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Bradford County, Pennsylvania facts for kids

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Not to be confused with Bradford, Pennsylvania.
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Bradford County
U.S. county
Towanda is the county seat
Towanda is the county seat
Official seal of Bradford County
Seal
Map of Pennsylvania highlighting Bradford County
Location within the U.S. state of Pennsylvania
Map of the United States highlighting Pennsylvania
Pennsylvania's location within the U.S.
Country  United States
State  Pennsylvania
Founded February 21, 1810
Named for William Bradford
Seat Towanda
Largest borough Sayre
Area
 • Total 1,161 sq mi (3,010 km2)
 • Land 1,147 sq mi (2,970 km2)
 • Water 14 sq mi (40 km2)  1.2%%
Population
 (2020)
 • Total 59,967
 • Density 52/sq mi (20/km2)
Congressional district 12th
Pennsylvania Historical Marker
Designated: July 10, 1982

Bradford County is a county located in the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania. As of the 2020 census, its population was 59,967. Its county seat is Towanda. The county was created on February 21, 1810, from parts of Lycoming and Luzerne Counties. Originally called Ontario County, it was reorganized and separated from Lycoming County on October 13, 1812, and renamed Bradford County for William Bradford, who had been a chief justice of the Pennsylvania Supreme Court and United States Attorney General.

Bradford County comprises the Sayre, Pennsylvania micropolitan statistical area.

The county is not to be confused with the city of Bradford, which is in McKean County, 141 miles to the west via U.S. Route 6.

History

As noted above, Bradford County was originally named Ontario County. The county was reorganized and renamed in 1812. However, a section of north Philadelphia in which major east–west streets are named after Pennsylvania counties retains an Ontario Street, between Westmoreland and Tioga Streets. There are two short Bradford Streets in northeast Philadelphia, approximately four miles from Ontario Street.

Geography

According to the U.S. Census Bureau, the county has a total area of 1,161 square miles (3,010 km2), of which 1,147 square miles (2,970 km2) is land and 14 square miles (36 km2) (1.2%) is water. It is the second-largest county in Pennsylvania by land area and third-largest by total area.

Adjacent counties

Demographics

Historical population
Census Pop. %±
1820 11,554 —
1830 19,746 70.9%
1840 32,769 66.0%
1850 42,831 30.7%
1860 48,734 13.8%
1870 53,204 9.2%
1880 58,541 10.0%
1890 59,233 1.2%
1900 59,403 0.3%
1910 54,526 −8.2%
1920 53,166 −2.5%
1930 49,039 −7.8%
1940 50,615 3.2%
1950 51,722 2.2%
1960 54,925 6.2%
1970 57,962 5.5%
1980 62,919 8.6%
1990 60,967 −3.1%
2000 62,761 2.9%
2010 62,622 −0.2%
2020 59,967 −4.2%

As of the census of 2000, there were 62,761 people, 24,453 households, and 17,312 families residing in the county. The population density was 54 people per square mile (21/km2). There were 28,664 housing units at an average density of 25 per square mile (10/km2). The racial makeup of the county was 97.94% White, 0.40% Black or African American, 0.31% Native American, 0.45% Asian, 0.01% Pacific Islander, 0.19% from other races, and 0.69% from two or more races. 0.63% of the population were Hispanic or Latino of any race. 32.4% were of English, 19% German, 12.6% Irish and 6.4% Italian ancestry.

There were 24,453 households, out of which 31.80% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 57.40% were married couples living together, 8.90% had a female householder with no husband present, and 29.20% were non-families. 24.70% of all households were made up of individuals, and 11.50% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.52 and the average family size was 2.99.

In the county, the population was spread out, with 25.50% under the age of 18, 6.80% from 18 to 24, 27.20% from 25 to 44, 24.70% from 45 to 64, and 15.70% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 39 years. For every 100 females there were 95.10 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 92.10 males.

Micropolitan Statistical Area

The United States Office of Management and Budget has designated Bradford County as the Sayre, PA Micropolitan Statistical Area (µSA). As of the 2010 U.S. Census the micropolitan area ranked 8th most populous in the State of Pennsylvania and the 131st most populous in the United States with a population of 62,622.

