Elk County, Pennsylvania facts for kids

Quick facts for kids Elk County
U.S. county
Elk County Courthouse in Ridgway, Pennsylvania
Flag Logo
Location within the U.S. state of Pennsylvania
Pennsylvania's location within the U.S.
Country	United States
State	Pennsylvania
Founded	April 18, 1843
Named for	Eastern elk
Seat	Ridgway
Largest city	St. Marys
Area
• Total	832 sq mi (2,150 km2)
• Land	827 sq mi (2,140 km2)
• Water	4.9 sq mi (13 km2)  0.6%%
Population  (2020)
• Total	30,990
• Density	37.5/sq mi (14.5/km2)
Time zone	UTC−5 (Eastern)
• Summer (DST)	UTC−4 (EDT)
Congressional district	15th

Elk County is a county in the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania. As of the 2020 United States census, the population was 30,990. Its county seat is Ridgway. The county was created on April 18, 1843, from parts of Jefferson, Clearfield, and McKean Counties. Elk County is named for the now-extinct eastern elk (Cervus canadensis) that historically inhabited the region. The county is part of the North Central Pennsylvania region of the state.

The county is notable for having one of the highest concentrations of Roman Catholics in the United States, with 69% of the county's residents identifying as Catholic.

Geography

Elk County consists of low rolling hills, carved by frequent drainages and heavily wooded.

According to the United States Census Bureau, the county has a total area of 832 square miles (2,150 km²), of which 827 square miles (2,140 km²) is land and 4.9 square miles (13 km²) (0.6%) is water. Elk has a warm-summer humid continental climate (Dfb) and average monthly temperatures in Ridgway range from 23.2 °F in January to 67.4 °F in July, while in Saint Marys they range from 22.6 °F in January to 66.8 °F in July.

Adjacent counties

• McKean County - north
• Cameron County - east
• Clearfield County - south
• Jefferson County - southwest
• Forest County - west
• Warren County - northwest

National protected area

• Allegheny National Forest (part)

State protected areas

• Bendigo State Park
• Elk State Park

Major highways

Demographics

As of the 2020 United States Census, there were 30,990 people and 14,215 households. The population density was 38 people per square mile (15 people/km²). There were 16,855 housing units at an average density of 20 units per square mile (7.7/km²). The racial makeup of the county was 97.9% White, 0.5% Black or African American, 0.2% Native American, 0.4% Asian, and 1.0% from two or more races. 0.8% of the population were Hispanic or Latino of any race. 42.9% were of German, 17.7% Italian, 13.1% Irish, 6.4% English, 5.8% Polish, and 5.2% Swedish.

Population pyramid

There were 14,124 households, out of which 31.00% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 56.00% were married couples living together, 8.70% had a female householder with no husband present, and 31.00% were non-families. 27.30% of all households were made up of individuals, and 13.60% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.45 and the average family size was 2.99.

The county population contained 24.00% under the age of 18, 6.80% from 18 to 24, 28.60% from 25 to 44, 23.30% from 45 to 64, and 17.30% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 39 years. For every 100 females there were 98.00 males. For every 100 females aged 18 and over, there were 95.30 males.

Elk County has one of the highest concentrations of Roman Catholics in the United States. As of 2010, nearly 70% of the county's residents identified as Catholic.

2020 census

Population pyramid

Economy

As of the 2021 ACS 5-Year Estimates, Elk County's largest industry and source of employment is manufacturing, with the second largest being educational services, healthcare, and social services.

Education

Map of Elk County, Pennsylvania School Districts

Community education center

The Community Education Center of Elk and Cameron Counties (or CEC) provides credit, non-credit, and enrichment programs.

Public school districts

School districts include:

• Brockway Area School District
• Forest Area School District
• Johnsonburg Area School District
• Kane Area School District
• Ridgway Area School District
• Saint Marys Area School District

Private schools

Libraries

Communities

Elk County boroughs and municipalities

Under Pennsylvania law, there are four types of incorporated municipalities: cities, boroughs, townships, and, in at most two cases, towns. The following cities, boroughs, and townships are located in Elk County:

City

• St. Marys

Boroughs

• Johnsonburg
• Ridgway (county seat)

Census-designated places

Census-designated places are geographical areas designated by the U.S. Census Bureau for the purposes of compiling demographic data. They are not actual jurisdictions under Pennsylvania law. Other unincorporated communities, such as villages, may be listed here as well.

Unincorporated communities

• Arroyo
• Dagus Mines
• Loleta
• Portland Mills

Townships

Former Townships

Population ranking

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

† county seat

See also

In Spanish: Condado de Elk (Pensilvania) para niños