Elk County, Pennsylvania

Elk County, Pennsylvania
County
Elk County Courthouse in Ridgway, Pennsylvania
Elk County Courthouse in Ridgway, Pennsylvania
Flag of Elk County, Pennsylvania
Flag
Official logo of Elk County, Pennsylvania
Logo
Map of Pennsylvania highlighting Elk County
Location within the U.S. state of Pennsylvania
Coordinates: 41°25′N 78°39′W / 41.42°N 78.65°W / 41.42; -78.65
Country United States
State Pennsylvania
FoundedApril 18, 1843
Named afterEastern elk
SeatRidgway
Largest citySt. Marys
Area
 • Total
832 sq mi (2,150 km2)
 • Land827 sq mi (2,140 km2)
 • Water4.9 sq mi (13 km2)  0.6%
Population
 (2020)
 • Total
30,990[1]
 • Estimate 
(2024)[2]
30,124 Decrease
 • Density37.5/sq mi (14.5/km2)
Time zoneUTC−5 (Eastern)
 • Summer (DST)UTC−4 (EDT)
Congressional district15th
Websitecountyofelkpa.gov

Elk County is a county in the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania. As of the 2020 United States census, the population was 30,990.[3] Its county seat is Ridgway.[4] The county was created on April 18, 1843, from parts of Jefferson, Clearfield, and McKean Counties. Elk County is named for the now-extinct eastern elk (Cervus canadensis) that historically inhabited the region. The county is part of the North Central region of the commonwealth.[a]

The county is notable for having one of the highest concentrations of Catholics in the United States, with 69% of the county's residents identifying as Catholic.

Geography

Elk County consists of low rolling hills, carved by frequent drainages and heavily wooded.

According to the United States Census Bureau, the county has a total area of 832 square miles (2,150 km2), of which 827 square miles (2,140 km2) is land and 4.9 square miles (13 km2) (0.6%) is water.[5] Elk has a warm-summer humid continental climate (Dfb) and average monthly temperatures in Ridgway range from 23.2 °F in January to 67.4 °F in July, while in Saint Marys they range from 22.6 °F in January to 66.8 °F in July.[6]

Adjacent counties

National protected area

State protected areas

Major highways

Demographics

Historical population
CensusPop.Note%±
18503,531—
18605,91567.5%
18708,48843.5%
188012,80050.8%
189022,23973.7%
190032,90348.0%
191035,8719.0%
192034,981−2.5%
193033,431−4.4%
194034,4433.0%
195034,5030.2%
196037,3288.2%
197037,7701.2%
198038,3381.5%
199034,878−9.0%
200035,1110.7%
201031,946−9.0%
202030,990−3.0%
2023 (est.)30,198[7]−2.6%
[8]

2020 census

As of the 2020 census, the county had a population of 30,990, a population density of 38 people per square mile (15 people/km2), and 16,836 housing units at an average density of 20 units per square mile (7.7/km2).[9]

The median age was 48.0 years. 18.6% of residents were under the age of 18 and 22.8% of residents were 65 years of age or older. For every 100 females there were 101.4 males, and for every 100 females age 18 and over there were 100.0 males age 18 and over.[9]

44.1% of residents lived in urban areas, while 55.9% lived in rural areas.[10]

There were 13,590 households in the county, of which 23.2% had children under the age of 18 living in them. Of all households, 48.0% were married-couple households, 20.9% were households with a male householder and no spouse or partner present, and 23.9% were households with a female householder and no spouse or partner present. About 31.9% of all households were made up of individuals and 15.0% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. There were 16,836 housing units, of which 19.3% were vacant. Among occupied housing units, 78.1% were owner-occupied and 21.9% were renter-occupied. The homeowner vacancy rate was 1.4% and the rental vacancy rate was 8.1%.[9]

