Indiana County, Pennsylvania

"Indiana County" redirects here. For a list of counties in the state of Indiana, see List of counties in Indiana.

Indiana County
County
Indiana County Courthouse
Seal
Location within the U.S. state of Pennsylvania
Pennsylvania's location within the U.S.
Coordinates: 40°39′N79°05′W / 40.65°N 79.09°W / 40.65; -79.09
Country	United States
State	Pennsylvania
Founded	November 3, 1806
Seat	Indiana
Largest borough	Indiana
Area
• Total	834 sq mi (2,160 km2)
• Land	827 sq mi (2,140 km2)
• Water	7.3 sq mi (19 km2)  0.9%
Population  (2020)
• Total	83,246
• Density	101/sq mi (39/km2)
Time zone	UTC−5 (Eastern)
• Summer (DST)	UTC−4 (EDT)
Congressional district	15th
Website	www.indianacountypa.gov

Indiana County is a county in the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania. It is located in the west central part of Pennsylvania. As of the 2020 census, the population was 83,246. ^[1] Its county seat is Indiana. ^[2] Indiana County comprises the Indiana, PA Micropolitan Statistical Area, which is also included in the Pittsburgh-New Castle-Weirton, PA-WV-OH Combined Statistical Area. The county is part of the Southwest Pennsylvania region of the state. ^{[lower-alpha 1]}

Prior to the Revolutionary War, some settlers proposed this as part of a larger, separate colony to be known as Vandalia, but opposing interests and the war intervened. Afterward, claims to the territory by both the states of Virginia and Pennsylvania had to be reconciled. After this land was assigned to Pennsylvania by the federal government according to the placement of the Mason–Dixon line, Indiana County was created on March 30, 1803, from parts of Westmoreland and Clearfield counties and was formally organized in 1806. ^[3]

History

Indiana County (Indiana meaning "land of the Indians") derives its name from the so-called "Indiana Grant of 1768" that the Iroquois Six Nations were forced to make to "suffering traders" under the Fort Stanwix Treaty of 1768. The Iroquois had controlled much of the Ohio River valley as their hunting grounds since the 17th century, and Anglo-American colonists were moving into the area and wanted to develop it. Traders arranged to force the Iroquois to grant land under the treaty in relations to losses due to Pontiac's Rebellion. ^[4]

Some of the grantees joined forces with the Ohio Company, forming a larger development company based on enlarging their grant of land. They proposed that the entire large area would become a new British colony, possibly to be called Pittsylvania or Vandalia. It was to be bordered on the north and west by the Ohio River, and made up of what are now parts of eastern Kentucky, northern West Virginia (then part of the Virginia Colony), and western Pennsylvania. Anglo-European colonists from Virginia and Pennsylvania had already started to move into the area, which was identified by these various names as Indiana and the other above names on some maps of the late 1700s. ^{[5] [4]}

Opposition from other interest groups ^[6] and the American Revolutionary War intervened before Britain approved such a colony. Afterward, some United States speculators proposed setting up a state in this area to be called Vandalia, or Westsylvania, as appears on some maps of the period.

But both the states of Virginia and Pennsylvania claimed the land based on their colonial charters. In establishing the Mason–Dixon line, the federal government assigned the Indiana Grant to Pennsylvania. ^[5] As population increased after the war, this county was made up in 1803 of territory from Westmoreland and Clearfield counties; it was formally organized in 1806. ^[3]

Kentucky and West Virginia continued to be associated with Virginia for some time, being separately admitted as states in the early 19th century and during the American Civil War, respectively. The area in Pennsylvania was unrelated to and was physically separated from the later named Indiana Territory established north of the Ohio River in 1800 by the new United States; that territory was eventually admitted to the Union as the State of Indiana.

Indiana County was known as a "hotbed of abolition", and was home to at least two African Methodist Episcopal Zion churches as well as other anti-slavery Protestants such as Wesleyan Methodists and Baptists. ^[7] It was also in Indiana, local abolitionist leader James Moorhead published several anti-slavery newspapers. ^[8] The first of these was The Clarion of Freedom, founded in 1843. Moorhead eventually sold the Clarion and founded a new anti-slavery paper, the Indiana Independent, which he published until his death in 1857. The Independent was published by his son J. W. Moorhead after his death. Blairsville was home to another abolitionist newspaper, The Appalachian, which was pro-Free Soil from 1848. Some of the nearby anti-slavery families like the Mitchells and Van Leers, became conductors or contributors in 1958. In a letter to abolitionist Theodore Parker, a local geologist Peter Lesley stated there we over 3,000 men helping the railroad in the area. ^[9]

Indiana County was an active hub of the Underground Railroad. ^[7] At least 90 county residents are known to have been conductors or agents, guiding fugitive slaves between hiding places on their way to freedom in Canada. ^[10]

In the 21st century, Indiana County comprises the Indiana, PA Micropolitan Statistical Area. This is included in the Pittsburgh-New Castle-Weirton, PA-WV-OH Combined Statistical Area. ^[11] It is in the defined region of the Pittsburgh media market. Indiana County is served by three different area codes: 724, 814, and 582.

