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Cameron County, Pennsylvania facts for kids

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Cameron County
Cameron County Courthouse
Flag of Cameron County
Flag
Official logo of Cameron County
Logo
Map of Pennsylvania highlighting Cameron 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 March 29, 1860
Named for Simon Cameron
Seat Emporium
Largest borough Emporium
Area
 • Total 398 sq mi (1,030 km2)
 • Land 396 sq mi (1,030 km2)
 • Water 2.2 sq mi (6 km2)  0.5%%
Population
 (2020)
 • Total 4,547
 • Density 11.4/sq mi (4.4/km2)
Time zone UTC−5 (Eastern)
 • Summer (DST) UTC−4 (EDT)
Congressional district 15th
Pennsylvania Historical Marker
Designated: September 14, 1982

Cameron County is a county in the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania. As of the 2020 census, the population was 4,547 and is Pennsylvania's least populous county. Its county seat is Emporium. The county was created on March 29, 1860, from parts of Clinton, Elk, McKean, and Potter Counties. It is named for Senator Simon Cameron. The county is part of the North Central Pennsylvania region of the state.

Geography

According to the U.S. Census Bureau, the county has a total area of 398 square miles (1,030 km2), of which 396 square miles (1,030 km2) is land and 2.2 square miles (5.7 km2) (0.5%) is water. It has a warm-summer humid continental climate (Dfb) and average monthly temperatures in Emporium range from 24.2 °F in January to 69.3 °F in July, while in Driftwood they range from 24.9 °F in January to 69.9 °F in July.

Adjacent counties

Major roads

Cameron County is the only county in the state of Pennsylvania to not be crossed by either an interstate or U.S. Route.

  • PA 46
  • PA 120
  • PA 155
  • PA 555
  • PA 872

Demographics

Historical population
Census Pop.
1870 4,273
1880 5,159 20.7%
1890 7,238 40.3%
1900 7,048 −2.6%
1910 7,644 8.5%
1920 6,297 −17.6%
1930 5,307 −15.7%
1940 6,852 29.1%
1950 7,023 2.5%
1960 7,586 8.0%
1970 7,096 −6.5%
1980 6,674 −5.9%
1990 5,913 −11.4%
2000 5,974 1.0%
2010 5,085 −14.9%
2020 4,547 −10.6%
U.S. Decennial Census
1790–1960 1900–1990
1990–2000 2010–2017

As of the 2000 census, there were 5,974 people, 2,465 households, and 1,624 families residing in the county. The population density was 15 people per square mile (5.8 people/km2). There were 4,592 housing units at an average density of 12 units per square mile (4.6/km2). The racial makeup of the county was 98.83% White, 0.35% Black or African American, 0.13% Native American, 0.12% Asian, 0.05% Pacific Islander, 0.05% from other races, and 0.47% from two or more races. 0.57% of the population were Hispanic or Latino of any race. 33.5% were of German, 15.7% Irish, 14.5% American, 13.1% Italian, 9.2% English and 5.7% Polish ancestry.

There were 2,465 households, out of which 27.70% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 52.40% were married couples living together, 9.20% had a female householder with no husband present, and 34.10% were non-families. 30.10% of all households were made up of individuals, and 15.40% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.39 and the average family size was 2.96.

In the county, the population was spread out, with 24.50% under the age of 18, 6.00% from 18 to 24, 24.90% from 25 to 44, 24.80% from 45 to 64, and 19.80% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 41 years. For every 100 females there were 96.60 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 94.60 males.

2020 census

Cameron County Racial Composition
Race Num. Perc.
White (NH) 4,271 94%
Black or African American (NH) 12 0.26%
Native American (NH) 8 0.17%
Asian (NH) 29 0.64%
Pacific Islander (NH) 0 0%
Other/Mixed (NH) 141 3.1%
Hispanic or Latino 86 1.9%

Education

There is a single K-12 school district, Cameron County School District.

Recreation

There are three Pennsylvania state parks that are partly in Cameron County.

The West Creek Rail Trail has been built on the abandoned rail corridor between Emporium and St. Mary's in Elk County. It provides a paved surface with guard rails and is suitable for hiking or biking in the warm seasons or snowmobiling in winter.

The Fred Woods Trail offers a 4.57 mile loop of blazed trail with scenic valley views and a challenging section running through unique rock formations. The trailhead is accessed off Mason Hill Road above Driftwood, PA.

Communities

Map of Cameron County Pennsylvania With Municipal and Township Labels
Map of Cameron 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 at most two cases, towns. The following boroughs and townships are located in Cameron County:

Boroughs

Townships

  • Gibson
  • Grove
  • Lumber
  • Portage
  • Shippen

Census-designated place

  • Prospect Park

Population ranking

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

county seat

Rank City/Town/etc. Population (2010 Census) Municipal type Incorporated
1 Emporium 2,073 Borough 1864
2 Prospect Park 327 CDP
3 Driftwood 67 Borough 1872

Notable people

  • Tom Mix
  • Joseph T. McNarney
  • Nate Sestina

See also

Kids robot.svg In Spanish: Condado de Cameron (Pensilvania) para niños

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