The racial makeup of the county was 95.4% White, 0.3% Black or African American, 0.1% American Indian and Alaska Native, 0.4% Asian, <0.1% Native Hawaiian and Pacific Islander, 0.3% from some other race, and 3.6% from two or more races. Hispanic or Latino residents of any race comprised 0.9% of the population.[11]

Elk County, Pennsylvania – Racial and ethnic composition
Note: the US Census treats Hispanic/Latino as an ethnic category. This table excludes Latinos from the racial categories and assigns them to a separate category. Hispanics/Latinos may be of any race.
Race / Ethnicity (NH = Non-Hispanic) Pop 2000[12] Pop 2010[13] Pop 2020[14] % 2000 % 2010 % 2020
White alone (NH) 34,643 31,345 29,466 98.66% 98.11% 95.08%
Black or African American alone (NH) 47 85 74 0.13% 0.26% 0.23%
Native American or Alaska Native alone (NH) 32 32 16 0.09% 0.10% 0.05%
Asian alone (NH) 120 95 113 0.34% 0.29% 0.36%
Pacific Islander alone (NH) 14 5 12 0.03% 0.01% 0.03%
Other race alone (NH) 11 14 46 0.03% 0.04% 0.14%
Mixed race or Multiracial (NH) 103 187 969 0.29% 0.58% 3.12%
Hispanic or Latino (any race) 142 183 294 0.40% 0.57% 0.94%
Total 35,112 31,946 30,990 100.00% 100.00% 100.00%

2000 census

As of the 2000 census, there were 14,124 households, out of which 31.00% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 56.00% were married couples living together, 8.70% had a female householder with no husband present, and 31.00% were non-families. 27.30% of all households were made up of individuals, and 13.60% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.45 and the average family size was 2.99.

The 2000 census reported that the county population contained 24.00% under the age of 18, 6.80% from 18 to 24, 28.60% from 25 to 44, 23.30% from 45 to 64, and 17.30% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 39 years. For every 100 females there were 98.00 males. For every 100 females aged 18 and over, there were 95.30 males.

Economy

As of the 2021 ACS 5-Year Estimates, Elk County's largest industry and source of employment is manufacturing, with the second largest being educational services, healthcare, and social services.

Government and politics

United States presidential election results for Elk County, Pennsylvania[15]
Year Republican Democratic Third party(ies)
No.  % No.  % No.  %
1888 1,321 41.09% 1,824 56.73% 70 2.18%
1892 1,438 38.94% 2,126 57.57% 129 3.49%
1896 2,807 49.57% 2,717 47.98% 139 2.45%
1900 3,254 50.06% 3,105 47.77% 141 2.17%
1904 3,820 55.25% 2,857 41.32% 237 3.43%
1908 2,991 51.52% 2,531 43.60% 283 4.88%
1912 603 10.50% 2,057 35.82% 3,082 53.67%
1916 2,829 52.34% 2,186 40.44% 390 7.22%
1920 5,267 66.14% 2,093 26.28% 604 7.58%
1924 6,626 70.85% 1,370 14.65% 1,356 14.50%
1928 5,234 40.23% 7,705 59.23% 70 0.54%
1932 5,797 46.39% 6,461 51.70% 239 1.91%
1936 5,489 35.12% 9,035 57.80% 1,107 7.08%
1940 6,949 49.99% 6,920 49.78% 31 0.22%
1944 5,645 47.80% 6,097 51.63% 67 0.57%
1948 5,148 48.98% 5,363 51.02% 0 0.00%
1952 7,702 54.26% 6,448 45.42% 45 0.32%
1956 8,947 61.84% 5,498 38.00% 23 0.16%
1960 7,155 45.96% 8,398 53.95% 14 0.09%
1964 4,354 29.36% 10,455 70.51% 19 0.13%
1968 6,193 44.09% 6,886 49.02% 967 6.88%
1972 7,900 61.20% 4,710 36.49% 298 2.31%
1976 6,159 46.98% 6,713 51.21% 237 1.81%
1980 7,175 52.49% 5,898 43.15% 596 4.36%
1984 8,470 60.47% 5,486 39.17% 51 0.36%
1988 6,737 52.86% 5,879 46.13% 128 1.00%
1992 4,908 35.48% 5,016 36.26% 3,908 28.25%
1996 4,889 37.57% 5,749 44.18% 2,375 18.25%
2000 7,347 54.10% 5,754 42.37% 479 3.53%
2004 7,872 54.10% 6,602 45.37% 76 0.52%
2008 6,676 46.48% 7,290 50.76% 396 2.76%
2012 7,579 57.08% 5,463 41.14% 237 1.78%
2016 10,025 68.91% 3,853 26.49% 669 4.60%
2020 12,140 71.64% 4,522 26.68% 284 1.68%
2024 12,543 72.87% 4,483 26.04% 187 1.09%
United States Senate election results for Elk County, Pennsylvania1[16]
Year Republican Democratic Third party(ies)
No.  % No.  % No.  %
2018 6,610 58.59% 4,498 39.87% 174 1.54%
2024 11,939 69.75% 4,679 27.34% 499 2.92%
United States Senate election results for Elk County, Pennsylvania3
Year Republican Democratic Third party(ies)
No.  % No.  % No.  %
2016 8,703 60.76% 4,509 31.48% 1,111 7.76%
2022 9,128 67.02% 4,066 29.86% 425 3.12%
Pennsylvania Gubernatorial election results for Elk County
Year Republican Democratic Third party(ies)
No.  % No.  % No.  %
2014 4,536 51.49% 4,273 48.51% 0 0.00%
2018 6,918 61.22% 4,206 37.22% 177 1.57%
2022 8,597 62.85% 4,843 35.41% 238 1.74%

