kids encyclopedia robot

Irwin, Pennsylvania facts for kids

Kids Encyclopedia Facts
Quick facts for kids
Irwin, Pennsylvania
Irwin's Main Street
Irwin's Main Street
Location of Irwin in Westmoreland County, Pennsylvania.
Location of Irwin in Westmoreland County, Pennsylvania.
Country United States
State Pennsylvania
County Westmoreland
Settled September 1853
Incorporated November 14, 1864
Government
 • Type Borough Council
Area
 • Total 0.84 sq mi (2.17 km2)
 • Land 0.84 sq mi (2.17 km2)
 • Water 0.00 sq mi (0.00 km2)
Elevation
1,007 ft (307 m)
Population
 (2020)
 • Total 3,902
 • Density 4,661.89/sq mi (1,800.43/km2)
Time zone UTC-5 (Eastern (EST))
 • Summer (DST) UTC-4 (EDT)
Zip code
15642
Area code(s) 724
FIPS code 42-37208

Irwin is a small town, also known as a borough, located in Westmoreland County, Pennsylvania, United States. It is about 22 miles (35 km) southeast of the city of Pittsburgh. In 2020, about 3,902 people lived there.

Irwin is known for having large amounts of a special type of coal called bituminous coal. In the past, factories that made iron, flour, car parts, and mirrors were important businesses in the borough.

History of Irwin

How Irwin Got Its Name

The town of Irwin was named after John Irwin. He was the first person to own the land where the town was built.

Early Transportation and Landmarks

When the Pennsylvania Turnpike first opened in October 1940, Irwin was its original western end. The Pennsylvania Turnpike is a major highway that crosses the state.

A historic place called Brush Hill was added to the National Register of Historic Places in 1975. This list includes buildings, sites, and objects that are important in American history.

Geography of Irwin

Irwin is a small area of land. According to the United States Census Bureau, the borough covers a total area of about 0.9 square miles (2.3 square kilometers). All of this area is land, with no large bodies of water inside the borough limits.

Population of Irwin

Population Over Time

The number of people living in Irwin has changed over many years. Here is a look at the population counts from different times:

Historical population
Census Pop.
1820 405
1870 833
1880 1,444 73.3%
1890 2,428 68.1%
1900 2,452 1.0%
1910 2,886 17.7%
1920 3,235 12.1%
1930 3,443 6.4%
1940 3,441 −0.1%
1950 4,228 22.9%
1960 4,270 1.0%
1970 4,059 −4.9%
1980 4,995 23.1%
1990 4,604 −7.8%
2000 4,366 −5.2%
2010 3,973 −9.0%
2020 3,902 −1.8%
Sources:

Who Lives in Irwin?

In 2000, there were 4,366 people living in Irwin. Most of the people were White (96.61%). There were also smaller groups of African American, Native American, and Asian residents. About 0.66% of the population was of Hispanic or Latino background.

The population of Irwin includes people of all ages. In 2000, about 20.9% of the people were under 18 years old. About 16.4% were 65 years old or older. The average age in Irwin was 37 years.

Local Landmarks and Places of Interest

Brush Creek Cemetery is a notable place located just outside of Irwin. It is a cemetery that is open to everyone, regardless of their beliefs.

Notable People from Irwin

Many interesting people have connections to Irwin, Pennsylvania. Here are a few:

  • Doug Plank — He was a professional American football player. He played as a safety for the Chicago Bears in the National Football League. After playing, he also worked as a coach.
  • Mark Critz — He served as a U.S. Representative for Pennsylvania's 12th congressional district in the United States Congress.
  • Paul Doucette — He is a musician, best known as the drummer and rhythm guitarist for the popular band Matchbox Twenty. He is also the lead singer for another band called The Break and Repair Method.
  • J. J. Matijevic — He is a professional baseball player. He plays as a first baseman for teams like the Houston Astros.

See also

Kids robot.svg In Spanish: Irwin (Pensilvania) para niños

kids search engine
Irwin, Pennsylvania Facts for Kids. Kiddle Encyclopedia.