Editing Nicholson, Pennsylvania

{{Use mdy dates|date=January 2025}}
{{Infobox settlement
| name = Borough of Nicholson
| official_name = 
| native_name = 
| native_name_lang = 
| other_name = 
| settlement_type = [[List of towns and boroughs in Pennsylvania#Boroughs|Borough]]
| image_skyline = TunkhannockViaductFromAir.jpg
| imagesize = 
| image_alt = 
| image_caption = Aerial view of Nicholson and [[Tunkhannock Viaduct]]
| image_flag = 
| image_seal = 
| seal_size = 
| etymology = 
| nickname = 
| motto = Population 1,000. Hospitality for 1,000,000
| anthem = 
| image_map = File:Wyoming County Pennsylvania Incorporated and Unincorporated areas Nicholson Highlighted.svg
| mapsize = 
| map_alt = 
| map_caption = Location of Nicholson in [[Wyoming County, Pennsylvania]]
| image_map1 = 
| mapsize1 = 
| map_alt1 = 
| map_caption1 = 
| pushpin_map              = USA Pennsylvania#USA
| pushpin_label            = Nicholson
| pushpin_map_caption      = Location of Nicholson in [[Pennsylvania]]
| coordinates = {{coord|41|37|30|N|75|46|59|W|display=inline,title}}
| coor_pinpoint = 
| coordinates_footnotes = 
| grid_name = 
| grid_position = 
| subdivision_type = Country
| subdivision_name = United States
| subdivision_type1 = State
| subdivision_name1 = Pennsylvania
| subdivision_type2 = County
| subdivision_name2 = [[Wyoming County, Pennsylvania|Wyoming]]
| subdivision_type3 = 
| subdivision_name3 = 
| subdivision_type4 = 
| subdivision_name4 = 
| established_title = Founded
| established_date = August 23, 1875
| established_title1 = 
| established_date1 = 
| established_title2 = 
| established_date2 = 
| established_title3 = 
| established_date3 = 
| established_title4 = 
| established_date4 = 
| established_title5 = 
| established_date5 = 
| established_title6 = 
| established_date6 = 
| established_title7 = 
| established_date7 = 
| extinct_title = 
| extinct_date = 
| founder = 
| named_for = 
| seat_type = 
| seat = 
| seat1_type = 
| seat1 = 
| government_footnotes = 
| government_type = 
| governing_body = 
| leader_party = 
| leader_title = Mayor
| leader_name = Charles H. Litwin Jr.
| leader_title1 = Council President
| leader_name1 = Dawn Bell
| total_type = 
| unit_pref = Imperial
| area_footnotes = <ref name="TigerWebMapServer">{{cite web|title=ArcGIS REST Services Directory|url=https://tigerweb.geo.census.gov/arcgis/rest/services/TIGERweb/Places_CouSub_ConCity_SubMCD/MapServer/5/query?where=STATE='42'&outFields=NAME,STATE,PLACE,AREALAND,AREAWATER,LSADC,CENTLAT,CENTLON&orderByFields=PLACE&returnGeometry=false&returnTrueCurves=false&f=json|publisher=United States Census Bureau|accessdate=October 12, 2022}}</ref>
| area_total_km2 = 3.04
| area_total_sq_mi = 1.17
| area_land_km2 = 3.00
| area_land_sq_mi = 1.16
| area_water_km2 = 0.04
| area_water_sq_mi = 0.02
| area_water_percent = 
| area_metro_footnotes = 
| area_metro_km2 = 
| area_metro_sq_mi = 
| area_rank = 
| elevation_footnotes = 
| elevation_m = 
| elevation_ft = 728
| elevation_point = 
| elevation_max_footnotes = 
| elevation_max_m = 
| elevation_max_ft = 
| elevation_max_point = 
| elevation_max_rank = 
| elevation_min_footnotes = 
| elevation_min_m = 
| elevation_min_ft = 
| elevation_min_point = 
| elevation_min_rank = 
| population_as_of = [[2020 United States Census|2020]]
| population_footnotes = <ref name="USCensusDecennial2020CenPopScriptOnly"/>
| population_total = 696
| pop_est_as_of = 
| pop_est_footnotes = 
| population_est = 
| population_rank = 
| population_density_km2 = 231.99
| population_density_sq_mi = 601.04
| population_metro_footnotes = 
| population_metro = 
| population_density_metro_km2 = 
| population_density_metro_sq_mi = 
| population_density = 
| population_density_rank = 
| population_blank1_title = 
| population_blank1 = 
| population_density_blank1_km2 = 
| population_density_blank1_sq_mi = 
| population_blank2_title = 
| population_blank2 = 
| population_density_blank2_km2 = 
| population_density_blank2_sq_mi = 
| population_demonym = 
| population_note = 
| demographics_type1 = 
| demographics1_footnotes = 
| demographics1_title1 = 
| demographics1_info1 = 
| demographics_type2 = 
| demographics2_footnotes = 
| demographics2_title1 = 
| demographics2_info1 = 
| timezone1 = [[North American Eastern Time Zone|EST]]
| utc_offset1 = -5
| timezone1_DST = [[Eastern Daylight Time|EDT]]
| utc_offset1_DST = -4
| timezone2 = 
| utc_offset2 = 
| timezone2_DST = 
| utc_offset2_DST = 
| postal_code_type = ZIP Code
| postal_code = 18446
| postal2_code_type = 
| postal2_code = 
| area_code_type = 
| area_code = [[Area code 570|570]]
| geocode = 
| iso_code = 
| blank_name = [[Federal Information Processing Standards|FIPS code]]
| blank_info = 42-54400
| blank1_name = 
| blank1_info = 
| blank2_name = 
| blank2_info = 
| blank_name_sec2 = 
| blank_info_sec2 = 
| blank1_name_sec2 = 
| blank1_info_sec2 = 
| blank2_name_sec2 = Wikimedia Commons
| blank2_info_sec2 = 
| website = {{URL|http://www.nicholsonborough.org/}}
| footnotes = 
}}