The county proclaims itself the "Christmas Tree Capital of the World", shipping over one million trees annually. ^[12] Agriculture is a major part of its economy.

Geography

According to the U.S. Census Bureau, the county has a total area of 834 square miles (2,160 km²), of which 827 square miles (2,140 km²) is land and 7.3 square miles (19 km²) (0.9%) is water. ^[13] Located in the county is the Buttermilk Falls Natural Area. ^[14] The county has a humid continental climate which is warm-summer, (Dfb) except along the Conemaugh, from below Strangford and the Kiskiminetas River, where it is hot-summer (Dfa). Average monthly temperatures in the borough of Indiana range from 27.2 °F in January to 70.9 °F in July. ^[15]

Adjacent counties

• Jefferson County (north)
• Clearfield County (northeast)
• Cambria County (southeast)
• Westmoreland County (south)
• Armstrong County (west)

Major highways

Historical population

Census	Pop.	Note	%±
1810	6,214		—
1820	8,882		42.9%
1830	14,252		60.5%
1840	20,782		45.8%
1850	27,170		30.7%
1860	33,687		24.0%
1870	36,138		7.3%
1880	40,527		12.1%
1890	42,175		4.1%
1900	42,556		0.9%
1910	66,210		55.6%
1920	80,910		22.2%
1930	75,395		−6.8%
1940	79,854		5.9%
1950	77,106		−3.4%
1960	75,366		−2.3%
1970	79,451		5.4%
1980	92,281		16.1%
1990	89,994		−2.5%
2000	89,605		−0.4%
2010	88,880		−0.8%
2020	83,246		−6.3%
[16]

• US 22
• US 119
• US 219
• US 422
• 
  US 422 Bus.
• PA 36
• PA 56
• PA 85
• PA 110
• PA 156
• PA 210
• PA 217
• PA 240
• PA 259
• PA 286
• PA 403
• PA 553
• PA 580
• PA 711
• PA 954

Demographics

As of the census ^[17] of 2000, there were 89,605 people, 34,123 households, and 22,521 families residing in the county. The population density was 108 inhabitants per square mile (42/km²). There were 37,250 housing units at an average density of 45 units per square mile (17/km²). The racial makeup of the county was 96.87% White, 1.57% Black or African American, 0.08% Native American, 0.74% Asian, 0.01% Pacific Islander, 0.16% from other races, and 0.58% from two or more races. 0.51% of the population were Hispanic or Latino of any race. 25.9% were of German, 11.6% Italian, 10.7% Irish, 8.6% American, 7.1% English and 6.8% Polish ancestry.

There were 34,123 households, out of which 27.90% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 54.30% were married couples living together, 8.20% had a female householder with no husband present, and 34.00% were non-families. 26.50% of all households were made up of individuals, and 11.80% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.47 and the average family size was 2.99.

In the county, the population was spread out, with 21.10% under the age of 18, 16.60% from 18 to 24, 24.80% from 25 to 44, 22.70% from 45 to 64, and 14.90% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 36 years. For every 100 females, there were 94.00 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 90.60 males.

2020 census

Indiana County Racial Composition ^[18]

Race	Num.	Perc.
White (NH)	75,718	91%
Black or African American (NH)	2,409	2.9%
Native American (NH)	116	0.14%
Asian (NH)	816	1%
Pacific Islander (NH)	7	0.01%
Other/Mixed (NH)	2,704	3.25%
Hispanic or Latino	1,476	1.77%

Micropolitan Statistical Area

Map of the Pittsburgh-New Castle-Weirton, PA-OH-WV Combined Statistical Area (CSA)

The United States Office of Management and Budget ^[19] has designated Indiana County as the Indiana, PA Micropolitan Statistical Area (μSA). As of the 2010 U.S. Census ^[20] the micropolitan area ranked 4th most populous in the State of Pennsylvania and the 50th most populous in the United States with a population of 88,880. Indiana County is also a part of the Pittsburgh-New Castle-Weirton, PA-OH-WV Combined Statistical Area (CSA), which combines the population of Indiana, as well as the Allegheny, Armstrong, Beaver, Butler, Fayette, Lawrence, Washington and Westmoreland county areas in Pennsylvania. In West Virginia the counties included are Brooke and Hancock. And in Ohio, Jefferson County. The Combined Statistical Area ranked 4th in the State of Pennsylvania and 20th most populous in the United States with a population of 2,660,727.

