Jefferson County, Pennsylvania

Last updated

Jefferson County
County
Jefferson County Courthouse Brookville PA Nov 09.jpg
Jefferson County Courthouse
Flag of Jefferson County, Pennsylvania.svg
Flag
Seal of Jefferson County, Pennsylvania.png
Seal
Map of Pennsylvania highlighting Jefferson County.svg
Location within the U.S. state of Pennsylvania
Pennsylvania in United States.svg
Pennsylvania's location within the U.S.
Coordinates: 41°08′N79°00′W / 41.13°N 79°W / 41.13; -79
CountryFlag of the United States.svg United States
StateFlag of Pennsylvania.svg  Pennsylvania
FoundedOctober 1, 1830
Named for Thomas Jefferson
Seat Brookville
Largest borough Punxsutawney
Area
 • Total
657 sq mi (1,700 km2)
 • Land652 sq mi (1,690 km2)
 • Water4.4 sq mi (11 km2)  0.7%
Population
 (2020)
 • Total
44,492 Decrease2.svg
 • Density68/sq mi (26/km2)
Time zone UTC−5 (Eastern)
 • Summer (DST) UTC−4 (EDT)
Congressional district 15th
Website www.jeffersoncountypa.com

Jefferson County is a county in the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania. As of the 2020 census, the population was 44,492. [1] Its county seat is Brookville. [2] The county was established on March 26, 1804, from part of Lycoming County and later organized in 1830. [3] It is named after President Thomas Jefferson. [4] It is home to Punxsutawney Phil, the most famous groundhog that predicts when spring will come every February 2 on Groundhog Day. The county is part of the North Central Pennsylvania region of the state. [a]

Contents

Geography

According to the U.S. Census Bureau, the county has a total area of 657 square miles (1,700 km2), of which 652 square miles (1,690 km2) is land and 4.4 square miles (11 km2) (0.7%) is water. [5] It has a warm-summer humid continental climate (Dfb) and average monthly temperatures in Brookville range from 24.8 °F in January to 68.8 °F in July, while in Punxsutawney they range from 25.7 °F in January to 69.6 °F in July. [6] Jefferson County is one of the 423 counties served by the Appalachian Regional Commission, [7] and it is identified as part of the "Midlands" by Colin Woodard in his book American Nations: A History of the Eleven Rival Regional Cultures of North America . [8]

Adjacent counties

Major highways

Streams

There are many named streams flowing through Jefferson County, far too many to list here. An exhaustive list is presented in a separate article. All those streams eventually flow to the Allegheny River except for Bear Run, 1.36 square miles (3.5 km2), in the southeast which flows into the Susquehanna River. The principal streams and the area of their watersheds that lie within the county are:

Demographics

Historical population
CensusPop.Note%±
1810 161—
1820 561248.4%
1830 2,025261.0%
1840 7,253258.2%
1850 13,51886.4%
1860 18,27035.2%
1870 21,65618.5%
1880 27,93529.0%
1890 44,00557.5%
1900 59,11334.3%
1910 63,0906.7%
1920 62,104−1.6%
1930 52,114−16.1%
1940 54,0903.8%
1950 49,147−9.1%
1960 46,792−4.8%
1970 43,695−6.6%
1980 48,30310.5%
1990 46,083−4.6%
2000 45,932−0.3%
2010 45,200−1.6%
2020 44,492−1.6%
[9]

As of the census [10] of 2000, there were 45,932 people, 18,375 households, and 12,862 families residing in the county. The population density was 70 people per square mile (27 people/km2). There were 22,104 housing units at an average density of 34 units per square mile (13/km2). The racial makeup of the county was 98.97% White, 0.13% Black or African American, 0.16% Native American, 0.21% Asian, 0.01% Pacific Islander, 0.07% from other races, and 0.45% from two or more races. 0.41% of the population were Hispanic or Latino of any race. 31.1% were of German, 13.4% Italian, 10.8% American, 9.2% Irish and 7.8% English ancestry.

