Lawrence County | |
---|---|
Coordinates: 40°59′N80°20′W / 40.99°N 80.33°W | |
Country | United States |
State | Pennsylvania |
Founded | March 20, 1849 |
Named for | USS Lawrence |
Seat | New Castle |
Largest city | New Castle |
Area | |
• Total | 363 sq mi (940 km2) |
• Land | 358 sq mi (930 km2) |
• Water | 4.5 sq mi (12 km2) 1.3% |
Population (2020) | |
• Total | 86,070 |
• Density | 240/sq mi (90/km2) |
Time zone | UTC−5 (Eastern) |
• Summer (DST) | UTC−4 (EDT) |
Congressional district | 16th |
Website | lawrencecountypa |
Lawrence County is a county in the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania. As of the 2020 census, the population was 86,070. [1] The county seat and largest city is New Castle. [2]
The county was created on March 20, 1849, from parts of Beaver and Mercer counties. The county is part of the Greater Pittsburgh region of the state. [a]
Lawrence County was created on March 20, 1849, from parts of Beaver and Mercer counties due to the rapid growth of New Castle, which was primarily in Mercer County but was rapidly expanding into Beaver County. The former borders between Beaver and Mercer Counties are still evident in Lawrence County today, as the northern borders of North Beaver Township, Shenango Township, and Slippery Rock Township with (respectively) the southern borders of Mahoning Township, Hickory Township, and Scott Township make up the former boundaries between Beaver and Mercer Counties. In addition, County Line Road in New Castle where the Lawrence County Courthouse is located also marks the former boundaries.
The county was named after the flagship of Commodore Oliver Hazard Perry, the USS Lawrence, which was disabled in the September 10, 1813 Battle of Lake Erie during the War of 1812. The ship's complement included local raw recruits. That niagara-class brig (more correctly: snow) was itself a namesake, of Perry's friend and naval officer James Lawrence, who died during the War of 1812. [3]
In August 1981, county commissioner Paul L. Tanner proposed the creation of a flag for Lawrence County as well as a flag for each of the county's 27 municipalities These were to be displayed at the courthouse. Over the next few months, flags for Perry Township, New Beaver Borough, and Wampum Borough were presented to the commissioners [4]
On January 12, 1982, commissioner chairman, Frank A. Vitril, announced a county flag design contest and asked residents of Lawrence County to submit entries on an 8.5 by 11 inch sheet of paper with their name, address, and telephone number on an attached sheet of paper. The winner would receive $100 prize contributed in equal parts from the county commissioners and would not come from taxpayers. They also announced the formation of a committee, coordinated by the Lawrence County Planning Commission, to select the winner. The commissioners said in a statement, "As public officials, we are aware of the need to generate public spirit and interest in the affairs of local government. The promotion of a county flag will enable interested citizens (schools, art groups, etc.) of Lawrence County participation in an historic event." [5]
The winning flag was announced on June 4, 1982, and a ceremony was held at the courthouse on June 15, 1982, in observance of Flag Day, as the courthouse was closed on June 14. Rosemary Ann Marino, a commercial artist from New Castle, submitted several designs and her winning entry was one of 43 designs submitted by 15 individuals. The design depicts the shape of Lawrence County in green and edged with gold off-center on a white background with the words "Lawrence County, Pennsylvania" emblazoned on the bottom. The center logo features a shaft of wheat, symbolizing prosperity, against a background of rolling farmlands on the left and waves of water on the right. Marino received a check for $100 at a ceremony at the courthouse as well as a telegraph from Governor Dick Thornburgh who congratulated Lawrence County on its new flag. [6]
A painting of the design was revealed at the ceremony and was painted on masonite by Harry Broschart, who was on the flag selection committee. He and other committee members, Dominic Caminite and former director of arts and crafts at West Side Community Center, Virginia Rankin, gave the award presentations. [6] Honorable mentions included a covered bridge design by Grayce D. Sharek, a blue and gold circular design stating "Lawrence County, Government for the People, founded 1849" by Betty Stone, an outline of the courthouse against a red keystone on a blue background by Steve T. Grala, and a two-tone green flag with an outline of the county by James E. Hamilton. [4] Entries were judged based on originality, creativity, theme, clarity, and design. [5]
