Clinton County, Pennsylvania

Last updated

Clinton County
Clinton County Courthouse at Night.jpg
Clinton County Courthouse
Seal of Clinton County, Pennsylvania.png
Official seal
De-facto seal of Clinton County, Pennsylvania.jpg
De-facto seal
Flag of Clinton County, Pennsylvania.gif
Flag
Logo of Clinton County, Pennsylvania.png
Logo
Motto(s): 
Where Rivers and Valleys meet Mountains and Sunsets [1]
Map of Pennsylvania highlighting Clinton County.svg
Location within the U.S. state of Pennsylvania
Pennsylvania in United States.svg
Pennsylvania's location within the U.S.
Coordinates: 41°14′N77°38′W / 41.24°N 77.64°W / 41.24; -77.64
CountryFlag of the United States.svg United States
StateFlag of Pennsylvania.svg Pennsylvania
FoundedJune 21, 1839
Named after DeWitt Clinton
Seat Lock Haven
Largest cityLock Haven
Area
  Total
897 sq mi (2,320 km2)
  Land888 sq mi (2,300 km2)
  Water8.9 sq mi (23 km2)  1.0%
Population
 (2020)
  Total
37,450
  Estimate 
(2024) [2]
37,865 Increase2.svg
  Density42.6/sq mi (16.4/km2)
Time zone UTC−5 (Eastern)
  Summer (DST) UTC−4 (EDT)
Congressional district 15th
Website www.clintoncountypa.com
DesignatedJune 12, 1982 [3]

Clinton County is a county in the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania. As of the 2020 census, the population was 37,450. [4] Its county seat is Lock Haven. [5] Clinton County comprises the Lock Haven, PA Micropolitan Statistical Area, which is also included in the Williamsport-Lock Haven, PA Combined Statistical Area. The county is part of the Central region of the commonwealth. [a]

Contents

History

In the Treaty of Fort Stanwix of 1768, new lands in Pennsylvania were purchased from the Haudenosaunee for colonial settlement, including parts of what is now Clinton County. The land was formally associated with Northumberland County, but a group of organized settlers near modern Jersey Shore elected three commissioners each March who were responsible for seeing that everyone was dealt with fairly. This became known as the Fairplay System. Most of the rulings seem to have dealt with property issues, but they dealt with any legal or criminal cases in their area. They granted permission for new settlers to enter the area, could take away a settler's land claim if they were absent more than six weeks (except for military service), and could expel a person (by setting them adrift in a canoe on the river). The county was created on June 21, 1839, from parts of Centre and Lycoming Counties.

Etymology

The county name is in honor of the sixth Governor of New York, DeWitt Clinton. Some alternate sources suggest the namesake is Henry Clinton. [6]

Geography

1883 map of Clinton County, with the Philadelphia and Erie Railroad running through the center. History of Centre and Clinton Counties, Pennsylvania (1883) (14596930247).jpg
1883 map of Clinton County, with the Philadelphia and Erie Railroad running through the center.

According to the U.S. Census Bureau, the county has a total area of 897 square miles (2,320 km2), of which 888 square miles (2,300 km2) is land and 8.9 square miles (23 km2) (1.0%) is water. [7] The county has a humid continental climate which is warm-summer (Dfb) except in lower areas near the West Branch and the Bald Eagle Creek which are hot-summer (Dfa). Average monthly temperatures in Lock Haven range from 26.5 °F in January to 72.2 °F in July, while in Renovo they range from 25.6 °F in January to 71.0 °F in July. [8]

Adjacent counties

Potter
Arrow Blue Up 001.svg
Cameron Arrow Blue Left 001.svgISO 7000 - 1955 (blue).svgArrow Blue Right 001.svg Lycoming
Clearfield Arrow Blue LowerLeft 001.svgArrow Blue Down 001.svgArrow Blue LowerRight 001.svg Union
Centre

Landforms

Major highways

Demographics

Historical population
CensusPop.Note
1840 8,323
1850 11,20734.7%
1860 17,72358.1%
1870 23,21131.0%
1880 26,27813.2%
1890 28,6859.2%
1900 29,1971.8%
1910 31,5458.0%
1920 33,5556.4%
1930 32,319−3.7%
1940 34,5576.9%
1950 36,5325.7%
1960 37,6193.0%
1970 37,7210.3%
1980 38,9713.3%
1990 37,182−4.6%
2000 37,9102.0%
2010 39,2383.5%
2020 37,450−4.6%
2024 (est.)37,8651.1%
Source: [10]

As of the census [11] of 2000, there were 37,914 people, 14,773 households, and 9,927 families residing in the county. The population density was 43 people per square mile (17 people/km2). There were 18,166 housing units at an average density of 20 per square mile (7.7/km2). The racial makeup of the county was 98.3% White, 0.52% Black or African American, 0.1% Native American, 0.4% Asian, <0.1% Pacific Islander, 0.2% from other races, and 0.5% from two or more races. 0.5% of the population were Hispanic or Latino of any race. 36.0% were of German, 15.6% American, 9.6% Irish, 8.6% Italian and 7.4% English ancestry.

