Sullivan County, Pennsylvania

Last updated

Sullivan County
County
Sullivan County Courthouse.jpg
Sullivan County Courthouse in Sullivan County, September 2006
Map of Pennsylvania highlighting Sullivan County.svg
Location within the U.S. state of Pennsylvania
Pennsylvania in United States.svg
Pennsylvania's location within the U.S.
Coordinates: 41°27′N76°31′W / 41.45°N 76.51°W / 41.45; -76.51
CountryFlag of the United States.svg United States
StateFlag of Pennsylvania.svg  Pennsylvania
FoundedMarch 15, 1847
Named for Charles C. Sullivan
Seat Laporte
Largest borough Dushore
Area
 • Total452 sq mi (1,170 km2)
 • Land450 sq mi (1,200 km2)
 • Water2.6 sq mi (7 km2)  0.6%
Population
 • Estimate 
(2020)
5,840
 • Density13/sq mi (5/km2)
Time zone UTC−5 (Eastern)
 • Summer (DST) UTC−4 (EDT)
Congressional district 9th
Website www.sullivancounty-pa.us

Sullivan County is a county in the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania. It is part of Northeastern Pennsylvania. As of the 2020 census, the population was 5,840, [1] making it the second-least populous county in Pennsylvania. Its county seat is Laporte. [2] The county was created on March 15, 1847, from part of Lycoming County and named for Major General John Sullivan.

Contents

History

The land which became Sullivan County was originally purchased from the Iroquois by the Province of Pennsylvania in 1768, as part of the first Treaty of Fort Stanwix. It was then part of Northumberland County, then became part of Lycoming County when it was formed in 1795. [3] Sullivan County itself was formed from the northeastern part of Lycoming County on March 15, 1847. It was the thirteenth and last county formed at least partly from Lycoming County (and the fifth entirely formed from it). [3]

Sullivan County was named for Pennsylvania state senator Charles C. Sullivan, who "took an active part in procuring passage of the bill" establishing the county. [4] However, according to Frederic A. Godcharles (1933), the county is named for General John Sullivan, who led the Sullivan Expedition against the Iroquois in 1779. [5]

Geography

According to the U.S. Census Bureau, the county has a total area of 452 square miles (1,170 km2), of which 450 square miles (1,200 km2) is land and 2.6 square miles (6.7 km2) (0.6%) is water. [6]

Elevation ranges from 2593 ft at North Mountain in Davidson Township to 779 ft on Loyalsock Creek at the Lycoming County line. The county is served by Pennsylvania Route 42, Pennsylvania Route 87, Pennsylvania Route 154, Pennsylvania Route 487, and U.S. Route 220. The major rivers in the county are Loyalsock Creek, Little Loyalsock Creek, Muncy Creek, and Fishing Creek. The majority of the land in Sullivan County is forest, but there is some farmland, especially in the northern part of the county. There are numerous river valleys in the southern and western parts of Sullivan County. [7]

Sullivan has a warm-summer humid continental climate (Dfb) and average monthly temperatures in Laporte range from 21.8 °F in January to 67.9 °F in July. [8] [ failed verification ]

Adjacent counties

Geology

Sullivan County lies predominantly within the Appalachian Plateau physiographic province, which is characterized by gently folded and faulted sedimentary rocks of middle to late Paleozoic age. The southern border of the county is approximately at the Allegheny Front, a geological boundary between the Ridge and Valley province and the plateau. (PA Geologic Survey Map 13). The mountains within the county are part of the Endless Mountains.

Worlds End State Park Worlds End State Park Far View.jpg
Worlds End State Park

The stratigraphic record of sedimentary rocks within the county spans from the Devonian Lock Haven Formation (exposed only in Lick Creek valley) to the coal-bearing Pennsylvanian Allegheny Formation. Generally, the Catskill Formation underlies most of the lowlands, and sandstones of the Huntley Mountain, Burgoon, Mauch Chunk, or Pottsville Formations cap the mountains. No igneous or metamorphic rocks exist within the county, other than possible glacial erratics.

Structurally, the bedrock of Sullivan County is gently folded, with the axes of two major anticlines (including the Wilmot Anticline) and two major synclines (Bernice-Mehoopany Syncline and Noxen Syncline) each trending roughly east–west. There are three mapped faults in the Allegheny Formation between the towns of Murray and Ringdale. [9] [10]

Nearly all of Sullivan County was glaciated several times in the past, during the Pleistocene epoch, or "Ice Age." (PA Geologic Survey Map 59). Most of the county is covered by glacial till of Late Wisconsinan age. Late Illinoian Stage deposits may underlie the Late Wisconsinan deposits, and these are exposed in the south central part of the county (roughly western Davidson Township).

