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Mercer County, Pennsylvania

Coordinates: 41°19′N 80°15′W / 41.31°N 80.25°W / 41.31; -80.25
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Mercer County
County
Mercer County Courthouse (1909)
Mercer County Courthouse (1909)
Official seal of Mercer County
Seal
Map of Pennsylvania highlighting Mercer County
Location within the U.S. state of Pennsylvania
Map of the United States highlighting Pennsylvania
Pennsylvania's location within the U.S.
Coordinates: 41°19′N 80°15′W / 41.31°N 80.25°W / 41.31; -80.25
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
 (2020)[1]
 • Total110,652
 • Density162/sq mi (63/km2)
Time zoneUTC−5 (Eastern)
 • Summer (DST)UTC−4 (EDT)
Congressional district16th
Websitewww.mcc.co.mercer.pa.us

Mercer County is a county in the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania. As of the 2020 census, the population was 110,652.[2] Its county seat is Mercer,[3] and its largest city is Hermitage. The county is part of the Northwest Pennsylvania region of the state.[a]

Mercer County compromises the Hermitage, PA Micropolitan Statistical Area, which is included in the Greater Pittsburgh area.

History

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Mercer County was created in 1800 and later organized in 1803.[4]

Geography

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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.[5] 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.[6] Mercer County is one of the 423 counties served by the Appalachian Regional Commission,[7] and it is identified as part of the "Midlands" by Colin Woodard in his book American Nations: A History of the Eleven Rival Regional Cultures of North America.[8]

Adjacent counties

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Major highways

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Demographics

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Historical population
CensusPop.Note%±
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%
2020110,652−5.1%
U.S. Decennial Census[9]
1790–1960[10] 1900–1990[11]
1990–2000[12] 2010–2019[13] 2020[14]

As of the census[15] of 2000, there were 120,293 people, 46,712 households, and 32,371 families residing in the county. The population density was 179 inhabitants per square mile (69 inhabitants/km2). There were 49,859 housing units at an average density of 74 units 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.

2020 census

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Mercer County Racial Composition[16]
Race Num. Perc.
White (NH) 96,998 87.6%
Black or African American (NH) 6,289 5.7%
Native American (NH) 116 0.1%
Asian (NH) 683 0.6%
Pacific Islander (NH) 14 0.01%
Other/Mixed (NH) 4,943 4.5%
Hispanic or Latino 1,609 1.5%

Government and politics

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United States presidential election results for Mercer County, Pennsylvania[17][18]
Year Republican Democratic Third party(ies)
No.  % No.  % No.  %
2020 36,143 62.19% 21,067 36.25% 907 1.56%
2016 31,544 59.70% 18,733 35.45% 2,562 4.85%
2012 25,925 50.79% 24,232 47.48% 882 1.73%
2008 26,565 49.04% 26,411 48.76% 1,192 2.20%
2004 26,311 51.03% 24,831 48.16% 422 0.82%
2000 23,132 47.47% 23,817 48.87% 1,783 3.66%
1996 17,213 37.60% 23,003 50.25% 5,563 12.15%
1992 16,081 32.27% 23,264 46.68% 10,491 21.05%
1988 21,301 46.43% 24,278 52.92% 301 0.66%
1984 24,211 49.11% 24,658 50.01% 434 0.88%
1980 22,372 48.54% 19,716 42.78% 4,002 8.68%
1976 22,469 46.58% 25,041 51.91% 725 1.50%
1972 27,961 59.37% 18,087 38.40% 1,052 2.23%
1968 23,131 47.11% 22,814 46.46% 3,160 6.44%
1964 18,153 35.90% 32,199 63.68% 211 0.42%
1960 29,109 54.43% 24,243 45.33% 128 0.24%
1956 28,785 59.14% 19,769 40.62% 120 0.25%
1952 26,424 55.59% 20,770 43.69% 343 0.72%
1948 18,916 52.71% 16,108 44.89% 862 2.40%
1944 19,606 53.85% 16,589 45.57% 212 0.58%
1940 21,058 55.10% 16,968 44.40% 189 0.49%
1936 18,493 45.88% 20,879 51.79% 939 2.33%
1932 14,057 53.53% 10,961 41.74% 1,240 4.72%
1928 22,599 72.71% 8,204 26.39% 280 0.90%
1924 14,639 65.29% 3,688 16.45% 4,093 18.26%
1920 11,575 60.29% 4,823 25.12% 2,801 14.59%
1916 5,866 42.66% 6,390 46.47% 1,495 10.87%
1912 1,873 14.73% 4,039 31.76% 6,806 53.51%
1908 6,497 47.27% 5,473 39.82% 1,774 12.91%
1904 8,574 60.67% 3,845 27.21% 1,714 12.13%
1900 6,950 55.94% 4,916 39.57% 559 4.50%
1896 7,262 55.53% 5,500 42.06% 315 2.41%
1892 5,874 50.80% 4,931 42.65% 757 6.55%
1888 6,428 53.91% 4,806 40.31% 689 5.78%
1884 6,357 51.81% 4,861 39.62% 1,052 8.57%
1880 6,079 51.33% 5,029 42.46% 735 6.21%

