Adams County, Pennsylvania | |
Location in the state of Pennsylvania |
|
Pennsylvania's location in the U.S. |
|
Founded | January 22, 1800 |
---|---|
Named for | John Adams, 2nd President of the United States |
Seat | Gettysburg |
Largest city | Gettysburg |
Area - Total - Land - Water |
522 sq mi (1,352 km²) 520 sq mi (1,347 km²) 2 sq mi (5 km²), 0.29% |
Population - (2010) - Density |
101,407 194.27/sq mi (75/km²) |
Time zone | Eastern: UTC-5/-4 |
Website | www.adamscounty.us |
Adams County is a county in the U.S. state of Pennsylvania. As of the 2010 census, the population was 101,407. It was created on January 22, 1800, from part of York County and named in honor of the second President of the United States, John Adams. Its county seat is Gettysburg.[1]
Contents |
District | Representative | Party |
---|---|---|
91 | Dan Moul | Republican |
193 | Will Tallman | Republican |
District | Representative | Party |
---|---|---|
19 | Todd Platts | Republican |
According to the U.S. Census Bureau, the county has a total area of 522 square miles (1,350 km2), of which 520 square miles (1,300 km2) is land and 2 square miles (5.2 km2) (0.29%) is water. The Bourough of Gettysburg is located at the center of Adams County. This county seat community is surrounded on three sides by the Gettysburg National Military Park (GNMP). The Eisenhower National Historic Site adjoins GNMP on its southwest edge. Most of Adams County's rural landscapes and its mid-19th century roadway pattern remain intact today. Thirteen historic roadways converge at or near Gettysburg Borough. Two circular rings of towns surround Gettysburg; the first ring is typically found at a distance of about 7 miles (11 km) form Gettysburg. The second ring is found at a distance of 12 to 15 miles (24 km) from the County Seat. This "spokes and wheel" pattern represents one of the few examples of Central Place Theory in the Eastern United States.
The county is in the watershed of the Chesapeake Bay and is drained by the Susquehanna River and Potomac River.
Historical populations | |||
---|---|---|---|
Census | Pop. | %± | |
1800 | 13,172 |
|
|
1810 | 15,152 | 15.0% | |
1820 | 19,370 | 27.8% | |
1830 | 21,379 | 10.4% | |
1840 | 23,044 | 7.8% | |
1850 | 25,981 | 12.7% | |
1860 | 28,006 | 7.8% | |
1870 | 30,315 | 8.2% | |
1880 | 32,455 | 7.1% | |
1890 | 33,486 | 3.2% | |
1900 | 34,496 | 3.0% | |
1910 | 34,319 | −0.5% | |
1920 | 34,583 | 0.8% | |
1930 | 37,128 | 7.4% | |
1940 | 39,435 | 6.2% | |
1950 | 44,197 | 12.1% | |
1960 | 51,906 | 17.4% | |
1970 | 56,937 | 9.7% | |
1980 | 68,292 | 19.9% | |
1990 | 78,274 | 14.6% | |
2000 | 91,292 | 16.6% | |
2010 | 101,407 | 11.1% | |
[2] |
As of the census[3] of 2010, there were 101,407 people, 33,652 households, and 24,767 families residing in the county. The population density was 194 people per square mile (75/km²). There were 35,831 housing units at an average density of 69 per square mile (27/km²). The racial makeup of the county was 95.39% White, 1.21% Black or African American, 0.20% Native American, 0.49% Asian, 0.02% Pacific Islander, 1.71% from other races, and 0.97% from two or more races. 3.64% of the population were Hispanic or Latino of any race. 42.7% were of German, 14.1% American, 8.5% Irish and 7.1% English ancestry according to Census 2000. 95.0% spoke English and 3.6% Spanish as their first language.
There were 33,652 households out of which 33.70% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 61.10% were married couples living together, 8.50% had a female householder with no husband present, and 26.40% were non-families. 21.30% of all households were made up of individuals and 9.20% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.61 and the average family size was 3.02.
In the county, the population was spread out with 24.90% under the age of 18, 9.20% from 18 to 24, 28.90% from 25 to 44, 23.00% from 45 to 64, and 13.90% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 37 years. For every 100 females there were 96.30 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 93.80 males.
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 Adams County:
Census-designated places are geographical areas designated by the U.S. Census Bureau for the purposes of compiling demographic data, but are not actual jurisdictions under Pennsylvania law. Other unincorporated communities, such as villages, may be listed here as well.
The 498 school districts of Pennsylvania, that have high schools, were ranked for student academic achievement as demonstrated by three years of math and reading PSSA results by the Pittsburgh Business Times in 2008.
As reported by Pennsylvania Department of Education April 2010.
Lincoln Intermediate Unit (IU#12) region includes: Adams County, Franklin County and York County. The agency offers school districts, home schooled students and private schools many services including: Special education services, combined purchasing, and instructional technology services. It runs Summer Academy which offers both art and academic strands designed to meet the individual needs of gifted, talented and high achieving students. Additional services include: Curriculum Mapping, Professional Development for school employees, Adult Education, Nonpublic School Services, Business Services, Migrant & ESL (English as a Second Language), Instructional Services, Special Education, Management Services, and Technology Services. It also provides a GED program to adults who want to earn a high school diploma and literacy programs. The Lincoln Intermediate Unit is governed by a 13 member Board of Directors, each a member of a local school board from the 25 school districts. Board members are elected by school directors of all 25 school districts for three-year terms that begin July 1st.[4] There are 29 intermediate units in Pennsylvania. They are funded by school districts, state and federal program specific funding and grants. IUs do not have the power to tax.
Public bus service in Adams County is available through the Adams County Transit Authority.
No Interstates pass through Adams County.
U.S. Route 15 enters Adams County, Pennsylvania south of Gettysburg. Business Route 15 (Emmitsburg Road) goes through Gettysburg, while US 15 bypasses the borough. The bypass continues to York Springs. US 15 then leaves Adams County and passes through Dillsburg in York County.
There is one Pennsylvania state park in Adams County.
Cumberland County | ||||
Franklin County | York County | |||
Adams County, Pennsylvania | ||||
Frederick County, Maryland | Carroll County, Maryland |
|