Sweden Township, Pennsylvania

Last updated

Sweden Township, Pennsylvania
Township
Sweden Valley PA Keystone Marker on US 6 EB.jpeg
Keystone marker in Sweden Valley, a community within the township
Map of Potter County, Pennsylvania Highlighting Sweden Township.PNG
Map of Potter County, Pennsylvania highlighting Sweden Township
Map of Pennsylvania highlighting Potter County.svg
Map of Potter County, Pennsylvania
Country United States
State Pennsylvania
County Potter
Settled1808
Incorporated1828
Area
[1]
  Total33.84 sq mi (87.63 km2)
  Land33.82 sq mi (87.60 km2)
  Water0.01 sq mi (0.04 km2)
Population
 (2020) [2]
  Total871 Decrease2.svg
  Estimate 
(2021) [2]
863
  Density24.98/sq mi (9.65/km2)
Time zone UTC-5 (EST)
  Summer (DST) UTC-4 (EDT)
FIPS code 42-105-75720

Sweden Township is a township in Potter County, Pennsylvania, United States. The population was 871 at the 2020 census. [2]

Contents

History

Sweden Township was formed on February 26, 1828, from Eulalia Township. It was named for the nation of Sweden, the native country of its early pioneer settlers. [3]

In 2023, the township voted 2–1 to abolish its police force after the township's police chief, Bryan Phelps, resigned to become a county judge, citing low crime and a lack of space in the budget to support an independent police force. [4] As such, the Pennsylvania State Police holds jurisdiction over the township. [4]

Coudersport Area Municipal Authority Treatment Plant Controversy

The Coudersport Area Municipal Authority (CAMA) became involved in a controversial proposal for a fracking wastewater plant in early 2018. [5] CAMA services Sweden Township. [6] JKLM Energy intends to truck "produced water" (fracking wastewater) to a centralized plant for treatment to be located adjacent to the CAMA plant in Eulalia Township, Pennsylvania, when and if the plant is approved and licensed by governmental authorities. The treated wastewater then will be transferred to CAMA for disposal into the headwaters of the Allegheny River. [7]

The plant proposal is opposed by many residents Potter County as well as by the Seneca Nation of Indians who reside downriver from the proposed plant location. [8] [9] [10] [11] The Pennsylvania Department of Environmental Protection fined JKLM $472,317 in 2016 for groundwater contamination caused by the use of an unapproved surfactant during the drilling of a natural gas well. The contamination impacted six private drinking water wells in Sweden and Eulalia townships, Potter County. [12] The Cattaugus County, New York, legislature as well as New York State Senator Catharine Young have joined the Seneca Nation in opposition to the proposed fracking wastewater plant. [13] [14] Additionally, the Coudersport Bourough (PA) Council voted to oppose the siting of the plant near Coudersport. [15] [16] [17] The Coudersport Borough Council's resolution of opposition was forwarded to the Coudersport Area Municipal Authority (CAMA), who has not yet considered it in a public forum. [18] [19]

Geography

According to the United States Census Bureau, the township has a total area of 33.7 square miles (87.4 km2), of which 33.7 square miles (87.3 km2) is land and 0.03% is water.

Sweden Township is bordered by Allegany Township to the north, Ulysses Township to the east, Summit Township to the south and Eulalia Township to the west. The Coudersport Ice Mine is located in Sweden Township.

Demographics

Historical population
CensusPop.Note
2010 872
2020 871−0.1%
2021 (est.)863 [2] −0.9%
U.S. Decennial Census [20]

As of the census [21] of 2000, there were 775 people, 299 households, and 232 families residing in the township. The population density was 23.0 people per square mile (8.9/km2). There were 575 housing units at an average density of 17.1/sq mi (6.6/km2). The racial makeup of the township was 96.90% White, 0.52% Native American, 0.90% Asian, 0.26% Pacific Islander, 0.65% from other races, and 0.77% from two or more races. Hispanic or Latino of any race were 1.16% of the population.

