Forest County, Pennsylvania

Last updated

Forest County
County
Forest County Courthouse, Tionesta, from north.jpg
Forest County Courthouse in Tionesta
Logo of Forest County, Pennsylvania.png
Logo
Map of Pennsylvania highlighting Forest County.svg
Location within the U.S. state of Pennsylvania
Pennsylvania in United States.svg
Pennsylvania's location within the U.S.
Coordinates: 41°31′N79°14′W / 41.52°N 79.24°W / 41.52; -79.24
CountryFlag of the United States.svg United States
StateFlag of Pennsylvania.svg  Pennsylvania
FoundedSeptember 1, 1857
Seat Tionesta
Largest community Marienville
Area
 • Total
430 sq mi (1,100 km2)
 • Land427 sq mi (1,110 km2)
 • Water3.3 sq mi (9 km2)  0.8%
Population
 (2020)
 • Total
6,973
 • Density16/sq mi (6/km2)
Time zone UTC−5 (Eastern)
 • Summer (DST) UTC−4 (EDT)
Congressional district 15th
Website www.co.forest.pa.us

Forest County is a county in the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania. As of the 2020 census, the population was 6,973, [1] making it the third-least populous county in Pennsylvania. Its county seat is Tionesta. [2] The county was created in 1848 and later organized in 1857. [3] The county is part of the North Central Pennsylvania region of the state. [a]

Contents

History

Forest County was created on April 11, 1848, from part of Jefferson County. The county was enlarged on October 31, 1866, when part of Venango County was incorporated into the county. Forest County was named for the forests contained within its limits. [4]

Geography

According to the U.S. Census Bureau, the county has a total area of 430 square miles (1,100 km2), of which 427 square miles (1,110 km2) is land and 3.3 square miles (8.5 km2) (0.8%) is water. [5] It has a warm-summer humid continental climate (Dfb) and average monthly temperatures in Tionesta range from 25.3 °F in January to 69.8 °F in July. [6]

Adjacent counties

National protected area

Part of Allegheny National Forest covers Forest County. Part of Allegheny Islands Wilderness is in Forest County. [7]

State protected area

Part of Cook Forest State Park is in Forest County. Part of Cornplanter State Forest is in Forest County. [8]

Major highways

Demographics

Historical population
CensusPop.Note%±
1860 898—
1870 4,010346.5%
1880 4,3859.4%
1890 8,48293.4%
1900 11,03930.1%
1910 9,435−14.5%
1920 7,477−20.8%
1930 5,180−30.7%
1940 5,79111.8%
1950 4,944−14.6%
1960 4,485−9.3%
1970 4,9269.8%
1980 5,0723.0%
1990 4,802−5.3%
2000 4,9463.0%
2010 7,71656.0%
2020 6,973−9.6%
U.S. Decennial Census [9]
1790-1960 [10] 1900-1990 [11]
1990-2000 [12] 2010-2017 [13]

As of the census [14] of 2000, there were 4,946 people, 2,000 households, and 1,328 families residing in the county. The population density was 12 people per square mile (4.6 people/km2). There were 8,701 housing units at an average density of 20 units per square mile (7.7/km2). The racial makeup of the county, largely a result of the SCI Forest State Penitentiary, was 77.4% White, 21.1% Black or African American, 0.40% Native American, 0.14% Asian, 0.69% from other races, and 0.61% from two or more races. 1.21% of the population were Hispanic or Latino of any race. 19.9% were of German, 9.0% Irish, 6.2% English ancestry.

There were 2,000 households, out of which 23.20% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 55.70% were married couples living together, 6.70% had a female householder with no husband present, and 33.60% were non-families. 29.10% of all households were made up of individuals, and 15.10% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.29 and the average family size was 2.81.

In the county, the population was spread out, with 22.70% under the age of 18, 5.90% from 18 to 24, 22.60% from 25 to 44, 28.90% from 45 to 64, and 19.90% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 44 years. For every 100 females there were 111.20 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 102.30 males.

