Beaver County, Pennsylvania

In this article we will explore the fascinating world of Beaver County, Pennsylvania, a topic that has captured the attention of people of all ages and interests. Known for its impact on society and culture, Beaver County, Pennsylvania has been the subject of debate and analysis in numerous areas. From its emergence to the present, Beaver County, Pennsylvania has left a significant mark on history, and its influence continues to be palpable in the contemporary world. Through this article, we will delve into the most relevant aspects of Beaver County, Pennsylvania, analyzing its importance, its implications and its projection into the future. Prepare your minds for a journey of discovery and introspection in the wonderful universe of Beaver County, Pennsylvania.

Beaver County
County
Beaver County Courthouse
Beaver County Courthouse
Flag of Beaver County
Flag
Official seal of Beaver County
Seal
Official logo of Beaver County
Logo
Motto(s): 
Divided by its Rivers, United by its People [1]
Map of Pennsylvania highlighting Beaver County
Location within the U.S. state of Pennsylvania
Map of the United States highlighting Pennsylvania
Pennsylvania's location within the U.S.
Coordinates: 40°41′N 80°21′W / 40.69°N 80.35°W / 40.69; -80.35
Country United States
State Pennsylvania
FoundedMarch 12, 1800
Named forBeaver River
SeatBeaver
Largest cityAliquippa
Area
 • Total
444 sq mi (1,150 km2)
 • Land435 sq mi (1,130 km2)
 • Water9.3 sq mi (24 km2)  2.1%
Population
 (2020)
 • Total
168,215
 • Estimate 
(2023)
165,677 Decrease
 • Density380/sq mi (150/km2)
Time zoneUTC−5 (Eastern)
 • Summer (DST)UTC−4 (EDT)
Congressional district17th
Websitewww.beavercountypa.gov
DesignatedJuly 5, 1982[2]

Beaver County is a county in the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania. As of the 2020 census, the population was 168,215.[3] Its county seat is Beaver, and its largest city is Aliquippa.[4] The county is part of the Greater Pittsburgh region of the state.[a]

History

Beaver County was created on March 12, 1800, from parts of Allegheny and Washington counties.[5] It took its name from the Beaver River.[6]

Original township in 1800

The original townships at the date of the erection of Beaver County (1800) were North Beaver, east and west of the Big Beaver Creek; South Beaver, west of the Big Beaver; and Sewickley, east of the Big Beaver—all north of the Ohio River; and Hanover, First Moon, and Second Moon, south of the Ohio.[7]

Geography

According to the U.S. Census Bureau, the county has a total area of 444 square miles (1,150 km2), of which 435 square miles (1,130 km2) is land and 9.3 square miles (24 km2) (2.1%) is water.[8] It has a humid continental climate (Dfa/Dfb) and average monthly temperatures in the Beaver/Rochester vicinity range from 29.4 °F in January to 73.2 °F in July.[9] Beaver County is one of the 423 counties served by the Appalachian Regional Commission,[10] and it is identified as part of the "Midlands" by Colin Woodard in his book American Nations: A History of the Eleven Rival Regional Cultures of North America.[11]

Bodies of water

  • The Ohio River flows north through Beaver County from a point near Ambridge, then turns west near Beaver and on to the Ohio and West Virginia borders. It divides the southern third of the county from the northern two-thirds.
  • The Beaver River flows south from Lawrence County entering Beaver County near Koppel and continuing south to its confluence with the Ohio near Beaver.

Adjacent counties

Protected areas

Demographics

Historical population
CensusPop.Note%±
18005,776—
181012,168110.7%
182015,34026.1%
183024,18357.6%
184029,36821.4%
185026,689−9.1%
186029,1409.2%
187036,14824.0%
188039,6059.6%
189050,07726.4%
190056,43212.7%
191078,25338.7%
1920111,62142.6%
1930149,06233.5%
1940156,7545.2%
1950175,19211.8%
1960206,94818.1%
1970208,4180.7%
1980204,441−1.9%
1990186,093−9.0%
2000181,412−2.5%
2010170,539−6.0%
2020168,215−1.4%
2022 (est.)165,677−1.5%
[12]

As of the census[13] of 2000, there were 181,412 people, 72,576 households, and 50,512 families residing in the county. The population density was 418 inhabitants per square mile (161/km2). There were 77,765 housing units at an average density of 179 units per square mile (69/km2). The racial makeup of the county was 92.55% White, 5.96% Black or African American, 0.10% Native American, 0.25% Asian, 0.01% Pacific Islander, 0.20% from other races, and 0.92% from two or more races. 0.72% of the population were Hispanic or Latino of any race. 23.0% were of German, 17.4% Italian, 9.9% Irish, 6.5% English, 6.4% Polish and 5.8% American ancestry.

