residents live in this neighborhood.
New Columbus - This neighborhood includes the area north of the Nesquehoning Creek, opposite Nesquehoning Village. The second largest neighborhood in terms of the number of people next to the Nesquehoning neighborhood, development of the New Columbus neighborhood was a result of relocating the Little Italy section of Nesquehoning.
Old Hauto - This neighborhood is in the southwestern section of the Borough, at the base of Nesquehoning Mountain to the south. It is bordered by the Nesquehoning Creek and the former Nesquehoning Valley Railroad (now owned by the County of Carbon) on the north. There are two hamlets or housing clusters in this neighborhood. One is the historical Old Hauto Village area, which is located in the west along PA State Route 54. The other housing cluster is a subdivision development located in the easterly part of the neighborhood between PA Route 54 and Park Avenue. It was developed beginning in the late 1960s and is known locally as Hauto Valley Estates.
Lake Hauto - This neighborhood is a lakeside resort type community situated on the northern side of Lake Hauto. Lake Hauto is a private community. Although often thought of as being in Nesquehoning, the majority of the Lake Hauto community is actually located in neighboring Rush Township, Schuylkill County.
of 2000, there were 3,288 people, 1,355 households, and 864 families residing in the borough. The population density
was 155.4 people per square mile (60.0/km²). There were 1,599 housing units at an average density of 75.6 per square mile (29.2/km²). The racial makeup of the borough was 97.69% White, 0.64% African American, 0.24% Native American, 0.43% Asian, 0.30% from other races
, and 0.70% from two or more races. Hispanic or Latino of any race were 1.52% of the population.
There were 1,355 households, of which 25.0% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 48.9% were married couples
living together, 10.5% had a female householder with no husband present, and 36.2% were non-families. 32.0% of all households were made up of individuals and 17.6% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.30 and the average family size was 2.89.
In the borough the population was spread over all age groups, with 18.8% under the age of 18, 8.3% from 18 to 24, 28.7% from 25 to 44, 23.0% from 45 to 64, and 21.3% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 41 years. For every 100 females there were 98.9 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 96.3 males.
The median income for a household in the borough was $35,902, and the median income for a family was $41,855. Males had a median income of $30,417 versus $19,291 for females. The per capita income
for the borough was $16,820. About 2.0% of families and 9.7% of the population were below the poverty line, including 3.0% of those under age 18 and 23.4% of those age 65 or over.
A solar energy developer is planning to build the state's largest solar energy plant in Nesquehoning. Developers want to construct a $65 million, 10.6 megawatt photovoltaic solar energy plant and education center on 120 acres near the Green Acres Industrial Park. The power plant would consist of approximately 45,000 solar panels, and produce enough energy to power about 1,500 homes.
Nesquehoning is a home to ASTI Electric Inc. This Organization is one of the largest Electrical Contractors in the Lehigh Valley specializing in Residential, Commercial and Industrial markets.
. Some of the residents of Nesquehoning may also be served by a private school, Marian Catholic High School, which accommodates students in grades 9-12 and is located near Tamaqua, Pennsylvania. Preceding schools of Marian is Our Lady of the Angels which houses grades K-8.
Carbon County, Pennsylvania
As of the census of 2000, there were 58,802 people, 23,701 households, and 16,424 families residing in the county. The population density was 154 people per square mile . There were 30,492 housing units at an average density of 80 per square mile...
, 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...
. The population was 3,288 at the 2000 census. The name is of Native American origin, commonly believed to signify "narrow valley;" however native language scholars translate the name as "at the black lick" or "at the dirty lick," referring to mineral licks frequented by deer or other animals. Nesquehoning was established as a result of the anthracite coal
Anthracite coal
Anthracite is a hard, compact variety of mineral coal that has a high luster...
mining industry. It was incorporated as a borough in 1974, having previously been a part of Mauch Chunk Township.
Geography
Nesquehoning is located at 40°52′5"N 75°49′27"W (40.868178, -75.824176).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 21.6 square miles (55.9 km²), of which, 21.2 square miles (54.8 km²) of it is land and 0.4 square miles (1.1 km²) of it (1.90%) is water. Nesquehoning is located 3 miles west of Jim Thorpe and 4 miles northeast of Lansford. Nesquehoning's elevation is at 830 feet above sea level.
Neighborhoods
Nesquehoning can be roughly divided into four neighborhoods:Nesquehoning Village - This neighborhood is located in the southeastern section of the Borough with the Nesquehoning Creek
Nesquehoning Creek
Nesquehoning Creek is a tributary of the Lehigh River in the Poconos of eastern Pennsylvania in the United States.Nesquehoning Creek encompasses a drainage area between Broad Mountain to the northwest and Nesquehoning Mountain and Pisgah Mountain to the southeast. Approximately of the watershed...
serving as its northern border. More than half of the Borough's residents live in this neighborhood.
