Cameron County, Pennsylvania
County in Pennsylvania, United States
From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
Cameron County is a county in the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania. As of the 2020 census, the population was 4,547,[3] making it Pennsylvania's least populous county. Its county seat is Emporium.[4] The county was created on March 29, 1860, from parts of Clinton, Elk, McKean, and Potter counties. It is named for Senator Simon Cameron. The county is part of the North Central region of the commonwealth.[a]
Cameron County, Pennsylvania | |
|---|---|
| |
 Flag  Logo | |
 Location within the U.S. state of Pennsylvania | |
| Coordinates: 41°26′N 78°12′W | |
| Country |  United States |
| State |  Pennsylvania |
| Founded | March 29, 1860 |
| Named after | Simon Cameron |
| Seat | Emporium |
| Largest borough | Emporium |
| Area | |
• Total | 398.4 sq mi (1,032 km2) |
| • Land | 396.2 sq mi (1,026 km2) |
| • Water | 2.2 sq mi (5.7 km2) 0.5% |
| Population (2020) | |
• Total | 4,547 |
4,211  | |
| • Density | 11.4/sq mi (4.4/km2) |
| Time zone | UTC−5 (Eastern) |
| • Summer (DST) | UTC−4 (EDT) |
| Congressional district | 15th |
| Website | www |
| Designated | September 14, 1982[2] |
Geography
According to the U.S. Census Bureau, the county has a total area of 398.4 square miles (1,032 km2), of which 396.2 square miles (1,026 km2) is land and 2.2 square miles (5.7 km2) (0.5%) is water.[5] It has a warm-summer humid continental climate (Dfb) and average monthly temperatures in Emporium range from 24.2 °F in January to 69.3 °F in July, while in Driftwood they range from 24.9 °F in January to 69.9 °F in July.[6]
Adjacent counties
- McKean County (north)
- Potter County (northeast)
- Clinton County (east)
- Clearfield County (south)
- Elk County (west)
Major roads
Cameron County is the only county in the state of Pennsylvania to not be crossed by either an interstate or U.S. Route.
Demographics
| Census | Pop. | Note | %± |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1870 | 4,273 | — | |
| 1880 | 5,159 | 20.7% | |
| 1890 | 7,238 | 40.3% | |
| 1900 | 7,048 | −2.6% | |
| 1910 | 7,644 | 8.5% | |
| 1920 | 6,297 | −17.6% | |
| 1930 | 5,307 | −15.7% | |
| 1940 | 6,852 | 29.1% | |
| 1950 | 7,023 | 2.5% | |
| 1960 | 7,586 | 8.0% | |
| 1970 | 7,096 | −6.5% | |
| 1980 | 6,674 | −5.9% | |
| 1990 | 5,913 | −11.4% | |
| 2000 | 5,974 | 1.0% | |
| 2010 | 5,085 | −14.9% | |
| 2020 | 4,547 | −10.6% | |
| 2025 (est.) | 4,211 | [7] | −7.4% |
| U.S. Decennial Census[8] 1790–1960[9] 1900–1990[10] 1990–2000[11] 2010–2017[12] | |||
Racial and ethnic composition
| Race / Ethnicity (NH = Non-Hispanic) | Pop 1980[13] | Pop 1990[14] | Pop 2000[15] | Pop 2010[16] | Pop 2020[17] | % 1980 | % 1990 | % 2000 | % 2010 | % 2020 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| White alone (NH) | 6,622 | 5,878 | 5,882 | 4,985 | 4,271 | 99.22% | 99.41% | 98.46% | 98.03% | 93.93% |
| Black or African American alone (NH) | 6 | 7 | 21 | 12 | 12 | 0.09% | 0.12% | 0.35% | 0.24% | 0.26% |
| Native American or Alaska Native alone (NH) | 23 | 14 | 8 | 13 | 8 | 0.34% | 0.24% | 0.13% | 0.26% | 0.18% |
| Asian alone (NH) | 2 | 6 | 7 | 14 | 29 | 0.03% | 0.10% | 0.12% | 0.28% | 0.64% |
