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Susquehanna County, Pennsylvania

Coordinates: 41°49′17″N 75°48′02″W / 41.82133°N 75.80068°W / 41.82133; -75.80068
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Susquehanna County
County
The Susquehanna County Courthouse in Montrose
The Susquehanna County Courthouse in Montrose
Map of Pennsylvania highlighting Susquehanna 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°49′17″N 75°48′02″W / 41.82133°N 75.80068°W / 41.82133; -75.80068
Country United States
State Pennsylvania
FoundedOctober 13, 1812
Named forSusquehanna River
SeatMontrose
Largest boroughForest City
Area
 • Total
832 sq mi (2,150 km2)
 • Land823 sq mi (2,130 km2)
 • Water8.7 sq mi (23 km2)  1.0%
Population
 (2020)
 • Total
38,434
 • Density46/sq mi (18/km2)
Time zoneUTC−5 (Eastern)
 • Summer (DST)UTC−4 (EDT)
Congressional district9th
Websitewww.susqco.com

Susquehanna County is a county in the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania. As of the 2020 census, the population was 38,434[1] Its county seat is Montrose.[2] The county was created on February 21, 1810, from part of Luzerne County[3] and later organized in 1812.[4] It is named for the Susquehanna River. The county is part of the Northeast Pennsylvania region of the state.[a]

History

[edit]

Settlement and conflict

[edit]

The first non-Indigenous settlers began to move into the area from Philadelphia and Connecticut in the mid-1700s. At the time, the area was part of Luzerne County. As more and more people from Connecticut moved in, there began to be some conflict. Connecticut's original land grant gave it control of land within the northern and southern boundaries from present-day Connecticut to the Pacific Ocean. Their land grant overlapped with that of Pennsylvania. Soon fighting began between migrants from each state, resulting in the 1769–1799 Pennamite–Yankee Wars. In the end, the government of Connecticut surrendered its claim on the area.

Formation

[edit]

In 1810, Susquehanna County was formed out of Luzerne County and later in 1812, Montrose was made the county seat.

Coal and early prosperity

[edit]

After the Civil War, coal started to be mined. Following this, railways and roads were built into the county allowing for more people to come. At one point the county had nearly 50,000 people. Coal became, as with neighboring counties, the backbone of the economy. This boom in coal would allow for an age of prosperity in the county.

Great Depression

[edit]

When the Great Depression hit, the coal industry suffered horribly. Within months, the coal industry was struggling. During World War II, the coal industry picked up again, but only for a short time. Soon after, the economy in the county failed. Many mines were closed, railways were torn apart, and the economy took a turn for the worse. Unemployment rose and population decline increased.[dubious – discuss]

Geography

[edit]
Milk Can Corners in Hallstead

According to the U.S. Census Bureau, the county has a total area of 832 square miles (2,150 km2), of which 823 square miles (2,130 km2) is land and 8.7 square miles (23 km2) (1.0%) is water.[5]

Susquehanna County is very mountainous, with large concentrations of mountains in the east and smaller, more hill-like mountains in the west. The highest mountain in the county is North Knob just west of Union Dale. Most people live in one of the several long and mostly narrow valleys. These valleys are good farming land.

The county has a warm-summer humid continental climate (Dfb) and average monthly temperatures in Montrose range from 21.2 °F in January to 67.7 °F in July.[6]

Adjacent counties

[edit]

Demographics

[edit]
Historical population
CensusPop.Note%±
18209,960—
183016,78768.5%
184021,19526.3%
185028,68835.4%
186036,26726.4%
187037,5233.5%
188040,3547.5%
189040,093−0.6%
190040,043−0.1%
191037,746−5.7%
192034,763−7.9%
193033,806−2.8%
194033,8930.3%
195031,970−5.7%
196033,1373.7%
197034,3443.6%
198037,87610.3%
199040,3806.6%
200042,2384.6%
201043,3562.6%
202038,434−11.4%
U.S. Decennial Census[7]
1790-1960[8] 1900-1990[9]
1990-2000[10] 2010-2017[1]
Susquehanna Depot Main Street