The major rivers in Sullivan County are Loyalsock Creek and Muncy Creek. Both flow into the West Branch of the Susquehanna River. Some streams along the eastern border of the county flow into the North Branch of the Susquehanna River. All of Sullivan county is thus within the Chesapeake Bay Watershed.

Several small coal fields exist within Sullivan County. [11] The fields contain either bituminous or semi-anthracite coal, and all occur within Pennsylvanian strata.

The Haystacks in Loyalsock Creek Haystacks1 Loyalsock Creek Sullivan Co PA.jpg
The Haystacks in Loyalsock Creek

Notable geologic features within Sullivan County include some of the following:

Ticklish Rock, at ground level Ticklish Rock.jpg
Ticklish Rock, at ground level

Mountains

NameHeight
Huckleberry Mountain2,496 ft (761 meters)
Roundtop2,484 ft (757 meters)
Prospect Hill2,140 ft (650 meters)
Tomkins Corners Vista2,110 ft (640 meters)
High Knob2,025 ft (617 meters)
Bear Mountain1,995 ft (608 meters)
Lovers Rock1,995 ft (608 meters)
Gooseberry Hill1,940 ft (590 meters)
Middle Hill1,927 ft (587 meters)
Camp Mountain1,920 ft (590 meters)
Hogback Hill1,923 ft (586 meters)
Pole Hill1,917 ft (584 meters)
Big Hill1,897 ft (578 meters)
Browns Vista1,819 ft (554 meters)
Lambert Hill1,743 (532 meters)
Warburton Hill1,743 ft (531 meters)
Molyneux Hill1,740 ft (530 meters)
Wright Hill1,717 ft (523 meters)
Shrimp Hill1,661 ft (506 meters)

Demographics

Historical population
CensusPop.Note%±
1850 3,694—
1860 5,63752.6%
1870 6,1919.8%
1880 8,07330.4%
1890 11,62043.9%
1900 12,1344.4%
1910 11,293−6.9%
1920 9,520−15.7%
1930 7,499−21.2%
1940 7,5040.1%
1950 6,745−10.1%
1960 6,251−7.3%
1970 5,961−4.6%
1980 6,3496.5%
1990 6,104−3.9%
2000 6,5567.4%
2010 6,428−2.0%
2020 5,840−9.1%
U.S. Decennial Census [13]
1790-1960 [14] 1900-1990 [15]
1990-2000 [16] 2010-2017 [17] 2010-2020 [18]

As of the census [19] of 2000, there were 6,556 people, 2,660 households, and 1,752 families residing in the county. The population density was 15 people per square mile (5.8 people/km2). There were 6,017 housing units at an average density of 13 units per square mile (5.0/km2). The racial makeup of the county was 95.58% White, 2.20% Black or African American, 0.76% Native American, 0.15% Asian, 0.46% from other races, and 0.85% from two or more races. 1.10% of the population were Hispanic or Latino of any race. 33.8% were of German, 14.7% Irish, 9.5% English, 7.5% American, 5.9% Polish and 5.6% Italian ancestry.

There were 2,660 households, out of which 24.20% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 54.70% were married couples living together, 6.80% had a female householder with no husband present, and 34.10% were non-families. 29.30% of all households were made up of individuals, and 15.20% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.30 and the average family size was 2.81.

In the county, the population was spread out, with 20.80% under the age of 18, 7.90% from 18 to 24, 24.10% from 25 to 44, 25.30% from 45 to 64, and 21.90% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 43 years. For every 100 females there were 102.10 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 100.40 males.

2020 census

Sullivan County Racial Composition [20]
RaceNum.Perc.
White (NH)5,40692.6%
Black or African American (NH)771.32%
Native American (NH)90.15%
Asian (NH)170.3%
Pacific Islander (NH)00%
Other/Mixed (NH)2263.8%
Hispanic or Latino 1051.8%

