Greene County, Pennsylvania

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Greene County, Pennsylvania
County
Greene County Courthouse, Waynesburg.jpg
Greene County Courthouse
Flag of Greene County, Pennsylvania.png
Flag
Seal of Greene County, Pennsylvania.png
Seal
Map of Pennsylvania highlighting Greene County.svg
Location within the U.S. state of Pennsylvania
Coordinates: 39°52′N80°13′W / 39.86°N 80.22°W / 39.86; -80.22
CountryFlag of the United States.svg United States
StateFlag of Pennsylvania.svg Pennsylvania
FoundedFebruary 9, 1796
Named after Nathanael Greene
Seat Waynesburg
Largest boroughWaynesburg
Government
 • Chairman of the Board of CommissionersJared Edgreen
Area
 • Total
578 sq mi (1,500 km2)
 • Land576 sq mi (1,490 km2)
 • Water2.0 sq mi (5.2 km2)  0.4%
Population
 (2020)
 • Total
35,954 Decrease2.svg
 • Density62/sq mi (24/km2)
Time zone UTC−5 (Eastern)
 • Summer (DST) UTC−4 (EDT)
Congressional district 14th
Website www.co.greene.pa.us

Greene County is a county in the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania. As of the 2020 census, the population was 35,954. [1] Its county seat is Waynesburg. [2] Greene County is part of the Pittsburgh media market. The county is part of the Southwest region of the commonwealth. [a]

Contents

History

What is now Greene County was originally claimed by Virginia. Later it was part of Washington County, Pennsylvania.

One researcher claims that the first white (non-Native Americans) to settle in Greene County were a Dr. Thomas Eckerlin and his two brothers, who settled at the mouth of Dunkard Creek in 1745. They were killed by Native Americans after living there for only two years. Other early settlers in the mid-1750s included the Provins and the Cox families; they settled along Whiteley Creek and at Ten Mile on Castile Run respectively. John Armstrong settled on Muddy Creek and claimed to have the first white child born west of the Monongahela River. [3]

The Pennsylvania State Legislature created Greene County on February 9, 1796. [4] The capital, Waynesburg, was named after General Anthony Wayne, noted for his exploits against Native Americans in the area. [5]

Geography

According to the U.S. Census Bureau, the county has a total area of 578 square miles (1,500 km2), of which 576 square miles (1,490 km2) is land and 2.0 square miles (5.2 km2) (0.4%) is water. [6] The county has a humid continental climate (Köppen Dfa/Dfb) and average monthly temperatures in Waynesburg range from 28.9 °F in January to 71.9 °F in July. [7] Greene County is one of the 423 counties served by the Appalachian Regional Commission, [8] and it is identified as part of "Greater Appalachia" by Colin Woodard in his book American Nations: A History of the Eleven Rival Regional Cultures of North America . [9] It is also located within the Laurel Highlands subrange, which consists of low plateaus and river valleys.

Adjacent counties

Demographics

Historical population
CensusPop.Note%±
1800 8,605—
1810 12,54445.8%
1820 15,55424.0%
1830 18,02815.9%
1840 19,1476.2%
1850 22,13615.6%
1860 24,34310.0%
1870 25,8876.3%
1880 28,2739.2%
1890 28,9352.3%
1900 28,281−2.3%
1910 28,8822.1%
1920 30,8046.7%
1930 41,76735.6%
1940 44,6717.0%
1950 45,3941.6%
1960 39,457−13.1%
1970 39,108−0.9%
1980 42,2538.0%
1990 44,1644.5%
2000 40,672−7.9%
2010 38,686−4.9%
2020 35,954−7.1%
[10]

2020 census

As of the 2020 census, the county had a population of 35,954. The median age was 43.7 years, 18.6% of residents were under the age of 18, and 20.2% of residents were 65 years of age or older. For every 100 females there were 109.3 males, and for every 100 females age 18 and over there were 109.6 males age 18 and over. [11]

Racial and ethnic composition is detailed in the table below. [12]

24.3% of residents lived in urban areas, while 75.7% lived in rural areas. [13]

There were 14,058 households in the county, of which 26.4% had children under the age of 18 living in them. Of all households, 48.0% were married-couple households, 19.6% were households with a male householder and no spouse or partner present, and 24.9% were households with a female householder and no spouse or partner present. About 29.4% of all households were made up of individuals and 13.7% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. [11]

There were 16,138 housing units, of which 12.9% were vacant. Among occupied housing units, 73.4% were owner-occupied and 26.6% were renter-occupied. The homeowner vacancy rate was 1.9% and the rental vacancy rate was 9.1%. [11]

