Elk County, Pennsylvania facts for kids

Quick facts for kids Elk County
U.S. county
County courthouse in Ridgway
Location within the U.S. state of Pennsylvania
Pennsylvania's location within the U.S.
Country	United States
State	Pennsylvania
Founded	18 April 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	37.25/sq mi (14.38/km2)
Time zone	UTC−5 (Eastern)
• Summer (DST)	UTC−4 (EDT)
Congressional district	15th

Elk County is a county in the U.S. state of Pennsylvania. As of the 2010 United States Census, the population was 31,946. Its county seat is Ridgway. The county was created on April 18, 1843, from parts of Jefferson, Clearfield and McKean Counties, and is named for the eastern elk (Cervus canadensis canadensis) that historically inhabited the region.

Geography

According to the U.S. 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.

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

• US 219
• PA 66
• PA 120
• PA 153
• PA 255
• PA 321
• PA 555
• PA 948
• PA 949

Demographics

Population pyramid

As of the 2000 United States Census, there were 35,112 people, 14,124 households, and 9,745 families in the county. The population density was 42/sqmi (16/km²). There were 18,115 housing units at an average density of 22/sqmi (8/km²). The racial makeup of the county was 98.96% White, 0.15% Black or African American, 0.09% Native American, 0.35% Asian, 0.04% Pacific Islander, 0.10% from other races, and 0.31% from two or more races. 0.40% of the population were Hispanic or Latino of any race. 41% were of German, 13% Italian, 9% American, 6% Irish, 4% Polish, 4% Swedish, 3% English.

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 age 18 and over, there were 95.30 males.

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)

Townships

Census-designated places

• Byrnedale
• Force
• James City
• Kersey
• Weedville
• Wilcox

Unincorporated communities

• Dagus Mines
• Loleta

Population ranking

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

† county seat

Education

Map of Elk County, Pennsylvania School Districts

Public school districts

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

Private schools

Libraries

See also

In Spanish: Condado de Elk (Pensilvania) para niños