Northumberland County, Pennsylvania

Northumberland County, Pennsylvania

Northumberland County Courthouse
Map of Pennsylvania highlighting Northumberland County
Location in the U.S. state of Pennsylvania
Map of the United States highlighting Pennsylvania
Pennsylvania's location in the U.S.
Founded March 21, 1772
Named for Northumberland
Seat Sunbury
Largest city Sunbury
Area
 • Total 478 sq mi (1,238 km2)
 • Land 458 sq mi (1,186 km2)
 • Water 19 sq mi (49 km2), 4.0%
Population (est.)
 • (2015) 93,246
 • Density 204/sq mi (79/km²)
Congressional districts 10th, 11th
Time zone Eastern: UTC-5/-4
Website www.northumberlandco.org

Northumberland County is a county located in the U.S. state of Pennsylvania. As of the 2010 census, the population was 94,528.[1] Its county seat is Sunbury.[2] The county was formed in 1772 from parts of Lancaster, Berks, Bedford, Cumberland, and Northampton Counties and named for the county of Northumberland in northern England. Northumberland County is a fifth class county according to the Pennsylvania's County Code.[3]

Northumberland County comprises the Sunbury, PA Micropolitan Statistical Area, which is also included in the Bloomsburg-Berwick-Sunbury, PA Combined Statistical Area.

Among its famous residents, Joseph Priestley, the enlightenment chemist and theologian, left England in 1796 due to religious persecution and settled on the Susquehanna River. His former house (originally purchased by chemists from Pennsylvania State University after a colloquium that founded the American Chemical Society[4]) is a historical museum.[5]

History

By 1813 the area once comprising the sprawling county of Northumberland had been divided over time and allotted to other counties such that lands once occupied by Old Northumberland at its greatest extent are now found in Centre, Columbia, Luzerne, Lycoming, Mifflin, Union, Clearfield, Clinton, Montour, Bradford, Lackawanna, Susquehanna, Wyoming, Tioga, Potter, McKean, Warren, Venango, Snyder, and Schuylkill Counties.

Geography

Susquehanna River from the Shikellamy State Park overlook, looking upriver. The West Branch Susquehanna River is in the foreground.
View looking northeast from the Shikellamy State Park overlook

According to the U.S. Census Bureau, the county has a total area of 478 square miles (1,240 km2), of which 458 square miles (1,190 km2) is land and 19 square miles (49 km2) (4.0%) is water.[6]

The main river in Northumberland County is the Susquehanna River. The Susquehanna River's tributaries in the county include the West Branch Susquehanna River, Chillisquaque Creek, Shamokin Creek, and Mahanoy Creek. The county has mountains in the south and north, with the rest being mostly rolling hills.

Mountains

Name Height
Mahanoy Mountain 433 meters
Big Mountain 402 meters

Major highways

Adjacent counties

Demographics

Historical population
Census Pop. %±
179017,147—
180027,79762.1%
181036,32730.7%
182015,424−57.5%
183018,13317.6%
184020,02710.4%
185023,27216.2%
186028,92224.3%
187041,44443.3%
188053,12328.2%
189074,69840.6%
190090,91121.7%
1910111,42022.6%
1920122,0799.6%
1930128,5045.3%
1940126,887−1.3%
1950117,115−7.7%
1960104,138−11.1%
197099,190−4.8%
1980100,3811.2%
199096,771−3.6%
200094,556−2.3%
201094,5280.0%
Est. 201593,246[7]−1.4%
U.S. Decennial Census[8]
1790–1960[9] 1900–1990[10]
1990–2000[11] 2010–2013[1]

As of the census[12] of 2000, there were 94,556 people, 38,835 households, and 25,592 families residing in the county. The population density was 206 people per square mile (79/km²). There were 43,164 housing units at an average density of 94 per square mile (36/km²). The racial makeup of the county was 97.09% White, 1.52% Black or African American, 0.10% Native American, 0.22% Asian, 0.02% Pacific Islander, 0.47% from other races, and 0.58% from two or more races. 1.10% of the population were Hispanic or Latino of any race. 32.5% were of German, 12.9% Polish, 9.9% American, 8.2% Italian, 8.1% Irish and 5.8% Dutch ancestry according to Census 2000. 95.8% spoke English and 1.5% Spanish as their first language.

