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Elk County, Pennsylvania

Coordinates: 41°25′N 78°39′W / 41.42°N 78.65°W / 41.42; -78.65
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Elk County
County
Elk County Courthouse in Ridgway, Pennsylvania
Elk County Courthouse in Ridgway, Pennsylvania
Flag of Elk County
Flag
Official logo of Elk County
Logo
Map of Pennsylvania highlighting Elk County
Location within the U.S. state of Pennsylvania
Map of the United States highlighting Pennsylvania
Pennsylvania's location within the U.S.
Coordinates: 41°25′N 78°39′W / 41.42°N 78.65°W / 41.42; -78.65
Country United States
State Pennsylvania
FoundedApril 18, 1843
Named forEastern elk
SeatRidgway
Largest citySt. Marys
Area
 • Total
832 sq mi (2,150 km2)
 • Land827 sq mi (2,140 km2)
 • Water4.9 sq mi (13 km2)  0.6%
Population
 (2020)
 • Total
30,990[1]
 • Density37.5/sq mi (14.5/km2)
Time zoneUTC−5 (Eastern)
 • Summer (DST)UTC−4 (EDT)
Congressional district15th
Websitewww.co.elk.pa.us

Elk County is a county in the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania. As of the 2020 United States census, the population was 30,990.[2] Its county seat is Ridgway.[3] The county was created on April 18, 1843, from parts of Jefferson, Clearfield, and McKean Counties. Elk County is named for the now-extinct eastern elk (Cervus canadensis) that historically inhabited the region. The county is part of the North Central Pennsylvania region of the state.[a]

The county is notable for having one of the highest concentrations of Roman Catholics in the United States, with 69% of the county's residents identifying as Catholic.

Geography

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Elk County consists of low rolling hills, carved by frequent drainages and heavily wooded.

According to the United States Census Bureau, the county has a total area of 832 square miles (2,150 km2), of which 827 square miles (2,140 km2) is land and 4.9 square miles (13 km2) (0.6%) is water.[4] Elk has a warm-summer humid continental climate (Dfb) and average monthly temperatures in Ridgway range from 23.2 °F in January to 67.4 °F in July, while in Saint Marys they range from 22.6 °F in January to 66.8 °F in July.[5]

Adjacent counties

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National protected area

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State protected areas

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Major highways

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Demographics

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As of the 2020 United States Census,[6] there were 30,990 people and 14,215 households. The population density was 38 people per square mile (15 people/km2). There were 16,855 housing units at an average density of 20 units per square mile (7.7/km2). The racial makeup of the county was 97.9% White, 0.5% Black or African American, 0.2% Native American, 0.4% Asian, and 1.0% from two or more races. 0.8% of the population were Hispanic or Latino of any race. 42.9% were of German, 17.7% Italian, 13.1% Irish, 6.4% English, 5.8% Polish, and 5.2% Swedish.

Historical population
CensusPop.Note%±
18503,531—
18605,91567.5%
18708,48843.5%
188012,80050.8%
189022,23973.7%
190032,90348.0%
191035,8719.0%
192034,981−2.5%
193033,431−4.4%
194034,4433.0%
195034,5030.2%
196037,3288.2%
197037,7701.2%
198038,3381.5%
199034,878−9.0%
200035,1110.7%
201031,946−9.0%
202030,990−3.0%
[7]

There were 14,124 households, out of which 31.00% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 56.00% were married couples living together, 8.70% had a female householder with no husband present, and 31.00% were non-families. 27.30% of all households were made up of individuals, and 13.60% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.45 and the average family size was 2.99.

The county population contained 24.00% under the age of 18, 6.80% from 18 to 24, 28.60% from 25 to 44, 23.30% from 45 to 64, and 17.30% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 39 years. For every 100 females there were 98.00 males. For every 100 females aged 18 and over, there were 95.30 males.

Elk County has one of the highest concentrations of Roman Catholics in the United States. As of 2010, nearly 70% of the county's residents identified as Catholic.

