Elk County, Pennsylvania

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Elk County, Pennsylvania
County
Elk County Courthouse.jpg
Elk County Courthouse in Ridgway, Pennsylvania
Flag of Elk County, Pennsylvania.png
Flag
Logo of Elk County, Pennsylvania.png
Logo
Map of Pennsylvania highlighting Elk County.svg
Location within the U.S. state of Pennsylvania
Coordinates: 41°25′N78°39′W / 41.42°N 78.65°W / 41.42; -78.65
CountryFlag of the United States.svg United States
StateFlag of Pennsylvania.svg Pennsylvania
FoundedApril 18, 1843
Named after Eastern elk
Seat Ridgway
Largest city St. Marys
Area
 • Total
832 sq mi (2,150 km2)
 • Land827 sq mi (2,140 km2)
 • Water4.9 sq mi (13 km2)  0.6%
Population
 (2020)
 • Total
30,990 [1]
 • Estimate 
(2024) [2]
30,124 Decrease2.svg
 • Density37.5/sq mi (14.5/km2)
Time zone UTC−5 (Eastern)
 • Summer (DST) UTC−4 (EDT)
Congressional district 15th
Website www.co.elk.pa.us

Elk County is a county in the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania. As of the 2020 United States census, the population was 30,990. [3] Its county seat is Ridgway. [4] The county was created on April 18, 1843, from parts of Jefferson, Clearfield, and McKean Counties. Elk County is named for the now-extinct eastern elk (Cervus canadensis) that historically inhabited the region. The county is part of the North Central region of the commonwealth. [a]

Contents

The county is notable for having one of the highest concentrations of Catholics in the United States, with 69% of the county's residents identifying as Catholic.

Geography

Elk County consists of low rolling hills, carved by frequent drainages and heavily wooded.

According to the United States Census Bureau, the county has a total area of 832 square miles (2,150 km2), of which 827 square miles (2,140 km2) is land and 4.9 square miles (13 km2) (0.6%) is water. [5] Elk has a warm-summer humid continental climate (Dfb) and average monthly temperatures in Ridgway range from 23.2 °F in January to 67.4 °F in July, while in Saint Marys they range from 22.6 °F in January to 66.8 °F in July. [6]

Adjacent counties

National protected area

State protected areas

Major highways

Demographics

Historical population
CensusPop.Note%±
1850 3,531—
1860 5,91567.5%
1870 8,48843.5%
1880 12,80050.8%
1890 22,23973.7%
1900 32,90348.0%
1910 35,8719.0%
1920 34,981−2.5%
1930 33,431−4.4%
1940 34,4433.0%
1950 34,5030.2%
1960 37,3288.2%
1970 37,7701.2%
1980 38,3381.5%
1990 34,878−9.0%
2000 35,1110.7%
2010 31,946−9.0%
2020 30,990−3.0%
[7]

2020 census

As of the 2020 census, the county had a population of 30,990, a population density of 38 people per square mile (15 people/km2), and 16,836 housing units at an average density of 20 units per square mile (7.7/km2). [8]

The median age was 48.0 years. 18.6% of residents were under the age of 18 and 22.8% of residents were 65 years of age or older. For every 100 females there were 101.4 males, and for every 100 females age 18 and over there were 100.0 males age 18 and over. [8]

44.1% of residents lived in urban areas, while 55.9% lived in rural areas. [9]

There were 13,590 households in the county, of which 23.2% had children under the age of 18 living in them. Of all households, 48.0% were married-couple households, 20.9% were households with a male householder and no spouse or partner present, and 23.9% were households with a female householder and no spouse or partner present. About 31.9% of all households were made up of individuals and 15.0% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. There were 16,836 housing units, of which 19.3% were vacant. Among occupied housing units, 78.1% were owner-occupied and 21.9% were renter-occupied. The homeowner vacancy rate was 1.4% and the rental vacancy rate was 8.1%. [8]

The racial makeup of the county was 95.4% White, 0.3% Black or African American, 0.1% American Indian and Alaska Native, 0.4% Asian, <0.1% Native Hawaiian and Pacific Islander, 0.3% from some other race, and 3.6% from two or more races. Hispanic or Latino residents of any race comprised 0.9% of the population. [10]

