Forest County, Pennsylvania facts for kids
Quick facts for kids
Forest County
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Forest County Courthouse in Tionesta
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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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| Country |  United States |
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| State |  Pennsylvania |
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| Founded | September 1, 1857 | |
| Seat | Tionesta | |
| Largest community | Marienville | |
| Area | ||
| • Total | 430 sq mi (1,100 km2) | |
| • Land | 427 sq mi (1,110 km2) | |
| • Water | 3.3 sq mi (9 km2) 0.8%% | |
| Population
(2020)
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| • Total | 6,973 | |
| • Density | 16/sq mi (6/km2) | |
| Time zone | UTC−5 (Eastern) | |
| • Summer (DST) | UTC−4 (EDT) | |
| Congressional district | 15th | |
Forest County is a county in the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania. As of the 2020 census, the population was 6,973, making it the third-least populous county in Pennsylvania. Its county seat is Tionesta. The county was created in 1848 and later organized in 1857. The county is part of the North Central Pennsylvania region of the state.
Contents
History
Forest County was created on April 11, 1848, from part of Jefferson County. The county was enlarged on October 31, 1866, when part of Venango County was incorporated into the county. Forest County was named for the forests contained within its limits.
Geography
According to the U.S. Census Bureau, the county has a total area of 430 square miles (1,100 km2), of which 427 square miles (1,110 km2) is land and 3.3 square miles (8.5 km2) (0.8%) is water. It has a warm-summer humid continental climate (Dfb) and average monthly temperatures in Tionesta range from 25.3 °F in January to 69.8 °F in July.
Adjacent counties
- Warren County (north)
- McKean County (northeast)
- Elk County (east)
- Jefferson County (south)
- Clarion County (south)
- Venango County (west)
National protected area
Part of Allegheny National Forest covers Forest County. Part of Allegheny Islands Wilderness is in Forest County.
State protected area
Part of Cook Forest State Park is in Forest County. Part of Cornplanter State Forest is in Forest County.
Major highways
US 62
PA 36
PA 66
PA 127
PA 227
PA 666
PA 899
PA 948
Demographics
| Historical population | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| Census | Pop. | %± | |
| 1860 | 898 | — | |
| 1870 | 4,010 | 346.5% | |
| 1880 | 4,385 | 9.4% | |
| 1890 | 8,482 | 93.4% | |
| 1900 | 11,039 | 30.1% | |
| 1910 | 9,435 | −14.5% | |
| 1920 | 7,477 | −20.8% | |
| 1930 | 5,180 | −30.7% | |
| 1940 | 5,791 | 11.8% | |
| 1950 | 4,944 | −14.6% | |
| 1960 | 4,485 | −9.3% | |
| 1970 | 4,926 | 9.8% | |
| 1980 | 5,072 | 3.0% | |
| 1990 | 4,802 | −5.3% | |
| 2000 | 4,946 | 3.0% | |
| 2010 | 7,716 | 56.0% | |
| 2020 | 6,973 | −9.6% | |
| U.S. Decennial Census 1790-1960 1900-1990 1990-2000 2010-2017 |
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As of the census of 2000, there were 4,946 people, 2,000 households, and 1,328 families residing in the county. The population density was 12 people per square mile (4.6 people/km2). There were 8,701 housing units at an average density of 20 units per square mile (7.7/km2). The racial makeup of the county, largely a result of the SCI Forest State Penitentiary, was 77.4% White, 21.1% Black or African American, 0.40% Native American, 0.14% Asian, 0.69% from other races, and 0.61% from two or more races. 1.21% of the population were Hispanic or Latino of any race. 19.9% were of German, 9.0% Irish, 6.2% English ancestry.
There were 2,000 households, out of which 23.20% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 55.70% were married couples living together, 6.70% had a female householder with no husband present, and 33.60% were non-families. 29.10% of all households were made up of individuals, and 15.10% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.29 and the average family size was 2.81.
In the county, the population was spread out, with 22.70% under the age of 18, 5.90% from 18 to 24, 22.60% from 25 to 44, 28.90% from 45 to 64, and 19.90% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 44 years. For every 100 females there were 111.20 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 102.30 males.
2020 census
| Race | Num. | Perc. |
|---|---|---|
| White (NH) | 5,278 | 75.7% |
| Black or African American (NH) | 1,235 | 17.71% |
| Native American (NH) | 8 | 0.11% |
| Asian (NH) | 17 | 0.24% |
| Pacific Islander (NH) | 0 | 0% |
| Other/Mixed (NH) | 112 | 1.6% |
| Hispanic or Latino | 323 | 4.63% |
Education
The Forest Area School District serves the entire Forest County.
Private schools:
- Cornell Abraxas I Arlene Lissner (9th-12th) Marienville
Libraries:
- Marienville Area Library - Marienville
- Sarah Stewart Bovard Memorial Library - Tionesta
Communities
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 Forest County:
Borough
- Tionesta (county seat)
Townships
- Barnett
- Green
- Harmony
- Hickory
- Howe
- Jenks
- Kingsley
- Tionesta
Census-designated place
Unincorporated communities
- Brookston
- Clarington
- Cooksburg‡
- East Hickory
- Endeavor
- Porkey
- West Hickory
Population ranking
The population ranking of the following table is based on the 2010 census of Forest County. The jump in census figures between the 2000 and 2010 census, is due in a large part to the opening of the State Correctional Institution - Forest (SCI - Forest) in October 2004. SCI Forest houses approximately 2,200 inmates at their facility in Marienville, PA.
† county seat
| Rank | City/Town/etc. | Population (2010 Census) | Municipal type | Incorporated |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Marienville | 3,137 | CDP | |
| 2 | † Tionesta | 483 | Borough | 1805 |
See also
In Spanish: Condado de Forest (Pensilvania) para niños
