Mercer County, Pennsylvania

Mercer County is a county located in the U.S. state of Pennsylvania. As of the 2010 census, the population was 116,638.[1] Its county seat is Mercer,[2] and its largest city is Hermitage. The county was created in 1800 and later organized in 1803.[3]

Mercer County
U.S. county
Mercer County Courthouse (1909)
Location within the U.S. state of Pennsylvania
Pennsylvania's location within the U.S.
Coordinates: 41°19′N 80°15′W
Country United States
State Pennsylvania
FoundedNovember 7, 1803
Named forHugh Mercer
SeatMercer
Largest cityHermitage
Area
 • Total683 sq mi (1,770 km2)
 • Land673 sq mi (1,740 km2)
 • Water10 sq mi (30 km2)  1.5%%
Population
 • Estimate 
(2019)
109,424
 • Density170/sq mi (70/km2)
Time zoneUTC−5 (Eastern)
 • Summer (DST)UTC−4 (EDT)
Congressional district16th
Websitewww.mcc.co.mercer.pa.us

Mercer County is included in the Youngstown-Warren-Boardman, OH-PA Metropolitan Statistical Area.

Geography

According to the U.S. Census Bureau, the county has a total area of 683 square miles (1,770 km2), of which 673 square miles (1,740 km2) is land and 10 square miles (26 km2) (1.5%) is water.[4] It has a humid continental climate (Dfa/Dfb) and average monthly temperatures in Sharon range from 27.1 °F in January to 72.2 °F in July, while in Mercer borough they range from 25.4 °F in January to 70.1 °F in July.

Adjacent counties

Major highways

Demographics
Historical population
CensusPop.%±
18003,228—
18108,277156.4%
182011,68141.1%
183019,72968.9%
184032,87366.6%
185033,1720.9%
186036,85611.1%
187049,97735.6%
188056,16112.4%
189055,744−0.7%
190057,3872.9%
191077,69935.4%
192093,78820.7%
193099,2465.8%
1940101,0391.8%
1950111,95410.8%
1960127,51913.9%
1970127,175−0.3%
1980128,2990.9%
1990121,003−5.7%
2000120,307−0.6%
2010116,638−3.0%
2019 (est.)109,424[5]−6.2%
U.S. Decennial Census[6]
1790-1960[7] 1900-1990[8]
1990-2000[9] 2010-2019[1]

As of the census[10] of 2000, there were 120,293 people, 46,712 households, and 32,371 families residing in the county. The population density was 179 people per square mile (69/km2). There were 49,859 housing units at an average density of 74 per square mile (29/km2). The racial makeup of the county was 93.13% White, 5.25% Black or African American, 0.11% Native American, 0.40% Asian, 0.02% Pacific Islander, 0.17% from other races, and 0.91% from two or more races. 0.67% of the population were Hispanic or Latino of any race. 37.7% were of German, 20.0% Irish, 14.9% Italian, 12.0% English, 6.4% American, 6.2% Polish, 3.7% Scotch-Irish, 3.3% Dutch ancestry.

There were 46,712 households, out of which 29.30% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 54.80% were married couples living together, 10.90% had a female householder with no husband present, and 30.70% were non-families. 27.00% of all households were made up of individuals, and 13.20% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.44 and the average family size was 2.96.

In the county, the population was spread out, with 23.40% under the age of 18, 8.90% from 18 to 24, 26.10% from 25 to 44, 23.50% from 45 to 64, and 18.10% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 40 years. For every 100 females there were 94.70 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 90.80 males.