There were 299 households, out of which 30.4% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 65.9% were married couples living together, 7.4% had a female householder with no husband present, and 22.4% were non-families. 18.7% of all households were made up of individuals, and 6.4% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.59 and the average family size was 2.94.

In the township the population was spread out, with 25.3% under the age of 18, 7.0% from 18 to 24, 27.1% from 25 to 44, 26.7% from 45 to 64, and 13.9% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 38 years. For every 100 females, there were 114.7 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 112.9 males.

The median income for a household in the township was $42,750, and the median income for a family was $47,188. Males had a median income of $35,568 versus $25,208 for females. The per capita income for the township was $18,780. About 6.0% of families and 7.6% of the population were below the poverty line, including 13.6% of those under age 18 and 5.8% of those age 65 or over.

Related Research Articles

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Allegheny River</span> River in Pennsylvania and New York, United States

The Allegheny River is a 325-mile-long (523 km) tributary of the Ohio River that is located in western Pennsylvania and New York in the United States. It runs from its headwaters just below the middle of Pennsylvania's northern border, northwesterly into New York, then in a zigzag southwesterly across the border and through Western Pennsylvania to join the Monongahela River at the Forks of the Ohio at Point State Park in Downtown Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Cattaraugus County, New York</span> County in New York, United States

Cattaraugus County is a county in Western New York, with one side bordering Pennsylvania. As of the United States 2020 census, the population was 77,042. The county seat is Little Valley. The county was created in 1808 and later organized in 1817. The county is part of the Western New York region of the state.

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

Potter County is a county in the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania. As of the 2020 census, its population was 16,396, making it the fifth-least populous county in Pennsylvania. Its county seat is Coudersport. The county was created in 1804 and later organized in 1836. It is named after James Potter, who was a general from Pennsylvania in the Continental Army during the American Revolution. Due to its remoteness and natural environment, it has been nicknamed “God's Country”.

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

McKean County is a rural county in the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania. As of the 2020 census, the population was 40,432. Its county seat is Smethport. The county was created in 1804 and organized in 1826. It was named in honor of former Pennsylvania Governor and Declaration of Independence signer Thomas McKean. The county is part of the North Central Pennsylvania region of the state.

South Valley is a town in Cattaraugus County, New York, United States. The population was 250 at the 2020 census. The name is derived from the town's geographical attributes.

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

Sharpsburg is a borough in Allegheny County, Pennsylvania, United States, 5 miles (8 km) northeast of downtown Pittsburgh, along the Allegheny River. In 1900, nearly 7,000 people lived here; in 1920, the population peaked at just over 8,900 people. The population was 3,187 at the 2020 census.

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

Coudersport is a borough in and the county seat of Potter County, Pennsylvania. It is located approximately 110 miles (180 km) east by south of Erie on the Allegheny River. The population was 2,371 at the 2020 census.

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

Eulalia Township is a township in Potter County, Pennsylvania, United States. The population was 873 at the 2020 census.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Olean, New York</span> City in New York, United States

Olean is a city in Cattaraugus County, New York, United States. Olean is the largest city in Cattaraugus County and serves as its financial, business, transportation and entertainment center. It is one of the principal cities of the Southern Tier region of Western New York.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Pennsylvania Route 44</span> State highway in Pennsylvania, US

Pennsylvania Route 44 is a 149.24 mi (240.18 km)-long state highway in the U.S. state of Pennsylvania. The route, which is signed north-south, is designated from Interstate 80 (I-80) and PA 42 in Buckhorn northwest to the New York state line near New York State Route 417 in Ceres Township.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Pennsylvania Route 49</span> State highway in Pennsylvania, US

Pennsylvania Route 49 is a 52.6-mile-long (84.7 km) state highway located in northern Pennsylvania. The western terminus of the route is at PA 44 three miles north of Coudersport. The eastern terminus is at PA 287 in Lawrenceville less than 300 yards (270 m) south of the New York border. PA 49 serves as North Street, North Main Street, and Northern Potter Road in Ulysses, as Cowanesque Street in Lawrenceville, and as both East and West Main Street for Harrison Valley, Westfield, Knoxville, and Elkland. It is concurrent with PA 249 for 2.5 miles (4.0 km) between Cowanesque and Knoxville.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Pennsylvania Route 872</span> State highway in Pennsylvania, US

