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McKean County, Pennsylvania
McKean County Courthouse
McKean County Courthouse
Map of Pennsylvania highlighting McKean County
Location in the state of Pennsylvania
Map of the U.S
Pennsylvania's location in the U.S.
Founded September 1, 1826
Named for Thomas McKean
Seat Smethport
Largest city Bradford
Area
 - Total
 - Land
 - Water

984 sq mi (2,549 km²)
979 sq mi (2,536 km²)
5.0 sq mi (13 km²), 0.5%
Population
 - (2020)
 - Density

40,432
43/sq mi (17/km²)
Congressional district 15th
Time zone Eastern: UTC-5/-4
Website www.mckeancountypa.org

McKean County is a rural county in the U.S. state of Pennsylvania. As of the 2020 census, the population was 40,432.[1] Its county seat is Smethport.[2] The county was created in 1804 and organized in 1826.[3] It was named in honor of former Pennsylvania Governor and Declaration of Independence signer Thomas McKean.[4]

McKean County comprises the Bradford, PA Micropolitan Statistical Area. It is in a sparsely populated region known as the "Pennsylvania Wilds", including the Allegheny National Forest and borders New York. McKean County is home of "The Zippo Lighter" and boasts of being "The Black Cherry Capital of the World."

McKean County was founded because of its natural resources of oil and timber, both of which continue to provide a significant input to the economy. Today, a university, rural medical center, federal prison and manufacturing companies balance the area's economy.

Geography[]

According to the U.S. Census Bureau, the county has an area of 984 square miles (2,550 km2), of which 979 square miles (2,540 km2) is land and 5.0 square miles (13 km2) (0.5%) is water.[5] It has a warm-summer humid continental climate (Dfb) and average monthly temperatures in downtown Bradford range from 23.0 °F in January to 67.6 °F in July, while in Mount Jewett they range from 21.2 °F in January to 65.1 °F in July. [1]

Adjacent counties[]

Major highways[]

  • US 6 US 6
  • US 219 US 219
  • PA-44 [[Template:Infobox road/PA/link PA|PA 44]]
  • PA-46 [[Template:Infobox road/PA/link PA|PA 46]]
  • PA-59 [[Template:Infobox road/PA/link PA|PA 59]]
  • PA-146 [[Template:Infobox road/PA/link PA|PA 146]]
  • PA-155 [[Template:Infobox road/PA/link PA|PA 155]]
  • PA-321 [[Template:Infobox road/PA/link PA|PA 321]]
  • PA-346 [[Template:Infobox road/PA/link PA|PA 346]]
  • PA-446 [[Template:Infobox road/PA/link PA|PA 446]]
  • PA-546 [[Template:Infobox road/PA/link PA|PA 546]]
  • PA-646 [[Template:Infobox road/PA/link PA|PA 646]]
  • PA-770 [[Template:Infobox road/PA/link PA|PA 770]]

National protected area[]

  • Allegheny National Forest (part)
  • Allegheny National Recreation Area (part)

Demographics[]

Historical populations
Census Pop.
1810 142
1820 728 412.7%
1830 1,439 97.7%
1840 2,975 106.7%
1850 5,254 76.6%
1860 8,859 68.6%
1870 8,825 −0.4%
1880 42,565 382.3%
1890 46,863 10.1%
1900 51,343 9.6%
1910 47,868 −6.8%
1920 48,934 2.2%
1930 55,167 12.7%
1940 56,673 2.7%
1950 56,607 −0.1%
1960 54,517 −3.7%
1970 51,915 −4.8%
1980 50,653 −2.4%
1990 47,131 −7.0%
2000 45,963 −2.5%
2010 43,450 −5.5%
U.S. Decennial Census[6]
1790-1960[7] 1900-1990[8]
1990-2000[9] 2010-2020[1][10]

As of the 2000 census,[11] there were 45,936 people, 18,024 households, and 12,094 families residing in the county. The population density was 47 people per square mile (18/km2). There were 21,644 housing units at an average density of 22 per square mile (9/km2). The racial makeup of the county was 96.46% White, 1.87% Black, 0.32% Native American, 0.30% Asian, 0.02% Pacific Islander, 0.40% from other races, and 0.61% from two or more races. 1.06% of the population were Hispanic or Latino of any race. 35.0% German, 22.2% Irish, 14.6% Italian, 12.3% English, 10.0% Swedish, 8.6% American, 5.8% Polish, and 3.7% French ancestry.

There were 18,024 households, out of which 30.50% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 52.50% were married couples living together, 10.10% had a female householder with no husband present, and 32.90% were non-families. 28.30% of all households were made up of individuals, and 13.30% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.40 and the average family size was 2.93.