There were 14,773 households, out of which 27.7% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 54.0% were married couples living together, 9.4% had a female householder with no husband present, and 32.8% were non-families. 26.6% of all households were made up of individuals, and 13.6% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.42 and the average family size was 2.90.

In the county, the population was spread out, with 21.5% under the age of 18, 13.6% from 18 to 24, 25.5% from 25 to 44, 22.7% from 45 to 64, and 16.8% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 38 years. For every 100 females there were 94.20 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 91.20 males.

2020 census

Clinton County Racial Composition [12]
RaceNum.Perc.
White (NH)34,93393.27%
Black or African American (NH)4161.11%
Native American (NH)510.14%
Asian (NH)2110.56%
Pacific Islander (NH)70.02%
Other/Mixed (NH)1,1703.12%
Hispanic or Latino 6621.76%

Micropolitan Statistical Area

Map of the Williamsport-Lock Haven, PA Combined Statistical Area (CSA), composed of the following parts:
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Williamsport, PA Metropolitan Statistical Area
Lock Haven, PA Micropolitan Statistical Area Williamsport-Lock Haven CSA 2014.png
Map of the Williamsport-Lock Haven, PA Combined Statistical Area (CSA), composed of the following parts:
  Lock Haven, PA Micropolitan Statistical Area

The United States Office of Management and Budget [13] has designated Clinton County as the Lock Haven, PA Micropolitan Statistical Area (μSA). As of the 2010 U.S. Census [14] the micropolitan area ranked 16th most populous in the State of Pennsylvania and the 315th most populous in the United States with a population of 39,238. Clinton County is also a part of the Williamsport-Lock Haven, PA Combined Statistical Area (CSA), which combines the population of both Clinton County and the Lycoming County areas. The Combined Statistical Area ranked 11th in the State of Pennsylvania and 143rd most populous in the United States with a population of 155,349.

Government and politics

United States presidential election results for Clinton County, Pennsylvania [15] [16]
Year Republican Democratic Third party(ies)
No.%No.%No.%
2024 12,96569.83%5,39529.06%2071.11%
2020 11,90267.39%5,50231.15%2571.46%
2016 10,02264.64%4,74430.60%7394.77%
2012 7,30354.86%5,73443.08%2742.06%
2008 7,50450.73%7,09747.98%1901.28%
2004 8,03557.53%5,82341.69%1090.78%
2000 6,06450.56%5,52146.03%4093.41%
1996 4,29337.39%5,65849.27%1,53213.34%
1992 4,47135.57%5,39742.94%2,70121.49%
1988 5,73549.38%5,75949.59%1191.02%
1984 6,67859.24%4,52540.14%700.62%
1980 6,28852.36%4,84240.32%8807.33%
1976 5,85846.63%6,53251.99%1741.38%
1972 8,20562.54%4,77236.37%1421.08%
1968 6,56348.59%6,30146.65%6444.77%
1964 4,29829.91%10,03869.84%360.25%
1960 9,18460.58%5,96539.34%120.08%
1956 8,25060.32%5,41139.56%170.12%
1952 8,12558.29%5,75841.31%550.39%
1948 5,61852.85%5,01347.15%00.00%
1944 5,91550.66%5,70348.85%570.49%
1940 6,29145.80%7,41954.01%260.19%
1936 6,47943.28%8,35155.79%1390.93%
1932 4,85154.54%3,74142.06%3023.40%
1928 8,12073.62%2,84925.83%600.54%
1924 5,12954.62%1,93920.65%2,32324.74%
1920 4,30354.58%2,97637.75%6057.67%
1916 2,79445.14%2,96747.93%4296.93%
1912 1,21420.12%2,20036.45%2,62143.43%
1908 3,47754.54%2,54739.95%3515.51%
1904 3,53561.36%1,94133.69%2854.95%
1900 3,15750.58%2,87946.13%2053.28%
1896 3,48651.23%3,05344.87%2653.89%
1892 2,57243.91%3,07552.49%2113.60%
1888 2,75645.38%3,20452.76%1131.86%
United States Senate election results for Clinton County, Pennsylvania1 [17]
Year Republican Democratic Third party(ies)
No.%No.%No.%
2024 12,25066.40%5,72231.02%4762.58%