There were 18,375 households, out of which 30.30% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 56.80% were married couples living together, 9.10% had a female householder with no husband present, and 30.00% were non-families. 26.60% of all households were made up of individuals, and 13.80% 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 2.96.

In the county, the population was spread out, with 23.60% under the age of 18, 7.70% from 18 to 24, 27.20% from 25 to 44, 23.60% from 45 to 64, and 17.90% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 40 years. For every 100 females there were 95.70 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 92.60 males.

2020 census

Jefferson County Racial Composition [11]
RaceNum.Perc.
White (NH)42,31795.1%
Black or African American (NH)1250.3%
Native American (NH)450.1%
Asian (NH)1000.2%
Pacific Islander (NH)80.02%
Other/Mixed (NH)1,5003.4%
Hispanic or Latino 3971%

Law and government

Jefferson County is a very safe county for the Republican Party, which has won the vote of all but two presidential elections.

United States presidential election results for Jefferson County, Pennsylvania [12]
Year Republican Democratic Third party(ies)
No. %No. %No. %
2024 18,23578.66%4,70720.30%2411.04%
2020 17,96478.54%4,52919.80%3791.66%
2016 15,19277.53%3,65018.63%7533.84%
2012 13,04871.78%4,78726.33%3431.89%
2008 12,05763.75%6,44734.09%4082.16%
2004 13,37168.36%6,07331.05%1160.59%
2000 11,47365.24%5,56631.65%5473.11%
1996 8,15649.56%5,84635.52%2,45514.92%
1992 7,27141.05%5,99833.87%4,44225.08%
1988 9,74360.48%6,23538.71%1310.81%
1984 11,33465.31%5,95034.28%710.41%
1980 9,62857.38%6,29637.53%8545.09%
1976 9,43755.09%7,45643.53%2371.38%
1972 11,63168.92%5,02429.77%2211.31%
1968 10,21455.67%6,83937.28%1,2947.05%
1964 8,37343.47%10,85156.34%370.19%
1960 13,84563.82%7,81136.01%380.18%
1956 13,05166.26%6,62733.64%190.10%
1952 11,83364.61%6,36534.75%1160.63%
1948 9,39561.43%5,63236.82%2681.75%
1944 10,97062.52%6,42536.62%1520.87%
1940 12,08158.40%8,55941.37%470.23%
1936 11,94351.24%11,08047.54%2831.21%
1932 8,24652.48%6,57041.81%8975.71%
1928 13,23374.63%4,32524.39%1730.98%
1924 10,67364.88%2,66416.19%3,11318.92%
1920 7,97066.69%3,06025.61%9207.70%
1916 4,33251.74%3,25338.85%7889.41%
1912 1,60818.65%2,51029.11%4,50452.24%
1908 5,65260.17%2,98631.79%7558.04%
1904 5,86069.09%2,09524.70%5276.21%
1900 5,95062.38%3,06332.11%5255.50%
1896 5,50057.18%3,67138.16%4484.66%
1892 4,10050.41%3,25139.97%7829.62%
1888 4,09053.48%3,25742.59%3013.94%

Voter Registration

As of July 22, 2024, there are 27,731 registered voters in Jefferson County. [13]

Chart of Voter Registration

   Republican (67.86%)
   Democratic (20.94%)
   Independent (7.56%)
  Third Party (3.64%)

County commissioners

State Senate


State House of Representatives

United States House of Representatives

United States Senate

Education

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

Colleges and universities

Public school districts

Private schools

Libraries

Licensed entities

Recreation

Two Pennsylvania state parks are in the county.

The Jefferson County Fair is held annually in July.

Communities

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

Boroughs

Townships

Census-designated place

Unincorporated communities

Population ranking

The population ranking of the following table is based on the 2010 census of Jefferson County. [17]

†county seat

RankCity/Town/etc.Municipal typePopulation
(2020 Census)
1 Punxsutawney Borough5,769
2† Brookville Borough3,995
3 Reynoldsville Borough2,549
4 Brockway Borough2,276
5 Sykesville Borough1,115
6 Falls Creek (partially in Clearfield County )Borough994
7 Big Run Borough647
8 Summerville Borough504
9 Crenshaw CDP468
10 Corsica Borough319
11 Timblin Borough147
12 Worthville Borough80

Notable people

See also

Related Research Articles

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Brockway is a borough in Jefferson County, Pennsylvania, United States. The population was 2,072 at the 2010 census.

