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Waterford, Pennsylvania facts for kids

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Waterford
Borough
Downtown Waterford
Downtown Waterford
Location in Erie County and the U.S. state of Pennsylvania.
Location in Erie County and the U.S. state of Pennsylvania.
Country United States
State Pennsylvania
County Erie
Area
 • Total 1.24 sq mi (3.21 km2)
 • Land 1.23 sq mi (3.17 km2)
 • Water 0.01 sq mi (0.04 km2)
Elevation
(Borough benchmark)
1,207 ft (368 m)
Highest elevation
(northwest corner of borough)
1,330 ft (410 m)
Lowest elevation
(Trout Run)
1,166 ft (355 m)
Population
 (2020)
 • Total 1,475 Decrease
 • Estimate 
(2021)
1,464
 • Density 1,219.41/sq mi (470.99/km2)
Time zone UTC-4 (EST)
 • Summer (DST) UTC-5 (EDT)
ZIP code
16441
Area code(s) 814

Waterford is a small town, also called a borough, in Erie County, Pennsylvania, United States. In 2020, about 1,475 people lived there. It is part of the larger Erie area.

Waterford is a town that stands on its own. It is completely surrounded by Waterford Township. You can find it near the center of the township.

Exploring Waterford's Location and Landscape

Waterford, PA Aerial
Aerial view of Waterford, showing its layout.

Waterford is located in the southeast part of Erie County. Its exact spot is 41°56′37″N 79°59′2″W / 41.94361°N 79.98389°W / 41.94361; -79.98389. Main roads like U.S. Route 19 and Pennsylvania Route 97 run through the town center. These roads are known as High Street.

US 19 goes north about 15 miles to downtown Erie. It also goes south towards Meadville. PA 97 heads north about 14.5 miles to Erie on a different route. It also goes southeast about 8 miles to Union City.

Water Features and Natural Surroundings

Waterford borough covers about 1.2 square miles (3.2 square kilometers). A small part of this area, about 0.015 square miles (0.04 square kilometers), is water. Lake LeBoeuf is just south of the town.

This lake is part of the French Creek system. Water from French Creek flows south into the Allegheny River.

Understanding Waterford's Population

Historical population
Census Pop.
1840 403
1850 498 23.6%
1860 792 59.0%
1870 790 −0.3%
1880 784 −0.8%
1890 838 6.9%
1900 767 −8.5%
1910 724 −5.6%
1920 744 2.8%
1930 769 3.4%
1940 804 4.6%
1950 1,195 48.6%
1960 1,390 16.3%
1970 1,468 5.6%
1980 1,568 6.8%
1990 1,492 −4.8%
2000 1,449 −2.9%
2010 1,517 4.7%
2020 1,475 −2.8%
2021 (est.) 1,464 −3.5%
Sources:
Gwstatue waterford
A statue of George Washington in a Virginia Militia uniform.

In 2000, there were 1,449 people living in Waterford. They lived in 558 households, with 409 of these being families. The town had about 1,189 people per square mile.

Most people in Waterford were White (98.76%). A small number were African American, Native American, or Asian. Some people were of Hispanic or Latino background.

Many households (35.7%) had children under 18 living there. Most households (57.7%) were married couples. About 21.7% of households were single people living alone. The average household had 2.60 people.

The population included people of all ages. About 27.1% were under 18. About 13.4% were 65 or older. The average age in Waterford was 36 years old.

A Glimpse into Waterford's Past

Waterford has an interesting history. It is home to a unique statue of George Washington. This statue shows him wearing the uniform of an officer in the Virginia Militia.

In December 1753, when he was 21, George Washington visited this area. He was sent by the Governor of Virginia. His job was to deliver a message to the French at Fort Le Boeuf. This fort was located in what is now Waterford.

The French and Indian War Connection

Washington's message asked the French to leave the Ohio Country area. This was a time when two big powers, Britain and France, were heading towards a major conflict. This conflict became known as the Seven Years' War in Europe. In North America, it was called the French and Indian War.

Waterford also has important historic places. The area around North Park Row, High Street, West First Street, and Walnut Street is a historic district. The Eagle Hotel and the Waterford Covered Bridge are also famous landmarks. These places are listed on the National Register of Historic Places.

Notable People from Waterford

Waterford has been home to several well-known individuals:

See also

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

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