Elk County, Pennsylvania – Racial and ethnic composition
Note: the US Census treats Hispanic/Latino as an ethnic category. This table excludes Latinos from the racial categories and assigns them to a separate category. Hispanics/Latinos may be of any race.
Race / Ethnicity (NH = Non-Hispanic)Pop 2000 [11] Pop 2010 [12] Pop 2020 [13] % 2000% 2010% 2020
White alone (NH)34,64331,34529,46698.66%98.11%95.08%
Black or African American alone (NH)4785740.13%0.26%0.23%
Native American or Alaska Native alone (NH)3232160.09%0.10%0.05%
Asian alone (NH)120951130.34%0.29%0.36%
Pacific Islander alone (NH)145120.03%0.01%0.03%
Other race alone (NH)1114460.03%0.04%0.14%
Mixed race or Multiracial (NH)1031879690.29%0.58%3.12%
Hispanic or Latino (any race)1421832940.40%0.57%0.94%
Total35,11231,94630,990100.00%100.00%100.00%

2000 census

As of the 2000 census, there were 14,124 households, out of which 31.00% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 56.00% were married couples living together, 8.70% had a female householder with no husband present, and 31.00% were non-families. 27.30% of all households were made up of individuals, and 13.60% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.45 and the average family size was 2.99.

The 2000 census reported that the county population contained 24.00% under the age of 18, 6.80% from 18 to 24, 28.60% from 25 to 44, 23.30% from 45 to 64, and 17.30% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 39 years. For every 100 females there were 98.00 males. For every 100 females aged 18 and over, there were 95.30 males.

Economy

As of the 2021 ACS 5-Year Estimates, Elk County's largest industry and source of employment is manufacturing, with the second largest being educational services, healthcare, and social services.

Government and politics

United States presidential election results for Elk County, Pennsylvania [14]
Year Republican Democratic Third party(ies)
№ %№ %№ %
2024 12,54372.87%4,48326.04%1871.09%
2020 12,14071.64%4,52226.68%2841.68%
2016 10,02568.91%3,85326.49%6694.60%
2012 7,57957.08%5,46341.14%2371.78%
2008 6,67646.48%7,29050.76%3962.76%
2004 7,87254.10%6,60245.37%760.52%
2000 7,34754.10%5,75442.37%4793.53%
1996 4,88937.57%5,74944.18%2,37518.25%
1992 4,90835.48%5,01636.26%3,90828.25%
1988 6,73752.86%5,87946.13%1281.00%
1984 8,47060.47%5,48639.17%510.36%
1980 7,17552.49%5,89843.15%5964.36%
1976 6,15946.98%6,71351.21%2371.81%
1972 7,90061.20%4,71036.49%2982.31%
1968 6,19344.09%6,88649.02%9676.88%
1964 4,35429.36%10,45570.51%190.13%
1960 7,15545.96%8,39853.95%140.09%
1956 8,94761.84%5,49838.00%230.16%
1952 7,70254.26%6,44845.42%450.32%
1948 5,14848.98%5,36351.02%00.00%
1944 5,64547.80%6,09751.63%670.57%
1940 6,94949.99%6,92049.78%310.22%
1936 5,48935.12%9,03557.80%1,1077.08%
1932 5,79746.39%6,46151.70%2391.91%
1928 5,23440.23%7,70559.23%700.54%
1924 6,62670.85%1,37014.65%1,35614.50%
1920 5,26766.14%2,09326.28%6047.58%
1916 2,82952.34%2,18640.44%3907.22%
1912 60310.50%2,05735.82%3,08253.67%
1908 2,99151.52%2,53143.60%2834.88%
1904 3,82055.25%2,85741.32%2373.43%
1900 3,25450.06%3,10547.77%1412.17%
1896 2,80749.57%2,71747.98%1392.45%
1892 1,43838.94%2,12657.57%1293.49%
1888 1,32141.09%1,82456.73%702.18%
United States Senate election results for Elk County, Pennsylvania1 [15]
Year Republican Democratic Third party(ies)
№ %№ %№ %
2024 11,93969.75%4,67927.34%4992.92%
2018 6,61058.59%4,49839.87%1741.54%
United States Senate election results for Elk County, Pennsylvania3
Year Republican Democratic Third party(ies)
№ %№ %№ %
2022 9,12867.02%4,06629.86%4253.12%

Voter demographics

Chart of Voter Registration
  1. Republican (58.3%)
  2. Democratic (29.8%)
  3. Independent (7.95%)
  4. Other Parties (3.94%)

County commissioners

Other county offices

State representative

State senator

United States representative

United States senators

Education

Map of Elk County, Pennsylvania School Districts Map of Elk County Pennsylvania School Districts.png
Map of Elk County, Pennsylvania School Districts

Community education center

The Community Education Center of Elk and Cameron Counties (or CEC) provides credit, non-credit, and enrichment programs.