President Judge Glenn McCracken offered remarks urging those present to take pride in their home, Lawrence County, and the flag which symbolizes it, and saying Lawrence County needs the kind of American pride in their heredity that was reawakened by the television show Roots. [6]
According to the U.S. Census Bureau, the county has a total area of 363 square miles (940 km2), of which 358 square miles (930 km2) is land and 4.5 square miles (12 km2) (1.3%) is water. [7] Major waterways are the Shenango River, Neshannock Creek and the Mahoning River which form the Beaver River. Also, the Slippery Rock Creek and Connoquenessing Creak empty into the Beaver River. Lawrence County is one of the 423 counties served by the Appalachian Regional Commission, [8] 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 . [9]
Lawrence County has a humid continental climate (Dfa/Dfb) and average monthly temperatures in New Castle range from 27.7 °F in January to 72.2 °F in July. [10]
Census | Pop. | Note | %± |
---|---|---|---|
1850 | 21,079 | — | |
1860 | 22,999 | 9.1% | |
1870 | 27,298 | 18.7% | |
1880 | 33,312 | 22.0% | |
1890 | 37,517 | 12.6% | |
1900 | 57,042 | 52.0% | |
1910 | 70,032 | 22.8% | |
1920 | 85,545 | 22.2% | |
1930 | 97,258 | 13.7% | |
1940 | 96,877 | −0.4% | |
1950 | 105,120 | 8.5% | |
1960 | 112,965 | 7.5% | |
1970 | 107,374 | −4.9% | |
1980 | 107,150 | −0.2% | |
1990 | 96,246 | −10.2% | |
2000 | 94,639 | −1.7% | |
2010 | 91,108 | −3.7% | |
2020 | 86,070 | −5.5% | |
[11] |
As of the 2000 census [12] there were 94,643 people, 37,091 households, and 25,889 families residing in the county. The population density was 263 inhabitants per square mile (102/km2). There were 39,635 housing units at an average density of 110 units per square mile (42/km2). The racial makeup of the county was 94.98% White, 3.61% Black or African American, 0.10% Native American, 0.27% Asian, 0.01% Pacific Islander, 0.19% from other races, and 0.84% from two or more races. 0.56% of the population were Hispanic or Latino of any race. 34.2% English or Welsh, 14.6% were of Italian, 12.4% American, 9.0% German, 8.1% Irish, and 6.8% Scotch-Irish, 2.5% Polish, and 1.9% African ancestry.
There were 37,091 households, out of which 28.80% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 54.50% were married couples living together, 11.50% had a female householder with no husband present, and 30.20% were non-families. 27.00% of all households were made up of individuals, and 14.40% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.47 and the average family size was 3.00.
In the county, the population was spread out, with 23.10% under the age of 18, 8.30% from 18 to 24, 25.70% from 25 to 44, 23.60% from 45 to 64, and 19.30% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 40 years. For every 100 females, there were 90.60 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 86.90 males.
Race | Num. | Perc. |
---|---|---|
White (NH) | 75,811 | 88.1% |
Black or African American (NH) | 3,546 | 4.12% |
Native American (NH) | 75 | 0.1% |
Asian (NH) | 321 | 0.37% |
Pacific Islander (NH) | 4 | 0.01% |
Other/Mixed (NH) | 4,658 | 5.4% |
Hispanic or Latino | 1,655 | 2% |
The United States Office of Management and Budget [14] has designated Lawrence County as the New Castle, PA Micropolitan Statistical Area (MSA). As of the 2010 U.S. census [15] the micropolitan area ranked 3rd most populous in the State of Pennsylvania and the 48th most populous in the United States with a population of 91,108. Lawrence County is also a part of the Pittsburgh–New Castle–Weirton combined statistical area (CSA), which combines the population of Lawrence, and Allegheny, Armstrong, Beaver, Butler, Fayette, Indiana, Washington, and Westmoreland Counties in Pennsylvania. In West Virginia, the counties included are Brooke and Hancock. And in Ohio, Jefferson County. The combined statistical area ranked the fourth most populous in Pennsylvania and 20th most populous in the U.S. with a population of 2,660,727.