Greene County Racial Composition [12]
RaceNum.Perc.
White (NH)32,89891.5%
Black or African American (NH)1,0623%
Native American (NH)690.2%
Asian (NH)1200.33%
Pacific Islander (NH)60.02%
Other/Mixed (NH)1,2893.6%
Hispanic or Latino 5101.42%

2010 census

As of the census [14] of 2010, there were 38,686 people, 14,724 households, and 9,970 families residing in the county. The population density was 67 people per square mile (26 people/km2). There were 16,678 housing units at an average density of 29 units per square mile (11/km2). The racial makeup of the county was 94.6 percent White, 3.3 percent Black or African American, 0.2% Native American, 0.3 percent Asian, 0.0 percent Pacific Islander, 0.7 percent from other races, and 1.0% from two or more races. 1.2 percent of the population were Hispanic or Latino of any race.

There were 14,724 households, out of which 29.3 percent had children under the age of 18 living with them, 51.5 percent were married couples living together, 10.9 percent had a female householder with no husband present, and 32.3 percent were non-families. 27.0 percent of all households were made up of individuals, and 11.7 percent 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 2.91.

In the county, the population was spread out, with 19.9 percent under the age of 18, 9.9 percent from 18 to 24, 25.5 percent from 25 to 44, 29.3 percent from 45 to 64, and 15.3 percent who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 41.1 years. For every 100 females there were 106.2 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 105.6 males.

Government and politics

Greene County was long a Democratic stronghold, due to the strong unionization of the county's steel mills; between 1932 and 2000, the Democratic presidential candidate won the county in every election except in the Republican landslide of 1972. Due to the decline of the Pittsburgh area's steel industry (similar to other Appalachian counties), and the Democratic Party's shift on cultural issues like environmental safety and firearms, the county was a landslide for the Republican Party in 2024 for Donald Trump who won the county with 71.5% of the vote.

United States presidential election results for Greene County, Pennsylvania [15]
Year Republican Democratic Third party(ies)
№ %№ %№ %
2024 12,31971.47%4,59226.64%3251.89%
2020 12,57971.08%4,91127.75%2071.17%
2016 10,84968.37%4,48228.25%5373.38%
2012 8,42857.94%5,85240.23%2661.83%
2008 7,88948.96%7,82948.59%3962.46%
2004 7,78650.02%7,67449.30%1050.67%
2000 5,89043.14%7,23052.96%5333.90%
1996 4,00229.14%7,62055.47%2,11415.39%
1992 3,48223.01%8,43855.75%3,21521.24%
1988 4,87934.62%9,12664.75%900.64%
1984 6,37640.40%9,36559.33%430.27%
1980 5,33637.79%8,19358.02%5924.19%
1976 5,29337.22%8,76961.67%1571.10%
1972 7,79057.52%5,56241.07%1911.41%
1968 5,09935.41%8,19856.93%1,1047.67%
1964 3,89625.42%11,41274.46%190.12%
1960 7,49843.70%9,64556.21%160.09%
1956 7,56243.45%9,82756.47%140.08%
1952 6,96440.68%10,12559.14%300.18%
1948 4,71736.47%8,01561.97%2021.56%
1944 5,74740.49%8,39259.13%530.37%
1940 6,72639.62%10,21460.17%360.21%
1936 6,35934.42%12,00664.99%1090.59%
1932 4,80833.42%9,32264.79%2581.79%
1928 6,91056.18%5,29343.04%960.78%
1924 4,59041.82%5,87453.52%5124.66%
1920 4,25342.41%5,59255.76%1831.82%
1916 2,09633.93%3,93063.62%1512.44%
1912 1,15019.00%3,55158.67%1,35122.32%
1908 2,43837.22%3,79357.91%3194.87%
1904 2,44241.32%3,19854.11%2704.57%
1900 2,42739.02%3,67459.07%1191.91%
1896 2,45336.41%4,19862.31%861.28%
1892 2,12633.39%3,97762.46%2644.15%
1888 2,37335.79%4,11662.08%1412.13%
United States Senate election results for Greene County, Pennsylvania1 [16]
Year Republican Democratic Third party(ies)
№ %№ %№ %
2024 11,64367.91%5,07529.60%4272.49%
2018 6,42251.67%5,81946.82%1871.50%
United States Senate election results for Greene County, Pennsylvania3
Year Republican Democratic Third party(ies)
№ %№ %№ %
2022 8,34863.77%4,39433.57%3492.67%

