Erie County is a county in the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania. It is the northernmost county in Pennsylvania. As of the 2020 census, the population was 270,876.[1] Its county seat is Erie.[2] The county was created in 1800 and later organized in 1803.[3] The county is part of the Northwest Pennsylvania region of the state.[a]
Erie County | |
|---|---|
 | |
 Flag  Seal | |
 Location within the U.S. state of Pennsylvania | |
 Pennsylvania's location within the U.S. | |
| Coordinates: 42°06′N 80°06′W / 42.1°N 80.1°W | |
| Country |  United States |
| State |  Pennsylvania |
| Founded | November 7, 1803 |
| Named for | Erie people |
| Seat | Erie |
| Largest city | Erie |
| Area | |
• Total | 1,558 sq mi (4,040 km2) |
| • Land | 799 sq mi (2,070 km2) |
| • Water | 759 sq mi (1,970 km2) 49% |
| Population (2020) | |
• Total | 270,876 |
| • Density | 339.1/sq mi (130.9/km2) |
| Time zone | UTC−5 (Eastern) |
| • Summer (DST) | UTC−4 (EDT) |
| Congressional district | 16th |
| Website | eriecountypa |
History
editErie County was established on March 12, 1800, from part of Allegheny County, which absorbed the lands of the disputed Erie Triangle in 1792. Prior to 1792, the region was claimed by both New York and Pennsylvania and so no county demarcations were made until the federal government intervened.[4]
Since Erie County and its newly established neighboring Counties of Crawford, Mercer, Venango, and Warren were initially unable to sustain themselves, a five-county administrative organization was established at Crawford County's Meadville to temporarily manage government affairs in the region. Erie first elected its own county officials in 1803.[5] Unfortunately, on March 23, 1823, the Erie County Courthouse burned and all county records to that point were destroyed.[6]
The county was originally settled by immigrants of "Yankee" stock (immigrants from New England and the western part of New York descended from the English Puritans whose ancestors settled New England in the colonial era). Erie County resembled Upstate New York more than it did Pennsylvania with its population primarily consisting of settlers from Connecticut, Rhode Island and Maine.[7] Roads were laid out, post routes established, public buildings erected and people were invited to move there. The original settlers were entirely of New England origins or were Yankees from upstate New York whose families had moved to that place from New England only one generation earlier, in the aftermath of the Revolutionary War. This resulted in Erie County being culturally very contiguous with early New England culture.
Erie County was part of the Underground Railroad giving slaves the ability to gain freedom through Lake Erie into Canada, East through New York State, or to stay in Erie with the help of abolitionists and the free black community.[8]
Geography
editAccording to the U.S. Census Bureau, the county has a total area of 1,558 square miles (4,040 km2), of which 799 square miles (2,070 km2) is land and 759 square miles (1,970 km2) (49%) is water.[9] It is the largest county in Pennsylvania by total area. With the exception of a high ridge several miles from the lake, running nearly parallel with its shore, the terrain is generally rolling and well watered.[10] It is the only county in the state that occupies a significant amount of land north of the 42nd parallel.
There are two cities in Erie County: the city of Erie and the city of Corry. Other notable population centers include Millcreek, Harborcreek, Summit and Fairview townships, and the boroughs of Edinboro, North East, Girard, Waterford and Union City. Erie County is bordered on the northeast by Chautauqua County, New York, on the east by Warren County, on the south by Crawford County, and on the west by Ashtabula County, Ohio. Directly north of the county is Lake Erie. This position on the water makes Erie County the only county in Pennsylvania to share a border with Canada, which is located on the far shore of the lake.
Most of the county has a warm-summer humid continental climate (Dfb), except at lower elevations near enough to the lake, where a hot-summer humid continental climate (Dfa) exists. Average monthly temperatures in downtown Erie range from 26.4 °F in January to 70.8 °F in July, while in Corry they range from 23.8 °F in January to 68.2 °F in July.[11] The hardiness zone in most of Erie County by area is 6a. It has warmed to 7a along the Lake and the area between the shore and a line a little south of Interstate 90 is 6b. [1]
Because of its location in the northwesternmost part of the state, Erie County is the only county to border both New York and Ohio, and is also the only county in the state on the Canadian border.
