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Erie County, Pennsylvania

Erie County is a county in the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania. It is the northernmost county in Pennsylvania. As of the 2020 census, the population was 270,876.[1] Its county seat is Erie.[2] The county was created in 1800 and later organized in 1803.[3]

Erie County
Erie County Courthouse
Location within the U.S. state of Pennsylvania
Pennsylvania's location within the U.S.
Coordinates: 42°06′N 80°06′W / 42.1°N 80.1°W / 42.1; -80.1
Country United States
State Pennsylvania
FoundedNovember 7, 1803
Named forErie people
SeatErie
Largest cityErie
Area
 • Total1,558 sq mi (4,040 km2)
 • Land799 sq mi (2,070 km2)
 • Water759 sq mi (1,970 km2)  49%
Population
 (2020)
 • Total270,876
 • Density339.1/sq mi (130.9/km2)
Time zoneUTC−5 (Eastern)
 • Summer (DST)UTC−4 (EDT)
Congressional district16th
Websitewww.eriecountypa.gov

Erie County comprises the Erie, PA Metropolitan Statistical Area.

History

Erie County was established on March 12, 1800, from part of Allegheny County, which absorbed the lands of the disputed Erie Triangle in 1792. Prior to 1792, the region was claimed by both New York and Pennsylvania and so no county demarcations were made until the federal government intervened.[4]

Since Erie County and its newly established neighboring Counties of Crawford, Mercer, Venango, and Warren were initially unable to sustain themselves, a five-county administrative organization was established at Crawford County's Meadville to temporarily manage government affairs in the region. Erie first elected its own county officials in 1803.[5] Unfortunately, on March 23, 1823, the Erie County Courthouse burned and all county records to that point were destroyed.[6]

The county was originally settled by immigrants of "Yankee" stock (immigrants from New England and the western part of New York descended from the English Puritans whose ancestors settled New England in the colonial era). Erie County resembled Upstate New York more than it did Pennsylvania with its population primarily consisting of settlers from Connecticut, Rhode Island and Maine.[7] Roads were laid out, post routes established, public buildings erected and people were invited to move there. The original settlers were entirely of New England origins or were Yankees from upstate New York whose families had moved to that place from New England only one generation earlier, in the aftermath of the Revolutionary War. This resulted in Erie County being culturally very contiguous with early New England culture.

Erie County was part of the Underground Railroad giving slaves the ability to gain freedom through Lake Erie into Canada, East through New York State, or to stay in Erie with the help of abolitionists and the free black community. Today, the "Journey to Freedom" educational program provides an interactive program on the Underground Railroad experience.[8]

Geography

According to the U.S. Census Bureau, the county has a total area of 1,558 square miles (4,040 km2), of which 799 square miles (2,070 km2) is land and 759 square miles (1,970 km2) (49%) is water.[9] It is the largest county in Pennsylvania by total area. With the exception of a high ridge several miles from the lake, running nearly parallel with its shore, the terrain is generally rolling and well watered.[10] It is the only county in the state that occupies a significant amount of land north of the 42nd parallel.

There are two cities in Erie County: the city of Erie and the city of Corry. Other notable population centers include Millcreek, Harborcreek and Fairview townships, and the boroughs of Edinboro, North East, Girard, Waterford and Union City. Erie County is bordered on the northeast by Chautauqua County, New York, on the east by Warren County, on the south by Crawford County, and on the west by Ashtabula County, Ohio. Directly north of the county is Lake Erie. This position on the water makes Erie County the only county in Pennsylvania to share a border with Canada, which is located on the far shore of the lake.

The county has a warm-summer humid continental climate (Dfb). Average monthly temperatures in downtown Erie range from 26.4 °F in January to 70.8 °F in July, while in Corry they range from 23.8 °F in January to 68.2 °F in July. [1]

Adjacent counties

Major highways

Demographics

Historical population
CensusPop.Note
18001,468
18103,758156.0%
18208,553127.6%
183017,04199.2%
184031,34483.9%
185038,74223.6%
186049,43227.6%
187065,97333.5%
188074,68813.2%
189086,07415.2%
190098,47314.4%
1910115,51717.3%
1920153,53632.9%
1930175,27714.2%
1940180,8893.2%
1950219,38821.3%
1960250,68214.3%
1970263,6545.2%
1980279,7806.1%
1990275,572−1.5%
2000280,8451.9%
2010280,566−0.1%
2020270,876−3.5%
[11]

According to the 2010 census, there were 280,566 people, 110,413 households, and 70,196 families residing in the county. The population density was 351.2 inhabitants per square mile (135.6/km2). There were 119,138 housing units at an average density of 149.1 per square mile (57.6/km2). The racial makeup of the county was 88.2 percent White, 7.2 percent Black or African American, 0.2 percent Native American, 1.1 percent Asian, 0.03 percent Pacific Islander, 1.2 percent from other races, and 2.1 percent from two or more races. A further 3.4 percent of the population were Hispanic or Latino of any race. 24.4% were of German, 12.5% Polish, 12.3% Italian, 10.1% Irish, 6.5% English and 6.4% American ancestry.

Of the total number of household, 27.2 percent had children under the age of 18 living with them, 45.4 percent were married couples living together, 13.2 percent had a female householder with no husband present, and 36.4 percent were non-families. 29.3 percent of all households were made up of individuals, and 11.3 percent had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.42 and the average family size was 3.00.

In the county, the population was spread out, with 26.5 percent under the age of 20. The median age was 38.6 years. For every 100 females there were 96.73 males.

