McKean County, Pennsylvania

McKean County
McKean County Courthouse
McKean County Courthouse
Map of Pennsylvania highlighting McKean 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°48′40″N 78°26′41″W / 41.811111111111°N 78.444722222222°W / 41.811111111111; -78.444722222222
Country United States
State Pennsylvania
FoundedSeptember 1, 1826
Named forThomas McKean
SeatSmethport
Largest cityBradford
Area
 • Total984 sq mi (2,550 km2)
 • Land979 sq mi (2,540 km2)
 • Water5.0 sq mi (13 km2)  0.5%
Population
 • Total40,432
 • Density41/sq mi (16/km2)
Time zoneUTC−5 (Eastern)
 • Summer (DST)UTC−4 (EDT)
Congressional district15th
Websitewww.mckeancountypa.org

McKean County is a rural county in the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania. As of the 2020 census, the population was 40,432. Its county seat is Smethport. The county was created in 1804 and organized in 1826. It was named in honor of former Pennsylvania Governor and Declaration of Independence signer Thomas McKean.

McKean County comprises the Bradford, Pennsylvania micropolitan statistical area. It is in a sparsely populated region known as the Pennsylvania Wilds. It includes the Allegheny National Forest and borders New York. McKean County boasts of being "The Black Cherry Capital of the World."

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

Geography

According to the U.S. Census Bureau, the county has an area of 984 square miles (2,550 km2), of which 979 square miles (2,540 km2) is land and 5.0 square miles (13 km2) (0.5%) is water. 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.

Adjacent counties

Major highways

National protected area

Demographics

Historical population
CensusPop.Note
1810142
1820728412.7%
18301,43997.7%
18402,975106.7%
18505,25476.6%
18608,85968.6%
18708,825−0.4%
188042,565382.3%
189046,86310.1%
190051,3439.6%
191047,868−6.8%
192048,9342.2%
193055,16712.7%
194056,6732.7%
195056,607−0.1%
196054,517−3.7%
197051,915−4.8%
198050,653−2.4%
199047,131−7.0%
200045,963−2.5%
201043,450−5.5%
202040,432−6.9%
U.S. Decennial Census
1790–1960 1900–1990
1990–2000 2010–2017

As of the 2000 census, there were 45,936 people, 18,024 households, and 12,094 families residing in the county. The population density was 47 people per square mile (18 people/km2). There were 21,644 housing units at an average density of 22 units per square mile (8.5/km2). 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
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

The United States Office of Management and Budget has designated McKean County as the Bradford, PA micropolitan statistical area (USA). As of the 2010 U.S. Census 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

United States presidential election results for McKean County, Pennsylvania
Year Republican Democratic Third party
No.  % No.  % No.  %
2020 14,083 72.18% 5,098 26.13% 329 1.69%
2016 11,635 70.67% 4,025 24.45% 804 4.88%
2012 9,545 62.99% 5,297 34.95% 312 2.06%
2008 9,224 57.61% 6,465 40.38% 321 2.00%
2004 10,941 62.79% 6,294 36.12% 191 1.10%
2000 9,661 61.12% 5,510 34.86% 635 4.02%
1996 6,838 45.99% 5,509 37.05% 2,522 16.96%
1992 6,965 42.47% 5,331 32.51% 4,104 25.02%
1988 9,323 63.22% 5,300 35.94% 124 0.84%
1984 10,963 69.22% 4,818 30.42% 58 0.37%
1980 9,229 60.85% 5,064 33.39% 873 5.76%
1976 10,305 60.88% 6,424 37.95% 197 1.16%
1972 11,958 71.72% 4,513 27.07% 202 1.21%
1968 10,506 59.67% 6,326 35.93% 775 4.40%
1964 7,948 41.82% 10,950 57.61% 109 0.57%
1960 13,699 63.62% 7,767 36.07% 66 0.31%
1956 14,725 73.81% 5,152 25.82% 73 0.37%
1952 15,256 73.43% 5,373 25.86% 147 0.71%
1948 10,218 66.91% 4,785 31.33% 269 1.76%
1944 11,988 64.45% 6,492 34.90% 121 0.65%
1940 14,822 67.58% 6,991 31.88% 119 0.54%
1936 11,837 53.37% 9,733 43.88% 611 2.75%
1932 9,970 65.01% 4,661 30.39% 704 4.59%
1928 14,012 73.49% 4,964 26.04% 90 0.47%
1924 9,072 68.99% 2,376 18.07% 1,701 12.94%
1920 7,830 68.65% 2,505 21.96% 1,071 9.39%
1916 4,300 51.81% 3,161 38.09% 838 10.10%
1912 1,345 16.81% 2,362 29.52% 4,294 53.67%
1908 5,073 58.01% 2,867 32.78% 805 9.21%
1904 5,719 67.48% 1,636 19.30% 1,120 13.22%
1900 6,319 61.39% 3,427 33.29% 547 5.31%
1896 5,077 59.59% 3,074 36.08% 369 4.33%
1892 3,594 50.01% 2,843 39.56% 750 10.44%
1888 4,066 52.74% 2,922 37.90% 721 9.35%

Voter Registration

As of February 21, 2022, there are 24,893 registered voters in McKean County.

Chart of Voter Registration

 Republican (61.69%)
 Democratic (24.25%)
 Independent (9.22%)
 Third Party (4.83%)

State Senate

State House of Representatives

United States House of Representatives

United States Senate

Education

Map of McKean County, Pennsylvania School Districts

Public school districts

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.

Communities

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

Boroughs

Townships

Census-designated places

Unincorporated communities

Population ranking

The population ranking of the following table is based on the 2010 census of McKean County.

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

See also

41°49′N 78°27′W / 41.817°N 78.450°W / 41.817; -78.450


This page was last updated at 2024-01-23 16:49 UTC. Update now. View original page.

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