As of the census[11] of 2000, there were 42,238 people, 16,529 households, and 11,785 families residing in the county. The population density was 51 people per square mile (20 people/km2). There were 21,829 housing units at an average density of 26 units per square mile (10/km2). The racial makeup of the county was 98.54% White, 0.30% Black or African American, 0.15% Native American, 0.22% Asian, 0.01% Pacific Islander, 0.17% from other races, and 0.60% from two or more races. 0.67% of the population were Hispanic or Latino of any race. 26% were of English, 16.1% were of German, 15.1% Irish, 8.6% Italian and 7.7% Polish ancestry.

There were 16,529 households, out of which 31.90% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 57.70% were married couples living together, 8.60% had a female householder with no husband present, and 28.70% were non-families. 24.30% of all households were made up of individuals, and 11.50% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.53 and the average family size was 2.99.

In the county, the population was spread out, with 25.50% under the age of 18, 6.70% from 18 to 24, 27.10% from 25 to 44, 25.20% from 45 to 64, and 15.50% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 40 years. For every 100 females, there were 98.90 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 95.80 males.

2020 census

[edit]
Susquehanna County Racial Composition[12]
Race Num. Perc.
White (NH) 35,799 93.14%
Black or African American (NH) 138 0.36%
Native American (NH) 59 0.15%
Asian (NH) 135 0.35%
Pacific Islander (NH) 0 0%
Other/Mixed (NH) 1,456 3.8%
Hispanic or Latino 847 2.2%

Politics

[edit]
United States presidential election results for Susquehanna County, Pennsylvania[13][14]
Year Republican Democratic Third party(ies)
No.  % No.  % No.  %
2024 16,114 71.71% 6,093 27.11% 264 1.17%
2020 15,207 69.72% 6,236 28.59% 370 1.70%
2016 12,891 67.69% 5,123 26.90% 1,029 5.40%
2012 10,800 59.62% 6,935 38.28% 381 2.10%
2008 10,633 54.77% 8,381 43.17% 401 2.07%
2004 11,573 60.78% 7,351 38.61% 116 0.61%
2000 10,226 59.21% 6,481 37.53% 564 3.27%
1996 7,354 47.03% 5,912 37.81% 2,370 15.16%
1992 7,356 44.02% 5,368 32.13% 3,985 23.85%
1988 9,077 64.58% 4,871 34.65% 108 0.77%
1984 10,566 69.95% 4,471 29.60% 67 0.44%
1980 8,994 61.23% 4,660 31.72% 1,035 7.05%
1976 8,331 56.74% 6,075 41.38% 276 1.88%
1972 9,476 67.79% 4,154 29.72% 349 2.50%
1968 8,705 62.04% 4,364 31.10% 963 6.86%
1964 6,567 45.55% 7,838 54.37% 12 0.08%
1960 10,201 63.88% 5,760 36.07% 9 0.06%
1956 10,752 71.42% 4,293 28.52% 10 0.07%
1952 10,529 73.97% 3,653 25.66% 52 0.37%
1948 7,945 67.81% 3,621 30.91% 150 1.28%
1944 8,819 67.42% 4,212 32.20% 49 0.37%
1940 9,520 63.71% 5,383 36.03% 39 0.26%
1936 9,745 58.94% 6,520 39.43% 269 1.63%
1932 6,884 55.99% 5,171 42.06% 240 1.95%
1928 9,445 68.14% 4,353 31.40% 63 0.45%
1924 7,266 67.38% 2,208 20.47% 1,310 12.15%
1920 6,572 66.41% 2,905 29.36% 419 4.23%
1916 3,891 53.08% 3,145 42.91% 294 4.01%
1912 1,988 26.87% 2,588 34.98% 2,822 38.15%
1908 4,999 57.30% 3,230 37.02% 496 5.68%
1904 4,988 61.20% 2,573 31.57% 589 7.23%
1900 5,019 55.24% 3,527 38.82% 539 5.93%
1896 5,310 56.73% 3,618 38.65% 432 4.62%
1892 4,531 53.14% 3,383 39.67% 613 7.19%
1888 5,019 55.30% 3,328 36.67% 729 8.03%

