Jefferson County, Pennsylvania

Jefferson County is a county located in the U.S. state of Pennsylvania. As of the 2010 census, the population was 45,200.[1] Its county seat is Brookville.[2] The county was established on March 26, 1804, from part of Lycoming County and later organized in 1830.[3] It is named for President Thomas Jefferson.[4] It is home to Punxsutawney Phil, the most famous groundhog that predicts when spring will come every February 2 (Groundhog Day).

For other places in Pennsylvania named Jefferson, see Jefferson, Pennsylvania.
Jefferson County
U.S. county
Jefferson County Courthouse
Location within the U.S. state of Pennsylvania
Pennsylvania's location within the U.S.
Coordinates: 41°08′N 79°00′W
Country United States
State Pennsylvania
FoundedOctober 1, 1830
Named forThomas Jefferson
SeatBrookville
Largest boroughPunxsutawney
Area
 • Total657 sq mi (1,700 km2)
 • Land652 sq mi (1,690 km2)
 • Water4.4 sq mi (11 km2)  0.7%%
Population
 • Estimate 
(2018)
43,641
 • Density68/sq mi (26/km2)
Time zoneUTC−5 (Eastern)
 • Summer (DST)UTC−4 (EDT)
Congressional district15th
Websitewww.jeffersoncountypa.com

Geography

According to the U.S. Census Bureau, the county has a total area of 657 square miles (1,700 km2), of which 652 square miles (1,690 km2) is land and 4.4 square miles (11 km2) (0.7%) is water.[5] It has a warm-summer humid continental climate (Dfb) and average monthly temperatures in Brookville range from 24.8 °F in January to 68.8 °F in July, while in Punxsutawney they range from 25.7 °F in January to 69.6 °F in July.

Adjacent counties

Major highways

Streams

There are many named streams flowing through Jefferson County, far too many to list here. An exhaustive list is presented in a separate article. All those streams eventually flow to the Allegheny River except for Bear Run, 1.36 square miles (3.5 km2), in the southeast which flows into the Susquehanna River. The principal streams and the area of their watersheds that lie within the county are:

  • Clarion River: 130.50 square miles (338.0 km2)
    • Little Toby Creek: 34.46 square miles (89.3 km2)
    • Clear Creek: 20.12 square miles (52.1 km2)
    • Cathers Run: 15.69 square miles (40.6 km2)
    • Mill Creek: 30.70 square miles (79.5 km2)
  • Redbank Creek: 375.52 square miles (972.6 km2)
    • North Fork Creek: 91.63 square miles (237.3 km2)
      • Clear Run: 9.79 square miles (25.4 km2)
      • Pekin Run: 10.12 square miles (26.2 km2)
    • Sandy Lick Creek: 143.98 square miles (372.9 km2)
      • Wolf Run: 18.19 square miles (47.1 km2)
      • Soldier Run: 11.09 square miles (28.7 km2)
      • Trout Run: 10.74 square miles (27.8 km2)
      • Mill Creek: 53.69 square miles (139.1 km2)
      • Fivemile Run: 17.55 square miles (45.5 km2)
      • Falls Creek: 11.39 square miles (29.5 km2)
    • Little Sandy Creek: 70.65 square miles (183.0 km2)
  • Mahoning Creek: 149.63 square miles (387.5 km2)
    • East Branch Mahoning Creek: 15.27 square miles (39.5 km2)
    • Stump Creek: 14.86 square miles (38.5 km2)
    • Big Run: 19.41 square miles (50.3 km2)
    • Canoe Creek: 11.57 square miles (30.0 km2)
    • Elk Run: 13.20 square miles (34.2 km2)
    • Pine Run: 18.88 square miles (48.9 km2)

Demographics
Historical population
CensusPop.%±
1810161—
1820561248.4%
18302,025261.0%
18407,253258.2%
185013,51886.4%
186018,27035.2%
187021,65618.5%
188027,93529.0%
189044,00557.5%
190059,11334.3%
191063,0906.7%
192062,104−1.6%
193052,114−16.1%
194054,0903.8%
195049,147−9.1%
196046,792−4.8%
197043,695−6.6%
198048,30310.5%
199046,083−4.6%
200045,932−0.3%
201045,200−1.6%
2018 (est.)43,641[6]−3.4%
U.S. Decennial Census[7]
1790-1960[8] 1900-1990[9]
1990-2000[10] 2010-2017[1]

As of the census[11] of 2000, there were 45,932 people, 18,375 households, and 12,862 families residing in the county. The population density was 70 people per square mile (27/km2). There were 22,104 housing units at an average density of 34 per square mile (13/km2). The racial makeup of the county was 98.97% White, 0.13% Black or African American, 0.16% Native American, 0.21% Asian, 0.01% Pacific Islander, 0.07% from other races, and 0.45% from two or more races. 0.41% of the population were Hispanic or Latino of any race. 31.1% were of German, 13.4% Italian, 10.8% American, 9.2% Irish and 7.8% English ancestry.

