Indiana County, Pennsylvania
Indiana County, Pennsylvania | |
|---|---|
 Indiana County Courthouse | |
 Location in the U.S. state of Pennsylvania | |
 Pennsylvania's location in the U.S. | |
| Founded | November 3, 1806 |
| Seat | Indiana |
| Largest borough | Indiana |
| Area | |
| • Total | 834 sq mi (2,160 km2) |
| • Land | 827 sq mi (2,142 km2) |
| • Water | 7.3 sq mi (19 km2), 0.9% |
| Population (est.) | |
| • (2017) | 84,953 |
| • Density | 105/sq mi (41/km2) |
| Congressional district | 9th |
| Time zone | Eastern: UTC−5/−4 |
| Website | www.countyofindiana.org |
Indiana County is a county located in the central west part of the U.S. state of Pennsylvania. As of the 2010 census, the population was 88,880.[1] Its county seat is Indiana.[2] Indiana County compromises the Indiana, PA Micropolitan Statistical Area, which is also included in the Pittsburgh-New Castle-Weirton, PA-WV-OH Combined Statistical Area.
Prior to the American Revolutionary War, some settlers proposed this as part of a larger, separate colony to be known as Vandalia, but opposing interests and the war intervened. Afterward, claims to the territory by both the states of Virginia and Pennsylvania had to be reconciled. After this land was assigned to Pennsylvania by the federal government according to the Mason–Dixon line, Indiana County was created on March 30, 1803, from parts of Westmoreland and Clearfield counties and was formally organized in 1806.[3]
Contents
1 History
2 Geography
2.1 Adjacent counties
2.2 Major highways
3 Demographics
4 Micropolitan Statistical Area
5 Government and politics
5.1 County commissioners
5.2 Other county offices
5.3 State Representatives[22]
5.4 State Senator[22]
5.5 US Representatives
5.6 United States Senate
6 Education
6.1 Public school districts
6.2 Post-secondary education
7 Environment
8 Communities
8.1 Boroughs
8.2 Townships
8.3 Census-designated places
8.4 Unincorporated communities
8.5 Population ranking
9 Notable natives and residents
10 See also
11 References
12 External links
History
Indiana County (Indiana meaning "land of the Indians") derives its name from the so-called "Indiana Grant of 1768" that the Iroquois Six Nations were forced to make to "suffering traders" under the Fort Stanwix Treaty of 1768. The Iroquois had controlled much of the Ohio River valley as their hunting grounds since the 17th century, and Anglo-American colonists were moving into the area and wanted to develop it. Traders arranged to force the Iroquois to grant land under the treaty in relations to losses due to Pontiac's Rebellion.[4]
Some of the grantees joined forces with the Ohio Company, forming a larger development company based on enlarging their grant of land. They proposed that the entire large area would become a new British colony, possibly to be called Pittsylvania or Vandalia. It was to be bordered on the north and west by the Ohio River, and made up of what are now parts of eastern Kentucky, northern West Virginia (then part of the Virginia Colony), and western Pennsylvania. Anglo-European colonists from Virginia and Pennsylvania had already started to move into the area, which was identified by these various names as Indiana and the other above names on some maps of the late 1700s.[5][4]
Opposition from other interest groups[6] and the American Revolutionary War intervened before Britain approved such a colony. Afterward, some United States speculators proposed setting up a state in this area to be called Vandalia, or Westsylvania, as appears on some maps of the period.
But both the states of Virginia and Pennsylvania claimed the land based on their colonial charters. In establishing the Mason–Dixon line, the federal government assigned the Indiana Grant to Pennsylvania.[5] As population increased after the war, this county was made up in 1803 of territory from Westmoreland and Clearfield counties; it was formally organized in 1806.[3]
Kentucky and West Virginia continued to be associated with Virginia for some time, being separately admitted as states in the early 19th century and during the American Civil War, respectively. The area in Pennsylvania was unrelated to and was physically separated from the later named Indiana Territory established north of the Ohio River in 1800 by the new United States; that territory was eventually admitted to the Union as the State of Indiana.
