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Indiana County, Pennsylvania
Indiana County Courthouse
Indiana County Courthouse
Map of Pennsylvania highlighting Indiana County
Location in the state of Pennsylvania
Map of the U.S
Pennsylvania's location in the U.S.
Founded November 3, 1806
Seat Indiana
Largest city Indiana
Area
 - Total
 - Land
 - Water

834 sq mi (2,160 km²)
827 sq mi (2,142 km²)
7.3 sq mi (19 km²), 0.9
Population
 - (2020)
 - Density

83,246
105/sq mi (41/km²)
Congressional district 15th
Time zone Eastern: UTC-5/-4
Website www.countyofindiana.org

Indiana County is a county located in the West central part of the U.S. state of Pennsylvania. As of the 2020 census, the population was 83,246.[1] Its county seat is Indiana.[2] Indiana County comprises the Indiana, PA Micropolitan Statistical Area, which is also included in the Pittsburgh-New Castle-Weirton, PA-WV-OH Combined Statistical Area.

Prior to the American Revolutionary War, some settlers proposed this as part of a larger, separate colony to be known as Vandalia, but opposing interests and the war intervened. Afterward, claims to the territory by both the states of Virginia and Pennsylvania had to be reconciled. After this land was assigned to Pennsylvania by the federal government according to the placement of the Mason–Dixon line, Indiana County was created on March 30, 1803, from parts of Westmoreland and Clearfield counties and was formally organized in 1806.[3]

History[]

Indiana County (Indiana meaning "land of the Indians") derives its name from the so-called "Indiana Grant of 1768" that the Iroquois Six Nations were forced to make to "suffering traders" under the Fort Stanwix Treaty of 1768. The Iroquois had controlled much of the Ohio River valley as their hunting grounds since the 17th century, and Anglo-American colonists were moving into the area and wanted to develop it. Traders arranged to force the Iroquois to grant land under the treaty in relations to losses due to Pontiac's Rebellion.[4]

Some of the grantees joined forces with the Ohio Company, forming a larger development company based on enlarging their grant of land. They proposed that the entire large area would become a new British colony, possibly to be called Pittsylvania or Vandalia. It was to be bordered on the north and west by the Ohio River, and made up of what are now parts of eastern Kentucky, northern West Virginia (then part of the Virginia Colony), and western Pennsylvania. Anglo-European colonists from Virginia and Pennsylvania had already started to move into the area, which was identified by these various names as Indiana and the other above names on some maps of the late 1700s.[5][4]

Opposition from other interest groups[6] and the American Revolutionary War intervened before Britain approved such a colony. Afterward, some United States speculators proposed setting up a state in this area to be called Vandalia, or Westsylvania, as appears on some maps of the period.

But both the states of Virginia and Pennsylvania claimed the land based on their colonial charters. In establishing the Mason–Dixon line, the federal government assigned the Indiana Grant to Pennsylvania.[5] As population increased after the war, this county was made up in 1803 of territory from Westmoreland and Clearfield counties; it was formally organized in 1806.[3]

Kentucky and West Virginia continued to be associated with Virginia for some time, being separately admitted as states in the early 19th century and during the American Civil War, respectively. The area in Pennsylvania was unrelated to and was physically separated from the later named Indiana Territory established north of the Ohio River in 1800 by the new United States; that territory was eventually admitted to the Union as the State of Indiana.

In the 21st century, Indiana County comprises the Indiana, PA Micropolitan Statistical Area. This is included in the Pittsburgh-New Castle-Weirton, PA-WV-OH Combined Statistical Area.[7] It is in the defined region of the Pittsburgh media market. Indiana County is served by three different area codes: 724, 814, and 582.

The county proclaims itself the "Christmas Tree Capital of the World", shipping over one million trees annually.[8] Agriculture is a major part of its economy.

