Throop, Pennsylvania
Encyclopedia
Throop is a borough in Lackawanna County
, Pennsylvania
, adjoining Scranton
. Formerly, coal mining and silk manufacturing provided employment for the people of Throop, who numbered 2,204 in 1900 and 5,133 in 1910. In 1940, 7,382 people lived in Throop, Pennsylvania. The population was 4,088 at the 2010 census.
According to the United States Census Bureau
, the borough has a total area of 5 square miles (12.9 km²), all of it land.
The borough contains a lead-contaminated parcel of land commonly known as the Marjol Battery site. Now owned by Gould Electronics
, the empty land was a former battery processing facility closed in April 1982. Since the late 1980s, the federal United States Environmental Protection Agency
and the state DEP have worked to clean up contamination in adjacent areas, but a final remedy for the site itself has remained on hold in recent years, as local officials and citizens fight with the government agencies and Gould over the best solution. In the meantime, the landowner has maintained a policy of basic containment and monitoring.
Throop's most popular summertime event is its annual Cow Flop organized by the Throop Booster Club. It has been a tradition in Throop since the late 80's. The Flop serves as a fundraiser for the club and usually raises about $10,000 annually to benefit youth baseball and softball programs in the borough. The Flop, formerly held on a Sunday in late June, is now a two day (since 2007) event that features a parade, fireworks, music, food, and other entertainment. The event requires more than 100 volunteers, mostly members of the Booster Club and parents of throop athletes, to produce. The main event of the Cow Flop is the raffle involving 2,000 squares and a cow's pick as to where she will relieve herself. Raffle tickets are $10 and the winner of the annual Flop raffle wins $5,000.
of 2010, there were 4,088 people, 1,778 households, and 1,122 families residing in the borough. The population density
was 817.6 people per square mile (315.7/km²). There were 1,937 housing units at an average density of 387.4 per square mile (151.3/km²). The racial makeup of the borough was 96% White, 1.2% African American, 0.2% American Indian, 0.6% Asian, 0.7% from other races
, and 1.2% from two or more races. Hispanic or Latino of any race were 2% of the population.
There were 1,778 households out of which 23.5% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 43.5% were married couples
living together, 13.5% had a female householder with no husband present, and 36.9% were non-families. 31.8% of all households were made up of individuals and 12.2% 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 out with 19.2% under the age of 18, 63.2% from 18 to 64, and 17.6% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 42.4 years.
The median income for a household in the borough was $34,389, and the median income for a family was $38,929. Males had a median income of $30,254 versus $21,275 for females. The per capita income
for the borough was $16,998. About 7.9% of families and 10.5% of the population were below the poverty line, including 22.1% of those under age 18 and 7.5% of those age 65 or over.
. The district's two schools, Mid Valley Secondary Center and Mid Valley Elementary Center are located within Throop.
is the main highway. Interstate 84
, Interstate 380
. and U.S. Route 6
meet I-81 at the Throop Dunmore Interchange in Dunmore near Throop.
Lackawanna County, Pennsylvania
As of the census of 2000, there were 213,295 people, 86,218 households, and 55,783 families residing in the county. The population density was 465 people per square mile . There were 95,362 housing units at an average density of 208 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...
, adjoining Scranton
Scranton, Pennsylvania
Scranton is a city in the northeastern part of Pennsylvania, United States. It is the county seat of Lackawanna County and the largest principal city in the Scranton/Wilkes-Barre metropolitan area. Scranton had a population of 76,089 in 2010, according to the U.S...
. Formerly, coal mining and silk manufacturing provided employment for the people of Throop, who numbered 2,204 in 1900 and 5,133 in 1910. In 1940, 7,382 people lived in Throop, Pennsylvania. The population was 4,088 at the 2010 census.
Geography
Throop is located at 41°26′44"N 75°36′52"W (41.445536, -75.614494).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 5 square miles (12.9 km²), all of it land.
History & Notable Features
On April 7, 1911, a fire at the Price-Pancoast Colliery killed 72 coal miners in what has been described as "the most appaling mine disaster in the history of the northern anthracite coal fields". "History of Borough of ThroopThe borough contains a lead-contaminated parcel of land commonly known as the Marjol Battery site. Now owned by Gould Electronics
Gould Electronics
Gould Electronics Inc. -- founded in 1884 and based in Chandler, Arizona -- is a company involved in the electronics and semiconductor industries. They make printed circuit materials for use by electronics manufacturers. Having acquired Systems Engineering Laboratories Gould became involved in the...
