Mercer County, Pennsylvania
Mercer County is a county in the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania. As of the 2020 census, the population was 110,652.[2] Its county seat is Mercer,[3] and its largest city is Hermitage.
Mercer County | |
|---|---|
Mercer County Courthouse (1909) | |
Location within the U.S. state of Pennsylvania | |
Pennsylvania's location within the U.S. | |
| Coordinates: 41°19′N 80°15′W / 41.31°N 80.25°W | |
| Country | United States |
| State | Pennsylvania |
| Founded | November 7, 1803 |
| Named for | Hugh Mercer |
| Seat | Mercer |
| Largest city | Hermitage |
| Area | |
| • Total | 683 sq mi (1,770 km2) |
| • Land | 673 sq mi (1,740 km2) |
| • Water | 10 sq mi (30 km2) 1.5% |
| Population | |
| • Total | 110,652 |
| • Density | 162/sq mi (63/km2) |
| Time zone | UTC−5 (Eastern) |
| • Summer (DST) | UTC−4 (EDT) |
| Congressional district | 16th |
| Website | www |
Mercer County compromises the Hermitage, PA Micropolitan Statistical Area, which is included in the Greater Pittsburgh area.
History edit
Mercer County was created in 1800 and later organized in 1803.[4]
Geography edit
According to the U.S. Census Bureau, the county has a total area of 683 square miles (1,770 km2), of which 673 square miles (1,740 km2) is land and 10 square miles (26 km2) (1.5%) is water.[5] It has a humid continental climate (Dfa/Dfb) and average monthly temperatures in Sharon range from 27.1 °F in January to 72.2 °F in July, while in Mercer borough they range from 25.4 °F in January to 70.1 °F in July.[6]
Adjacent counties edit
- Crawford County (north)
- Venango County (east)
- Butler County (southeast)
- Lawrence County (south)
- Mahoning County, Ohio (southwest)
- Trumbull County, Ohio (west)
Major highways edit
Demographics edit
| Census | Pop. | Note | %± |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1800 | 3,228 | — | |
| 1810 | 8,277 | 156.4% | |
| 1820 | 11,681 | 41.1% | |
| 1830 | 19,729 | 68.9% | |
| 1840 | 32,873 | 66.6% | |
| 1850 | 33,172 | 0.9% | |
| 1860 | 36,856 | 11.1% | |
| 1870 | 49,977 | 35.6% | |
| 1880 | 56,161 | 12.4% | |
| 1890 | 55,744 | −0.7% | |
| 1900 | 57,387 | 2.9% | |
| 1910 | 77,699 | 35.4% | |
| 1920 | 93,788 | 20.7% | |
| 1930 | 99,246 | 5.8% | |
| 1940 | 101,039 | 1.8% | |
| 1950 | 111,954 | 10.8% | |
| 1960 | 127,519 | 13.9% | |
| 1970 | 127,175 | −0.3% | |
| 1980 | 128,299 | 0.9% | |
| 1990 | 121,003 | −5.7% | |
| 2000 | 120,307 | −0.6% | |
| 2010 | 116,638 | −3.0% | |
| 2020 | 110,652 | −5.1% | |
| U.S. Decennial Census[7] 1790-1960[8] 1900-1990[9] 1990-2000[10] 2010-2019[11] 2020[12] | |||
As of the census[13] of 2000, there were 120,293 people, 46,712 households, and 32,371 families residing in the county. The population density was 179 inhabitants per square mile (69 inhabitants/km2). There were 49,859 housing units at an average density of 74 units per square mile (29/km2). The racial makeup of the county was 93.13% White, 5.25% Black or African American, 0.11% Native American, 0.40% Asian, 0.02% Pacific Islander, 0.17% from other races, and 0.91% from two or more races. 0.67% of the population were Hispanic or Latino of any race. 37.7% were of German, 20.0% Irish, 14.9% Italian, 12.0% English, 6.4% American, 6.2% Polish, 3.7% Scotch-Irish, 3.3% Dutch ancestry.
There were 46,712 households, out of which 29.30% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 54.80% were married couples living together, 10.90% had a female householder with no husband present, and 30.70% were non-families. 27.00% of all households were made up of individuals, and 13.20% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.44 and the average family size was 2.96.
In the county, the population was spread out, with 23.40% under the age of 18, 8.90% from 18 to 24, 26.10% from 25 to 44, 23.50% from 45 to 64, and 18.10% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 40 years. For every 100 females there were 94.70 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 90.80 males.