There were 18,375 households, out of which 30.30% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 56.80% were married couples living together, 9.10% had a female householder with no husband present, and 30.00% were non-families. 26.60% of all households were made up of individuals, and 13.80% 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 2.96.

In the county, the population was spread out, with 23.60% under the age of 18, 7.70% from 18 to 24, 27.20% from 25 to 44, 23.60% from 45 to 64, and 17.90% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 40 years. For every 100 females there were 95.70 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 92.60 males.

Law and government

Jefferson County is a very safe county for the Republican Party, which has won the vote of all but two presidential elections.

Presidential elections results
Presidential elections results[12]
Year Republican Democratic Third parties
2020 78.7% 17,960 19.8% 4,527 1.5% 337
2016 77.5% 15,192 18.6% 3,650 3.8% 753
2012 71.8% 13,048 26.3% 4,787 1.9% 343
2008 63.8% 12,057 34.1% 6,447 2.2% 408
2004 68.4% 13,371 31.1% 6,073 0.6% 116
2000 65.2% 11,473 31.7% 5,566 3.1% 547
1996 49.6% 8,156 35.5% 5,846 14.9% 2,455
1992 41.1% 7,271 33.9% 5,998 25.1% 4,442
1988 60.5% 9,743 38.7% 6,235 0.8% 131
1984 65.3% 11,334 34.3% 5,950 0.4% 71
1980 57.4% 9,628 37.5% 6,296 5.1% 854
1976 55.1% 9,437 43.5% 7,456 1.4% 237
1972 68.9% 11,631 29.8% 5,024 1.3% 221
1968 55.7% 10,214 37.3% 6,839 7.1% 1,294
1964 43.5% 8,373 56.3% 10,851 0.2% 37
1960 63.8% 13,845 36.0% 7,811 0.2% 38
1956 66.3% 13,051 33.6% 6,627 0.1% 19
1952 64.6% 11,833 34.8% 6,365 0.6% 116
1948 61.4% 9,395 36.8% 5,632 1.8% 268
1944 62.5% 10,970 36.6% 6,425 0.9% 152
1940 58.4% 12,081 41.4% 8,559 0.2% 47
1936 51.2% 11,943 47.5% 11,080 1.2% 283
1932 52.5% 8,246 41.8% 6,570 5.7% 897
1928 74.6% 13,233 24.4% 4,325 1.0% 173
1924 64.9% 10,673 16.2% 2,664 18.9% 3,113
1920 66.7% 7,970 25.6% 3,060 7.7% 920
1916 51.7% 4,332 38.9% 3,253 9.4% 788
1912 18.7% 1,608 29.1% 2,510 52.2% 4,504
1908 60.2% 5,652 31.8% 2,986 8.0% 755
1904 69.1% 5,860 24.7% 2,095 6.2% 527
1900 62.4% 5,950 32.1% 3,063 5.5% 525
1896 57.2% 5,500 38.2% 3,671 4.7% 448
1892 50.4% 4,100 40.0% 3,251 9.6% 782
1888 53.5% 4,090 42.6% 3,257 3.9% 301

County Commissioners
  • John D. Matson (R)
  • Herbert L. Bullers Jr.(R)
  • Jeffrey E. Pisarcik (D)

State Senate[13]

State House of Representatives[13]

United States House of Representatives

United States Senate

Education
Map of Jefferson County, Pennsylvania Public School Districts

Colleges and universities

Public school districts
  • Jefferson County-DuBois AVTS
  • Riverview Intermediate Unit #6

