Beaver County, Pennsylvania facts for kids
Quick facts for kids
Beaver County
|
|||||
---|---|---|---|---|---|
![]() Beaver County Courthouse
|
|||||
|
|||||
Motto(s):
Divided by its Rivers, United by its People
|
|||||
![]() Location within the U.S. state of Pennsylvania
|
|||||
![]() Pennsylvania's location within the U.S. |
|||||
Country | ![]() |
||||
State | ![]() |
||||
Founded | March 12, 1800 | ||||
Named for | Beaver River | ||||
Seat | Beaver | ||||
Largest city | Aliquippa | ||||
Area | |||||
• Total | 444 sq mi (1,150 km2) | ||||
• Land | 435 sq mi (1,130 km2) | ||||
• Water | 9.3 sq mi (24 km2) 2.1% | ||||
Population
(2020)
|
|||||
• Total | 168,215 | ||||
• Estimate
(2023)
|
165,677 ![]() |
||||
• Density | 378.9/sq mi (146.28/km2) | ||||
Time zone | UTC−5 (Eastern) | ||||
• Summer (DST) | UTC−4 (EDT) | ||||
Congressional district | 17th | ||||
Pennsylvania Historical Marker
|
|||||
Designated: | July 5, 1982 |
Beaver County is a county located in Pennsylvania, a state in the United States. In 2020, about 168,215 people lived here. The main town, or county seat, is Beaver. The biggest city in the county is Aliquippa. Beaver County is also part of the larger Greater Pittsburgh area.
Contents
Discovering Beaver County's Past
Beaver County was officially created on March 12, 1800. It was formed from parts of Allegheny and Washington counties. The county got its name from the nearby Beaver River.
When Beaver County was first formed in 1800, it had several original townships. These included North Beaver, South Beaver, and Sewickley, all located north of the Ohio River. South of the Ohio River were Hanover, First Moon, and Second Moon townships.
Exploring Beaver County's Geography
Beaver County covers a total area of about 444 square miles. Most of this area, about 435 square miles, is land. The remaining 9.3 square miles (2.1%) is water.
The county has a humid continental climate. This means it experiences all four seasons, with warm summers and cold winters. Average monthly temperatures in the Beaver/Rochester area range from about 29°F in January to 73°F in July.
Important Waterways
- The Ohio River flows through Beaver County. It enters near Ambridge, then turns west near Beaver. It continues towards the borders of Ohio and West Virginia. This river divides the southern part of the county from the northern two-thirds.
- The Beaver River flows south from Lawrence County. It enters Beaver County near Koppel and joins the Ohio River near Beaver.
Neighboring Counties
Beaver County shares its borders with several other counties:
- Lawrence County (north)
- Butler County (east)
- Allegheny County (southeast)
- Washington County (south)
- Hancock County, West Virginia (west)
- Columbiana County, Ohio (west)
Parks and Natural Areas
Beaver County is home to several beautiful protected areas where you can enjoy nature:
- Ohio River Islands National Wildlife Refuge (part of it is in Beaver County)
- Raccoon Creek State Park, a large Pennsylvania state park
- Brady’s Run Park
- Brush Creek Park
- Old Economy Park
Beaver County's Population Story
Historical population | |||
---|---|---|---|
Census | Pop. | %± | |
1800 | 5,776 | — | |
1810 | 12,168 | 110.7% | |
1820 | 15,340 | 26.1% | |
1830 | 24,183 | 57.6% | |
1840 | 29,368 | 21.4% | |
1850 | 26,689 | −9.1% | |
1860 | 29,140 | 9.2% | |
1870 | 36,148 | 24.0% | |
1880 | 39,605 | 9.6% | |
1890 | 50,077 | 26.4% | |
1900 | 56,432 | 12.7% | |
1910 | 78,253 | 38.7% | |
1920 | 111,621 | 42.6% | |
1930 | 149,062 | 33.5% | |
1940 | 156,754 | 5.2% | |
1950 | 175,192 | 11.8% | |
1960 | 206,948 | 18.1% | |
1970 | 208,418 | 0.7% | |
1980 | 204,441 | −1.9% | |
1990 | 186,093 | −9.0% | |
2000 | 181,412 | −2.5% | |
2010 | 170,539 | −6.0% | |
2020 | 168,215 | −1.4% | |
2022 (est.) | 165,677 | −2.9% |
In 2000, there were about 181,412 people living in Beaver County. The population density was about 418 people per square mile. The county had 72,576 households.