Adjacent counties
edit- Haldimand County, Ontario (north)
- Norfolk County, Ontario (northwest)
- Chautauqua County, New York (northeast)
- Warren County (southeast)
- Crawford County (south)
- Ashtabula County, Ohio (southwest)
Major highways
edit
Demographics
edit| Census | Pop. | Note | %± |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1800 | 1,468 | — | |
| 1810 | 3,758 | 156.0% | |
| 1820 | 8,553 | 127.6% | |
| 1830 | 17,041 | 99.2% | |
| 1840 | 31,344 | 83.9% | |
| 1850 | 38,742 | 23.6% | |
| 1860 | 49,432 | 27.6% | |
| 1870 | 65,973 | 33.5% | |
| 1880 | 74,688 | 13.2% | |
| 1890 | 86,074 | 15.2% | |
| 1900 | 98,473 | 14.4% | |
| 1910 | 115,517 | 17.3% | |
| 1920 | 153,536 | 32.9% | |
| 1930 | 175,277 | 14.2% | |
| 1940 | 180,889 | 3.2% | |
| 1950 | 219,388 | 21.3% | |
| 1960 | 250,682 | 14.3% | |
| 1970 | 263,654 | 5.2% | |
| 1980 | 279,780 | 6.1% | |
| 1990 | 275,572 | −1.5% | |
| 2000 | 280,845 | 1.9% | |
| 2010 | 280,566 | −0.1% | |
| 2020 | 270,876 | −3.5% | |
| [12] | |||
According to the 2010 census, there were 280,566 people, 110,413 households, and 70,196 families residing in the county. The population density was 351.2 inhabitants per square mile (135.6/km2). There were 119,138 housing units at an average density of 149.1 per square mile (57.6/km2). The racial makeup of the county was 88.2 percent White, 7.2 percent Black or African American, 0.2 percent Native American, 1.1 percent Asian, 0.03 percent Pacific Islander, 1.2 percent from other races, and 2.1 percent from two or more races. A further 3.4 percent of the population were Hispanic or Latino of any race. 24.4% were of German, 12.5% Polish, 12.3% Italian, 10.1% Irish, 6.5% English and 6.4% American ancestry.
Of the total number of household, 27.2 percent had children under the age of 18 living with them, 45.4 percent were married couples living together, 13.2 percent had a female householder with no husband present, and 36.4 percent were non-families. 29.3 percent of all households were made up of individuals, and 11.3 percent had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.42 and the average family size was 3.00.
In the county, the population was spread out, with 26.5 percent under the age of 20. The median age was 38.6 years. For every 100 females there were 96.73 males.
2020 census
edit| Race | Num. | Perc. |
|---|---|---|
| White (NH) | 219,180 | 81% |
| Black or African American (NH) | 19,821 | 7.32% |
| Native American (NH) | 343 | 0.13% |
| Asian (NH) | 6,358 | 2.35% |
| Pacific Islander (NH) | 58 | 0.02% |
| Other/Mixed (NH) | 13,086 | 4.83% |
| Hispanic or Latino | 12,030 | 4.44% |
Metropolitan Statistical Area
edit
The United States Office of Management and Budget[14] has designated Erie County as the Erie, PA Metropolitan Statistical Area (MSA). As of the 2010 U.S. Census[15] the metropolitan area ranked 11th-most populous in Pennsylvania and the 164th-most populous in the United States with a population of 280,566.
Erie County is part of the larger Erie-Meadville, PA Combined Statistical Area (CSA), which combines the populations of Erie County as well as Crawford County to the south. The Combined Statistical Area ranked seventh in Pennsylvania and 102nd-most populous in the United States with a population of 369,331.
