Indiana County, Pennsylvania

Indiana County, Pennsylvania
Indiana County Courthouse
Location in the state of Pennsylvania
Pennsylvania's location in the U.S.
Founded	March 30, 1803
Seat	Indiana
Largest city	Indiana
Area  - Total  - Land  - Water	834 sq mi (2,160 km²) 829 sq mi (2,147 km²) 5 sq mi (13 km²), 0.60%
Population  - (2010)  - Density	88,880 107/sq mi (41.3/km²)
Website	www.countyofindiana.org

Indiana County is a county located in the U.S. state of Pennsylvania. In 2010, its population was 88,880. Indiana County was created on March 30, 1803, from parts of Westmoreland and Clearfield Counties, and is probably named for the Indiana Territory. Its county seat is Indiana^[1]. The county proclaims itself the "Christmas Tree Capital of the World", shipping over one million trees annually.^[2]

In 2012, Indiana County will have an unusual distinction of being served by three different area codes. Currently served by area code 724 and area code 814, the pending split of 814 to form area code 582 will give Indiana County three area codes.

Geography

According to the U.S. Census Bureau, the county has a total area of 834 square miles (2,160.1 km²), of which 829 square miles (2,147.1 km²) is land and 5 square miles (12.9 km²) (0.60%) is water.

Adjacent counties

• Jefferson County (north)
• Clearfield County (northeast)
• Cambria County (southeast)
• Westmoreland County (south)
• Armstrong County (west)

Government and politics

As of November 2008, there are 58,077 registered voters in Indiana County [1].

• Democratic: 26,653 (45.89%)
• Republican: 24,159 (41.60%)
• Other Parties: 7,265 (12.51%)

County commissioners

• Rodney Ruddock, Chairman, Republican
• Patricia Evanko, Democrat
• David S. Frick, Republican

Other county offices

• Coroner, Mike Baker, Republican
• District Attorney, Thomas Bianco, Democrat
• Prothonotary, Randy Degenkolb, Republican
• Recorder of Deeds and Register of Wills, Patricia Streams-Warman, Republican
• Sheriff, Robert Fyock, Republican
• Treasurer, Sandra Kirkland, Democrat

State Representatives

• Jeff Pyle, Republican, 60th district
• David Reed, Republican, 62nd district
• Sam Smith, Republican, 66th district

State Senator

• Donald C. White, Republican, 41st district

US Representatives

• Bill Shuster, Republican, 9th district
• Mark Critz, Democrat, 12th district

Demographics

Historical populations
Census	Pop.		%±
1810	6,214		—
1820	8,882		42.9%
1830	14,252		60.5%
1840	20,782		45.8%
1850	27,170		30.7%
1860	33,687		24.0%
1870	36,138		7.3%
1880	40,527		12.1%
1890	42,175		4.1%
1900	42,556		0.9%
1910	66,210		55.6%
1920	80,910		22.2%
1930	75,395		−6.8%
1940	79,854		5.9%
1950	77,106		−3.4%
1960	75,366		−2.3%
1970	79,451		5.4%
1980	92,281		16.1%
1990	89,994		−2.5%
2000	89,605		−0.4%
2010	88,880		−0.8%
[3][4]

As of the census^[5] of 2000, there were 89,605 people, 34,123 households, and 22,521 families residing in the county. The population density was 108 people per square mile (42/km²). There were 37,250 housing units at an average density of 45 per square mile (17/km²). The racial makeup of the county was 96.87% White, 1.57% Black or African American, 0.08% Native American, 0.74% Asian, 0.01% Pacific Islander, 0.16% from other races, and 0.58% from two or more races. 0.51% of the population were Hispanic or Latino of any race. 25.9% were of German, 11.6% Italian, 10.7% Irish, 8.6% American, 7.1% English and 6.8% Polish ancestry according to Census 2000.

There were 34,123 households out of which 27.90% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 54.30% were married couples living together, 8.20% had a female householder with no husband present, and 34.00% were non-families. 26.50% 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 2.47 and the average family size was 2.99.

In the county, the population was spread out with 21.10% under the age of 18, 16.60% from 18 to 24, 24.80% from 25 to 44, 22.70% from 45 to 64, and 14.90% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 36 years. For every 100 females there were 94.00 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 90.60 males.