Government and politics

Indiana County has been strongly Republican in presidential elections for most of its history, only backing Democratic party candidates four times in presidential elections from 1880 to the present day.

United States presidential election results for Indiana County, Pennsylvania ^[21]

Year	Republican		Democratic		Third party
	No.	%	No.	%	No.	%
2020	28,089	68.03%	12,634	30.60%	566	1.37%
2016	24,888	65.29%	11,528	30.24%	1,706	4.48%
2012	21,257	58.33%	14,473	39.71%	714	1.96%
2008	19,727	52.88%	17,065	45.75%	510	1.37%
2004	20,254	55.88%	15,831	43.67%	163	0.45%
2000	16,799	53.50%	13,667	43.52%	935	2.98%
1996	12,874	42.10%	13,868	45.35%	3,841	12.56%
1992	10,966	32.92%	15,194	45.61%	7,154	21.47%
1988	14,983	47.21%	16,514	52.03%	242	0.76%
1984	18,845	54.22%	15,791	45.43%	123	0.35%
1980	15,607	49.62%	13,828	43.97%	2,016	6.41%
1976	15,786	51.01%	14,650	47.34%	513	1.66%
1972	18,122	61.90%	10,833	37.01%	319	1.09%
1968	14,899	51.03%	12,175	41.70%	2,122	7.27%
1964	11,706	39.92%	17,568	59.92%	46	0.16%
1960	18,756	58.59%	13,174	41.15%	83	0.26%
1956	18,593	62.27%	11,268	37.73%	0	0.00%
1952	16,673	58.63%	11,620	40.86%	147	0.52%
1948	12,640	59.67%	8,543	40.33%	0	0.00%
1944	14,388	61.42%	8,863	37.83%	175	0.75%
1940	15,547	56.23%	12,035	43.53%	68	0.25%
1936	16,530	51.37%	15,353	47.71%	294	0.91%
1932	12,727	57.24%	8,606	38.70%	902	4.06%
1928	16,706	76.75%	4,810	22.10%	252	1.16%
1924	12,748	69.75%	2,067	11.31%	3,462	18.94%
1920	8,616	71.84%	1,936	16.14%	1,441	12.02%
1916	4,887	57.65%	2,398	28.29%	1,192	14.06%
1912	1,720	20.21%	1,593	18.72%	5,197	61.07%
1908	6,416	67.44%	1,965	20.65%	1,133	11.91%
1904	6,878	77.25%	1,558	17.50%	468	5.26%
1900	5,687	72.25%	1,767	22.45%	417	5.30%
1896	5,818	66.11%	2,752	31.27%	231	2.62%
1892	4,559	61.18%	2,134	28.64%	759	10.19%
1888	5,084	62.83%	2,231	27.57%	777	9.60%

As of February 5, 2024, there were 48,654 registered voters across Indiana County's 69 precincts: 27,290 Republicans (56.09%); 15,193 Democrats (31.23%), 4,334 Independents (8.91%) and 1,837 from other parties (3.77%). ^[22]

Chart of Voter Registration

   Republican (56.09%)

   Democratic (31.23%)

   Independent (8.91%)

   Other Parties (3.77%)

County commissioners

• Michael Keith, chairman, Republican
• Robin Gorman, Republican
• Sherene Hess, Democrat

Other county offices

• Coroner, Jerry L Overman Jr, Republican
• District Attorney, Robert Manzi, Republican
• Prothonotary, Randy Degenkolb, Republican
• Recorder of Deeds and Register of Wills, Maria Jack, Republican
• Sheriff, Robert Fyock, Republican
• Treasurer, Kimberly McCullough, Republican
• Board of Auditors, Donna Cupp, Republican; Bonni S. Dunlap, Ph.D., Republican; James P. Smith Jr., Democrat

State representatives

Source: ^[23]

• Jason Silvis, Republican, 55th district
• Abby Major, Republican, 60th district
• James Struzzi, Republican, 62nd district
• Brian Smith, Republican, 66th district