Private schools
  • Allens Mills School - Reynoldsville
  • Bear Lane School - Punxsutawney
  • Blose Hill Amish School - Reynoldsville
  • Bucks Run - Reynoldsville
  • Canoe Ridge Amish School - Rossiter
  • Christ Dominion Academy
  • Colonial Drake - Punxsutawney
  • Eagles Nest Amish School - Brockway
  • Highland Park - Punxsutawney
  • Hillside School - Punxsutawney
  • Lone Maple School - Punxsutawney
  • Maple Grove School - Reynoldsville
  • Mountain View School - Punxsutawney
  • Munderf Amish School - Brockway
  • Oak Grove Parochial School - Smicksburg
  • Pine Valley Parochial School - Punxsutawney
  • Playhouse Children's Center - Punxsutawney
  • Praise Christian Academy - Reynoldsville
  • Punxsutawney Christian Sch - Ele Level - Punxsutawney
  • Spring Hollow Amish School - Reynoldsville
  • Spring Run School - Smickburg
  • Sts Cosmas & Damian School - Punxsutawney
  • Trout Run School - Punxsutawney
  • Valley View School - Punxsutawney
  • West Creek Road Amish School - Punxsutawney
  • Willow Drive School - Punxsutawney
  • Windy Hollow Amish School - Mayport

Libraries
  • Jefferson County Library System - Brockway
  • Mengle Memorial Library - Brockway
  • Punxsutawney Memorial Library - Punxsutawney
  • Rebecca M Arthurs Memorial Library - Brookville
  • Reynoldsville Public Library - Reynoldsville
  • Summerville Public Library - Summerville
  • Sykesville Public Library - Sykesville

Licensed entities
  • Full Circle Inc Boys Home - Reynolds
  • Jefferson County Adult Detention Center
  • Western Pennsylvania School of Taxidermy - Oliveburg

Recreation

Two Pennsylvania state parks are in the county.

The Jefferson County Fair is held annually in July.

Communities
Map of Jefferson 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 at most two cases, towns. The following boroughs and townships are located in Jefferson County:

Boroughs

Townships

Census-designated place

Unincorporated communities

Population ranking

The population ranking of the following table is based on the 2010 census of Jefferson County.[14]

† county seat

Rank City/Town/etc. Municipal type Population
(2010 Census)
1 Punxsutawney Borough 5,962
2 † Brookville Borough 3,924
3 Reynoldsville Borough 2,759
4 Brockway Borough 2,072
5 Sykesville Borough 1,157
6 Falls Creek (partially in Clearfield County) Borough 1,037
7 Big Run Borough 624
8 Summerville Borough 528
9 Crenshaw CDP 468
10 Corsica Borough 357
11 Timblin Borough 157
12 Worthville Borough 67

Notable people

See also

References
  1. "State & County QuickFacts". United States Census Bureau. Archived from the original on June 6, 2011. Retrieved November 17, 2013.
  2. "Find a County". National Association of Counties. Archived from the original on 2011-05-31. Retrieved 2011-06-07.
  3. "Pennsylvania: Individual County Chronologies". Pennsylvania Atlas of Historical County Boundaries. The Newberry Library. 2008. Archived from the original on March 25, 2015. Retrieved March 12, 2015.
  4. Gannett, Henry (1905). The Origin of Certain Place Names in the United States. Govt. Print. Off. pp. 168.
  5. "2010 Census Gazetteer Files". United States Census Bureau. August 22, 2012. Retrieved March 8, 2015.
  6. "Population and Housing Unit Estimates". Retrieved October 10, 2018.
  7. "U.S. Decennial Census". United States Census Bureau. Retrieved March 8, 2015.
  8. "Historical Census Browser". University of Virginia Library. Archived from the original on August 11, 2012. Retrieved March 8, 2015.
  9. Forstall, Richard L., ed. (March 24, 1995). "Population of Counties by Decennial Census: 1900 to 1990". United States Census Bureau. Archived from the original on March 20, 2015. Retrieved March 8, 2015.
  10. "Census 2000 PHC-T-4. Ranking Tables for Counties: 1990 and 2000" (PDF). United States Census Bureau. April 2, 2001. Archived (PDF) from the original on December 18, 2014. Retrieved March 8, 2015.
  11. "U.S. Census website". United States Census Bureau. Retrieved 2008-01-31.
  12. Leip, David. "Dave Leip's Atlas of U.S. Presidential Elections". uselectionatlas.org. Archived from the original on 23 March 2018. Retrieved 7 May 2018.
  13. Center, Legislativate Data Processing. "Find Your Legislator". The official website for the Pennsylvania General Assembly. Archived from the original on 2017-05-06. Retrieved 2017-05-11.
  14. "2010 U.S. Census website". United States Census Bureau. Retrieved 2016-02-13.
  15. "Idaho Governor John T. Morrison". National Governors Association. Archived from the original on September 10, 2012. Retrieved September 19, 2012.

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