About 22.6% of the population was under 18 years old. The median age in the county was 41 years. This means half the people were younger than 41 and half were older.
2020 Census Snapshot
In 2020, the population of Beaver County was 168,215. Most residents, about 85.5%, identified as White. About 6.6% identified as Black or African American. Other groups made up smaller percentages of the population.
Fun and Recreation in Beaver County
Beaver County offers many places for outdoor fun and activities. Near Koppel, you can find Buttermilk Falls, a beautiful natural waterfall. Brighton Township is home to Brady's Run Park, a popular spot for recreation.
Raccoon Creek State Park is one of Pennsylvania's largest state parks. It covers over 7,500 acres and features the 101-acre Raccoon Lake. There are also many parks along the rivers throughout the county. The North Country National Scenic Trail (NCT) passes through the northern part of the county. This trail has sections near Darlington and New Galilee where you can hike off-road.
Getting Around Beaver County
Main Roads and Highways
Several major roads and highways help people travel through Beaver County:
I-76 / Penna Turnpike
I-376
US 30 / Invalid type: road
PA 18
PA 51
PA 65
PA 68
PA 151
PA 168
PA 251
PA 288
PA 351
PA 551
PA 588
PA 989
Public Transportation
The Beaver County Transit Authority provides public bus services for residents.
Airports
For air travel, Beaver County has:
- Beaver County Airport
- Zelienople Municipal Airport
Learning in Beaver County
Colleges and Universities
Beaver County has several higher education institutions:
- Geneva College
- Penn State Beaver Campus
- Trinity Episcopal School for Ministry
Community and Technical Colleges
- Community College of Beaver County
Public School Districts
- Aliquippa School District
- Ambridge Area School District
- Beaver Area School District
- Big Beaver Falls Area School District
- Blackhawk School District (part)
- Central Valley School District
- Freedom Area School District
- Hopewell Area School District
- Midland Borough School District
- New Brighton Area School District
- Riverside Beaver County School District
- Rochester Area School District
- South Side Area School District
- Western Beaver County School District
High Schools
- Aliquippa High School
- Ambridge Area High School
- Beaver Area High School
- Beaver County Christian High School
- Beaver Falls High School
- Blackhawk High School
- Central Valley High School
- Freedom Area High School
- Hopewell High School
- Lincoln Park Performing Arts Charter School
- New Brighton High School
- Quigley Catholic High School
- Riverside High School
- Rochester Area High School
- South Side Beaver High School
- Western Beaver High School
Charter Schools
Charter schools are public schools that operate independently. In Beaver County, these include:
- Baden Academy Charter School (for grades K–6)
- Lincoln Park Performing Arts Charter School (for grades 7–12)
- Midland Innovation + Technology Charter School (for grades 9-12)
Former School Districts
In 2009, the Center Area School District and Monaca School District joined together. They formed a new district called the Central Valley School District.
Communities of Beaver County
In Pennsylvania, there are different types of official communities: cities, boroughs, and townships. Here are the cities, boroughs, and townships in Beaver County:
Cities
Boroughs
- Ambridge
- Baden
- Beaver (county seat)
- Big Beaver
- Bridgewater
- Conway
- Darlington
- East Rochester
- Eastvale
- Economy
- Ellwood City (mostly in Lawrence County)
- Fallston
- Frankfort Springs
- Freedom
- Georgetown
- Glasgow
- Homewood
- Hookstown
- Industry
- Koppel
- Midland
- Monaca
- New Brighton
- New Galilee
- Ohioville
- Patterson Heights
- Rochester
- Shippingport
- South Heights
- West Mayfield
Townships
- Brighton
- Center
- Chippewa
- Darlington
- Daugherty
- First Moon (no longer exists)
- Franklin
- Greene
- Hanover
- Harmony
- Hopewell
- Independence
- Marion
- Moon (no longer exists)
- New Sewickley
- North Sewickley
- Patterson
- Potter
- Pulaski
- Raccoon
- Rochester
- Second Moon (no longer exists)
- Sewickley (no longer exists)
- South Beaver
- Vanport
- White
Census-Designated Places
These are areas identified by the census bureau for statistical purposes:
- Frisco
- Hazen
Unincorporated Communities
These are smaller communities that are not officially incorporated as cities, boroughs, or townships:
Former Community
- Borough Township was established in 1804. In 1970, its name was changed to Vanport Township.