State senator

• Joe Pittman, Republican, 41st district ^[23]

United States representative

• Glenn Thompson, Republican, 15th district
• Guy Reschenthaler, Republican, 14th district

United States senators

• Bob Casey Jr., Democrat
• John Fetterman, Democrat

Education

Map of Indiana County, Pennsylvania Public School Districts

Public school districts

• Armstrong School District (part)
• Apollo-Ridge School District (part)
• Harmony Area School District (part)
• Homer-Center School District
• Indiana Area School District
• Marion Center Area School District
• Penns Manor Area School District
• Punxsutawney Area School District (part)
• Purchase Line School District (part)
• River Valley School District formerly Blairsville-Saltsburg School District
• United School District

Post-secondary education

• Indiana University of Pennsylvania – Indiana
• Westmoreland County Community College – Indiana

Environment

In 2003, the county was recommended for non-attainment under EPA ozone standards based upon mobile source contribution to smog-forming emissions. ^[24]

The county is the site of the Homer City Generating Station, a coal-burning power plant. In 2002 the plant was ranked as second in emissions in the Toxics Release Inventory (TRI) in Pennsylvania. ^[25] In 2003, the plant ranked high in the emissions of both sulfur dioxide and carbon dioxide, ranking 4th and 28th, respectively, in the nation. ^[26] Such toxic emissions are injurious to people and other living things.

Communities

Map of Indiana County, Pennsylvania with Municipal Labels showing 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 boroughs and townships are located in Indiana County:

Boroughs

• Armagh
• Blairsville
• Cherry Tree
• Clymer
• Creekside
• Ernest
• Glen Campbell
• Homer City
• Indiana (county seat)
• Marion Center
• Plumville
• Saltsburg
• Shelocta
• Smicksburg

Townships

• Armstrong
• Banks
• Black Lick
• Brush Valley
• Buffington
• Burrell
• Canoe
• Center
• Cherryhill
• Conemaugh
• East Mahoning
• East Wheatfield
• Grant
• Green
• Montgomery
• North Mahoning
• Pine
• Rayne
• South Mahoning
• Washington
• West Mahoning
• West Wheatfield
• White
• Young

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. Other unincorporated communities, such as villages, may be listed here as well.

• Alverda
• Black Lick
• Chevy Chase Heights
• Commodore
• Coral
• Dicksonville
• Graceton
• Heilwood
• Jacksonville
• Lucerne Mines
• Robinson
• Rossiter

Unincorporated communities

• Arcadia
• Clarksburg
• Covode
• Dilltown
• Dixonville
• Gipsy
• Home
• Iselin
• Jewtown
• Locust
• Loop
• Mentcle
• Nolo
• Rexis
• Rochester Mills
• Starford
• Strongstown
• Wehrum
• West Lebanon

Population ranking

The population ranking of the following table is based on the 2010 census of Indiana County. ^[20]

*county seat

Rank	City/Town/etc.	Municipal type	Population (2010 Census)
1	* Indiana	Borough	13,975
2	Blairsville	Borough	3,412
3	Homer City	Borough	1,707
4	Chevy Chase Heights	CDP	1,502
5	Black Lick	CDP	1,462
6	Clymer	Borough	1,357
7	Lucerne Mines	CDP	937
8	Saltsburg	Borough	873
9	Heilwood	CDP	711
10	Rossiter	CDP	646
11	Jacksonville	CDP	637
12	Robinson	CDP	614
13	Dixonville	CDP	467
14	Ernest	Borough	462
15	Marion Center	Borough	451
16	Cherry Tree	Borough	364
17	Commodore	CDP	331
18	Coral	CDP	325
19	Creekside	Borough	309
20	Plumville	Borough	307
21	Graceton	CDP	257
22	Glen Campbell	Borough	245
23	Shelocta	Borough	130
24	Armagh	Borough	122
25	Smicksburg	Borough	46

Notable people

• Edward Abbey, environmentalist and author
• Henry Homer "Doc" Gessler, professional baseball player and manager; born and died in Indiana Borough.
• James H. Brady, Governor of Idaho 1909–11, U.S. Senator 1913–18, born in Indiana County
• John Buccigross, ESPN anchor, former co-host of NHL 2Night
• Samuel Kier, "Grandfather of the American Oil Industry"
• Mary D. Lowman, one of first women mayors in Kansas; county native
• Ben McAdoo, former head coach, New York Giants
• Jim Nance, football player, running back for Syracuse University and professionally with New England/Boston Patriots
• James Stewart, iconic actor, born in Indiana Borough

