Clearfield County, Pennsylvania

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Clearfield County, Pennsylvania
Clearfield County Courthouse Apr 10.JPG
Map of Pennsylvania highlighting Clearfield County
Location in the U.S. state of Pennsylvania
Map of the United States highlighting Pennsylvania
Pennsylvania's location in the U.S.
Founded January 29, 1822
Seat Clearfield
Largest city DuBois
Area
 • Total 1,154 sq mi (2,989 km2)
 • Land 1,145 sq mi (2,966 km2)
Population (est.)
 • (2014) 81,191
 • Density 71/sq mi (27/km²)
Congressional district 5th
Time zone Eastern: UTC-5/-4
Website www.clearfieldco.org
Footnotes:
Designated September 17, 1982[1]

Clearfield County is a county located in the U.S. state of Pennsylvania. As of the 2010 census, the population was 81,642.[2] The county seat is Clearfield,[3] and the largest city is DuBois. The county was created in 1804 and later organized in 1822.[4]

Clearfield County comprises the DuBois, PA Micropolitan Statistical Area, which is also included in the State College-DuBois, PA Combined Statistical Area.

History

Clearfield County was formed by the Act of Assembly by the second Governor of Pennsylvania at the time, Thomas McKean on March 26, 1804. The county was created from parts of the already created counties of Huntingdon and Lycoming. The name for the county was most likely derived from the many cleared fields of the valleys surrounding Clearfield Creek and West Branch of the Susquehanna River, formed by the bison herds and also by old corn fields of prior Native Americans tribes.

Location of county government

The first board of county commissioners to the county were Roland Curtin, James Fleming and James Smith, all appointed by Governor McKean in 1805. The first act the commissioners did was to create a local government or seat of the newly created county. They came upon land owned at the time by Abraham Witmer at a village known as Chincleclamousche, named after the Native American chief of the Cornplanter's tribe of Senecas. Clearfield became the new name of the old village.

Early industry

The two major industries of the county in the mid-1800s until the early 1900s was lumber and coal. Lumber was still being floated down the West Branch of the Susquehanna up until 1917. Coal remains the main industry of the county to this day.

Geography

According to the U.S. Census Bureau, the county has a total area of 1,154 square miles (2,990 km2), of which 1,145 square miles (2,970 km2) is land and 9.2 square miles (24 km2) (0.8%) is water.[5] It is the third-largest county in Pennsylvania by land area and fourth-largest by total area. The West Branch Susquehanna River flows through the county bisecting the county seat along the way.

The mountainous terrain of the county made traffic difficult for early settlers. Various Native American paths and trails crossing the area were used intermittently by settlers, invading armies, and escaped slaves travelling north along the Underground Railroad. A major feature located in Bloom Township, Pennsylvania within the county is known as Bilger's rocks and exhibits fine examples of exposed sandstone bedrock that was created during the formation of the Appalachian Mountains.

Major highways

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Adjacent counties

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Demographics

Historical population
Census Pop. %±
1810 875 —
1820 2,342 167.7%
1830 4,803 105.1%
1840 7,834 63.1%
1850 12,586 60.7%
1860 18,759 49.0%
1870 25,741 37.2%
1880 43,408 68.6%
1890 69,565 60.3%
1900 80,614 15.9%
1910 93,768 16.3%
1920 103,236 10.1%
1930 86,727 −16.0%
1940 92,094 6.2%
1950 85,957 −6.7%
1960 81,534 −5.1%
1970 74,619 −8.5%
1980 83,578 12.0%
1990 78,097 −6.6%
2000 83,380 6.8%
2010 81,642 −2.1%
Est. 2014 81,191 [6] −0.6%
U.S. Decennial Census[7]
1790-1960[8] 1900-1990[9]
1990-2000[10] 2010-2013[2]

As of the census[11] of 2000, there were 83,382 people, 32,785 households, and 22,916 families residing in the county. The population density was 73 people per square mile (28/km2). There were 37,855 housing units at an average density of 33 per square mile (13/km2). The racial makeup of the county was 97.40% White, 1.49% Black or African American, 0.12% Native American, 0.26% Asian, 0.01% Pacific Islander, 0.26% from other races, and 0.46% from two or more races. 0.56% of the population were Hispanic or Latino of any race. 22.9% were of German, 13.6% American, 10.2% English, 9.9% Irish, 9.1% Italian and 6.0% Polish ancestry according to Census 2000.

