Washington County, Pennsylvania

Washington County is a county located in the U.S. state of Pennsylvania. As of the 2010 census, the population was 207,820.[1] Its county seat is Washington.[2]

Not to be confused with Washington, Pennsylvania.
Washington County
U.S. county
Flag
Location within the U.S. state of Pennsylvania
Pennsylvania's location within the U.S.
Coordinates: 40.19°N 80.25°W / 40.19; -80.25
Country United States
State Pennsylvania
FoundedMarch 28, 1781
Named forGeorge Washington
SeatWashington
Largest cityWashington
Area
 • Total861 sq mi (2,230 km2)
 • Land857 sq mi (2,220 km2)
 • Water3.9 sq mi (10 km2)  0.5%%
Population
 • Estimate 
(2019)
206,865
 • Density243/sq mi (94/km2)
Time zoneUTC−5 (Eastern)
 • Summer (DST)UTC−4 (EDT)
Congressional district14th
Websitewww.co.washington.pa.us

Washington County is part of the Pittsburgh, PA Metropolitan Statistical Area.

The county is home to Washington County Airport, located three miles (5 km) southwest of Washington.

History

The county was created on March 28, 1781, from part of Westmoreland County. The city and county were both named after American Revolutionary War leader George Washington, who eventually became the first President of the United States. The town of Charleroi got its name from the Belgian city of Charleroi. There lived many Belgian immigrants in the Monongahela area at the end of the 19th century, some of whom were glass makers.[3][4]


Geography

According to the U.S. Census Bureau, the county has a total area of 861 square miles (2,230 km2), of which 857 square miles (2,220 km2) is land and 3.9 square miles (10 km2) (0.5%) is water.[5]

Surrounding counties

Major highways

Climate

Washington County has a humid continental climate (Köppen Dfb), with warm summers and cold, snowy winters. Precipitation is highest in the summer months, with an annual average of 38.87 in (987 mm). Snow usually falls between November and April, with an average of 37.8 in (96 cm).

Climate data for Washington, Pennsylvania (3mi NE) (1981–2010 normals, extremes 1975–present)
Month Jan Feb Mar Apr May Jun Jul Aug Sep Oct Nov Dec Year
Record high °F (°C) 70
(21)		 75
(24)		 82
(28)		 90
(32)		 94
(34)		 93
(34)		 100
(38)		 96
(36)		 95
(35)		 87
(31)		 80
(27)		 76
(24)		 100
(38)
Average high °F (°C) 35.1
(1.7)		 38.5
(3.6)		 48.5
(9.2)		 60.7
(15.9)		 69.4
(20.8)		 78.0
(25.6)		 81.6
(27.6)		 80.7
(27.1)		 73.9
(23.3)		 62.3
(16.8)		 51.0
(10.6)		 39.1
(3.9)		 59.6
(15.3)
Daily mean °F (°C) 26.0
(−3.3)		 28.6
(−1.9)		 37.2
(2.9)		 48.6
(9.2)		 57.5
(14.2)		 66.2
(19.0)		 70.0
(21.1)		 69.0
(20.6)		 61.9
(16.6)		 50.6
(10.3)		 41.1
(5.1)		 30.5
(−0.8)		 48.9
(9.4)
Average low °F (°C) 16.8
(−8.4)		 18.7
(−7.4)		 26.0
(−3.3)		 36.5
(2.5)		 45.6
(7.6)		 54.4
(12.4)		 58.5
(14.7)		 57.3
(14.1)		 49.9
(9.9)		 39.0
(3.9)		 31.1
(−0.5)		 21.8
(−5.7)		 38.0
(3.3)
Record low °F (°C) −25
(−32)		 −20
(−29)		 −1
(−18)		 9
(−13)		 20
(−7)		 32
(0)		 38
(3)		 29
(−2)		 30
(−1)		 18
(−8)		 −4
(−20)		 −16
(−27)		 −25
(−32)
Average precipitation inches (mm) 2.87
(73)		 2.47
(63)		 3.25
(83)		 3.11
(79)		 4.16
(106)		 3.91
(99)		 3.94
(100)		 3.19
(81)		 3.28
(83)		 2.46
(62)		 3.37
(86)		 2.97
(75)		 38.87
(987)
Average snowfall inches (cm) 10.5
(27)		 9.3
(24)		 6.6
(17)		 1.2
(3.0)		 0
(0)		 0
(0)		 0
(0)		 0
(0)		 0
(0)		 0.2
(0.51)		 2.1
(5.3)		 7.9
(20)		 37.8
(96)
Average precipitation days (≥ 0.01 in) 16 14 14 14 15 12 12 11 11 13 14 15 162
Average snowy days (≥ 0.1 in) 12 10 5 1 0 0 0 0 0 0 3 8 38
Source: NOAA[6]