In the county, the age distribution of the population shows 23.70% under the age of 18, 7.90% from 18 to 24, 28.50% from 25 to 44, 23.20% from 45 to 64, and 16.70% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 39 years. For every 100 females there were 100.40 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 98.70 males.

Micropolitan Statistical Area[]

The United States Office of Management and Budget[12] has designated McKean County as the Bradford, PA Micropolitan Statistical Area (µSA).[13] As of the 2010 U.S. Census[14] the micropolitan area ranked 13th most populous in Pennsylvania and the 277th most populous in the United States with a population of 43,450.

Law and government[]

2016PresidentialElectioninMcKeanCountyPennsylvania

Results the 2016 presidential election in McKean County, Pennsylvania by Borough and Township

United States presidential election results for McKean County, Pennsylvania[15]
Year Republican Democratic Third party
No.  % No.  % No.  %
2020 14,083 72.18% 5,098 26.13% 329 1.69%
2016 11,635 70.67% 4,025 24.45% 804 4.88%
2012 9,545 62.99% 5,297 34.95% 312 2.06%
2008 9,224 57.61% 6,465 40.38% 321 2.00%
2004 10,941 62.79% 6,294 36.12% 191 1.10%
2000 9,661 61.12% 5,510 34.86% 635 4.02%
1996 6,838 45.99% 5,509 37.05% 2,522 16.96%
1992 6,965 42.47% 5,331 32.51% 4,104 25.02%
1988 9,323 63.22% 5,300 35.94% 124 0.84%
1984 10,963 69.22% 4,818 30.42% 58 0.37%
1980 9,229 60.85% 5,064 33.39% 873 5.76%
1976 10,305 60.88% 6,424 37.95% 197 1.16%
1972 11,958 71.72% 4,513 27.07% 202 1.21%
1968 10,506 59.67% 6,326 35.93% 775 4.40%
1964 7,948 41.82% 10,950 57.61% 109 0.57%
1960 13,699 63.62% 7,767 36.07% 66 0.31%
1956 14,725 73.81% 5,152 25.82% 73 0.37%
1952 15,256 73.43% 5,373 25.86% 147 0.71%
1948 10,218 66.91% 4,785 31.33% 269 1.76%
1944 11,988 64.45% 6,492 34.90% 121 0.65%
1940 14,822 67.58% 6,991 31.88% 119 0.54%
1936 11,837 53.37% 9,733 43.88% 611 2.75%
1932 9,970 65.01% 4,661 30.39% 704 4.59%
1928 14,012 73.49% 4,964 26.04% 90 0.47%
1924 9,072 68.99% 2,376 18.07% 1,701 12.94%
1920 7,830 68.65% 2,505 21.96% 1,071 9.39%
1916 4,300 51.81% 3,161 38.09% 838 10.10%
1912 1,345 16.81% 2,362 29.52% 4,294 53.67%
1908 5,073 58.01% 2,867 32.78% 805 9.21%
1904 5,719 67.48% 1,636 19.30% 1,120 13.22%
1900 6,319 61.39% 3,427 33.29% 547 5.31%
1896 5,077 59.59% 3,074 36.08% 369 4.33%
1892 3,594 50.01% 2,843 39.56% 750 10.44%
1888 4,066 52.74% 2,922 37.90% 721 9.35%
1884 3,820 49.95% 2,980 38.97% 847 11.08%
1880 3,693 51.46% 3,169 44.15% 315 4.39%



Voter Registration[]

As of February 21, 2022, there are 24,893 registered voters in McKean County.[16]




Circle frame

Chart of Voter Registration

  Republican (61.69%)
  Democratic (24.25%)
  Independent (9.22%)
  Third Party (4.83%)
  • Democratic: 6,037 (24.25%)
  • Republican: 15,357 (61.69%)
  • Independent: 2,296 (9.22%)
  • Third Party: 1,203 (4.83%)

State Senate[17][]

  • Cris Dush, Republican, Pennsylvania's 25th Senatorial District

State House of Representatives[17][]

  • Martin T. Causer, Republican, Pennsylvania's 67th Representative District

United States House of Representatives[]

  • Glenn Thompson, Republican, Pennsylvania's 15th congressional district

United States Senate[]

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

Education[]

Map of McKean County Pennsylvania School Districts

Map of McKean County, Pennsylvania School Districts

Public school districts[]

  • Bradford Area School District
  • Kane Area School District (Also covers part of Elk County)
  • Otto-Eldred School District
  • Port Allegany School District (Also covers part of Potter County)
  • Smethport Area School District
  • Oswayo Valley School District (Majority of which is in Potter County, covers small portion in McKean County)

Private schools[]

As reported by EdNA, Pennsylvania Department of Education, June 2010.