Voter registration

As of February 8, 2025, there are 21,629 registered voters in the county. There are 11,762 registered Republicans, 7,727 registered Democrats, 1,542 voters registered non-affiliated voters, and 598 voters registered to other parties. [17]

Chart of Voter Registration
  1. Republican (54.4%)
  2. Democratic (35.7%)
  3. Independent (7.13%)
  4. Other Parties (2.76%)

Commissioners

Greene County is administered by a three-person board of commissioners, who serve four-year terms. Elections occur in the odd-numbered years that precede U.S. presidential elections, with the most recent election falling in 2023. All three commissioners are chosen in the same election, and voters may vote for no more than two of the candidates. The commissioners are responsible for the management of the fiscal and administrative functions of the county. [18]

OfficialPartyTerm ends
Jared Edgreen Republican 2027
Betsy McClure Republican 2027
Blair Zimmerman Democratic 2027

Elected county officials

As of the 2021 and 2023 General Elections.

OfficeOfficialPartyTerm ends
Magisterial Court JudgeDavid Balint Independent 2027
Magisterial Court JudgeTom Ankrom Independent 2027
Clerk of CourtsCrystal Walters Independent 2027
ControllerAmi Cree Independent 2027
CoronerGene Rush Republican 2025
TreasurerJeannie High Grimes Independent 2027
District AttorneyBrianna Vanata Republican 2027
ProthonotaryJennifer Maas Republican 2027
Recorder of Deeds and Register of WillsTammy Brookover Republican 2027
SheriffMarcus N. Simms Independent 2025

Pennsylvania House of Representatives

Greene County consists of one Pennsylvania House District. The 50th district covers all of Greene County and parts of Washington County to the north. [19]

DistrictRepresentativeParty
50 Donald "Bud" Cook Republican

Pennsylvania Senate

Greene County is entirely contained within the 46th Senatorial District, which also includes parts of Beaver County and all of Washington County. [19]

DistrictSenatorParty
46 Camera Bartolotta Republican

United States House of Representatives

Greene County is part of the 14th Congressional District. [19]

DistrictRepresentativeParty
14 Guy Reschenthaler Republican

United States Senate

SenatorParty
John Fetterman Democratic
Dave McCormick Republican

Economy

Greene County is home to a modern 625-megawatt natural gas-fired power plant, Hill Top Energy Center. Blackstone Energy Transition Partners acquired the plant in 2025. [20] [21]

In 2025 several underground coal mines were in operation in Greene County, including Iron Senergy's Cumberland Mine. [22] The coal business has a long history in Greene County. A 19th century history of Greene County lists numerous prominent citizens involved in the coal industry. [23] Some 200 deaths were caused by the Mather Mine disaster of 1928. A large coal-burning power plant, Hatfield's Ferry, operated near Masontown for decades until it was shut down in 2013.

Greene County's development commission has assisted area business since 1998. [24] The Meadow Ridge office park has served the county since the early 2000s. [25]

Education

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

Colleges and universities

Public school districts

Greene County is divided into five public school districts. [26] [27] There are 15 public schools that serve Greene County, Pennsylvania. [28]

Some schools within the five above districts include:

Private schools

Libraries

Transportation

Interstate Highways

State Highways

Airport

Greene County Airport is a county-owned, public-use airport located two  nautical miles (4  km) east of the central business district of Waynesburg, Pennsylvania. [32]

Communities

Map of Greene County, Pennsylvania with Municipal Labels showing Boroughs (red), Townships (white), and Census-designated places (blue). Map of Greene County Pennsylvania With Municipal and Township Labels.png
Map of Greene County, Pennsylvania with Municipal Labels showing 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 boroughs and townships are located in Greene County:

Boroughs

Townships

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.

Population ranking

The population ranking of the following table is based on the 2020 census of Greene County.

†county seat

RankCity/Town/etc.Municipal typePopulation (2020 Census) [33]
1† Waynesburg Borough4,006
2 Fairdale CDP2,064
3 Morrisville CDP1,209
4 Nemacolin CDP826
5 Bobtown CDP701
6 Crucible CDP673
7 Mather CDP659
8 Dry Tavern CDP655
9 Mount Morris CDP645
10 Carmichaels Borough432
11 Rices Landing Borough425
12 West Waynesburg CDP401
13 Greensboro Borough264
14 Jefferson Borough253
15 Rogersville CDP215
16 Wind Ridge CDP204
17 Clarksville Borough203
18 Brave CDP142
19 Mapletown CDP125
20 New Freeport CDP77