2020 census

Erie County Racial Composition[12]
Race Num. Perc.
White (NH) 219,180 81%
Black or African American (NH) 19,821 7.32%
Native American (NH) 343 0.13%
Asian (NH) 6,358 2.35%
Pacific Islander (NH) 58 0.02%
Other/Mixed (NH) 13,086 4.83%
Hispanic or Latino 12,030 4.44%

Metropolitan Statistical Area

 
Map of the Erie-Meadville, PA Combined Statistical Area (CSA), composed of the following parts:

The United States Office of Management and Budget[13] has designated Erie County as the Erie, PA Metropolitan Statistical Area (MSA). As of the 2010 U.S. Census[14] the metropolitan area ranked 11th most populous in the State of Pennsylvania and the 164th most populous in the United States with a population of 280,566. Erie County is also a part of the larger Erie-Meadville, PA Combined Statistical Area (CSA), which combines the populations of Erie County as well as Crawford County to the south. The Combined Statistical Area ranked seventh in the State of Pennsylvania and 102nd most populous in the United States with a population of 369,331.

Largest populations in Erie County

2015 rank City Type 2016 estimate 2010 Census Change Highest Population (Year)
1 Erie City 98,593 101,786 −3.14% 138,440 (1960)
2 Millcreek Township 53,773 53,515 +0.48% 54,256 (2013)
3 Harborcreek Township 17,517 17,234 +1.64% 17,629 (2014)
4 Fairview Township 10,150 10,102 +0.48% 10,217 (2013)
5 Summit Township 6,916 6,603 +4.74% 6,916 (2016)
6 Corry City 6,360 6,605 −3.71% 7,911 (1950)
7 North East Township 6,269 6,315 −0.73% 7,702 (2000)
8 Edinboro Borough 6,236 6,438 −3.14% 7,736 (1990)

Government and politics

Prior to 1960, Erie County was primarily Republican in presidential elections, only backing Democratic Party candidates in four elections from 1888 to 1956. Since 1960, it has become primarily Democratic, with only four Republican wins in the county in presidential elections from 1960 to the present. Nevertheless, since the 2016 Presidential Election, the county has become increasingly competitive, with Donald Trump narrowly winning the county in 2016, and Joe Biden narrowly flipping the county in 2020.

United States presidential election results for Erie County, Pennsylvania[15][16]
Year Republican Democratic Third party
No.  % No.  % No.  %
2020 66,869 48.63% 68,286 49.66% 2,339 1.70%
2016 60,069 48.01% 58,112 46.44% 6,948 5.55%
2012 49,025 41.16% 68,036 57.12% 2,053 1.72%
2008 50,351 39.25% 75,775 59.07% 2,145 1.67%
2004 57,372 45.57% 67,921 53.95% 605 0.48%
2000 49,027 43.64% 59,399 52.88% 3,909 3.48%
1996 39,884 36.66% 57,508 52.86% 11,399 10.48%
1992 39,283 33.35% 56,381 47.86% 22,140 18.79%
1988 48,306 46.76% 53,913 52.19% 1,081 1.05%
1984 55,860 51.12% 52,471 48.02% 935 0.86%
1980 48,918 47.42% 45,946 44.54% 8,298 8.04%
1976 49,641 46.20% 55,385 51.55% 2,413 2.25%
1972 61,542 58.22% 42,022 39.75% 2,149 2.03%
1968 43,134 43.20% 51,604 51.68% 5,109 5.12%
1964 31,393 29.93% 72,944 69.55% 549 0.52%
1960 51,525 48.82% 53,723 50.90% 295 0.28%
1956 54,430 61.46% 33,802 38.17% 323 0.36%
1952 48,836 56.89% 36,619 42.66% 391 0.46%
1948 33,806 53.45% 28,159 44.52% 1,280 2.02%
1944 35,247 51.40% 32,912 47.99% 419 0.61%
1940 36,608 53.28% 31,735 46.18% 371 0.54%
1936 25,607 39.18% 33,042 50.56% 6,706 10.26%
1932 18,371 45.43% 19,592 48.44% 2,479 6.13%
1928 30,542 60.97% 19,278 38.48% 277 0.55%
1924 19,480 61.29% 3,502 11.02% 8,802 27.69%
1920 19,465 63.68% 6,311 20.65% 4,793 15.68%
1916 8,933 43.30% 9,641 46.73% 2,056 9.97%
1912 4,958 26.93% 5,633 30.60% 7,817 42.47%
1908 10,828 55.76% 6,173 31.79% 2,418 12.45%
1904 11,951 62.84% 5,119 26.92% 1,948 10.24%
1900 11,816 58.47% 7,281 36.03% 1,110 5.49%
1896 11,819 54.74% 9,210 42.65% 563 2.61%
1892 8,918 49.76% 7,589 42.34% 1,416 7.90%
1888 9,372 54.23% 7,111 41.15% 798 4.62%
1884 9,230 54.77% 6,725 39.91% 896 5.32%
1880 8,752 55.12% 6,471 40.76% 654 4.12%

The county seat of government is in Erie. The county has a home-rule charter and is run by a county executive. The current County Executive is Brenton Davis.[17] Davis assumed the office on January 3, 2022, following the retirement of County Executive Kathy Dahlkemper. The remaining elected officials of the executive branch are the Erie County Controller, Erie County Coroner, Erie County District Attorney, Erie County Sheriff, and Erie County Clerk. see latest list

Erie County Executives
Name Party Term start Term end
Russell Robison Republican 1978 1982
Judith M. Lynch Democratic 1982 2002
Richard Schenker Republican 2002 2006
Mark A. DiVecchio Democratic 2006 2010
Barry Grossman Democratic 2010 2014
Kathleen Dahlkemper Democratic 2014 2022
Brenton Davis Republican 2022 Incumbent

Erie County Council

The legislature consists of a county council. The Erie County Council is made up of seven councilpersons elected to represent seven geographical districts. A chair and vice chair are chosen among the councilpersons to lead the council.

