Bradford County, Pennsylvania

Bradford County is a county located in the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania. As of the 2010 census, its population was 62,622.[2] Its county seat is Towanda.[3] The county was created on February 21, 1810, from parts of Lycoming and Luzerne Counties. Originally called Ontario County, it was reorganized and separated from Lycoming County on October 13, 1812, and renamed Bradford County for William Bradford, who had been a chief justice of the Pennsylvania Supreme Court and United States Attorney General.[4][5]

Not to be confused with Bradford, Pennsylvania.
Bradford County
U.S. county
Towanda is the county seat
Seal
Location within the U.S. state of Pennsylvania
Pennsylvania's location within the U.S.
Coordinates: 41°47′N 76°31′W
Country United States
State Pennsylvania
FoundedFebruary 21, 1810
Named forWilliam Bradford
SeatTowanda
Largest boroughSayre
Area
 • Total1,161 sq mi (3,010 km2)
 • Land1,147 sq mi (2,970 km2)
 • Water14 sq mi (40 km2)  1.2%%
Population
 • Estimate 
(2018)
60,833
 • Density53/sq mi (20/km2)
Congressional district12th
Websitewww.bradfordcountypa.org
DesignatedJuly 10, 1982[1]

Bradford County comprises the Sayre, Pennsylvania micropolitan statistical area.

The county is not to be confused with the city of Bradford, which is in McKean County, 141 miles to the west via U.S. Route 6.

History

As noted above, Bradford County was originally named Ontario County. The county was reorganized and renamed in 1812, but a section of north Philadelphia in which major east–west streets are named after Pennsylvania counties retains an Ontario Street, between Westmoreland and Tioga Streets. Two short Bradford Streets are in northeast Philadelphia, about 4 miles from Ontario Street.

Geography

According to the U.S. Census Bureau, the county has a total area of 1,161 square miles (3,010 km2), of which 1,147 square miles (2,970 km2) are land and 14 square miles (36 km2) (1.2%) are covered by water.[6] It is the second-largest county in Pennsylvania by land area and third-largest by total area.

Bradford has a warm-summer humid continental climate (Dfb) and average monthly temperatures in Towanda range from 24.5°F in January to 70.6°F in July.

Demographics
Historical population
CensusPop.%±
182011,554—
183019,74670.9%
184032,76966.0%
185042,83130.7%
186048,73413.8%
187053,2049.2%
188058,54110.0%
189059,2331.2%
190059,4030.3%
191054,526−8.2%
192053,166−2.5%
193049,039−7.8%
194050,6153.2%
195051,7222.2%
196054,9256.2%
197057,9625.5%
198062,9198.6%
199060,967−3.1%
200062,7612.9%
201062,622−0.2%
2018 (est.)60,833[7]−2.9%
U.S. Decennial Census[8]
1790–1960[9] 1900–1990[10]
1990–2000[11] 2010–2017[2]

As of the census[12] of 2000, there were 62,761 people, 24,453 households, and 17,312 families residing in the county. The population density was 54 people per square mile (21/km2). There were 28,664 housing units at an average density of 25 per square mile (10/km2). The racial makeup of the county was 97.94% White, 0.40% Black or African American, 0.31% Native American, 0.45% Asian, 0.01% Pacific Islander, 0.19% from other races, and 0.69% from two or more races. 0.63% of the population were Hispanic or Latino of any race. 32.4% were of English, 19% German, 12.6% Irish and 6.4% Italian ancestry.

There were 24,453 households, out of which 31.80% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 57.40% were married couples living together, 8.90% had a female householder with no husband present, and 29.20% were non-families. 24.70% of all households were made up of individuals, and 11.50% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.52 and the average family size was 2.99.

In the county, the population was spread out, with 25.50% under the age of 18, 6.80% from 18 to 24, 27.20% from 25 to 44, 24.70% from 45 to 64, and 15.70% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 39 years. For every 100 females there were 95.10 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 92.10 males.

Birth rate

The Bradford County live birth rate was 901 births in 1990.[13] The County's live birth rate in 2000 was 710 births,[14] while in 2011 it was 740 babies.[15] From 1960 to 2010, rural Pennsylvania has experienced a decline in the number of residents under 18 years old.[16]

Teen pregnancy rate

Bradford County had a 511 babies born to teens (age 15–19) in 2011. In 2015, the number of teen births in Bradford County declined to 490.[17]

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 Bradford County was 12.9% in 2014.[18] The statewide poverty rate was 13.6% in 2014. The 2012 childhood poverty rate by school district was: Athens Area School District – 40.3% living at 185% or below than the Federal Poverty Level; Canton Area School District – 45.4%; Northeast Bradford School District – 41.2%; Sayre Area School District – 42.7%; Troy Area School District – 39.9%; Towanda Area School District – 44.7% and Wyalusing Area School District – 35.7%.[19] The child poverty rate is collected by the school districts as part of the federal free school lunch program.