Clinton County has historically been Republican like the rest of central Pennsylvania, Democrats captured the registration edge in early 2008. Each of the three row-office statewide winners carried Clinton in 2008. In 2006, Democrat Bob Casey Jr. received 54% of its vote when he unseated incumbent Republican US Senator Rick Santorum and Ed Rendell received 56% of the vote against Lynn Swann. The conservative tendencies of the county were again reestablished in 2008 when then-Senator Obama lost the county vote 48% to John McCain's 51%. This was followed in 2010 with U.S. Senate candidate, Republican Pat Toomey, receiving 59% to 41% for Democrat Joe Sestak. In 2012, Mitt Romney carried the county 55% to President Obama's 43%, while incumbent Democratic Senator Bob Casey, Jr. received 44% to his Republican challenger, Tom Smith's 53%. [18]

Voter registration

As of February 6, 2024, there are 21,710 registered voters in Clinton County. [19]

Chart of Voter Registration
  1. Republican (57.2%)
  2. Democratic (29.9%)
  3. Independent (9.28%)
  4. Other Parties (3.63%)

County commissioners

Other county offices

State senate

DistrictSenatorParty
25 Cris Dush Republican

State House of Representatives

DistrictRepresentativeParty
76 Stephanie Borowicz Republican

United States House of Representatives

DistrictRepresentativeParty
15 Glenn Thompson Republican

United States Senate

SenatorParty
John Fetterman Democratic
Dave McCormick Republican

Education

Map of Clinton County, Pennsylvania Public School Districts Map of Clinton County Pennsylvania School Districts.png
Map of Clinton County, Pennsylvania Public School Districts

Colleges and universities

Public school districts

Recreation

There are five Pennsylvania state parks in Clinton County.

Communities

Map of Clinton County, Pennsylvania with Municipal Labels showing Cities and Boroughs (red), Townships (white), and Census-designated places (blue). 2025 Clinton County, Pennsylvania Municipalities Names and Outlines.png
Map of Clinton County, Pennsylvania with Municipal Labels showing Cities and 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 cities, boroughs and townships are located in Clinton County:

City

Boroughs

Townships

Former townships

Census-designated places

Census-designated places are unincorporated communities 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

Population ranking

The population ranking of the following table is based on the 2020 census of Clinton County. [20]

county seat

RankCity/Town/etc.Municipal typePopulation (2020 Census)
1Lock Haven City8,108
2 Mill Hall Borough1,479
3 Avis Borough1,473
4 Dunnstown CDP1,464
5 Flemington Borough1,271
6 McElhattan CDP1,224
7 Renovo Borough1,061
8 Castanea CDP1,047
9 Beech Creek Borough736
10 Rauchtown (partially in Lycoming County)CDP722
11 Lamar CDP561
12 Rote CDP488
13 Loganton Borough469
14 South Renovo Borough411

See also

References

  1. Includes Centre, Lycoming, Northumberland, Columbia, Mifflin, Union, Snyder, Clinton, Juniata and Montour Counties
  1. "Clinton County, PA | Home". www.clintoncountypa.gov.
  2. "Jay County, Indiana". Census.gov.
  3. "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.
  4. "Census - Geography Profile: Clinton County, Pennsylvania". United States Census Bureau . Retrieved June 26, 2022.
  5. "Find a County". National Association of Counties. Archived from the original on May 31, 2011. Retrieved June 7, 2011.
  6. Gannett, Henry (1905). The Origin of Certain Place Names in the United States. Govt. Print. Off. pp.  85.
  7. "2010 Census Gazetteer Files". United States Census Bureau. August 22, 2012. Retrieved March 6, 2015.
  8. "PRISM Climate Group at Oregon State University".
  9. summit type feature
  10. "Census 2020".
  11. "U.S. Census website". United States Census Bureau . Retrieved January 31, 2008.
  12. "P2 HISPANIC OR LATINO, AND NOT HISPANIC OR LATINO BY RACE – 2020: DEC Redistricting Data (PL 94-171) – Clinton County, Pennsylvania".
  13. "Office of Management and Budget". White House . Retrieved April 3, 2018.
  14. "2010 U.S. Census website". United States Census Bureau . Retrieved February 10, 2013.
  15. Leip, David. "Dave Leip's Atlas of U.S. Presidential Elections". uselectionatlas.org.
  16. The leading "other" candidate, Progressive Theodore Roosevelt, received 1,926 votes, while Socialist candidate Eugene Debs received 613 votes, Prohibition candidate Eugene Chafin received 77 votes, and Socialist Labor candidate Arthur Reimer received 5 votes.
  17. "2024 Senate Election (Official Returns)". Commonwealth of Pennsylvania by county. November 5, 2024. Retrieved December 5, 2024.
  18. "Pennsylvania Elections - Summary Results".
  19. Pennsylvania Department of State (February 5, 2024). "Voter registration statistics by county". dos.pa.gov. Retrieved February 6, 2024.
  20. "Explore Census Data". data.census.gov.

41°14′N77°38′W / 41.24°N 77.64°W / 41.24; -77.64