Geography[]

According to the U.S. Census Bureau, the county has a total area of 834 square miles (2,160 km2), of which 827 square miles (2,140 km2) is land and 7.3 square miles (19 km2) (0.9%) is water.[9] Located in the county is the Buttermilk Falls Natural Area.[10] The county has a humid continental climate which is warm-summer (Dfb) except along the Conemaugh from below Strangford and the Kiskiminetas River where it is hot-summer (Dfa). Average monthly temperatures in the borough of Indiana range from 27.2 °F in January to 70.9 °F in July. [1]

Adjacent counties[]

Major highways[]

Historical populations
Census Pop.
1810 6,214
1820 8,882 42.9%
1830 14,252 60.5%
1840 20,782 45.8%
1850 27,170 30.7%
1860 33,687 24.0%
1870 36,138 7.3%
1880 40,527 12.1%
1890 42,175 4.1%
1900 42,556 0.9%
1910 66,210 55.6%
1920 80,910 22.2%
1930 75,395 −6.8%
1940 79,854 5.9%
1950 77,106 −3.4%
1960 75,366 −2.3%
1970 79,451 5.4%
1980 92,281 16.1%
1990 89,994 −2.5%
2000 89,605 −0.4%
2010 88,880 −0.8%
[11]
  • US 22 US 22
  • US 119 US 119
  • US 219 US 219
  • US 422 US 422
  • No imageBusiness plateNo image
    US 422 US 422 Bus.
  • PA-36 [[Template:Infobox road/PA/link PA|PA 36]]
  • PA-56 [[Template:Infobox road/PA/link PA|PA 56]]
  • PA-85 [[Template:Infobox road/PA/link PA|PA 85]]
  • PA-110 [[Template:Infobox road/PA/link PA|PA 110]]
  • PA-156 [[Template:Infobox road/PA/link PA|PA 156]]
  • PA-210 [[Template:Infobox road/PA/link PA|PA 210]]
  • PA-217 [[Template:Infobox road/PA/link PA|PA 217]]
  • PA-240 [[Template:Infobox road/PA/link PA|PA 240]]
  • PA-259 [[Template:Infobox road/PA/link PA|PA 259]]
  • PA-286 [[Template:Infobox road/PA/link PA|PA 286]]
  • PA-403 [[Template:Infobox road/PA/link PA|PA 403]]
  • PA-553 [[Template:Infobox road/PA/link PA|PA 553]]
  • PA-580 [[Template:Infobox road/PA/link PA|PA 580]]
  • PA-711 [[Template:Infobox road/PA/link PA|PA 711]]
  • PA-954 [[Template:Infobox road/PA/link PA|PA 954]]

Demographics[]

As of the census[12] of 2000, there were 89,605 people, 34,123 households, and 22,521 families residing in the county. The population density was 108 people per square mile (42/km2). There were 37,250 housing units at an average density of 45 per square mile (17/km2). The racial makeup of the county was 96.87% White, 1.57% Black or African American, 0.08% Native American, 0.74% Asian, 0.01% Pacific Islander, 0.16% from other races, and 0.58% from two or more races. 0.51% of the population were Hispanic or Latino of any race. 25.9% were of German, 11.6% Italian, 10.7% Irish, 8.6% American, 7.1% English and 6.8% Polish ancestry.

There were 34,123 households, out of which 27.90% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 54.30% were married couples living together, 8.20% had a female householder with no husband present, and 34.00% were non-families. 26.50% of all households were made up of individuals, and 11.80% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.47 and the average family size was 2.99.

In the county, the population was spread out, with 21.10% under the age of 18, 16.60% from 18 to 24, 24.80% from 25 to 44, 22.70% from 45 to 64, and 14.90% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 36 years. For every 100 females, there were 94.00 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 90.60 males.

Micropolitan Statistical Area[]

2013 Pittsburgh Metro Area SMALL

Map of the Pittsburgh-New Castle-Weirton, PA-OH-WV Combined Statistical Area (CSA)

The United States Office of Management and Budget[13] has designated Indiana County as the Indiana, PA Micropolitan Statistical Area (µSA). As of the 2010 U.S. Census[14] the micropolitan area ranked 4th most populous in the State of Pennsylvania and the 50th most populous in the United States with a population of 88,880. Indiana County is also a part of the Pittsburgh-New Castle-Weirton, PA-OH-WV Combined Statistical Area (CSA), which combines the population of Indiana, as well as the Allegheny, Armstrong, Beaver, Butler, Fayette, Lawrence, Washington and Westmoreland county areas in Pennsylvania. In West Virginia the counties included are Brooke and Hancock. And in Ohio, Jefferson County. The Combined Statistical Area ranked 4th in the State of Pennsylvania and 20th most populous in the United States with a population of 2,660,727.

