Cameron County, Pennsylvania

Cameron County
County
Cameron County Courthouse
Flag Logo
Location within the U.S. state of Pennsylvania
Pennsylvania's location within the U.S.
Coordinates: 41°26′N78°12′W / 41.44°N 78.2°W / 41.44; -78.2
Country	United States
State	Pennsylvania
Founded	March 29, 1860
Named for	Simon Cameron
Seat	Emporium
Largest borough	Emporium
Area
• Total	398 sq mi (1,030 km2)
• Land	396 sq mi (1,030 km2)
• Water	2.2 sq mi (6 km2)  0.5%
Population  (2020)
• Total	4,547
• Density	11.4/sq mi (4.4/km2)
Time zone	UTC−5 (Eastern)
• Summer (DST)	UTC−4 (EDT)
Congressional district	15th
Website	www.cameroncountypa.com
Pennsylvania Historical Marker
Designated	September 14, 1982 [1]

Cameron County is a county in the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania. As of the 2020 census, the population was 4,547 ^[2] and is Pennsylvania's least populous county. Its county seat is Emporium. ^[3] The county was created on March 29, 1860, from parts of Clinton, Elk, McKean, and Potter Counties. It is named for Senator Simon Cameron. Cameron County is in the sparsely populated Pennsylvania Wilds region.

Geography

According to the U.S. Census Bureau, the county has a total area of 398 square miles (1,030 km²), of which 396 square miles (1,030 km²) is land and 2.2 square miles (5.7 km²) (0.5%) is water. ^[4] It has a warm-summer humid continental climate (Dfb) and average monthly temperatures in Emporium range from 24.2 °F in January to 69.3 °F in July, while in Driftwood they range from 24.9 °F in January to 69.9 °F in July. ^[5]

Adjacent counties

• McKean County (north)
• Potter County (northeast)
• Clinton County (east)
• Clearfield County (south)
• Elk County (west)

Major roads

• PA 46
• PA 120
• PA 155
• PA 555
• PA 872

Demographics

Historical population

Census	Pop.	Note	%±
1870	4,273		—
1880	5,159		20.7%
1890	7,238		40.3%
1900	7,048		−2.6%
1910	7,644		8.5%
1920	6,297		−17.6%
1930	5,307		−15.7%
1940	6,852		29.1%
1950	7,023		2.5%
1960	7,586		8.0%
1970	7,096		−6.5%
1980	6,674		−5.9%
1990	5,913		−11.4%
2000	5,974		1.0%
2010	5,085		−14.9%
2020	4,547		−10.6%
U.S. Decennial Census [6] 1790–1960 [7] 1900–1990 [8] 1990–2000 [9] 2010–2017 [10]

As of the 2000 census, ^[11] there were 5,974 people, 2,465 households, and 1,624 families residing in the county. The population density was 15 people per square mile (5.8 people/km²). There were 4,592 housing units at an average density of 12 units per square mile (4.6/km²). The racial makeup of the county was 98.83% White, 0.35% Black or African American, 0.13% Native American, 0.12% Asian, 0.05% Pacific Islander, 0.05% from other races, and 0.47% from two or more races. 0.57% of the population were Hispanic or Latino of any race. 33.5% were of German, 15.7% Irish, 14.5% American, 13.1% Italian, 9.2% English and 5.7% Polish ancestry.

There were 2,465 households, out of which 27.70% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 52.40% were married couples living together, 9.20% had a female householder with no husband present, and 34.10% were non-families. 30.10% of all households were made up of individuals, and 15.40% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.39 and the average family size was 2.96.

In the county, the population was spread out, with 24.50% under the age of 18, 6.00% from 18 to 24, 24.90% from 25 to 44, 24.80% from 45 to 64, and 19.80% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 41 years. For every 100 females there were 96.60 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 94.60 males.