2020 census

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Elk County Racial Composition[8]
Race Num. Perc.
White (NH) 30,339 97.9%
Black or African American (NH) 155 0.5%
Native American (NH) 62 0.2%
Asian (NH) 124 0.4%
Other/Mixed (NH) 310 1.0%
Hispanic or Latino 279 0.9%

Economy

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As of the 2021 ACS 5-Year Estimates, Elk County's largest industry and source of employment is manufacturing, with the second largest being educational services, healthcare, and social services.

Government and politics

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United States presidential election results for Elk County, Pennsylvania[9]
Year Republican Democratic Third party(ies)
No.  % No.  % No.  %
2024 12,543 72.87% 4,483 26.04% 187 1.09%
2020 12,140 71.64% 4,522 26.68% 284 1.68%
2016 10,025 68.91% 3,853 26.49% 669 4.60%
2012 7,579 57.08% 5,463 41.14% 237 1.78%
2008 6,676 46.48% 7,290 50.76% 396 2.76%
2004 7,872 54.10% 6,602 45.37% 76 0.52%
2000 7,347 54.10% 5,754 42.37% 479 3.53%
1996 4,889 37.57% 5,749 44.18% 2,375 18.25%
1992 4,908 35.48% 5,016 36.26% 3,908 28.25%
1988 6,737 52.86% 5,879 46.13% 128 1.00%
1984 8,470 60.47% 5,486 39.17% 51 0.36%
1980 7,175 52.49% 5,898 43.15% 596 4.36%
1976 6,159 46.98% 6,713 51.21% 237 1.81%
1972 7,900 61.20% 4,710 36.49% 298 2.31%
1968 6,193 44.09% 6,886 49.02% 967 6.88%
1964 4,354 29.36% 10,455 70.51% 19 0.13%
1960 7,155 45.96% 8,398 53.95% 14 0.09%
1956 8,947 61.84% 5,498 38.00% 23 0.16%
1952 7,702 54.26% 6,448 45.42% 45 0.32%
1948 5,148 48.98% 5,363 51.02% 0 0.00%
1944 5,645 47.80% 6,097 51.63% 67 0.57%
1940 6,949 49.99% 6,920 49.78% 31 0.22%
1936 5,489 35.12% 9,035 57.80% 1,107 7.08%
1932 5,797 46.39% 6,461 51.70% 239 1.91%
1928 5,234 40.23% 7,705 59.23% 70 0.54%
1924 6,626 70.85% 1,370 14.65% 1,356 14.50%
1920 5,267 66.14% 2,093 26.28% 604 7.58%
1916 2,829 52.34% 2,186 40.44% 390 7.22%
1912 603 10.50% 2,057 35.82% 3,082 53.67%
1908 2,991 51.52% 2,531 43.60% 283 4.88%
1904 3,820 55.25% 2,857 41.32% 237 3.43%
1900 3,254 50.06% 3,105 47.77% 141 2.17%
1896 2,807 49.57% 2,717 47.98% 139 2.45%
1892 1,438 38.94% 2,126 57.57% 129 3.49%
1888 1,321 41.09% 1,824 56.73% 70 2.18%

Voter demographics

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Chart of Voter Registration

  Republican (58.31%)
  Democratic (29.78%)
  Independent (7.95%)
  Other Parties (3.94%)

As of November 4, 2024, there are 20,837 registered voters in Elk County.[10]

Elk County used to be competitive in statewide and national elections. The county frequently voted with the eventual winner of national elections, from 1920 to 2008, except for 1928, 1940, and 1968. In the 21st century, its Catholic identity has been replaced by its rural identity in defining how it votes; its longtime Democratic voter registration advantage was taken over by Republicans in 2018.[11] The county voted for Mitt Romney by 16 points in 2012, then swung over 25 points to the right and voted for Donald Trump by 42 points in 2016, before swinging further right in 2020 and voting for Trump by 45 points.