Government and politics[]

Indiana County has been strongly Republican in presidential elections for most of its history, only backing Democratic party candidates four times in presidential elections from 1880 to the present day.

United States presidential election results for Indiana County, Pennsylvania[15]
Year Republican Democratic Third party
No.  % No.  % No.  %
2020 28,089 68.03% 12,634 30.60% 566 1.37%
2016 24,888 65.29% 11,528 30.24% 1,706 4.48%
2012 21,257 58.33% 14,473 39.71% 714 1.96%
2008 19,727 52.88% 17,065 45.75% 510 1.37%
2004 20,254 55.88% 15,831 43.67% 163 0.45%
2000 16,799 53.50% 13,667 43.52% 935 2.98%
1996 12,874 42.10% 13,868 45.35% 3,841 12.56%
1992 10,966 32.92% 15,194 45.61% 7,154 21.47%
1988 14,983 47.21% 16,514 52.03% 242 0.76%
1984 18,845 54.22% 15,791 45.43% 123 0.35%
1980 15,607 49.62% 13,828 43.97% 2,016 6.41%
1976 15,786 51.01% 14,650 47.34% 513 1.66%
1972 18,122 61.90% 10,833 37.01% 319 1.09%
1968 14,899 51.03% 12,175 41.70% 2,122 7.27%
1964 11,706 39.92% 17,568 59.92% 46 0.16%
1960 18,756 58.59% 13,174 41.15% 83 0.26%
1956 18,593 62.27% 11,268 37.73% 0 0.00%
1952 16,673 58.63% 11,620 40.86% 147 0.52%
1948 12,640 59.67% 8,543 40.33% 0 0.00%
1944 14,388 61.42% 8,863 37.83% 175 0.75%
1940 15,547 56.23% 12,035 43.53% 68 0.25%
1936 16,530 51.37% 15,353 47.71% 294 0.91%
1932 12,727 57.24% 8,606 38.70% 902 4.06%
1928 16,706 76.75% 4,810 22.10% 252 1.16%
1924 12,748 69.75% 2,067 11.31% 3,462 18.94%
1920 8,616 71.84% 1,936 16.14% 1,441 12.02%
1916 4,887 57.65% 2,398 28.29% 1,192 14.06%
1912 1,720 20.21% 1,593 18.72% 5,197 61.07%
1908 6,416 67.44% 1,965 20.65% 1,133 11.91%
1904 6,878 77.25% 1,558 17.50% 468 5.26%
1900 5,687 72.25% 1,767 22.45% 417 5.30%
1896 5,818 66.11% 2,752 31.27% 231 2.62%
1892 4,559 61.18% 2,134 28.64% 759 10.19%
1888 5,084 62.83% 2,231 27.57% 777 9.60%
1884 4,607 56.48% 1,979 24.26% 1,571 19.26%
1880 4,617 56.07% 2,119 25.73% 1,498 18.19%



As of the 2016 primary election held April 26, 2016, there were 48,710 registered voters across Indiana County's 69 precincts: 20,089 Democrats (41.24%); 22,134 Republicans (45.44%); and 6,487 Independents (13.32%).[16] This represents a slight demographic shift since November 2008, when a total of 58,077 registered voters were 45.89% (26,653) Democrat, 41.60% (24,159) Republican, and 12.51% (7,265) Independent.

County commissioners[]

  • Michael Keith, Chairman, Republican
  • Robin Gorman, Republican
  • Sherene Hess, Democrat

Other county offices[]

  • Coroner, Jerry L Overman Jr, Republican
  • District Attorney, Robert Manzi, Republican
  • Prothonotary, Randy Degenkolb, Republican
  • Recorder of Deeds and Register of Wills, Maria Jack, Republican
  • Sheriff, Robert Fyock, Republican
  • Treasurer, Kimberly McCullough, Republican
  • Board of Auditors, Donna Cupp, Republican; Bonni S. Dunlap, Ph.D., Republican; James P. Smith Jr., Democrat

State representatives[17][]

  • Joseph A. Petrarca, Democrat, 55th district
  • Abby Major, Republican, 60th district
  • James Struzzi, Republican, 62nd district
  • Brian Smith, Republican, 66th district

State senator[17][]

  • Joe Pittman, Republican, 41st district

United States representative[]