Demographics
Historical population
CensusPop.%±
179023,892—
180028,29818.4%
181036,28928.2%
182040,03810.3%
183042,7846.9%
184041,279−3.5%
185044,9398.9%
186046,8054.2%
187048,4833.6%
188055,41814.3%
189071,15528.4%
190092,18129.5%
1910143,68055.9%
1920188,99231.5%
1930204,8028.4%
1940210,8523.0%
1950209,628−0.6%
1960217,2713.6%
1970210,876−2.9%
1980217,0742.9%
1990204,584−5.8%
2000202,897−0.8%
2010207,8202.4%
2019 (est.)206,865[7]−0.5%
U.S. Decennial Census[8]
1790–1960[9] 1900–1990[10]
1990–2000[11] 2010–2019[1]

As of the census[12] of 2000, there were 202,897 people, 81,130 households, and 56,060 families residing in the county. The population density was 237 people per square mile (91/km2). There were 87,267 housing units at an average density of 102 per square mile (39/km2). The racial makeup of the county was 95.27% White, 3.26% Black or African American, 0.09% Native American, 0.36% Asian, 0.02% Pacific Islander, 0.19% from other races, and 0.82% from two or more races. 0.58% of the population were Hispanic or Latino of any race. 18.3% were of German, 17.2% Italian, 10.6% Irish, 8.6% English, 7.9% Polish and 6.2% American ancestry.

There were 81,130 households, out of which 28.40% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 55.20% were married couples living together, 10.30% had a female householder with no husband present, and 30.90% 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 22.20% under the age of 18, 7.70% from 18 to 24, 27.20% from 25 to 44, 25.00% from 45 to 64, and 17.90% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 41 years. For every 100 females there were 92.40 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 89.00 males.

As of 1800, this county was largely settled by people of Scot-Irish heritage because "prime lands" were already taken by the Germans and the Quakers.

Government and politics
The Washington County Courthouse during the winter
Presidential election results
Presidential election results[13]
Year Republican Democratic Third parties
2020 60.8% 72,080 38.1% 45,088 1.1% 1,588
2016 60.0% 61,386 35.5% 36,322 4.5% 4,559
2012 56.0% 53,230 42.5% 40,345 1.5% 1,403
2008 51.5% 50,752 46.8% 46,122 1.7% 1,642
2004 49.6% 47,673 50.1% 48,225 0.3% 279
2000 44.2% 37,339 53.3% 44,961 2.5% 2,141
1996 35.7% 27,777 52.7% 40,952 11.6% 9,016
1992 26.1% 21,977 54.7% 46,143 19.3% 16,244
1988 37.4% 28,651 62.1% 47,527 0.5% 375
1984 40.5% 34,782 59.2% 50,911 0.3% 244
1980 39.7% 32,532 55.2% 45,295 5.1% 4,191
1976 39.4% 32,827 59.2% 49,317 1.3% 1,107
1972 54.0% 42,587 44.1% 34,781 1.9% 1,494
1968 33.0% 28,023 56.3% 47,805 10.8% 9,140
1964 27.5% 24,127 72.3% 63,482 0.2% 147
1960 41.6% 38,348 58.3% 53,729 0.1% 120
1956 45.0% 39,465 54.8% 48,052 0.1% 98
1952 39.2% 36,041 60.6% 55,725 0.3% 270
1948 35.7% 26,860 61.6% 46,327 2.6% 1,979
1944 37.3% 27,615 62.2% 46,023 0.5% 392
1940 36.2% 29,026 63.4% 50,829 0.4% 296
1936 30.3% 23,342 68.5% 52,878 1.2% 948
1932 40.8% 21,447 55.1% 28,934 4.1% 2,155
1928 63.6% 31,099 35.1% 17,149 1.3% 645
1924 60.6% 22,315 18.2% 6,706 21.1% 7,776
1920 62.5% 18,514 29.8% 8,827 7.7% 2,284
1916 52.4% 10,367 39.2% 7,747 8.5% 1,674
1912 23.0% 4,297 29.8% 5,563 47.3% 8,837
1908 56.3% 11,430 34.6% 7,018 9.1% 1,850
1904 66.0% 11,530 28.0% 4,886 6.0% 1,051
1900 59.4% 10,408 36.4% 6,380 4.2% 733
1896 57.9% 10,798 39.6% 7,384 2.5% 458
1892 51.2% 8,060 43.5% 6,847 5.2% 822
1888 54.8% 7,801 41.1% 5,847 4.1% 579
1884 50.2% 6,699 43.8% 5,849 5.9% 793
1880 51.0% 6,451 46.3% 5,850 2.7% 338

