McKean County, Pennsylvania

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McKean County is a rural county in the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania. As of the 2020 census, the population was 40,432.<ref>Template:Cite web</ref> Its county seat is Smethport.<ref name="GR6">Template:Cite web</ref> The county was created in 1804 and organized in 1826.<ref>Template:Cite web</ref> It was named in honor of former Pennsylvania Governor and Declaration of Independence signer Thomas McKean.<ref>Template:Cite book</ref> The county is part of the North Central Pennsylvania region of the state.Template:Efn

McKean County comprises the Bradford, Pennsylvania micropolitan statistical area. It includes the Allegheny National Forest and borders New York. The Allegheny River flows through much of the eastern portion of the county, and the Allegheny Reservoir is accessible on the county’s western border. McKean County boasts of being "The Black Cherry Capital of the World."

McKean County was settled because of its natural resources of oil and timber, both of which continue to provide significant input to the local economy. Today, a university, rural medical center, federal prison and numerous manufacturing companies balance the area's economy.

Geography

According to the U.S. Census Bureau, the county has an area of Template:Convert, of which Template:Convert is land and Template:Convert (0.5%) is water.<ref name="GR1">Template:Cite web</ref> It has a warm-summer humid continental climate (Dfb) and average monthly temperatures in downtown Bradford range from 23.0 °F in January to 67.6 °F in July, while in Mount Jewett they range from 21.2 °F in January to 65.1 °F in July.<ref>Template:Cite web</ref>

Demographics

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As of the 2000 census,<ref name="GR2">Template:Cite web</ref> there were 45,936 people, 18,024 households, and 12,094 families residing in the county. The population density was Template:Convert. There were 21,644 housing units at an average density of Template:Convert. The racial makeup of the county was 96.46% White, 1.87% Black, 0.32% Native American, 0.30% Asian, 0.02% Pacific Islander, 0.40% from other races, and 0.61% from two or more races. 1.06% of the population were Hispanic or Latino of any race. 35.0% German, 22.2% Irish, 14.6% Italian, 12.3% English, 10.0% Swedish, 8.6% American, 5.8% Polish, and 3.7% French ancestry.

There were 18,024 households, out of which 30.50% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 52.50% were married couples living together, 10.10% had a female householder with no husband present, and 32.90% were non-families. 28.30% of all households were made up of individuals, and 13.30% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.40 and the average family size was 2.93.

In the county, the age distribution of the population shows 23.70% under the age of 18, 7.90% from 18 to 24, 28.50% from 25 to 44, 23.20% from 45 to 64, and 16.70% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 39 years. For every 100 females there were 100.40 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 98.70 males.

2020 census

McKean County Racial Composition<ref>Template:Cite web</ref>
Race	Num.	Perc.
White (NH)	36,991	91.5%
Black or African American (NH)	849	2.1%
Native American (NH)	102	0.3%
Asian (NH)	193	0.47%
Pacific Islander (NH)	2	0.01%
Other/Mixed (NH)	1,653	4.1%
Hispanic or Latino	642	1.6%

Micropolitan Statistical Area

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The United States Office of Management and Budget<ref>Template:Cite web</ref> has designated McKean County as the Bradford, PA micropolitan statistical area (USA).<ref>Template:Cite web</ref> As of the 2010 U.S. Census<ref name="Archived copy">Template:Cite web</ref> the micropolitan area ranked 13th most populous in Pennsylvania and the 277th most populous in the United States with a population of 43,450.

Law and government

Voter Registration

As of February 21, 2022, there are 24,893 registered voters in McKean County.<ref>Template:Cite web</ref>

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Democratic: 6,037 (24.25%)
Republican: 15,357 (61.69%)
Independent: 2,296 (9.22%)
Third Party: 1,203 (4.83%)

State Senate

Cris Dush, Republican, Pennsylvania's 25th Senatorial District<ref name=":0">Template:Cite web</ref>

State House of Representatives

Martin T. Causer, Republican, Pennsylvania's 67th Representative District<ref name=":0" />

United States House of Representatives

Glenn Thompson, Republican, Pennsylvania's 15th congressional district

United States Senate

Education

File:Map of McKean County Pennsylvania School Districts.png

Map of McKean County, Pennsylvania School Districts

Public school districts

Bradford Area School District
Kane Area School District (also covers part of Elk County)
Oswayo Valley School District (majority of which is in Potter County, covers small portion in McKean County)
Otto-Eldred School District
Port Allegany School District (also covers part of Potter County)
Smethport Area School District

Private schools

As reported by EdNA, Pennsylvania Department of Education, June 2010.

Bradford Area Christian Academy, Bradford
Chestnut Street Christian School, Bradford
Custer City Private School
St. Bernard School, Bradford
Learning Center Inc, Bradford
United Christian Academy, Smethport

Libraries

Bradford Area Public Library
Friends Memorial Public Library - Kane
Hamlin Memorial Library - Smethport
Mount Jewett Memorial Library
Samuel W Smith Memorial Public Library - Port Allegany

Other education entities

Beacon Light Behavioral Health Systems - Custer City
McKean County Historical Society's Museum at the Old Jail - Smethport
Seneca Highlands Career and Technical Center - Port Allegany
Seneca Highlands IU 9 - Smethport
University of Pittsburgh at Bradford

Recreation

There is one Pennsylvania state park in McKean County. Kinzua Bridge State Park is between U.S. Route 6 and Pennsylvania Route 59, just east of the Allegheny National Forest near Mount Jewett. When it was built, it was the highest and longest railroad bridge in the world. It was chosen by the Pennsylvania Department of Conservation and Natural Resources (DCNR) and its Bureau of Parks as one of "Twenty Must-See Pennsylvania State Parks" and is a Historic Civil Engineering Landmark. A tornado destroyed much of the bridge in 2003, and a skywalk and viewing platform have since been installed on its remnants.

Communities

File:Map of McKean County Pennsylvania With Municipal and Township Labels.png

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

City

Bradford

Boroughs

Townships

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Census-designated places

Unincorporated communities

Population ranking

The population ranking of the following table is based on the 2010 census of McKean County.<ref name="Archived copy"/>

† county seat

Rank	City/Town/etc.	Municipal type	Population (2010 Census)
1	Bradford	City	8,770
2	Kane	Borough	3,730
3	Port Allegany	Borough	2,157
4	† Smethport	Borough	1,655
5	Foster Brook	CDP	1,251
6	Mount Jewett	Borough	919
7	Eldred	Borough	875
8	Lewis Run	Borough	617
9	Rew	CDP	199

References

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External links

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A resource website for families in McKean County including the McKean County Resource Directory
McKean County Government
McKean County Capitol History
Bradford Today Template:Webarchive
Bradford Era News
Gardeau Train Wreck of 2006 - A website about the train wreck and chemical spill of June 30, 2006. Location: Gardeau, Norwich Township, Pennsylvania

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