In the 21st century, Indiana County comprises the Indiana, PA Micropolitan Statistical Area. This is included in the Pittsburgh-New Castle-Weirton, PA-WV-OH Combined Statistical Area.[7] It is in the defined region of the Pittsburgh media market. Indiana County is served by three different area codes: 724, 814, and 582.
The county proclaims itself the "Christmas Tree Capital of the World", shipping over one million trees annually.[8] Agriculture is a major part of its economy.
Geography
According to the U.S. Census Bureau, the county has a total area of 834 square miles (2,160 km2), of which 827 square miles (2,140 km2) is land and 7.3 square miles (19 km2) (0.9%) is water.[9] Located in the county is the Buttermilk Falls Natural Area.[10]
Adjacent counties
Jefferson County (north)
Clearfield County (northeast)
Cambria County (southeast)
Westmoreland County (south)
Armstrong County (west)
Major highways
US 22
US 119
US 219
US 422
US 422 Bus.
PA 36
PA 56
PA 85
PA 110
PA 156
PA 210
PA 217
PA 240
PA 259
PA 286
PA 403
PA 553
PA 580
PA 711
PA 954
Demographics
| Historical population | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| Census | Pop. | %± | |
| 1810 | 6,214 | — | |
| 1820 | 8,882 | 42.9% | |
| 1830 | 14,252 | 60.5% | |
| 1840 | 20,782 | 45.8% | |
| 1850 | 27,170 | 30.7% | |
| 1860 | 33,687 | 24.0% | |
| 1870 | 36,138 | 7.3% | |
| 1880 | 40,527 | 12.1% | |
| 1890 | 42,175 | 4.1% | |
| 1900 | 42,556 | 0.9% | |
| 1910 | 66,210 | 55.6% | |
| 1920 | 80,910 | 22.2% | |
| 1930 | 75,395 | −6.8% | |
| 1940 | 79,854 | 5.9% | |
| 1950 | 77,106 | −3.4% | |
| 1960 | 75,366 | −2.3% | |
| 1970 | 79,451 | 5.4% | |
| 1980 | 92,281 | 16.1% | |
| 1990 | 89,994 | −2.5% | |
| 2000 | 89,605 | −0.4% | |
| 2010 | 88,880 | −0.8% | |
| Est. 2017 | 84,953 | [11] | −4.4% |
| U.S. Decennial Census[12] 1790-1960[13] 1900-1990[14] 1990-2000[15] 2010-2017[1] | |||
As of the census[16] of 2000, there were 89,605 people, 34,123 households, and 22,521 families residing in the county. The population density was 108 people per square mile (42/km²). There were 37,250 housing units at an average density of 45 per square mile (17/km²). The racial makeup of the county was 96.87% White, 1.57% Black or African American, 0.08% Native American, 0.74% Asian, 0.01% Pacific Islander, 0.16% from other races, and 0.58% from two or more races. 0.51% of the population were Hispanic or Latino of any race. 25.9% were of German, 11.6% Italian, 10.7% Irish, 8.6% American, 7.1% English and 6.8% Polish ancestry.
There were 34,123 households out of which 27.90% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 54.30% were married couples living together, 8.20% had a female householder with no husband present, and 34.00% were non-families. 26.50% of all households were made up of individuals and 11.80% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.47 and the average family size was 2.99.
In the county, the population was spread out with 21.10% under the age of 18, 16.60% from 18 to 24, 24.80% from 25 to 44, 22.70% from 45 to 64, and 14.90% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 36 years. For every 100 females, there were 94.00 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 90.60 males.