Politics and government

United States presidential election results for Sullivan County, Pennsylvania [21]
Year Republican Democratic Third party
No. %No. %No. %
2020 2,61972.79%92125.60%581.61%
2016 2,29172.68%75023.79%1113.52%
2012 1,86863.34%1,03435.06%471.59%
2008 1,84158.89%1,23339.44%521.66%
2004 2,05662.59%1,21336.93%160.49%
2000 1,92862.09%1,06634.33%1113.57%
1996 1,35247.31%1,07137.47%43515.22%
1992 1,34043.05%1,03033.09%74323.87%
1988 1,80861.88%1,09137.34%230.79%
1984 1,92666.67%95232.95%110.38%
1980 1,67657.75%1,07437.01%1525.24%
1976 1,58453.68%1,34745.65%200.68%
1972 1,88667.17%88531.52%371.32%
1968 1,62956.76%1,03536.06%2067.18%
1964 1,34444.24%1,69055.63%40.13%
1960 1,80855.05%1,47144.79%50.15%
1956 2,00760.87%1,28639.01%40.12%
1952 2,01161.82%1,23938.09%30.09%
1948 1,75261.22%1,08437.88%260.91%
1944 1,85858.15%1,32941.60%80.25%
1940 2,05955.77%1,62644.04%70.19%
1936 2,12154.08%1,74044.37%611.56%
1932 1,45746.77%1,60251.43%561.80%
1928 2,04464.64%1,10134.82%170.54%
1924 1,66859.76%91332.71%2107.52%
1920 1,62057.57%1,06137.70%1334.73%
1916 88843.96%1,03751.34%954.70%
1912 54726.46%91244.12%60829.41%
1908 1,11947.24%1,07645.42%1747.34%
1904 1,42952.04%1,18843.26%1294.70%
1900 1,26645.46%1,37649.41%1435.13%
1896 1,21546.02%1,30049.24%1254.73%
1892 87339.08%1,26656.67%954.25%
1888 94640.95%1,26054.55%1044.50%

As of August 8, 2022, there are 4,369 registered voters in Sullivan County. [22]

County commissioners

Other county offices

State Representative [23]

State Senator [23]

United States House of Representatives

United States Senator

Education

Public school districts

Sullivan County School District has one high school, grades 7–12, and one elementary school, grades K-6. Sullivan County High School is located in Laporte. Sullivan County Elementary School is located just behind the high school.

Transportation

Public transportation is provided by BeST Transit.

Sullivan County is one of only two counties in Pennsylvania with no known active railroad lines of any kind, the other being Fulton County. However, several narrow-gauge logging railroads once served Sullivan County. [24]

Major roads

Recreation

Loyalsock State Forest in Hillsgrove Township Loyalsock State Forest.jpg
Loyalsock State Forest in Hillsgrove Township

There are two Pennsylvania state parks in Sullivan County.

Sullivan County is also home to a large, private hunting club, Painter Den, Inc. [25] This vast property is situated in Davidson, Laporte and Colley townships. Painter Den Pond is also on the property and is stocked with perch and pike.

Annual events

There are several festivities held in the county each year:

Communities

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

Boroughs

Townships

Unincorporated communities

Population ranking

The population ranking of the following table is based on the 2010 census of Sullivan County. [26]

†county seat

RankCity/Town/etc.Municipal typePopulation (2010 Census)
1 Dushore Borough608
2 Laporte †Borough316
3 Forksville Borough145
4 Eagles Mere Borough120

See also

Related Research Articles

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

Lycoming County is a county in the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania. As of the 2020 census, the population was 114,188. Its county seat is Williamsport.

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

Fairfield Township is a township in Lycoming County, Pennsylvania, United States. The population was 2,833 at the 2020 census. It is part of the Williamsport Metropolitan Statistical Area.

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

Loyalsock Township is a township in Lycoming County, Pennsylvania, United States. The population was 11,561 at the 2020 census. It is part of the Williamsport Metropolitan Statistical Area. It is the second largest municipality in Lycoming County, in terms of population, behind the county seat, Williamsport.

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

Mill Creek Township is a township in Lycoming County, Pennsylvania, United States. The population was 580 at the 2020 census. It is part of the Williamsport Metropolitan Statistical Area.

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

Plunketts Creek Township is a township in Lycoming County, Pennsylvania, United States. It includes the villages of Barbours and Proctor. The population was 595 at the 2020 census, down from 684 at the 2010 census. It is part of the Williamsport Metropolitan Statistical Area.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Upper Fairfield Township, Pennsylvania</span> Township in Pennsylvania, United States

Upper Fairfield Township is a township in Lycoming County, Pennsylvania, United States. The population was 1,807 at the 2020 census. It is part of the Williamsport Metropolitan Statistical Area.

