McKean County, Pennsylvania
County in Pennsylvania, United States
From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
McKean County is a rural county in the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania. As of the 2020 census, the population was 40,432.[2] Its county seat is Smethport.[3] The county was created in 1804 and organized in 1826.[4] It was named in honor of former Pennsylvania Governor and Declaration of Independence signer Thomas McKean.[5] The county is part of the North Central Pennsylvania region of the state.[a]
McKean County, Pennsylvania | |
|---|---|
McKean County Courthouse | |
 Seal | |
 Location within the U.S. state of Pennsylvania | |
| Coordinates: 41°48′40″N 78°26′41″W | |
| Country |  United States |
| State |  Pennsylvania |
| Founded | September 1, 1826 |
| Named after | Thomas McKean |
| Seat | Smethport |
| Largest city | Bradford |
| Area | |
• Total | 984 sq mi (2,550 km2) |
| • Land | 979 sq mi (2,540 km2) |
| • Water | 5.0 sq mi (13 km2) 0.5% |
| Population (2020) | |
• Total | 40,432 |
38,984  | |
| • Density | 41/sq mi (16/km2) |
| Time zone | UTC−5 (Eastern) |
| • Summer (DST) | UTC−4 (EDT) |
| Congressional district | 15th |
| Website | www |
McKean County comprises the Bradford, Pennsylvania micropolitan statistical area. It includes the Allegheny National Forest and borders New York. The Allegheny River flows through much of the eastern portion of the county, and the Allegheny Reservoir is accessible on the county’s western border. McKean County boasts of being "The Black Cherry Capital of the World."
McKean County was settled because of its natural resources of oil and timber, both of which continue to provide significant input to the local economy. Today, a university, rural medical center, federal prison and numerous manufacturing companies balance the area's economy.
Geography
According to the U.S. Census Bureau, the county has an area of 984 square miles (2,550 km2), of which 979 square miles (2,540 km2) is land and 5.0 square miles (13 km2) (0.5%) is water.[6] It has a warm-summer humid continental climate (Dfb) and average monthly temperatures in downtown Bradford range from 23.0 °F in January to 67.6 °F in July, while in Mount Jewett they range from 21.2 °F in January to 65.1 °F in July.[7]
Adjacent counties
- Cattaraugus County, New York (north)
- Allegany County, New York (northeast)
- Potter County (east)
- Cameron County (southeast)
- Elk County (south)
- Forest County (southwest)
- Warren County (west)
Major highways
National protected area
- Allegheny National Forest (part)
- Allegheny National Recreation Area (part)
Demographics
| Census | Pop. | Note | %± |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1810 | 142 | — | |
| 1820 | 728 | 412.7% | |
| 1830 | 1,439 | 97.7% | |
| 1840 | 2,975 | 106.7% | |
| 1850 | 5,254 | 76.6% | |
| 1860 | 8,859 | 68.6% | |
| 1870 | 8,825 | −0.4% | |
| 1880 | 42,565 | 382.3% | |
| 1890 | 46,863 | 10.1% | |
| 1900 | 51,343 | 9.6% | |
| 1910 | 47,868 | −6.8% | |
| 1920 | 48,934 | 2.2% | |
| 1930 | 55,167 | 12.7% | |
| 1940 | 56,673 | 2.7% | |
| 1950 | 56,607 | −0.1% | |
| 1960 | 54,517 | −3.7% | |
| 1970 | 51,915 | −4.8% | |
| 1980 | 50,653 | −2.4% | |
| 1990 | 47,131 | −7.0% | |
| 2000 | 45,963 | −2.5% | |
| 2010 | 43,450 | −5.5% | |
| 2020 | 40,432 | −6.9% | |
| 2025 (est.) | 38,984 | [8] | −3.6% |
| U.S. Decennial Census[9] 1790–1960[10] 1900–1990[11] 1990–2000[12] 2010–2017[13][14] | |||
As of the 2000 census,[15] there were 45,936 people, 18,024 households, and 12,094 families residing in the county. The population density was 47 people per square mile (18 people/km2). There were 21,644 housing units at an average density of 22 units per square mile (8.5/km2). The racial makeup of the county was 96.46% White, 1.87% Black, 0.32% Native American, 0.30% Asian, 0.02% Pacific Islander, 0.40% from other races, and 0.61% from two or more races. 1.06% of the population were Hispanic or Latino of any race. 35.0% German, 22.2% Irish, 14.6% Italian, 12.3% English, 10.0% Swedish, 8.6% American, 5.8% Polish, and 3.7% French ancestry.