2020 census edit
| Race | Num. | Perc. |
|---|---|---|
| White (NH) | 96,998 | 87.6% |
| Black or African American (NH) | 6,289 | 5.7% |
| Native American (NH) | 116 | 0.1% |
| Asian (NH) | 683 | 0.6% |
| Pacific Islander (NH) | 14 | 0.01% |
| Other/Mixed (NH) | 4,943 | 4.5% |
| Hispanic or Latino | 1,609 | 1.5% |
Government and politics edit
| Year | Republican | Democratic | Third party | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| No. | % | No. | % | No. | % | |
| 2020 | 36,143 | 62.19% | 21,067 | 36.25% | 907 | 1.56% |
| 2016 | 31,544 | 59.70% | 18,733 | 35.45% | 2,562 | 4.85% |
| 2012 | 25,925 | 50.79% | 24,232 | 47.48% | 882 | 1.73% |
| 2008 | 26,565 | 49.04% | 26,411 | 48.76% | 1,192 | 2.20% |
| 2004 | 26,311 | 51.03% | 24,831 | 48.16% | 422 | 0.82% |
| 2000 | 23,132 | 47.47% | 23,817 | 48.87% | 1,783 | 3.66% |
| 1996 | 17,213 | 37.60% | 23,003 | 50.25% | 5,563 | 12.15% |
| 1992 | 16,081 | 32.27% | 23,264 | 46.68% | 10,491 | 21.05% |
| 1988 | 21,301 | 46.43% | 24,278 | 52.92% | 301 | 0.66% |
| 1984 | 24,211 | 49.11% | 24,658 | 50.01% | 434 | 0.88% |
| 1980 | 22,372 | 48.54% | 19,716 | 42.78% | 4,002 | 8.68% |
| 1976 | 22,469 | 46.58% | 25,041 | 51.91% | 725 | 1.50% |
| 1972 | 27,961 | 59.37% | 18,087 | 38.40% | 1,052 | 2.23% |
| 1968 | 23,131 | 47.11% | 22,814 | 46.46% | 3,160 | 6.44% |
| 1964 | 18,153 | 35.90% | 32,199 | 63.68% | 211 | 0.42% |
| 1960 | 29,109 | 54.43% | 24,243 | 45.33% | 128 | 0.24% |
| 1956 | 28,785 | 59.14% | 19,769 | 40.62% | 120 | 0.25% |
| 1952 | 26,424 | 55.59% | 20,770 | 43.69% | 343 | 0.72% |
| 1948 | 18,916 | 52.71% | 16,108 | 44.89% | 862 | 2.40% |
| 1944 | 19,606 | 53.85% | 16,589 | 45.57% | 212 | 0.58% |
| 1940 | 21,058 | 55.10% | 16,968 | 44.40% | 189 | 0.49% |
| 1936 | 18,493 | 45.88% | 20,879 | 51.79% | 939 | 2.33% |
| 1932 | 14,057 | 53.53% | 10,961 | 41.74% | 1,240 | 4.72% |
| 1928 | 22,599 | 72.71% | 8,204 | 26.39% | 280 | 0.90% |
| 1924 | 14,639 | 65.29% | 3,688 | 16.45% | 4,093 | 18.26% |
| 1920 | 11,575 | 60.29% | 4,823 | 25.12% | 2,801 | 14.59% |
| 1916 | 5,866 | 42.66% | 6,390 | 46.47% | 1,495 | 10.87% |
| 1912 | 1,873 | 14.73% | 4,039 | 31.76% | 6,806 | 53.51% |
| 1908 | 6,497 | 47.27% | 5,473 | 39.82% | 1,774 | 12.91% |
| 1904 | 8,574 | 60.67% | 3,845 | 27.21% | 1,714 | 12.13% |
| 1900 | 6,950 | 55.94% | 4,916 | 39.57% | 559 | 4.50% |
| 1896 | 7,262 | 55.53% | 5,500 | 42.06% | 315 | 2.41% |
| 1892 | 5,874 | 50.80% | 4,931 | 42.65% | 757 | 6.55% |
| 1888 | 6,428 | 53.91% | 4,806 | 40.31% | 689 | 5.78% |
| 1884 | 6,357 | 51.81% | 4,861 | 39.62% | 1,052 | 8.57% |
| 1880 | 6,079 | 51.33% | 5,029 | 42.46% | 735 | 6.21% |
Voter registration edit
As of June 12, 2023, there are 70,553 registered voters in the county. Republicans hold a plurality of voters by a margin of 10,354 voters (14.67% of the total registered). There are 35,735 registered Republicans, 25,381 registered Democrats, 7,319 registered non-affiliated voters, and 2,118 voters registered to third parties.[17]
Chart of Voter Registration
| Voter registration and party enrollment | |||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Party | Number of voters | Percentage | |||
| Republican | 35,735 | 50.65 | |||
| Democratic | 25,381 | 35.97 | |||
| Independent | 7,319 | 10.37 | |||
| Third Party | 2,118 | 3.01 | |||
| Total | 70,553 | 100% | |||
Political bellwether edit