As of June 12, 2023, there are 55,256 registered voters in Lawrence County. Republicans hold a plurality of voters. There were 27,370 registered Republicans, 21,263 registered Democrats, 4,574 registered non-affiliated voters, and 2,049 voters registered to other parties. [16]
Voter registration and party enrollment | |||||
---|---|---|---|---|---|
Party | Number of voters | Percentage | |||
Republican | 27,370 | 49.53% | |||
Democratic | 21,263 | 38.48% | |||
Independent | 7,319 | 10.37% | |||
Third Party | 2,118 | 3.01% | |||
Total | 55,256 | 100% |
Year | Republican | Democratic | Third party(ies) | |||
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
No. | % | No. | % | No. | % | |
2024 | 31,347 | 66.34% | 15,440 | 32.67% | 468 | 0.99% |
2020 | 29,597 | 64.08% | 15,978 | 34.59% | 612 | 1.33% |
2016 | 25,428 | 61.90% | 14,009 | 34.11% | 1,639 | 3.99% |
2012 | 21,047 | 53.71% | 17,513 | 44.69% | 629 | 1.61% |
2008 | 21,851 | 51.60% | 19,711 | 46.54% | 787 | 1.86% |
2004 | 21,938 | 50.50% | 21,387 | 49.23% | 117 | 0.27% |
2000 | 18,060 | 45.56% | 20,593 | 51.95% | 987 | 2.49% |
1996 | 13,088 | 36.10% | 18,993 | 52.38% | 4,178 | 11.52% |
1992 | 12,359 | 30.00% | 20,830 | 50.55% | 8,014 | 19.45% |
1988 | 15,829 | 41.76% | 21,884 | 57.74% | 191 | 0.50% |
1984 | 19,277 | 44.43% | 23,981 | 55.27% | 128 | 0.30% |
1980 | 18,404 | 45.77% | 19,506 | 48.51% | 2,303 | 5.73% |
1976 | 18,546 | 43.49% | 23,337 | 54.73% | 757 | 1.78% |
1972 | 23,712 | 56.06% | 17,595 | 41.60% | 990 | 2.34% |
1968 | 18,360 | 42.60% | 21,027 | 48.78% | 3,716 | 8.62% |
1964 | 15,998 | 35.39% | 29,092 | 64.35% | 117 | 0.26% |
1960 | 23,646 | 49.20% | 24,309 | 50.58% | 109 | 0.23% |
1956 | 25,037 | 55.61% | 19,923 | 44.25% | 65 | 0.14% |
1952 | 23,319 | 52.12% | 21,164 | 47.31% | 255 | 0.57% |
1948 | 17,186 | 52.72% | 14,632 | 44.88% | 781 | 2.40% |
1944 | 18,886 | 51.57% | 17,331 | 47.33% | 403 | 1.10% |
1940 | 19,361 | 50.41% | 18,814 | 48.99% | 230 | 0.60% |
1936 | 15,458 | 40.58% | 21,994 | 57.74% | 638 | 1.67% |
1932 | 13,064 | 55.10% | 9,390 | 39.61% | 1,255 | 5.29% |
1928 | 20,012 | 74.95% | 6,417 | 24.03% | 273 | 1.02% |
1924 | 12,533 | 64.58% | 1,880 | 9.69% | 4,993 | 25.73% |
1920 | 9,448 | 64.38% | 2,720 | 18.53% | 2,508 | 17.09% |
1916 | 5,134 | 49.44% | 3,966 | 38.19% | 1,285 | 12.37% |
1912 | 2,128 | 21.62% | 1,976 | 20.07% | 5,741 | 58.31% |
1908 | 5,350 | 54.06% | 2,656 | 26.84% | 1,890 | 19.10% |
1904 | 7,634 | 66.35% | 1,894 | 16.46% | 1,978 | 17.19% |
1900 | 6,343 | 61.39% | 2,754 | 26.66% | 1,235 | 11.95% |
1896 | 6,228 | 65.13% | 3,013 | 31.51% | 321 | 3.36% |
1892 | 4,385 | 60.10% | 2,336 | 32.02% | 575 | 7.88% |
1888 | 4,342 | 62.56% | 2,113 | 30.44% | 486 | 7.00% |
Lawrence County is administered by a three-member publicly elected commission. Each commissioner serves in four-year terms. Elections occur in the odd-numbered years that precede U.S. presidential elections. All three Commissioners are chosen in the same election, and voters may vote for no more than two of the candidates. By state law, the commission must have a minority party guaranteeing a political split on the commission. The Commissioners are responsible for the management of the fiscal and administrative functions of the county. [18]
Commissioner | Party | Title |