See also

References

  1. ↑ Includes Westmoreland, Cambria, Fayette, Blair, Indiana, Somerset, Bedford, Huntingdon, Greene and Fulton Counties
  1. ↑ "Census - Geography Profile: Greene 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. ↑ "Lesson on County's Early Settlers Heard at Corner; Greene County Senior Judge Terry Grimesstone". Washington PA Observer Reporter. March 15, 2012.
  4. ↑ Bates, Samuel P. (1888). History of Greene County, Pennsylvania. Chicago: Nelson Rishfort. pp. 272–273. Retrieved December 27, 2025.
  5. ↑ Bates op cit p. 279.
  6. ↑ "2010 Census Gazetteer Files". United States Census Bureau. August 22, 2012. Retrieved March 7, 2015.
  7. ↑ "PRISM Climate Group at Oregon State University".
  8. ↑ "About the Appalachian Region". Appalachian Regional Commission. Retrieved June 20, 2024.
  9. ↑ Woodard, Colin (July 30, 2018). "The Maps That Show That City vs. Country Is Not Our Political Fault Line". New York Times. Retrieved July 30, 2018.
  10. ↑ "Census 2020".
  11. 1 2 3 "2020 Decennial Census Demographic Profile (DP1)". United States Census Bureau. 2021. Retrieved December 26, 2025.
  12. 1 2 "2020 Decennial Census Redistricting Data (Public Law 94-171)". United States Census Bureau. 2021. Retrieved December 26, 2025.
  13. ↑ "2020 Decennial Census Demographic and Housing Characteristics (DHC)". United States Census Bureau. 2023. Retrieved December 26, 2025.
  14. ↑ "U.S. Census website". United States Census Bureau . Retrieved January 31, 2008.
  15. ↑ Leip, David. "Dave Leip's Atlas of U.S. Presidential Elections". uselectionatlas.org. Retrieved November 26, 2018.
  16. ↑ "2024 Senate Election (Official Returns)". Commonwealth of Pennsylvania by county. November 5, 2024. Retrieved December 5, 2024.
  17. ↑ Pennsylvania Department of State (February 3, 2025). "Voter registration statistics by county". dos.pa.gov. Archived from the original on February 8, 2025. Retrieved February 8, 2025.
  18. ↑ "2023 General Election". CountySuite Elections Results. Retrieved February 8, 2025.
  19. 1 2 3 "2024 General Election". CountySuite Elections Results. Retrieved February 8, 2025.
  20. ↑ Walton, Rod (April 6, 2021). "Kiewit close to completing 625-MW Hill Top CCGTo plant in PA". Power Engineering. Retrieved May 11, 2021.
  21. ↑ Napsha, Joe. "Natural gas-fueled power plants on rise". Trib Total Media. Retrieved May 11, 2021.
  22. ↑ Taylor, Brandon and Hood, Nick. "Coal Mining Updates in Greene and Washington Counties". Center for Coalfield Justice. Retrieved December 27, 2025.{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: multiple names: authors list (link)
  23. ↑ Bates op. cit. pp. 557–558, 637, 682, 697, 704, 708.
  24. ↑ Klopfer, Milt (September 2, 1998), "Team targets growth", Observer-Reporter, Washington, PA
  25. ↑ "Robert Stephenson Named as President of RIDC; Frank Brooks Robinson, Sr. Steps Down", PR Newswire, April 17, 2003
  26. ↑ Thornberg, Ruth. "Education & Schools - Official Website for Greene County Government, Pennsylvania". www.co.greene.pa.us. Retrieved November 26, 2018.
  27. ↑ "2020 CENSUS - SCHOOL DISTRICT REFERENCE MAP: Greene County, PA" (PDF). U.S. Census Bureau. Archived (PDF) from the original on October 9, 2022. Retrieved July 21, 2022. - Text list
  28. ↑ "Top Greene County, PA Private Schools (2018-19)". www.privateschoolreview.com. Retrieved November 26, 2018.
  29. ↑ "Open Door Christian School Profile (2018-19) - Waynesburg, PA". Private School Review. Retrieved November 26, 2018.
  30. ↑ "Explore Open Door Christian School in Waynesburg, PA". GreatSchools.org. Retrieved November 26, 2018.
  31. ↑ "Explore Greene Valley Christian Academ in Rices Landing, PA". GreatSchools.org. Retrieved November 26, 2018.
  32. ↑ FAA Airport Form 5010 for WAY PDF . Federal Aviation Administration. Effective May 31, 2012.
  33. ↑ "Explore Census Data". data.census.gov. Retrieved May 28, 2023.

Further reading

39°52′N80°13′W / 39.86°N 80.22°W / 39.86; -80.22

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