Micropolitan Statistical Area
Map of the Pittsburgh-New Castle-Weirton, PA-OH-WV Combined Statistical Area (CSA)
The United States Office of Management and Budget[17] has designated Indiana County as the Indiana, PA Micropolitan Statistical Area (µSA). As of the 2010 U.S. Census[18] the micropolitan area ranked 4th most populous in the State of Pennsylvania and the 50th most populous in the United States with a population of 88,880. Indiana County is also a part of the Pittsburgh-New Castle-Weirton, PA-OH-WV Combined Statistical Area (CSA), which combines the population of Indiana, as well as the Allegheny, Armstrong, Beaver, Butler, Fayette, Lawrence, Washington and Westmoreland county areas in Pennsylvania. In West Virginia the counties included are Brooke and Hancock. And in Ohio, Jefferson County. The Combined Statistical Area ranked 4th in the State of Pennsylvania and 20th most populous in the United States with a population of 2,660,727.
Government and politics
| Year | Republican | Democratic | Third Parties |
|---|---|---|---|
2016 | 65.3% 24,888 | 30.2% 11,528 | 4.5% 1,706 |
2012 | 58.3% 21,257 | 39.7% 14,473 | 2.0% 714 |
2008 | 52.9% 19,727 | 45.8% 17,065 | 1.4% 510 |
2004 | 55.9% 20,254 | 43.7% 15,831 | 0.5% 163 |
2000 | 53.5% 16,799 | 43.5% 13,667 | 3.0% 935 |
1996 | 42.1% 12,874 | 45.4% 13,868 | 12.6% 3,841 |
1992 | 32.9% 10,966 | 45.6% 15,194 | 21.5% 7,154 |
1988 | 47.2% 14,983 | 52.0% 16,514 | 0.8% 242 |
1984 | 54.2% 18,845 | 45.4% 15,791 | 0.4% 123 |
1980 | 49.6% 15,607 | 44.0% 13,828 | 6.4% 2,016 |
1976 | 51.0% 15,786 | 47.3% 14,650 | 1.7% 513 |
1972 | 61.9% 18,122 | 37.0% 10,833 | 1.1% 319 |
1968 | 51.0% 14,899 | 41.7% 12,175 | 7.3% 2,122 |
1964 | 39.9% 11,706 | 59.9% 17,568 | 0.2% 46 |
1960 | 58.6% 18,756 | 41.2% 13,174 | 0.3% 83 |
1956 | 62.3% 18,593 | 37.7% 11,268 | |
1952 | 58.6% 16,673 | 40.9% 11,620 | 0.5% 147 |
1948 | 59.7% 12,640 | 40.3% 8,543 | |
1944 | 61.4% 14,388 | 37.8% 8,863 | 0.8% 175 |
1940 | 56.2% 15,547 | 43.5% 12,035 | 0.3% 68 |
1936 | 51.4% 16,530 | 47.7% 15,353 | 0.9% 294 |
1932 | 57.2% 12,727 | 38.7% 8,606 | 4.1% 902 |
1928 | 76.8% 16,706 | 22.1% 4,810 | 1.2% 252 |
1924 | 69.8% 12,748 | 11.3% 2,067 | 18.9% 3,462 |
1920 | 71.8% 8,616 | 16.1% 1,936 | 12.0% 1,441 |
1916 | 57.7% 4,887 | 28.3% 2,398 | 14.1% 1,192 |
1912 | 20.2% 1,720 | 18.7% 1,593 | 61.1% 5,197 |
1908 | 67.4% 6,416 | 20.7% 1,965 | 11.9% 1,133 |
1904 | 77.3% 6,878 | 17.5% 1,558 | 5.3% 468 |
1900 | 72.3% 5,687 | 22.5% 1,767 | 5.3% 417 |
1896 | 66.1% 5,818 | 31.3% 2,752 | 2.6% 231 |
1892 | 61.2% 4,559 | 28.6% 2,134 | 10.2% 759 |
1888 | 62.8% 5,084 | 27.6% 2,231 | 9.6% 777 |
As of the 2016 primary election held April 26, 2016, there were 48,710 registered voters across Indiana County's 69 precincts: 20,089 Democrats (41.24%); 22,134 Republicans (45.44%); and 6,487 Independents (13.32%).[20] This represents a slight demographic shift since November 2008, when a total of 58,077 registered voters were 45.89% (26,653) Democrat, 41.60% (24,159) Republican, and 12.51% (7,265) Independent.[21]
County commissioners
- Michael Baker, Chairman, Republican
