|
Westmoreland County, Pennsylvania | |
Westmoreland County Courthouse
| |
Location in the state of Pennsylvania | |
Pennsylvania's location in the U.S. | |
Founded | February 26, 1773 |
---|---|
Seat | Greensburg |
Largest city | Greensburg |
Area - Total - Land - Water |
1,036 sq mi (2,683 km²) 1,025 sq mi (2,655 km²) 11 sq mi (28 km²), 1.05% |
Population - (2020) - Density |
351,029 356/sq mi (137.5/km²) |
Website | www.co.westmoreland.pa.us |
Westmoreland County is a county located in the U.S. state of Pennsylvania. It was founded on February 26, 1773, and was the first county in the colony of Pennsylvania west of the Allegheny Mountains. Westmoreland County originally included the present-day counties of Fayette, Washington, Greene, and parts of Beaver, Allegheny, Indiana, and Armstrong counties. At the 2020 census, the population was 351,029. The county seat is Greensburg.[1] It is wholly part of the Pittsburgh Metro Area, while north-eastern Westmoreland County borders the Johnstown Metro Area. A major coal strike occurred in the county in the winter of 1910–1911.
Politics and government[]
As of November 1, 2021, there are 246,331 registered voters in Westmoreland County.[2]
- Republican: 118,425 (48.08%)
- Democratic: 97,817 (39.71%)
- Independent: 19,196 (7.79%)
- Third Party: 10,893 (4.42%)
The Democratic Party historically dominated county-level politics between the New Deal realignment and the turn of the century; however, Westmoreland has trended Republican at the national and statewide levels in the 21st century (in direct lockstep with most other Appalachian counties). In 2000, Republican George W. Bush became the first Republican to carry the county since 1972, and Republicans have carried the county in every election since, increasing the margin of victory in every successive election until 2020. Democratic Governor Ed Rendell lost Westmoreland in both 2002 and 2006. In 2008, Republican Tim Krieger picked up the 57th House district left open by the retirement of Democratic state representative Tom Tangretti. In 2010, both Pat Toomey and Tom Corbett won Westmoreland in their statewide bids. Also, the GOP gained control of two more State House districts, the 54th with Eli Evankovich and the 56th with George Dunbar. In 2011, the Republican Party swept all county row offices.[3] A Democratic resurgence in 2015 gave that party a majority of the county commissioners. However, in the 2019 elections, Democratic elected officials lost that majority and carried only one row office.
As of 2020, the only majority-Dem cities within the county are Arnold and Monessen.[4]
Presidential elections[]
Year | Republican | Democratic | Third party | |||
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
No. | % | No. | % | No. | % | |
2020 | 130,299 | 63.46% | 72,192 | 35.16% | 2,839 | 1.38% |
2016 | 116,522 | 63.50% | 59,669 | 32.52% | 7,301 | 3.98% |
2012 | 103,932 | 61.29% | 63,722 | 37.58% | 1,918 | 1.13% |
2008 | 102,294 | 57.62% | 72,721 | 40.96% | 2,532 | 1.43% |
2004 | 100,087 | 56.01% | 77,774 | 43.52% | 835 | 0.47% |
2000 | 80,858 | 51.60% | 71,792 | 45.81% | 4,059 | 2.59% |
1996 | 62,058 | 43.30% | 63,686 | 44.43% | 17,585 | 12.27% |
1992 | 47,315 | 30.63% | 69,817 | 45.20% | 37,319 | 24.16% |
1988 | 61,472 | 44.13% | 76,710 | 55.07% | 1,108 | 0.80% |
1984 | 71,377 | 46.82% | 79,906 | 52.41% | 1,181 | 0.77% |
1980 | 63,140 | 45.06% | 68,627 | 48.97% | 8,372 | 5.97% |
1976 | 59,172 | 43.47% | 74,217 | 54.52% | 2,745 | 2.02% |
1972 | 75,085 | 54.60% | 59,322 | 43.13% | 3,120 | 2.27% |
1968 | 52,206 | 35.08% | 81,833 | 54.98% | 14,800 | 9.94% |
1964 | 41,493 | 27.77% | 107,131 | 71.70% | 792 | 0.53% |
1960 | 68,825 | 44.45% | 85,641 | 55.31% | 374 | 0.24% |
1956 | 66,580 | 47.77% | 72,616 | 52.10% | 192 | 0.14% |
1952 | 58,923 | 42.24% | 80,068 | 57.40% | 503 | 0.36% |
1948 | 41,709 | 39.05% | 61,901 | 57.95% | 3,204 | 3.00% |
1944 | 43,202 | 41.16% | 61,057 | 58.17% | 705 | 0.67% |
1940 | 42,643 | 39.56% | 64,567 | 59.90% | 577 | 0.54% |
1936 | 36,079 | 32.23% | 73,574 | 65.73% | 2,282 | 2.04% |
1932 | 30,426 | 37.73% | 45,436 | 56.34% | 4,789 | 5.94% |