2020 census

Cameron County Racial Composition ^[12]

Race	Num.	Perc.
White (NH)	4,271	94%
Black or African American (NH)	12	0.26%
Native American (NH)	8	0.17%
Asian (NH)	29	0.64%
Pacific Islander (NH)	0	0%
Other/Mixed (NH)	141	3.1%
Hispanic or Latino	86	1.9%

Law and government

United States presidential election results for Cameron County, Pennsylvania ^[13]

Year	Republican		Democratic		Third party
	No.	%	No.	%	No.	%
2020	1,771	72.58%	634	25.98%	35	1.43%
2016	1,589	71.90%	531	24.03%	90	4.07%
2012	1,359	63.95%	724	34.07%	42	1.98%
2008	1,323	58.62%	879	38.95%	55	2.44%
2004	1,599	66.46%	794	33.00%	13	0.54%
2000	1,383	61.58%	779	34.68%	84	3.74%
1996	1,113	49.89%	822	36.84%	296	13.27%
1992	1,173	43.80%	824	30.77%	681	25.43%
1988	1,731	65.20%	901	33.94%	23	0.87%
1984	2,031	67.05%	990	32.68%	8	0.26%
1980	1,795	59.24%	1,112	36.70%	123	4.06%
1976	1,616	54.28%	1,319	44.31%	42	1.41%
1972	1,935	68.45%	828	29.29%	64	2.26%
1968	1,822	58.96%	1,104	35.73%	164	5.31%
1964	1,376	41.89%	1,904	57.96%	5	0.15%
1960	2,129	61.06%	1,353	38.80%	5	0.14%
1956	2,462	74.52%	841	25.45%	1	0.03%
1952	2,307	69.05%	1,020	30.53%	14	0.42%
1948	1,596	64.75%	858	34.81%	11	0.45%
1944	1,729	60.60%	1,115	39.08%	9	0.32%
1940	1,793	55.15%	1,450	44.60%	8	0.25%
1936	1,801	53.21%	1,538	45.44%	46	1.36%
1932	1,438	64.31%	748	33.45%	50	2.24%
1928	1,564	75.52%	501	24.19%	6	0.29%
1924	1,366	77.18%	260	14.69%	144	8.14%
1920	1,364	68.06%	497	24.80%	143	7.14%
1916	713	59.17%	452	37.51%	40	3.32%
1912	388	30.10%	291	22.58%	610	47.32%
1908	1,110	65.72%	533	31.56%	46	2.72%
1904	1,228	73.75%	404	24.26%	33	1.98%
1900	971	63.59%	514	33.66%	42	2.75%
1896	925	59.60%	575	37.05%	52	3.35%
1892	829	52.37%	701	44.28%	53	3.35%
1888	782	58.14%	551	40.97%	12	0.89%

Voter registration

As of February 7, 2024, there are 2,931 registered voters in Cameron County. ^[14]

Chart of Voter Registration

   Republican (62.20%)

   Democratic (25.42%)

   Independent (7.71%)

   Other Parties (4.67%)

• Republican: 1,823 (62.20%)
• Democratic: 745 (25.42%)
• Independent: 226 (7.71%)
• Third Party: 137 (4.67%)

County-row offices

• County Commissioners: Jessica Herzing (R); James D. Moate (R); Josh Zucal (D)
• Sheriff: Doug Homan (R)
• Prothonotary/Clerk/Register/Recorder: Mary Grace Olay (R)
• Treasurer: Tara Newton (R)
• District Attorney: Paul J. Malizia (R)

State senate

• Cris Dush, Republican, Pennsylvania's 25th Senatorial District

State House of Representatives

• Martin T. Causer, Republican, Pennsylvania's 67th Representative District

United States House of Representatives

• Glenn "G.T." Thompson, Republican, Pennsylvania's 15th congressional district

United States Senate

• Bob Casey, Democrat
• John Fetterman, Democrat

Education

Public school districts

• Cameron County School District

Recreation

There are three Pennsylvania state parks that are partly in Cameron County.

• Bucktail State Park Natural Area is a 75-mile (121-km) scenic route along Pennsylvania Route 120 stretching from Lock Haven in Clinton County to Emporium the county seat of Cameron County.
• Sinnemahoning State Park
• Sizerville State Park
  • both of these state parks straddle the Cameron and Potter County line.

The West Creek Rail Trail has been built on the abandoned rail corridor between Emporium and St. Mary's in Elk County. It provides a paved surface with guard rails and is suitable for hiking or biking in the warm seasons or snowmobiling in winter. ^[15]

The Fred Woods Trail offers a 4.57 mile loop of blazed trail with scenic valley views and a challenging section running through unique rock formations. The trailhead is accessed off Mason Hill Road above Driftwood, PA. ^{[16] [17] [18]}

Communities

Map of Cameron County, Pennsylvania with Municipal Labels showing Boroughs (red) and Townships (white).