There were 32,785 households out of which 29.70% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 56.60% were married couples living together, 9.30% had a female householder with no husband present, and 30.10% were non-families. 26.30% of all households were made up of individuals and 13.10% 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 2.94.

In the county, the population was spread out with 22.70% under the age of 18, 7.70% from 18 to 24, 28.80% from 25 to 44, 23.90% from 45 to 64, and 16.90% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 39 years. For every 100 females there were 99.50 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 97.50 males.

Micropolitan Statistical Area

Map of the State College-DuBois, PA Combined Statistical Area (CSA), composed of the following parts:
  State College, PA Metropolitan Statistical Area
  DuBois, PA Micropolitan Statistical Area

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See also: List of Micropolitan Statistical Areas and List of Combined Statistical Areas

The United States Office of Management and Budget[12] has designated Clearfield County as the DuBois, PA Micropolitan Statistical Area (µSA). As of the 2010 U.S. Census[13] the micropolitan area ranked 6th most populous in the State of Pennsylvania and the 64th most populous in the United States with a population of 81,642. Clearfield County is also a part of the State College-DuBois, PA Combined Statistical Area (CSA), which combines the populations of both Clearfield and Centre County areas, as well as the State College area. The Combined Statistical Area ranked 9th in the State of Pennsylvania and 123rd most populous in the United States with a population of 235,632.

Politics and government

As of October 2014, there are 50,846 registered voters in Clearfield County.[14]

While the county registration tends to be evenly matched between Democrats and Republicans, the county trends Republican in statewide elections. In 2006, Democrat Bob Casey Jr. received 55% of its vote when he unseated incumbent Republican US Senator Rick Santorum and Ed Rendell received 50.2% of the vote against Lynn Swann. Each of the three row-office statewide winners carried Clearfield in 2008.

County commissioners

  • John Sobel, Republican
  • Joan McMillen, Republican
  • Mark McCracken, Democrat

Other county offices

  • Clerk of Courts and Prothonotary, Brian K. Spencer, Republican
  • Controller, Antonio Scotto, Republican
  • Coroner, J. Michael Morris, Republican
  • District Attorney, William A. Shaw Jr., Democrat
  • Register of Wills and Recorder of Deeds, Maurene Inlow, Republican
  • Sheriff, Wesley Thurston, Republican
  • Treasurer, Carol Fox, Democrat

State Senate

District Senator Party
25 Joseph B. Scarnati Republican
35 John N. Wozniak Democrat
41 Donald C. White Republican

State House of Representatives

District Representative Party
74 Keith Stone Republican
75 Matt Gabler Republican

United States House of Representatives

District Representative Party
5 Glenn "G.T." Thompson Republican

United States Senate

Senator Party
Pat Toomey Republican
Bob Casey Democrat

Correctional facilities

Education

Colleges and universities

Map of Clearfield County, Pennsylvania Public School Districts

Community, junior and technical colleges

Public school districts

Intermediate unit

  • Central IU 10 - West Decatur

Correctional institution schools

  • Quehanna Boot Camp - Karthaus
  • SCI-Houtzdale - Houtzdale

Private schools

  • Butchers Run Amish School
  • Clearfield Alliance Christian School
  • DuBois Area Catholic Elementary School
  • DuBois Area Catholic High School
  • DuBois Christian Schools
  • Golden Yoke School
  • Milestones Achievement Center
  • Mount Calvary Christian Academy
  • New Story (DuBois)
  • Otterbein Christian Academy
  • Paint & Play School (DuBois)
  • Scenic View School
  • St Francis Grade School
  • Weber Road School

Libraries

  • Clearfield County Public Library - Curwensville
  • Curwensville Public Library
  • DuBois Public Library -
  • Glendale Public Library - Coalport
  • Joseph and Elizabeth Shaw Public Library - Clearfield

Recreation

There are two Pennsylvania state parks in Clearfield County.

Clearfield County is also home to the largest wild area in Pennsylvania, the Quehanna Wild Area. A culturally and historically significant natural formation of massive sandstone megaliths can be found at Bilger's rocks.