  • Terry Scutella, Democratic, District 1-Millcreek Township Districts 2 through 10, 12 through 17, and 22 through 25
  • Andre Horton, Democratic, Chairman, District 2-Erie 1st Ward Districts 1 through 8; Erie 2nd Ward Districts 1, 2, 3, 4, 6, 7 and 9; Erie 3rd Ward Districts 1, 3, 4 and 5; Erie 4th Ward Districts 1 through 9; and Lawrence Park Township Districts 1, 2, and 3
  • Mary Rennie, Democratic, District 3-Erie's 2nd Ward District 8; Erie's 3rd Ward Districts 2, 6 and 7; Erie's 5th Ward Districts 1, 2, 11 and 20; Erie's 6th Ward; and Millcreek Township Districts 11, 18, 19 and 20
  • Jim Winarski, Democratic, District 4-Erie's 2nd Ward District 5; Erie's 5th Ward Districts 3 through 10, 12 through 19, and 21; Wesleyville Borough District 2 (West District); and Millcreek Township Districts 1 and 21
  • Brian Shank, Republican, District 5-North East Borough 1st and 2nd Wards; Wesleyville Borough District 1 (East District); and Greene, Harborcreek, North East and Summit townships.
  • Sam "Charlie" Bayle, Republican, District 6-City of Corry; the boroughs of Edinboro, Elgin, Union City, Waterford and Wattsburg; and Amity, Concord, Greenfield, LeBoeuf, Union, Venango, Washington, Waterford and Wayne townships
  • Ellen Schauerman, Republican, District 7-Boroughs of Albion, Cranesville, Girard, Lake City, McKean and Platea, as well as Conneaut, Elk Creek, Fairview, Franklin, Girard, McKean and Springfield townships

Judiciary

The judiciary is made up of nine judges serving the Erie County Court of Common Pleas and fifteen magisterial district judges serve the district courts. Court administration is managed by a district court administrator, deputy court administrator, and assistant court administrator. The Erie County Courthouse is located near Perry Square in downtown Erie. Erie County also operates a County Prison, and a combined 911/Emergency Management Agency under the Erie County Department of Public Safety, which is located in Summit Township.

Row officers

  • Clerk of Records, Kenneth Gamble, Democratic (Was appointed after the retirement of Pat Fetzner in 2015[18])
  • Controller, Dr. Kyle W. Foust, Democrat
  • Coroner, Lyell Cook, Republican
  • District Attorney, Jack Daneri, Republican
  • Sheriff, John Loomis, Democratic

Politics

As of November 7, 2022, there are 178,785 registered voters in Erie County.[19]

Chart of Voter Registration

  Democratic (47.21%)
  Republican (38.30%)
  Independent (10.07%)
  Third Party (4.41%)


Unlike most of northwestern Pennsylvania, Erie County tends to lean Democratic in statewide and national elections. All four statewide winners carried the county in 2008. The margins of victory for the Democratic presidential candidate in the 2000, 2004, and 2008 elections in Erie County were 9, 8, and 20 percentage points, respectively.

The county is considered a bellwether polity.[20]

State senate

State House of Representatives

United States House of Representatives

United States Senate

Education

Public school districts

 
Map of Erie County, Pennsylvania School Districts

Approved private schools

Community College

After years of advocacy on the issue, Erie County Council approved sponsorship of an Erie County Community College on June 28, 2017. Council Chairman Jay Breneman and colleagues Andre Horton, Kathy Fatica and Fiore Leone voted in favor of sponsoring the community college, which was later signed by County Executive Kathy Dahlkemper. The County Executive's administration took the lead in presenting the proposal to the Pennsylvania State Board of Education for approval, supported by a cross-section of business, civic, labor, and community leaders.[21][22]

Recreation

There are two Pennsylvania state parks in Erie County and both are on the shores of Lake Erie.

Recreation

Annual events

Libraries

The foremost public library in Erie is part of the Erie County library system, which consists of five branches and a bookmobile.[24] The Raymond M. Blasco, M. D. Memorial Library, named for its benefactor, opened in 1996.[25] Now called the Main Library or the Erie County Public Library, is the third-largest library in Pennsylvania.[26] It is connected to the Erie Maritime Museum, both of which are part of a bayfront improvement project that includes the Bayfront Convention Center and the Bicentennial Tower on Dobbins Landing. The Main Library is praised for its waterfront views of the Presque Isle Bay, where the historic U.S. Brig Niagara is often located. The library was moved to this location approximately 25 years ago, from its previous home in the center of downtown Erie. The library's renovation directly contributed to the revitalization of the waterfront, which was previously underdeveloped.[27]

The second floor of the Main Library is home to an art collection, containing historic pieces like Summer Afternoon, Isle of Shoals by Frederick Childe Hassam. The display also features several local artists.[27] The library works with the International Institute of Erie (IIE) to offer tours of the library, a collection of foreign-language books, and other practical information about immigration processes.[27] The library also provides a heritage room where one can conduct genealogy research concerning their ancestors who resided in Erie County or Northwest Pennsylvania.[28]

The four remaining libraries within the Erie County library system are the Edinboro Branch Library, Iroquois Avenue Branch Library, Lincoln Community Center Branch Library, and Millcreek Branch Library.[24] The other public libraries of Erie County include the Albion Area Public Library, Corry Public Library, McCord Memorial Library, Rice Avenue Public Library, Union City Public Library, and Waterford Public Library.[29]

Communities

 
Map of Erie County, Pennsylvania with Municipal Labels showing Cities and 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. There are 38 incorporated municipalities in Erie County, including 2 cities, 14 boroughs, and 22 townships. The following cities, boroughs and townships are located in Erie County:

Cities

Boroughs

Townships

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.