Pennsylvania Route 872 is a 39.8-mile-long (64.1 km) state highway located in Cameron and Potter counties in Pennsylvania. The southern terminus is at PA 120 in Grove Township. The northern terminus is at U.S. Route 6 /PA 44 in Coudersport.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Coudersport station</span> United States historic place

The Coudersport and Port Allegany Railroad Station is a railroad station in Coudersport, Pennsylvania, in the United States. It was built by the Coudersport and Port Allegany Railroad in 1899 and opened in January 1900 during the lumber industry boom in Potter County. When the lumber ran out, the railroad's business decreased and in 1964 the line and station were purchased by the Wellsville, Addison and Galeton Railroad. The station was abandoned in 1970 and was unoccupied until 1975, when the borough of Coudersport purchased it. The borough restored it and put a new roof on, then used the building for office space. The station was listed on the National Register of Historic Places on November 21, 1976.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Coudersport Historic District</span> Historic district in Pennsylvania, United States

The Coudersport Historic District is a historic district in Coudersport, the county seat of Potter County, Pennsylvania in the United States. The district encompasses 73 contributing buildings. Coudersport is in a narrow valley on the Allegheny River and was a boom town when the lumber industry cut the white pine and hemlock forests in the county. Much of the borough's Victorian era architecture stems from this time, and when the lumber was exhausted by the early 20th century, the borough declined in population and economically, preserving many of the historic structures. The district is centered on the Courthouse Square and notable buildings include the Park United Methodist Church (1893), Presbyterian Church (1902), Episcopal Church (1883), Old Hickory Tavern, and Coudersport Consistory complex.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Coudersport and Port Allegany Railroad</span> Former railroad in Pennsylvania, United States

The Coudersport and Port Allegany Railroad was a shortline railroad that operated in Potter and McKean Counties in Pennsylvania in the United States between 1882 and 1964. The original line ran 17 miles (27 km) along the Allegheny River between the boroughs of Coudersport, the county seat of Potter County, and Port Allegany in McKean County. The line was originally a 3 ft narrow gauge and converted to 4 ft 8+12 instandard gauge in 1889. It was prosperous during a lumber boom in the region and expanded east to Ulysses. The lumber boom ended in the early 20th century and the line slowly declined until 1964, when it was purchased by the Wellsville, Addison and Galeton Railroad. The line was finally abandoned in 1970. Today the only surviving building from the railroad is the Coudersport and Port Allegany Railroad Station, which was listed on the National Register of Historic Places in 1976 and serves as the town hall for Coudersport today. As of 2009, much of the C&PA railroad grading can still be found. Railroad bridge abutments exist at Lillibridge Creek in Port Allegany and along the Allegheny River at Coleman Mills, east of Roulette, and east and west of Coudersport.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Coudersport Area School District</span> School district in Pennsylvania

The Coudersport Area School District is a small rural, public school district in Coudersport, Pennsylvania, United States. The district covers the Borough of Coudersport, the southern and western portions of Allegany Township, and all of Eulalia Township, Hebron Township, Homer Township, Summit Township and Sweden Township in Potter County, Pennsylvania. Coudersport Area School District encompasses approximately 214 square miles (550 km2).

