Cameron County, Pennsylvania facts for kids

Quick facts for kids Cameron County
U.S. county
Cameron County Courthouse
Flag Logo
Location within the U.S. state of 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	398.4 sq mi (1,032 km2)
• Land	396.2 sq mi (1,026 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 small and quiet county located in the state of Pennsylvania. In 2020, about 4,547 people lived here, making it the county with the fewest people in Pennsylvania. The main town, or county seat, where the county government is located, is called Emporium.

Cameron County was officially created on March 29, 1860. It was formed from parts of four other counties: Clinton, Elk, McKean, and Potter. The county is named after a famous person, Senator Simon Cameron. You can find Cameron County in the North Central part of Pennsylvania.

Exploring Cameron County's Land

Cameron County covers a total area of about 398.4 square miles. Most of this area is land (about 396.2 square miles), with a small part (about 2.2 square miles) being water. The climate here is a warm-summer humid continental climate. This means it has warm summers and cold, snowy winters. For example, in Emporium, the average temperature in January is around 24 degrees Fahrenheit, and in July, it's about 69 degrees Fahrenheit.

Neighboring Counties

Cameron County shares its borders with five other counties:

• McKean County (to the north)
• Potter County (to the northeast)
• Clinton County (to the east)
• Clearfield County (to the south)
• Elk County (to the west)

Main Roads in Cameron County

Cameron County is unique because it's the only county in Pennsylvania that doesn't have a major interstate highway or a U.S. Route running through it. However, it does have several important state routes:

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

Who Lives in Cameron County?

The population of Cameron County has changed over the years. In 2000, there were about 5,974 people living there. By 2020, the population had decreased to 4,547 people.

Most people in Cameron County are White. There are also smaller numbers of people from other racial backgrounds, including Black or African American, Native American, and Asian. About 1.9% of the population identifies as Hispanic or Latino.

Many families live in Cameron County. In 2000, about 27.7% of households had children under 18. The average age of people living in the county was 41 years old.

Learning in Cameron County

Cameron County has one school district that serves all students from kindergarten through 12th grade. It's called the Cameron County School District.

Fun Things to Do in Cameron County

Cameron County is a great place for outdoor activities and exploring nature! There are three Pennsylvania state parks that are partly located within the county:

• Bucktail State Park Natural Area: This is a long, scenic route that stretches for 75 miles (121 km) along Pennsylvania Route 120. It goes from Lock Haven in Clinton County all the way to Emporium, the county seat of Cameron County. It's a beautiful drive!
• Sinnemahoning State Park: This park is partly in Cameron County and partly in Potter County.
• Sizerville State Park: Like Sinnemahoning, this park also sits on the border between Cameron and Potter Counties.

If you enjoy biking or hiking, you'll love the West Creek Rail Trail. This trail was built on an old railroad path between Emporium and St. Mary's in Elk County. It's paved and has guard rails, making it perfect for walking or biking in warm weather. In winter, it's a popular spot for snowmobiling.

For those who like a challenge, the Fred Woods Trail offers a 4.57-mile loop. This trail has amazing views of the valley and a tricky section that goes through cool rock formations. You can find the trailhead off Mason Hill Road, above Driftwood, Pennsylvania.

Towns and Communities

Map of Cameron County, Pennsylvania, showing its boroughs (red) and townships (white).

In Pennsylvania, there are different types of local governments. In Cameron County, you'll find boroughs and townships.

Boroughs

• Driftwood
• Emporium (This is the county seat, meaning it's the main town where the county government is located.)

Townships

• Gibson
• Grove
• Lumber
• Portage
• Shippen

Other Communities

• Prospect Park is a census-designated place, which is a community identified by the U.S. Census Bureau for statistical purposes.

Biggest Communities (2010 Census)

Here's how the communities in Cameron County ranked by population in 2010:

† county seat

Famous People from Cameron County

Some notable people have connections to Cameron County:

• Tom Mix: A famous early American film actor and cowboy.
• Joseph T. McNarney: A high-ranking general in the United States Air Force.
• Nate Sestina: A professional basketball player.

See also

In Spanish: Condado de Cameron (Pensilvania) para niños