As of January 9, 2023, there are 27,049 registered voters in Susquehanna County.[15]

County commissioners

[edit]
  • Judith Herschel, Democrat (January 2020 to present)
  • Alan M. Hall, chair, Republican (January 2012 to present)
  • David Darrow, Vice-chair, Republican (January 2024 to present)

https://www.susqco.com/departments/county-commissioners

Law enforcement

[edit]

As of 2016 all areas in the county use the Pennsylvania State Police (PSP) in a law enforcement capacity, either with part-time police departments or with no other police departments.[16]

Row offices

[edit]
  • Clerk of Courts and Prothonotary, Jan Krupinski, Republican
  • Coroner, Tony Conarton, Republican
  • District Attorney, Marion O'Malley, Republican [17]
  • Recorder of Deeds and Register of Wills, Michelle Estabrook, Republican
  • Sheriff, Lance Benedict, Republican
  • Treasurer, Jason Miller, Republican
  • Auditor, George Starzec, Republican
  • Auditor, Susan Jennings, Democrat

State Representatives[18]

[edit]
  • Tina Pickett, Republican (110th district) - Apolacon, Auburn, Dimock, Forest Lake, Jessup, Middletown, and Rush Townships, and Little Meadows Borough
  • Jonathan Fritz, Republican (111th district) - Ararat, Bridgewater, Brooklyn, Choconut, Clifford, Franklin, Gibson, Great Bend, Harford, Harmony, Herrick, Jackson, Lathrop, Lenox, Liberty, New Milford, Oakland, Silver Lake, Springville, and Thompson Townships, and Friendsville, Great Bend, Hallstead, Hop Bottom, Lanesboro, Montrose, New Milford, Oakland, Susquehanna Depot, Thompson, and Union Dale Boroughs

State Senators[18]

[edit]
  • Lisa Baker, Republican (20th district) - Ararat, Auburn, Brooklyn, Clifford, Gibson, Great Bend, Harford, Harmony, Herrick, Jackson, Lathrop, Lenox, New Milford, Oakland, Springville, and Thompson Townships, and Forest City, Great Bend, Hallstead, Hop Bottom, Lanesboro, New Milford, Oakland, Susquehanna Depot, Thompson, and Union Dale Boroughs
  • Gene Yaw, Republican (23rd district) - Apolacon, Bridgewater, Choconut, Dimock, Forest Lake, Franklin, Jessup, Liberty, Middletown, Rush and Silver Lake Townships, and Friendsville, Little Meadows, and Montrose Boroughs

U.S. Representative

[edit]

United States Senate

[edit]

Economy

[edit]

The economy in the county is mainly made up of retail, health care industry, public school employment, small businesses, and government officials.[19]

Major employers

[edit]
2018

Listed in order of number of employees at the end of 2018, according to the Pennsylvania Department of Labor and Industry May 2019 monthly report:[20]

  • Montrose Area School District
  • Barnes-Kasson County Hospital
  • Pennsylvania State Government
  • Endless Mountains Health Systems
  • Susquehanna County government
  • Mountain View School District
  • Elk Lake School District
  • Gassearch Drilling Services Corp
  • Blue Ridge School District
  • Cabot Oil & Gas Corporation
2015[21]
  • Barnes-Kasson County Hospital
  • Montrose Area School District
  • Endless Mountains Health Systems
  • C & G Construction Inc
  • Elk Lake School District
  • Susquehanna County government
  • Mountain View School District
  • Pennsylvania State Government
  • Gassearch Drilling Services Corp
  • Blue Ridge School District
2014[22]
  • Montrose Area School District
  • Barnes-Kasson County Hospital
  • Gassearch Drilling Services Corp
  • Endless Mountains Health Systems
  • Elk Lake School District
  • Blue Ridge School District
  • Susquehanna County government
  • Mountain View School District
  • Elk Mountain Ski Resort INC
  • Forest City Regional School District

