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Washington County
U.S. county
Washington County Courthouse
Washington County Courthouse
Flag of Washington County
Flag
Map of Pennsylvania highlighting Washington County
Location within the U.S. state of Pennsylvania
Map of the United States highlighting Pennsylvania
Pennsylvania's location within the U.S.
Country  United States
State  Pennsylvania
Founded March 28, 1781
Named for George Washington
Seat Washington
Largest city Peters Township
Area
 • Total 861 sq mi (2,230 km2)
 • Land 857 sq mi (2,220 km2)
 • Water 3.9 sq mi (10 km2)  0.5%%
Population
 (2020)
 • Total 209,349 Increase
 • Density 240/sq mi (90/km2)
Time zone UTC−5 (Eastern)
 • Summer (DST) UTC−4 (EDT)
Congressional district 14th

Washington County is a county in the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania, United States. As of the 2020 census, the population was 209,349. Its county seat is Washington. The county is part of the Greater Pittsburgh region of the state. The county is home to Washington County Airport, three miles (4.8 km) southwest of Washington.

History

The county was created on March 28, 1781, from part of Westmoreland County. The city and county were both named after American Revolutionary War leader George Washington, who eventually became the first President of the United States. The town of Charleroi got its name from the Belgian city of Charleroi. There lived many Belgian immigrants in the Monongahela area at the end of the 19th century, some of whom were glass makers.

Geography

According to the U.S. Census Bureau, the county has a total area of 861 square miles (2,230 km2), of which 857 square miles (2,220 km2) is land and 3.9 square miles (10 km2) (0.5%) is water. Washington County is one of the 423 counties served by the Appalachian Regional Commission, and it is identified as part of "Greater Appalachia" by Colin Woodard in his book American Nations: A History of the Eleven Rival Regional Cultures of North America.

Surrounding counties

Major highways

  • I-70
  • I-79
  • US 19
  • US 22
  • US 40
  • PA 18
  • Toll PA 43
  • PA 50
  • PA 88

  • PA 88 Truck
  • PA 136
  • PA 221
  • PA 231
  • PA 331
  • PA 481
  • PA 519
  • Toll PA 576
  • PA 837
  • PA 844
  • PA 917
  • PA 980

Washington County's Flag

Design

The flag of Washington County, Pennsylvania consists of a light blue background with the county's seal in the middle. The seal consists of the county courthouse, a covered bridge, an Indigenous American, and an early settler. This montage has the words "Historical Washington County" and "1781" inside a circle.

Climate

Washington County has a humid continental climate (Köppen Dfb), with warm summers and cold, snowy winters. Precipitation is highest in the summer months, with an annual average of 38.87 in (987 mm). Snow usually falls between November and April, with an average of 37.8 in (96 cm).

Climate data for Washington, Pennsylvania (3mi NE) (1981–2010 normals, extremes 1975–present)
Month Jan Feb Mar Apr May Jun Jul Aug Sep Oct Nov Dec Year
Record high °F (°C) 70
(21)		 75
(24)		 82
(28)		 90
(32)		 94
(34)		 93
(34)		 100
(38)		 96
(36)		 95
(35)		 87
(31)		 80
(27)		 76
(24)		 100
(38)
Mean daily maximum °F (°C) 35.1
(1.7)		 38.5
(3.6)		 48.5
(9.2)		 60.7
(15.9)		 69.4
(20.8)		 78.0
(25.6)		 81.6
(27.6)		 80.7
(27.1)		 73.9
(23.3)		 62.3
(16.8)		 51.0
(10.6)		 39.1
(3.9)		 59.6
(15.3)
Daily mean °F (°C) 26.0
(−3.3)		 28.6
(−1.9)		 37.2
(2.9)		 48.6
(9.2)		 57.5
(14.2)		 66.2
(19.0)		 70.0
(21.1)		 69.0
(20.6)		 61.9
(16.6)		 50.6
(10.3)		 41.1
(5.1)		 30.5
(−0.8)		 48.9
(9.4)
Mean daily minimum °F (°C) 16.8
(−8.4)		 18.7
(−7.4)		 26.0
(−3.3)		 36.5
(2.5)		 45.6
(7.6)		 54.4
(12.4)		 58.5
(14.7)		 57.3
(14.1)		 49.9
(9.9)		 39.0
(3.9)		 31.1
(−0.5)		 21.8
(−5.7)		 38.0
(3.3)
Record low °F (°C) −25
(−32)		 −20
(−29)		 −1
(−18)		 9
(−13)		 20
(−7)		 32
(0)		 38
(3)		 29
(−2)		 30
(−1)		 18
(−8)		 −4
(−20)		 −16
(−27)		 −25
(−32)
Average precipitation inches (mm) 2.87
(73)		 2.47
(63)		 3.25
(83)		 3.11
(79)		 4.16
(106)		 3.91
(99)		 3.94
(100)		 3.19
(81)		 3.28
(83)		 2.46
(62)		 3.37
(86)		 2.97
(75)		 38.87
(987)
Average snowfall inches (cm) 10.5
(27)		 9.3
(24)		 6.6
(17)		 1.2
(3.0)		 0
(0)		 0
(0)		 0
(0)		 0
(0)		 0
(0)		 0.2
(0.51)		 2.1
(5.3)		 7.9
(20)		 37.8
(96)
Average precipitation days (≥ 0.01 in) 16 14 14 14 15 12 12 11 11 13 14 15 162
Average snowy days (≥ 0.1 in) 12 10 5 1 0 0 0 0 0 0 3 8 38
Source: NOAA