The County of Washington is governed by a three-member publicly elected commission. The three commissioners serve in both executive and legislative capacities. By state law, the commission must have a minority party guaranteeing a political split on the commission. Each term is for four years.

The three current commissioners for Washington County are Lawrence Maggi (Democrat), Diana Irey (Republican), and Nick Sherman (Republican).

Maggi was the Democratic nominee for Pennsylvania's 18th congressional district against Republican incumbent Tim Murphy in 2012. Maggi lost to Murphy and earned only 36 percent of the vote. Irey was the Republican candidate for Pennsylvania's 12th congressional district and lost to the late Democratic incumbent John Murtha in the 2006 election.

The Washington County Court of Common Pleas, the Twenty-Seventh Judicial District of Pennsylvania, is the state trial court, sitting in and for Washington County. It serves as the court of original jurisdiction for the region. There are five judges, which the county's citizens elect to ten year terms, under the laws of the Commonwealth. The President Judge is Katherine B. Emery; she is the most senior member of the bench. Judges of the court are:

  • Katherine B. Emery, P.J.
  • John F. DiSalle, J.
  • Gary Gilman, J.
  • Valarie Costanzo, J.
  • Michael J. Lucas, J.

Additionally, magisterial district judges (MDJs) serve throughout the county to hear traffic citations, issue warrants, and decide minor civil matters.

The Democratic Party has been historically dominant in county-level politics and national politics, only voting Republican for president in Richard Nixon's 1972 landslide victory over George McGovern between 1928 & 2008. However, like much of Appalachian coal country, Washington has trended strongly Republican in recent years. In 2000, Democrat Al Gore won 53% of the vote and Republican George W. Bush won 44%. In 2004, Democrat John Kerry received 50.14% of the vote and Bush received 49.57% a difference of 552 votes. In 2008, Republican John McCain won 51% to Democrat Barack Obama's 46% and each of the three state row office winners carried Washington County.

Voter registration

As of November 7, 2017, there were 139,790 registered voters in the county. Registered Democrats have a plurality of 67,424 registered voters, compared to 56,274 registered Republicans, 752 registered Libertarians, 123 registered Greens, and 15,217 voters registered to other parties or none.[14]

Chart of Voter Registration

  Democratic (48.23%)
  Republican (40.26%)
  NPA/Other Parties (10.89%)
  Libertarian (0.54%)
  Green (0.09%)
Voter registration and party enrollment
Party Number of voters Percentage
Democratic 67,424 48.23
Republican 56,274 40.26
Others 15,217 10.89
Libertarian 752 0.54
Green 123 0.09
Total 139,790 100%

County row offices
  • Clerk of Courts, Barbara Gibbs, Democrat
  • Controller, Michael Namie, Democrat
  • Coroner, Timothy Warco, Democrat
  • District Attorney, Eugene Vittone, Republican
  • Prothonotary, Phyllis Ranko-Matheny, Democrat
  • Recorder of Deeds, Deborah Bardella, Democrat
  • Register of Wills, Mary Jo Poknis, Democrat
  • Sheriff, Samuel Romano, Democrat
  • Treasurer, Francis L. King, Democrat
  • Public Safety Director, Jeffrey A. Yates, Independent

State representatives

State senators

United States Representatives

United States Senators

Landmarks and events
The F. Julius LeMoyne House serves as the headquarters of the Washington County Historical Society.