---|---|---|
Dan Vogler [19] | Republican | Chairman |
Chris Sainato [20] | Democratic | |
Dan Kennedy [21] | Republican | |
Office | Official | Party |
---|---|---|
Controller | Dave Prestopine [22] | Republican |
Coroner | Richard Johnson [23] | Democratic |
District Attorney | Joshua Lamancusa [24] | Democratic |
Prothonotary and Clerk of Courts | Jodi Klabon-Esoldo [25] | Democratic |
Register of Wills and Recorder of Deeds | Tammy Crawford [26] | Republican |
Sheriff | Perry Quahliero [27] | Democratic |
Treasurer | Richard L. Rapone [28] | Democratic |
District | Representative | Party |
---|---|---|
8 | Aaron Bernstine | Republican |
9 | Marla Brown | Republican |
District | Senator | Party |
---|---|---|
47 | Elder Vogel | Republican |
50 | Michele Brooks | Republican |
District | Representative | Party |
---|---|---|
16 | Mike Kelly | Republican |
Senator | Party |
---|---|
John Fetterman | Democrat |
Dave McCormick | Republican |
Per data provided at Pennsylvania EdNA
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 Lawrence County:
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.
Various unincorporated communities that lie within and are part of official municipalities.
The population ranking of the following table is based on the 2010 census of Lawrence County. [31]
†county seat
Rank | City/Town/etc. | Municipal type | Population (2010 Census) |
---|---|---|---|
1 | † New Castle | City | 23,273 |
2 | Ellwood City (partially in Beaver County ) | Borough | 7,921 |
3 | New Wilmington | Borough | 2,466 |
4 | Oakwood | CDP | 2,270 |
5 | Oakland | CDP | 1,569 |
6 | New Beaver | Borough | 1,502 |
7 | New Castle Northwest | CDP | 1,413 |
8 | Ellport | Borough | 1,180 |
9 | Bessemer | Borough | 1,111 |
10 | New Bedford | CDP | 925 |
11 | West Pittsburg | CDP | 808 |
12 | Wampum | Borough | 717 |
13 | South New Castle | Borough | 709 |
14 | Frizzleburg | CDP | 602 |
15 | Chewton | CDP | 488 |
16 | Enon Valley | Borough | 306 |
17 | Volant | Borough | 168 |
18 | S.N.P.J. | Borough | 19 |
Mercer County is a county in the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania. As of the 2020 census, the population was 110,652. Its county seat is Mercer, and its largest city is Hermitage. The county is part of the Northwest Pennsylvania region of the state.
Beaver County is a county in the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania. As of the 2020 census, the population was 168,215. Its county seat is Beaver, and its largest city is Aliquippa. The county is part of the Greater Pittsburgh region of the state.
New Castle is a city in and the county seat of Lawrence County, Pennsylvania, United States. Located along the Shenango River at the mouth of Neshannock Creek, it is 43 miles (69 km) northwest of Pittsburgh near the Pennsylvania–Ohio border, approximately 17 miles (27 km) southeast of Youngstown, Ohio. The city had a population of 21,926 as of the 2020 census. The commercial center of a fertile agricultural region, New Castle is included in the northwestern fringes of the Pittsburgh metropolitan area.
New Castle Northwest is an unincorporated area and census-designated place (CDP) in Lawrence County, Pennsylvania, United States. The population was 1,413 at the 2010 census.