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

Brookville is a borough in Jefferson County in the U.S. state of Pennsylvania, 70 miles (110 km) northeast of Pittsburgh. As of the 2010 census, the population was 3,933. Founded in 1830, it is the county seat of Jefferson County.

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

Corsica is a borough in Jefferson County, Pennsylvania, United States. The population was 357 at the 2010 census. It was named for the island of Corsica, birthplace of Napoleon Bonaparte. The mayor of the borough is Dave Leadbetter.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Pine Creek Township, Jefferson County, Pennsylvania</span> Township in Pennsylvania, United States

Pine Creek Township is a township in Jefferson County, Pennsylvania, United States. The population was 1,325 at the 2020 census. The township was named for the abundance of pine trees in the area.

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

Punxsutawney is a borough in southern Jefferson County, Pennsylvania, United States. Punxsutawney is known for its annual Groundhog Day celebration held each February 2, during which thousands of attendees and international media outlets visit the town for an annual weather prediction by the groundhog Punxsutawney Phil. The actual prediction location, Gobbler's Knob, is in adjacent Young Township.

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

Reynoldsville is a borough in Jefferson County, Pennsylvania, United States. It is 73 miles (117 km) northeast of Pittsburgh in a productive soft coal region. The population was 2,759 at the 2010 census.

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

Snyder Township is a township in Jefferson County, Pennsylvania, United States. The population was 2,367 at the 2020 census. It was named for Governor of Pennsylvania Simon Snyder.

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

Sykesville is a borough in Jefferson County, Pennsylvania, United States. The population was 1,157 at the time of the 2010 census.

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

Falls Creek is a borough located in Jefferson County, Pennsylvania, United States. The population was 1,036 at the 2020 census.

WKQL is a classic hits formatted radio station. The station is licensed to Brookville, Pennsylvania. Owned by Renda Media, it maintains its transmitter facility, but the station's programming and administration functions originate in Punxsutawney, where it shares studio space with its affiliate stations WPXZ and WECZ.

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References

  1. ↑ Includes Clearfield, Jefferson, Tioga, McKean, Warren, Clarion, Elk, Potter, Forest and Cameron Counties
  1. ↑ "Census - Geography Profile: Jefferson 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.  168.
  5. ↑ "2010 Census Gazetteer Files". United States Census Bureau. August 22, 2012. Retrieved March 8, 2015.
  6. ↑ "PRISM Climate Group at Oregon State University".
  7. ↑ "About the Appalachian Region". Appalachian Regional Commission. Retrieved June 23, 2024.
  8. ↑ 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.
  9. ↑ "Census 2020".
  10. ↑ "U.S. Census website". United States Census Bureau . Retrieved January 31, 2008.
  11. ↑ "P2 HISPANIC OR LATINO, AND NOT HISPANIC OR LATINO BY RACE – 2020: DEC Redistricting Data (PL 94-171) – Jefferson County, Pennsylvania".
  12. ↑ Leip, David. "Dave Leip's Atlas of U.S. Presidential Elections". uselectionatlas.org. Archived from the original on March 23, 2018. Retrieved May 7, 2018.
  13. ↑ Pennsylvania Department of State (July 22, 2024). "Voter registration statistics by county". dos.pa.gov. Retrieved July 23, 2024.
  14. ↑ 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.
  15. ↑ "Hours and Locations". JeffCo Libraries. Retrieved December 6, 2021.
  16. ↑ "Home". Mengle Memorial Library. Retrieved December 6, 2021.
  17. ↑ "2010 U.S. Census website". United States Census Bureau . Retrieved March 20, 2022.
  18. ↑ "Idaho Governor John T. Morrison". National Governors Association. Archived from the original on September 10, 2012. Retrieved September 19, 2012.

41°08′N79°00′W / 41.13°N 79.00°W / 41.13; -79.00

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