Pony League baseball was founded in Washington County in 1951 for 13 and 14 year old boys and its headquarters are located here. As of 2016, more than a half-million youth in the U.S. and 40 other nations participate. The televised Pony League World Series held annually in August at Washington's Lew Hays Pony Field attracts teenage teams from around the world.[15]

Washington County is also the home of the Pennsylvania Trolley Museum.[16] Washington County is also famous for its Rock Shelters at Meadowcroft Village, which are one of the best preserved and oldest Pre-Clovis Native American dwellings in the country.[17] The county has 21 covered bridges still standing.[18]

The Whiskey Rebellion culminated in Washington. The home of David Bradford, one of the rebellion leaders, is located in Washington and is a national landmark.[19] Just a couple blocks away is the F. Julius LeMoyne House, which serves as the headquarters of the Washington County Historical Society.

Washington County is the home of the first crematory in the United States.[20][21]

In 1981, the Pennsylvania Historical and Museum Commission installed a historical marker noting the historic importance of the county.[22]

Education

Colleges and universities

Public school districts
Map of Washington County, Pennsylvania School Districts
Served by
  • Intermediate Unit 1 – Coal Center
  • Mon Valley Career and Technology Center – Charleroi
  • Western Area Career and Technology Center – Canonsburg

Private schools

Libraries

Hospitals

Communities
Map of Washington 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 at most two cases, towns. The following cities, boroughs and townships are located in Washington 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.

Unincorporated communities

Former communities
  • Allen Township[24]
  • Bethlehem Township
  • East Pike Run Township
  • Granville
  • Pike Run
  • Pike Run Township
  • Smallwood
  • South Canonsburg (annexed to Canonsburg in 1911)

Population ranking

The population ranking of the following table is based on the 2010 census of Washington County.[25]

† county seat

Rank City/Town/etc. Municipal type Population (2010 Census)
1 † Washington City 13,663
2 Canonsburg Borough 8,992
3 California Borough 6,795
4 Donora Borough 4,781
5 McMurray CDP 4,647
6 Monongahela City 4,300
7 Charleroi Borough 4,120
8 Thompsonville CDP 3,520
9 Centerville Borough 3,263
10 Wolfdale CDP 2,888
11 Gastonville CDP 2,818
12 McGovern CDP 2,742
13 Bentleyville Borough 2,581
14 Muse CDP 2,504
15 Cecil-Bishop CDP 2,476
16 East Washington Borough 2,234
17 New Eagle Borough 2,184
18 McDonald (partially in Allegheny County) Borough 2,149
19 Wickerham Manor-Fisher CDP 1,728
20 Baidland CDP 1,563
21 Burgettstown Borough 1,388
22 North Charleroi Borough 1,313
23 Houston Borough 1,296
24 Speers Borough 1,154
25 Ellsworth Borough 1,027
26 West Brownsville Borough 992
27 Midway Borough 913
28 Claysville Borough 829
29 Meadowlands CDP 822
30 Roscoe Borough 812
31 Avella CDP 804
32 Hickory CDP 740
33 Paris CDP 732
34 Deemston Borough 722
35 Langeloth CDP 717
36 Millsboro CDP 666
37 Eighty Four CDP 657
38 Cokeburg Borough 630
39 West Alexander CDP 604
40 Slovan CDP 555
41 Lawrence CDP 540
42 Allenport Borough 537
43 Joffre CDP 536
44 Stockdale Borough 502
45 Marianna Borough 494
46 Beallsville Borough 466
47 Finleyville Borough 461
48 Long Branch Borough 447
49 Bulger CDP 407
50 Fredericktown CDP 403
51 Atlasburg CDP 401
52 Wylandville CDP 391
53 Dunlevy Borough 381
54 Hendersonville CDP 325
55 Elco Borough 323
56 Elrama CDP 307
57 Southview CDP 276
58 Aaronsburg CDP 259
59 Twilight Borough 233
60 Taylorstown CDP 217
61 Westland CDP 167
62 Van Voorhis CDP 166
T-63 Coal Center Borough 139
T-63 West Middletown Borough 139
64 Cross Creek CDP 137
65 Green Hills Borough 29