| Native Hawaiian or Pacific Islander alone (NH) | x [18] | x [19] | 0 | 0 | 0 | x | x | 0.00% | 0.00% | 0.00% |
| Other race alone (NH) | 0 | 5 | 2 | 0 | 12 | 0.00% | 0.08% | 0.03% | 0.00% | 0.26% |
| Mixed race or Multiracial (NH) | x [20] | x [21] | 20 | 42 | 129 | x | x | 0.33% | 0.83% | 2.84% |
| Hispanic or Latino (any race) | 21 | 3 | 34 | 19 | 86 | 0.31% | 0.05% | 0.57% | 0.37% | 1.89% |
| Total | 6,674 | 5,913 | 5,974 | 5,085 | 4,547 | 100.00% | 100.00% | 100.00% | 100.00% | 100.00% |
2020 census
As of the 2020 census, the county had a population of 4,547. The median age was 51.3 years. 17.5% of residents were under the age of 18 and 27.7% of residents were 65 years of age or older. For every 100 females there were 105.7 males, and for every 100 females age 18 and over there were 104.4 males age 18 and over.[22]
The racial makeup of the county was 94.2% White, 0.4% Black or African American, 0.2% American Indian and Alaska Native, 0.6% Asian, <0.1% Native Hawaiian and Pacific Islander, 0.9% from some other race, and 3.7% from two or more races. Hispanic or Latino residents of any race comprised 1.9% of the population.[23]
<0.1% of residents lived in urban areas, while 100.0% lived in rural areas.[24]
There were 2,120 households in the county, of which 21.9% had children under the age of 18 living in them. Of all households, 43.4% were married-couple households, 24.9% were households with a male householder and no spouse or partner present, and 24.2% were households with a female householder and no spouse or partner present. About 36.1% of all households were made up of individuals and 18.6% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older.[22]
There were 3,932 housing units, of which 46.1% were vacant. Among occupied housing units, 74.2% were owner-occupied and 25.8% were renter-occupied. The homeowner vacancy rate was 2.8% and the rental vacancy rate was 12.5%.[22]
2000 census
As of the 2000 census,[25] there were 5,974 people, 2,465 households, and 1,624 families residing in the county. The population density was 15 people per square mile (5.8 people/km2). There were 4,592 housing units at an average density of 12 units per square mile (4.6/km2). The racial makeup of the county was 98.83% White, 0.35% Black or African American, 0.13% Native American, 0.12% Asian, 0.05% Pacific Islander, 0.05% from other races, and 0.47% from two or more races. 0.57% of the population were Hispanic or Latino of any race. 33.5% were of German, 15.7% Irish, 14.5% American, 13.1% Italian, 9.2% English and 5.7% Polish ancestry.
There were 2,465 households, out of which 27.70% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 52.40% were married couples living together, 9.20% had a female householder with no husband present, and 34.10% were non-families. 30.10% of all households were made up of individuals, and 15.40% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.39 and the average family size was 2.96.
In the county, the population was spread out, with 24.50% under the age of 18, 6.00% from 18 to 24, 24.90% from 25 to 44, 24.80% from 45 to 64, and 19.80% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 41 years. For every 100 females there were 96.60 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 94.60 males.
