| Snyder County, Pennsylvania | |
Location in the state of Pennsylvania |
|
Pennsylvania's location in the U.S. |
|
| Founded | March 2, 1855 |
|---|---|
| Seat | Middleburg |
| Largest city | Selinsgrove |
| Area - Total - Land - Water |
332 sq mi (860 km²) 331 sq mi (857 km²) 1 sq mi (3 km²), 0.29% |
| Population - (2010) - Density |
39,702 120/sq mi (46.3/km²) |
| Website | www.snydercounty.org |
Snyder County is a county located in the U.S. state of Pennsylvania. As of 2010, the population was 39,702. Snyder County was formed in 1855 from parts of Union County. The county seat is Middleburg[1].
Contents |
Snyder County was settled in the 1740’s by Pennsylvania Germans from Berks and Lancaster Counties, and became an independent political unit on March 2, 1855 when formed under part of Union County. Snyder County took its name in honor of the famous citizen and political figure, Simon Snyder, who was governor of Pennsylvania for three terms, from 1808 to 1817, and made his home in Selinsgrove. The county seat of Middleburg was laid out in 1800 and incorporated in 1864.[2]
According to the U.S. Census Bureau, the county has a total area of 332 square miles (860 km²), of which 331 square miles (858 km²) is land and 1 square miles (2 km²) (0.29%) is water. Snyder County is in the Appalachian Mountain Section of the Ridge and Valley Province. Two parallel mountain ridges run southwest to northeast. The Susquehanna River is the eastern border. Between the ridges are steep hills, gently rolling hills, and flat creek valleys. With over 400 active farms in the county, agriculture plays an important role in the economy and environment. Roughly half the county remains forested with both softwoods and hardwoods. These woods provide a place for wildlife to roam which provides for the sport of hunting.
| Historical populations | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| Census | Pop. | %± | |
| 1860 | 15,035 |
|
|
| 1870 | 15,606 | 3.8% | |
| 1880 | 17,797 | 14.0% | |
| 1890 | 17,651 | −0.8% | |
| 1900 | 17,304 | −2.0% | |
| 1910 | 16,800 | −2.9% | |
| 1920 | 17,129 | 2.0% | |
| 1930 | 18,836 | 10.0% | |
| 1940 | 20,208 | 7.3% | |
| 1950 | 22,912 | 13.4% | |
| 1960 | 25,922 | 13.1% | |
| 1970 | 29,269 | 12.9% | |
| 1980 | 33,584 | 14.7% | |
| 1990 | 36,680 | 9.2% | |
| 2000 | 37,546 | 2.4% | |
| 2010 | 39,702 | 5.7% | |
| [3][4] | |||
As of the census[5] of 2000, there were 37,546 people, 13,654 households, and 9,981 families residing in the county. The population density was 113 people per square mile (44/km²). There were 14,890 housing units at an average density of 45 per square mile (17/km²). The racial makeup of the county was 97.93% White, 0.82% Black or African American, 0.05% Native American, 0.42% Asian, 0.01% Pacific Islander, 0.30% from other races, and 0.48% from two or more races. 0.98% of the population were Hispanic or Latino of any race. 48.2% were of German, 17.2% American and 5.5% English ancestry according to Census 2000. 4.19% report speaking Pennsylvania German at home.[1]
There were 13,654 households out of which 32.10% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 62.00% were married couples living together, 7.40% had a female householder with no husband present, and 26.90% were non-families. 22.40% of all households were made up of individuals and 10.30% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.58 and the average family size was 3.02.
In the county, the population was spread out with 24.00% under the age of 18, 11.20% from 18 to 24, 27.40% from 25 to 44, 23.30% from 45 to 64, and 14.00% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 37 years. For every 100 females there were 95.60 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 93.10 males.
The Average Wage per job reported for 2003 was $26,650. County population in 2003 had risen to 37,965. Jobs in 2003 were 17,907 with a Total labor force in 2004 of 19,863. The unemployment rate in 2004 was reported at 4.8%. Average household size in Snyder County in 2004 was 2.58.
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 Snyder County:
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. Other unincorporated communities, such as villages, may be listed here as well.