There were 72,576 households, out of which 28.60% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 54.50% were married couples living together, 11.40% had a female householder with no husband present, and 30.40% were non-families. Of all households 26.90% were made up of individuals, and 13.10% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.44 and the average family size was 2.96.

In the county, the age distribution of the population shows 22.60% under the age of 18, 7.40% from 18 to 24, 27.30% from 25 to 44, 24.20% from 45 to 64, and 18.40% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 41 years. For every 100 females, there were 91.90 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 88.20 males.

2020 census

Beaver County Racial Composition[14]
Race Num. Perc.
White (NH) 143,881 85.53%
Black or African American (NH) 11,069 6.6%
Native American (NH) 195 0.12%
Asian (NH) 1,022 0.61%
Pacific Islander (NH) 53 0.03%
Other/Mixed (NH) 8,384 5%
Hispanic or Latino 3,611 2.15%

Government and politics

2020 Presidential Election by Township and City
Biden:      50–60%      60–70%
Trump:      50–60%      60–70%      70–80%      80–90%
United States presidential election results for Beaver County, Pennsylvania[15]
Year Republican Democratic Third party(ies)
No.  % No.  % No.  %
2024 56,837 59.71% 37,196 39.07% 1,161 1.22%
2020 54,759 58.01% 38,122 40.38% 1,516 1.61%
2016 48,167 57.03% 32,531 38.52% 3,764 4.46%
2012 42,344 52.41% 37,055 45.86% 1,394 1.73%
2008 42,895 50.45% 40,499 47.63% 1,638 1.93%
2004 39,916 48.36% 42,146 51.06% 481 0.58%
2000 32,491 44.12% 38,925 52.85% 2,233 3.03%
1996 26,048 35.07% 39,578 53.28% 8,653 11.65%
1992 21,361 25.94% 44,877 54.50% 16,102 19.56%
1988 25,764 33.69% 50,327 65.81% 378 0.49%
1984 32,052 36.79% 54,765 62.86% 300 0.34%
1980 30,496 38.23% 43,955 55.11% 5,314 6.66%
1976 33,593 41.40% 46,117 56.83% 1,440 1.77%
1972 43,637 56.42% 31,570 40.82% 2,130 2.75%
1968 28,264 34.46% 45,396 55.34% 8,368 10.20%
1964 23,174 27.59% 60,492 72.02% 327 0.39%
1960 36,796 43.71% 47,182 56.04% 212 0.25%
1956 38,263 51.21% 36,373 48.68% 79 0.11%
1952 31,700 45.18% 38,136 54.35% 334 0.48%
1948 22,324 43.83% 26,629 52.28% 1,983 3.89%
1944 23,555 41.57% 32,743 57.79% 360 0.64%
1940 24,324 41.78% 33,609 57.73% 282 0.48%
1936 20,223 34.68% 37,205 63.80% 884 1.52%
1932 19,751 47.87% 19,805 48.00% 1,704 4.13%
1928 27,949 69.50% 11,868 29.51% 400 0.99%
1924 16,768 64.14% 3,220 12.32% 6,153 23.54%
1920 11,691 62.90% 4,771 25.67% 2,124 11.43%
1916 6,864 48.67% 5,805 41.16% 1,434 10.17%
1912 2,759 21.89% 3,037 24.10% 6,806 54.01%
1908 7,008 55.95% 4,200 33.53% 1,318 10.52%
1904 7,122 68.88% 2,342 22.65% 876 8.47%
1900 6,759 60.11% 4,076 36.25% 409 3.64%
1896 6,842 59.95% 4,322 37.87% 248 2.17%
1892 4,890 52.04% 3,822 40.68% 684 7.28%
1888 5,552 58.23% 3,706 38.87% 276 2.89%
1884 5,075 56.51% 3,546 39.48% 360 4.01%
1880 4,700 56.40% 3,498 41.97% 136 1.63%

Voter registration

In November 2008, there were 118,269 registered voters in Beaver County.[16]

By April 2016, there were 109,091 registered voters, a decrease of 7.7% since 2008.