Population ranking

The population ranking of the following table is based on the 2010 census of Erie County.[14]

county seat

Rank City/Town/etc. Municipal type Population (2010 Census)
1 Erie City 101,786
2 Northwest Harborcreek CDP 8,949
3 Corry City 6,605
4 Edinboro Borough 6,438
5 North East Borough 4,294
6 Lawrence Park CDP 3,982
7 Wesleyville Borough 3,341
8 Union City Borough 3,320
9 Girard Borough 3,104
10 Lake City Borough 3,031
11 Fairview CDP 2,348
12 Penn State Erie (Behrend) CDP 1,629
13 Waterford Borough 1,517
14 Albion Borough 1,516
15 Avonia CDP 1,205
16 Cranesville Borough 638
17 Platea Borough 430
18 Mill Village Borough 412
19 Wattsburg Borough 403
20 McKean Borough 388
21 Elgin Borough 218

See also

References

  1. ^ "2020 Population and Housing State Data". United States Census Bureau. Retrieved August 13, 2021.{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: url-status (link)
  2. ^ . National Association of Counties. Archived from the original on May 31, 2011. Retrieved June 7, 2011.
  3. ^ . Pennsylvania Atlas of Historical County Boundaries. The Newberry Library. 2008. Archived from the original on March 25, 2015. Retrieved March 12, 2015.
  4. ^ . Archived from the original on February 18, 2013. Retrieved May 31, 2012.
  5. ^ Whitman, Benjamin; et al. (1884). "Part II, Chapter I". History of Erie County, Pennsylvania: Containing a History of the County, Its Townships, Towns, Villages, Schools, Churches, Industries, Etc. Vol. 1. Erie, Pennsylvania: Warner, Beers and Company. p. 137.
  6. ^ Whitman, Benjamin; et al. (1884). "Chapter XVII County Buildings". History of Erie County, Pennsylvania: Containing a History of the County, Its Townships, Towns, Villages, Schools, Churches, Industries, Etc. Vol. 1. Erie, Pennsylvania: Warner, Beers and Company. p. 283.
  7. ^ Rosenberry, Lois Kimball Mathews (1909). The expansion of New England: the spread of New England settlement and institutions to the Mississippi River, 1620–1865. Boston: Houghton Mifflin. p. 151.
  8. ^ Meyer, Melinda.Journey to Freedom National Park Service. Erie County Historical Society. November 17, 2010. http://www.nps.gov. (December 6, 2012)
  9. ^ "2010 Census Gazetteer Files". United States Census Bureau. August 22, 2012. Retrieved March 5, 2015.
  10. ^ "Erie. II. A county of Pennsylvania" . Encyclopedia Americana. 1920.
  11. ^ "Census 2020".
  12. ^ "P2 HISPANIC OR LATINO, AND NOT HISPANIC OR LATINO BY RACE – 2020: DEC Redistricting Data (PL 94-171) – Erie County, Pennsylvania".
  13. ^ "Office of Management and Budget". February 7, 2017.
  14. ^ a b . Archived from the original on December 6, 2013. Retrieved May 25, 2014.
  15. ^ Leip, David. "Dave Leip's Atlas of U.S. Presidential Elections". uselectionatlas.org.
  16. ^ The leading "other" candidate, Progressive Theodore Roosevelt, received 5,019 votes, while Socialist candidate Eugene Debs received 1,972 votes, Prohibition candidate Eugene Chafin received 800 votes, and Socialist Labor candidate Arthur Reimer received 26 votes.
  17. ^ Rao, A. J. "Davis vows to usher in 'era of change,' unity as new Erie County executive". Erie Times-News. Retrieved January 18, 2022.
  18. ^ "Fetzner retires from clerk of records post". Retrieved June 23, 2016.
  19. ^ "Voter registration statistics by county". Pennsylvania Department of State.
  20. ^ David Wasserman (October 6, 2020), "The 10 Bellwether Counties That Show How Trump Is in Serious Trouble", The New York Times
  21. ^ Erie County Council approves community college sponsorship
  22. ^ Community College Proposal
  23. ^ Pennsylvania Department of Community and Economic Development, Presque Isle State Park: Tranquility Found. Retrieved May 8, 2014.
  24. ^ a b "Facilities – Erie County Public Library".
  25. ^ "History of the Library – Erie County Public Library".
  26. ^ . www.ci.erie.pa.us. Archived from the original on August 8, 2007. Retrieved January 11, 2022.
  27. ^ a b c "This Seaport is Now a Library, but It's Still a Portal to the World". The Atlantic. September 5, 2016.
  28. ^ "Genealogy – Heritage Room at Blasco – Erie County Public Library".
  29. ^ "Public Libraries of Erie County".

External links

  • Erie County
  • "History of Erie County, Pennsylvania" (1884)
  • Erie County, PA Genealogy Page

