Washington_County,_Pennsylvania

Washington County, Pennsylvania

Washington County, Pennsylvania

County in Pennsylvania, United States


Washington County is a county in the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania, United States. As of the 2020 census, the population was 209,349.[1] Its county seat is Washington.[2]

Quick Facts Country, State ...

Washington County is part of the Pittsburgh, PA Metropolitan Statistical Area.

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 obviously 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.[3][4]

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.[5]

Surrounding counties

Major highways

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).

More information Climate data for Washington, Pennsylvania (3mi NE) (1981–2010 normals, extremes 1975–present), Month ...

Demographics

More information Census, Pop. ...

As of the census[13] of 2000, there were 202,897 people, 81,130 households, and 56,060 families residing in the county. The population density was 237 people per square mile (92 people/km2). There were 87,267 housing units at an average density of 102 per square mile (39/km2). The racial makeup of the county was 95.27% White, 3.26% Black or African American, 0.09% Native American, 0.36% Asian, 0.02% Pacific Islander, 0.19% from other races, and 0.82% from two or more races. 0.58% of the population were Hispanic or Latino of any race. 18.3% were of German, 17.2% Italian, 10.6% Irish, 8.6% English, 7.9% Polish and 6.2% American ancestry.

There were 81,130 households, out of which 28.40% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 55.20% were married couples living together, 10.30% had a female householder with no husband present, and 30.90% were non-families. 27.00% of all households were made up of individuals, and 13.20% 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 population was spread out, with 22.20% under the age of 18, 7.70% from 18 to 24, 27.20% from 25 to 44, 25.00% from 45 to 64, and 17.90% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 41 years. For every 100 females there were 92.40 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 89.00 males.

As of 1800, this county was largely settled by people of Scot-Irish heritage because "prime lands" were already taken by the Germans and the Quakers.

2020 census

More information Race, Num. ...

Government and politics

More information Year, Republican ...

The Democratic Party has been historically dominant in county-level politics and national politics between 1932 and 2004, only voting Republican for president in Richard Nixon's 1972 landslide victory over George McGovern. However, like much of Appalachian coal country, Washington has trended strongly Republican in recent years. In 2000, Democrat Al Gore won 53% of the vote and Republican George W. Bush won 44%. In 2004, Democrat John Kerry received 50.14% of the vote and Bush received 49.57% a difference of 552 votes. In 2008, Republican John McCain won 51% to Democrat Barack Obama's 46% and each of the three state row office winners carried Washington County.

Voter registration

As of January 8, 2024, there are 142,146 registered voters in Washington county. Registered Republicans have a plurality of 68,164 registered voters, compared to 56,044 registered Democrats, 13,943 registered non-affiliated voters, and 3,995 voters registered to other parties.[16]

Chart of Voter Registration

  Republican (47.95%)
  Democratic (39.42%)
  Independent (9.81%)
  Third Party (2.81%)
More information Voter registration and party enrollment, Party ...

County Commissioners

Washington County Courthouse

Washington County is administered by a three-member publicly elected commission. Each commissioner serves in four-year terms. Elections occur in the odd-numbered years that precede U.S. presidential elections. All three Commissioners are chosen in the same election, and voters may vote for no more than two of the candidates. By state law, the commission must have a minority party guaranteeing a political split on the commission. The Commissioners are responsible for the management of the fiscal and administrative functions of the county.

More information Commissioner, Party ...

Maggi was the Democratic nominee for Pennsylvania's 18th congressional district against Republican incumbent Tim Murphy in 2012. Maggi lost to Murphy and earned only 36 percent of the vote. Irey Vaughan was the Republican candidate for Pennsylvania's 12th congressional district and lost to the late Democratic incumbent John Murtha in the 2006 election.

On November 7, 2023, Nick Sherman and Lawrence Maggi were reelected as county commissioners. Electra Janis won her first term as county commissioner.[17]

County row offices

More information Office, Official ...

State House of Representatives[18]

State Senate[18]

More information District, Senator ...

United States House of Representatives

More information District, Representative ...

United States Senate

More information Senator, Party ...