The county is divided into 129 precincts.[17]

  • Democratic: 58,828 (53.93%)
  • Republican: 38,015 (34.85%)
  • Other parties/non-partisan: 12,248 (11.23%)

As of January 8, 2024, there were 111,767 registered voters in Beaver county. Republicans hold a plurality of voters by a margin of just 190 voters (less than 1% of the total registered), after overtaking Dems at the end of December 2023. There were 48,229 registered Republicans, 48,039 registered Democrats, 10,390 registered non-affiliated voters and 5,109 voters registered to other parties.[18]

Voter registration and party enrollment
Party Number of voters Percentage
Republican 51,030 43.15%
Democratic 48,008 42.98%
Independent 10,390 9.30%
Third Party 5,109 4.57%
Total 111,767 100%
Chart of Voter Registration
  1. Republican (43.15%)
  2. Democratic (42.98%)
  3. Independent (9.3%)
  4. Third Party (4.57%)

Political history

Beaver County used to be a Democratic stronghold, and had a slight Democratic edge in registration until 2023. [19] In 2015, the GOP took majority status in the Commissioners' Office for the first time since 1955. In 2004, Democrat John Kerry won Beaver County over Republican George W. Bush 51% to 48%. In 2008, Republican John McCain defeated Democrat Barack Obama 50% to 47%, becoming the first Republican to win there since 1972 and only the third since 1928. Mitt Romney and Donald Trump (twice) carried the county in the next three elections. In 2010, Republican Governor Tom Corbett and Republican Senator Pat Toomey both carried Beaver in their successful statewide bids, and Toomey won the county again in 2016. However, Democrats have still seen recent success in Beaver County in non-presidential races, with Democrats often being competitive in the county in Senate and gubernatorial elections. Beaver County voted for Bob Casey Jr. in his reelection bid in 2012 50% to 47%, and again voted to re-elect Casey in 2018, as well as Democrat Tom Wolf.

In 2022, Democratic gubernatorial candidate Josh Shapiro defeated Republican Doug Mastriano in the county, but was the only Democrat that cycle to do so.

County commissioners

Commissioner[20] Party Title
Daniel C. Camp III[21] Republican Chairman
Tony Amadio[22] Democratic
Jack Manning[23] Republican

County officials

Office Official Party
Clerk of Courts Judy R. Enslen[24] Democratic
Controller Maria Longo[25] Republican
Coroner David Gabauer Republican
District Attorney Nathan Bible Democratic
Prothonotary Jodi Janicki-Jones[26] Republican
Recorder of Deeds Ronald Alberti[27] Republican
Register of Wills Tracey Antoline Patton[28] Democratic
Sheriff Tony Guy Republican
Treasurer Sandie Egley[29] Republican

State representatives

District Representative Party
14 Jim Marshall Republican
15 Josh Kail Republican
16 Robert Matzie Democratic

State senators

District Senator Party
46 Camera Bartolotta Republican
47 Elder Vogel Republican

United States House of Representatives

District Representative Party
17 Chris Deluzio Democratic

United States Senate

Senator Party
Dave McCormick Republican
John Fetterman Democratic

Recreation

Near Koppel there is Buttermilk Falls, a naturally occurring waterfall.[30] In Brighton Township there is Brady's Run Park.[31] Racoon Creek State Park is one of Pennsylvania's largest and most visited state parks.[citation needed] The park encompasses 7,572 acres (3,064 ha) and features the 101 acres (41 ha) Raccoon Lake. Additionally, there are many riverfront parks throughout the county. The North Country National Scenic Trail (NCT) passes through the county's northern end. The NCT has an 11-mile point-to-point off-road section near Darlington to the Ohio state line and a 2.5 mile off-road section near New Galilee and Enon Valley, Pennsylvania.[32]

Transportation

Major roads and highways

Public transit

Beaver County Transit Authority

Airports

Education

Colleges and universities

Community, junior, and technical colleges

Map of Beaver County, Pennsylvania public school districts. Note that two districts on this map, Monaca School District and Center Area School District, merged in 2009 to form the Central Valley School District.

Public school districts

High schools

Charter schools

As reported by the Pennsylvania Department of Education – EdNA, as of April 2010.

Private schools

As reported by the Pennsylvania Department of Education – EdNA, as of April 2010.