Largest populations in Erie County
edit| 2023 rank | City | Type | 2023 estimate | 2020 Census | Change | Highest Population (Year) |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Erie | City | 92,957 | 94,852 | −2.00% | 138,440 (1960) |
| 2 | Millcreek | Township | 53,101 | 54,070 | −1.79% | 54,256 (2013) |
| 3 | Harborcreek | Township | 16,580 | 16,630 | −0.30% | 17,629 (2014) |
| 4 | Fairview | Township | 11,270 | 11,139 | +1.18% | 11,270 (2023) |
| 5 | Summit | Township | 7,273 | 7,339 | −0.90% | 7,339 (2020) |
| 6 | North East | Township | 6,439 | 6,529 | −1.38% | 7,702 (2000) |
| 7 | Corry | City | 6,075 | 6,208 | −2.14% | 7,911 (1950) |
| 8 | Edinboro | Borough | 5,821 | 4,963 | +17.29% | 7,736 (1990) |
Government and politics
editPrior to 1960, Erie County was primarily Republican in presidential elections, only backing Democratic Party candidates in four elections from 1888 to 1956. Since 1960, it has become primarily Democratic, with only four Republican wins in the county in presidential elections from 1960 to the present. Nevertheless, since the 2016 presidential election, the county has become increasingly competitive, with Donald Trump narrowly winning the county that year, followed by Joe Biden narrowly flipping the county in 2020, and most recently Trump reclaimed it 2024.[16] Since 1992, the county has voted for the statewide winner in presidential elections.
| Year | Republican | Democratic | Third party(ies) | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| No. | % | No. | % | No. | % | |
| 2024 | 68,866 | 49.91% | 67,456 | 48.89% | 1,657 | 1.20% |
| 2020 | 66,869 | 48.63% | 68,286 | 49.66% | 2,339 | 1.70% |
| 2016 | 60,069 | 48.01% | 58,112 | 46.44% | 6,948 | 5.55% |
| 2012 | 49,025 | 41.16% | 68,036 | 57.12% | 2,053 | 1.72% |
| 2008 | 50,351 | 39.25% | 75,775 | 59.07% | 2,145 | 1.67% |
| 2004 | 57,372 | 45.57% | 67,921 | 53.95% | 605 | 0.48% |
| 2000 | 49,027 | 43.64% | 59,399 | 52.88% | 3,909 | 3.48% |
| 1996 | 39,884 | 36.66% | 57,508 | 52.86% | 11,399 | 10.48% |
| 1992 | 39,283 | 33.35% | 56,381 | 47.86% | 22,140 | 18.79% |
| 1988 | 48,306 | 46.76% | 53,913 | 52.19% | 1,081 | 1.05% |
| 1984 | 55,860 | 51.12% | 52,471 | 48.02% | 935 | 0.86% |
| 1980 | 48,918 | 47.42% | 45,946 | 44.54% | 8,298 | 8.04% |
| 1976 | 49,641 | 46.20% | 55,385 | 51.55% | 2,413 | 2.25% |
| 1972 | 61,542 | 58.22% | 42,022 | 39.75% | 2,149 | 2.03% |
| 1968 | 43,134 | 43.20% | 51,604 | 51.68% | 5,109 | 5.12% |
| 1964 | 31,393 | 29.93% | 72,944 | 69.55% | 549 | 0.52% |
| 1960 | 51,525 | 48.82% | 53,723 | 50.90% | 295 | 0.28% |
| 1956 | 54,430 | 61.46% | 33,802 | 38.17% | 323 | 0.36% |
| 1952 | 48,836 | 56.89% | 36,619 | 42.66% | 391 | 0.46% |
| 1948 | 33,806 | 53.45% | 28,159 | 44.52% | 1,280 | 2.02% |
| 1944 | 35,247 | 51.40% | 32,912 | 47.99% | 419 | 0.61% |
| 1940 | 36,608 | 53.28% | 31,735 | 46.18% | 371 | 0.54% |
| 1936 | 25,607 | 39.18% | 33,042 | 50.56% | 6,706 | 10.26% |
| 1932 | 18,371 | 45.43% | 19,592 | 48.44% | 2,479 | 6.13% |
| 1928 | 30,542 | 60.97% | 19,278 | 38.48% | 277 | 0.55% |
| 1924 | 19,480 | 61.29% | 3,502 | 11.02% | 8,802 | 27.69% |
| 1920 | 19,465 | 63.68% | 6,311 | 20.65% | 4,793 | 15.68% |
| 1916 | 8,933 | 43.30% | 9,641 | 46.73% | 2,056 | 9.97% |
| 1912 | 4,958 | 26.93% | 5,633 | 30.60% | 7,817 | 42.47% |
| 1908 | 10,828 | 55.76% | 6,173 | 31.79% | 2,418 | 12.45% |
| 1904 | 11,951 | 62.84% | 5,119 | 26.92% | 1,948 | 10.24% |
| 1900 | 11,816 | 58.47% | 7,281 | 36.03% | 1,110 | 5.49% |
| 1896 | 11,819 | 54.74% | 9,210 | 42.65% | 563 | 2.61% |
| 1892 | 8,918 | 49.76% | 7,589 | 42.34% | 1,416 | 7.90% |
| 1888 | 9,372 | 54.23% | 7,111 | 41.15% | 798 | 4.62% |
| 1884 | 9,230 | 54.77% | 6,725 | 39.91% | 896 | 5.32% |