Natural gas

[edit]

Since unconventional drilling for natural gas began in 2008, some say the economy has improved. [citation needed] According to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, the unemployment rate in Susquehanna County was 6.1 percent in January 2008. It has since fluctuated between a high of 11.1 percent and a low of 3.1 percent. As of January 2018, the unemployment rate was 5.7 percent.[23] After decades of population growth since the 1950s, the population in Susquehanna County has since begun to decline, concurrent with the expansion of natural gas drilling and accompanying infrastructure. Between 2010 and 2016, there was an estimated population decline of 5.8 percent. As of 2011, there were 1,079 active natural gas wells in the county which had collectively been issued 795 notices of violations by the Department of Environmental Protection of Pennsylvania.[24]

Tourism

[edit]

Susquehanna County's natural environment, skiing, and small villages make it a growing tourist destination.[citation needed]

Education

[edit]
Map of Susquehanna County, Pennsylvania, school districts

Public school districts

[edit]

School districts include:[25]

Public libraries

[edit]

Vocational schools

[edit]

Intermediate unit

[edit]

Northeast Intermediate Unit 19 (NEIU 19)

Private schools

[edit]
  • Faith Mountain Christian Academy (New Milford)

Transportation

[edit]

Major highways

[edit]

Rail

[edit]

Susquehanna County's last mainline passenger train services, through New Milford and Hallstead, ended in January 1970. Since then, freight trains (presently Norfolk Southern) use the railroad line.

Air

[edit]

Although Susquehanna County boasts several airstrips, they are strictly recreational. The closest main airports are in Binghamton, New York and Scranton, Pennsylvania.

Recreation

[edit]

There is one Pennsylvania state park in Susquehanna County:

Communities

[edit]
Political map of Susquehanna County, Pennsylvania, with townships and boroughs labeled. Townships are colored white and boroughs are colored various shades of orange.
Map of Susquehanna County with municipalities labeled

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

Boroughs

[edit]

Townships

[edit]

Population ranking

[edit]

The population ranking of the following table is based on the 2010 census of Susquehanna County.[26]

† county seat

Rank Borough/Township Municipal type Population (2010 Census)
1 Bridgewater Township 2,844
2 Clifford Township 2,408
3 New Milford Township 2,042
4 Great Bend Township 1,949
5 Auburn Township 1,939
6 Lenox Township 1,934
7 Forest City Borough 1,911
8 Silver Lake Township 1,716
9 Susquehanna Depot Borough 1,643
10 Springville Township 1,641
11 † Montrose Borough 1,617
12 Dimock Township 1,497
13 Harford Township 1,430
14 Hallstead Borough 1,303
15 Liberty Township 1,292
16 Rush Township 1,267
17 Gibson Township 1,221
18 Forest Lake Township 1,193
19 Brooklyn Township 963
20 Franklin Township 937
21 New Milford Borough 868
22 Jackson Township 848
23 Lathrop Township 841
24 Great Bend Borough 734
25 Choconut Township 713
26 Herrick Township 713
27 Oakland Borough 616
28 Oakland Township 564
29 Ararat Township 563
30 Jessup Township 536
31 Harmony Township 528
32 Lanesboro Borough 506
33 Apolacon Township 500
34 Thompson Township 410
35 Middletown Township 382
36 Hop Bottom Borough 337
37 Thompson Borough 299
38 Little Meadows Borough 273
39 Union Dale Borough 267
40 Friendsville Borough 111

See also

[edit]