Manufacturing since the year 2001 was faced with the largest loss in employment in Snyder County. The sector dealt with a loss of 427 jobs, or 7.2 percent of the employment in the industry. This made up a total of 36 percent of all county employment losses since 2001. Employment Report for Snyder County, Pennsylvania. U.S. Department of Labor. Bureau of Labor Statistics.
County Major Employers and Industry Sector as reported by Pennsylvania Department of Labor and Industry December 2006.
Wood Mode Manufacturing
Susquehanna University Educational Services
Conestoga Wood Specialties Corp Manufacturing
Selinsgrove Area School District Educational Services
Midd West School District Educational Services
Apex Homes Inc Manufacturing
Wal-Mart Associates Inc Retail Trade
National Beef Wholesale Trade
Penn Lyon Homes Inc Manufacturing
Professional Building Systems Manufacturing
In 2005 manufacturing was the largest of 20 major sectors. It had an average wage per job of $34,042. Per capita income grew by 7.7% between 1994 and 2004 (adjusted for inflation).
Two Selinsgrove based manufacturing facilities announced closings in Spring 2007. Both are building related manufacturing facilities. Together they represent a loss of over 250 jobs.
During the Spring of 2008 a new manufacturing facility, Icon Legacy Custom Modular Homes, opened in Selinsgrove, PA adding 100 jobs to the local economy.[6]
The county and region are struggling economically. The reasons include: a lack of inter-municipal coordination and cooperation, a changing employment base and a dearth of jobs paying a living wage, out-migration of young people, an aging population, the need for workforce development, and an inequitable local tax structure.[7]
Between 2000 and 2005, a total of two businesses in Snyder County received funds totaling $550,000 through the Pennsylvania Department of Community and Economic Development’s Opportunity Grant Program.[8]
Snyder County has two main arteries. U.S. Routes 11/15 travel through the county on the east end generally following the path of the Susquehanna River. The highway is a major travel artery through the region. Flow is constant (truck and vehicle) with very heavy loads and backups on Fridays (especially in the afternoon) and holiday weekends. There is a proposed major highway bypass project called the Central Susquehanna Valley Thruway. It is meeting with funding challenges that have delayed the project for decades. The proposed thruway would cross Monroe Township just north of Shamokin Dam. Many residential properties are designated for eminent domain actions. Residents along the proposed route have expressed concerns about the negative impact on their quality of life that the thruway would mean. Pro development forces have been successful in overwhelming their objections. Others are concerned that, like the town of Selinsgrove which is in decline, the bypass will mean the loss of local revenue and jobs that the traffic brings to the many local restaurants and hotels that are located along the current U.S. Rtes 11 & 15 highway. In June 2007 another two year delay was announced by the Pennsylvania Department of Transportation. The primary roadblock is a lack of funding for the estimated over $300 million dollar project. The state's transportation has historically been grossly underfunded. This has resulted in hundreds of bridges and roads in need of repair. PennDOT report on Snyder County roads and bridges in need of repair. [9][10]
U.S. Rte 522 begins in Selinsgrove and travels west through Kreamer, Middleburg and on to Lewistown. Route 35 begins on 11/15 south of Selinsgrove borough and runs roughly parallel to Route 522 crossing through Freeburg and Mount Pleasant Mills then westward to McAllisterville and Richfield, in western Snyder County.
Snyder County is in Pennsylvania Department Of Transportation District 3. According to PennDOT there are 240 state owned bridges in the county. In 2007, 27 of the bridges are rated structurally deficient and 4 are posted with weight limits. The bridge that spans Middle Creek in Kreamer has been deemed structurally deficient by the state.[11]
State routes 235, 104 and 204 cross the county in a north - south direction. State route 104 joins State Route 45 with U.S. Rtes 11/15 in Juniata County.
According to the Office of Child Development and Early Learning of the Pennsylvania Department of Education June 2007 report, Snyder County is rated low to moderate risk level for children who are “at risk” and therefore might benefit from more taxpayer funded services. Snyder County was rated 1.86 ARL, in the lowest 25% of counties for average risk level.[12]
Head Start is a federally and state funded preschool program for low income children. The program serves 3 and 4 year olds. In order to participate the family income must be below federal poverty guidelines.