  • Bradford Area Christian Academy, Bradford
  • Chestnut Street Christian School, Bradford
  • Custer City Private School
  • St. Bernard School, Bradford
  • Learning Center Inc, Bradford
  • United Christian Academy, Smethport

Libraries[]

  • Bradford Area Public Library
  • Friends Memorial Public Library - Kane
  • Hamlin Memorial Library - Smethport
  • Mount Jewett Memorial Library
  • Samuel W Smith Memorial Public Library - Port Allegany

Other education entities[]

  • Beacon Light Behavioral Health Systems - Custer City
  • Seneca Highlands Career and Technical Center - Port Allegany
  • Seneca Highlands IU 9 - Smethport
  • University of Pittsburgh at Bradford
  • McKean County Historical Society's Museum at the Old Jail - Smethport

Recreation[]

There is one Pennsylvania state park in McKean County. Kinzua Bridge State Park is between U.S. Route 6 and Pennsylvania Route 59, just east of the Allegheny National Forest near Mount Jewett. When it was built, it was the highest and longest railroad bridge in the world. It was chosen by the Pennsylvania Department of Conservation and Natural Resources (DCNR) and its Bureau of Parks as one of "Twenty Must-See Pennsylvania State Parks" and is a Historic Civil Engineering Landmark. A tornado destroyed much of the bridge in 2003.

Communities[]

Map of McKean County Pennsylvania With Municipal and Township Labels

Map of McKean County, Pennsylvania with Municipal Labels showing Boroughs (red) and Townships (white).

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 McKean County:

City[]

  • Bradford

Boroughs[]

  • Eldred
  • Kane
  • Lewis Run
  • Mount Jewett
  • Port Allegany
  • Smethport (county seat)

Townships[]

  • Annin
  • Bradford
  • Ceres
  • Corydon
  • Eldred
  • Foster
  • Hamilton
  • Hamlin
  • Keating
  • Lafayette
  • Liberty
  • Norwich
  • Otto
  • Sergeant
  • Wetmore

Census-designated places[]

  • Foster Brook
  • Rew

Unincorporated communities[]

  • Burning Well
  • Coryville
  • Cyclone
  • Derrick City
  • Farmers Valley
  • Gifford
  • Ludlow

Population ranking[]

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

county seat

Rank City/Town/etc. Municipal type Population (2010 Census)
1 Bradford City 8,770
2 Kane Borough 3,730
3 Port Allegany Borough 2,157
4 Smethport Borough 1,655
5 Foster Brook CDP 1,251
6 Mount Jewett Borough 919
7 Eldred Borough 875
8 Lewis Run Borough 617
9 Rew CDP 199

See also[]

  • National Register of Historic Places listings in McKean County, Pennsylvania

References[]

  1. ^ a b "State & County QuickFacts". United States Census Bureau. http://quickfacts.census.gov/qfd/states/42/42083.html. 
  2. ^ "Find a County". National Association of Counties. http://www.naco.org/Counties/Pages/FindACounty.aspx. 
  3. ^ "Pennsylvania: Individual County Chronologies". The Newberry Library. 2008. http://publications.newberry.org/ahcbp/documents/PA_Individual_County_Chronologies.htm. 
  4. ^ Gannett, Henry (1905). The Origin of Certain Place Names in the United States. U.S. Government Printing Office. p. 194. https://archive.org/details/bub_gb_9V1IAAAAMAAJ. 
  5. ^ "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. 
  6. ^ "U.S. Decennial Census". United States Census Bureau. https://www.census.gov/programs-surveys/decennial-census.html. 
  7. ^ "Historical Census Browser". University of Virginia Library. http://mapserver.lib.virginia.edu. 
  8. ^ Forstall, Richard L., ed (March 24, 1995). "Population of Counties by Decennial Census: 1900 to 1990". United States Census Bureau. https://www.census.gov/population/cencounts/pa190090.txt. 
  9. ^ "Census 2000 PHC-T-4. Ranking Tables for Counties: 1990 and 2000". United States Census Bureau. April 2, 2001. https://www.census.gov/population/www/cen2000/briefs/phc-t4/tables/tab02.pdf. 
  10. ^ "Census 2020". https://www.census.gov/quickfacts/fact/table/mckeancountypennsylvania/PST045219. 
  11. ^ "U.S. Census website". United States Census Bureau. https://www.census.gov. 
  12. ^ "Office of Management and Budget - The White House". https://www.whitehouse.gov/omb. 
  13. ^ "Archived copy". https://www.census.gov/econ/census/media/forms/pa.html. 
  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. ^ "Voter registration statistics by county". Dos.state.pa.us. https://www.dos.pa.gov/VotingElections/OtherServicesEvents/VotingElectionStatistics/Documents/currentvotestats.xls. 
  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=McKean. 

External links[]

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Coordinates: 41°49′N 78°27′W / 41.817, -78.45

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