References

[edit]
  1. ^ Includes Luzerne, Lackawanna, Monroe, Schuylkill, Carbon, Pike, Bradford, Wayne, Susquehanna, Wyoming and Sullivan Counties
  1. ^ a b "State & County QuickFacts". United States Census Bureau. Archived from the original on June 6, 2011. Retrieved November 22, 2013.
  2. ^ "Find a County". National Association of Counties. Retrieved June 7, 2011.
  3. ^ "Township Incorporations, 1790 to 1853". Susquehanna County Historical Society. Archived from the original on June 23, 2015. Retrieved March 9, 2013.
  4. ^ "Pennsylvania: Individual County Chronologies". Pennsylvania Atlas of Historical County Boundaries. The Newberry Library. 2008. Archived from the original on March 25, 2015. Retrieved March 13, 2015.
  5. ^ "2010 Census Gazetteer Files". United States Census Bureau. August 22, 2012. Retrieved March 10, 2015.
  6. ^ Parameter-elevation Regressions on Independent Slopes Model
  7. ^ "U.S. Decennial Census". United States Census Bureau. Retrieved March 10, 2015.
  8. ^ "Historical Census Browser". University of Virginia Library. Retrieved March 10, 2015.
  9. ^ Forstall, Richard L., ed. (March 24, 1995). "Population of Counties by Decennial Census: 1900 to 1990". United States Census Bureau. Retrieved March 10, 2015.
  10. ^ "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 10, 2015.
  11. ^ "U.S. Census website". United States Census Bureau. Retrieved May 14, 2011.
  12. ^ "P2 HISPANIC OR LATINO, AND NOT HISPANIC OR LATINO BY RACE – 2020: DEC Redistricting Data (PL 94-171) – Susquehanna County, Pennsylvania".
  13. ^ Leip, David. "Dave Leip's Atlas of U.S. Presidential Elections". uselectionatlas.org. Retrieved February 21, 2021.
  14. ^ The leading "other" candidate, Progressive Theodore Roosevelt, received 2,498 votes, while Socialist candidate Eugene Debs received 298 votes, Prohibition candidate Eugene Chafin received 25 votes, and Socialist Labor candidate Arthur Reimer received 1 vote.
  15. ^ "Voter registration statistics by county".
  16. ^ Klibanoff, Eleanor (May 4, 2016). "Half of Pa. municipalities rely fully on state police". WHYY-TV. Retrieved July 23, 2024.
  17. ^ Bugda, Jayne Ann (February 5, 2018). "Marion O'Malley Sworn in as Susquehanna County D.A." PAHOMEPAGE. Retrieved November 29, 2018.
  18. ^ a b Center, Legislativate Data Processing. "Find Your Legislator". The official website for the Pennsylvania General Assembly. Retrieved May 12, 2017.
  19. ^ Pennsylvania Department of Community and Economic Development (2015). "Susquehanna County Profile". Archived from the original on September 14, 2016. Retrieved May 15, 2016.
  20. ^ Pennsylvania Department of Labor and Industry (May 2019). "Susquehanna County Profile" (PDF).
  21. ^ Pennsylvania Department of Labor and Industry (April 2016). "Susquehanna County Profile" (PDF).
  22. ^ PA Department of Labor and Industries - Center for Workforce Information & Analysis, Susquehanna County Profile 2014, October 2015
  23. ^ U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (2018). "Unemployment Rate in Susquehanna County, PA".
  24. ^ NPR State Impact (2018). "Shale Play Susquehanna County Natural Gas Wells Map showing active wells and violations". Archived from the original on May 7, 2016. Retrieved May 15, 2016.
  25. ^ "2020 CENSUS - SCHOOL DISTRICT REFERENCE MAP: Susquehanna County, PA" (PDF). U.S. Census Bureau. Retrieved July 24, 2024. - Text list
  26. ^ Promotions, Center for New Media and. "US Census Bureau 2010 Census". www.census.gov. Retrieved April 3, 2018.
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