'''Nicholson''' is a borough in [[Wyoming County, Pennsylvania|Wyoming County]], [[Pennsylvania]]. The population was 698 at the [[2020 United States census|2020 census]].<ref name="USCensusEst2020-2021">{{cite web |title=City and Town Population Totals: 2020—2021 |url=https://www.census.gov/data/tables/time-series/demo/popest/2020s-total-cities-and-towns.html |website=Census.gov |publisher=US Census Bureau |access-date=August 5, 2022}}</ref>

==History==
The borough of Nicholson was incorporated on August 23, 1875 and was named after John Nicholson, who had been Pennsylvania's comptroller general in the late 1700s.<ref>{{Cite web|url=http://www.nicholsonheritage.org/nicholson/|title = Nicholson – Nicholson Heritage Association}}</ref>

The town of Nicholson attracted national attention during the final week of July 1986, when an escaped Bengal tiger was hunted in the area for several days.<ref>''Daily Herald'' (Chicago) "Bengal tiger on the loose," (July 28, 1986, p7); "Tiger loose in Pennsylvania mountains?" (July 29, 1986, p3)</ref> Despite air and ground searches by state police and zoo officials, the animal was never found.<ref>''The Indiana (Pa.) Gazette'' "Tiger may be stray pet, caller says," (July 30, 1986, p29) "Calls, leads in Gibson tiger hunt die down," (July 31, 1986, p3)</ref><ref>''Tyrone (Pa.) Daily Herald'' (UPI) "Was The Loose Tiger A Pet Which Finally Went Home?" (August 1, 1986, p1).</ref>

==Geography==
Nicholson is located at {{Coord|41|37|30|N|75|46|59|W|type:city}} (41.624983, -75.783054).<ref name="GR1">{{cite web|url=https://www.census.gov/geographies/reference-files/time-series/geo/gazetteer-files.html|publisher=[[United States Census Bureau]]|accessdate=2011-04-23|date=2011-02-12|title=US Gazetteer files: 2010, 2000, and 1990}}</ref> According to the [[United States Census Bureau|U.S. Census Bureau]], the borough has a total area of {{convert|1.2|sqmi|km2}}, of which {{convert|1.2|sqmi|km2}}  is land and {{convert|0.01|sqmi|km2}}  (0.83%) is water.

