Bradford County, Pennsylvania facts for kids
Quick facts for kids
Bradford County
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![]() Towanda is the county seat
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![]() Location within the U.S. state of Pennsylvania
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![]() Pennsylvania's location within the U.S. |
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State | ![]() |
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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)
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• Total | 59,967 | |
• Density | 52/sq mi (20/km2) | |
Congressional district | 12th | |
Pennsylvania Historical Marker
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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.
Contents
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
- Chemung County, New York (north)
- Tioga County, New York (north)
- Susquehanna County (east)
- Wyoming County (southeast)
- Sullivan County (south)
- Lycoming County (southwest)
- Tioga County (west)
Demographics
Historical population | |||
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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
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
- Alba
- Athens
- Burlington
- Canton
- Le Raysville
- Monroe
- New Albany
- Rome
- Sayre
- South Waverly
- Sylvania
- Towanda (county seat)
- Troy
- Wyalusing
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 |
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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
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