Forest County | |
---|---|
Coordinates: 41°31′N79°14′W / 41.52°N 79.24°W | |
Country | United States |
State | Pennsylvania |
Founded | September 1, 1857 |
Seat | Tionesta |
Largest community | Marienville |
Area | |
• Total | 430 sq mi (1,100 km2) |
• Land | 427 sq mi (1,110 km2) |
• Water | 3.3 sq mi (9 km2) 0.8% |
Population (2020) | |
• Total | 6,973 |
• Density | 16/sq mi (6/km2) |
Time zone | UTC−5 (Eastern) |
• Summer (DST) | UTC−4 (EDT) |
Congressional district | 15th |
Website | www |
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]
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]
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]
Part of Allegheny National Forest covers Forest County. Part of Allegheny Islands Wilderness is in Forest County. [7]
Part of Cook Forest State Park is in Forest County. Part of Cornplanter State Forest is in Forest County. [8]
Census | Pop. | Note | %± |
---|---|---|---|
1860 | 898 | — | |
1870 | 4,010 | 346.5% | |
1880 | 4,385 | 9.4% | |
1890 | 8,482 | 93.4% | |
1900 | 11,039 | 30.1% | |
1910 | 9,435 | −14.5% | |
1920 | 7,477 | −20.8% | |
1930 | 5,180 | −30.7% | |
1940 | 5,791 | 11.8% | |
1950 | 4,944 | −14.6% | |
1960 | 4,485 | −9.3% | |
1970 | 4,926 | 9.8% | |
1980 | 5,072 | 3.0% | |
1990 | 4,802 | −5.3% | |
2000 | 4,946 | 3.0% | |
2010 | 7,716 | 56.0% | |
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.
Race | Num. | Perc. |
---|---|---|
White (NH) | 5,278 | 75.7% |
Black or African American (NH) | 1,235 | 17.71% |
Native American (NH) | 8 | 0.11% |
Asian (NH) | 17 | 0.24% |
Pacific Islander (NH) | 0 | 0% |
Other/Mixed (NH) | 112 | 1.6% |
Hispanic or Latino | 323 | 4.63% |
Year | Republican | Democratic | Third party(ies) | |||
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
No. | % | No. | % | No. | % | |
2024 | 1,902 | 71.77% | 724 | 27.32% | 24 | 0.91% |
2020 | 1,882 | 70.91% | 728 | 27.43% | 44 | 1.66% |
2016 | 1,684 | 69.59% | 626 | 25.87% | 110 | 4.55% |
2012 | 1,383 | 59.51% | 896 | 38.55% | 45 | 1.94% |
2008 | 1,366 | 55.35% | 1,038 | 42.06% | 64 | 2.59% |
2004 | 1,571 | 61.06% | 989 | 38.44% | 13 | 0.51% |
2000 | 1,371 | 60.05% | 843 | 36.93% | 69 | 3.02% |
1996 | 902 | 40.98% | 964 | 43.80% | 335 | 15.22% |
1992 | 801 | 37.36% | 890 | 41.51% | 453 | 21.13% |
1988 | 1,159 | 56.13% | 895 | 43.34% | 11 | 0.53% |
1984 | 1,468 | 63.36% | 839 | 36.21% | 10 | 0.43% |
1980 | 1,206 | 56.12% | 819 | 38.11% | 124 | 5.77% |
1976 | 1,135 | 51.90% | 1,017 | 46.50% | 35 | 1.60% |
1972 | 1,374 | 71.75% | 509 | 26.58% | 32 | 1.67% |
1968 | 1,172 | 59.40% | 669 | 33.91% | 132 | 6.69% |
1964 | 900 | 41.78% | 1,249 | 57.99% | 5 | 0.23% |
1960 | 1,497 | 64.19% | 828 | 35.51% | 7 | 0.30% |
1956 | 1,535 | 71.13% | 622 | 28.82% | 1 | 0.05% |
1952 | 1,511 | 69.92% | 627 | 29.01% | 23 | 1.06% |
1948 | 1,209 | 62.29% | 687 | 35.39% | 45 | 2.32% |
1944 | 1,344 | 65.95% | 673 | 33.02% | 21 | 1.03% |
1940 | 1,811 | 66.19% | 919 | 33.59% | 6 | 0.22% |
1936 | 1,757 | 59.50% | 1,157 | 39.18% | 39 | 1.32% |
1932 | 1,090 | 63.34% | 569 | 33.06% | 62 | 3.60% |
1928 | 1,707 | 84.59% | 289 | 14.32% | 22 | 1.09% |
1924 | 1,130 | 71.20% | 280 | 17.64% | 177 | 11.15% |
1920 | 993 | 56.36% | 389 | 22.08% | 380 | 21.57% |
1916 | 617 | 47.03% | 463 | 35.29% | 232 | 17.68% |
1912 | 240 | 15.38% | 373 | 23.91% | 947 | 60.71% |
1908 | 1,119 | 60.91% | 512 | 27.87% | 206 | 11.21% |
1904 | 1,328 | 68.14% | 411 | 21.09% | 210 | 10.77% |
1900 | 1,309 | 61.25% | 714 | 33.41% | 114 | 5.33% |
1896 | 1,224 | 57.74% | 805 | 37.97% | 91 | 4.29% |
1892 | 938 | 54.31% | 660 | 38.22% | 129 | 7.47% |
1888 | 917 | 57.24% | 612 | 38.20% | 73 | 4.56% |
As of 2016 [update] 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]
As of February 5, 2024, there are 3,159 registered voters in Forest County. [18]
Source: [19]
Source: [19]
The Forest Area School District serves the entire Forest County. [20]
Private schools:
Libraries:
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:
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
Rank | City/Town/etc. | Population (2010 Census) | Municipal type | Incorporated |
---|---|---|---|---|
1 | Marienville | 3,137 | CDP | |
2 | † Tionesta | 483 | Borough | 1805 |
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Harmony Township is a township in Forest County, Pennsylvania, United States. The population was 466 at the 2020 census, down from 666 in 2010, a figure which was, in turn, an increase from 511 as of the 2000 census.
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.
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.
Cornplanter Township is a township in Venango County, Pennsylvania, United States. The population was 2,318 at the 2020 census, a decrease from 2,487 at the 2010 and 2,687 at the 2000 census.
Oil City is the largest city in Venango County, Pennsylvania, United States. Known for its prominence in the initial exploration and development of the petroleum industry, it is located at a bend in the Allegheny River at the mouth of Oil Creek. The population was 9,608 at the 2020 census, and it is the principal city of the Oil City micropolitan area.
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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.
The Oil City Area School District is a midsized, rural public school district in Venango County, Pennsylvania and including Oil City, the borough of Rouseville, Oakland and Cornplanter townships, and a portion of President Township. It also covers the Hasson Heights census-designated place. The district covers approximately 71.4 square miles (185 km2) in central Venango County.