Voter demographics

Chart of Voter Registration
  1. Republican (58.3%)
  2. Democratic (29.8%)
  3. Independent (7.95%)
  4. Other Parties (3.94%)

As of November 4, 2024, there are 20,837 registered voters in Elk County.[17]

Elk County used to be competitive in statewide and national elections. The county frequently voted with the eventual winner of national elections, from 1920 to 2008, except for 1928, 1940, and 1968. In the 21st century, its Catholic identity has been replaced by its rural identity in defining how it votes; its longtime Democratic voter registration advantage was taken over by Republicans in 2018.[18] The county voted for Mitt Romney by 16 points in 2012, then swung over 25 points to the right and voted for Donald Trump by 42 points in 2016, before swinging further right in 2020 and voting for Trump by 45 points.

County commissioners

  • M. Fritz Lecker, Republican
  • Matthew G. Quesenberry, Democrat
  • Gregory J. Gebauer, Republican

Other county offices

  • Clerk of Courts and Prothonotary, Susanne Schneider, Republican
  • Coroner, Michelle Muccio, Republican
  • District Attorney, Beau Grove, Republican
  • Register of Wills and Recorder of Deeds, Lee Neureiter, Republican
  • Sheriff, Todd Caltagarone, Republican
  • Treasurer, Matthew Frey, Republican
  • Board of Auditors, Sandra A. Caltagarone, Republican; Jean Zore, Republican; Siobhan Voss, Democrat

State representative

State senator

United States representative

United States senators

Education

Map of Elk County, Pennsylvania School Districts

Community education center

The Community Education Center of Elk and Cameron Counties (or CEC) provides credit, non-credit, and enrichment programs.

Public school districts

School districts include:[20]

Private schools

  • Elk County Catholic High School
  • St Boniface School - Kersey
  • St Leo School - Ridgway
  • St Marys Catholic Elementary School = Saint Marys
  • St Marys Catholic Middle School = Saint Marys
  • North Central Workforce Investment Board - Ridgway
  • Anne Forbes Nursery School - Ridgway

Libraries

  • Elk County Library System - Saint Marys
  • Johnsonburg Public Library - Johnsonburg
  • Ridgway Free Public Library - Ridgway
  • Saint Marys Public Library - Saint Marys
  • Tri State Coll Library Co-Op - Rosemont
  • Wilcox Public Library - Wilcox

Communities

Elk County boroughs and 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 Elk County:

City

Boroughs

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.

