Watsontown, Pennsylvania
Encyclopedia
Watsontown is a borough in Northumberland County
, Pennsylvania
, United States
. The population was 2,255 at the 2000 census. It was named for John Watson, a local landowner.
According to the United States Census Bureau
, the borough has a total area of 0.9 square miles (2.3 km²), of which, 0.7 square miles (1.8 km²) of it is land and 0.2 square mile (0.517997622 km²) of it (24.47%) is water.
of 2000, there were 2,255 people, 967 households, and 591 families residing in the borough. The population density
was 3,161.9 people per square mile (1,226.3/km²). There were 1,017 housing units at an average density of 1,426.0 per square mile (553.1/km²). The racial makeup of the borough was 98.67% White, 0.40% African American, 0.18% Native American, 0.13% Asian, 0.13% Pacific Islander, 0.09% from other races
, and 0.40% from two or more races. Hispanic or Latino of any race were 0.35% of the population.
There were 967 households out of which 25.1% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 48.5% were married couples
living together, 10.1% had a female householder with no husband present, and 38.8% were non-families. 33.2% of all households were made up of individuals and 15.9% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.21 and the average family size was 2.81.
In the borough the population was spread out with 21.1% under the age of 18, 7.2% from 18 to 24, 27.3% from 25 to 44, 23.1% 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 79.3 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 79.6 males.
The median income for a household in the borough was $31,094, and the median income for a family was $37,065. Males had a median income of $30,648 versus $20,972 for females. The per capita income
for the borough was $16,110. About 8.4% of families and 11.2% of the population were below the poverty line, including 15.7% of those under age 18 and 10.6% of those age 65 or over.
A growing online book of Watsontown history MyWatsontown.com invites contributors.
Northumberland County, Pennsylvania
There were 38,835 households out of which 27.30% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 52.40% were married couples living together, 9.60% had a female householder with no husband present, and 34.10% were non-families. 30.20% of all households were made up of individuals and 15.50% had...
, 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 2,255 at the 2000 census. It was named for John Watson, a local landowner.
Geography
Watsontown is located at 41°5′7"N 76°51′48"W (41.085319, -76.863325).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 0.9 square miles (2.3 km²), of which, 0.7 square miles (1.8 km²) of it is land and 0.2 square mile (0.517997622 km²) of it (24.47%) is water.
History
Watsontown has a rich history dating back to the late 16th century. Watsontown was an important part of a transportation network that included roads, railroads, and canals along the Susquehanna River. Many businesses were located here because of this. Part of the old canal and the tow path used by mules at the time is still visible along the river.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 2,255 people, 967 households, and 591 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 3,161.9 people per square mile (1,226.3/km²). There were 1,017 housing units at an average density of 1,426.0 per square mile (553.1/km²). The racial makeup of the borough was 98.67% White, 0.40% African American, 0.18% Native American, 0.13% Asian, 0.13% Pacific Islander, 0.09% 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 0.40% from two or more races. Hispanic or Latino of any race were 0.35% of the population.
There were 967 households out of which 25.1% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 48.5% 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, 10.1% had a female householder with no husband present, and 38.8% were non-families. 33.2% of all households were made up of individuals and 15.9% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.21 and the average family size was 2.81.
In the borough the population was spread out with 21.1% under the age of 18, 7.2% from 18 to 24, 27.3% from 25 to 44, 23.1% 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 79.3 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 79.6 males.
The median income for a household in the borough was $31,094, and the median income for a family was $37,065. Males had a median income of $30,648 versus $20,972 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 $16,110. About 8.4% of families and 11.2% of the population were below the poverty line, including 15.7% of those under age 18 and 10.6% of those age 65 or over.
External links
The Dr. Van Fleet Climbing Rose was created in Watsontown by Dr. Walter Van Fleet, a resident botanist.A growing online book of Watsontown history MyWatsontown.com invites contributors.