Law and government
| Year | Republican | Democratic | Third party(ies) | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| No. | % | No. | % | No. | % | |
| 1888 | 782 | 58.14% | 551 | 40.97% | 12 | 0.89% |
| 1892 | 829 | 52.37% | 701 | 44.28% | 53 | 3.35% |
| 1896 | 925 | 59.60% | 575 | 37.05% | 52 | 3.35% |
| 1900 | 971 | 63.59% | 514 | 33.66% | 42 | 2.75% |
| 1904 | 1,228 | 73.75% | 404 | 24.26% | 33 | 1.98% |
| 1908 | 1,110 | 65.72% | 533 | 31.56% | 46 | 2.72% |
| 1912 | 388 | 30.10% | 291 | 22.58% | 610 | 47.32% |
| 1916 | 713 | 59.17% | 452 | 37.51% | 40 | 3.32% |
| 1920 | 1,364 | 68.06% | 497 | 24.80% | 143 | 7.14% |
| 1924 | 1,366 | 77.18% | 260 | 14.69% | 144 | 8.14% |
| 1928 | 1,564 | 75.52% | 501 | 24.19% | 6 | 0.29% |
| 1932 | 1,438 | 64.31% | 748 | 33.45% | 50 | 2.24% |
| 1936 | 1,801 | 53.21% | 1,538 | 45.44% | 46 | 1.36% |
| 1940 | 1,793 | 55.15% | 1,450 | 44.60% | 8 | 0.25% |
| 1944 | 1,729 | 60.60% | 1,115 | 39.08% | 9 | 0.32% |
| 1948 | 1,596 | 64.75% | 858 | 34.81% | 11 | 0.45% |
| 1952 | 2,307 | 69.05% | 1,020 | 30.53% | 14 | 0.42% |
| 1956 | 2,462 | 74.52% | 841 | 25.45% | 1 | 0.03% |
| 1960 | 2,129 | 61.06% | 1,353 | 38.80% | 5 | 0.14% |
| 1964 | 1,376 | 41.89% | 1,904 | 57.96% | 5 | 0.15% |
| 1968 | 1,822 | 58.96% | 1,104 | 35.73% | 164 | 5.31% |
| 1972 | 1,935 | 68.45% | 828 | 29.29% | 64 | 2.26% |
| 1976 | 1,616 | 54.28% | 1,319 | 44.31% | 42 | 1.41% |
| 1980 | 1,795 | 59.24% | 1,112 | 36.70% | 123 | 4.06% |
| 1984 | 2,031 | 67.05% | 990 | 32.68% | 8 | 0.26% |
| 1988 | 1,731 | 65.20% | 901 | 33.94% | 23 | 0.87% |
| 1992 | 1,173 | 43.80% | 824 | 30.77% | 681 | 25.43% |
| 1996 | 1,113 | 49.89% | 822 | 36.84% | 296 | 13.27% |
| 2000 | 1,383 | 61.58% | 779 | 34.68% | 84 | 3.74% |
| 2004 | 1,599 | 66.46% | 794 | 33.00% | 13 | 0.54% |
| 2008 | 1,323 | 58.62% | 879 | 38.95% | 55 | 2.44% |
| 2012 | 1,359 | 63.95% | 724 | 34.07% | 42 | 1.98% |
| 2016 | 1,589 | 71.90% | 531 | 24.03% | 90 | 4.07% |
| 2020 | 1,771 | 72.58% | 634 | 25.98% | 35 | 1.43% |
| 2024 | 1,654 | 74.27% | 538 | 24.16% | 35 | 1.57% |
| Year | Republican | Democratic | Third party(ies) | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| No. | % | No. | % | No. | % | |
| 1994 | 1,234 | 61.70% | 704 | 35.20% | 62 | 3.10% |
| 2000 | 1,524 | 69.59% | 626 | 28.58% | 40 | 1.83% |
| 2006 | 914 | 51.87% | 848 | 48.13% | 0 | 0.00% |
| 2012 | 1,277 | 60.44% | 767 | 36.30% | 69 | 3.27% |
| 2018 | 1,080 | 61.19% | 653 | 37.00% | 32 | 1.81% |
| 2024 | 1,558 | 70.37% | 580 | 26.20% | 76 | 3.43% |
| Year | Republican | Democratic | Third party(ies) | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| No. | % | No. | % | No. | % | |
| 1992 | 1,290 | 49.43% | 1,126 | 43.14% | 194 | 7.43% |
| 1998 | 987 | 62.31% | 517 | 32.64% | 80 | 5.05% |
| 2004 | 1,412 | 59.48% | 692 | 29.15% | 270 | 11.37% |
| 2010 | 1,005 | 64.38% | 556 | 35.62% | 0 | 0.00% |
| 2016 | 1,390 | 64.53% | 593 | 27.53% | 171 | 7.94% |
| 2022 | 1,247 | 66.01% | 547 | 28.96% | 95 | 5.03% |
| Year | Republican | Democratic | Third party(ies) | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| No. | % | No. | % | No. | % | |