2020 census

Forest County Racial Composition [15]
RaceNum.Perc.
White (NH)5,27875.7%
Black or African American (NH)1,23517.71%
Native American (NH)80.11%
Asian (NH)170.24%
Pacific Islander (NH)00%
Other/Mixed (NH)1121.6%
Hispanic or Latino 3234.63%

Law and government

United States presidential election results for Forest County, Pennsylvania [16]
Year Republican Democratic Third party(ies)
No. %No. %No. %
2024 1,90271.50%72427.22%341.28%
2020 1,88270.91%72827.43%441.66%
2016 1,68469.59%62625.87%1104.55%
2012 1,38359.51%89638.55%451.94%
2008 1,36655.35%1,03842.06%642.59%
2004 1,57161.06%98938.44%130.51%
2000 1,37160.05%84336.93%693.02%
1996 90240.98%96443.80%33515.22%
1992 80137.36%89041.51%45321.13%
1988 1,15956.13%89543.34%110.53%
1984 1,46863.36%83936.21%100.43%
1980 1,20656.12%81938.11%1245.77%
1976 1,13551.90%1,01746.50%351.60%
1972 1,37471.75%50926.58%321.67%
1968 1,17259.40%66933.91%1326.69%
1964 90041.78%1,24957.99%50.23%
1960 1,49764.19%82835.51%70.30%
1956 1,53571.13%62228.82%10.05%
1952 1,51169.92%62729.01%231.06%
1948 1,20962.29%68735.39%452.32%
1944 1,34465.95%67333.02%211.03%
1940 1,81166.19%91933.59%60.22%
1936 1,75759.50%1,15739.18%391.32%
1932 1,09063.34%56933.06%623.60%
1928 1,70784.59%28914.32%221.09%
1924 1,13071.20%28017.64%17711.15%
1920 99356.36%38922.08%38021.57%
1916 61747.03%46335.29%23217.68%
1912 24015.38%37323.91%94760.71%
1908 1,11960.91%51227.87%20611.21%
1904 1,32868.14%41121.09%21010.77%
1900 1,30961.25%71433.41%1145.33%
1896 1,22457.74%80537.97%914.29%
1892 93854.31%66038.22%1297.47%
1888 91757.24%61238.20%734.56%

Law enforcement

As of 2016 all areas in the county use the Pennsylvania State Police (PSP) in a law enforcement capacity, either with part-time police departments or with no other police departments. [17]

Voter Registration

As of February 5, 2024, there are 3,159 registered voters in Forest County. [18]

Chart of Voter Registration

   Republican (61.86%)
   Democratic (26.81%)
   Independent (7.28%)
  Third Party (4.05%)

State Senate

Source: [19]

State House of Representatives

Source: [19]

United States House of Representatives

United States Senate

Education

The Forest Area School District serves the entire Forest County. [20]

Private schools:

Libraries:

Communities

Map of Forest County, Pennsylvania with Municipal Labels showing Boroughs (red) and Townships (white). Map of Forest County Pennsylvania With Municipal and Township Labels.png
Map of Forest 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 Forest County:

Borough

Townships

Census-designated place

Unincorporated communities

Population ranking

The population ranking of the following table is based on the 2010 census of Forest County. [21] The jump in census figures between the 2000 and 2010 census, is due in a large part to the opening of the State Correctional Institution - Forest (SCI - Forest) in October 2004. SCI Forest houses approximately 2,200 inmates at their facility in Marienville, PA.

†county seat

RankCity/Town/etc.Population (2010 Census)Municipal typeIncorporated
1 Marienville 3,137CDP
2† Tionesta 483Borough1805

See also

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<span class="mw-page-title-main">Green Township, Forest County, Pennsylvania</span> Township in Pennsylvania, United States

Green Township is a township in Forest County, Pennsylvania, United States. The population was 371 at the 2020 census, down from 522 in 2010, which was, in turn, an increase from 397 in 2000.