New Wilmington is a borough in northern Lawrence County, Pennsylvania, United States, first platted in 1824 and established as a borough on April 9, 1863. The population was 2,097 at the 2020 census. It is home to Westminster College and serves the Old Order Amish community in the surrounding Wilmington Township. It is part of the Pittsburgh metropolitan area.
Shenango Township is a township in Lawrence County, Pennsylvania, United States. The population was 7,133 at the 2020 census, a decline from the figure of 7,479 tabulated in 2010. Shenango Township is situated between the city of New Castle to the north and the borough of Ellwood City to the south.
Volant is a borough in northern Lawrence County, Pennsylvania, United States. The population was 127 at the 2020 census. Volant is surrounded by Old Order Amish farms of the New Wilmington settlement. It is part of the Pittsburgh metropolitan area.
Wampum is a borough in southern Lawrence County, Pennsylvania, United States. The population was 557 at the 2020 census. It is part of the Pittsburgh metropolitan area.
Wilmington Township is a township in Lawrence County, Pennsylvania, United States. The population was 2,662 at the 2020 census, a decline from the figure of 2,715 tabulated in 2010.
West Middlesex is a borough along the Shenango River in southwestern Mercer County, Pennsylvania, United States. The population was 815 at the 2020 Census. It is part of the Hermitage micropolitan area.
The Shenango River is a principal tributary of the Beaver River, approximately 100 mi (160 km) long, in western Pennsylvania in the United States. It also briefly flows through small portions of northeastern Ohio. Via the Beaver and Ohio Rivers, it is part of the watershed of the Mississippi River.
Pennsylvania Route 65 is a major 51-mile-long (82 km) state highway located in western Pennsylvania, United States. The route, traveling north–south from the Interstate 279/U.S. Route 19 Truck concurrency in Pittsburgh north to the PA 108/PA 168 concurrency in New Castle, connects downtown Pittsburgh to the northwestern portion of the Pittsburgh Metropolitan Area. PA 65 is similar in its purpose to PA 18 and PA 51, both of which run parallel to PA 65 at one point or another; however, the three routes pass through different cities for most of their respective alignments.
Pennsylvania Route 18 is a major north–south highway in Western Pennsylvania whose southern terminus is at the West Virginia state line, where it continues as WV 69, while the northern terminus is at PA 5 in Lake City. At a length of 205 miles (330 km), PA 18 is the only state route in Pennsylvania — north–south or east–west — to traverse the entire state. It also has the distinction of being the longest state route in Pennsylvania.
Pennsylvania Route 168 is a highway in Western Pennsylvania that runs for 55 miles (89 km) from PA 18 in Frankfort Springs to PA 208 in Volant. PA 168 intersects or runs concurrently with PA 18 at several points, including in New Castle.
Pennsylvania Route 351 is a 17.2-mile-long (27.7 km) state highway located in Lawrence and Beaver counties in Pennsylvania. The western terminus is at the Ohio border in Little Beaver Township. The eastern terminus is at PA 65/PA 288 in Ellwood City. It is famous for its spotting of Raymond Robinson who would go on nighttime walks on the route making him an urban legend.
Pennsylvania Route 551 is a 34-mile-long (55 km) state highway located in Beaver, Lawrence, and Mercer counties in Pennsylvania. The southern terminus is at PA 18 in Beaver Falls. The northern terminus is at PA 18 near West Middlesex.
Pennsylvania State Senate District 50 includes part of Lawrence County and all of Crawford County and Mercer County. It is currently represented by Republican Michele Brooks.
The 9th Pennsylvania House of Representatives District is in western Pennsylvania. As of 2023, it is represented by Marla Brown.
New Castle Area Transit Authority is a public transportation service located in Lawrence County, Pennsylvania. It provides inter-city bus and paratransit service to select communities within the county. Because the region is located within the metropolitan area of Pittsburgh, service is provided to the downtown area.
Neshannock Creek is a 25.65 mi (41.28 km) long tributary to Shenango River that forms at the confluence of Cool Spring and Otter Creek in Mercer County and then flows south to Lawrence County, Pennsylvania. This creek is known for its fly fishing at Volant, Pennsylvania.