Demographics

Historical population
Census Pop. %±
1790 23,892 —
1800 28,298 18.4%
1810 36,289 28.2%
1820 40,038 10.3%
1830 42,784 6.9%
1840 41,279 −3.5%
1850 44,939 8.9%
1860 46,805 4.2%
1870 48,483 3.6%
1880 55,418 14.3%
1890 71,155 28.4%
1900 92,181 29.5%
1910 143,680 55.9%
1920 188,992 31.5%
1930 204,802 8.4%
1940 210,852 3.0%
1950 209,628 −0.6%
1960 217,271 3.6%
1970 210,876 −2.9%
1980 217,074 2.9%
1990 204,584 −5.8%
2000 202,897 −0.8%
2010 207,820 2.4%
2020 209,349 0.7%
U.S. Decennial Census
1790–1960 1900–1990
1990–2000 2010–2019 2010-2020

2020 census

Washington County Racial Composition
Race Num. Perc.
White (NH) 186,900 89.3%
Black or African American (NH) 6,861 3.3%
Native American (NH) 230 0.11%
Asian (NH) 1,998 1%
Pacific Islander (NH) 63 0.03%
Other/Mixed (NH) 9,276 4.43%
Hispanic or Latino 4,021 2%

Landmarks and events

LeMoyne House
F. Julius LeMoyne House in Washington, headquarters of the Washington County Historical Society

Pony League baseball was founded in Washington County in 1951 for 13 and 14 year old boys and its headquarters are located here. As of 2016, more than a half-million youth in the U.S. and 40 other nations participate. The televised Pony League World Series held annually in August at Washington's Lew Hays Pony Field attracts teenage teams from around the world.

Washington County is home of the Pennsylvania Trolley Museum. The county is known for the Meadowcroft Rock Shelter at Meadowcroft Village, which are one of the best preserved and oldest Pre-Clovis Native American dwellings in the country. The county has 21 covered bridges still standing.

The Whiskey Rebellion culminated in Washington. The home of David Bradford, one of the rebellion leaders, is located in Washington and is a national landmark. Just a couple blocks away is the F. Julius LeMoyne House, which serves as the headquarters of the Washington County Historical Society.

Washington County is the home of the first crematory in the United States.

In 1981, the Pennsylvania Historical and Museum Commission installed a historical marker noting the historic importance of the county.

Education

Colleges and universities

  • Community College of Allegheny County Washington branch in North Franklin Township
  • Pennsylvania Western University, California in California Borough
  • Washington & Jefferson College in the City of Washington and East Washington Borough
  • Waynesburg University - Southpointe Center Campus in Cecil Township.

Public school districts

Map of Washington County Pennsylvania School Districts
Map of Washington County, Pennsylvania School Districts
  • Avella Area School District
  • Bentworth School District
  • Bethlehem-Center School District
  • Brownsville Area School District (also in Fayette County)
  • Burgettstown Area School District
  • California Area School District
  • Canon-McMillan School District
  • Charleroi School District
  • Chartiers-Houston School District
  • Fort Cherry School District (also in Allegheny County)
  • McGuffey School District
  • Peters Township School District
  • Ringgold School District
  • Trinity Area School District
  • Washington School District
Served by
  • Intermediate Unit 1 – Coal Center
  • Mon Valley Career and Technology Center – Charleroi
  • Western Area Career and Technology Center – Canonsburg