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 Cameron County:

Boroughs

• Driftwood
• Emporium (county seat)

Townships

• Gibson
• Grove
• Lumber
• Portage
• Shippen

Census-designated place

• Prospect Park

Population ranking

The population ranking of the following table is based on the 2010 census of Cameron County. ^[19]

†county seat

Rank	City/Town/etc.	Population (2010 Census)	Municipal type	Incorporated
1	† Emporium	2,073	Borough	1864
2	Prospect Park	327	CDP
3	Driftwood	67	Borough	1872

Notable people

• Tom Mix
• Joseph T. McNarney
• Nate Sestina

References

1. "PHMC Historical Markers Search". Pennsylvania Historical and Museum Commission. Commonwealth of Pennsylvania. Archived from the original (Searchable database) on March 21, 2016. Retrieved January 25, 2014.
2. "Census - Geography Profile: Cameron County, Pennsylvania". United States Census Bureau. Archived from the original on November 27, 2022. Retrieved April 24, 2022.
3. "Find a County". National Association of Counties. Archived from the original on May 31, 2011. Retrieved June 7, 2011.
4. "2010 Census Gazetteer Files". United States Census Bureau. August 22, 2012. Archived from the original on September 4, 2015. Retrieved March 5, 2015.
5. "PRISM Climate Group at Oregon State University". Archived from the original on July 25, 2019. Retrieved November 9, 2019.
6. "U.S. Decennial Census". United States Census Bureau. Archived from the original on November 8, 2020. Retrieved March 5, 2015.
7. "Historical Census Browser". University of Virginia Library. Archived from the original on August 11, 2012. Retrieved March 5, 2015.
8. Forstall, Richard L., ed. (March 24, 1995). "Population of Counties by Decennial Census: 1900 to 1990". United States Census Bureau. Archived from the original on March 20, 2015. Retrieved March 5, 2015.
9. "Census 2000 PHC-T-4. Ranking Tables for Counties: 1990 and 2000" (PDF). United States Census Bureau. April 2, 2001. Archived (PDF) from the original on March 27, 2010. Retrieved March 5, 2015.
10. "State & County QuickFacts". United States Census Bureau. Archived from the original on June 6, 2011. Retrieved November 16, 2013.
11. "U.S. Census website". United States Census Bureau. Archived from the original on December 27, 1996. Retrieved January 31, 2008.
12. "P2 HISPANIC OR LATINO, AND NOT HISPANIC OR LATINO BY RACE – 2020: DEC Redistricting Data (PL 94-171) – Cameron County, Pennsylvania". Archived from the original on September 25, 2022. Retrieved September 25, 2022.
13. Leip, David. "Dave Leip's Atlas of U.S. Presidential Elections". uselectionatlas.org. Archived from the original on March 23, 2018. Retrieved November 21, 2018.
14. Pennsylvania Department of State (February 5, 2024). "Voter registration statistics by county". dos.pa.gov. Archived from the original on August 17, 2016. Retrieved February 7, 2024.
15. "PROJECT TRAIL: West Creek Recreational Trail | Pennsylvania Trails | TrailLink.com". Archived from the original on February 19, 2015. Retrieved February 19, 2015.
16. Article title ^{[ bare URL PDF ]}
17. "Fred Woods Trail". VisitPA - #visitPA. Archived from the original on November 22, 2018. Retrieved November 21, 2018.
18. "Fred Woods Trail Description". www.wapitiwoods.com. Archived from the original on November 22, 2018. Retrieved November 21, 2018.
19. "2010 U.S. Census website". United States Census Bureau. Archived from the original on May 22, 2017. Retrieved February 10, 2013.

External links

• Official Cameron County website
• Cameron County Chamber of Commerce website
• Pennsylvania Department of Transportation, Bureau of Planning and Research, Geographic Information Division, "2019 General Highway Map of Cameron County". Note: shows boroughs, townships, roads, villages, some streams.
• Sizerville & Portage Township - A website dedicated to the history of Sizerville & Portage Township, Cameron County Pennsylvania

41°26′N78°12′W / 41.44°N 78.20°W / 41.44; -78.20