  • Glenn Thompson, Republican, 15th district
  • Guy Reschenthaler, Republican, 14th district

United States senators[]

  • Pat Toomey, Republican
  • Bob Casey Jr., Democrat

Education[]

Map of Indiana County Pennsylvania School Districts

Map of Indiana County, Pennsylvania Public School Districts

Public school districts[]

  • Armstrong School District (part)
  • Apollo-Ridge School District (part)
  • Blairsville-Saltsburg School District (part)
  • Harmony Area School District (part)
  • Homer-Center School District
  • Indiana Area School District
  • Marion Center Area School District
  • Penns Manor Area School District
  • Punxsutawney Area School District (part)
  • Purchase Line School District (part)
  • United School District

Post-secondary education[]

  • Indiana University of Pennsylvania – Indiana
  • Westmoreland County Community College – Indiana

Environment[]

In 2003, the county was recommended for non-attainment under EPA ozone standards based upon mobile source contribution to smog-forming emissions.[18]

The county is the site of the Homer City Generating Station, a coal-burning power plant. In 2002 the plant was ranked as second in emissions in the Toxics Release Inventory (TRI) in Pennsylvania.[19] In 2003, the plant ranked high in the emissions of both sulfur dioxide and carbon dioxide, ranking 4th and 28th, respectively, in the nation.[20] Such toxic emissions are injurious to people and other living things.

Communities[]

Map of Indiana County Pennsylvania With Municipal and Township Labels

Map of Indiana County, Pennsylvania with Municipal Labels showing 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. The following boroughs and townships are located in Indiana County:

Boroughs[]

  • Armagh
  • Blairsville
  • Cherry Tree
  • Clymer
  • Creekside
  • Ernest
  • Glen Campbell
  • Homer City
  • Indiana (county seat)
  • Marion Center
  • Plumville
  • Saltsburg
  • Shelocta
  • Smicksburg

Townships[]

  • Armstrong
  • Banks
  • Black Lick
  • Brush Valley
  • Buffington
  • Burrell
  • Canoe
  • Center
  • Cherryhill
  • Conemaugh
  • East Mahoning
  • East Wheatfield
  • Grant
  • Green
  • Montgomery
  • North Mahoning
  • Pine
  • Rayne
  • South Mahoning
  • Washington
  • West Mahoning
  • West Wheatfield
  • White
  • Young

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.

  • Black Lick
  • Chevy Chase Heights
  • Commodore
  • Coral
  • Dicksonville
  • Graceton
  • Heilwood
  • Jacksonville
  • Lucerne Mines
  • Robinson
  • Rossiter

Unincorporated communities[]

  • Alverda
  • Arcadia
  • Clarksburg
  • Covode
  • Dilltown
  • Dixonville
  • Gipsy
  • Home
  • Iselin
  • Jewtown
  • Locust
  • Loop
  • Mentcle
  • Nolo
  • Rexis
  • Rochester Mills
  • Starford
  • Strongstown
  • Wehrum
  • West Lebanon

Population ranking[]

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

* county seat

Rank City/Town/etc. Municipal type Population (2010 Census)
1 * Indiana Borough 13,975
2 Blairsville Borough 3,412
3 Homer City Borough 1,707
4 Chevy Chase Heights CDP 1,502
5 Black Lick CDP 1,462
6 Clymer Borough 1,357
7 Lucerne Mines CDP 937
8 Saltsburg Borough 873
9 Heilwood CDP 711
10 Rossiter CDP 646
11 Jacksonville CDP 637
12 Robinson CDP 614
13 Dixonville CDP 467
14 Ernest Borough 462
15 Marion Center Borough 451
16 Cherry Tree Borough 364
17 Commodore CDP 331
18 Coral CDP 325
19 Creekside Borough 309
20 Plumville Borough 307
21 Graceton CDP 257
22 Glen Campbell Borough 245
23 Shelocta Borough 130
24 Armagh Borough 122
25 Smicksburg Borough 46

Notable natives and residents[]