Private schools

  • Calvary Chapel Christian School – Fredericktown
  • Central Christian Academy – Houston
  • Children's School of Washington
  • Cornerstone Mennonite School – Burgettstown
  • Faith Christian School of Washington – Washington
  • First Love Christian Academy High – Washington
  • Goddard School – Venetia
  • Gwens Montessori School Inc – Washington
  • Hickory Christian School – Hickory
  • Huntington Learning Center – McMurray
  • John F Kennedy School – Washington
  • Kinder Care Learning Centers
  • Lakeview Christian Academy – Bridgeville
  • Madonna Catholic Regional School – Monongahela
  • Mel Blount Leadership Academy – Claysville
  • NHS School – Ellsworth
  • Rainbows End Learning Center – Washington
  • St Francis Children's School – Beallsville
  • Tri-State Christian School – Burgettstown

Libraries

Citizens Library
Citizens Library in Washington
  • Avella Area Library Center
  • Bentleyville Public Library
  • Burgettstown Community Library
  • California Public Library
  • Chartiers-Houston Community Library
  • Citizens Library – Washington
  • Donora Public Library
  • Frank Sarris Public Library – Canonsburg
  • Fredericktown Area Public Library
  • Heritage Public Library – McDonald
  • John K Tener Library – Charleroi
  • Marianna Community Public Library
  • Monongahela Area Library
  • Peters Township Public Library
  • Washington County Library System

Hospitals

  • Canonsburg Hospital, part of West Penn Allegheny Health System in North Strabane Township
  • Penn Highlands Mon Valley, part of Penn Highlands Healthcare, formerly Monongahela Valley Hospital in Carroll Township
  • UPMC Washington in the City of Washington

Communities

Map of Washington County Pennsylvania With Municipal and Township Labels
Map of Washington County, Pennsylvania with municipal labels showing cities and boroughs (red), townships (white), and Census-designated places (blue).

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 Washington County:

Cities

Boroughs

Townships

  • Amwell
  • Blaine
  • Buffalo
  • Canton
  • Carroll
  • Cecil
  • Chartiers
  • Cross Creek
  • Donegal
  • East Bethlehem
  • East Finley
  • Fallowfield
  • Hanover
  • Hopewell
  • Independence
  • Jefferson
  • Morris
  • Mount Pleasant
  • North Bethlehem
  • North Franklin
  • North Strabane
  • Nottingham
  • Peters
  • Robinson
  • Smith
  • Somerset
  • South Franklin
  • South Strabane
  • Union
  • West Bethlehem
  • West Finley
  • West Pike Run

Census-designated places

Census-designated places are geographical areas designated by the U.S. Census Bureau for the purposes of compiling demographic data. They are not actual jurisdictions under Pennsylvania law.

Unincorporated communities

Former communities

  • Allen Township
  • Bethlehem Township
  • East Pike Run Township
  • Granville
  • Pike Run
  • Pike Run Township
  • Smallwood
  • South Canonsburg (annexed to Canonsburg in 1911)

Population ranking

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

† county seat

Rank City/Town/etc. Municipal type Population (2010 Census)
1 † Washington City 13,663
2 Canonsburg Borough 8,992
3 California Borough 6,795
4 Donora Borough 4,781
5 McMurray CDP 4,647
6 Monongahela City 4,300
7 Charleroi Borough 4,120
8 Thompsonville CDP 3,520
9 Centerville Borough 3,263
10 Wolfdale CDP 2,888
11 Gastonville CDP 2,818
12 McGovern CDP 2,742
13 Bentleyville Borough 2,581
14 Muse CDP 2,504
15 Cecil-Bishop CDP 2,476
16 East Washington Borough 2,234
17 New Eagle Borough 2,184
18 McDonald (partially in Allegheny County) Borough 2,149
19 Wickerham Manor-Fisher CDP 1,728
20 Baidland CDP 1,563
21 Burgettstown Borough 1,388
22 North Charleroi Borough 1,313
23 Houston Borough 1,296
24 Speers Borough 1,154
25 Ellsworth Borough 1,027
26 West Brownsville Borough 992
27 Midway Borough 913
28 Claysville Borough 829
29 Meadowlands CDP 822
30 Roscoe Borough 812
31 Avella CDP 804
32 Hickory CDP 740
33 Paris CDP 732
34 Deemston Borough 722
35 Langeloth CDP 717
36 Millsboro CDP 666
37 Eighty Four CDP 657
38 Cokeburg Borough 630
39 West Alexander CDP 604
40 Slovan CDP 555
41 Lawrence CDP 540
42 Allenport Borough 537
43 Joffre CDP 536
44 Stockdale Borough 502
45 Marianna Borough 494
46 Beallsville Borough 466
47 Finleyville Borough 461
48 Long Branch Borough 447
49 Bulger CDP 407
50 Fredericktown CDP 403
51 Atlasburg CDP 401
52 Wylandville CDP 391
53 Dunlevy Borough 381
54 Hendersonville CDP 325
55 Elco Borough 323
56 Elrama CDP 307
57 Southview CDP 276
58 Aaronsburg CDP 259
59 Twilight Borough 233
60 Taylorstown CDP 217
61 Westland CDP 167
62 Van Voorhis CDP 166
T-63 Coal Center Borough 139
T-63 West Middletown Borough 139
64 Cross Creek CDP 137
65 Green Hills Borough 29