  • Agapeland Children Garden – Beaver
  • Beaver County Christian School -Upper – Beaver Falls
  • Beaver Co Christian -West Park Elementary – Beaver Falls
  • Bethel Christian School – Aliquippa
  • Deliverance Temple Ministries ROOTS Inc Christian Academy – Aliquippa
  • Hope Christian Academy – Aliquippa
  • North Hills Christian School – Baden
  • Our Lady of Fatima School – Aliquippa
  • Pleasant Hill Wesleyan Academy – Hookstown
  • Quigley Catholic High School – Baden
  • St John the Baptist School – Monaca
  • St Monica Catholic Academy – Beaver Falls
  • Sts Peter & Paul School – Beaver
  • Sylvania Hills Christian – Rochester

Former school districts

In 2009, Center Area School District and Monaca School District merged to form Central Valley School District.

Communities

Map of Beaver 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 in Beaver County:

Cities

Boroughs

Townships

Census-designated places

Unincorporated communities

Former communities

  • Borough Township, established in 1804 from the small southeast corner of South Beaver Township. In 1970, it was renamed Vanport Township.[34]
  • First Moon Township, split from Moon Township in Allegheny County in 1800, and was abolished in 1812 after the county was restructured.
  • Moon Township, established in 1812 in most of the territories of First and Second Moon Townships. It originally held the portion of the county South of the Ohio River. Over the next century, parts of the Township were split into Center, Potter, and Racoon Townships. It became extinct in 1932 after the remaining portion was annexed by Monaca, as the ward of Monaca Heights.
  • Second Moon Township, split from Moon Township in Allegheny County in 1800, and was abolished in 1812 after the county was restructured.
  • Sewickley Township, split from Pine Township in Allegheny County in 1797, and originally held the portion of the county East of the Beaver River. It was split into North Sewickley and New Sewickley Townships in 1801.

Population ranking

The population ranking of the following table is based on the 2010 census of Beaver County.[35]

† county seat

Rank City/town/etc. Population (2010 Census) Municipal type Incorporated
1 Aliquippa 9,438 City 1928 (borough) 1987 (city)
2 Beaver Falls 8,987 City 1868 (borough) 1928 (city)
3 Economy 8,970 Borough 1957
4 Ellwood City (mostly in Lawrence County) 7,921 Borough
5 Ambridge 7,050 Borough 1905
6 New Brighton 6,025 Borough 1838
7 Monaca 5,737 Borough 1840
8 † Beaver 4,531 Borough 1802
9 Baden 4,135 Borough 1868
10 Rochester 3,657 Borough 1849
11 Ohioville 3,533 Borough 1860
12 Harmony Township 3,197 CDP and township 1851
13 Patterson Township 3,029 CDP and township 1845
14 Midland 2,635 Borough 1906
15 Conway 2,176 Borough 1902
16 Big Beaver 1,970 Borough 1858
17 Industry 1,835 Borough 1960
18 Freedom 1,569 Borough 1838
19 West Mayfield 1,239 Borough 1923
20 Koppel 762 Borough 1910
21 Bridgewater 704 Borough 1835
22 Patterson Heights 636 Borough 1899
23 East Rochester 567 Borough 1908
24 South Heights 475 Borough 1910
25 New Galilee 379 Borough 1854
26 Fallston 266 Borough 1829
27 Darlington 254 Borough 1820
28 Eastvale 225 Borough 1892
29 Shippingport 214 Borough 1910
30 Georgetown 174 Borough 1850
31 Hookstown 147 Borough 1843
32 Frankfort Springs 130 Borough 1844
33 Homewood 109 Borough 1910
34 Glasgow 60 Borough 1854