There were 18,024 households, out of which 30.50% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 52.50% were married couples living together, 10.10% had a female householder with no husband present, and 32.90% were non-families. 28.30% of all households were made up of individuals, and 13.30% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.40 and the average family size was 2.93.
In the county, the age distribution of the population shows 23.70% under the age of 18, 7.90% from 18 to 24, 28.50% from 25 to 44, 23.20% from 45 to 64, and 16.70% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 39 years. For every 100 females there were 100.40 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 98.70 males.
2020 census
As of the 2020 census, the county had a population of 40,432. The median age was 44.0 years. 20.1% of residents were under the age of 18 and 20.7% of residents were 65 years of age or older. For every 100 females there were 103.2 males, and for every 100 females age 18 and over there were 102.1 males age 18 and over.[16]
The racial makeup of the county was majority White, with smaller Black or African American, American Indian and Alaska Native, Asian, Pacific Islander, some other race, and multiracial populations, while Hispanic or Latino residents of any race comprised 1.6% of the population.[17]
27.6% of residents lived in urban areas, while 72.4% lived in rural areas.[18]
There were 16,470 households in the county, of which 25.7% had children under the age of 18 living in them. Of all households, 45.1% were married-couple households, 20.6% were households with a male householder and no spouse or partner present, and 25.4% were households with a female householder and no spouse or partner present. About 31.5% of all households were made up of individuals and 14.7% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older.[16]
There were 19,416 housing units, of which 15.2% were vacant. Among occupied housing units, 74.2% were owner-occupied and 25.8% were renter-occupied. The homeowner vacancy rate was 1.9% and the rental vacancy rate was 9.4%.[16]
| Race / Ethnicity (NH = Non-Hispanic) | Pop 2000[19] | Pop 2010[20] | Pop 2020[21] | % 2000 | % 2010 | % 2020 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| White alone (NH) | 44,078 | 41,039 | 36,991 | 95.95% | 94.45% | 91.48% |
| Black or African American alone (NH) | 829 | 1,008 | 849 | 1.80% | 2.31% | 2.09% |
| Native American or Alaska Native alone (NH) | 132 | 83 | 102 | 0.28% | 0.19% | 0.25% |
| Asian alone (NH) | 138 | 191 | 193 | 0.30% | 0.43% | 0.47% |
| Pacific Islander alone (NH) | 6 | 3 | 2 | 0.01% | 0.00% | 0.00% |
| Other race alone (NH) | 29 | 13 | 82 | 0.06% | 0.02% | 0.20% |
| Mixed race or Multiracial (NH) | 239 | 356 | 1,571 | 0.52% | 0.81% | 3.88% |
| Hispanic or Latino (any race) | 485 | 757 | 642 | 1.05% | 1.74% | 1.58% |
| Total | 45,936 | 43,450 | 40,432 | 100.00% | 100.00% | 100.00% |
Micropolitan Statistical Area
The United States Office of Management and Budget[22] has designated McKean County as the Bradford, PA micropolitan statistical area (USA).[23] As of the 2010 U.S. census[24] the micropolitan area ranked 13th most populous in Pennsylvania and the 277th most populous in the United States with a population of 43,450.