Notable people

  • John Alexander Anderson, born in Washington County, United States Congressman from Kansas
  • Kurt Angle (born 1968), resided in Canonsburg, Olympic gold medalist and Professional wrestler
  • James G. Blaine (1830–1893), native of West Brownsville, United States Secretary of State, Speaker of the House of Representatives, and 1884 Republican presidential nominee
  • David Bradford, born in Maryland 1760 and resided in Washington, early deputy attorney-general for Washington County, became a leader in the Whiskey Rebellion challenging the nascent United States federal government
  • William J. Carson (1840–1913), Civil War Medal of Honor recipient, 1863
  • Alexander G. Clark (1826–1891), born in Washington County, "The Colored Orator of the West", Minister to Liberia 1890–1891
  • Perry Como (1912–2001), native of Canonsburg, recording artist and television performer
  • Mitch Daniels (born 1949), native of Monongahela, former Governor of Indiana, current president of Purdue University
  • William C. Farabee (1865–1925), anthropologist, was born and died in Washington County
  • Alexander Fulton (unknown-died c. 1818), founder of Alexandria, Louisiana
  • Ken Griffey Jr. (born 1969), native of Donora, Major League Baseball player
  • Ken Griffey Sr. (born 1950), native of Donora, Major League Baseball player
  • John Guzik (1936–2012), football player
  • Joseph Hardy (1923-2023), former resident of Eighty Four, philanthropist, former CEO and founder of 84 Lumber
  • Pete Henry (1897–1952), NFL player/coach, member of Pro Football Hall of Fame.
  • iJustine (born 1984), YouTube personality and actress
  • Shirley Jones (born 1934), native of Charleroi, best known for her role as the mother of the Partridge Family and winning an Academy Award.
  • Francis Julius LeMoyne (1798–1879) abolitionist and pioneer of cremation in the United States.
  • Jonathan Letterman (1824–1872), native of Canonsburg, Father of Battlefield Medicine and Civil War surgeon
  • William Henry Letterman (1832–1881), native of Canonsburg, co-founder of the Phi Kappa Psi fraternity, surgeon, and brother of Jonathan Letterman
  • Marvin Lewis (born 1958), native of McDonald, National Football League player, coach
  • Jay Livingston (1915–2001), native of McDonald, Oscar-winning songwriter
  • William Holmes McGuffey (1800–1873), native of the western side of the county, famous educator and writer of McGuffey's Eclectic Readers – one of America's first text books
  • John F. McJunkin (1830–1883), Iowa Attorney General
  • John H. Mitchell (1835–1905), United States Senator, participant in original dispute in landmark Supreme Court case Pennoyer v. Neff
  • Joe Montana (born 1956), native of Monongahela, National Football League player
  • Stan Musial (1920–2013), native of Donora, Major League Baseball player
  • Dave Pahanish (born 1971), Peters Township, Songwriter, Songwriter, Country Music songwriter for Keith Urban, Tim McGraw, Toby Keith, and Jimmy Wayne
  • Deborah Jeane Palfrey (1956–2008), native of Charleroi, "The D.C. Madam"
  • Christopher Rankin (1788-1826), member of the U.S. House of Representatives for Mississippi's at-large district, namesake of Rankin County
  • John Walker Rankin (1823–1869), Iowa state senator
  • David Redick (died 1805), Vice-President (Lt. Governor) of Pennsylvania for three weeks in 1788; surveyor—laid out the town of Washington.
  • Kurt Schottenheimer (born 1949), native of McDonald, National Football League coach
  • Marty Schottenheimer (1943–2021), native of McDonald, National Football League player, coach
  • Paul Shannon (1909–1990), radio and television personality
  • Bobby Vinton (born 1935), native of Canonsburg, recording artist
  • Bob West (born 1956), native of Finleyville, voice actor best known for Barney & Friends
  • Joseph Ruggles Wilson (1822–1903), graduate of Jefferson College (subsequently W&J), Presbyterian minister, father of Pres. Woodrow Wilson
  • Bud Yorkin (1926–2015), American film and television producer, director, writer and actor.

See also

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