See also

• Indiana County Transit Authority
• National Register of Historic Places listings in Indiana County, Pennsylvania

References

1. Includes Westmoreland, Cambria, Fayette, Blair, Indiana, Somerset, Bedford, Huntingdon, Greene and Fulton Counties

1. "Census - Geography Profile: Indiana County, Pennsylvania". United States Census Bureau . Retrieved December 18, 2022.
2. "Find a County". National Association of Counties. Archived from the original on May 31, 2011. Retrieved June 7, 2011.
3. "Pennsylvania: Individual County Chronologies". Pennsylvania Atlas of Historical County Boundaries. The Newberry Library. 2008. Archived from the original on March 25, 2015. Retrieved March 12, 2015.
4. Anderson, James Donald, "Vandalia: The First West Virginia?" West Virginia History, Volume 40, No. 4 (Summer 1979), pp. 375-92 online
5. David W. Miller. The Taking of American Indian Lands in the Southeast: A History of Territorial Cessions and Forced Relocations, 1607-1840. McFarland, 2011. p. 41. ISBN   978-0-7864-6277-3
6. Gipson, Lawrence Henry, The British Empire Before the American Revolution, 15 vols. New York: Alfred A. Knopf, 1946-1970, IX 457-88
7. Archives, Special Collections and University; Stapleton Library, Room 302 431 South Eleventh Street Indiana; Phone: [phone]; Fax: [phone]. "Indiana County and the Underground Railroad". Indiana University of Pennsylvania. Retrieved May 2, 2022.
8. Archives, Special Collections and University; Stapleton Library, Room 302 431 South Eleventh Street Indiana; Phone: [phone]; Fax: [phone]. "Antislavery Newspapers". Indiana University of Pennsylvania. Retrieved May 2, 2022.
9. "Our UGRR Conductors & Incidents". Blairsville Area Underground Railroad.
10. "Our UGRR Conductors & Incidents". Blairsville Area Underground Railroad. Retrieved May 2, 2022.
11. "Archived copy" (PDF). Office of Management and Budget . Archived (PDF) from the original on January 21, 2017. Retrieved January 4, 2017– via National Archives.
12. "'Tis the season for tree farmers". Pittsburgh Tribune-Review . December 20, 2004. Archived from the original on October 22, 2006. Retrieved May 16, 2006.
13. "2010 Census Gazetteer Files". United States Census Bureau. August 22, 2012. Retrieved March 7, 2015.
14. "Buttermilk Falls Natural Area". Indiana County Parks and Trails.
15. "PRISM Climate Group at Oregon State University". prism.oregonstate.edu.
16. "Census 2020".
17. "U.S. Census website". United States Census Bureau . Retrieved January 31, 2008.
18. "P2 HISPANIC OR LATINO, AND NOT HISPANIC OR LATINO BY RACE – 2020: DEC Redistricting Data (PL 94-171) – Indiana County, Pennsylvania".
19. "Office of Management and Budget". whitehouse.gov. Retrieved March 28, 2018.
20. "2010 U.S. Census website". United States Census Bureau . Retrieved February 13, 2016.
21. Leip, David. "Dave Leip's Atlas of U.S. Presidential Elections". uselectionatlas.org. Retrieved March 28, 2018.
22. Pennsylvania Department of State (February 5, 2024). "Voter registration statistics by county". dos.pa.gov. Retrieved February 5, 2024.
23. Center, Legislativate Data Processing. "Find Your Legislator". The official website for the Pennsylvania General Assembly. Retrieved May 3, 2017.
24. "Figure 3. Mobile Source Contribution to Smog-Forming Emissions in Counties Recommended for Nonattainment under New EPA Ozone Standards". Surface Transportation Policy Project. April 16, 2004. Archived from the original on September 27, 2006. Retrieved May 16, 2006.
25. "Pa. ranks among worst states for toxic emissions". Pittsburgh Tribune-Review . November 18, 2002. Archived from the original on May 24, 2007. Retrieved May 16, 2006.
26. Environmental Integrity Project & Public Citizen's Congress Watch (May 2004). "America's Dirtiest Power Plants: Plugged into the Bush Administration" (PDF). Archived from the original (PDF) on April 13, 2006. Retrieved May 16, 2006.{{cite journal}}: Cite journal requires |journal= (help)

External links

• Indiana County official website
• The Indiana County Tourist Bureau
• The Historical & Genealogical Society of Indiana County

40°39′N79°05′W / 40.65°N 79.09°W / 40.65; -79.09