There were 38,835 households out of which 27.30% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 52.40% were married couples living together, 9.60% had a female householder with no husband present, and 34.10% were non-families. 30.20% of all households were made up of individuals and 15.50% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.34 and the average family size was 2.89.

In the county, the population was spread out with 21.90% under the age of 18, 7.00% from 18 to 24, 27.70% from 25 to 44, 24.40% from 45 to 64, and 19.00% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 41 years. For every 100 females there were 96.30 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 92.80 males.

Northumberland County's live birth rate was 1,167 births in 1990. Northumberland County's live birth rate in 2000 declined to 919 births, while in 2011 it was 961 babies.[13] Over the past 50 years (1960 to 2010), rural Pennsylvania saw a steady decline in both the number and proportion of residents under 18 years old. In 1960, 1.06 million rural residents, or 35 percent of the rural population, were children.

County poverty demographics

According to research by The Center for Rural Pennsylvania, which is a legislative agency of the Pennsylvania General Assembly, the poverty rate for Northumberland County was 15.9% in 2014.[14] The statewide poverty rate was 13.6% in 2014. The 2012 childhood poverty rate by school district was: Line Mountain School District - 38.4% living at 185% or below than the Federal Poverty Level, Milton Area School District - 51.9, Mount Carmel Area School District - 59.5%, Shikellamy School District - 45%, Shamokin Area School District - 59.5% and Warrior Run School District - 32.2%.[15]

According to the US Census Bureau, from 2009-2014 Northumberland County saw a 62% increase in the number of families in the federal food assistance program called SNAP (Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program).[16] The number of people or families receiving monthly SNAP (food stamps) assistance dollars rose from 2,965 in 2009 to 4,814 people in 2014.[17]

Teen Pregnancy rate

The Pennsylvania Department of Health reports the annual teens aged 15–19 birth rate. From 2011 to 2015, Northumberland County experienced a 10% decline in teen pregnancies.[18] In Pennsylvania the majority of pupils graduate from high school at age 18 years old. Northumberland County is home to an Amish population, where pregnancies at 17–19 years old are common.

Micropolitan Statistical Area

Map of the Bloomsburg-Berwick-Sunbury, PA Combined Statistical Area (CSA), composed of the following parts:
  Sunbury, PA Micropolitan Statistical Area (μSA)

The United States Office of Management and Budget[19] has designated Northumberland County as the Sunbury, PA Micropolitan Statistical Area (µSA). As of the 2010 U.S. Census[20] the micropolitan area ranked 2nd most populous in the State of Pennsylvania and the 37th most populous in the United States with a population of 94,528. Northumberland County is also a part of the Bloomsburg-Berwick-Sunbury, PA Combined Statistical Area (CSA), which combines the population of Northumberland County as well as the Columbia, Montour, Snyder and Union County areas. The Combined Statistical Area ranked 8th in the State of Pennsylvania and 115th most populous in the United States with a population of 264,739.

Politics and government

As of November 2008, there are 53,983 registered voters in Northumberland County.[21]

While county-level politics tend to be competitive, Northumberland is a Republican county in most statewide elections. The margins of victory in the county for the Republican Presidential candidate in 2000, 2004, and 2008 have been 13, 21, and 14 percentage points, respectively. Governor Ed Rendell narrowly carried it against Lynn Swann while Republican Rick Santorum narrowly carried it against Bob Casey in 2006. The only Democratic statewide candidate to carry the county in 2008 was incumbent Auditor General Jack Wagner. In 2011, the election of Stephen Bridy resulted in a three-way split among the county commissioners.