Government and politics
Presidential election results
Presidential election results[11][12]
Year Republican Democratic Third parties
2020 62.2% 36,143 36.3% 21,067 1.5% 907
2016 59.7% 31,544 35.5% 18,733 4.9% 2,562
2012 50.8% 25,925 47.5% 24,232 1.7% 882
2008 49.0% 26,565 48.8% 26,411 2.2% 1,192
2004 51.0% 26,311 48.2% 24,831 0.8% 422
2000 47.5% 23,132 48.9% 23,817 3.7% 1,783
1996 37.6% 17,213 50.3% 23,003 12.2% 5,563
1992 32.3% 16,081 46.7% 23,264 21.1% 10,491
1988 46.4% 21,301 52.9% 24,278 0.7% 301
1984 49.1% 24,211 50.0% 24,658 0.9% 434
1980 48.5% 22,372 42.8% 19,716 8.7% 4,002
1976 46.6% 22,469 51.9% 25,041 1.5% 725
1972 59.4% 27,961 38.4% 18,087 2.2% 1,052
1968 47.1% 23,131 46.5% 22,814 6.4% 3,160
1964 35.9% 18,153 63.7% 32,199 0.4% 211
1960 54.4% 29,109 45.3% 24,243 0.2% 128
1956 59.1% 28,785 40.6% 19,769 0.3% 120
1952 55.6% 26,424 43.7% 20,770 0.7% 343
1948 52.7% 18,916 44.9% 16,108 2.4% 862
1944 53.9% 19,606 45.6% 16,589 0.6% 212
1940 55.1% 21,058 44.4% 16,968 0.5% 189
1936 45.9% 18,493 51.8% 20,879 2.3% 939
1932 53.5% 14,057 41.7% 10,961 4.7% 1,240
1928 72.7% 22,599 26.4% 8,204 0.9% 280
1924 65.3% 14,639 16.5% 3,688 18.3% 4,093
1920 60.3% 11,575 25.1% 4,823 14.6% 2,801
1916 42.7% 5,866 46.5% 6,390 10.9% 1,495
1912 14.7% 1,873 31.8% 4,039 53.5% 6,806
1908 47.3% 6,497 39.8% 5,473 12.9% 1,774
1904 60.7% 8,574 27.2% 3,845 12.1% 1,714
1900 55.9% 6,950 39.6% 4,916 4.5% 559
1896 55.5% 7,262 42.1% 5,500 2.4% 315
1892 50.8% 5,874 42.7% 4,931 6.6% 757
1888 53.9% 6,428 40.3% 4,806 5.8% 689
1884 51.8% 6,357 39.6% 4,861 8.6% 1,052
1880 51.3% 6,079 42.5% 5,029 6.2% 735

Voter Registration

As of November 7, 2017, there were 70,587 registered voters in the county. Republicans hold a razor thin plurality of 395 (0.56%) voters. There were 30,929 registered Republicans, 30,534 registered Democrats, 8,697 voters registered to other parties, 353 to the Libertarian Party and 74 voters registered to the Green Party.[13]

Chart of Voter Registration

  Republican (43.82%)
  Democratic (43.26%)
  NPA/Other Parties (12.32%)
  Libertarian (0.50%)
  Green (0.10%)
Voter registration and party enrollment
Party Number of voters Percentage
Republican 30,929 43.82
Democratic 30,534 43.26
Others 8,697 12.32
Libertarian 353 0.50
Green 74 0.10
Total 70,587 100%

Political bellwether

Mercer County was previously considered a political bellwether for the state of Pennsylvania since its demographics, urban/rural ratio, and party affiliation once closely mirrored the state as a whole. In 2000, Al Gore carried it against George W. Bush. This trend failed to hold true during 2004 Presidential election and 2008 Presidential election, in which Mercer County voted more conservatively than the rest of the state. In 2004, George W. Bush won Mercer County with 51% of the vote. That year John Kerry won the state as a whole with 51% of the popular vote. In 2008, John McCain won Mercer County by fewer than 200 votes, as he and Barack Obama each received roughly 49% of the popular vote. Barack Obama won the state of Pennsylvania as a whole with 55% of the popular vote. Each of the three statewide office winners also carried Mercer in 2008. In 2016, Donald Trump won Mercer County by 12,403 votes. Trump also won the state of Pennsylvania. Each of the three Republican candidates for statewide office carried Mercer County in 2016.

CommissionerPartyTitle
Matthew McConnellRepublicanChairman
Scott BoydRepublicanVice Chairman
Timothy McGonigleDemocrat

County officials
OfficeOfficialParty
President Judge of Court of Common PleasRobert G. YeattsDemocrat
Judge of Court of Common PleasDaniel P. WallaceRepublican
Judge of Court of Common PleasVacant
Judge of Court of Common PleasVacant
Clerk of Courts/Register of WillsKathleen M. KloosDemocrat
District AttorneyPete AckerRepublican
CoronerJohn A. LibonatiRepublican
SheriffRoni ShillingRepublican
TreasurerAmber WhiteRepublican
ProthonotaryRuth BiceDemocrat
Recorder of DeedsDee Dee ZickarRepublican

State Senate
DistrictSenatorParty
50Michele BrooksRepublican

State House of Representatives
DistrictRepresentativeParty
7Mark LongiettiDemocrat
8Tedd NesbitRepublican
17Parke WentlingRepublican