| 1880 | 8,752 | 55.12% | 6,471 | 40.76% | 654 | 4.12% |
The county seat of government is in Erie. The county has a home-rule charter and is run by a county executive. The current County Executive is Brenton Davis.[19] Davis assumed the office on January 3, 2022, following the retirement of County Executive Kathy Dahlkemper. The remaining elected officials of the executive branch are the Erie County Controller, Erie County Coroner, Erie County District Attorney, Erie County Sheriff, and Erie County Clerk of Records. see latest list
| Name | Party | Term start | Term end |
|---|---|---|---|
| Russell Robison | Republican | 1978 | 1982 |
| Judith M. Lynch | Democratic | 1982 | 2002 |
| Richard Schenker | Republican | 2002 | 2006 |
| Mark A. DiVecchio | Democratic | 2006 | 2010 |
| Barry Grossman | Democratic | 2010 | 2014 |
| Kathleen Dahlkemper | Democratic | 2014 | 2022 |
| Brenton Davis | Republican | 2022 | Incumbent |
Judiciary
editThe judiciary is made up of nine judges serving the Erie County Court of Common Pleas and fifteen magisterial district judges serve the district courts. Court administration is managed by a district court administrator, deputy court administrator, and assistant court administrator. The Erie County Courthouse is located near Perry Square in downtown Erie. Erie County also operates a County Prison, and a combined 911/Emergency Management Agency under the Erie County Department of Public Safety, which is located in Summit Township.
Politics
editAs of February 5, 2024, there are 173,388 registered voters in Erie County.[20]
Chart of Voter Registration
- Democratic: 80,042 (46.16%)
- Republican: 67,856 (39.14%)
- Independent: 18,041 (10.40%)
- Third Party: 7,449 (4.30%)
Unlike most of northwestern Pennsylvania, Erie County tends to lean Democratic in statewide and national elections.
The county is considered a bellwether politically.[21]
State Senate
edit- Dan Laughlin (R), Pennsylvania's 49th Senatorial District
- Scott Hutchinson (R), Pennsylvania's 21st Senatorial District
State House of Representatives
edit- Patrick J. Harkins (D), Pennsylvania's 1st Representative District
- Robert Merski (D), Pennsylvania's 2nd Representative District
- Ryan A. Bizzarro (D), Pennsylvania's 3rd Representative District
- Jake Banta (R), Pennsylvania's 4th Representative District
- Brad Roae (R), Pennsylvania's 6th Representative District
United States Senate
edit- John Fetterman (D)
- Bob Casey (D)
United States House of Representatives
editEducation
editPublic school districts
edit
- Corry Area School District
- Erie City School District
- Fairview School District
- Fort LeBoeuf School District
- General McLane School District
- Girard School District
- Harbor Creek School District
- Iroquois School District
- Millcreek Township School District
- North East School District
- Northwestern School District
- Union City Area School District
- Wattsburg Area School District
Approved private schools
editCommunity College
editAfter years of advocacy on the issue, Erie County Council approved sponsorship of an Erie County Community College on June 28, 2017. Council Chairman Jay Breneman and colleagues Andre Horton, Kathy Fatica and Fiore Leone voted in favor of sponsoring the community college, which was later signed by County Executive Kathy Dahlkemper. The County Executive's administration took the lead in presenting the proposal to the Pennsylvania State Board of Education for approval, supported by a cross-section of business, civic, labor, and community leaders.[22][23]
Recreation
editThere are two Pennsylvania state parks in Erie County and both are on the shores of Lake Erie.