Mercer County was previously considered a political bellwether for the state of Pennsylvania since its demographics, urban-rural ratio, and party affiliation once closely mirrored the state as a whole. In 2000, Al Gore carried it against George W. Bush. This trend failed to hold true in 2004 and 2008, in which Mercer County voted more conservatively than the rest of the state. In 2004, Bush won Mercer County with 51% of the vote. That year, John Kerry won the state as a whole with 51% of the popular vote. In 2008, John McCain won Mercer County by fewer than 200 votes, as he and Barack Obama each received roughly 49% of the popular vote. Obama won Pennsylvania as a whole with 55% of the popular vote. Each of the three statewide office winners also carried Mercer in 2008. In 2016, Donald Trump won Mercer County by 12,403 votes, and he also won all of Pennsylvania. Each of the three Republican candidates for statewide office carried Mercer County in 2016. In 2020, Trump again carried the county, despite Pennsylvania narrowly voting for Joe Biden. Trump won 62% of the vote, the largest majority for any major party candidate since 1964, and the largest majority for a Republican since 1928.[citation needed]
County officials edit
| Commissioner | Party | Title |
|---|---|---|
| Matthew McConnell | Republican | Chairman |
| Scott Boyd | Republican | Vice Chairman |
| Timothy McGonigle | Democrat | Secretary |
| Office | Official | Party |
|---|---|---|
| President Judge of Court of Common Pleas | Daniel P. Wallace | Republican |
| Judge of Court of Common Pleas | D. Neil McEwen | Republican |
| Judge of Court of Common Pleas | Tedd C. Nesbit | Republican |
| Judge of Court of Common Pleas | Ronald D. Amrhein Jr. | Republican |
| Clerk of Courts/Register of Wills | Mary Jo Basilone DePreta | Republican |
| District Attorney | Pete Acker | Republican |
| Coroner | John A. Libonati | Republican |
| Sheriff | Bruce Rosa | Republican |
| Treasurer | Amber White | Republican |
| Prothonotary | Ruth Bice | Republican |
| Recorder of Deeds | Dee Dee Zickar | Republican |
| Controller | Steve Sherman | Republican |
State House of Representatives edit
| District | Representative | Party |
|---|---|---|
| 7 | Parke Wentling | Republican |
| 17 | Timothy R. Bonner | Republican |
State Senate edit
| District | Senator | Party |
|---|---|---|
| 50 | Michele Brooks | Republican |
United States House of Representatives edit
| District | Representative | Party |
|---|---|---|
| 16 | Mike Kelly | Republican |
United States Senate edit
| Senator | Party |
|---|---|
| John Fetterman | Democrat |
| Bob Casey | Democrat |
Education edit
Higher education edit
- Grove City College (Grove City)
- Thiel College (Greenville)
- Pennsylvania State University, Shenango Campus (Sharon)
- Butler County Community College, BC3 @ Linden Pointe (Hermitage)
Career-based education edit
- Laurel Technical Institute, Sharon
- Mercer County Career and Technical Center, Mercer
- Penn State Cosmetology Academy, Hermitage
- Sharon Regional Health System Schools of Nursing and Radiology, Sharon
Public school districts edit
- Crawford Central School District
- Commodore Perry School District
- Farrell Area School District
- Greenville Area School District
- Grove City Area School District
- Hermitage School District
- Jamestown Area School District
- Lakeview School District
- Mercer Area School District
- Reynolds School District
- Sharon City School District
- Sharpsville Area School District
- West Middlesex Area School District
- Wilmington Area School District
Charter schools edit
- Keystone Education Center Charter School,[18] Greenville, PA. 256 pupils grades 7-12 Report Card 2010.[19]
Private schools edit
- Kennedy Catholic High School, Hermitage, PA.
- St Michael's Elementary School, Greenville, PA.
Recreation edit
There is one Pennsylvania state park in Mercer County. Maurice K. Goddard State Park, named for Maurice K. Goddard, former Secretary of the Pennsylvania Department of Environmental Resources, is just off exit 130 of Interstate 79 on Pennsylvania Route 358 near Stoneboro.
The Wendell August Forge, the last remaining working forge in the state, was open to the public for tours, but it burned down on March 6, 2010.[20] It has since reopened in new facilities.
Mercer County Court House built in 1909.