, the empty land was a former battery processing facility closed in April 1982. Since the late 1980s, the federal United States Environmental Protection Agency
United States Environmental Protection Agency
The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency is an agency of the federal government of the United States charged with protecting human health and the environment, by writing and enforcing regulations based on laws passed by Congress...
and the state DEP have worked to clean up contamination in adjacent areas, but a final remedy for the site itself has remained on hold in recent years, as local officials and citizens fight with the government agencies and Gould over the best solution. In the meantime, the landowner has maintained a policy of basic containment and monitoring.
Throop's most popular summertime event is its annual Cow Flop organized by the Throop Booster Club. It has been a tradition in Throop since the late 80's. The Flop serves as a fundraiser for the club and usually raises about $10,000 annually to benefit youth baseball and softball programs in the borough. The Flop, formerly held on a Sunday in late June, is now a two day (since 2007) event that features a parade, fireworks, music, food, and other entertainment. The event requires more than 100 volunteers, mostly members of the Booster Club and parents of throop athletes, to produce. The main event of the Cow Flop is the raffle involving 2,000 squares and a cow's pick as to where she will relieve herself. Raffle tickets are $10 and the winner of the annual Flop raffle wins $5,000.
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 2010, there were 4,088 people, 1,778 households, and 1,122 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 817.6 people per square mile (315.7/km²). There were 1,937 housing units at an average density of 387.4 per square mile (151.3/km²). The racial makeup of the borough was 96% White, 1.2% African American, 0.2% American Indian, 0.6% Asian, 0.7% 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 1.2% from two or more races. Hispanic or Latino of any race were 2% of the population.
There were 1,778 households out of which 23.5% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 43.5% 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, 13.5% had a female householder with no husband present, and 36.9% were non-families. 31.8% of all households were made up of individuals and 12.2% 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 out with 19.2% under the age of 18, 63.2% from 18 to 64, and 17.6% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 42.4 years.
The median income for a household in the borough was $34,389, and the median income for a family was $38,929. Males had a median income of $30,254 versus $21,275 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 $16,998. About 7.9% of families and 10.5% of the population were below the poverty line, including 22.1% of those under age 18 and 7.5% of those age 65 or over.
Education
Throop is part of the Mid Valley School DistrictMid Valley School District
Mid Valley School District is a small school district located in Lackawanna County, Pennsylvania, comprising the communities of Olyphant, Dickson City, and Throop. The district operates two schools: Mid Valley Elementary Center and Mid Valley Secondary Center . Mid Valley School District...
. The district's two schools, Mid Valley Secondary Center and Mid Valley Elementary Center are located within Throop.
Government
Throop's government consists of one elected mayor and seven elected council members. The current mayor is Stanley Lukowski. The current council members are John Musewicz, Ray Jarosh, Tom Lukasewicz, Jim Barnick, David Repchick, Joe Barone, and Anthony Gangemi.Roads
In the Throop area, Interstate 81Interstate 81 in Pennsylvania
Interstate 81 is an long north–south Interstate Highway, stretching from Dandridge, Tennessee to Fisher's Landing, New York at the US/Canadian border...
is the main highway. Interstate 84
Interstate 84 (east)
Interstate 84 is an Interstate Highway extending from Dunmore, Pennsylvania at an interchange with Interstate 81 to Sturbridge, Massachusetts, at an interchange with the Massachusetts Turnpike . I-84 has mile-log junction numbering in Pennsylvania; otherwise, exit numbers are roughly sequential...
, Interstate 380
Interstate 380 (Pennsylvania)
Interstate 380 is a spur highway in northeast Pennsylvania that connects Interstate 80 with Interstate 81 and Interstate 84. The northern terminus of I-380 is at Interstate 84 near Elmhurst, PA; the southern terminus is in Tunkhannock Township at the junction with Interstate 80. The entire length...
. and U.S. Route 6
U.S. Route 6 in Pennsylvania
U.S. Route 6 travels east–west near the north edge of the U.S. state of Pennsylvania from the Ohio state line near Pymatuning Reservoir east to the Mid-Delaware Bridge over the Delaware River into Port Jervis, New York. It is the longest highway segment in the Commonwealth. Most of it is a...
meet I-81 at the Throop Dunmore Interchange in Dunmore near Throop.