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

Muncy Creek is a tributary of the West Branch Susquehanna River in Sullivan County and Lycoming County, at Pennsylvania, in the United States. It is approximately 34.5 miles (55.5 km) long. The watershed of the creek has an area of 216 square miles (560 km2). The creek's discharge averages 49 cubic feet per second (1.4 m3/s) at Sonestown, but can be up to a thousand times higher at Muncy. The headwaters of the creek are on the Allegheny Plateau. Rock formations in the watershed include the Chemung Formation and the Catskill Formation.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Worlds End State Park</span> Park in Sullivan County, Pennsylvania

Worlds End State Park is a 780-acre (316 ha) Pennsylvania state park in Sullivan County, Pennsylvania. The park, nearly surrounded by Loyalsock State Forest, is in the Loyalsock Creek valley on Pennsylvania Route 154 in Forks and Shrewsbury Townships southeast of the borough of Forksville. The name Worlds End has been used since at least 1872, but its origins are uncertain. Although it was founded as Worlds End State Forest Park by Governor Gifford Pinchot in 1932, the park was officially known as Whirls End State Forest Park from 1936 to 1943.

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

Loyalsock Creek is a 64-mile-long (103 km) tributary of the West Branch Susquehanna River located chiefly in Sullivan and Lycoming counties in Pennsylvania in the United States. As the crow flies, Lycoming County is about 130 miles (209 km) northwest of Philadelphia and 165 miles (266 km) east-northeast of Pittsburgh.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Little Loyalsock Creek</span>

Little Loyalsock Creek is the major tributary of Loyalsock Creek in Lycoming and Sullivan counties, Pennsylvania, United States. The creek is 19.3 miles (31.1 km) long. Via Loyalsock Creek and the West Branch Susquehanna River, it is part of the Susquehanna River drainage basin, and waters from it flow ultimately into the Chesapeake Bay.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Pennsylvania Route 87</span> State highway in Pennsylvania, US

Pennsylvania Route 87 is a 69.3-mile-long (111.5 km) north–south state highway located in northern Pennsylvania. The southern terminus of the route is at exit 21 of Interstate 180 (I-180)/U.S. Route 220 in Montoursville. The northern terminus is at US 6 in Washington Township.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Pennsylvania Route 154</span> State highway in Pennsylvania, US

Pennsylvania Route 154 (PA 154) is a 31.5-mile-long (50.7 km) northwest-southeast state highway located in northern Pennsylvania. The southern terminus is at U.S. Route 220 in Laporte. The northern terminus of the route is at PA 414 in Canton.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Plunketts Creek (Loyalsock Creek tributary)</span> River in the US state of Pennsylvania

Plunketts Creek is an approximately 6.2-mile-long (10 km) tributary of Loyalsock Creek in Lycoming and Sullivan counties in the U.S. state of Pennsylvania. Two unincorporated villages and a hamlet are on the creek, and its watershed drains 23.6 square miles (61 km2) in parts of five townships. The creek is a part of the Chesapeake Bay drainage basin via Loyalsock Creek and the West Branch Susquehanna and Susquehanna Rivers.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Huntley Mountain Formation</span> Bedrock unit in Pennsylvania, United States

The Huntley Mountain Formation is a late Devonian and early Mississippian mapped bedrock unit in Pennsylvania, in the United States.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Sonestown Covered Bridge</span> Covered bridge in Davidson Township, Sullivan County, Pennsylvania

The Sonestown Covered Bridge is a covered bridge over Muncy Creek in Davidson Township, Sullivan County, Pennsylvania built around 1850. It is 110 ft (34 m) long and was placed on the National Register of Historic Places (NRHP) in 1980. It is named for the nearby unincorporated village of Sonestown in Davidson Township, and is also known as the Davidson Covered Bridge. It was built to provide access to a grist mill which operated until the early 20th century.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Forksville Covered Bridge</span> Bridge over Loyalsock Creek, Pennsylvania

The Forksville Covered Bridge is a Burr arch truss covered bridge over Loyalsock Creek in the borough of Forksville, Sullivan County, in the U.S. state of Pennsylvania. It was built in 1850 and is 152 feet 11 inches (46.61 m) in length. The bridge was placed on the National Register of Historic Places in 1980. The Forksville bridge is named for the borough it is in, which in turn is named for its location at the confluence or "forks" of the Little Loyalsock and Loyalsock Creeks.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Hillsgrove Covered Bridge</span> Bridge over Loyalsock Creek in Hillsgrove Township, Sullivan County, Pennsylvania

The Hillsgrove Covered Bridge is a Burr arch truss covered bridge over Loyalsock Creek in Hillsgrove Township, Sullivan County, in the U.S. state of Pennsylvania. It was built c. 1850 and is 186 feet (56.7 m) long. In 1973, it became the first covered bridge in the county to be placed on the National Register of Historic Places (NRHP). The bridge is named for the township and nearby unincorporated village of Hillsgrove, and is also known as Rinkers Covered Bridge for an adjoining farm.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">North Mountain (Pennsylvania)</span>

North Mountain is a 2,584-foot (788 m) ridge primarily located in Davidson Township of Sullivan County in the U.S. state of Pennsylvania. Its summit is that county's highest point, the 10th highest among the state's 67 counties. Portions also extend into neighboring Lycoming, Luzerne, and Wyoming counties.

