- Somerset, Pennsylvania
Infobox Settlement
official_name = Pagename
other_name =
native_name =
nickname =
settlement_type = Borough
motto =
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flag_size =
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seal_size =
image_shield =
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blank_emblem_size =
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pushpin_label_position = none
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subdivision_type = Country
subdivision_name =United States
subdivision_type1 = State
subdivision_name1 =Pennsylvania
subdivision_type2 = County
subdivision_name2 = Somerset
government_footnotes =
government_type = Borough Council
leader_title = Mayor
leader_name =
leader_title1 =
leader_name1 =
leader_title2 =
leader_name2 =
leader_title3 =
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established_title = Settled
established_date = 1795
established_title1 = Incorporated
established_date1 = March 5, 1804
area_magnitude =
unit_pref =
unit_pref = Imperial
area_footnotes =
area_total_km2 =
area_land_km2 =
area_water_km2 =
area_total_sq_mi = 2.7
area_land_sq_mi =
area_water_sq_mi =
area_water_percent =
population_as_of = 2000
population_footnotes =
population_note =
population_total = 6762
population_density_km2 =
population_density_sq_mi = 2466.0
timezone = Eastern (EST)
utc_offset = -5
timezone_DST = EDT
utc_offset_DST = -4
latd = 40
latm = 00
lats = 25
latNS = N
longd = 79
longm = 04
longs = 53
longEW = W
elevation_footnotes =
elevation_m =
elevation_ft = 2190
postal_code_type =Zip code
postal_code = 15501
area_code = 814
website = http://www.somersetborough.com
footnotes =Somerset (pronEng|ˈsʌmɚsɛt) is a borough in Somerset County,
Pennsylvania ,United States . The population was 6,762 at the 2000 census. It is thecounty seat of Somerset County.GR|6 TheSomerset Wind Farm is convert|3|mi|0 to the east. Somerset is just off Exit 110 of thePennsylvania Turnpike (I-70 and I-76) and boasts number of budget accommodation options, which makes it popular stopover place for travellers between Soutwestern Ontario and American Midwest andNortheast Corridor .Geography
Somerset is located at coor dms|40|0|25|N|79|4|53|W|city (40.006920, -79.081297)GR|1.
According to the
United States Census Bureau , the borough has a total area of convert|2.7|sqmi|lk=on, all of it land.Somerset has the ninth-highest elevation of towns in Pennsylvania, at convert|2190|ft above sea level. [ [http://www.maps-n-stats.com/us_pa_elevation.html Highest Elevation of Towns in Pennsylvania] ]
Demographics
As of the
census GR|2 of 2000, there were 6,762 people, 3,035 households, and 1,717 families residing in the borough. Thepopulation density was 2,466.0 people per square mile (952.9/km²). There were 3,313 housing units at an average density of 1,208.2/sq mi (466.8/km²). The racial makeup of the borough was 97.80% White, 0.70% African American, 0.09% Native American, 0.70% Asian, 0.03% Pacific Islander, 0.19% from other races, and 0.50% from two or more races. Hispanic or Latino of any race were 0.55% of the population.There were 3,035 households out of which 26.4% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 40.5% were married couples living together, 12.6% had a female householder with no husband present, and 43.4% were non-families. 38.6% of all households were made up of individuals and 17.6% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.12 and the average family size was 2.82.
In the borough the population was spread out with 21.9% under the age of 18, 8.5% from 18 to 24, 26.2% from 25 to 44, 21.9% from 45 to 64, and 21.4% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 40 years. For every 100 females there were 82.2 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 79.2 males.
The median income for a household in the borough was $29,050, and the median income for a family was $41,831. Males had a median income of $28,339 versus $19,492 for females. The
per capita income for the borough was $18,310. About 7.8% of families and 11.6% of the population were below thepoverty line , including 15.7% of those under age 18 and 5.6% of those age 65 or over.History / Notable events
* Somerset was a central stage for the
Whiskey Rebellion of 1794. Several rebellion leaders, including Harmon Husbund, lived in Somerset. The federal militia sent to put down the rebellion worked from its headquarters in the nearby town of Berlin. The Whiskey Rebellion was the first severe test of the federal authority under the newly adopted U.S. Constitution and under President George Washington.
* OnSeptember 11, 2001 ,United Airlines Flight 93 , bound fromNewark, New Jersey , toSan Francisco and one of the four planes hijacked that day byal-Qaeda operatives, crashed near Somerset in Shanksville, killing all 45 persons on board. It is believed that hijackers intended to fly this plane into theWhite House or theU.S. Capitol .
* In July 2002, nine miners were trapped for 77 hours, 240 feet underground, by flooding in the Quecreekcoal mine , just outside of Somerset. All nineminer s were rescued. TheQuecreek Mine Rescue was chronicled by journalists from around the world and was televised globally.
* Somerset Crater onMars is named after Somerset.Notable People
* Notable Somersetians include Comedian and host of the
Keith and The Girl ShowKeith Malley ,Jeremiah S. Black ,Attorney General of the United States (1857-1860) andU.S. Secretary of State (1860-1861), under PresidentJames Buchanan ; transportation pioneerGeorge Chorpenning , and independent filmmakerTony Urban .References
External links
* [http://www.co.somerset.pa.us/ Somerset County Government]
* [http://www.somersetborough.com/ Somerset Borough]
* [http://www.somersetcountychamber.com/ Somerset County Chamber Of Commerce]Nearby Attractions
* [http://www.7springs.com Seven Springs Mountain Resorts]
* [http://www.hiddenvalleyski.com Hidden Valley Golf and Skiing]
* [http://www.theinnatgeorgianplace.com Inn at Georgian Place]Maps
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