- Rodney Ruddock, Republican
- Sherene Hess, Democrat
Other county offices
- Coroner, Jerry L Overman Jr, Republican
- District Attorney, Patrick Dougherty, Democrat
- Prothonotary, Randy Degenkolb, Republican
- Recorder of Deeds and Register of Wills, Patricia Streams-Warman, Republican
- Sheriff, Robert Fyock, Republican
- Treasurer, Kimberly McCullough, Republican
State Representatives[22]
Joseph A. Petrarca, Democrat, 55th district
Jeff Pyle, Republican, 60th district
David Reed, Republican, 62nd district
Cris Dush, Republican, 66th district
State Senator[22]
Donald C. White, Republican, 41st district
US Representatives
Bill Shuster, Republican, 9th district
United States Senate
Pat Toomey, Republican
Bob Casey, Jr., Democrat
Education
Map of Indiana County, Pennsylvania Public School Districts
Public school districts
Armstrong School District (part)
Apollo-Ridge School District (part)
Blairsville-Saltsburg School District (part)
Harmony Area School District (part)- Homer-Center School District
- Indiana Area School District
- Marion Center Area School District
- Penns Manor Area School District
Punxsutawney Area School District (part)
Purchase Line School District (part)- United School District
Post-secondary education
Cambria-Rowe Business College – Indiana
Indiana University of Pennsylvania – Indiana
Westmoreland County Community College – Indiana
WyoTech – Blairsville
Environment
In 2003, the county was recommended for non-attainment under EPA ozone standards based upon mobile source contribution to smog-forming emissions.[23]
The county is the site of the Homer City Generating Station, a coal-burning power plant. In 2002 the plant was ranked as second in emissions in the Toxics Release Inventory (TRI) in Pennsylvania.[24] In 2003, the plant ranked high in the emissions of both sulfur dioxide and carbon dioxide, ranking 4th and 28th, respectively, in the nation.[25] Such toxic emissions are injurious to people and other living things.
Communities
Map of Indiana County, Pennsylvania with Municipal Labels showing Boroughs (red), Townships (white), and Census-designated places (blue).
Under Pennsylvania law, there are four types of incorporated municipalities: cities, boroughs, townships, and, in at most two cases, towns. The following boroughs and townships are located in Indiana County:
Boroughs
- Armagh
- Blairsville
- Cherry Tree
- Clymer
- Creekside
- Ernest
- Glen Campbell
- Homer City
Indiana (county seat)- Marion Center
- Plumville
- Saltsburg
- Shelocta
- Smicksburg
Townships
- Armstrong
- Banks
- Black Lick
- Brush Valley
- Buffington
- Burrell
- Canoe
- Center
- Cherryhill
- Conemaugh
- East Mahoning
- East Wheatfield
- Grant
- Green
- Montgomery
- North Mahoning
- Pine
- Rayne
- South Mahoning
- Washington
- West Mahoning
- West Wheatfield
- White
- Young
Census-designated places
Census-designated places are geographical areas designated by the U.S. Census Bureau for the purposes of compiling demographic data. They are not actual jurisdictions under Pennsylvania law. Other unincorporated communities, such as villages, may be listed here as well.
