Newport, Pennsylvania
Encyclopedia
Newport is a borough
in Perry County
, Pennsylvania
, United States
. The population was 1,506 at the 2000 census. It is part of the Harrisburg
–Carlisle
Metropolitan Statistical Area
.
According to the United States Census Bureau
, the borough has a total area of 0.3 square mile (0.776996433 km²), all of it land.
of 2000, there were 1,506 people, 666 households, and 402 families residing in the borough. The population density
was 4,604.8 people per square mile (1,762.0/km²). There were 743 housing units at an average density of 2,271.8 per square mile (869.3/km²). The racial makeup of the borough was 98.54% White, 0.13% African American, 0.33% Native American, 0.07% Asian, 0.27% from other races
, and 0.66% from two or more races. Hispanic or Latino of any race were 0.66% of the population.
There were 666 households out of which 29.6% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 45.3% were married couples
living together, 10.4% had a female householder with no husband present, and 39.6% were non-families. 35.9% 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 2.26 and the average family size was 2.91.
In the borough the population was spread out with 25.0% under the age of 18, 7.5% from 18 to 24, 30.1% from 25 to 44, 21.8% from 45 to 64, and 15.5% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 36 years. For every 100 females there were 89.7 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 83.0 males.
The median income for a household in the borough was $31,594, and the median income for a family was $39,545. Males had a median income of $31,413 versus $22,344 for females. The per capita income
for the borough was $16,818. About 6.8% of families and 10.0% of the population were below the poverty line, including 10.1% of those under age 18 and 11.4% of those age 65 or over.
. It was later renamed Newport after the canal came through.
Newport was the eastern end of the Newport and Shermans Valley Railroad
. There was a freight yard where railcars and cargo could be transferred to standard gauge for the Pennsylvania Railroad
.
Newport used to have a large tannery
that operated from the second half of the 19th century until the early part of the 20th. The town playground and youth baseball fields now occupy the site. The baseball field is named after Billy Cox, a town native who played third base for the Pittsburgh Pirates
, Brooklyn Dodgers, and Baltimore Orioles
in the 1940s and 50's.
Other Famous Newport natives include Jonathan Clay, a Purple Heart
and Bronze Star
with Valor
winner from Afghanistan
. Jonathan Clay was injured on October 9, 2006 by a rocket-propelled grenade (RPG) in Zabul Province Afghanistan
.
The high school which serves the borough as well as several surrounding townships is located at the northwest corner of town, and was just remodeled in 2007. Their nickname is the Buffaloes, and their field is named after George Katchmer, who coached the school to their only undefeated campaign in 1953. The field is dual purpose and is used for football and baseball.
Newport School District Sites
Borough
A borough is an administrative division in various countries. In principle, the term borough designates a self-governing township although, in practice, official use of the term varies widely....
in Perry County
Perry County, Pennsylvania
As of the census of 2000, there were 43,602 people, 16,695 households, and 12,320 families residing in the county. The population density was 79 people per square mile . There were 18,941 housing units at an average density of 34 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 1,506 at the 2000 census. It is part of the Harrisburg
Harrisburg, Pennsylvania
Harrisburg is the capital of Pennsylvania. As of the 2010 census, the city had a population of 49,528, making it the ninth largest city in Pennsylvania...
–Carlisle
Carlisle, Pennsylvania
Carlisle is a borough in and the county seat of Cumberland County, Pennsylvania, United States. The name is traditionally pronounced with emphasis on the second syllable. Carlisle is located within the Cumberland Valley, a highly productive agricultural region. As of the 2010 census, the borough...
Metropolitan Statistical Area
Harrisburg metropolitan area
The Harrisburg–Carlisle Metropolitan Statistical Area , as defined the United States Census Bureau, is an area consisting of three counties in Pennsylvania's Susquehanna Valley, anchored by the cities of Harrisburg and Carlisle...
.
Geography
Newport is located at 40°28′42"N 77°8′2"W (40.478260, -77.133997).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 0.3 square mile (0.776996433 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 1,506 people, 666 households, and 402 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 4,604.8 people per square mile (1,762.0/km²). There were 743 housing units at an average density of 2,271.8 per square mile (869.3/km²). The racial makeup of the borough was 98.54% White, 0.13% African American, 0.33% Native American, 0.07% Asian, 0.27% 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 0.66% from two or more races. Hispanic or Latino of any race were 0.66% of the population.
There were 666 households out of which 29.6% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 45.3% 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, 10.4% had a female householder with no husband present, and 39.6% were non-families. 35.9% 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 2.26 and the average family size was 2.91.