Transportation

Public transportation is provided by BeST Transit.

Major Highways

  • I-86 / NY 17 (briefly crosses the NY-PA state border, but is maintained by NYSDOT)
  • US 220
  • PA 14
  • PA 154
  • PA 187
  • PA 328
  • PA 367
  • PA 414
  • PA 467
  • PA 514
  • PA 549

Recreation

There is one Pennsylvania state park in Bradford County.

Communities

Map of Bradford County Pennsylvania with Municipal and Township Labels
Map of Bradford County, Pennsylvania with Municipal Labels showing Boroughs (red) and Townships (white).

Under Pennsylvania law, there are four types of incorporated municipalities: cities, boroughs, townships, and, in only one case (Bloomsburg, Columbia County), towns. The following boroughs and townships are located in Bradford County:

Boroughs

Townships

  • Albany
  • Armenia
  • Asylum
  • Athens
  • Burlington
  • Canton
  • Columbia
  • Franklin
  • Granville
  • Herrick
  • Leroy
  • Litchfield
  • Monroe
  • North Towanda
  • Orwell
  • Overton
  • Pike
  • Ridgebury
  • Rome
  • Sheshequin
  • Smithfield
  • South Creek
  • Springfield
  • Standing Stone
  • Stevens
  • Terry
  • Towanda
  • Troy
  • Tuscarora
  • Ulster
  • Warren
  • Wells
  • West Burlington
  • Wilmot
  • Windham
  • Wyalusing
  • Wysox

Census-designated place

Unincorporated communities

Population ranking

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

† county seat

Rank City/Town/etc. Population (2010 Census) Municipal type Incorporated
1 Sayre 5,587 Borough 1891
2 Athens 3,367 Borough 1831
3 † Towanda 2,919 Borough 1828
4 Canton 1,976 Borough 1864
5 Troy 1,354 Borough
6 South Waverly 1,027 Borough 1878
7 Greens Landing 894 CDP
8 Wyalusing 596 Borough
9 Monroe 554 Borough 1855
10 Rome 441 Borough 1860
11 New Albany 356 Borough 1879
12 Le Raysville 290 Borough 1863
13 Sylvania 219 Borough 1853
14 Alba 157 Borough 1864
15 Burlington 156 Borough 1854

Economy

Major employers are the natural gas industry, DuPont, Global-Tungsten and Powders (former Sylvania), Jeld-Wen, and Cargill Regional Beef, Wyalusing.

Education

Map of Bradford County Pennsylvania School Districts
Bradford County school districts

Public school districts

  • Athens Area School District
  • Canton Area School District (also in Lycoming and Tioga Counties)
  • Northeast Bradford School District
  • Sayre Area School District
  • Towanda Area School District
  • Troy Area School District
  • Wyalusing Area School District (also in Wyoming County)

Other public school entities

  • Adult Ed Linkage Services – Troy
  • Lackawanna College Towanda Center

Private schools

  • Canton Country School – Canton
  • Children's Place – Sayre
  • Epiphany School (Catholic) Pre-K–6 – Sayre accepting OSTCP students
  • Freedom Lane Academy – Milan
  • G&G Learning Center – Rome
  • Maranatha Mission Learning Community Branch 19 – Canton
  • North Rome Christian School
  • South Hill Amish School – Wyalusing
  • St. Agnes Elementary School – Towanda accepting OSTCP students
  • Union Valley Christian School – Ulster
  • Valley View Amish School – Pike Township
  • Wyalusing Valley Children's Center INC – Wyalusing

Data from EdNA database maintained by Pennsylvania Department of Education 2012

Libraries

  • Allen F. Pierce Free Library – Troy
  • Bradford County Library – Troy
  • Bradford County Library System – Troy
  • Green Free Library – Canton
  • Mather Memorial Library – Ulster
  • Monroeton Public Library – Monroeton
  • New Albany Community Library Inc.
  • Sayre Public Library
  • Spalding Memorial Library – Athens
  • Towanda Public Library
  • Wyalusing Public Library
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