Newport, Pennsylvania facts for kids
Quick facts for kids
Newport, Pennsylvania
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Borough
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Newport, Pennsylvania
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Location of Newport in Perry County, Pennsylvania.
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 Newport, Pennsylvania
Location in Pennsylvania
Newport, Pennsylvania
Location in the United States
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| Country | United States |
| State | Pennsylvania |
| County | Perry |
| Settled | 1804 |
| Incorporated | 1840 |
| Area | |
| • Total | 0.34 sq mi (0.88 km2) |
| • Land | 0.30 sq mi (0.78 km2) |
| • Water | 0.04 sq mi (0.10 km2) |
| Elevation
(benchmark at borough square)
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395 ft (120 m) |
| Highest elevation
(southwest borough boundary)
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570 ft (170 m) |
| Lowest elevation
(Juniata River)
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385 ft (117 m) |
| Population
(2020)
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| • Total | 1,485 |
| • Density | 4,933.55/sq mi (1,903.94/km2) |
| Time zone | UTC−5 (Eastern (EST)) |
| • Summer (DST) | UTC−4 (EDT) |
| Zip code |
17074
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| Area code(s) | 717 |
| FIPS code | 42-53968 |
Newport is a small town, called a borough, in Perry County, Pennsylvania, United States. In 2020, about 1,487 people lived there. It is part of the larger Harrisburg–Carlisle area.
Contents
History of Newport
Newport was first known as Reider's Ferry. This was because the Reider family ran an early ferry boat service across the Juniata River until 1851. They also planned out the first streets and building plots for the town.
When the Pennsylvania Canal was finished in 1829, the town was officially named Newport. Canals are man-made waterways that allow boats to travel.
In 1849, the Pennsylvania Railroad built train tracks through the town. The railroad later bought the canal system. However, the canal was destroyed by a big flood in 1889. By 1905, the railroad built new tracks along the old canal path. These tracks are still used today.
Newport also had a large tannery, which was a factory that processed animal hides into leather. It operated from the late 1800s to the early 1900s. Today, the town's playground and baseball fields are located where the tannery used to be.
Two important places in Newport are listed on the National Register of Historic Places. These are the Bridge in Newport Borough and the Newport Historic District. This means they are special places that are protected because of their history.
Geography of Newport
Newport is located at 40°28′42″N 77°8′2″W / 40.47833°N 77.13389°W.
The borough covers a total area of about 0.3 square miles (0.8 square kilometers). Most of this area is land.
Population Changes in Newport
| Historical population | |||
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| Census | Pop. | %± | |
| 1840 | 423 | — | |
| 1850 | 517 | 22.2% | |
| 1860 | 649 | 25.5% | |
| 1870 | 945 | 45.6% | |
| 1880 | 1,399 | 48.0% | |
| 1890 | 1,417 | 1.3% | |
| 1900 | 1,734 | 22.4% | |
| 1910 | 2,009 | 15.9% | |
| 1920 | 1,972 | −1.8% | |
| 1930 | 1,891 | −4.1% | |
| 1940 | 1,897 | 0.3% | |
| 1950 | 1,893 | −0.2% | |
| 1960 | 1,861 | −1.7% | |
| 1970 | 1,747 | −6.1% | |
| 1980 | 1,600 | −8.4% | |
| 1990 | 1,568 | −2.0% | |
| 2000 | 1,506 | −4.0% | |
| 2010 | 1,574 | 4.5% | |
| 2020 | 1,487 | −5.5% | |
| 2021 (est.) | 1,492 | −5.2% | |
| Sources: | |||
The population of Newport has changed over the years. In 1840, there were 423 people. The population grew to over 2,000 in 1910. By 2020, the population was 1,487 people.
The average age of people in Newport in 2000 was 36 years old. About 25% of the population was under 18 years old.
Newport High School
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Newport has a high school that serves students from the borough and nearby areas. The school was updated in 2007.
The school's sports teams are called the Buffaloes. Their athletic field is named after George Katchmer. He coached the school's football team to an undefeated season in 1953. The field is used for both football and baseball games.
Famous People from Newport
Newport has been home to a few notable people:
- Billy Cox: He was a professional baseball player. He played third base for teams like the Pittsburgh Pirates and Brooklyn Dodgers in the 1940s and 1950s. The local baseball field is named after him.
- John W. Hetrick: He was an engineer who invented the airbag, an important safety device in cars.
- Thomas Markle: He is a lighting director. He is also the father of Meghan, Duchess of Sussex.
See also
In Spanish: Newport (Pensilvania) para niños
Images for kids
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The former Pennsylvania Railroad depot in Newport, alongside PA 34
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Downtown Newport
