Mercer County | |
---|---|
Coordinates: 41°19′N80°15′W / 41.31°N 80.25°W | |
Country | United States |
State | Pennsylvania |
Founded | November 7, 1803 |
Named for | Hugh Mercer |
Seat | Mercer |
Largest city | Hermitage |
Area | |
• Total | 683 sq mi (1,770 km2) |
• Land | 673 sq mi (1,740 km2) |
• Water | 10 sq mi (30 km2) 1.5% |
Population | |
• Total | 110,652 |
• Density | 162/sq mi (63/km2) |
Time zone | UTC−5 (Eastern) |
• Summer (DST) | UTC−4 (EDT) |
Congressional district | 16th |
Website | www |
Mercer County is a county in the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania. As of the 2020 census, the population was 110,652. [2] Its county seat is Mercer, [3] and its largest city is Hermitage.
Mercer County compromises the Hermitage, PA Micropolitan Statistical Area, which is included in the Greater Pittsburgh area.
Mercer County was created in 1800 and later organized in 1803. [4]
According to the U.S. Census Bureau, the county has a total area of 683 square miles (1,770 km2), of which 673 square miles (1,740 km2) is land and 10 square miles (26 km2) (1.5%) is water. [5] It has a humid continental climate (Dfa/Dfb) and average monthly temperatures in Sharon range from 27.1 °F in January to 72.2 °F in July, while in Mercer borough they range from 25.4 °F in January to 70.1 °F in July. [6]
Census | Pop. | Note | %± |
---|---|---|---|
1800 | 3,228 | — | |
1810 | 8,277 | 156.4% | |
1820 | 11,681 | 41.1% | |
1830 | 19,729 | 68.9% | |
1840 | 32,873 | 66.6% | |
1850 | 33,172 | 0.9% | |
1860 | 36,856 | 11.1% | |
1870 | 49,977 | 35.6% | |
1880 | 56,161 | 12.4% | |
1890 | 55,744 | −0.7% | |
1900 | 57,387 | 2.9% | |
1910 | 77,699 | 35.4% | |
1920 | 93,788 | 20.7% | |
1930 | 99,246 | 5.8% | |
1940 | 101,039 | 1.8% | |
1950 | 111,954 | 10.8% | |
1960 | 127,519 | 13.9% | |
1970 | 127,175 | −0.3% | |
1980 | 128,299 | 0.9% | |
1990 | 121,003 | −5.7% | |
2000 | 120,307 | −0.6% | |
2010 | 116,638 | −3.0% | |
2020 | 110,652 | −5.1% | |
U.S. Decennial Census [7] 1790-1960 [8] 1900-1990 [9] 1990-2000 [10] 2010-2019 [11] 2020 [12] |
As of the census [13] of 2000, there were 120,293 people, 46,712 households, and 32,371 families residing in the county. The population density was 179 inhabitants per square mile (69 inhabitants/km2). There were 49,859 housing units at an average density of 74 units per square mile (29/km2). The racial makeup of the county was 93.13% White, 5.25% Black or African American, 0.11% Native American, 0.40% Asian, 0.02% Pacific Islander, 0.17% from other races, and 0.91% from two or more races. 0.67% of the population were Hispanic or Latino of any race. 37.7% were of German, 20.0% Irish, 14.9% Italian, 12.0% English, 6.4% American, 6.2% Polish, 3.7% Scotch-Irish, 3.3% Dutch ancestry.
There were 46,712 households, out of which 29.30% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 54.80% were married couples living together, 10.90% had a female householder with no husband present, and 30.70% were non-families. 27.00% of all households were made up of individuals, and 13.20% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.44 and the average family size was 2.96.
In the county, the population was spread out, with 23.40% under the age of 18, 8.90% from 18 to 24, 26.10% from 25 to 44, 23.50% from 45 to 64, and 18.10% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 40 years. For every 100 females there were 94.70 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 90.80 males.