  • Edward Abbey, environmentalist and author
  • Henry Homer "Doc" Gessler Professional baseball player and manager, born and died in Indiana Borough.
  • James H. Brady, Governor of Idaho 1909–11, U.S. Senator 1913–18, born in Indiana County
  • John Buccigross, ESPN anchor, former co-host of NHL 2Night
  • Samuel Kier, "Grandfather of the American Oil Industry"
  • Mary D. Lowman, one of first women mayors in Kansas; county native
  • Ben McAdoo, former head coach, New York Giants
  • Jim Nance, football player, running back for Syracuse University and professionally with New England/Boston Patriots
  • James Stewart, iconic actor, born in Indiana Borough

See also[]

  • Indiana County Transit Authority
  • National Register of Historic Places listings in Indiana County, Pennsylvania

References[]

  1. ^ "State & County QuickFacts". United States Census Bureau. http://quickfacts.census.gov/qfd/states/42/42063.html. 
  2. ^ "Find a County". National Association of Counties. http://www.naco.org/Counties/Pages/FindACounty.aspx. 
  3. ^ a b "Pennsylvania: Individual County Chronologies". The Newberry Library. 2008. http://publications.newberry.org/ahcbp/documents/PA_Individual_County_Chronologies.htm. 
  4. ^ a b Anderson, James Donald, "Vandalia: The First West Virginia?" West Virginia History, Volume 40, No. 4 (Summer 1979), pp. 375-92 online
  5. ^ a b David W. Miller. The Taking of American Indian Lands in the Southeast: A History of Territorial Cessions and Forced Relocations, 1607-1840. McFarland, 2011. p. 41. ISBN 978-0-7864-6277-3
  6. ^ Gipson, Lawrence Henry, The British Empire Before the American Revolution, 15 vols. New York: Alfred A. Knopf, 1946-1970, IX 457-88
  7. ^ "Archived copy". Office of Management and Budget. https://obamawhitehouse.archives.gov/sites/default/files/omb/bulletins/2013/b13-01.pdf. 
  8. ^ "'Tis the season for tree farmers". Pittsburgh Tribune-Review. December 20, 2004. http://www.pittsburghlive.com/x/pittsburghtrib/s_285172.html. 
  9. ^ "2010 Census Gazetteer Files". United States Census Bureau. August 22, 2012. http://www2.census.gov/geo/docs/maps-data/data/gazetteer/counties_list_42.txt. 
  10. ^ "Buttermilk Falls Natural Area". Indiana County Parks and Trails. http://www.indianacountyparks.org/parks/bf/bf.html. 
  11. ^ "Census 2020". https://www.census.gov/quickfacts/fact/table/indianacountypennsylvania/PST045219. 
  12. ^ "U.S. Census website". United States Census Bureau. https://www.census.gov. 
  13. ^ "Office of Management and Budget". https://www.whitehouse.gov/omb. 
  14. ^ a b "2010 U.S. Census website". United States Census Bureau. https://www.census.gov/programs-surveys/decennial-census/decade.2010.html. 
  15. ^ Leip, David. "Dave Leip's Atlas of U.S. Presidential Elections". http://uselectionatlas.org/RESULTS. 
  16. ^ 2016 Primary Election Results Indiana County, Pennsylvania. Official Website. 2016 Unofficial Election Results. Retrieved on September 5, 2016.
  17. ^ a b Center, Legislativate Data Processing. "Find Your Legislator" (in en). http://www.legis.state.pa.us/cfdocs/legis/home/findyourlegislator/county_list.cfm?CNTYLIST=Indiana. 
  18. ^ "Figure 3. Mobile Source Contribution to Smog-Forming Emissions in Counties Recommended for Nonattainment under New EPA Ozone Standards". Surface Transportation Policy Project. April 16, 2004. http://www.transact.org/nrdc/ozoneappendix.htm. 
  19. ^ "Pa. ranks among worst states for toxic emissions". Pittsburgh Tribune-Review. November 18, 2002. http://www.pittsburghlive.com/x/pittsburghtrib/s_103122.html. 
  20. ^ Environmental Integrity Project & Public Citizen’s Congress Watch (May 2004). "America's Dirtiest Power Plants: Plugged into the Bush Administration". 

External links[]

Template:Indiana, Pennsylvania

Coordinates: 40°39′N 79°05′W / 40.65, -79.09


This page uses content from the English language Wikipedia. The original content was at Indiana County, Pennsylvania. The list of authors can be seen in the page history. As with this Familypedia wiki, the content of Wikipedia is available under the Creative Commons License.
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