As reported by the National Center for Educational Statistics[14]
In 2002, Snyder County ranked among the dirtiest/worst 10% of all counties in the U.S. in terms of cancer risk score (air and water releases). In 1999, this county ranked among the dirtiest/worst 10% of all counties in the U.S. in terms of sulfur dioxide emissions.
Snyder County’s water supply includes wells, springs/streams, reservoirs, the Susquehanna River, treatment plants, and pumping stations. Water distribution can be affected in three ways: the amount of water available; the quality of the water; and the viability of the physical components of the distribution systems. The quantity of water usually depends on nature. Humans, on the other hand, are primarily responsible for the maintenance of water quality. Water contamination can occur naturally, by human error or intentionally. Occasionally, releases of manure and milk into the water supply can cause contamination. There are also times when accidental spills and releases of hazardous materials contaminate water. Water supplies along transportation routes have been affected by hazardous materials spills.
Electric – All 21 municipalities within Snyder County receive electric service from PPL Electric Utilities, Inc. According to the U.S. Department of Energy, a 500 kilovolt line runs through Snyder County. Three 138 kilovolt lines stem from this 500 kilovolt line at the Sunbury Generation coal-fired power plant in Shamokin Dam, which is capable of producing roughly 400 megawatts of electrical power.
Water – Water service in Snyder County is provided by various municipal and regional authorities, private water providers, and private well water sources.
Gas – UGI Penn Natural Gas is the only natural gas provider in Snyder County, providing service to Jackson, Middlecreek, Monroe, and Penn Townships, as well as Selinsgrove and Shamokin Dam Boroughs. Several propane dealers exist to service the rural community.
Communications – Verizon provides telephone service and EvenLink provides VoIP telephone service to all 21 municipalities in Snyder County.
Cable television service is provided by Service Electric Cablevision, Nittany Media, Inc., Zampelli Electronics, and Beaver Springs Community TV Association.
High-speed Internet access is principally provided by Verizon, EvenLink, and Service Electric Cablevision.
There are several restaurants featuring high speed wireless internet in Snyder County. Dunkin Donuts and Applebee's provide fee-based services provided by PenTeleData Unleashed. The White House Deli in MP Mills provides a free service.
The county is strongly Republican in presidential elections. The last Republican nominee to receive less than 60% of the county's vote was Bob Dole. In 2008 John McCain received 64% of the county's vote.[15] Snyder County was one of the only counties in Pennsylvania to go for Barry Goldwater.[16] The last Republican presidential candidate to lose Snyder County was incumbent president William Howard Taft when he split the Republican vote with challenger and former president Theodore Roosevelt, who took the county for the insurgent Progressive Party.[17] In fact, no Democratic presidential candidate has been able to claim the county since Pennsylvania native James Buchanan won the presidency in 1856. The only county in Pennsylvania to be more steadfastly Republican (or indeed, remain so one-sidedly partisan for either party in Pennsylvania) in presidential contests has been Snyder County's neighbor to the north, Union County, which voted for John C. Fremont over Buchanan in 1856.[18]
The county is located in Pennsylvania's 10th congressional district, which has a Cook Partisan Voting Index of R+8 and is represented by Republican Tom Marino. As part of Pennsylvania Senate, District 27 it is represented by Republican John Gordner. The county contains locations in Pennsylvania House of Representatives, District 82, Pennsylvania House of Representatives, District 85, and Pennsylvania House of Representatives, District 108. All of these have been represented by Republicans since 1989.
Of "Straight Party" voters in Snyder 73.2% are Republican and 24.65% are Democratic. In the 2008 election Republicans won in all races and in most they won by over 20%. Chris Carney lost by roughly 13% in the county[19] while winning by 12% in the district.
Snyder County is well known for its unmistakable Pennsylvania German language and culture, agricultural heritage, as well as its fraktur, Kentucky rifles, wood products industries, Middleswarth chip factory, and the annual fairs, festivals, and auctions that keep the local heritage alive. Some of the more famous historical structures of the county are the Governor Snyder Mansion, Pomfret’s Castle, Schoch Block House, ruins of the Pennsylvania Canal, and its covered bridges. Snyder County is also home to Snyder-Middleswarth State Park, the Tall Timbers Natural Area, and thirteen Pennsylvania State Historical markers.
|
|||||||||||||||||