In the borough the population was spread out with 25.0% under the age of 18, 7.5% from 18 to 24, 30.1% from 25 to 44, 21.8% from 45 to 64, and 15.5% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 36 years. For every 100 females there were 89.7 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 83.0 males.
The median income for a household in the borough was $31,594, and the median income for a family was $39,545. Males had a median income of $31,413 versus $22,344 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 $16,818. About 6.8% of families and 10.0% of the population were below the poverty line, including 10.1% of those under age 18 and 11.4% of those age 65 or over.
History
Newport was originally known as Ryder's Ferry as it was the site of an early ferry on the Juniata RiverJuniata River
The Juniata River is a tributary of the Susquehanna River, approximately long, in central Pennsylvania in the United States. The river is considered scenic along much of its route, having a broad and shallow course passing through several mountain ridges and steeply-lined water gaps...
. It was later renamed Newport after the canal came through.
Newport was the eastern end of the Newport and Shermans Valley Railroad
Newport and Shermans Valley Railroad
The Newport and Shermans Valley Railroad was a nineteenth century, narrow gauge railroad in Pennsylvania. It ran from Newport, Pennsylvania to New Germantown, Pennsylvania. It carried lumber, and transferred it to the standard gauge Pennsylvania Railroad at Newport...
. There was a freight yard where railcars and cargo could be transferred to standard gauge for the Pennsylvania Railroad
Pennsylvania Railroad
The Pennsylvania Railroad was an American Class I railroad, founded in 1846. Commonly referred to as the "Pennsy", the PRR was headquartered in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania....
.
Newport used to have a large tannery
Tanning
Tanning is the making of leather from the skins of animals which does not easily decompose. Traditionally, tanning used tannin, an acidic chemical compound from which the tanning process draws its name . Coloring may occur during tanning...
that operated from the second half of the 19th century until the early part of the 20th. The town playground and youth baseball fields now occupy the site. The baseball field is named after Billy Cox, a town native who played third base for the Pittsburgh Pirates
Pittsburgh Pirates
The Pittsburgh Pirates are a Major League Baseball club based in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. They play in the Central Division of the National League, and are five-time World Series Champions...
, Brooklyn Dodgers, and Baltimore Orioles
Baltimore Orioles
The Baltimore Orioles are a professional baseball team based in Baltimore, Maryland in the United States. They are a member of the Eastern Division of Major League Baseball's American League. One of the American League's eight charter franchises in 1901, it spent its first year as a major league...
in the 1940s and 50's.
Other Famous Newport natives include Jonathan Clay, a Purple Heart
Purple Heart
The Purple Heart is a United States military decoration awarded in the name of the President to those who have been wounded or killed while serving on or after April 5, 1917 with the U.S. military. The National Purple Heart Hall of Honor is located in New Windsor, New York...
and Bronze Star
Bronze Star Medal
The Bronze Star Medal is a United States Armed Forces individual military decoration that may be awarded for bravery, acts of merit, or meritorious service. As a medal it is awarded for merit, and with the "V" for valor device it is awarded for heroism. It is the fourth-highest combat award of the...
with Valor
Valor device
The Valor device is an award of the United States military which is a bronze attachment to certain medals to indicate that it was received for valor...
winner from Afghanistan
Afghanistan
Afghanistan , officially the Islamic Republic of Afghanistan, is a landlocked country located in the centre of Asia, forming South Asia, Central Asia and the Middle East. With a population of about 29 million, it has an area of , making it the 42nd most populous and 41st largest nation in the world...
. Jonathan Clay was injured on October 9, 2006 by a rocket-propelled grenade (RPG) in Zabul Province Afghanistan
Afghanistan
Afghanistan , officially the Islamic Republic of Afghanistan, is a landlocked country located in the centre of Asia, forming South Asia, Central Asia and the Middle East. With a population of about 29 million, it has an area of , making it the 42nd most populous and 41st largest nation in the world...
.
The high school which serves the borough as well as several surrounding townships is located at the northwest corner of town, and was just remodeled in 2007. Their nickname is the Buffaloes, and their field is named after George Katchmer, who coached the school to their only undefeated campaign in 1953. The field is dual purpose and is used for football and baseball.
External links
Newport School District Sites
- Newport School District site
- Newport School District Wikipedia SiteNewport School District (Pennsylvania)Newport School District is a Class 3 district in Perry County, Pennsylvania situated in the town of Newport, Pennsylvania, located in the eastern section of Perry County along the Juniata River northwest of Harrisburg, the Capital. The District encompasses about with a population of approximately...