Lebanon County, Pennsylvania

Infobox U.S. County
county = Lebanon County
state = Pennsylvania


seal size =100
map size = 225
founded = February 16, 1813
seat = Lebanon | largest city = Lebanon
area_total_sq_mi =363
area_land_sq_mi =362
area_water_sq_mi =1
area percentage = 0.20%
census yr = 2000
pop = 120327
density_km2 =128
web =
|

Lebanon County is a county located in the U.S. state of Pennsylvania and is one of four counties comprising the greater Harrisburg metropolitan area. It is also part of the Lebanon, PA metropolitan statistical area. As of 2000, the population is 120,327, with a 2004 estimate of 124,489. Its county seat is LebanonGR|6.

Geography

According to the U.S. Census Bureau, the county has a total area of 363 square miles (939 km²), of which, 362 square miles (937 km²) of it is land and 1 square miles (2 km²) of it (0.20%) is water.

Adjacent counties

*Schuylkill County (northeast)
*Berks County (east)
*Lancaster County (south)
*Dauphin County (west)

Demographics

As of the censusGR|2 of 2000, there were 120,327 people, 46,551 households, and 32,771 families residing in the county. The population density was 332 people per square mile (128/km²). There were 49,320 housing units at an average density of 136 per square mile (53/km²). The racial makeup of the county was 94.46% White, 1.29% Black or African American, 0.13% Native American, 0.89% Asian, 0.04% Pacific Islander, 2.26% from other races, and 0.94% from two or more races. 4.96% of the population were Hispanic or Latino of any race. 45.6% were of German, 11.8% American and 6.1% Irish ancestry according to Census 2000. 92.5% spoke English, 4.2% Spanish and 1.1% Pennsylvania Dutch as their first language.

There were 46,551 households out of which 30.40% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 57.40% were married couples living together, 9.20% had a female householder with no husband present, and 29.60% were non-families. 25.20% of all households were made up of individuals and 11.10% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.49 and the average family size was 2.98.

In the county, the population was spread out with 23.70% under the age of 18, 8.20% from 18 to 24, 28.00% from 25 to 44, 23.70% from 45 to 64, and 16.40% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 39 years. For every 100 females there were 95.00 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 91.70 males.

Politics and Government

United States House of Representatives

The county falls within Pennsylvania's 17th congressional district, which is currently represented in the U.S. House of Representatives by Democrat Tim Holden.

Pennsylvania State Senate

All of the county falls within the 48th Pennsylvania Senatorial District. The seat is currently held by State Sen. Mike Folmer, a Republican.

Pennsylvania House of Representatives

The county is divided into two Pennsylvania House Districts, the 101st and 102nd. The 101st includes Annville Township, Cleona Borough, Lebanon City, Mount Gretna Borough, North Cornwall Township, North Londonderry Township, Palmyra Borough, South Annville Township, and South Londonderry Township. The 102nd includes Bethel Township, Cold Spring Township, Cornwall Borough, East Hanover Township, Heidelberg Township, Jackson Township, Jonestown Borough, Millcreek Township, Myerstown Borough, North Annville Township, North Lebanon Township, Richland Borough, South Lebanon Township, Swatara Township, Union Township, West Cornwall Township, and West Lebanon Township. Republican Mauree Gingrich is currently the state representative for the 101st District, and Republican RoseMarie Swanger represents the 102nd.

County Government

The county is governed by three commissioners, who are elected every four years from a slate of four candidates (two Democrats and two Republicans). The current commissioners, elected in November 2007, are Chairman William G. "Bill" Carpenter (R), Vice Chairman Larry E. Stohler (R), and Secretary Jo Ellen Litz (D). Other elected officials include County Controller Robert M. Mettley (R),SHERIFF Mike Deleo (R) Coroner Jeffrey A. Yocum (R), Prothonotary and Clerk of Court Lisa M. Arnold (R), Recorder of Deeds Donna J. Lutz (R), and County Treasurer Sallie A. Neuin (R).

Voter Registration

As of November 2007, the county's voter registration is 44,058 Republicans, 22,095 Democrats, and 10,034 Other Parties. [http://www.dos.state.pa.us/elections/lib/elections/055_voter_registration_statistics/2007nov.pdf]

Electoral History

The county has a history of voting for Republicans in national and state elections.

In the 2006 election for U.S. Senate, the county cast 21,756 votes (55.1%) for Republican Rick Santorum and 17,737 (44.9%) for Democrat Bob Casey, Jr., who won the race. In that year's gubernatorial election, the county cast 22,775 votes (57.5%) for Republican Lynn Swann and 16,813 (42.5%) for Democrat Ed Rendell, who won the race. [http://www.electionreturns.state.pa.us/ElectionsInformation.aspx?FunctionID=12&ElectionID=24]

In the 2004 presidential election, the county cast 37,089 votes (66.6%) for Republican George W. Bush and 18,109 (32.5%) for Democrat John Kerry. In that same year's election for U.S. Senate, the county cast 35,336 votes (66.8%) for Republican Arlen Specter, 13,182 for Democrat Joe Hoeffel, 3,320 (6.3%) for Constitution Party candidate Jim Clymer, and 1,083 (2.0%) for Libertarian Betsy Summers. [http://www.electionreturns.state.pa.us/ElectionsInformation.aspx?FunctionID=12&ElectionID=11]

In the 2002 gubernatorial election, the county cast 22,659 votes (62.7%) for Republican Mike Fisher and 12,712 (35.2%) for Democrat Ed Rendell, who won the race. In the 2002 race for the U.S. House of Representatives, Republican George Gekas received 21,733 votes (60.9%) from the county while Democrat Tim Holden received 13,945 (39.1%); Holden won. [http://www.electionreturns.state.pa.us/ElectionsInformation.aspx?FunctionID=12&ElectionID=7]

Municipalities

Under Pennsylvania law, there are four types of incorporated municipalities: cities, boroughs, , and, in at most two cases, towns. The following cities, boroughs and townships are located in Lebanon County:

Cities

*Lebanon is the only incorporated city in Lebanon County.

Boroughs

Education

Colleges and universities

*Harrisburg Area Community College (Lebanon Campus)
*Lebanon Valley College
*Evangelical School of Theology

Public School Districts

*Annville-Cleona School District
*Cornwall-Lebanon School District
*Eastern Lebanon County School District
*Lebanon School District
*Northern Lebanon School District
*Palmyra Area School District

References

External links

* [http://dsf.pacounties.org/lebanon/ County of Lebanon] (official website)
* [http://www.lebanonhistory.org/ Lebanon County Historical Society]
* [http://www.visitlebanoncounty.com/ Lebanon County Tourism Promotion Agency]
* [http://www.lebexpo.com/ Lebanon Valley Exposition Center and Fairgrounds]
* [http://www.evangelical.edu]