New Columbus - This neighborhood includes the area north of the Nesquehoning Creek, opposite Nesquehoning Village. The second largest neighborhood in terms of the number of people next to the Nesquehoning neighborhood, development of the New Columbus neighborhood was a result of relocating the Little Italy section of Nesquehoning.
Old Hauto - This neighborhood is in the southwestern section of the Borough, at the base of Nesquehoning Mountain to the south. It is bordered by the Nesquehoning Creek and the former Nesquehoning Valley Railroad (now owned by the County of Carbon) on the north. There are two hamlets or housing clusters in this neighborhood. One is the historical Old Hauto Village area, which is located in the west along PA State Route 54. The other housing cluster is a subdivision development located in the easterly part of the neighborhood between PA Route 54 and Park Avenue. It was developed beginning in the late 1960s and is known locally as Hauto Valley Estates.
Lake Hauto - This neighborhood is a lakeside resort type community situated on the northern side of Lake Hauto. Lake Hauto is a private community. Although often thought of as being in Nesquehoning, the majority of the Lake Hauto community is actually located in neighboring Rush Township, Schuylkill County.
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 3,288 people, 1,355 households, and 864 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 155.4 people per square mile (60.0/km²). There were 1,599 housing units at an average density of 75.6 per square mile (29.2/km²). The racial makeup of the borough was 97.69% White, 0.64% African American, 0.24% Native American, 0.43% 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 0.70% from two or more races. Hispanic or Latino of any race were 1.52% of the population.
There were 1,355 households, of which 25.0% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 48.9% 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, 10.5% had a female householder with no husband present, and 36.2% were non-families. 32.0% of all households were made up of individuals and 17.6% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.30 and the average family size was 2.89.
In the borough the population was spread over all age groups, with 18.8% under the age of 18, 8.3% from 18 to 24, 28.7% from 25 to 44, 23.0% from 45 to 64, and 21.3% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 41 years. For every 100 females there were 98.9 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 96.3 males.
The median income for a household in the borough was $35,902, and the median income for a family was $41,855. Males had a median income of $30,417 versus $19,291 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 $16,820. About 2.0% of families and 9.7% of the population were below the poverty line, including 3.0% of those under age 18 and 23.4% of those age 65 or over.
Economy
Nesquehoning is home to the Kovatch Organization, a family owned group of companies, and the largest employer in the borough. The Organization includes KME Fire Apparatus, which manufactures custom-built fire fighting vehicles for a variety of markets worldwide, Kovatch Corporation, which manufactures specialty heavy duty vehicles, including aircraft refuelers, and the Kovatch auto dealerships. The company employs approximately 700 employees in Nesquehoning, providing many jobs for the area.A solar energy developer is planning to build the state's largest solar energy plant in Nesquehoning. Developers want to construct a $65 million, 10.6 megawatt photovoltaic solar energy plant and education center on 120 acres near the Green Acres Industrial Park. The power plant would consist of approximately 45,000 solar panels, and produce enough energy to power about 1,500 homes.
Nesquehoning is a home to ASTI Electric Inc. This Organization is one of the largest Electrical Contractors in the Lehigh Valley specializing in Residential, Commercial and Industrial markets.
Education
The residents of Nesquehoning are served by the Panther Valley School DistrictPanther Valley School District
Panther Valley School District is a school district located in Carbon County, Pennsylvania in the United States.The school district serves students who reside in boroughs of Coaldale in Schuykill County, Lansford, Nesquehoning, and Summit Hill in Carbon County.The Panther Valley School District was...
. Some of the residents of Nesquehoning may also be served by a private school, Marian Catholic High School, which accommodates students in grades 9-12 and is located near Tamaqua, Pennsylvania. Preceding schools of Marian is Our Lady of the Angels which houses grades K-8.
Notable people
- Gene SnitskyGene SnitskyEugene Alan "Gene" Snisky is a professional wrestler, better known by his ring name Snitsky, who is best known for his time spent with World Wrestling Entertainment. He had played college football at the University of Missouri and was on the pre-season roster in 1995 for the Birmingham Barracudas...
, former World Wrestling EntertainmentWorld Wrestling EntertainmentWorld Wrestling Entertainment, Inc. is an American publicly traded, privately controlled entertainment company dealing primarily in professional wrestling, with major revenue sources also coming from film, music, product licensing, and direct product sales...
professional wrestler.
External links
- Nesquehoning information site
- City Data for Nesquehoning
- News on Solar Energy Project