Coordinates: 42°06′N 80°06′W / 42.10°N 80.10°W / 42.10; -80.10

erie, county, pennsylvania, other, counties, united, states, named, erie, county, erie, county, york, erie, county, ohio, erie, county, county, commonwealth, pennsylvania, northernmost, county, pennsylvania, 2020, census, population, county, seat, erie, county. For other counties in the United States named Erie County see Erie County New York and Erie County Ohio Erie County is a county in the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania It is the northernmost county in Pennsylvania As of the 2020 census the population was 270 876 1 Its county seat is Erie 2 The county was created in 1800 and later organized in 1803 3 Erie CountyCountyErie County CourthouseFlagSealLocation within the U S state of PennsylvaniaPennsylvania s location within the U S Coordinates 42 06 N 80 06 W 42 1 N 80 1 W 42 1 80 1Country United StatesState PennsylvaniaFoundedNovember 7 1803Named forErie peopleSeatErieLargest cityErieArea Total1 558 sq mi 4 040 km2 Land799 sq mi 2 070 km2 Water759 sq mi 1 970 km2 49 Population 2020 Total270 876 Density339 1 sq mi 130 9 km2 Time zoneUTC 5 Eastern Summer DST UTC 4 EDT Congressional district16thWebsitewww wbr eriecountypa wbr govErie County comprises the Erie PA Metropolitan Statistical Area Contents 1 History 2 Geography 2 1 Adjacent counties 2 2 Major highways 3 Demographics 3 1 2020 census 4 Metropolitan Statistical Area 5 Largest populations in Erie County 6 Government and politics 6 1 Erie County Council 6 2 Judiciary 6 3 Row officers 6 4 Politics 6 5 State senate 6 6 State House of Representatives 6 7 United States House of Representatives 6 8 United States Senate 7 Education 7 1 Public school districts 7 2 Approved private schools 7 3 Community College 8 Recreation 8 1 Recreation 8 2 Annual events 8 3 Libraries 9 Communities 9 1 Cities 9 2 Boroughs 9 3 Townships 9 4 Census designated places 9 5 Population ranking 10 See also 11 References 12 External linksHistory EditErie County was established on March 12 1800 from part of Allegheny County which absorbed the lands of the disputed Erie Triangle in 1792 Prior to 1792 the region was claimed by both New York and Pennsylvania and so no county demarcations were made until the federal government intervened 4 Since Erie County and its newly established neighboring Counties of Crawford Mercer Venango and Warren were initially unable to sustain themselves a five county administrative organization was established at Crawford County s Meadville to temporarily manage government affairs in the region Erie first elected its own county officials in 1803 5 Unfortunately on March 23 1823 the Erie County Courthouse burned and all county records to that point were destroyed 6 The county was originally settled by immigrants of Yankee stock immigrants from New England and the western part of New York descended from the English Puritans whose ancestors settled New England in the colonial era Erie County resembled Upstate New York more than it did Pennsylvania with its population primarily consisting of settlers from Connecticut Rhode Island and Maine 7 Roads were laid out post routes established public buildings erected and people were invited to move there The original settlers were entirely of New England origins or were Yankees from upstate New York whose families had moved to that place from New England only one generation earlier in the aftermath of the Revolutionary War This resulted in Erie County being culturally very contiguous with early New England culture Erie County was part of the Underground Railroad giving slaves the ability to gain freedom through Lake Erie into Canada East through New York State or to stay in Erie with the help of abolitionists and the free black community Today the Journey to Freedom educational program provides an interactive program on the Underground Railroad experience 8 Geography EditAccording to the U S Census Bureau the county has a total area of 1 558 square miles 4 040 km2 of which 799 square miles 2 070 km2 is land and 759 square miles 1 970 km2 49 is water 9 It is the largest county in Pennsylvania by total area With the exception of a high ridge several miles from the lake running nearly parallel with its shore the terrain is generally rolling and well watered 10 It is the only county in the state that occupies a significant amount of land north of the 42nd parallel There are two cities in Erie County the city of Erie and the city of Corry Other notable population centers include Millcreek Harborcreek and Fairview townships and the boroughs of Edinboro North East Girard Waterford and Union City Erie County is bordered on the northeast by Chautauqua County New York on the east by Warren County on the south by Crawford County and on the west by Ashtabula County Ohio Directly north of the county is Lake Erie This position on the water makes Erie County the only county in Pennsylvania to share a border with Canada which is located on the far shore of the lake The county has a warm summer humid continental climate Dfb Average monthly temperatures in downtown Erie range from 26 4 F in January to 70 8 F in July while in Corry they range from 23 8 F in January to 68 2 F in July 1 Adjacent counties Edit Haldimand County Ontario north Norfolk County Ontario northwest Chautauqua County New York northeast Warren County southeast Crawford County south Ashtabula County Ohio southwest Major highways Edit I 79 I 86 I 90 US 6 US 6N US 19 US 20 PA 5 PA 5 Alt PA 8 PA 18 PA 77 PA 89 PA 97 PA 98 PA 99 PA 215 PA 226 PA 290 PA 426 PA 430 PA 474 PA 505 PA 531 PA 832Demographics EditHistorical population CensusPop Note 18001 468 18103 758156 0 18208 553127 6 183017 04199 2 184031 34483 9 185038 74223 6 186049 43227 6 187065 97333 5 188074 68813 2 189086 07415 2 190098 47314 4 1910115 51717 3 1920153 53632 9 1930175 27714 2 1940180 8893 2 1950219 38821 3 1960250 68214 3 1970263 6545 2 1980279 7806 1 1990275 572 1 5 2000280 8451 9 2010280 566 0 1 2020270 876 3 5 11 According to the 2010 census there were 280 566 people 110 413 households and 70 196 families residing in the county The