- Black Lick
- Chevy Chase Heights
- Commodore
- Coral
- Dicksonville
- Graceton
- Heilwood
- Jacksonville
- Lucerne Mines
- Robinson
- Rossiter
Unincorporated communities
- Arcadia
- Clarksburg
- Dixonville
- Gipsy
- Home
- Jewtown
- Locust
- Loop
- Mentcle
- Rochester Mills
- Starford
- Wehrum
- West Lebanon
Population ranking
The population ranking of the following table is based on the 2010 census of Indiana County.[18]
† county seat
| Rank | City/Town/etc. | Municipal type | Population (2010 Census)
|
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | † Indiana | Borough | 13,975 |
| 2 | Blairsville | Borough | 3,412 |
| 3 | Homer City | Borough | 1,707 |
| 4 | Chevy Chase Heights | CDP | 1,502 |
| 5 | Black Lick | CDP | 1,462 |
| 6 | Clymer | Borough | 1,357 |
| 7 | Lucerne Mines | CDP | 937 |
| 8 | Saltsburg | Borough | 873 |
| 9 | Heilwood | CDP | 711 |
| 10 | Rossiter | CDP | 646 |
| 11 | Jacksonville | CDP | 637 |
| 12 | Robinson | CDP | 614 |
| 13 | Dixonville | CDP | 467 |
| 14 | Ernest | Borough | 462 |
| 15 | Marion Center | Borough | 451 |
| 16 | Cherry Tree | Borough | 364 |
| 17 | Commodore | CDP | 331 |
| 18 | Coral | CDP | 325 |
| 19 | Creekside | Borough | 309 |
| 20 | Plumville | Borough | 307 |
| 21 | Graceton | CDP | 257 |
| 22 | Glen Campbell | Borough | 245 |
| 23 | Shelocta | Borough | 130 |
| 24 | Armagh | Borough | 122 |
| 25 | Smicksburg | Borough | 46 |
Notable natives and residents
Edward Abbey, environmentalist and author
James H. Brady, Governor of Idaho 1909-11, U.S. Senator 1913-18, born in Indiana County
John Buccigross, ESPN anchor, former co-host of NHL 2Night
Samuel Kier, "Grandfather of the American Oil Industry"
Mary D. Lowman, one of first women mayors in Kansas; county native
Ben McAdoo, head coach, New York Giants
Jim Nance, football player, running back for Syracuse University and professionally with New England/Boston Patriots
James Stewart, iconic actor, born in Indiana Borough
See also
- Indiana County Transit Authority
- National Register of Historic Places listings in Indiana County, Pennsylvania
References
^ ab "State & County QuickFacts". United States Census Bureau. Archived from the original on July 11, 2011. Retrieved November 17, 2013..mw-parser-output cite.citation{font-style:inherit}.mw-parser-output q{quotes:"""""""'""'"}.mw-parser-output code.cs1-code{color:inherit;background:inherit;border:inherit;padding:inherit}.mw-parser-output .cs1-lock-free a{background:url("//upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/6/65/Lock-green.svg/9px-Lock-green.svg.png")no-repeat;background-position:right .1em center}.mw-parser-output .cs1-lock-limited a,.mw-parser-output .cs1-lock-registration a{background:url("//upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/d/d6/Lock-gray-alt-2.svg/9px-Lock-gray-alt-2.svg.png")no-repeat;background-position:right .1em center}.mw-parser-output .cs1-lock-subscription a{background:url("//upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/a/aa/Lock-red-alt-2.svg/9px-Lock-red-alt-2.svg.png")no-repeat;background-position:right .1em center}.mw-parser-output .cs1-subscription,.mw-parser-output .cs1-registration{color:#555}.mw-parser-output .cs1-subscription span,.mw-parser-output .cs1-registration span{border-bottom:1px dotted;cursor:help}.mw-parser-output .cs1-hidden-error{display:none;font-size:100%}.mw-parser-output .cs1-visible-error{font-size:100%}.mw-parser-output .cs1-subscription,.mw-parser-output .cs1-registration,.mw-parser-output .cs1-format{font-size:95%}.mw-parser-output .cs1-kern-left,.mw-parser-output .cs1-kern-wl-left{padding-left:0.2em}.mw-parser-output .cs1-kern-right,.mw-parser-output .cs1-kern-wl-right{padding-right:0.2em}
^ "Find a County". National Association of Counties. Archived from the original on May 31, 2011. Retrieved June 7, 2011.
^ ab "Pennsylvania: Individual County Chronologies". Pennsylvania Atlas of Historical County Boundaries. The Newberry Library. 2008. Retrieved March 12, 2015.