Communities edit
Under Pennsylvania law, there are four types of incorporated municipalities: cities, boroughs, townships, and, in one case, towns. The following cities, boroughs and townships are located in Mercer County:
Cities edit
Boroughs edit
Townships edit
- Coolspring
- Deer Creek
- Delaware
- East Lackawannock
- Fairview
- Findley
- French Creek
- Greene
- Hempfield
- Jackson
- Jefferson
- Lackawannock
- Lake
- Liberty
- Mill Creek
- New Vernon
- Otter Creek
- Perry
- Pine
- Pymatuning
- Salem
- Sandy Creek
- Sandy Lake
- Shenango
- South Pymatuning
- Springfield
- Sugar Grove
- West Salem
- Wilmington
- Wolf Creek
- Worth
Census-designated places edit
Unincorporated communities edit
- Blacktown
- Briscoe Springs
- Carlton
- Charleston
- Clarks Mills
- Delaware Grove
- Fairview (village)
- Hadley
- Kennard
- Kremis
- London
- Maysville
- Milledgeville
- New Vernon
- North Liberty
- Oniontown
- Osgood
- Petersburg
- Shenango (village)
- Transfer
- Williams Corners
Former community edit
- Hickory Township-became the Municipality of Hermitage in 1976, and then the City of Hermitage in 1984.[21]
Mixed Nomenclature edit
- Borough of Greenville is also interchangeably designated as Town of Greenville with exact municipal designation currently unclear.
Population ranking edit
The population ranking of the following table is based on the 2010 census and 2020 census of Mercer County.[22]
† county seat
| Rank | City/Town/etc. | Municipal type | Population (2010 Census) | Population (2020 Census) |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Hermitage | City | 16,413 | 16,231 |
| 2 | Sharon | City | 14,021 | 13,150 |
| 3 | Grove City | Borough | 8,334 | 7,884 |
| 4 | Greenville | Borough | 5,953 | 5,540 |
| 5 | Farrell | City | 4,953 | 4,259 |
| 6 | Sharpsville | Borough | 4,417 | 4,252 |
| 7 | † Mercer | Borough | 2,042 | 1,985 |
| 8 | Reynolds Heights | CDP | 2,061 | 1,974 |
| 9 | Lake Latonka | CDP | 1,012 | 951 |
| 10 | Stoneboro | Borough | 1,051 | 947 |
| 11 | West Middlesex | Borough | 863 | 816 |
| 12 | Sandy Lake | Borough | 657 | 650 |
| 13 | Wheatland | Borough | 632 | 583 |
| 14 | Jamestown | Borough | 617 | 582 |
| 15 | Clark | Borough | 640 | 575 |
| 16 | Fredonia | Borough | 494 | 435 |
| 17 | Jackson Center | Borough | 224 | 191 |
| 18 | New Lebanon | Borough | 189 | 185 |
| 19 | Sheakleyville | Borough | 142 | 150 |
See also edit
References edit
- ^ "QuickFacts Mercer County, Pennsylvania". Census.
- ^ "QuickFacts Mercer County, Pennsylvania". Census.
- ^ . National Association of Counties. Archived from the original on May 31, 2011. Retrieved June 7, 2011.
- ^ . Pennsylvania Atlas of Historical County Boundaries. The Newberry Library. 2008. Archived from the original on March 25, 2015. Retrieved March 13, 2015.
- ^ "2010 Census Gazetteer Files". United States Census Bureau. August 22, 2012. Retrieved March 9, 2015.
- ^ "PRISM Climate Group at Oregon State University".
- ^ "U.S. Decennial Census". United States Census Bureau. Retrieved March 9, 2015.
- ^ "Historical Census Browser". University of Virginia Library. Retrieved March 9, 2015.
- ^ Forstall, Richard L., ed. (March 24, 1995). "Population of Counties by Decennial Census: 1900 to 1990". United States Census Bureau. Retrieved March 9, 2015.
- ^ "Census 2000 PHC-T-4. Ranking Tables for Counties: 1990 and 2000" (PDF). United States Census Bureau. April 2, 2001. Archived (PDF) from the original on October 9, 2022. Retrieved March 9, 2015.
- ^ "QuickFacts Mercer County, Pennsylvania". Census.
- ^ "QuickFacts Mercer County, Pennsylvania". Census.
- ^ "U.S. Census website". United States Census Bureau. Retrieved January 31, 2008.
- ^ "P2 HISPANIC OR LATINO, AND NOT HISPANIC OR LATINO BY RACE – 2020: DEC Redistricting Data (PL 94-171) – Mercer County, Pennsylvania".
- ^ Leip, David. "Dave Leip's Atlas of U.S. Presidential Elections". uselectionatlas.org. Retrieved March 23, 2018.
- ^ "Our Campaigns - U.S. President". Retrieved January 22, 2021.
- ^ Pennsylvania Department of State (June 12, 2023). "Voter registration statistics by county". Retrieved June 14, 2023.
- ^ Pennsylvania Department of Education (2011). "Charter Schools".
- ^ [1][dead link]
- ^ "Landmark metal forge burns in Mercer County." Pittsburgh Post-Gazette. Online. March 06, 2010.
- ^ "RootsWeb.com Home Page". www.rootsweb.ancestry.com.
- ^ Promotions, Center for New Media and. "US Census Bureau 2010 Census". www.census.gov. Retrieved March 23, 2018.
External links edit
- Government -