population density was 351 2 inhabitants per square mile 135 6 km2 There were 119 138 housing units at an average density of 149 1 per square mile 57 6 km2 The racial makeup of the county was 88 2 percent White 7 2 percent Black or African American 0 2 percent Native American 1 1 percent Asian 0 03 percent Pacific Islander 1 2 percent from other races and 2 1 percent from two or more races A further 3 4 percent of the population were Hispanic or Latino of any race 24 4 were of German 12 5 Polish 12 3 Italian 10 1 Irish 6 5 English and 6 4 American ancestry Of the total number of household 27 2 percent had children under the age of 18 living with them 45 4 percent were married couples living together 13 2 percent had a female householder with no husband present and 36 4 percent were non families 29 3 percent of all households were made up of individuals and 11 3 percent had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older The average household size was 2 42 and the average family size was 3 00 In the county the population was spread out with 26 5 percent under the age of 20 The median age was 38 6 years For every 100 females there were 96 73 males 2020 census Edit Erie County Racial Composition 12 Race Num Perc White NH 219 180 81 Black or African American NH 19 821 7 32 Native American NH 343 0 13 Asian NH 6 358 2 35 Pacific Islander NH 58 0 02 Other Mixed NH 13 086 4 83 Hispanic or Latino 12 030 4 44 Metropolitan Statistical Area Edit Map of the Erie Meadville PA Combined Statistical Area CSA composed of the following parts Erie PA Metropolitan Statistical Area Meadville PA Micropolitan Statistical Area See also List of Metropolitan Statistical Areas and List of Combined Statistical Areas The United States Office of Management and Budget 13 has designated Erie County as the Erie PA Metropolitan Statistical Area MSA As of the 2010 U S Census 14 the metropolitan area ranked 11th most populous in the State of Pennsylvania and the 164th most populous in the United States with a population of 280 566 Erie County is also a part of the larger Erie Meadville PA Combined Statistical Area CSA which combines the populations of Erie County as well as Crawford County to the south The Combined Statistical Area ranked seventh in the State of Pennsylvania and 102nd most populous in the United States with a population of 369 331 Largest populations in Erie County Edit2015 rank City Type 2016 estimate 2010 Census Change Highest Population Year 1 Erie City 98 593 101 786 3 14 138 440 1960 2 Millcreek Township 53 773 53 515 0 48 54 256 2013 3 Harborcreek Township 17 517 17 234 1 64 17 629 2014 4 Fairview Township 10 150 10 102 0 48 10 217 2013 5 Summit Township 6 916 6 603 4 74 6 916 2016 6 Corry City 6 360 6 605 3 71 7 911 1950 7 North East Township 6 269 6 315 0 73 7 702 2000 8 Edinboro Borough 6 236 6 438 3 14 7 736 1990 Government and politics EditPrior to 1960 Erie County was primarily Republican in presidential elections only backing Democratic Party candidates in four elections from 1888 to 1956 Since 1960 it has become primarily Democratic with only four Republican wins in the county in presidential elections from 1960 to the present Nevertheless since the 2016 Presidential Election the county has become increasingly competitive with Donald Trump narrowly winning the county in 2016 and Joe Biden narrowly flipping the county in 2020 United States presidential election results for Erie County Pennsylvania 15 16 Year Republican Democratic Third partyNo No No 2020 66 869 48 63 68 286 49 66 2 339 1 70 2016 60 069 48 01 58 112 46 44 6 948 5 55 2012 49 025 41 16 68 036 57 12 2 053 1 72 2008 50 351 39 25 75 775 59 07 2 145 1 67 2004 57 372 45 57 67 921 53 95 605 0 48 2000 49 027 43 64 59 399 52 88 3 909 3 48 1996 39 884 36 66 57 508 52 86 11 399 10 48 1992 39 283 33 35 56 381 47 86 22 140 18 79 1988 48 306 46 76 53 913 52 19 1 081 1 05 1984 55 860 51 12 52 471 48 02 935 0 86 1980 48 918 47 42 45 946 44 54 8 298 8 04 1976 49 641 46 20 55 385 51 55 2 413 2 25 1972 61 542 58 22 42 022 39 75 2 149 2 03 1968 43 134 43 20 51 604 51 68 5 109 5 12 1964 31 393 29 93 72 944 69 55 549 0 52 1960 51 525 48 82 53 723 50 90 295 0 28 1956 54 430 61 46 33 802 38 17 323 0 36 1952 48 836 56 89 36 619 42 66 391 0 46 1948 33 806 53 45 28 159 44 52 1 280 2 02 1944 35 247 51 40 32 912 47 99 419 0 61 1940 36 608 53 28 31 735 46 18 371 0 54 1936 25 607 39 18 33 042 50 56 6 706 10 26 1932 18 371 45 43 19 592 48 44 2 479 6 13 1928 30 542 60 97 19 278 38 48 277 0 55 1924 19 480 61 29 3 502 11 02 8 802 27 69 1920 19 465 63 68 6 311 20 65 4 793 15 68 1916 8 933 43 30 9 641 46 73 2 056 9 97 1912 4 958 26 93 5 633 30 60 7 817 42 47 1908 10 828 55 76 6 173 31 79 2 418 12 45 1904 11 951 62 84 5 119 26 92 1 948 10 24 1900 11 816 58 47 7 281 36 03 1 110 5 49 1896 11 819 54 74 9 210 42 65 563 2 61 1892 8 918 49 76 7 589 42 34 1 416 7 90 1888 9 372 54 23 7 111 41 15 798 4 62 1884 9 230 54 77 6 725 39 91 896 5 32 1880 8 752 55 12 6 471 40 76 654 4 12 The county seat of government is in Erie The county has a home rule charter and is run by a county executive The current County Executive is Brenton Davis 17 Davis assumed the office on January 3 2022 following the retirement of County Executive Kathy Dahlkemper The remaining elected officials of the executive branch are the Erie County Controller Erie County Coroner Erie County District Attorney Erie County Sheriff and Erie County Clerk see latest list Erie County Executives Name Party Term start Term endRussell Robison Republican 1978 1982Judith M Lynch Democratic 1982 2002Richard Schenker Republican 2002 2006Mark A DiVecchio Democratic 2006 2010Barry Grossman Democratic 2010 2014Kathleen Dahlkemper Democratic 2014 2022Brenton Davis Republican 2022 IncumbentErie County Council Edit The legislature consists of a county council The Erie County Council is made up of seven councilpersons elected to represent seven geographical districts see map A chair and vice chair are chosen among the councilpersons to lead the council Terry Scutella Democratic District 1 Millcreek Township Districts 2 through 10 12 through 17 and 22 through 