Law and government
| Year | Republican | Democratic | Third party(ies) | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| No. | % | No. | % | No. | % | |
| 1888 | 4,066 | 52.74% | 2,922 | 37.90% | 721 | 9.35% |
| 1892 | 3,594 | 50.01% | 2,843 | 39.56% | 750 | 10.44% |
| 1896 | 5,077 | 59.59% | 3,074 | 36.08% | 369 | 4.33% |
| 1900 | 6,319 | 61.39% | 3,427 | 33.29% | 547 | 5.31% |
| 1904 | 5,719 | 67.48% | 1,636 | 19.30% | 1,120 | 13.22% |
| 1908 | 5,073 | 58.01% | 2,867 | 32.78% | 805 | 9.21% |
| 1912 | 1,345 | 16.81% | 2,362 | 29.52% | 4,294 | 53.67% |
| 1916 | 4,300 | 51.81% | 3,161 | 38.09% | 838 | 10.10% |
| 1920 | 7,830 | 68.65% | 2,505 | 21.96% | 1,071 | 9.39% |
| 1924 | 9,072 | 68.99% | 2,376 | 18.07% | 1,701 | 12.94% |
| 1928 | 14,012 | 73.49% | 4,964 | 26.04% | 90 | 0.47% |
| 1932 | 9,970 | 65.01% | 4,661 | 30.39% | 704 | 4.59% |
| 1936 | 11,837 | 53.37% | 9,733 | 43.88% | 611 | 2.75% |
| 1940 | 14,822 | 67.58% | 6,991 | 31.88% | 119 | 0.54% |
| 1944 | 11,988 | 64.45% | 6,492 | 34.90% | 121 | 0.65% |
| 1948 | 10,218 | 66.91% | 4,785 | 31.33% | 269 | 1.76% |
| 1952 | 15,256 | 73.43% | 5,373 | 25.86% | 147 | 0.71% |
| 1956 | 14,725 | 73.81% | 5,152 | 25.82% | 73 | 0.37% |
| 1960 | 13,699 | 63.62% | 7,767 | 36.07% | 66 | 0.31% |
| 1964 | 7,948 | 41.82% | 10,950 | 57.61% | 109 | 0.57% |
| 1968 | 10,506 | 59.67% | 6,326 | 35.93% | 775 | 4.40% |
| 1972 | 11,958 | 71.72% | 4,513 | 27.07% | 202 | 1.21% |
| 1976 | 10,305 | 60.88% | 6,424 | 37.95% | 197 | 1.16% |
| 1980 | 9,229 | 60.85% | 5,064 | 33.39% | 873 | 5.76% |
| 1984 | 10,963 | 69.22% | 4,818 | 30.42% | 58 | 0.37% |
| 1988 | 9,323 | 63.22% | 5,300 | 35.94% | 124 | 0.84% |
| 1992 | 6,965 | 42.47% | 5,331 | 32.51% | 4,104 | 25.02% |
| 1996 | 6,838 | 45.99% | 5,509 | 37.05% | 2,522 | 16.96% |
| 2000 | 9,661 | 61.12% | 5,510 | 34.86% | 635 | 4.02% |
| 2004 | 10,941 | 62.79% | 6,294 | 36.12% | 191 | 1.10% |
| 2008 | 9,224 | 57.61% | 6,465 | 40.38% | 321 | 2.00% |
| 2012 | 9,545 | 62.99% | 5,297 | 34.95% | 312 | 2.06% |
| 2016 | 11,635 | 70.67% | 4,025 | 24.45% | 804 | 4.88% |
| 2020 | 14,083 | 72.18% | 5,098 | 26.13% | 329 | 1.69% |
| 2024 | 14,401 | 72.92% | 5,115 | 25.90% | 234 | 1.18% |
| Year | Republican | Democratic | Third party(ies) | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| No. | % | No. | % | No. | % | |
| 1994 | 7,579 | 67.98% | 3,285 | 29.46% | 285 | 2.56% |
| 2000 | 9,804 | 68.09% | 4,304 | 29.89% | 290 | 2.01% |
| 2006 | 5,928 | 54.23% | 5,003 | 45.77% | 0 | 0.00% |
| 2012 | 9,250 | 61.99% | 5,355 | 35.89% | 316 | 2.12% |
| 2018 | 8,285 | 66.52% | 3,972 | 31.89% | 197 | 1.58% |
| 2024 | 13,799 | 70.51% | 5,231 | 26.73% | 541 | 2.76% |
| Year | Republican | Democratic | Third party(ies) | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| No. | % | No. | % | No. | % | |
| 1992 | 7,768 | 51.90% | 6,455 | 43.13% | 744 | 4.97% |
| 1998 | 6,332 | 69.15% | 2,505 | 27.36% | 320 | 3.49% |
| 2004 | 10,931 | 67.93% | 4,275 | 26.57% | 886 | 5.51% |
| 2010 | 6,801 | 68.64% | 3,107 | 31.36% | 0 | 0.00% |
| 2016 | 11,530 | 71.52% | 3,987 | 24.73% | 605 | 3.75% |
| 2022 | 10,076 | 68.77% | 4,135 | 28.22% | 440 | 3.00% |
| Year | Republican | Democratic | Third party(ies) | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| No. | % | No. | % | No. | % | |
| 1970 | 7,297 | 57.31% | 5,284 | 41.50% | 152 | 1.19% |
| 1974 | 7,883 | 61.60% | 4,774 | 37.31% | 140 | 1.09% |
| 1978 | 7,106 | 65.69% | 3,586 | 33.15% | 126 | 1.16% |
| 1982 | 7,352 | 62.46% | 4,335 | 36.83% | 84 | 0.71% |
| 1986 | 6,976 | 59.79% | 4,579 | 39.24% | 113 | 0.97% |
