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Westmoreland County, Pennsylvania
Greensburg-pennsylvania-courthouse
Westmoreland County Courthouse
Map of Pennsylvania highlighting Westmoreland County
Location in the state of Pennsylvania
Map of the U.S
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[]

United States presidential election results for Westmoreland County, Pennsylvania[5]
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[]

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[]

Map of Westmoreland County Pennsylvania With Municipal and Township Labels

Map of Westmoreland County, Pennsylvania with Municipal Labels showing cities and 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 cities, boroughs and townships are located in Westmoreland County:

Cities[]

  • Latrobe
  • Lower Burrell
  • Monessen
  • New Kensington

Boroughs[]

  • Adamsburg
  • Arona
  • Avonmore
  • Bolivar
  • Delmont
  • Derry
  • Donegal
  • East Vandergrift
  • Export
  • Hunker
  • Hyde Park
  • Irwin
  • Laurel Mountain
  • Ligonier
  • Madison
  • Manor
  • Mount Pleasant
  • Murrysville
  • New Alexandria
  • New Florence
  • New Stanton
  • North Belle Vernon
  • North Irwin
  • Oklahoma
  • Penn
  • Scottdale
  • Seward
  • Smithton
  • South Greensburg
  • Southwest Greensburg
  • Sutersville
  • Trafford
  • Vandergrift
  • West Leechburg
  • West Newton
  • Youngstown
  • Youngwood

Townships[]

  • Allegheny Township
  • Bell Township
  • Cook Township
  • Derry Township
  • Donegal Township
  • East Huntingdon Township
  • Fairfield Township
  • Hempfield Township
  • Ligonier Township
  • Loyalhanna Township
  • Mount Pleasant Township
  • North Huntingdon Township
  • Penn Township
  • Rostraver Township
  • Salem Township
  • Sewickley Township
  • South Huntingdon Township
  • St. Clair Township
  • Unity Township
  • Upper Burrell Township
  • Washington Township

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.

  • Calumet-Norvelt
  • Crabtree
  • Grapeville
  • Harrison City
  • Herminie
  • Lawson Heights
  • McChesneytown-Loyalhanna
  • Slickville
  • Westmoreland City

Education[]

Public school districts[]

Map of Westmoreland County Pennsylvania School Districts

Map of Westmoreland County, Pennsylvania 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[]

LaurelMTS1

Autumn on a small state road near the Pennsylvania Turnpike in Laurel Mountains.

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[]

External links[]

Coordinates: 40°19′N 79°28′W / 40.31, -79.47


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.
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