1928 | 51,760 | 61.88% | 30,587 | 36.57% | 1,296 | 1.55% |
1924 | 34,522 | 55.22% | 10,223 | 16.35% | 17,769 | 28.42% |
1920 | 27,077 | 59.71% | 12,845 | 28.32% | 5,427 | 11.97% |
1916 | 15,283 | 46.68% | 13,829 | 42.24% | 3,625 | 11.07% |
1912 | 4,299 | 14.66% | 9,262 | 31.58% | 15,764 | 53.76% |
1908 | 15,429 | 52.00% | 11,101 | 37.41% | 3,141 | 10.59% |
1904 | 17,239 | 63.16% | 8,007 | 29.33% | 2,050 | 7.51% |
1900 | 16,014 | 57.00% | 11,010 | 39.19% | 1,072 | 3.82% |
1896 | 14,928 | 56.23% | 11,029 | 41.55% | 589 | 2.22% |
1892 | 10,804 | 48.84% | 10,747 | 48.58% | 569 | 2.57% |
1888 | 9,926 | 49.37% | 9,602 | 47.76% | 577 | 2.87% |
1884 | 8,339 | 47.52% | 8,346 | 47.56% | 864 | 4.92% |
1880 | 7,113 | 44.47% | 7,975 | 49.86% | 908 | 5.68% |
County commissioners[]
- Sean Kertes, Chairman, Republican
- Gina Cerilli, Democratic
- Doug Chew, Republican
Other county officials[]
- Clerk of Courts, Bryan Kline, Republican
- Controller, Jeff Balzer, Republican
- Coroner, Kenneth Bacha, Democratic
- District Attorney, John Peck, Democratic
- Prothonotary, Christina O'Brien, Democratic
- Recorder of Deeds, Frank Schiefer, Republican
- Register of Wills, Sherry Magretti-Hamilton, Republican
- Sheriff, James Albert, Sheriff, Republican
- Treasurer, Jared M Squires, Republican
State House of Representatives[6][]
District | Representative | Party |
---|---|---|
33 | Carrie Delrosso | Republican |
52 | Ryan Warner | Republican |
54 | Bob Brooks | Republican |
55 | Jason Silvis | Republican |
56 | George Dunbar | Republican |
57 | Eric Nelson | Republican |
58 | Eric Davanso | Republican |
59 | Mike Reese | Republican |
State Senate[6][]
District | Senator | Party |
---|---|---|
32 | Patrick J. Stefano | Republican |
39 | Kim Ward | Republican |
41 | Joe Pittman | Republican |
45 | Jim Brewster | Democratic |
United States House of Representatives[]
District | Representative | Party |
---|---|---|
13 | John Joyce | Republican |
14 | Guy Reschenthaler | Republican |
United States Senate[]
Senator | Party |
---|---|
Pat Toomey | Republican |
Bob Casey | Democratic |
Geography[]
According to the U.S. Census Bureau, the county has a total area of 1,036 square miles (2,684 km²), of which 1,025 square miles (2,656 km²) is land and 11 square miles (28 km²) (1.05%) is water.
Adjacent counties[]
- Armstrong County (north)
- Indiana County (northeast)
- Cambria County (east)
- Somerset County (southeast)
- Fayette County (south)
- Washington County (southwest)
- Allegheny County (west)
- Butler County (northwest)
Butler County | Armstrong County | Indiana County | ||
Allegheny County | Cambria County | |||
Westmoreland County, Pennsylvania | ||||
Washington County | Fayette County | Somerset County |
Demographics[]
Historical populations | |||
---|---|---|---|
Census | Pop. | %± | |
1790 | 16,019 | ||
1800 | 22,726 | 41.9% | |
1810 | 26,392 | 16.1% | |
1820 | 30,540 | 15.7% | |
1830 | 38,400 | 25.7% | |
1840 | 42,699 | 11.2% | |
1850 | 51,726 | 21.1% | |
1860 | 53,736 | 3.9% | |
1870 | 58,719 | 9.3% | |
1880 | 78,036 | 32.9% | |
1890 | 112,819 | 44.6% | |
1900 | 160,175 | 42.0% | |
1910 | 231,304 | 44.4% | |
1920 | 273,568 | 18.3% | |
1930 | 294,995 | 7.8% | |
1940 | 303,411 | 2.9% | |
1950 | 313,179 | 3.2% | |
1960 | 352,629 | 12.6% | |
1970 | 376,935 | 6.9% | |
1980 | 392,294 | 4.1% | |
1990 | 370,321 | −5.6% | |
2000 | 369,993 | −0.1% | |
2010 | 365,169 | −1.3% | |
[7][8] |
As of the census[9] of 2010, there were 365,169 people, 149,813 households, and 104,569 families residing in the county. The population density was 361 people per square mile (139/km²). There were 161,058 housing units at an average density of 157 per square mile (61/km²). The racial makeup of the county was 96.58% White, 2.01% Black or African American, 0.09% Native American, 0.52% Asian, 0.02% Pacific Islander, 0.15% from other races, and 0.64% from two or more races. 0.51% of the population were Hispanic or Latino of any race. 23.7% were of German, 18.5% Italian, 9.7% Irish, 8.9% Polish, 6.7% English, 5.2% Slovak and 5.0% American ancestry according to Census 2000.