| 1990 | 3,893 | 43.05% | 5,151 | 56.95% | 0 | 0.00% |
| 1994 | 6,359 | 54.67% | 2,925 | 25.15% | 2,348 | 20.19% |
| 1998 | 6,742 | 68.43% | 2,086 | 21.17% | 1,024 | 10.39% |
| 2002 | 6,373 | 64.94% | 3,215 | 32.76% | 225 | 2.29% |
| 2006 | 5,890 | 53.87% | 5,044 | 46.13% | 0 | 0.00% |
| 2010 | 7,117 | 72.03% | 2,763 | 27.97% | 0 | 0.00% |
| 2014 | 5,311 | 64.33% | 2,945 | 35.67% | 0 | 0.00% |
| 2018 | 8,512 | 67.59% | 3,899 | 30.96% | 182 | 1.45% |
| 2022 | 10,082 | 68.53% | 4,392 | 29.85% | 238 | 1.62% |
Voter registration
As of February 21, 2022, there are 24,893 registered voters in McKean County.[32]
- Republican (61.7%)
- Democratic (24.2%)
- Independent (9.22%)
- Third Party (4.83%)
- Democratic: 6,037 (24.25%)
- Republican: 15,357 (61.69%)
- Independent: 2,296 (9.22%)
- Third Party: 1,203 (4.83%)
State Senate
- Cris Dush, Republican, Pennsylvania's 25th Senatorial District[33]
State House of Representatives
United States House of Representatives
United States Senate
Education
Public school districts
School districts include:[34]
- Bradford Area School District
- Kane Area School District (also covers part of Elk County)
- Oswayo Valley School District (majority of which is in Potter County, covers small portion in McKean County)
- Otto-Eldred School District
- Port Allegany School District (also covers part of Potter County)
- Smethport Area School District
Private schools
As reported by EdNA, Pennsylvania Department of Education, June 2010.
- Bradford Area Christian Academy, Bradford
- Custer City Private School
- Learning Center Inc, Bradford
- United Christian Academy, Smethport
Libraries
- Bradford Area Public Library
- Friends Memorial Public Library - Kane
- Hamlin Memorial Library - Smethport
- Mount Jewett Memorial Library
- Samuel W Smith Memorial Public Library - Port Allegany
Other education entities
- Beacon Light Behavioral Health Systems - Custer City
- McKean County Historical Society's Museum at the Old Jail - Smethport
- Seneca Highlands Career and Technical Center - Port Allegany
- Seneca Highlands IU 9 - Smethport
- University of Pittsburgh at Bradford
Recreation
There is one Pennsylvania state park in McKean County. Kinzua Bridge State Park is between U.S. Route 6 and Pennsylvania Route 59, just east of the Allegheny National Forest near Mount Jewett. When it was built, it was the highest and longest railroad bridge in the world. It was chosen by the Pennsylvania Department of Conservation and Natural Resources (DCNR) and its Bureau of Parks as one of "Twenty Must-See Pennsylvania State Parks" and is a Historic Civil Engineering Landmark. A tornado destroyed much of the bridge in 2003, and a skywalk and viewing platform have since been installed on its remnants.
Communities
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 McKean County:
City
Boroughs
- Eldred
- Kane
- Lewis Run
- Mount Jewett
- Port Allegany
- Smethport (county seat)
Townships
Census-designated places
Unincorporated communities
Population ranking
The population ranking of the following table is based on the 2010 census of McKean County.[24]
† county seat
| Rank | City/Town/etc. | Municipal type | Population (2010 Census) |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Bradford | City | 8,770 |
| 2 | Kane | Borough | 3,730 |
| 3 | Port Allegany | Borough | 2,157 |
| 4 | † Smethport | Borough | 1,655 |
| 5 | Foster Brook | CDP | 1,251 |
| 6 | Mount Jewett | Borough | 919 |
| 7 | Eldred | Borough | 875 |
| 8 | Lewis Run | Borough | 617 |
| 9 | Rew | CDP | 199 |