Notable people

See also: List of people from the Pittsburgh metropolitan area

See also

References

  1. ^ Includes Allegheny, Washington, Butler, Beaver, Lawrence and Armstrong Counties
  1. ^ "Beaver County PA - Official Website". www.beavercountypa.gov.
  2. ^ "PHMC Historical Markers Search". Pennsylvania Historical and Museum Commission. Commonwealth of Pennsylvania. Archived from the original (Searchable database) on March 21, 2016. Retrieved January 25, 2014.
  3. ^ "Census - Geography Profile: Beaver County, Pennsylvania". United States Census Bureau. Retrieved April 24, 2022.
  4. ^ "Find a County". National Association of Counties. Archived from the original on July 12, 2012. Retrieved June 7, 2011.
  5. ^ Laws of the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania, 4 vols. (Philadelphia: John Bioren, 1810), vol. 3, pages 421–422, Chapter MMCXIX, Section 1, "An Act to erect certain parts of Allegheny, Westmoreland, Washington and Lycoming counties, into separate counties," March 12, 1800, creation of Beaver County, digital images, Google Books (https://books.google.com : July 22, 2018).
  6. ^ Hoover, Gladys L. (September 18, 1974). "County Got its Name From Stream". Beaver County Times. pp. C11. Retrieved April 28, 2015.
  7. ^ Joseph Henderson Bausman, History of Beaver County, Pennsylvania: And Its Centennial Celebration, 2 volumes (New York: Knickerbocker Press, 1904), vol. 2, pp. 863–864; digital images, Google Books (https://books.google.com : accessed November 2, 2018).
  8. ^ "2010 Census Gazetteer Files". United States Census Bureau. August 22, 2012. Retrieved March 4, 2015.
  9. ^ "PRISM Climate Group at Oregon State University". prism.oregonstate.edu.
  10. ^ "About the Appalachian Region". Appalachian Regional Commission. Retrieved June 23, 2024.
  11. ^ Woodard, Colin (July 30, 2018). "The Maps That Show That City vs. Country Is Not Our Political Fault Line". New York Times. Retrieved July 30, 2018.
  12. ^ "Census 2020".
  13. ^ "U.S. Census website". United States Census Bureau. Retrieved January 31, 2008.
  14. ^ "Explore Census Data". data.census.gov.
  15. ^ Leip, David. "Dave Leip's Atlas of U.S. Presidential Elections". uselectionatlas.org. Retrieved November 20, 2018.
  16. ^ Running for Office Archived November 26, 2008, at the Wayback Machine. Dos.state.pa.us. Retrieved on July 23, 2013.
  17. ^ "2016 General Primary Results". Beaver County, Pennsylvania. May 10, 2016. Archived from the original on May 31, 2016. Retrieved May 23, 2016.
  18. ^ Pennsylvania Department of State (July 17, 2023). "Voter registration statistics by county". Retrieved July 20, 2023.
  19. ^ Radio, Beaver County (December 20, 2023). "Beaver County now has Republican Majority". Beaver County Radio. Retrieved July 25, 2024.
  20. ^ "Board of Commissioners". www.beavercountypa.gov. Retrieved June 14, 2023.
  21. ^ "Board of Commissioners - Daniel C. Camp III". www.beavercountypa.gov. Retrieved June 14, 2023.
  22. ^ "Board of Commissioners - Tony Amadio". www.beavercountypa.gov. Retrieved June 14, 2023.
  23. ^ "Board of Commissioners - Jack Manning". www.beavercountypa.gov. Retrieved June 14, 2023.
  24. ^ "Welcome to the Office of the Clerk of Courts". www.beavercountypa.gov/departments. Retrieved June 14, 2023.
  25. ^ "Welcome to the Office of the Controller". www.beavercountypa.gov/departments. Retrieved June 14, 2023.
  26. ^ "Welcome to the Prothonotary's Office". www.beavercountypa.gov/departments. Retrieved June 14, 2023.
  27. ^ "Welcome to the Recorder of Deeds". www.beavercountypa.gov/departments. Retrieved June 14, 2023.
  28. ^ "Welcome to the Register of Wills/Clerk of Orphans Court". www.beavercountypa.gov/departments. Retrieved June 14, 2023.
  29. ^ "Welcome to the Treasurer's Office". www.beavercountypa.gov/departments. Retrieved June 14, 2023.
  30. ^ "Buttermilk Falls Park | Beaver County Government". March 16, 2015. Archived from the original on March 16, 2015.
  31. ^ "Brady's Run Park".
  32. ^ "North Country National Scenic Trail map". North Country Trail Association. Retrieved May 1, 2023.
  33. ^ "Baden Academy Charter School". badenacademy.org. Retrieved November 20, 2018.
  34. ^ "History of Beaver County | Beaver County Government". Archived from the original on November 20, 2014. Retrieved December 19, 2014.
  35. ^ "2010 U.S. Census website". United States Census Bureau. Retrieved February 13, 2016.
  36. ^ Kelly, Joey. "Page Turners: Profiles of Beaver Valley authors". The Times. Retrieved March 31, 2020.
  37. ^ Simonich, Milan. "The good life of a bad guy". Post Gazette. Retrieved October 6, 2022.
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40°41′N 80°21′W / 40.69°N 80.35°W / 40.69; -80.35