| 1970 | 1,216 | 48.91% | 1,228 | 49.40% | 42 | 1.69% |
| 1974 | 1,447 | 59.23% | 983 | 40.24% | 13 | 0.53% |
| 1978 | 1,377 | 58.25% | 982 | 41.54% | 5 | 0.21% |
| 1982 | 1,353 | 52.04% | 1,239 | 47.65% | 8 | 0.31% |
| 1986 | 1,245 | 52.66% | 1,109 | 46.91% | 10 | 0.42% |
| 1990 | 721 | 35.38% | 1,314 | 64.47% | 3 | 0.15% |
| 1994 | 748 | 37.08% | 550 | 27.27% | 719 | 35.65% |
| 1998 | 688 | 42.76% | 266 | 16.53% | 655 | 40.71% |
| 2002 | 1,032 | 63.39% | 571 | 35.07% | 25 | 1.54% |
| 2006 | 989 | 55.50% | 793 | 44.50% | 0 | 0.00% |
| 2010 | 1,100 | 70.47% | 461 | 29.53% | 0 | 0.00% |
| 2014 | 779 | 56.12% | 609 | 43.88% | 0 | 0.00% |
| 2018 | 1,127 | 63.56% | 619 | 34.91% | 27 | 1.52% |
| 2022 | 1,200 | 63.49% | 639 | 33.81% | 51 | 2.70% |
Voter registration
As of February 7, 2024, there are 2,931 registered voters in Cameron County.[33]
- Republican (62.2%)
- Democratic (25.4%)
- Independent (7.71%)
- Other Parties (4.67%)
- Republican: 1,823 (62.20%)
- Democratic: 745 (25.42%)
- Independent: 226 (7.71%)
- Third Party: 137 (4.67%)
Law enforcement
As of 2016[update] all areas in the county use the Pennsylvania State Police (PSP) in a law enforcement capacity, either with part-time police departments or with no other police departments.[34]
County-row offices
- County Commissioners: Jessica Herzing (R); James D. Moate (R); Josh Zucal (D)
- Sheriff: Doug Homan (R)
- Prothonotary/Clerk/Register/Recorder: Mary Grace Olay (R)
- Treasurer: Tara Newton (R)
- District Attorney: Paul J. Malizia (R)
State senate
State House of Representatives
United States House of Representatives
United States Senate
Education
There is a single K-12 school district, Cameron County School District.[35]
Recreation
There are three Pennsylvania state parks that are partly in Cameron County.
- Bucktail State Park Natural Area is a 75-mile (121-km) scenic route along Pennsylvania Route 120 stretching from Lock Haven in Clinton County to Emporium the county seat of Cameron County.
- Sinnemahoning State Park
- Sizerville State Park
- both of these state parks straddle the Cameron and Potter County line.
The West Creek Rail Trail has been built on the abandoned rail corridor between Emporium and St. Mary's in Elk County. It provides a paved surface with guard rails and is suitable for hiking or biking in the warm seasons or snowmobiling in winter.[36]
The Fred Woods Trail offers a 4.57 mile loop of blazed trail with scenic valley views and a challenging section running through unique rock formations. The trailhead is accessed off Mason Hill Road above Driftwood, PA.[37][38][39]
Communities
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 Cameron County:
Boroughs
Townships
Census-designated place
Population ranking
The population ranking of the following table is based on the 2010 census of Cameron County.[40]
† county seat
| Rank | City/Town/etc. | Population (2010 Census) | Municipal type | Incorporated |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | † Emporium | 2,073 | Borough | 1864 |
| 2 | Prospect Park | 327 | CDP | |
| 3 | Driftwood | 67 | Borough | 1872 |