County commissioners

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  • M. Fritz Lecker, Republican
  • Matthew G. Quesenberry, Democrat
  • Gregory J. Gebauer, Republican

Other county offices

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  • Clerk of Courts and Prothonotary, Susanne Schneider, Republican
  • Coroner, Michelle Muccio, Republican
  • District Attorney, Beau Grove, Republican
  • Register of Wills and Recorder of Deeds, Lee Neureiter, Republican
  • Sheriff, Todd Caltagarone, Republican
  • Treasurer, Matthew Frey, Republican
  • Board of Auditors, Sandra A. Caltagarone, Republican; Jean Zore, Republican; Siobhan Voss, Democrat

State representative

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State senator

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United States representative

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United States senators

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Education

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Map of Elk County, Pennsylvania School Districts

Community education center

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The Community Education Center of Elk and Cameron Counties (or CEC) provides credit, non-credit, and enrichment programs.

Public school districts

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School districts include:[13]

Private schools

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  • Elk County Catholic High School
  • St Boniface School - Kersey
  • St Leo School - Ridgway
  • St Marys Catholic Elementary School = Saint Marys
  • St Marys Catholic Middle School = Saint Marys
  • North Central Workforce Investment Board - Ridgway
  • Anne Forbes Nursery School - Ridgway

Libraries

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  • Elk County Library System - Saint Marys
  • Johnsonburg Public Library - Johnsonburg
  • Ridgway Free Public Library - Ridgway
  • Saint Marys Public Library - Saint Marys
  • Tri State Coll Library Co-Op - Rosemont
  • Wilcox Public Library - Wilcox

Communities

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Elk County boroughs and municipalities

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

City

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Boroughs

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Census-designated places

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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.

Unincorporated communities

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Townships

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Former Townships

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Population ranking

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The population ranking of the following table is based on the 2010 census of Elk County.[15]

† county seat

Rank City/Town/etc. Municipal type Population (2010 Census)
1 St. Marys City 13,070
2 † Ridgway Borough 4,078
3 Johnsonburg Borough 2,483
4 Kersey CDP 937
5 Weedville CDP 542
6 Byrnedale CDP 427
7 Wilcox CDP 383
8 James City CDP 287
9 Force CDP 253

See also

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References

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  1. ^ Includes Clearfield, Jefferson, Tioga, McKean, Warren, Clarion, Elk, Potter, Forest and Cameron Counties
  1. ^ "Population and Housing Unit Estimates". Retrieved March 14, 2022.
  2. ^ "Census - Geography Profile: Elk County, Pennsylvania". United States Census Bureau. Retrieved June 26, 2022.
  3. ^ "Find a County". National Association of Counties. Archived from the original on May 31, 2011. Retrieved June 7, 2011.
  4. ^ "2010 Census Gazetteer Files". US Census Bureau. August 22, 2012. Retrieved March 5, 2015.
  5. ^ "PRISM Climate Group at Oregon State University".
  6. ^ "U.S. Census website". US Census Bureau. Retrieved August 31, 2022.
  7. ^ "Census 2020".
  8. ^ "P2 HISPANIC OR LATINO, AND NOT HISPANIC OR LATINO BY RACE – 2020: DEC Redistricting Data (PL 94-171) – Elk County, Pennsylvania".
  9. ^ Leip, David. "Atlas of US Presidential Elections". uselectionatlas.org. Retrieved November 25, 2018.
  10. ^ Pennsylvania Department of State (April 29, 2024). "Voter registration statistics by county". dos.pa.gov. Retrieved May 5, 2024.
  11. ^ "Voting and Election Statistics | Department of State | Commonwealth of Pennsylvania". Retrieved August 1, 2024.
  12. ^ a b Center, Legislativate Data Processing. "Find Your Legislator". The official website for the Pennsylvania General Assembly. Retrieved May 11, 2017.
  13. ^ "2020 CENSUS - SCHOOL DISTRICT REFERENCE MAP: Elk County, PA" (PDF). U.S. Census Bureau. Retrieved July 23, 2024. - Text list
  14. ^ Portland Mills PA (Google Maps - accessed 11 November 2019)
  15. ^ "2010 U.S. Census website". United States Census Bureau. Retrieved February 10, 2013.

41°25′N 78°39′W / 41.42°N 78.65°W / 41.42; -78.65

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