- Erie Bluffs State Park – one of Pennsylvania's newest state parks
- Presque Isle State Park – one of Pennsylvania's oldest state parks and the most-visited state park in Pennsylvania.[24]
Recreation
edit- Splash Lagoon Indoor Waterpark
- Millcreek Mall
- Presque Isle Downs and Casino
- Presque Isle State Park
- Erie Zoo
- Tom Ridge Environmental Center
- Erie Maritime Museum
- Warner Theatre
- Erie Art Museum
- Waldameer Park
- Erie County Public Library
Annual events
editLibraries
editThe foremost public library in Erie is part of the Erie County library system, which consists of five branches and a bookmobile.[25] The Raymond M. Blasco, M. D. Memorial Library, named for its benefactor, opened in 1996.[26] Now called the Main Library or the Erie County Public Library, is the third-largest library in Pennsylvania.[27] It is connected to the Erie Maritime Museum, both of which are part of a bayfront improvement project that includes the Bayfront Convention Center and the Bicentennial Tower on Dobbins Landing. The Main Library is praised for its waterfront views of the Presque Isle Bay, where the historic U.S. Brig Niagara is often located. The library was moved to this location approximately 25 years ago, from its previous home in the center of downtown Erie. The library's renovation directly contributed to the revitalization of the waterfront, which was previously underdeveloped.[28]
The second floor of the Main Library is home to an art collection, containing historic pieces like Summer Afternoon, Isle of Shoals by Frederick Childe Hassam. The display also features several local artists.[28] The library works with the International Institute of Erie (IIE) to offer tours of the library, a collection of foreign-language books, and other practical information about immigration processes.[28] The library also provides a heritage room where one can conduct genealogy research concerning their ancestors who resided in Erie County or Northwest Pennsylvania.[29]
The four remaining libraries within the Erie County library system are the Edinboro Branch Library, Iroquois Avenue Branch Library, Lincoln Community Center Branch Library, and Millcreek Branch Library.[25] The other public libraries of Erie County include the Albion Area Public Library, Corry Public Library, McCord Memorial Library, Rice Avenue Public Library, Union City Public Library, and Waterford Public Library.[30]
Communities
edit
Under Pennsylvania law, there are four types of incorporated municipalities: cities, boroughs, townships, and, in at most two cases, towns. There are 38 incorporated municipalities in Erie County, including 2 cities, 14 boroughs, and 22 townships. The following cities, boroughs and townships are located in Erie County:
Cities
editBoroughs
editTownships
edit- Amity Township
- Concord Township
- Conneaut Township
- Elk Creek Township
- Fairview Township
- Franklin Township
- Girard Township
- Greene Township
- Greenfield Township
- Harborcreek Township
- Lawrence Park Township
- LeBoeuf Township
- McKean Township
- Millcreek Township
- North East Township
- Springfield Township
- Summit Township
- Union Township
- Venango Township
- Washington Township
- Waterford Township
- Wayne Township
Census-designated places
editCensus-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.
Population ranking
editThe population ranking of the following table is based on the 2010 census of Erie County.[15]
† county seat
| Rank | City/Town/etc. | Municipal type | Population (2010 Census) |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | † Erie | City | 101,786 |
| 2 | Northwest Harborcreek | CDP | 8,949 |
| 3 | Corry | City | 6,605 |
| 4 | Edinboro | Borough | 6,438 |
| 5 | North East | Borough | 4,294 |
| 6 | Lawrence Park | CDP | 3,982 |
| 7 | Wesleyville | Borough | 3,341 |
| 8 | Union City | Borough | 3,320 |
| 9 | Girard | Borough | 3,104 |
| 10 | Lake City | Borough | 3,031 |
| 11 | Fairview | CDP | 2,348 |
| 12 | Penn State Erie (Behrend) | CDP | 1,629 |
| 13 | Waterford | Borough | 1,517 |
| 14 | Albion | Borough | 1,516 |
| 15 | Avonia | CDP | 1,205 |
| 16 | Cranesville | Borough | 638 |
| 17 | Platea | Borough | 430 |
| 18 | Mill Village | Borough | 412 |
| 19 | Wattsburg | Borough | 403 |
| 20 | McKean | Borough | 388 |
| 21 | Elgin | Borough | 218 |
See also
editReferences
edit- ^ Includes Erie, Mercer, Crawford and Venango Counties
- ^ "2020 Population and Housing State Data". United States Census Bureau. Retrieved August 13, 2021.