County commissioners

Other county offices

State Representatives

State Senator

U.S. Representative

Education

Map of Northumberland County, Pennsylvania Public School Districts

Early child education

According to the Office of Child Development and Early Learning of the Pennsylvania Department of Education June 2007 report, Northumberland County is rated at a high risk level for children who are "at risk" and therefore might benefit from more taxpayer funded services. Northumberland County was rated 3.14 ARL, in the highest 25% of counties for average risk level.[22]

Public school districts

Charter school

SusQ Cyber Charter School – provided by Intermediate Unit 16 Grades 9–12th

Career Tech school

Northumberland County Career Technology Center located in Coal Township

Intermediate Unit

Central Susquehanna Intermediate Unit 16 – The primary service area consists of: Columbia, Montour, Northumberland, Snyder and Union counties in central Pennsylvania. Provides a wide variety of education related services to school districts, private and parochial schools and hame schooled students. Funded by: state and federal grants; state contracts and service contracts. Intermediate units do not have the power to levy taxes. The IU's board is made up of representatives from the schools districts it serves.

Independent schools

data from ies – National Center For Education Statistics – PSS Private School Universe Survey data for the 2007–2008 school year, U.S. Department of Education Institute of Education Sciences[24]

CSIU16 School Directory 2014 [25]

Additionally there are nearly 1000 children attending Mennonite and Amish schools per the Central Susquehanna Intermediate Unit 16.[26]

The St Monica School PreK-8th grade which was located in Sunbury Pennsylvania was closed by the Bishop in June 2013.[27]

Child abuse cases reported

In 2014, 1,148 child abuse reports were made to the Northumberland Children and Youth Agency. In 2015, reported cases increased to 2,084 a 82% increase in reports.[28] The increase in cases was attributed to a new state law specifying more professions are mandated reporters including: teachers, college professors, coaches, advisors of youth organizations and public school employees.[29]

Communities

Map of Northumberland 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 one case, a town. The following cities, boroughs, and townships are located in Northumberland 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.

Population ranking

The population ranking of the following table is based on the 2010 census of Northumberland County.[30]

† county seat

Rank City/Town/etc. Municipal type Population (2010 Census)

1 † Sunbury City 9,905
2 Shamokin City 7,374
3 Milton Borough 7,042
4 Mount Carmel Borough 5,893
5 Northumberland Borough 3,804
6 Kulpmont Borough 2,924
7 Edgewood CDP 2,384
8 Watsontown Borough 2,351
9 Elysburg CDP 2,194
10 Fairview-Ferndale CDP 2,139
11 Riverside Borough 1,932
12 Trevorton CDP 1,834
13 Dewart CDP 1,471
14 Marshallton CDP 1,441
15 Montandon CDP 903
16 Kapp Heights CDP 863
17 Atlas CDP 809
18 Turbotville Borough 705
19 Marion Heights Borough 611
20 Ranshaw CDP 510
21 Tharptown (Uniontown) CDP 498
22 Dalmatia CDP 488
23 Snydertown Borough 339
24 Herndon Borough 324
25 McEwensville Borough 279
26 Strong CDP 147

Natural Gas pipeline

In March 2016, Northumberland County announced a $700,000 deal with Williams Transco pipeline company. The County is granting a 9,700 foot right-of-way through its Anthracite Outdoor Adventure Area recreation park. Two parcels of county owned land are impacted: one in East Cameron Township and the other in Coal Township. The one time payment for the East Cameron Township parcel will be shared: County - 33.27%, township - 42.61% and Shamokin Area School District will receive 24.12%. For the Coal Township parcel: the County receives 33.13%, Coal Township gets 27.86% and the school district receives 39.01%. of the right-of-way payment. The County will also receive the value of the timber taken when the land is stripped. The recreation area is an environmentally restored former coal mining area.[31] The pipeline will strip all vegetation and trees from the right-of-way in the outdoor recreation area. The Atlantic Sunrise Pipeline Project is a 178 mile long project, crossing 10 Pennsylvania counties and impacting 30 property owners in Northumberland County.[32]