United States House of Representatives
DistrictRepresentativeParty
16Mike KellyRepublican

United States Senate
SenatorParty
Pat ToomeyRepublican
Bob CaseyDemocrat

Education

Higher education

Career-based education
  • Laurel Technical Institute, Sharon
  • Mercer County Career and Technical Center, Mercer
  • Penn State Cosmetology Academy, Hermitage
  • Sharon Regional Health System Schools of Nursing and Radiology, Sharon

Public school districts
Map of Mercer County, Pennsylvania Public School Districts

Charter schools
  • Keystone Education Center Charter School,[14] Greenville, PA. 256 pupils grades 7-12 Report Card 2010.[15]

Private schools

Recreation

There is one Pennsylvania state park in Mercer County. Maurice K. Goddard State Park, named for Maurice K. Goddard, former Secretary of the Pennsylvania Department of Environmental Resources, is just off exit 130 of Interstate 79 on Pennsylvania Route 358 near Stoneboro.

The Wendell August Forge, the last remaining working forge in the state, was open to the public for tours, but it burned down on March 6, 2010.[16] It has since reopened in new facilities.

Mercer County Court House built in 1909.

Communities
Map of Mercer County, Pennsylvania with Municipal Labels showing Cities and Boroughs (red) and Townships (white).

Under Pennsylvania law, there are four types of incorporated municipalities: cities, boroughs, townships, and, in one case, towns. The following cities, boroughs and townships are located in Mercer County:

Cities

Boroughs

Townships

Census-designated places

Unincorporated communities

Former community
  • Hickory Township-became the Municipality of Hermitage in 1976, and then the City of Hermitage in 1984.[17]

Population ranking

The population ranking of the following table is based on the 2010 census of Mercer County.[18]

† county seat

Rank City/Town/etc. Municipal type Population (2010 Census)
1 Hermitage City 16,220
2 Sharon City 14,038
3 Grove City Borough 8,322
4 Greenville Borough 5,919
5 Farrell City 5,111
6 Sharpsville Borough 4,415
7 Reynolds Heights CDP 2,061
8 † Mercer Borough 2,002
9 Stoneboro Borough 1,051
10 Lake Latonka CDP 1,012
11 West Middlesex Borough 863
12 Sandy Lake Borough 659
13 Clark Borough 640
14 Wheatland Borough 632
15 Jamestown Borough 617
16 Fredonia Borough 502
17 Jackson Center Borough 224
18 New Lebanon Borough 188
19 Sheakleyville Borough 142

See also

References
  1. "State & County QuickFacts". United States Census Bureau. Archived from the original on June 6, 2011. Retrieved November 20, 2013.
  2. "Find a County". National Association of Counties. Archived from the original on May 31, 2011. Retrieved June 7, 2011.
  3. "Pennsylvania: Individual County Chronologies". Pennsylvania Atlas of Historical County Boundaries. The Newberry Library. 2008. Retrieved March 13, 2015.
  4. "2010 Census Gazetteer Files". United States Census Bureau. August 22, 2012. Retrieved March 9, 2015.
  5. "Population and Housing Unit Estimates". Retrieved May 21, 2020.
  6. "U.S. Decennial Census". United States Census Bureau. Retrieved March 9, 2015.
  7. "Historical Census Browser". University of Virginia Library. Retrieved March 9, 2015.
  8. Forstall, Richard L., ed. (March 24, 1995). "Population of Counties by Decennial Census: 1900 to 1990". United States Census Bureau. Retrieved March 9, 2015.
  9. "Census 2000 PHC-T-4. Ranking Tables for Counties: 1990 and 2000" (PDF). United States Census Bureau. April 2, 2001. Retrieved March 9, 2015.
  10. "U.S. Census website". United States Census Bureau. Retrieved January 31, 2008.
  11. Leip, David. "Dave Leip's Atlas of U.S. Presidential Elections". uselectionatlas.org. Retrieved March 23, 2018.
  12. "Our Campaigns - U.S. President". Retrieved January 22, 2021.
  13. "Election statistics" (PDF). dos.pa.gov. November 7, 2017.
  14. Pennsylvania Department of Education (2011). "Charter Schools".
  16. "Landmark metal forge burns in Mercer County." Pittsburgh Post-Gazette. Online. March 06, 2010.
  17. "RootsWeb.com Home Page". www.rootsweb.ancestry.com.
  18. Promotions, Center for New Media and. "US Census Bureau 2010 Census". www.census.gov. Retrieved March 23, 2018.

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