==Demographics==
{{US Census population
|align=left
|1880= 586
|1890= 734
|1900= 893
|1910= 852
|1920= 842
|1930= 932
|1940= 731
|1950= 569
|1960= 686
|1970= 877
|1980= 945
|1990= 857
|2000= 713
|2010= 767
|2020= 698
|estyear=2021
|estimate=697
|estref=<ref name="USCensusEst2020-2021"/>
|footnote=Sources:<ref name="USDecennialCensus">{{cite web|title=Census of Population and Housing|url=https://www.census.gov/programs-surveys/decennial-census.html|publisher=U.S. Census Bureau|accessdate=11 December 2013}}</ref><ref name="GR2">{{cite web|url=https://www.census.gov|publisher=[[United States Census Bureau]]|accessdate=2008-01-31|title=U.S. Census website}}</ref><ref name=CensusPopEst>{{cite web|title=Incorporated Places and Minor Civil Divisions Datasets: Subcounty Resident Population Estimates: April 1, 2010 to July 1, 2012|url=https://www.census.gov/popest/data/cities/totals/2012/SUB-EST2012.html|work=Population Estimates|publisher=U.S. Census Bureau|accessdate=11 December 2013|url-status=dead|archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20130611010502/http://www.census.gov/popest/data/cities/totals/2012/SUB-EST2012.html|archivedate=11 June 2013}}</ref><ref name="USCensusDecennial2020CenPopScriptOnly">{{cite web|url=https://api.census.gov/data/2020/dec/pl?get=P1_001N,NAME&for=place:*&in=state:42&key=5ccd0821c15d9f4520e2dcc0f8d92b2ec9336108|title=Census Population API|publisher=United States Census Bureau|accessdate=Oct 12, 2022}}</ref>
}}
As of the [[census]]<ref name="GR8">{{cite web|url=https://www.census.gov|publisher=[[United States Census Bureau]]|accessdate=2011-05-14|title=U.S. Census website}}</ref> of 2010, there were 767 people, 302 households, and 195 families residing in the borough. The population density was {{convert|639.2|PD/sqmi|PD/km2|sp=us|adj=off}}. There were 343 housing units at an average density of {{convert|285.8|/sqmi|/km2|sp=us|adj=off}}. The racial makeup of the borough was 97% [[White (U.S. Census)|White]], 0.1% [[African American (U.S. Census)|African American]], 0.1% [[Native American (U.S. Census)|Native American]], 0.1% [[Pacific Islander (U.S. Census)|Pacific Islander]], 0.1% some other race, and 2.5% from two or more races. [[Hispanic (U.S. Census)|Hispanic]] or [[Latino (U.S. Census)|Latino]] of any race were 1.4% of the population.

There were 302 households, out of which 29.1% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 48.7% were [[Marriage|married couples]] living together, 11.3% had a female householder with no husband present, and 35.4% were non-families. 28.5% of all households were made up of individuals, and 16.9% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.54 and the average family size was 3.15.

In the borough, the population was spread out, with 25% under the age of 18, 58.3% from 18 to 64, and 16.7% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 37 years.

The median income for a household in the borough was $38,650, and the median income for a family was $40,833. Males had a median income of $38,889 versus $27,813 for females. The [[per capita income]] for the borough was $21,449. About 24% of families and 24.8% of the population were below the [[poverty line]], including 41% of those under age 18 and 10.5% of those age 65 or over.

==Government==
The town has a [[Mayor–council government|weak mayor - strong council]] form of government.

===Mayor===
{| class="sortable wikitable"
|- {{Party shading/Republican}}
| Charles Litwin Jr. || Republican 
|}

===Council===
{| class="sortable wikitable"
|-
! Council Member !! Term Expires !! Party
|- {{Party shading/Democratic}}
|  Nathan Harpster || 2025 || Democratic
|- {{Party shading/Republican}}
|  John Kiryluk || 2025 || Republican
|- {{Party shading/Republican}}
|  John Decker || 2025 || Republican
|- {{Party shading/Republican}}
|  Albert Olive || 2023 || Republican
|- {{Party shading/Republican}}
|  Joan Irion Jenkins || 2025 || Republican
|- {{Party shading/Republican}}
|  David Noakes || 2023 || Republican
|- {{Party shading/Republican}}
|  John Bower || 2023 || Republican 
|}

==Tunkhannock Viaduct==
[[File:Aerial View of Tunkhannock Viaduct.jpg|thumb|left|Aerial view of the Tunkhannock Viaduct]]A local landmark, the [[Tunkhannock Viaduct]], Tunkhannock Creek Viaduct or "Nicholson Bridge" has been a focal point of the Nicholson community since its completion in 1915.<ref>{{Cite web|url=http://www.nicholsonheritage.org/tunkhannock-creek-viaduct/|title = Tunkhannock Creek Viaduct – Nicholson Heritage Association}}</ref> Built by the Delaware, Lackawanna & Western Railroad between 1912 and 1915, the bridge has served many owners: DL&W, Erie Lackawanna, Conrail, Delaware & Hudson [also operated by Guilford Transportation, and New York Susquehanna & Western] before the current owner, [[Norfolk Southern Railway]]. [[Norfolk Southern]] trains operate over it daily between [[Binghamton]] and several other New York state locations, along with rail yards in Pennsylvania such as [[Scranton]], [[Allentown, Pennsylvania|Allentown]] and [[Harrisburg]]. Each year the town organizes a festival in honor of the bridge called Nicholson Bridge Day. The entire main street of the town is shut down and filled with vendors, entertainment, and more.

==Notable people==
* [[Jim Saxton]], former Representative, [[New Jersey's Third Congressional District|New Jersey 3rd Congressional District]]
* [[Don Sherwood (politician)|Don Sherwood]], former Representative, [[Pennsylvania's 10th congressional district|Pennsylvania 10th Congressional District]]

==References==
{{reflist}}

{{Wyoming County, Pennsylvania}}

{{authority control}}

[[Category:Populated places established in 1760]]
[[Category:Boroughs in Wyoming County, Pennsylvania]]
[[Category:1875 establishments in Pennsylvania]]