Voter registration

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As of June 12, 2023, there are 70,553 registered voters in the county. Republicans hold a plurality of voters by a margin of 10,354 voters (14.67% of the total registered). There are 35,735 registered Republicans, 25,381 registered Democrats, 7,319 registered non-affiliated voters, and 2,118 voters registered to third parties.[19]

Chart of Voter Registration

  Republican (50.65%)
  Democratic (35.97%)
  Independent (10.37%)
  Third Party (3.01%)
Voter registration and party enrollment
Party Number of voters Percentage
Republican 35,735 50.65
Democratic 25,381 35.97
Independent 7,319 10.37
Third Party 2,118 3.01
Total 70,553 100%

Political bellwether

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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 in 2004 and 2008, in which Mercer County voted more conservatively than the rest of the state. In 2004, 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. Obama won 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, and he also won all of Pennsylvania. Each of the three Republican candidates for statewide office carried Mercer County in 2016. In 2020, Trump again carried the county, despite Pennsylvania narrowly voting for Joe Biden. Trump won 62% of the vote, the largest majority for any major party candidate since 1964, and the largest majority for a Republican since 1928.[citation needed]

County officials

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Commissioner Party Title
Ann Coleman Republican Chairman
William A Finley, Jr. Republican Vice Chairman
Timothy McGonigle Democrat Secretary
Office Official Party
President Judge of Court of Common Pleas Daniel P. Wallace Republican
Judge of Court of Common Pleas D. Neil McEwen Republican
Judge of Court of Common Pleas Tedd C. Nesbit Republican
Judge of Court of Common Pleas Ronald D. Amrhein Jr. Republican
Clerk of Courts/Register of Wills Mary Jo Basilone DePreta Republican
District Attorney Pete Acker Republican
Coroner John A. Libonati Republican
Sheriff Bruce Rosa Republican
Treasurer Amber White Republican
Prothonotary Ruth Bice Republican
Recorder of Deeds Dee Dee Zickar Republican
Controller Steve Sherman Republican

State House of Representatives

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District Representative Party
7 Parke Wentling Republican
17 Timothy R. Bonner Republican

State Senate

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District Senator Party
50 Michele Brooks Republican

United States House of Representatives

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District Representative Party
16 Mike Kelly Republican

United States Senate

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Senator Party
John Fetterman Democrat
Bob Casey Democrat

Education

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Higher education

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Career-based education

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Public school districts

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Map of Mercer County, Pennsylvania Public School Districts

Charter schools

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  • Keystone Education Center Charter School,[20] Greenville, PA. 256 pupils grades 7–12 Report Card 2010.[21]

Private schools

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Recreation

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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.[22] It has since reopened in new facilities.

Mercer County Court House built in 1909.

Communities

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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

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Boroughs

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Townships

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Census-designated places

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Unincorporated communities

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Former community

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Mixed Nomenclature

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  • Borough of Greenville is also interchangeably designated as Town of Greenville with exact municipal designation currently unclear.