<span class="mw-page-title-main">East Resources</span> Oil and gas company in the US

East Resources, Inc., was an oil and gas exploration and production company with a focus on unconventional shale oil and gas resources in the United States.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Coudersport Area Junior/Senior High School</span> Public secondary school in Coudersport, Potter County, Pennsylvania, United States

Coudersport Area Junior/Senior High School is a small, rural public secondary school in Coudersport, Pennsylvania, United States. In 2022–2023, the school enrolled 275 pupils in grades 7–12. The school serves the Borough of Coudersport and the southern and western portions of Allegany Township, Eulalia Township, Hebron Township, Homer Township, Summit Township and Sweden Township. Coudersport Area Junior Senior High School is the sole secondary school operated by the Coudersport Area School District.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Roulette, Pennsylvania</span> Census-designated place in Pennsylvania, United States

Roulette is a census-designated place that is located in Roulette Township in far-western Potter County in the state of Pennsylvania, United States.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Sara Innamorato</span> American politician (born 1986)

Sara G. Innamorato is an American politician serving as the county executive of Allegheny County, Pennsylvania since 2024. She was a member of the Pennsylvania House of Representatives for the 21st district from 2019 to 2023.

References

  1. "2016 U.S. Gazetteer Files". United States Census Bureau. Retrieved August 14, 2017.
  2. 1 2 3 4 "City and Town Population Totals: 2020-2021". Census.gov. US Census Bureau. Retrieved July 17, 2022.
  3. Potter County History
  4. 1 2 Parish, Marley. "Rural Pa. township disbanded police department after chief got a new job". Spotlight PA . Retrieved September 4, 2024.
  5. "Proposal to dump Pegula Frackwater in Allegheny River upstream of NY's southern tier advances - Artvoice". Artvoice. January 26, 2018. Retrieved March 28, 2018.
  6. "Area Municipal Authority | Coudersport Borough". Archived from the original on April 2, 2018. Retrieved April 2, 2018.
  7. "Proposal to dump Pegula Frackwater in Allegheny River upstream of NY's southern tier advances - Artvoice". Artvoice. January 26, 2018. Retrieved March 28, 2018.
  8. "At Allegheny River's headwaters, treatment plant for fracking wastewater stirs debate". Pittsburgh Post-Gazette. Retrieved March 28, 2018.
  9. Hartranft, Nick. "Seneca Nation opposes Epiphany plan: 100 protest proposed wastewater facility at Coudy". TiogaPublishing.com. Retrieved March 28, 2018.
  10. "Senecas ramp up opposition to Pegula fracking proposal". Niagara Falls Reporter. Retrieved March 28, 2018.
  11. Olean Times Herald, Bob Clark (March 29, 2018). "Seneca Nation and Others Fire Back Against Ceases and Desist Letters". Olean Times Herald. Retrieved March 29, 2018.
  12. "DEP Fines JKLM Energy LLC $472,317 for 2015 Potter County Surfactant Discharge". media.pa.gov. October 24, 2016. Retrieved March 29, 2018.
  13. Olean Times Herald, Rick Miller. "Seneca Nation treasurer thanks Cattaraugus County lawmakers for support in opposing fracking waste treatment plant". Olean Times Herald. Retrieved March 28, 2018.
  14. "Young Urges Pa. Environmental Dept. To Deny Fracking Project | News, Sports, Jobs - Post Journal". www.post-journal.com. Retrieved March 28, 2018.
  15. "Opposition mounts to proposed shale gas wastewater facility". Pittsburgh Post-Gazette. Retrieved March 28, 2018.
  16. Bradford Era, Bob Clark, Special to The Era. "Coudersport Borough Council opposes treatment plant". The Bradford Era. Retrieved March 28, 2018.{{cite news}}: CS1 maint: multiple names: authors list (link)
  17. "Coudersport Borough Council Voices Opposition to Allegheny River Dumping Plan". wivb.com. Retrieved March 28, 2018.
  18. Olean Times Herald, Bob Clark. "Heated CAMA meeting drawn to close following outburst over fracking wastewater project". Olean Times Herald. Retrieved March 28, 2018.
  19. "Tensions Erupt at Coudersport Fracking Wastewater Plant Meeting". Salamanca Press. Retrieved March 28, 2018.
  20. "Census of Population and Housing". Census.gov. Retrieved June 4, 2016.
  21. "U.S. Census website". United States Census Bureau . Retrieved January 31, 2008.

41°44′30″N77°51′59″W / 41.74167°N 77.86639°W / 41.74167; -77.86639