Public school districts

School districts include: [19]

Private schools

  • Elk County Catholic High School
  • St Boniface School - Kersey
  • St Leo School - Ridgway
  • St Marys Catholic Elementary School = Saint Marys
  • St Marys Catholic Middle School = Saint Marys
  • North Central Workforce Investment Board - Ridgway
  • Anne Forbes Nursery School - Ridgway

Libraries

  • Elk County Library System - Saint Marys
  • Johnsonburg Public Library - Johnsonburg
  • Ridgway Free Public Library - Ridgway
  • Saint Marys Public Library - Saint Marys
  • Tri State Coll Library Co-Op - Rosemont
  • Wilcox Public Library - Wilcox

Communities

Elk County boroughs and municipalities Map of Elk County Municipalities shaded in red and blue.jpg
Elk County boroughs and municipalities

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 Elk County:

City

Boroughs

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.

Unincorporated communities

Townships

Former Townships

Population ranking

The population ranking of the following table is based on the 2010 census of Elk County. [21]

†county seat

RankCity/Town/etc.Municipal typePopulation (2010 Census)
1 St. Marys City13,070
2† Ridgway Borough4,078
3 Johnsonburg Borough2,483
4 Kersey CDP937
5 Weedville CDP542
6 Byrnedale CDP427
7 Wilcox CDP383
8 James City CDP287
9 Force CDP253

See also

References

  1. ↑ Includes Clearfield, Jefferson, Tioga, McKean, Warren, Clarion, Elk, Potter, Forest and Cameron Counties
  1. ↑ "Population and Housing Unit Estimates" . Retrieved March 14, 2022.
  2. ↑ "Elk County, Pennsylvania". Census.gov. Retrieved January 20, 2026.
  3. ↑ "Census - Geography Profile: Elk County, Pennsylvania". United States Census Bureau . Retrieved June 26, 2022.
  4. ↑ "Find a County". National Association of Counties. Archived from the original on May 31, 2011. Retrieved June 7, 2011.
  5. ↑ "2010 Census Gazetteer Files". US Census Bureau. August 22, 2012. Retrieved March 5, 2015.
  6. ↑ "PRISM Climate Group at Oregon State University".
  7. ↑ "Census 2020".
  8. 1 2 3 "2020 Decennial Census Demographic Profile (DP1)". United States Census Bureau. 2021. Retrieved December 26, 2025.
  9. ↑ "2020 Decennial Census Demographic and Housing Characteristics (DHC)". United States Census Bureau. 2023. Retrieved December 26, 2025.
  10. ↑ "2020 Decennial Census Redistricting Data (Public Law 94-171)". United States Census Bureau. 2021. Retrieved December 26, 2025.
  11. ↑ "P004: Hispanic or Latino, and Not Hispanic or Latino by Race – 2000: DEC Summary File 1 – Elk County, Pennsylvania". United States Census Bureau.
  12. ↑ "P2 Hispanic or Latino, and Not Hispanic or Latino by Race – 2010: DEC Redistricting Data (PL 94-171) - Elk County, Pennsylvania". United States Census Bureau .
  13. ↑ "P2 Hispanic or Latino, and Not Hispanic or Latino by Race – 2020: DEC Redistricting Data (PL 94-171) - Elk County, Pennsylvania". United States Census Bureau .
  14. ↑ Leip, David. "Atlas of US Presidential Elections". uselectionatlas.org. Retrieved November 25, 2018.
  15. ↑ "2024 Senate Election (Official Returns)". Commonwealth of Pennsylvania by county. November 5, 2024. Retrieved December 5, 2024.
  16. ↑ Pennsylvania Department of State (April 29, 2024). "Voter registration statistics by county". dos.pa.gov. Retrieved May 5, 2024.
  17. ↑ "Voting and Election Statistics | Department of State | Commonwealth of Pennsylvania" . Retrieved August 1, 2024.
  18. 1 2 Center, Legislativate Data Processing. "Find Your Legislator". The official website for the Pennsylvania General Assembly. Retrieved May 11, 2017.
  19. ↑ "2020 CENSUS - SCHOOL DISTRICT REFERENCE MAP: Elk County, PA" (PDF). U.S. Census Bureau . Retrieved July 23, 2024. - Text list
  20. ↑ Portland Mills PA (Google Maps - accessed 11 November 2019)
  21. ↑ "2010 U.S. Census website". United States Census Bureau . Retrieved February 10, 2013.

41°25′N78°39′W / 41.42°N 78.65°W / 41.42; -78.65

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