Camping

Lodging/Camping[15]

Campground # Name Location Campsites Swimming Fishing Hunting
2515 Woodland Campground Woodland 70 yes yes yes

Hunting/fishing

Hunting[16]

SGL# Location Hunting Area Acreage Species
34 Medix Run Benezette, Covington, Girard, Goshen Townships 8,000 bear, dear, turkey
77 Clear Run Sandy Township 3,038 bear, dear, rabbit, squirrel
78 Bigler Bradford & Graham Townships 721 bear, deer, turkey
87 Irishtown Bell & Penn Townships 10,422 dear, grouse, turkey
90 Goshen Goshen & Lawrence Townships 3,958 bear, deer, turkey
93 Sabula Union & Huston Townships 4,876 bear, deer, turkey
94 Lecontes Mills Goshen & Lawrence Townships 2,108 bear, deer, turkey
98 Blue Ball (West Decatur) Boggs & Decatur Townships 1,172 dear, rabbit, turkey

Fishing

Lake/stream Location Tributary of
Bear Run Reservoir Pike Township West Branch of the Susquehanna River
Chest Creek Chest Township West Branch of the Susquehanna River
Clearfield Reservoir Pike Township West Branch of the Susquehanna River
Curwensville Lake Pike Township West Branch of the Susquehanna River
DuBois Reservoir Union Township near Home Camp
Duck Marshes northern Girard Township near Elk County line
Irvona Reservoir Chest Township Clearfield Creek
Lake Sabula Sandy Township near Sabula
Laurel Run (Bennett Branch Sinnemahoning Creek) Huston Township in Parker Dam State Park Bennett Branch of Sinnemahoning Creek
Moose Creek Reservoir Lawrence Township near Mt. Joy West Branch of the Susquehanna River
Parker Lake Huston Township in Parker Dam State Park Bennett Branch of Sinnemahoning Creek
Penfield Reservoir Huston Township near Hoovertown Bennett Branch of Sinnemahoning Creek
Treasure Lake Sandy Township Treasure Lake
Tyler Reservoir Huston Township near Tyler Bennett Branch of Sinnemahoning Creek
West Branch of the Susquehanna River Most of central & eastern Clearfield County including Mahaffey, Curwensville, and Clearfield Susquehanna River

Sporting

Golf

Course # Name Location Holes Website
3133 Chetremon Golf Course 2 miles north of Cherry Tree in Burnside Township Clearfield County 10 http://www.chetremon.com/
3274 Grandview Golf Club 1 mile south of Lumber City 18 http://www.golfnow.com/course-directory/pennsylvania-golf-courses/curwensville-golf-courses/grandview-golf-club

Points of interest

Communities

Map of Clearfield 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 Clearfield County:

City

Boroughs

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Townships

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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. Other unincorporated communities, such as villages, may be listed here as well.

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Unincorporated communities

Unincorporated areas are region of land that are not parts of any incorporated boroughs, cities, or towns.

Population ranking

The population ranking of the following table is based on the 2010 census of Clearfield County.[13]

† county seat

Rank City/Town/etc. Population (2010 Census) Municipal type Incorporated
1 DuBois 7,794 City 1881 (borough) 1914 (city)
2 † Clearfield 6,215 Borough 1840
3 Treasure Lake 3,861 CDP
4 Curwensville 2,542 Borough 1851
5 Sandy 1,429 CDP
6 Hyde 1,399 CDP
7 Osceola Mills 1,141 Borough 1864
8 Falls Creek (mostly in Jefferson County) 1,037 Borough
9 Plymptonville 981 CDP
10 Chester Hill 883 Borough 1883
11 Houtzdale 797 Borough 1872
12 Oklahoma 782 CDP
13 Morrisdale 754 CDP
14 Irvona 647 Borough 1890
15 Hawk Run 534 CDP
16 West Decatur 533 CDP
17 Coalport 523 Borough 1883
18 Grassflat 511 CDP
19 Ramey 451 Borough 1878
20 Brisbin 411 Borough 1883
21 Bigler 398 CDP
22 Westover 390 Borough 1895
23 Mahaffey 368 Borough 1889
24 Grampian 356 Borough 1885
25 Kylertown 340 CDP
26 Wallaceton 313 Borough 1873
27 Allport 264 CDP
28 Troutville 243 Borough 1890
29 Burnside 234 Borough 1874
30 Glen Hope 142 Borough 1878
31 Newburg 92 Borough 1885
32 Lumber City 76 Former Borough 1857 (dissolved 2014)
33 New Washington 59 Borough 1859

See also

References

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  12. ↑ http://www.whitehouse.gov/omb
  13. ↑ 13.0 13.1 http://www.census.gov/2010census/
  14. ↑ http://www.dos.state.pa.us/portal/server.pt/community/voter_registration_statistics/12725
  15. ↑ http://www.visitclearfieldcounty.org/lodging/camp-sites/
  16. ↑ http://www.visitclearfieldcounty.org/outdoors/hunting-fishing/

External links

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