Landmarks and events

The F. Julius LeMoyne House serves as the 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.[19]

Washington County is also the home of the Pennsylvania Trolley Museum.[20] Washington County is also famous for its Rock Shelters at Meadowcroft Village, which are one of the best preserved and oldest Pre-Clovis Native American dwellings in the country.[21] The county has 21 covered bridges still standing.[22]

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.[23] 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.[24][25]

In 1981, the Pennsylvania Historical and Museum Commission installed a historical marker noting the historic importance of the county.[26]

Education

Colleges and universities

Public school districts

Map of Washington County, Pennsylvania School Districts
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 in Washington, PA
  • 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

Communities

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

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[29]
  • 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.[30]

county seat

More information Rank, City/Town/etc. ...

Notable people

See also


References

  1. "Census - Geography Profile: Washington 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 Heritage, Volumes 34-36 - Pennsylvania Historical and Museum Commission, 2008. Pg. 5
  4. "Pennsylvania Heritage". Pennsylvania Historical and Museum Commission. April 9, 2008 via Google Books.
  5. "2010 Census Gazetteer Files". United States Census Bureau. August 22, 2012. Retrieved March 11, 2015.
  6. "U.S. Decennial Census". United States Census Bureau. Retrieved March 11, 2015.
  7. "Historical Census Browser". University of Virginia Library. Retrieved March 11, 2015.
  8. Forstall, Richard L., ed. (March 24, 1995). "Population of Counties by Decennial Census: 1900 to 1990". United States Census Bureau. Retrieved March 11, 2015.
  9. "Census 2000 PHC-T-4. Ranking Tables for Counties: 1990 and 2000" (PDF). United States Census Bureau. April 2, 2001. Archived (PDF) from the original on October 9, 2022. Retrieved March 11, 2015.
  10. "State & County QuickFacts". United States Census Bureau. Archived from the original on August 13, 2011. Retrieved November 22, 2013.
  11. Leip, David. "Dave Leip's Atlas of U.S. Presidential Elections". uselectionatlas.org. Retrieved November 29, 2018.
  12. Pennsylvania Department of State (May 15, 2023). "Voter registration statistics by county". dos.pa.gov. Retrieved September 29, 2023.
  13. "Check out Washington County's election results here". WTAE. November 8, 2023. Retrieved November 9, 2023.
  14. Center, Legislativate Data Processing. "Find Your Legislator". The official website for the Pennsylvania General Assembly. Retrieved April 21, 2017.
  15. Archived December 10, 2008, at the Wayback Machine
  16. Archived July 17, 2008, at the Wayback Machine
  17. "Welcome to Washington County, Pennsylvania". Archived from the original on October 25, 2008. Retrieved October 25, 2008.
  18. Welcome! Archived December 28, 2008, at the Wayback Machine. Bradfordhouse.org. Retrieved on July 23, 2013.
  19. "The LeMoyne Crematory". Archived from the original on July 10, 2009. Retrieved March 7, 2009.
  20. "An Unceremonious Rite; Cremation of Mrs. Ben Pitman" (PDF). The New York Times. February 16, 1879. Archived (PDF) from the original on October 9, 2022. Retrieved March 7, 2009.
  21. "Mingo Creek Church – PHMC Historical Markers". Historical Marker Database. Pennsylvania Historical & Museum Commission. Archived from the original on December 7, 2013. Retrieved December 9, 2013.
  22. "Homepage". www.waynesburg.edu. Archived from the original on April 2, 2015.
  23. "Allen Township, Washington County, PA". freepages.genealogy.rootsweb.ancestry.com. Retrieved November 29, 2018.
  24. CNMP, US Census Bureau. "This site has been redesigned and relocated. - U.S. Census Bureau". www.census.gov. Retrieved November 29, 2018.
  25. Who Was Who in America, Historical Volume, 1607–1896. Marquis Who's Who. 1967.
  26. Welcome!. Bradfordhouse.org. Retrieved on July 23, 2013.
  27. History, U.S. Army Center of Military. "Medal of Honor Recipients - Civil War (A-L)". www.history.army.mil. Archived from the original on August 2, 2008. Retrieved November 29, 2018.
  28. "CMOHS.org - Musician CARSON, WILLIAM J., U.S. Army". www.cmohs.org. Retrieved November 29, 2018.
  29. Alexander Clark of Muscatine, Iowa | HOME. Alexanderclark.org. Retrieved on July 23, 2013.
  30. "Fulton, Alexander". lahistory.org (Louisiana Historical Association). Archived from the original on September 23, 2010. Retrieved October 9, 2010.

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