See also

References

  1. 1 2 "State & County QuickFacts". United States Census Bureau. Retrieved November 20, 2013.
  2. ↑ "Find a County". National Association of Counties. Retrieved 2011-06-07.
  3. ↑ "PA County Code Newspaper Handbook". Pennsylvania Newspaper Association. 2005.
  4. ↑ Archived March 23, 2012, at the Wayback Machine.
  5. ↑ Joseph Priestley House. Joseph Priestley House. Retrieved on 2013-07-23.
  6. ↑ "2010 Census Gazetteer Files". United States Census Bureau. August 22, 2012. Retrieved March 9, 2015.
  7. ↑ "County Totals Dataset: Population, Population Change and Estimated Components of Population Change: April 1, 2010 to July 1, 2015". Retrieved July 2, 2016.
  8. ↑ "U.S. Decennial Census". United States Census Bureau. Retrieved March 9, 2015.
  9. ↑ "Historical Census Browser". University of Virginia Library. Retrieved March 9, 2015.
  10. ↑ Forstall, Richard L., ed. (March 24, 1995). "Population of Counties by Decennial Census: 1900 to 1990". United States Census Bureau. Retrieved March 9, 2015.
  11. ↑ "Census 2000 PHC-T-4. Ranking Tables for Counties: 1990 and 2000" (PDF). United States Census Bureau. April 2, 2001. Retrieved March 9, 2015.
  12. ↑ "American FactFinder". United States Census Bureau. Retrieved 2008-01-31.
  13. ↑ Pennsylvania Department of Health, Birth Age County Reports 1990 and 2011, 2011
  14. ↑ US Census Bureau (2015). "Poverty Rates by County Small Area Income and Poverty Estimates".
  15. ↑ Pennsylvania Budget and Policy Center (2012). "Student Poverty Concentration 2012".
  16. ↑ Emma Ginader., Union Shows Highest spike in food need, The Daily Item, February 17, 2016
  17. ↑ US Census Bureau, 2014 Community Survey, 2015
  18. ↑ Rick Dandes., Fewer Kids Having Kids, The Daily Item, March 13, 2016
  19. ↑ "Office of Management and Budget". The White House. Retrieved 5 August 2015.
  20. ↑ Center for New Media and Promotions(C2PO). "2010 Census". census.gov. Retrieved 5 August 2015.
  21. ↑ Running for Office. Dos.state.pa.us. Retrieved on 2013-07-23.
  22. ↑ "Pennsylvania Department of Education". state.pa.us. Retrieved 5 August 2015.
  23. ↑ Daily Item.com, New tutoring center opens, April 10, 2016
  24. ↑ "Search for Private Schools - Search Results". ed.gov. Retrieved 5 August 2015.
  25. ↑ "CSIU16 School Directory 2014" (PDF). Jan 20, 2014.
  26. ↑ School Choice Topic of Meeting tonight, Joseph Deinlein, The Daily Item, April 5, 2011
  27. ↑ Nikki Krize (May 31, 2012). "Celebrating Saint Monica School". WNEP TV News.
  28. ↑ John Zaklansky., Increase in referrals, abuse cases. The Daily Item, April 10, 2016
  29. ↑ John Zaklansky., Child Abuse Awareness takes on new meaning. The Daily Item, April 10, 2016
  30. ↑ http://www.census.gov/2010census/
  31. ↑ Justin Strawser., Deal gives county $700K, The Dailiy Item, March 4, 2016
  32. ↑ Williams, Transco Atlantic Sunrise Pipeline Project, 2015

Coordinates: 40°51′N 76°43′W / 40.85°N 76.71°W / 40.85; -76.71

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