Unincorporated communities

Townships

Former Townships

Population ranking

The population ranking of the following table is based on the 2010 census of Elk County.[22]

† county seat

Rank City/Town/etc. Municipal type Population (2010 Census)
1 St. Marys City 13,070
2 † Ridgway Borough 4,078
3 Johnsonburg Borough 2,483
4 Kersey CDP 937
5 Weedville CDP 542
6 Byrnedale CDP 427
7 Wilcox CDP 383
8 James City CDP 287
9 Force CDP 253

See also

References

  1. ^ Includes Clearfield, Jefferson, Tioga, McKean, Warren, Clarion, Elk, Potter, Forest and Cameron Counties
  1. ^ "Population and Housing Unit Estimates". Retrieved March 14, 2022.
  2. ^ "Elk County, Pennsylvania". Census.gov. Retrieved January 20, 2026.
  3. ^ "Census - Geography Profile: Elk County, Pennsylvania". United States Census Bureau. Retrieved June 26, 2022.
  4. ^ "Find a County". National Association of Counties. Archived from the original on May 31, 2011. Retrieved June 7, 2011.
  5. ^ "2010 Census Gazetteer Files". US Census Bureau. August 22, 2012. Retrieved March 5, 2015.
  6. ^ "PRISM Climate Group at Oregon State University".
  7. ^ "2023 Population Estimates (PEP)". United States Census Bureau. Retrieved February 22, 2026.
  8. ^ "Census 2020".
  9. ^ a b c "2020 Decennial Census Demographic Profile (DP1)". United States Census Bureau. 2021. Retrieved December 26, 2025.
  10. ^ "2020 Decennial Census Demographic and Housing Characteristics (DHC)". United States Census Bureau. 2023. Retrieved December 26, 2025.
  11. ^ "2020 Decennial Census Redistricting Data (Public Law 94-171)". United States Census Bureau. 2021. Retrieved December 26, 2025.
  12. ^ "P004: Hispanic or Latino, and Not Hispanic or Latino by Race – 2000: DEC Summary File 1 – Elk County, Pennsylvania". United States Census Bureau.
  13. ^ "P2 Hispanic or Latino, and Not Hispanic or Latino by Race – 2010: DEC Redistricting Data (PL 94-171) - Elk County, Pennsylvania". United States Census Bureau.
  14. ^ "P2 Hispanic or Latino, and Not Hispanic or Latino by Race – 2020: DEC Redistricting Data (PL 94-171) - Elk County, Pennsylvania". United States Census Bureau.
  15. ^ Leip, David. "Atlas of US Presidential Elections". uselectionatlas.org. Retrieved November 25, 2018.
  16. ^ "2024 Senate Election (Official Returns)". Commonwealth of Pennsylvania by county. November 5, 2024. Retrieved December 5, 2024.
  17. ^ Pennsylvania Department of State (April 29, 2024). "Voter registration statistics by county". dos.pa.gov. Retrieved May 5, 2024.
  18. ^ "Voting and Election Statistics | Department of State | Commonwealth of Pennsylvania". Retrieved August 1, 2024.
  19. ^ a b Center, Legislativate Data Processing. "Find Your Legislator". The official website for the Pennsylvania General Assembly. Retrieved May 11, 2017.
  20. ^ "2020 CENSUS - SCHOOL DISTRICT REFERENCE MAP: Elk County, PA" (PDF). U.S. Census Bureau. Retrieved July 23, 2024. - Text list
  21. ^ Portland Mills PA (Google Maps - accessed 11 November 2019)
  22. ^ "2010 U.S. Census website". United States Census Bureau. Retrieved February 10, 2013.

41°25′N 78°39′W / 41.42°N 78.65°W / 41.42; -78.65

allikas: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Elk_County,_Pennsylvania