^ ab Anderson, James Donald, "Vandalia: The First West Virginia?" West Virginia History, Volume 40, No. 4 (Summer 1979), pp. 375-92 online
^ ab David W. Miller. The Taking of American Indian Lands in the Southeast: A History of Territorial Cessions and Forced Relocations, 1607-1840. McFarland, 2011. p. 41.
ISBN 978-0-7864-6277-3
^ Gipson, Lawrence Henry, The British Empire Before the American Revolution, 15 vols. New York: Alfred A. Knopf, 1946-1970, IX 457-88
^ "Archived copy" (PDF). Archived from the original (PDF) on 2013-03-19. Retrieved 2017-01-04.CS1 maint: Archived copy as title (link)
^ "'Tis the season for tree farmers". Pittsburgh Tribune-Review. December 20, 2004. Archived from the original on October 22, 2006. Retrieved May 16, 2006.
^ "2010 Census Gazetteer Files". United States Census Bureau. August 22, 2012. Retrieved March 7, 2015.
^ "Buttermilk Falls Natural Area". Indiana County Parks and Trails.
^ "Population and Housing Unit Estimates". Retrieved October 16, 2018.
^ "U.S. Decennial Census". United States Census Bureau. Archived from the original on May 12, 2015. Retrieved October 16, 2018.
^ "Historical Census Browser". University of Virginia Library. Retrieved October 16, 2018.
^ Forstall, Richard L., ed. (March 24, 1995). "Population of Counties by Decennial Census: 1900 to 1990". United States Census Bureau. Retrieved October 16, 2018.
^ "Census 2000 PHC-T-4. Ranking Tables for Counties: 1990 and 2000" (PDF). United States Census Bureau. April 2, 2001. Retrieved March 6, 2015.
^ "American FactFinder". United States Census Bureau. Archived from the original on September 11, 2013. Retrieved 2008-01-31.
^ "Office of Management and Budget". whitehouse.gov. Retrieved 28 March 2018.
^ ab "Archived copy". Archived from the original on December 21, 2013. Retrieved February 13, 2016.CS1 maint: Archived copy as title (link)
^ Leip, David. "Dave Leip's Atlas of U.S. Presidential Elections". uselectionatlas.org. Retrieved March 28, 2018.
^
2016 Primary Election Results Indiana County, Pennsylvania. Official Website. 2016 Unofficial Election Results. Retrieved on 2016-09-05.
^
Running for Office Archived November 26, 2008, at the Wayback Machine.. Dos.state.pa.us. Retrieved on July 23, 2013.
^ ab Center, Legislativate Data Processing. "Find Your Legislator". The official website for the Pennsylvania General Assembly. Retrieved 2017-05-03.
^ "Figure 3. Mobile Source Contribution to Smog-Forming Emissions in Counties Recommended for Nonattainment under New EPA Ozone Standards". Surface Transportation Policy Project. April 16, 2004. Archived from the original on September 27, 2006. Retrieved May 16, 2006.
^ "Pa. ranks among worst states for toxic emissions". Pittsburgh Tribune-Review. November 18, 2002. Archived from the original on May 24, 2007. Retrieved May 16, 2006.
^ Environmental Integrity Project & Public Citizen’s Congress Watch (May 2004). "America's Dirtiest Power Plants: Plugged into the Bush Administration" (PDF). Archived from the original (PDF) on April 13, 2006. Retrieved May 16, 2006.
External links
 | Wikisource has the text of an 1879 American Cyclopædia article about Indiana County, Pennsylvania. |
- Indiana County official website
- The Indiana County Tourist Bureau
- The Historical & Genealogical Society of Indiana County
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Indiana County, Pennsylvania
Municipalities and communities of Indiana County, Pennsylvania, United States | ||
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County seat: Indiana | ||
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Harrisburg (capital) | |
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| Map of the Pittsburgh Tri-State with green counties in the metropolitan area and yellow counties in the combined area. |
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Category Coordinates: 40°39′N 79°05′W / 40.65°N 79.09°W / 40.65; -79.09