Municipalities

Map of Indiana 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^{[citation needed]}: cities, boroughs, townships, and, in at most two cases, towns. The following boroughs and townships are located in Indiana County:

Boroughs

Armagh Blairsville Cherry Tree Clymer Creekside Ernest Glen Campbell

Homer City Indiana Marion Center Plumville Saltsburg Shelocta Smicksburg

Townships

Armstrong Township Banks Township Black Lick Township Brush Valley Township Buffington Township Burrell Township Canoe Township Center Township Cherryhill Township Conemaugh Township East Mahoning Township East Wheatfield Township

Grant Township Green Township Montgomery Township North Mahoning Township Pine Township Rayne Township South Mahoning Township Washington Township West Mahoning Township West Wheatfield Township White Township Young 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.

Black Lick Chevy Chase Heights Commodore Dixonville

Heilwood Jacksonville Lucerne Mines Rossiter

Other communities

Clarksburg Home

Wehrum West Lebanon

Environment

In 2003 the county was recommended for nonattainment under EPA ozone standards based upon mobile source contribution to smog-forming emissions.^[6]

The county is also the site of the Homer City Generating Station, a coal-burning power plant. The plant has caught the attention of environmentalists as being ranked second in emissions, in 2002, of Toxics Release Inventory (TRI) in Pennsylvania.^[7] The plant also ranked high, in 2003, in the emissions of both sulfur dioxide and carbon dioxide ranking 4th and 28th in the nation.^[8]

Notable natives and residents

• John Buccigross, ESPN anchor, former co-host of NHL 2Night
• Samuel Kier, "Grandfather of the American Oil Industry"
• Jim Nance, former football player, Running Back Syracuse University and later professionally with the New England/Boston Patriots
• James Stewart, actor, born in Indiana Borough

Education

Map of Indiana County, Pennsylvania Public School Districts

Public School Districts

• Armstrong School District (pt.)
• Apollo-Ridge School District (pt.)
• Blairsville-Saltsburg School District †
• Harmony Area School District (pt.)
• Homer-Center School District
• Indiana Area School District
• Marion Center Area School District
• Penns Manor Area School District
• Punxsutawney Area School District (pt.)
• Purchase Line School District †
• United School District

• • (pt.) – district partially in Indiana County, with school buildings located in another county.

† - district with facilities within Indiana County, but which also serves other regions.

Post-Secondary Education

• Cambria-Rowe Business College – Indiana
• Indiana University of Pennsylvania – Indiana
• Westmoreland County Community College – Indiana
• WyoTech – Blairsville

See also

• Indiana County Transit Authority
• List of municipal authorities in Indiana County, Pennsylvania
• National Register of Historic Places listings in Indiana County, Pennsylvania

References

1. ^ "Find a County". National Association of Counties. http://www.naco.org/Counties/Pages/FindACounty.aspx. Retrieved 2011-06-07. 
2. ^ "'Tis the season for tree farmers". Pittsburgh Tribune-Review. December 20, 2004. http://www.pittsburghlive.com/x/pittsburghtrib/s_285172.html. Retrieved May 16, 2006. 
3. ^ http://factfinder2.census.gov
4. ^ http://mapserver.lib.virginia.edu/
5. ^ "American FactFinder". United States Census Bureau. http://factfinder.census.gov. Retrieved 2008-01-31. 
6. ^ "Figure 3. Mobile Source Contribution to Smog-Forming Emissions in Counties Recommended for Nonattainment under New EPA Ozone Standards". Surface Transportation Policy Project. April 16, 2004. http://www.transact.org/nrdc/ozoneappendix.htm. Retrieved May 16, 2006. 
7. ^ "Pa. ranks among worst states for toxic emissions". Pittsburgh Tribune-Review. November 18, 2002. http://www.pittsburghlive.com/x/pittsburghtrib/s_103122.html. Retrieved May 16, 2006. 
8. ^ Environmental Integrity Project & Public Citizen’s Congress Watch (May 2004) (PDF). America’s Dirtiest Power Plants: Plugged into the Bush Administration. http://www.whitehouseforsale.org/documents/dirtiest_plants2.pdf. Retrieved May 16, 2006. 

External links

• Indiana County official website
• The Indiana County Tourist Bureau
• The Historical & Genealogical Society of Indiana County

Coordinates: 40°39′N 79°05′W / 40.65°N 79.09°W / 40.65; -79.09