Port Matilda, Pennsylvania facts for kids
Quick facts for kids
Port Matilda, Pennsylvania
|
|
|---|---|
|
Borough
|
|
The center of Port Matilda
|
|
| Motto(s):
"The center of the universe" ...as some say
|
|
Location of Port Matilda in Centre County, Pennsylvania.
|
|
Map showing Centre County in Pennsylvania
|
|
 Port Matilda, Pennsylvania
Location in Pennsylvania
Port Matilda, Pennsylvania
Location in the United States
|
|
| Country | United States |
| State | Pennsylvania |
| County | Centre |
| Settled | 1836 |
| Incorporated (borough) | December 26, 1925 |
| Area | |
| • Total | 0.60 sq mi (1.55 km2) |
| • Land | 0.60 sq mi (1.55 km2) |
| • Water | 0.00 sq mi (0.00 km2) |
| Elevation | 1,053 ft (321 m) |
| Population
(2020)
|
|
| • Total | 578 |
| • Density | 963.33/sq mi (371.90/km2) |
| Time zone | Eastern (EST) |
| • Summer (DST) | EDT |
| Zip Code |
16870
|
| Area code(s) | 814 |
| FIPS code | 42-62280 |
Port Matilda is a small town, also known as a borough, located in Centre County, Pennsylvania. It is part of the larger area around State College, Pennsylvania. According to the 2020 census, 578 people live there.
Contents
Where is Port Matilda Located?
Port Matilda is found at specific geographic coordinates: 40°48′0″N 78°3′4″W / 40.80000°N 78.05111°W. The U.S. Census Bureau says that the borough covers about 0.6 square miles (1.55 square kilometers) of land. There is no water area within the borough limits.
Who Lives in Port Matilda?
| Historical population | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| Census | Pop. | %± | |
| 1880 | 310 | — | |
| 1930 | 508 | — | |
| 1940 | 646 | 27.2% | |
| 1950 | 685 | 6.0% | |
| 1960 | 697 | 1.8% | |
| 1970 | 680 | −2.4% | |
| 1980 | 647 | −4.9% | |
| 1990 | 669 | 3.4% | |
| 2000 | 638 | −4.6% | |
| 2010 | 606 | −5.0% | |
| 2020 | 578 | −4.6% | |
| Sources: | |||
In 2010, there were 606 people living in Port Matilda. These people made up 262 households and 165 families. The town had about 1,110 people per square mile.
Most of the people living in Port Matilda were White (98.0%). A small number of people were from other racial backgrounds. About 1.2% of the population was Hispanic or Latino.
Many different types of households live in Port Matilda. About 26.3% of households had children under 18. Nearly half (47.3%) were married couples living together. About 30.2% of households were individuals living alone.
The average age of people in Port Matilda was 40 years old. About 19.5% of the population was under 18. About 12.4% of residents were 65 or older.
A Look at Port Matilda's Past
The town of Port Matilda was first planned in 1850 by a person named Squire Clement Beckwith. He named the town after his daughter, Matilda. It's not completely clear why he added "Port" to the name. Some think he hoped the town would connect to a canal someday.
Even though a canal didn't reach Port Matilda, a railroad called the Bald Eagle Railroad did. This railroad helped the town become an important place. Farmers and lumber companies used Port Matilda to sell their products.
Port Matilda's Industrial History
Port Matilda was once home to a company called McFeely Brick Co. This company was located on Brick Street, near the railroad. The company made special bricks called silica fire bricks. These bricks were used in very hot places, like furnaces.
The bricks were made from a type of rock called ganister. The company used large ovens called beehive kilns to make the bricks. Their bricks often had "Vulcan" stamped on them. McFeely Brick Co. later became part of General Refractories. The brick plant in Port Matilda closed in 1959.
See also
In Spanish: Port Matilda para niños