Race | Num. | Perc. |
---|---|---|
White (NH) | 96,998 | 87.6% |
Black or African American (NH) | 6,289 | 5.7% |
Native American (NH) | 116 | 0.1% |
Asian (NH) | 683 | 0.6% |
Pacific Islander (NH) | 14 | 0.01% |
Other/Mixed (NH) | 4,943 | 4.5% |
Hispanic or Latino | 1,609 | 1.5% |
Year | Republican | Democratic | Third party | |||
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
No. | % | No. | % | No. | % | |
2020 | 36,143 | 62.19% | 21,067 | 36.25% | 907 | 1.56% |
2016 | 31,544 | 59.70% | 18,733 | 35.45% | 2,562 | 4.85% |
2012 | 25,925 | 50.79% | 24,232 | 47.48% | 882 | 1.73% |
2008 | 26,565 | 49.04% | 26,411 | 48.76% | 1,192 | 2.20% |
2004 | 26,311 | 51.03% | 24,831 | 48.16% | 422 | 0.82% |
2000 | 23,132 | 47.47% | 23,817 | 48.87% | 1,783 | 3.66% |
1996 | 17,213 | 37.60% | 23,003 | 50.25% | 5,563 | 12.15% |
1992 | 16,081 | 32.27% | 23,264 | 46.68% | 10,491 | 21.05% |
1988 | 21,301 | 46.43% | 24,278 | 52.92% | 301 | 0.66% |
1984 | 24,211 | 49.11% | 24,658 | 50.01% | 434 | 0.88% |
1980 | 22,372 | 48.54% | 19,716 | 42.78% | 4,002 | 8.68% |
1976 | 22,469 | 46.58% | 25,041 | 51.91% | 725 | 1.50% |
1972 | 27,961 | 59.37% | 18,087 | 38.40% | 1,052 | 2.23% |
1968 | 23,131 | 47.11% | 22,814 | 46.46% | 3,160 | 6.44% |
1964 | 18,153 | 35.90% | 32,199 | 63.68% | 211 | 0.42% |
1960 | 29,109 | 54.43% | 24,243 | 45.33% | 128 | 0.24% |
1956 | 28,785 | 59.14% | 19,769 | 40.62% | 120 | 0.25% |
1952 | 26,424 | 55.59% | 20,770 | 43.69% | 343 | 0.72% |
1948 | 18,916 | 52.71% | 16,108 | 44.89% | 862 | 2.40% |
1944 | 19,606 | 53.85% | 16,589 | 45.57% | 212 | 0.58% |
1940 | 21,058 | 55.10% | 16,968 | 44.40% | 189 | 0.49% |
1936 | 18,493 | 45.88% | 20,879 | 51.79% | 939 | 2.33% |
1932 | 14,057 | 53.53% | 10,961 | 41.74% | 1,240 | 4.72% |
1928 | 22,599 | 72.71% | 8,204 | 26.39% | 280 | 0.90% |
1924 | 14,639 | 65.29% | 3,688 | 16.45% | 4,093 | 18.26% |
1920 | 11,575 | 60.29% | 4,823 | 25.12% | 2,801 | 14.59% |
1916 | 5,866 | 42.66% | 6,390 | 46.47% | 1,495 | 10.87% |
1912 | 1,873 | 14.73% | 4,039 | 31.76% | 6,806 | 53.51% |
1908 | 6,497 | 47.27% | 5,473 | 39.82% | 1,774 | 12.91% |
1904 | 8,574 | 60.67% | 3,845 | 27.21% | 1,714 | 12.13% |
1900 | 6,950 | 55.94% | 4,916 | 39.57% | 559 | 4.50% |
1896 | 7,262 | 55.53% | 5,500 | 42.06% | 315 | 2.41% |
1892 | 5,874 | 50.80% | 4,931 | 42.65% | 757 | 6.55% |
1888 | 6,428 | 53.91% | 4,806 | 40.31% | 689 | 5.78% |
1884 | 6,357 | 51.81% | 4,861 | 39.62% | 1,052 | 8.57% |
1880 | 6,079 | 51.33% | 5,029 | 42.46% | 735 | 6.21% |
As of June 12, 2023, there are 70,553 registered voters in the county. Republicans hold a plurality of voters by a margin of 10,354 voters (14.67% of the total registered). There are 35,735 registered Republicans, 25,381 registered Democrats, 7,319 registered non-affiliated voters, and 2,118 voters registered to third parties. [17]
Voter registration and party enrollment | |||||
---|---|---|---|---|---|
Party | Number of voters | Percentage | |||
Republican | 35,735 | 50.65 | |||
Democratic | 25,381 | 35.97 | |||
Independent | 7,319 | 10.37 | |||
Third Party | 2,118 | 3.01 | |||
Total | 70,553 | 100% |
Mercer County was previously considered a political bellwether for the state of Pennsylvania since its demographics, urban-rural ratio, and party affiliation once closely mirrored the state as a whole. In 2000, Al Gore carried it against George W. Bush. This trend failed to hold true in 2004 and 2008, in which Mercer County voted more conservatively than the rest of the state. In 2004, Bush won Mercer County with 51% of the vote. That year, John Kerry won the state as a whole with 51% of the popular vote. In 2008, John McCain won Mercer County by fewer than 200 votes, as he and Barack Obama each received roughly 49% of the popular vote. Obama won Pennsylvania as a whole with 55% of the popular vote. Each of the three statewide office winners also carried Mercer in 2008. In 2016, Donald Trump won Mercer County by 12,403 votes, and he also won all of Pennsylvania. Each of the three Republican candidates for statewide office carried Mercer County in 2016. In 2020, Trump again carried the county, despite Pennsylvania narrowly voting for Joe Biden. Trump won 62% of the vote, the largest majority for any major party candidate since 1964, and the largest majority for a Republican since 1928.[ citation needed ]
Commissioner | Party | Title |
---|---|---|
Ann Coleman | Republican | Chairman |
William A Finley, Jr. | Republican | Vice Chairman |
Timothy McGonigle | Democrat | Secretary |
Office | Official | Party |
---|---|---|
President Judge of Court of Common Pleas | Daniel P. Wallace | Republican |
Judge of Court of Common Pleas | D. Neil McEwen | Republican |
Judge of Court of Common Pleas | Tedd C. Nesbit | Republican |
Judge of Court of Common Pleas | Ronald D. Amrhein Jr. | Republican |
Clerk of Courts/Register of Wills | Mary Jo Basilone DePreta | Republican |
District Attorney | Pete Acker | Republican |
Coroner | John A. Libonati | Republican |
Sheriff | Bruce Rosa | Republican |
Treasurer | Amber White | Republican |
Prothonotary | Ruth Bice | Republican |
Recorder of Deeds | Dee Dee Zickar | Republican |
Controller | Steve Sherman | Republican |
District | Representative | Party |
---|---|---|
7 | Parke Wentling | Republican |
17 | Timothy R. Bonner | Republican |
District | Senator | Party |
---|---|---|
50 | Michele Brooks | Republican |
District | Representative | Party |
---|---|---|
16 | Mike Kelly | Republican |
Senator | Party |
---|---|
John Fetterman | Democrat |
Bob Casey | Democrat |
There is one Pennsylvania state park in Mercer County. Maurice K. Goddard State Park, named for Maurice K. Goddard, former Secretary of the Pennsylvania Department of Environmental Resources, is just off exit 130 of Interstate 79 on Pennsylvania Route 358 near Stoneboro.
