Perryopolis, Pennsylvania
Encyclopedia
Perryopolis is a borough in Fayette County
, Pennsylvania
, United States
. The population was 1,764 at the 2000 census.
Washington hoped to develop the remainder of Perryopolis, drawing up plans for the streets to be laid out in the shape of a wagon-wheel. Washington's estate sold the land after his death; in 1814 Perryopolis, previously known as New Boston, was officially laid out using Washington's plans and named for Oliver Hazard Perry for his victory on Lake Erie during the War of 1812.
In the late 19th Century, the area around Perryopolis was first mined for coal. Until the 1950s, coal industries would be the area's primary economic activitiy, served by the Washington Run branch of the P&LE Railroad that continued on to Star Junction, Pennsylvania. However, Perryopolis developed differently than other nearby mining towns. Instead of housing laborers, Perryopolis was mainly inhabited by foreman and white collar workers who were associated with the mining industry.
According to the United States Census Bureau
, the borough has a total area of 1.8 square miles (4.7 km²), all of it land.
Perryopolis is the center of the Frazier School District
.
of 2000, there are 1,764 people, 798 households, and 513 families residing in the borough. The population density
is 989.6 people per square mile (382.6/km²). There are 831 housing units at an average density of 466.2 per square mile (180.3/km²). The racial makeup of the borough is 99.21% White, 0.11% African American, 0.28% Asian, and 0.40% from two or more races. 0.17% of the population are Hispanic or Latino of any race.
There are 798 households out of which 22.6% have children under the age of 18 living with them, 52.4% are married couples
living together, 9.8% have a female householder with no husband present, and 35.7% are non-families. 33.0% of all households are made up of individuals and 20.8% have someone living alone who is 65 years of age or older. The average household size is 2.21 and the average family size is 2.81.
In the borough the population is spread out with 17.7% under the age of 18, 6.9% from 18 to 24, 25.1% from 25 to 44, 26.0% from 45 to 64, and 24.3% who are 65 years of age or older. The median age is 45 years. For every 100 females there are 86.9 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there are 82.2 males.
The median income for a household in the borough is $33,092, and the median income for a family is $43,676. Males have a median income of $34,667 versus $23,854 for females. The per capita income
for the borough is $17,829. 6.8% of the population and 4.3% of families are below the poverty line. Out of the total population, 7.8% of those under the age of 18 and 5.3% of those 65 and older are living below the poverty line.
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...
. The population was 1,764 at the 2000 census.
History
George Washington purchased 1644 acres (6.7 km²) here when land first became available. He visited in 1770 and said, "as fine a land as I have ever seen, a great deal of rich meadow; it is well watered and has a valuable mill seat." The mill would eventually be completed in 1776. Once the mill was finished, it encouraged other business to come to the area to support and augment the business of the mill.Washington hoped to develop the remainder of Perryopolis, drawing up plans for the streets to be laid out in the shape of a wagon-wheel. Washington's estate sold the land after his death; in 1814 Perryopolis, previously known as New Boston, was officially laid out using Washington's plans and named for Oliver Hazard Perry for his victory on Lake Erie during the War of 1812.
In the late 19th Century, the area around Perryopolis was first mined for coal. Until the 1950s, coal industries would be the area's primary economic activitiy, served by the Washington Run branch of the P&LE Railroad that continued on to Star Junction, Pennsylvania. However, Perryopolis developed differently than other nearby mining towns. Instead of housing laborers, Perryopolis was mainly inhabited by foreman and white collar workers who were associated with the mining industry.
Geography
Perryopolis is located at 40°5′9"N 79°45′8"W (40.085969, -79.752088).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 1.8 square miles (4.7 km²), all of it land.
Perryopolis is the center of the Frazier School District
Frazier School District
The Frazier School District is a small public district located in Fayette County, Pennsylvania, about 35 miles south of Pittsburgh. It serves the boroughs of Perryopolis and Newell, and the townships of Perry, Jefferson, and Lower Tyrone....
.
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 are 1,764 people, 798 households, and 513 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...
is 989.6 people per square mile (382.6/km²). There are 831 housing units at an average density of 466.2 per square mile (180.3/km²). The racial makeup of the borough is 99.21% White, 0.11% African American, 0.28% Asian, and 0.40% from two or more races. 0.17% of the population are Hispanic or Latino of any race.
There are 798 households out of which 22.6% have children under the age of 18 living with them, 52.4% are 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, 9.8% have a female householder with no husband present, and 35.7% are non-families. 33.0% of all households are made up of individuals and 20.8% have someone living alone who is 65 years of age or older. The average household size is 2.21 and the average family size is 2.81.
In the borough the population is spread out with 17.7% under the age of 18, 6.9% from 18 to 24, 25.1% from 25 to 44, 26.0% from 45 to 64, and 24.3% who are 65 years of age or older. The median age is 45 years. For every 100 females there are 86.9 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there are 82.2 males.
The median income for a household in the borough is $33,092, and the median income for a family is $43,676. Males have a median income of $34,667 versus $23,854 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 is $17,829. 6.8% of the population and 4.3% of families are below the poverty line. Out of the total population, 7.8% of those under the age of 18 and 5.3% of those 65 and older are living below the poverty line.