Union County, Pennsylvania

Union County, Pennsylvania
Location in the state of Pennsylvania
Pennsylvania's location in the U.S.
Founded	March 22, 1813
Seat	Lewisburg
Largest city	Lewisburg
Area  - Total  - Land  - Water	317 sq mi (821 km²) 317 sq mi (821 km²) 0 sq mi (0 km²), 0.12%
Population  - (2010)  - Density	44,947 142/sq mi (54.7/km²)
Website	www.unionco.org

Union County is a county located in the U.S. state of Pennsylvania. As of 2000, the population was 44,947. Union County was created on March 22, 1813, from part of Northumberland County. Its name is an allusion to the federal Union. Its county seat is Lewisburg^[1].

Geography

According to the U.S. Census Bureau, the county has a total area of 317 square miles (821 km²), of which 317 square miles (820 km²) is land and 0 square miles (1 km²) (0.12%) is water.

Adjacent counties

• Lycoming County (north)
• Northumberland County (east)
• Snyder County (south)
• Mifflin County (southwest)
• Centre County (west)

Demographics

Historical populations
Census	Pop.		%±
1820	18,619		—
1830	20,795		11.7%
1840	22,787		9.6%
1850	26,083		14.5%
1860	14,145		−45.8%
1870	15,565		10.0%
1880	16,905		8.6%
1890	17,820		5.4%
1900	17,592		−1.3%
1910	16,249		−7.6%
1920	15,850		−2.5%
1930	17,468		10.2%
1940	20,247		15.9%
1950	23,150		14.3%
1960	25,646		10.8%
1970	28,603		11.5%
1980	32,870		14.9%
1990	36,176		10.1%
2000	41,624		15.1%
2010	44,947		8.0%
[2][3]

As of the census^[4] of 2000, there were 41,624 people, 13,178 households, and 9,211 families residing in the county. The population density was 131 people per square mile (51/km²). There were 14,684 housing units at an average density of 46 per square mile (18/km²). The racial makeup of the county was 90.08% White, 6.91% Black or African American, 0.16% Native American, 1.06% Asian, 0.04% Pacific Islander, 0.37% from other races, and 1.37% from two or more races. 3.90% of the population were Hispanic or Latino of any race. 41.2% were of German, 13.9% American, 6.5% Irish, 5.9% English and 5.3% Italian ancestry according to Census 2000. 90.4% spoke English, 3.7% Spanish, 2.0% Pennsylvania Dutch and 1.2% German as their first language.

There were 13,178 households out of which 31.10% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 59.90% were married couples living together, 6.90% had a female householder with no husband present, and 30.10% were non-families. 25.30% of all households were made up of individuals and 11.80% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.50 and the average family size was 3.00.

In the county, the population was spread out with 20.10% under the age of 18, 13.90% from 18 to 24, 30.90% from 25 to 44, 21.70% from 45 to 64, and 13.40% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 36 years. For every 100 females there were 123.90 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 128.50 males.

Municipalities

Map of Union County, Pennsylvania with Municipal Labels showing Boroughs (red), Townships (white), and Census-designated places (blue).

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 Union County:

Boroughs

Hartleton Lewisburg

Mifflinburg New Berlin

Townships

Buffalo Township East Buffalo Township Gregg Township Hartley Township Kelly Township

Lewis Township Limestone Township Union Township, contains the unincorporated village of Winfield West Buffalo Township White Deer Township

Census-designated places

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.

• Linntown

Map of Union County, Pennsylvania Public School Districts

Education

Early Child Education

According to the Office of Child Development and Early Learning of the Pennsylvania Department of Education June 2007 report, Union County is rated low to moderate risk level for children who are “at risk” and therefore might benefit from more taxpayer funded services. Union County was rated 1.86 ARL, in the lowest 25% of counties for average risk level.^[5]

Head Start PreSchool Programs

Head Start is a federally and state funded preschool program for low income children. The program serves 3 and 4 year olds. In order to participate the family income must be below federal poverty guidelines.

• Early Head Start Family Center^[6]

Public School Districts

• Lewisburg Area School District
  • Lewisburg Area High School
• Mifflinburg Area School District
• Milton Area School District (also in Northumberland County)
• Warrior Run School District (also in Montour and Northumberland Counties)

Higher Education

• Bucknell University is in Lewisburg.

Recreation

There are three Pennsylvania state parks in Union County.

• R. B. Winter State Park
• Sand Bridge State Park
• Shikellamy State Park's overlook is in Union County. The marina is across the Susquehanna River in Northumberland County.

Recycling

A basic program for recycling is available throughout the county including once-monthly curbside pick up and drop off facilities that are open for a couple hours a week. Aluminum, glass, newspaper, #1 and #2 plastics, and magazines are all accepted at most sites. Strict separation and cleaning of materials are required. Household hazardous waste, including fluorescent bulbs, are not recyclable in the county.

See also

• List of municipal authorities in Union County, Pennsylvania
• National Register of Historic Places listings in Union County, Pennsylvania

References

1. ^ "Find a County". National Association of Counties. http://www.naco.org/Counties/Pages/FindACounty.aspx. Retrieved 2011-06-07. 
2. ^ http://factfinder2.census.gov
3. ^ http://mapserver.lib.virginia.edu/
4. ^ "American FactFinder". United States Census Bureau. http://factfinder.census.gov. Retrieved 2008-01-31. 
5. ^ http://www.pde.state.pa.us/early_childhood/site/default.asp?g=0 Early Child Education Program Reach Analysis 2007
6. ^ Snyder, Union, Mifflin Child Development Report. Feb 2010

External links

• Union County
• Pennsylvania Department of Transportation, Bureau of Planning and Research, Geographic Information Division, "2005 General Highway Map of Union and Snyder Counties". Note: shows boroughs, townships, roads, villages, some streams. URL accessed on April 5, 2006.
• Buffalo Creek Watershed Alliance
• Snyder, Charles M. Union County, Pennsylvania: A Celebration of History, Penn State Press, 2001 ISBN 0917127-13-7

Coordinates: 40°58′N 77°04′W / 40.96°N 77.06°W / 40.96; -77.06