25 Andre Horton Democratic Chairman District 2 Erie 1st Ward Districts 1 through 8 Erie 2nd Ward Districts 1 2 3 4 6 7 and 9 Erie 3rd Ward Districts 1 3 4 and 5 Erie 4th Ward Districts 1 through 9 and Lawrence Park Township Districts 1 2 and 3 Mary Rennie Democratic District 3 Erie s 2nd Ward District 8 Erie s 3rd Ward Districts 2 6 and 7 Erie s 5th Ward Districts 1 2 11 and 20 Erie s 6th Ward and Millcreek Township Districts 11 18 19 and 20 Jim Winarski Democratic District 4 Erie s 2nd Ward District 5 Erie s 5th Ward Districts 3 through 10 12 through 19 and 21 Wesleyville Borough District 2 West District and Millcreek Township Districts 1 and 21 Brian Shank Republican District 5 North East Borough 1st and 2nd Wards Wesleyville Borough District 1 East District and Greene Harborcreek North East and Summit townships Sam Charlie Bayle Republican District 6 City of Corry the boroughs of Edinboro Elgin Union City Waterford and Wattsburg and Amity Concord Greenfield LeBoeuf Union Venango Washington Waterford and Wayne townships Ellen Schauerman Republican District 7 Boroughs of Albion Cranesville Girard Lake City McKean and Platea as well as Conneaut Elk Creek Fairview Franklin Girard McKean and Springfield townshipsJudiciary Edit The judiciary is made up of nine judges serving the Erie County Court of Common Pleas and fifteen magisterial district judges serve the district courts Court administration is managed by a district court administrator deputy court administrator and assistant court administrator The Erie County Courthouse is located near Perry Square in downtown Erie Erie County also operates a County Prison and a combined 911 Emergency Management Agency under the Erie County Department of Public Safety which is located in Summit Township Row officers Edit Clerk of Records Kenneth Gamble Democratic Was appointed after the retirement of Pat Fetzner in 2015 18 Controller Dr Kyle W Foust Democrat Coroner Lyell Cook Republican District Attorney Jack Daneri Republican Sheriff John Loomis DemocraticPolitics Edit As of November 7 2022 there are 178 785 registered voters in Erie County 19 Chart of Voter Registration Democratic 47 21 Republican 38 30 Independent 10 07 Third Party 4 41 Democratic 84 405 47 21 Republican 68 483 38 30 Independent 18 004 10 07 Third Party 7 893 4 41 Unlike most of northwestern Pennsylvania Erie County tends to lean Democratic in statewide and national elections All four statewide winners carried the county in 2008 The margins of victory for the Democratic presidential candidate in the 2000 2004 and 2008 elections in Erie County were 9 8 and 20 percentage points respectively The county is considered a bellwether polity 20 State senate Edit Dan Laughlin R Pennsylvania s 49th Senatorial District Michele Brooks R Pennsylvania s 50th Senatorial DistrictState House of Representatives Edit Patrick J Harkins D Pennsylvania s 1st Representative District Robert Merski D Pennsylvania s 2nd Representative District Ryan A Bizzarro D Pennsylvania s 3rd Representative District Jake Banta R Pennsylvania s 4th Representative District Brad Roae R Pennsylvania s 6th Representative District Parke Wentling R Pennsylvania s 17th Representative DistrictUnited States House of Representatives Edit Mike Kelly R Pennsylvania s 16th congressional districtUnited States Senate Edit John Fetterman Democrat Bob Casey DemocratEducation EditPublic school districts Edit Map of Erie County Pennsylvania School Districts Corry Area School District Erie City School District Fairview School District Fort LeBoeuf School District General McLane School District Girard School District Harbor Creek School District Iroquois School District Millcreek Township School District North East School District Northwestern School District Union City Area School District Wattsburg Area School District Approved private schools Edit Barber National Institute Erie PennsylvaniaCommunity College Edit After years of advocacy on the issue Erie County Council approved sponsorship of an Erie County Community College on June 28 2017 Council Chairman Jay Breneman and colleagues Andre Horton Kathy Fatica and Fiore Leone voted in favor of sponsoring the community college which was later signed by County Executive Kathy Dahlkemper The County Executive s administration took the lead in presenting the proposal to the Pennsylvania State Board of Education for approval supported by a cross section of business civic labor and community leaders 21 22 Recreation EditThere are two Pennsylvania state parks in Erie County and both are on the shores of Lake Erie Erie Bluffs State Park one of Pennsylvania s newest state parks Presque Isle State Park one of Pennsylvania s oldest state parks and the most visited state park in Pennsylvania 23 Recreation Edit Splash Lagoon Indoor Waterpark Millcreek Mall Presque Isle Downs and Casino Presque Isle State Park Erie Zoo Tom Ridge Environmental Center Erie Maritime Museum Warner Theatre Erie Art Museum Waldameer Park Erie County Public LibraryAnnual events Edit Roar on the ShoreLibraries Edit The foremost public library in Erie is part of the Erie County library system which consists of five branches and a bookmobile 24 The Raymond M Blasco M D Memorial Library named for its benefactor opened in 1996 25 Now called the Main Library or the Erie County Public Library is the third largest library in Pennsylvania 26 It is connected to the Erie Maritime Museum both of which are part of a bayfront improvement project that includes the Bayfront Convention Center and the Bicentennial Tower on Dobbins Landing The Main Library is praised for its waterfront views of the Presque Isle Bay where the historic U S Brig Niagara is often located The library was moved to this location approximately 25 years ago from its previous home in the center of downtown Erie The library s renovation directly contributed to the revitalization of the waterfront which was previously underdeveloped 27 The second floor of the Main Library is home to an art collection containing historic pieces like Summer Afternoon Isle of Shoals by Frederick Childe Hassam The display also