The Wendell August Forge, the last remaining working forge in the state, was open to the public for tours, but it burned down on March 6, 2010. [20] It has since reopened in new facilities.
Mercer County Court House built in 1909.
Under Pennsylvania law, there are four types of incorporated municipalities: cities, boroughs, townships, and, in one case, towns. The following cities, boroughs and townships are located in Mercer County:
The population ranking of the following table is based on the 2010 census and 2020 census of Mercer County. [22]
†county seat
Rank | City/Town/etc. | Municipal type | Population (2010 Census) | Population (2020 Census) |
---|---|---|---|---|
1 | Hermitage | City | 16,413 | 16,231 |
2 | Sharon | City | 14,021 | 13,150 |
3 | Grove City | Borough | 8,334 | 7,884 |
4 | Greenville | Borough | 5,953 | 5,540 |
5 | Farrell | City | 4,953 | 4,259 |
6 | Sharpsville | Borough | 4,417 | 4,252 |
7 | † Mercer | Borough | 2,042 | 1,985 |
8 | Reynolds Heights | CDP | 2,061 | 1,974 |
9 | Lake Latonka | CDP | 1,012 | 951 |
10 | Stoneboro | Borough | 1,051 | 947 |
11 | West Middlesex | Borough | 863 | 816 |
12 | Sandy Lake | Borough | 657 | 650 |
13 | Wheatland | Borough | 632 | 583 |
14 | Jamestown | Borough | 617 | 582 |
15 | Clark | Borough | 640 | 575 |
16 | Fredonia | Borough | 494 | 435 |
17 | Jackson Center | Borough | 224 | 191 |
18 | New Lebanon | Borough | 189 | 185 |
19 | Sheakleyville | Borough | 142 | 150 |
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Farrell is a city in western Mercer County, Pennsylvania, United States, along the Shenango River. The population was 4,258 at the 2020 census. It is part of the Hermitage micropolitan area.
Greenville is a borough with home rule status in northwestern Mercer County, Pennsylvania, United States. Located along the Shenango River, it lies roughly 80 miles from both Pittsburgh and Cleveland. It is 1.89 square miles in area, and had a population of 5,541 as of the 2020 census.
Grove City is a borough in southeastern Mercer County, Pennsylvania, United States, located approximately 60 miles (97 km) north of Pittsburgh and 75 miles (121 km) south of Erie. At the 2020 census, the population was 7,894. It is part of the Hermitage micropolitan area. It is the home of Grove City College, a private liberal arts college, as well as George Junior Republic. The nearby Grove City Premium Outlets take their name from Grove City.
Hermitage is a city in western Mercer County, Pennsylvania, United States. The population was 16,230 at the 2020 census, making it the largest city in Mercer County. It is located about 15 miles (24 km) northeast of Youngstown and about 60 miles (97 km) northwest of Pittsburgh. It is the principal city of the Hermitage micropolitan area, which includes all of Mercer County.
Sharon is a city in western Mercer County, Pennsylvania, United States. The city, located along the banks of the Shenango River on the state border with Ohio, is about 15 miles (24 km) northeast of Youngstown, about 65 miles (105 km) southeast of Cleveland and about 60 miles (97 km) northwest of Pittsburgh. The population was 13,147 at the 2020 census. It is part of the Hermitage micropolitan area.
Sharpsville is a borough that is located in western Mercer County, Pennsylvania, United States, along the Shenango River. The population was 4,253 as of the 2020 census. It is part of the Hermitage micropolitan area.
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.
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