- ^ "Find a County". National Association of Counties. Archived from the original on May 31, 2011. Retrieved June 7, 2011.
- ^ "Pennsylvania: Individual County Chronologies". Pennsylvania Atlas of Historical County Boundaries. The Newberry Library. 2008. Archived from the original on March 25, 2015. Retrieved March 12, 2015.
- ^ "State and County Maps of Pennsylvania". Archived from the original on February 18, 2013. Retrieved May 31, 2012.
- ^ Whitman, Benjamin; et al. (1884). "Part II, Chapter I". History of Erie County, Pennsylvania: Containing a History of the County, Its Townships, Towns, Villages, Schools, Churches, Industries, Etc. Vol. 1. Erie, Pennsylvania: Warner, Beers and Company. p. 137.
- ^ Whitman, Benjamin; et al. (1884). "Chapter XVII County Buildings". History of Erie County, Pennsylvania: Containing a History of the County, Its Townships, Towns, Villages, Schools, Churches, Industries, Etc. Vol. 1. Erie, Pennsylvania: Warner, Beers and Company. p. 283.
- ^ Rosenberry, Lois Kimball Mathews (1909). The expansion of New England: the spread of New England settlement and institutions to the Mississippi River, 1620–1865. Boston: Houghton Mifflin. p. 151.
- ^ Meyer, Melinda.Journey to Freedom National Park Service. Erie County Historical Society. November 17, 2010. http://www.nps.gov. (December 6, 2012)
- ^ "2010 Census Gazetteer Files". United States Census Bureau. August 22, 2012. Retrieved March 5, 2015.
- ^ . Encyclopedia Americana. 1920.
- ^ "PRISM Climate Group at Oregon State University".
- ^ "Census 2020".
- ^ "P2 HISPANIC OR LATINO, AND NOT HISPANIC OR LATINO BY RACE – 2020: DEC Redistricting Data (PL 94-171) – Erie County, Pennsylvania".
- ^ "Office of Management and Budget". February 7, 2017.
- ^ a b "2010 Census". Archived from the original on December 6, 2013. Retrieved May 25, 2014.
- ^ "Pivot Counties in Pennsylvania", ballotpedia.org, retrieved September 19, 2024
- ^ Leip, David. "Dave Leip's Atlas of U.S. Presidential Elections". uselectionatlas.org.
- ^ The leading "other" candidate, Progressive Theodore Roosevelt, received 5,019 votes, while Socialist candidate Eugene Debs received 1,972 votes, Prohibition candidate Eugene Chafin received 800 votes, and Socialist Labor candidate Arthur Reimer received 26 votes.
- ^ Rao, A. J. "Davis vows to usher in 'era of change,' unity as new Erie County executive". Erie Times-News. Retrieved January 18, 2022.
- ^ Pennsylvania Department of State (February 5, 2024). "Voter registration statistics by county". dos.pa.gov. Retrieved February 5, 2024.
- ^ David Wasserman (October 6, 2020), "The 10 Bellwether Counties That Show How Trump Is in Serious Trouble", The New York Times
- ^ Erie County Council approves community college sponsorship
- ^ "Community College Proposal". Archived from the original on November 14, 2019. Retrieved November 14, 2019.
- ^ Pennsylvania Department of Community and Economic Development, Presque Isle State Park: Tranquility Found. Retrieved May 8, 2014.
- ^ a b "Facilities – Erie County Public Library".
- ^ "History of the Library – Erie County Public Library".
- ^ "Facts". www.ci.erie.pa.us. Archived from the original on August 8, 2007. Retrieved January 11, 2022.
- ^ a b c "This Seaport is Now a Library, but It's Still a Portal to the World". The Atlantic. September 5, 2016.
- ^ "Genealogy – Heritage Room at Blasco – Erie County Public Library".
- ^ "Public Libraries of Erie County".