There were 149,813 households out of which 28.40% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 57.00% were married couples living together, 9.60% had a female householder with no husband present, and 30.20% were non-families. 26.90% 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 2.41 and the average family size was 2.93.
In the county, the population was spread out with 22.00% under the age of 18, 6.80% from 18 to 24, 27.50% from 25 to 44, 25.40% from 45 to 64, and 18.30% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 41 years. For every 100 females there were 93.10 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 89.70 males.
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 Westmoreland County:
Cities[]
|
|
|
Boroughs[]
|
|
|
Townships[]
|
|
|
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.
|
|
|
Education[]
Public school districts[]
- Belle Vernon Area School District (Also in Fayette County)
- Blairsville-Saltsburg School District (Also in Indiana County)
- Burrell School District
- Derry Area School District
- Franklin Regional School District
- Greater Latrobe School District
- Greensburg-Salem School District
- Hempfield Area School District
- Jeannette City School District
- Kiski Area School District
- Leechburg Area School District
- Ligonier Valley School District
- Monessen City School District
- Mount Pleasant Area School District
- New Kensington-Arnold School District
- Norwin School District
- Penn-Trafford School District (Also in Allegheny County)
- Southmoreland School District (Also in Fayette County)
- Yough School District
Private high school[]
- Greensburg Central Catholic High School
Colleges and universities[]
- Penn State New Kensington
- Seton Hill University
- Saint Vincent College
- Westmoreland County Community College
- University of Pittsburgh at Greensburg
Notable residents[]
See also: Category:People from Westmoreland County, Pennsylvania
- David Alter, born in Westmoreland County, noted inventor[10]
- Pete Babando, former NHL Hockey player, played for 1950 Stanley Cup champions Detroit Red Wings, born in Braeburn neighborhood of the City of Lower Burrell.
- George Blanda, Hall of Fame football player, born in Youngwood.
- Johnny Costa, jazz pianist, was born and raised in Arnold.
- Hutton Gibson, writer and father of actor Mel Gibson
- Shirley Jones, Academy Award–winning actress and singer, grew up in Smithton.
- Sheila Kelley, American actor, born and raised in Greensburg, Pa. Founder of Sheila Kelley S Factor movement.
- Bill Mazeroski, Hall of Fame baseball player
- Michael Moorer, boxer
- Arnold Palmer, golfer, was born and raised in Latrobe.
- Fred Rogers, television personality, was born and raised in Latrobe.
- Arthur St. Clair. American Revolution Major General, buried in Greensburg, Pa.
- Willie Thrower, football player, was born and raised in New Kensington.
- Jim White, KMOX radio talk show host, born and raised in Greensburg, Pa.
Recreation[]
There are four Pennsylvania state parks in Westmoreland County.
- Keystone State Park
- Laurel Ridge State Park
- Laurel Summit State Park
- Linn Run State Park
See also[]
- List of municipal authorities in Westmoreland County, Pennsylvania
- National Register of Historic Places listings in Westmoreland County, Pennsylvania
References[]
- ^ Britannica
- ^ "Voter registration statistics by county". https://www.dos.pa.gov/VotingElections/OtherServicesEvents/VotingElectionStatistics/Documents/currentvotestats.xls.
- ^ "Voters shake up row offices, toss Democrats - TribLIVE". September 9, 2012. http://triblive.com/x/valleyindependent/news/s_766347.html%23axzz25zqvfz3z.
- ^ "Dave Leip's Atlas of U.S. Presidential Elections". https://uselectionatlas.org/RESULTS/.
- ^ Leip, David. "Dave Leip's Atlas of U.S. Presidential Elections". http://uselectionatlas.org/RESULTS.
- ^ 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=Westmoreland.
- ^ http://factfinder2.census.gov
- ^ http://mapserver.lib.virginia.edu/
- ^ "American FactFinder". United States Census Bureau. http://factfinder.census.gov. Retrieved 2008-01-31.
- ^ Who Was Who in America, Historical Volume, 1607–1896. Marquis Who's Who. 1967.
External links[]
- Westmoreland County
- InWestmoreland - A directory of Westmoreland County
- Westmoreland County Historical Society
|
|
This page uses content from the English language Wikipedia. The original content was at Westmoreland 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. |