Community Population Ranking (2010 Census)
This table shows the population of the largest communities in Beaver County based on the 2010 census. † county seat
Rank | City/town/etc. | Population (2010 Census) | Municipal type | Incorporated |
---|---|---|---|---|
1 | Aliquippa | 9,438 | City | 1928 (borough) 1987 (city) |
2 | Beaver Falls | 8,987 | City | 1868 (borough) 1928 (city) |
3 | Economy | 8,970 | Borough | 1957 |
4 | Ellwood City (mostly in Lawrence County) | 7,921 | Borough | |
5 | Ambridge | 7,050 | Borough | 1905 |
6 | New Brighton | 6,025 | Borough | 1838 |
7 | Monaca | 5,737 | Borough | 1840 |
8 | † Beaver | 4,531 | Borough | 1802 |
9 | Baden | 4,135 | Borough | 1868 |
10 | Rochester | 3,657 | Borough | 1849 |
11 | Ohioville | 3,533 | Borough | 1860 |
12 | Harmony Township | 3,197 | CDP and township | 1851 |
13 | Patterson Township | 3,029 | CDP and township | 1845 |
14 | Midland | 2,635 | Borough | 1906 |
15 | Conway | 2,176 | Borough | 1902 |
16 | Big Beaver | 1,970 | Borough | 1858 |
17 | Industry | 1,835 | Borough | 1960 |
18 | Freedom | 1,569 | Borough | 1838 |
19 | West Mayfield | 1,239 | Borough | 1923 |
20 | Koppel | 762 | Borough | 1910 |
21 | Bridgewater | 704 | Borough | 1835 |
22 | Patterson Heights | 636 | Borough | 1899 |
23 | East Rochester | 567 | Borough | 1908 |
24 | South Heights | 475 | Borough | 1910 |
25 | New Galilee | 379 | Borough | 1854 |
26 | Fallston | 266 | Borough | 1829 |
27 | Darlington | 254 | Borough | 1820 |
28 | Eastvale | 225 | Borough | 1892 |
29 | Shippingport | 214 | Borough | 1910 |
30 | Georgetown | 174 | Borough | 1850 |
31 | Hookstown | 147 | Borough | 1843 |
32 | Frankfort Springs | 130 | Borough | 1844 |
33 | Homewood | 109 | Borough | 1910 |
34 | Glasgow | 60 | Borough | 1854 |
Famous Faces from Beaver County
Many notable people have connections to Beaver County, including:
- Jim Covert – a former NFL football player for the Chicago Bears.
- Mike Ditka – a former NFL player and coach, known for playing for the Chicago Bears.
- Tony Dorsett – a former NFL running back for the Dallas Cowboys.
- Shane Douglas – a professional wrestler.
- Terry Francona – a former Major League Baseball player and manager.
- Donnie Iris – a musician.
- Ty Law – a former NFL cornerback for the New England Patriots.
- Joe Letteri – an Academy Award-winning visual effects artist, known for movies like Avatar.
- Henry Mancini – a famous music composer, who wrote "Moon River" and "The Pink Panther Theme".
- "Pistol" Pete Maravich – a legendary NBA basketball player.
- Joe Namath – a former NFL quarterback for the New York Jets.
- Paul Posluszny – an NFL linebacker for the Jacksonville Jaguars.
- Darrelle Revis – an NFL cornerback for the New York Jets.
- Jesse Steinfeld – a former Surgeon General of the United States.
See also
In Spanish: Condado de Beaver (Pensilvania) para niños