Micropolitan Statistical Area

The United States Office of Management and Budget[20] has designated Bradford County as the Sayre, PA Micropolitan Statistical Area (µSA).[21] As of the 2010 U.S. Census[22] the micropolitan area ranked 8th most populous in the State of Pennsylvania and the 131st most populous in the United States with a population of 62,622.

Law and government

Bradford County is a Republican Party stronghold in presidential elections. The only two instances Republican presidential candidates have failed to win the county from 1888 to the present were when Theodore Roosevelt won it in 1912 by splitting the Republican vote & in 1964 when Lyndon B. Johnson won statewide & nationally in a landslide. Johnson is also the only Democrat to ever manage over forty percent of the county's vote.

Presidential election results
Presidential election results[23]
Year Republican Democratic Third parties
2020 71.6% 21,600 26.6% 8,046 1.7% 525
2016 69.8% 18,141 24.5% 6,369 5.7% 1,476
2012 61.2% 14,410 36.6% 8,624 2.2% 506
2008 58.2% 15,057 39.8% 10,306 2.0% 526
2004 66.1% 16,942 33.5% 8,590 0.5% 120
2000 62.8% 14,660 33.9% 7,911 3.4% 781
1996 49.5% 10,393 36.8% 7,736 13.7% 2,879
1992 45.2% 10,221 30.5% 6,903 24.3% 5,504
1988 66.7% 13,568 32.6% 6,635 0.7% 134
1984 72.7% 14,808 26.9% 5,474 0.4% 85
1980 63.0% 13,139 30.9% 6,439 6.2% 1,287
1976 61.1% 12,851 37.6% 7,913 1.3% 270
1972 73.6% 15,050 25.4% 5,204 1.0% 204
1968 63.2% 13,308 30.3% 6,373 6.5% 1,377
1964 49.3% 10,434 50.6% 10,714 0.1% 14
1960 70.0% 16,252 29.8% 6,920 0.1% 33
1956 73.6% 15,399 26.3% 5,502 0.1% 30
1952 76.0% 15,894 23.7% 4,959 0.3% 55
1948 72.0% 11,783 27.0% 4,421 1.0% 163
1944 70.4% 13,472 28.9% 5,523 0.7% 142
1940 69.0% 14,826 30.7% 6,605 0.3% 53
1936 66.7% 16,643 32.4% 8,078 0.9% 215
1932 63.3% 11,521 32.8% 5,970 3.8% 697
1928 79.8% 17,251 19.8% 4,281 0.4% 77
1924 73.6% 11,620 14.6% 2,307 11.8% 1,857
1920 75.1% 11,947 17.8% 2,825 7.1% 1,128
1916 57.5% 6,178 34.0% 3,655 8.5% 909
1912 18.6% 2,034 27.0% 2,960 54.4% 5,963
1908 63.4% 7,997 29.8% 3,758 6.8% 853
1904 69.2% 8,303 23.9% 2,862 6.9% 828
1900 64.1% 8,625 31.3% 4,211 4.7% 631
1896 66.0% 9,422 30.8% 4,388 3.2% 457
1892 63.1% 8,132 31.7% 4,080 5.3% 676
1888 63.0% 8,762 32.7% 4,552 4.3% 594

County commissioners
  • Daryl Miller, Chairman, Republican
  • Doug McLinko, Vice-Chairman, Republican
  • John Sullivan, Democrat[24]

Other county officials
  • Auditors, Jeff Warner, Eric Matthews, Sebrina Shanks
  • Clerk of Courts and Prothonotary, Dawn Close, Republican
  • Coroner, Thomas Carman, Republican
  • District Attorney, Chad Salsman, Republican
  • Register of Wills and Recorder of Deeds, Sheila Johnson, Republican
  • Sheriff, Clinton J. Walters, Republican
  • Treasurer, Matthew Allen, Republican

State Senate

State House of Representatives

United States House of Representatives

United States Senate

Economy

Major employers are the natural gas industry, DuPont, Global-Tungsten and Powders (former Sylvania), Jeld-Wen, and Cargill Regional Beef, Wyalusing.

Education
Bradford County school districts

Public school districts

Other public school entities

Private schools
  • Canton Country School – Canton
  • Children's Place – Sayre
  • Epiphany School (Catholic) Pre-K–6 – Sayre accepting OSTCP students
  • Freedom Lane Academy – Milan
  • G&G Learning Center – Rome
  • Maranatha Mission Learning Community Branch 19 – Canton
  • North Rome Christian School
  • South Hill Amish School – Wyalusing
  • St. Agnes Elementary School – Towanda accepting OSTCP students
  • Union Valley Christian School – Ulster
  • Valley View Amish School – Pike Township
  • Wyalusing Valley Children's Center INC – Wyalusing

Data from EdNA database maintained by Pennsylvania Department of Education 2012

Libraries
  • Allen F. Pierce Free Library – Troy
  • Bradford County Library – Troy
  • Bradford County Library System – Troy
  • Green Free Library – Canton
  • Mather Memorial Library – Ulster
  • Monroeton Public Library – Monroeton
  • New Albany Community Library Inc.
  • Sayre Public Library
  • Spalding Memorial Library – Athens
  • Towanda Public Library
  • Wyalusing Public Library

Transportation

Public transportation is provided by BeST Transit.