features several local artists 27 The library works with the International Institute of Erie IIE to offer tours of the library a collection of foreign language books and other practical information about immigration processes 27 The library also provides a heritage room where one can conduct genealogy research concerning their ancestors who resided in Erie County or Northwest Pennsylvania 28 The four remaining libraries within the Erie County library system are the Edinboro Branch Library Iroquois Avenue Branch Library Lincoln Community Center Branch Library and Millcreek Branch Library 24 The other public libraries of Erie County include the Albion Area Public Library Corry Public Library McCord Memorial Library Rice Avenue Public Library Union City Public Library and Waterford Public Library 29 Communities Edit Map of Erie County Pennsylvania with Municipal Labels showing Cities and 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 There are 38 incorporated municipalities in Erie County including 2 cities 14 boroughs and 22 townships The following cities boroughs and townships are located in Erie County Cities Edit Corry Erie county seat Boroughs Edit Albion Cranesville Edinboro Elgin Girard Lake City McKean Mill Village North East Platea Union City Waterford Wattsburg Wesleyville Townships Edit Amity Township Concord Township Conneaut Township Elk Creek Township Fairview Township Franklin Township Girard Township Greene Township Greenfield Township Harborcreek Township Lawrence Park Township LeBoeuf Township McKean Township Millcreek Township North East Township Springfield Township Summit Township Union Township Venango Township Washington Township Waterford Township Wayne Township Census designated places Edit 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 Avonia Fairview Lawrence Park Northwest Harborcreek Penn State Erie Behrend Population ranking Edit The population ranking of the following table is based on the 2010 census of Erie County 14 county seat Rank City Town etc Municipal type Population 2010 Census 1 Erie City 101 7862 Northwest Harborcreek CDP 8 9493 Corry City 6 6054 Edinboro Borough 6 4385 North East Borough 4 2946 Lawrence Park CDP 3 9827 Wesleyville Borough 3 3418 Union City Borough 3 3209 Girard Borough 3 10410 Lake City Borough 3 03111 Fairview CDP 2 34812 Penn State Erie Behrend CDP 1 62913 Waterford Borough 1 51714 Albion Borough 1 51615 Avonia CDP 1 20516 Cranesville Borough 63817 Platea Borough 43018 Mill Village Borough 41219 Wattsburg Borough 40320 McKean Borough 38821 Elgin Borough 218See also EditNational Register of Historic Places listings in Erie County PennsylvaniaReferences Edit 2020 Population and Housing State Data United States Census Bureau Retrieved August 13 2021 a href Template Cite web html title Template Cite web cite web a CS1 maint url status link Find a County National Association of Counties Archived from the original on May 31 2011 Retrieved June 7 2011 Pennsylvania Individual County Chronologies Pennsylvania Atlas of Historical County Boundaries The Newberry Library 2008 Archived from the original on March 25 2015 Retrieved March 12 2015 State and County Maps of Pennsylvania Archived from the original on February 18 2013 Retrieved May 31 2012 Whitman Benjamin et al 1884 Part II Chapter I History of Erie County Pennsylvania Containing a History of the County Its Townships Towns Villages Schools Churches Industries Etc Vol 1 Erie Pennsylvania Warner Beers and Company p 137 Whitman Benjamin et al 1884 Chapter XVII County Buildings History of Erie County Pennsylvania Containing a History of the County Its Townships Towns Villages Schools Churches Industries Etc Vol 1 Erie Pennsylvania Warner Beers and Company p 283 Rosenberry Lois Kimball Mathews 1909 The expansion of New England the spread of New England settlement and institutions to the Mississippi River 1620 1865 Boston Houghton Mifflin p 151 Meyer Melinda Journey to Freedom National Park Service Erie County Historical Society November 17 2010 http www nps gov December 6 2012 2010 Census Gazetteer Files United States Census Bureau August 22 2012 Retrieved March 5 2015 Erie II A county of Pennsylvania Encyclopedia Americana 1920 Census 2020 P2 HISPANIC OR LATINO AND NOT HISPANIC OR LATINO BY RACE 2020 DEC Redistricting Data PL 94 171 Erie County Pennsylvania Office of Management and Budget February 7 2017 a b 2010 Census Archived from the original on December 6 2013 Retrieved May 25 2014 Leip David Dave Leip s Atlas of U S Presidential Elections uselectionatlas org The leading other candidate Progressive Theodore Roosevelt received 5 019 votes while Socialist candidate Eugene Debs received 1 972 votes Prohibition candidate Eugene Chafin received 800 votes and Socialist Labor candidate Arthur Reimer received 26 votes Rao A J Davis vows to usher in era of change unity as new Erie County executive Erie Times News Retrieved January 18 2022 Fetzner retires from clerk of records post Retrieved June 23 2016 Voter registration statistics by county Pennsylvania Department of State David Wasserman October 6 2020 The 10 Bellwether Counties That Show How Trump Is in Serious Trouble The New York Times Erie County Council approves community college sponsorship Community College Proposal Pennsylvania Department of Community and Economic Development Presque Isle State Park Tranquility Found Retrieved May 8 2014 a b Facilities Erie County Public Library History of the Library Erie County Public Library Facts www ci erie pa us Archived from the original on August 8 2007 Retrieved January 11 2022 a b c This Seaport is Now a Library but It s Still a Portal to the World The Atlantic September 5 2016 Genealogy Heritage Room at Blasco Erie County Public Library Public Libraries of Erie County External links EditErie County History of Erie County Pennsylvania 1884 Erie County PA Genealogy Page Coordinates 42 06 N 80 06 W 42 10 N 80 10 W 42 10 80 10 Retrieved from https en wikipedia org w index php title Erie County Pennsylvania amp oldid 1153676838, wikipedia, wiki, book, books, library,

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