References

  1. ↑ "Census - Geography Profile: Sullivan County, Pennsylvania". United States Census Bureau . Retrieved December 18, 2022.
  2. ↑ "Find a County". National Association of Counties. Retrieved June 7, 2011.
  3. 1 2 Meginness, John Franklin (1892). History of Lycoming County, Pennsylvania: including its aboriginal history; the colonial and revolutionary periods; early settlement and subsequent growth; organization and civil administration; the legal and medical professions; internal improvement; past and present history of Williamsport; manufacturing and lumber interests; religious, educational, and social development; geology and agriculture; military record; sketches of boroughs, townships, and villages; portraits and biographies of pioneers and representative citizens, etc. etc (1st ed.). Chicago, IL: Brown, Runk & Co. ISBN   0-7884-0428-8 . Retrieved August 5, 2007. (Note: ISBN refers to Heritage Books July 1996 reprint. URL is to a scan of the 1892 version with some OCR typos).
  4. ↑ "Pennsylvania Local Government" (PDF). Commonwealth of Pennsylvania. Retrieved February 7, 2008.
  5. ↑ Godcharles, Frederic A. (1933). Pennsylvania: Political, Governmental, Military and Civil: Political and Civil History Volume (First ed.). New York, New York: The American Historical Society.
  6. ↑ "2010 Census Gazetteer Files". United States Census Bureau. August 22, 2012. Retrieved March 10, 2015.
  7. ↑ "Google Maps".
  8. ↑ "PRISM Climate Group at Oregon State University".
  9. ↑ PA Geologic Survey Map 61, Overton Quadrangle
  10. ↑ Berg, T.M., Edmunds, W.E., Geyer, A.R. and others, compilers, (1980). Geologic Map of Pennsylvania: Pennsylvania Geologic Survey, Map 1, scale 1:250,000.
  11. ↑ Article title PA Geologic Survey Map 11
  12. ↑ The Haystacks, "Ricketts Folly," and The End of the World: Geology of the Glaciated Allegheny High Plateau, Sullivan, Luzerne, and Columbia Counties, Pennsylvania, 71st Annual Field Conference of Pennsylvania Geologists (field trip guide book), J. D. Inners, G. M. Fleeger, eds., 2006
  13. ↑ "U.S. Decennial Census". United States Census Bureau. Retrieved March 10, 2015.
  14. ↑ "Historical Census Browser". University of Virginia Library. Retrieved March 10, 2015.
  15. ↑ Forstall, Richard L., ed. (March 24, 1995). "Population of Counties by Decennial Census: 1900 to 1990". United States Census Bureau. Retrieved March 10, 2015.
  16. ↑ "Census 2000 PHC-T-4. Ranking Tables for Counties: 1990 and 2000" (PDF). United States Census Bureau. April 2, 2001. Archived (PDF) from the original on October 9, 2022. Retrieved March 10, 2015.
  17. ↑ "State & County QuickFacts". United States Census Bureau. Archived from the original on August 11, 2011. Retrieved November 22, 2013.
  18. ↑ "Census 2020".
  19. ↑ "U.S. Census website". United States Census Bureau . Retrieved January 31, 2008.
  20. ↑ "P2 HISPANIC OR LATINO, AND NOT HISPANIC OR LATINO BY RACE – 2020: DEC Redistricting Data (PL 94-171) – Sullivan County, Pennsylvania".
  21. ↑ "Dave Leip's Atlas of U.S. Presidential Elections".
  22. ↑ https://www.dos.pa.gov/VotingElections/OtherServicesEvents/VotingElectionStatistics/Documents/currentvotestats.xls PA Department of State
  23. 1 2 Center, Legislativate Data Processing. "Find Your Legislator". The official website for the Pennsylvania General Assembly. Retrieved May 12, 2017.
  24. ↑ "Penndot Pennsylvania Railroad Map January 2015" (PDF). penndot.gov. Archived (PDF) from the original on October 9, 2022. Retrieved December 5, 2016.
  25. ↑ "Sullivan Archives". February 28, 2020.
  26. ↑ "Decennial Census of Population and Housing by Decades".

41°27′N76°31′W / 41.45°N 76.51°W / 41.45; -76.51

This page is based on this Wikipedia article
Text is available under the CC BY-SA 4.0 license; additional terms may apply.
Images, videos and audio are available under their respective licenses.