Major Highways

Recreation

There is one Pennsylvania state park in Bradford County.

Communities
Map of Bradford 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 only one case (Bloomsburg, Columbia County), towns. The following boroughs and townships are located in Bradford County:

Boroughs

Townships

Census-designated place

Unincorporated communities

Population ranking

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

† county seat

Rank City/Town/etc. Population (2010 Census) Municipal type Incorporated
1 Sayre 5,587 Borough 1891
2 Athens 3,367 Borough 1831
3 † Towanda 2,919 Borough 1828
4 Canton 1,976 Borough 1864
5 Troy 1,354 Borough
6 South Waverly 1,027 Borough 1878
7 Greens Landing 894 CDP
8 Wyalusing 596 Borough
9 Monroe 554 Borough 1855
10 Rome 441 Borough 1860
11 New Albany 356 Borough 1879
12 Le Raysville 290 Borough 1863
13 Sylvania 219 Borough 1853
14 Alba 157 Borough 1864
15 Burlington 156 Borough 1854

See also

References
  1. "PHMC Historical Markers Search" (Searchable database). Pennsylvania Historical and Museum Commission. Commonwealth of Pennsylvania. Retrieved January 25, 2014.
  2. "State & County QuickFacts". United States Census Bureau. Archived from the original on February 19, 2016. Retrieved November 16, 2013.
  3. "Find a County". National Association of Counties. Archived from the original on May 31, 2011. Retrieved June 7, 2011.
  4. An outline history of Tioga and Bradford counties in Pennsylvania, Chemung, Steuben, Tioga, Tompkins and Schuyler in New York: by townships, villages, boro's and cities, John L. Sexton. The Gazette Company, 1885, p67. 1885. p. 67. Retrieved September 17, 2010. bradford county, pa. sexton.
  5. Bradford County History Archived July 27, 2011, at the Wayback Machine, Bradford County, Pennsylvania. Accessed August 21, 2007
  6. "2010 Census Gazetteer Files". United States Census Bureau. August 22, 2012. Retrieved March 5, 2015.
  7. "Population and Housing Unit Estimates". Retrieved October 16, 2018.
  8. "U.S. Decennial Census". United States Census Bureau. Retrieved March 5, 2015.
  9. "Historical Census Browser". University of Virginia Library. Retrieved March 5, 2015.
  10. Forstall, Richard L., ed. (March 24, 1995). "Population of Counties by Decennial Census: 1900 to 1990". United States Census Bureau. Retrieved March 5, 2015.
  11. "Census 2000 PHC-T-4. Ranking Tables for Counties: 1990 and 2000" (PDF). United States Census Bureau. April 2, 2001. Retrieved March 5, 2015.
  12. "U.S. Census website". United States Census Bureau. Retrieved January 31, 2008.
  13. Pennsylvania Department of Health, Birth Age County Reports 1990, 1990
  14. Pennsylvania Department of Health, Birth Age County Reports 2000, 2000
  15. Pennsylvania Department of Health, Birth Age County Reports 2011, 2011
  16. Center for Rural Pennsylvania, Number of Children Decreasing in Rural Pennsylvania, 2011
  17. Robert Wood Johnson Foundation (2016). "Pennsylvania Teen Births".
  18. US Census Bureau (2015). "Poverty Rates by County Small Area Income and Poverty Estimates".
  19. Pennsylvania Budget and Policy Center (2012). "Student Poverty Concentration 2012". Archived from the original on 2015-12-22. Retrieved 2018-12-09.
  20. "Office of Management and Budget - The White House". Retrieved 21 November 2018.
  21. "Archived copy". Archived from the original on 2015-09-24. Retrieved 2017-12-07.CS1 maint: archived copy as title (link)
  22. "2010 U.S. Census website". United States Census Bureau. Retrieved 2015-05-25.
  23. Leip, David. "Dave Leip's Atlas of U.S. Presidential Elections". uselectionatlas.org. Retrieved 21 November 2018.
  24. https://bradfordcountypa.org/commissioners/. Retrieved September 10, 2020. Missing or empty |title= (help)
  25. "Towanda - Lackawanna College". www.lackawanna.edu. Archived from the original on 30 August 2020. Retrieved 21 November 2018.

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