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Hickory Township is a township in Forest County, Pennsylvania, United States. As of the 2020 census, the township population was 416, a decline from 558 in 2010.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Tionesta, Pennsylvania</span> Borough in Pennsylvania, United States

Tionesta is a borough in and the county seat of Forest County, Pennsylvania, United States. The population was 475 at the 2020 Census. The name is a Native American word meaning "the home of the wolves". Visitors and residents are greeted to Tionesta with a sign reading "A special place with a relaxed pace"

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Tionesta Township, Forest County, Pennsylvania</span> Township in Pennsylvania, United States

Tionesta Township is a township in Forest County, Pennsylvania, United States. The population was 666 at the time of the 2020 census, up from the total of 729 that was documented by the 2010, up from 610 at the 2000 census.

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<span class="mw-page-title-main">Forest Area School District</span> Public school district school in Elk County, Pennsylvania

Forest Area School District is a small, rural, public school district in northwestern Pennsylvania. It is the public school entity for all of Forest County. It serves the communities of Marienville and Tionesta, along with a portion of President Township in Venango County, and Millstone Township in Elk County. The district encompasses approximately 500 square miles (1,300 km2). According to 2000 federal census data, it serves a resident population of 4,946. By 2010, the District's population increased to 8,255 people. The educational attainment levels for the Forest Area School District population were 80.9% high school graduates and 9.8% college graduates. The district is one of the 500 public school districts of Pennsylvania.

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References

  1. ↑ Includes Clearfield, Jefferson, Tioga, McKean, Warren, Clarion, Elk, Potter, Forest and Cameron Counties
  1. ↑ "Census - Geography Profile: Forest County, Pennsylvania". United States Census Bureau . Retrieved December 18, 2022.
  2. ↑ "Find a County". National Association of Counties. Archived from the original on May 31, 2011. Retrieved June 7, 2011.
  3. ↑ "Pennsylvania: Individual County Chronologies". Pennsylvania Atlas of Historical County Boundaries. The Newberry Library. 2008. Archived from the original on March 25, 2015. Retrieved March 12, 2015.
  4. ↑ Gannett, Henry (1905). The Origin of Certain Place Names in the United States. Govt. Print. Off. pp.  128 . Retrieved October 15, 2016.
  5. ↑ "2010 Census Gazetteer Files". United States Census Bureau. August 22, 2012. Archived from the original on September 4, 2015. Retrieved March 7, 2015.
  6. ↑ "PRISM Climate Group at Oregon State University".
  7. ↑ "Wilderness Connect".
  8. ↑ "Cornplanter State Forest".
  9. ↑ "U.S. Decennial Census". United States Census Bureau. Retrieved March 7, 2015.
  10. ↑ "Historical Census Browser". University of Virginia Library. Archived from the original on August 11, 2012. Retrieved March 7, 2015.
  11. ↑ 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 7, 2015.
  12. ↑ "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 December 18, 2014. Retrieved March 7, 2015.
  13. ↑ "State & County QuickFacts". United States Census Bureau. Archived from the original on June 6, 2011. Retrieved November 17, 2013.
  14. ↑ "U.S. Census website". United States Census Bureau . Retrieved January 31, 2008.
  15. ↑ "P2 HISPANIC OR LATINO, AND NOT HISPANIC OR LATINO BY RACE – 2020: DEC Redistricting Data (PL 94-171) – Forest County, Pennsylvania".
  16. ↑ Leip, David. "Dave Leip's Atlas of U.S. Presidential Elections". uselectionatlas.org. Archived from the original on March 23, 2018. Retrieved November 25, 2018.
  17. ↑ Klibanoff, Eleanor (May 4, 2016). "Half of Pa. municipalities rely fully on state police". WHYY-TV . Retrieved July 23, 2024.
  18. ↑ Pennsylvania Department of State (February 5, 2024). "Voter registration statistics by county". dos.pa.gov. Retrieved February 5, 2024.
  19. 1 2 Center, Legislativate Data Processing. "Find Your Legislator". The official website for the Pennsylvania General Assembly. Archived from the original on May 6, 2017. Retrieved May 11, 2017.
  20. ↑ "2020 CENSUS - SCHOOL DISTRICT REFERENCE MAP: Forest County, PA" (PDF). U.S. Census Bureau . Retrieved July 23, 2024. - Text list
  21. ↑ "2010 U.S. Census website". United States Census Bureau . Retrieved February 10, 2013.

41°31′N79°14′W / 41.52°N 79.24°W / 41.52; -79.24

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