Population ranking

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The population ranking of the following table is based on the 2010 census and 2020 census of Mercer County.[25]

† county seat

Rank City/Town/etc. Municipal type Population
(2010 Census) 		Population
(2020 Census)
1 Hermitage City 16,413 16,231
2 Sharon City 14,021 13,150
3 Grove City Borough 8,334 7,884
4 Greenville Borough 5,953 5,540
5 Farrell City 4,953 4,259
6 Sharpsville Borough 4,417 4,252
7 † Mercer Borough 2,042 1,985
8 Reynolds Heights CDP 2,061 1,974
9 Lake Latonka CDP 1,012 951
10 Stoneboro Borough 1,051 947
11 West Middlesex Borough 863 816
12 Sandy Lake Borough 657 650
13 Wheatland Borough 632 583
14 Jamestown Borough 617 582
15 Clark Borough 640 575
16 Fredonia Borough 494 435
17 Jackson Center Borough 224 191
18 New Lebanon Borough 189 185
19 Sheakleyville Borough 142 150

See also

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References

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  1. ^ Includes Erie, Mercer, Crawford and Venango Counties
  1. ^ "QuickFacts Mercer County, Pennsylvania". Census.
  2. ^ "QuickFacts Mercer County, Pennsylvania". Census.
  3. ^ "Find a County". National Association of Counties. Archived from the original on May 31, 2011. Retrieved June 7, 2011.
  4. ^ "Pennsylvania: Individual County Chronologies". Pennsylvania Atlas of Historical County Boundaries. The Newberry Library. 2008. Archived from the original on March 25, 2015. Retrieved March 13, 2015.
  5. ^ "2010 Census Gazetteer Files". United States Census Bureau. August 22, 2012. Retrieved March 9, 2015.
  6. ^ "PRISM Climate Group at Oregon State University".
  7. ^ "About the Appalachian Region". Appalachian Regional Commission. Retrieved June 23, 2024.
  8. ^ Woodard, Colin. "The Maps That Show That City vs. Country Is Not Our Political Fault Line". New York Times. Retrieved July 30, 2018.
  9. ^ "U.S. Decennial Census". United States Census Bureau. Retrieved March 9, 2015.
  10. ^ "Historical Census Browser". University of Virginia Library. Retrieved March 9, 2015.
  11. ^ Forstall, Richard L., ed. (March 24, 1995). "Population of Counties by Decennial Census: 1900 to 1990". United States Census Bureau. Retrieved March 9, 2015.
  12. ^ "Census 2000 PHC-T-4. Ranking Tables for Counties: 1990 and 2000" (PDF). United States Census Bureau. April 2, 2001. Archived (PDF) from the original on October 9, 2022. Retrieved March 9, 2015.
  13. ^ "QuickFacts Mercer County, Pennsylvania". Census.
  14. ^ "QuickFacts Mercer County, Pennsylvania". Census.
  15. ^ "U.S. Census website". United States Census Bureau. Retrieved January 31, 2008.
  16. ^ "P2 HISPANIC OR LATINO, AND NOT HISPANIC OR LATINO BY RACE – 2020: DEC Redistricting Data (PL 94-171) – Mercer County, Pennsylvania".
  17. ^ Leip, David. "Dave Leip's Atlas of U.S. Presidential Elections". uselectionatlas.org. Retrieved March 23, 2018.
  18. ^ "Our Campaigns – U.S. President". Retrieved January 22, 2021.
  19. ^ Pennsylvania Department of State (June 12, 2023). "Voter registration statistics by county". Retrieved June 14, 2023.
  20. ^ Pennsylvania Department of Education (2011). "Charter Schools".
  21. ^ [1][dead link]
  22. ^ "Landmark metal forge burns in Mercer County." Pittsburgh Post-Gazette. Online. March 06, 2010.
  23. ^ "RootsWeb.com Home Page". www.rootsweb.ancestry.com.
  24. ^ Dye, David L. "That's a wrap: Wheatland Borough Council meets for final time". The Herald. Retrieved May 2, 2024.
  25. ^ Promotions, Center for New Media and. "US Census Bureau 2010 Census". www.census.gov. Retrieved March 23, 2018.
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41°19′N 80°15′W / 41.31°N 80.25°W / 41.31; -80.25

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