Notable people

See also

References
  1. "State & County QuickFacts". United States Census Bureau. Archived from the original on July 22, 2011. Retrieved November 22, 2013.
  2. "Find a County". National Association of Counties. Archived from the original on May 31, 2011. Retrieved June 7, 2011.
  3. Pennsylvania Heritage, Volumes 34-36 - Pennsylvania Historical and Museum Commission, 2008. Pg. 5
  4. https://books.google.com/books?newbks=1&newbks_redir=0&id=CoRNpoT7XSMC&dq=Belgian+immigrants+in+Somerset+County%2C+Pennsylvania&focus=searchwithinvolume&q=Belgian+
  5. "2010 Census Gazetteer Files". United States Census Bureau. August 22, 2012. Retrieved March 11, 2015.
  6. "NowData - NOAA Online Weather Data". National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration. Retrieved 2020-01-13.
  7. "Population and Housing Unit Estimates". Retrieved March 26, 2020.
  8. "U.S. Decennial Census". United States Census Bureau. Retrieved March 11, 2015.
  9. "Historical Census Browser". University of Virginia Library. Retrieved March 11, 2015.
  10. Forstall, Richard L., ed. (March 24, 1995). "Population of Counties by Decennial Census: 1900 to 1990". United States Census Bureau. Retrieved March 11, 2015.
  11. "Census 2000 PHC-T-4. Ranking Tables for Counties: 1990 and 2000" (PDF). United States Census Bureau. April 2, 2001. Retrieved March 11, 2015.
  12. "U.S. Census website". United States Census Bureau. Retrieved May 14, 2011.
  13. Leip, David. "Dave Leip's Atlas of U.S. Presidential Elections". uselectionatlas.org. Retrieved 29 November 2018.
  14. "Commonwealth of Pennsylvania 2017 Voter Registration Statistics" (PDF). www.dos.pa.gov. November 7, 2017. Retrieved 2018-11-29.
  15. Crawley, Dave. "Teens Flock To Play Ball In Pony League World Series (August 5, 2016)". KDKA-TV. Retrieved 16 August 2017.
  16. Archived December 10, 2008, at the Wayback Machine
  17. Archived July 17, 2008, at the Wayback Machine
  18. "Archived copy". Archived from the original on October 25, 2008. Retrieved October 25, 2008.CS1 maint: archived copy as title (link)
  19. Welcome! Archived 2008-12-28 at the Wayback Machine. Bradfordhouse.org. Retrieved on 2013-07-23.
  20. "The LeMoyne Crematory". Archived from the original on July 10, 2009. Retrieved March 7, 2009.
  21. "An Unceremonious Rite; Cremation of Mrs. Ben Pitman" (PDF). New York Times. February 16, 1879. Retrieved March 7, 2009.
  22. "Mingo Creek Church – PHMC Historical Markers". Historical Marker Database. Pennsylvania Historical & Museum Commission. Archived from the original on December 7, 2013. Retrieved December 9, 2013.
  23. Archived April 2, 2015, at the Wayback Machine
  24. "Allen Township, Washington County, PA". freepages.genealogy.rootsweb.ancestry.com. Retrieved 29 November 2018.
  25. CNMP, US Census Bureau. "This site has been redesigned and relocated. - U.S. Census Bureau". www.census.gov. Retrieved 29 November 2018.
  26. Who Was Who in America, Historical Volume, 1607–1896. Marquis Who's Who. 1967.
  27. Welcome!. Bradfordhouse.org. Retrieved on 2013-07-23.
  28. Alexander Clark of Muscatine, Iowa | HOME. Alexanderclark.org. Retrieved on 2013-07-23.
  30. History, U.S. Army Center of Military. "Medal of Honor Recipients - Civil War (A-L)". www.history.army.mil. Retrieved 29 November 2018.
  31. "CMOHS.org - Musician CARSON, WILLIAM J., U.S. Army". www.cmohs.org. Retrieved 29 November 2018.
  32. "Fulton, Alexander". lahistory.org (Louisiana Historical Association). Archived from the original on September 23, 2010. Retrieved October 9, 2010.
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