Washington County, Pennsylvania
| Washington County, Pennsylvania | |
|---|---|
 Location in the state of Pennsylvania | |
 Pennsylvania's location in the U.S. | |
| Founded | March 28, 1781 |
| Named for | George Washington |
| Seat | Washington |
| Largest city | Washington |
| Area | |
| • Total | 861 sq mi (2,230 km2) |
| • Land | 857 sq mi (2,220 km2) |
| • Water | 4 sq mi (10 km2), 0.45% |
| Population | |
| • (2010) | 207,820 |
| • Density | 242/sq mi (93.6/km²) |
| Time zone | Eastern: UTC-5/-4 |
| Website | www.co.washington.pa.us |
Washington County is a county located in the US state of Pennsylvania. As of the 2010 census, the population was 207,820.[1] Its county seat is Washington[2].
Washington County was created on March 28, 1781, from part of Westmoreland County. Both the county and the city were named for American Revolutionary War leader George Washington, later to become the first President of the United States. The county is home to Washington County Airport, located three miles (5 km) southwest of Washington, Pennsylvania.
Washington County is included in the Pittsburgh metropolitan area.
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 4 square miles (10 km²) (0.45%) is water.[3]
Adjacent counties
- Beaver County (north)
- Allegheny County (northeast)
- Westmoreland County (east)
- Fayette County (southeast)
- Greene County (south)
- Marshall County, West Virginia (southwest)
- Ohio County, West Virginia (west)
- Brooke County, West Virginia (west)
- Hancock County, West Virginia (northwest)
Government and politics
As of November 2008, there are 152,534 registered voters in Washington County .
- Democratic: 89,027 (58.37%)
- Republican: 49,025 (32.14%)
- Other Parties: 14,482 (9.49%)
The three current commissioners for Washington County are Lawrence Maggi (Democrat), Diana Irey (Republican), and Harlan G. Shober Jr. (Democrat).
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 was the Republican candidate for Pennsylvania's 12th congressional district and lost to the popular Democratic incumbent John Murtha in the 2006 election.
The Washington County Court of Common Pleas, the Twenty-Seventh Judicial District of Pennsylvania, is the state trial court, sitting in and for Washington County. It serves as the court of original jurisdiction for the region. There are six judges, which the county's citizens elect to ten year terms, under the laws of the Commonwealth. The President Judge is The Honorable Debbie O'Dell-Seneca; she is the most senior member of the bench and is responsible for the assignment of cases, the court's budget, and the administration of court personnel. The Honorable Judges of the court are:
- Debbie O'Dell-Seneca, P.J.
- Katherine B. Emery, J.
- John F. DiSalle, J.
- Janet Moschetta Bell, J.
- Gary Gilman, J.
Additionally, magisterial district judges (MDJs) serve throughout the county to hear traffic citations, issue warrants, and decide minor civil matters.
The Democratic Party has been historically dominant in county-level politics and national politics, however Washington has trended Republican at the national level 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.
Presidential election results since 1960[citation needed]
| Year | Democrat | Republican |
|---|---|---|
| 2012 | Barack Obama 40,345 (42.6%) | Mitt Romney 53,230 (56.2%) |
| 2008 | Barack Obama 46,122 (46.8%) | John McCain 50,752 (51.5%) |
| 2004 | John Kerry 48,225 (50.1%) | George W. Bush 47,679 (49.6%) |
| 2000 | Al Gore 44,961 (54.2%) | George W. Bush 37,339 (45.0%) |
| 1996 | Bill Clinton 40,952 (52.1%) | Bob Dole 27,777 (35.3%) |
| 1992 | Bill Clinton 46,143 (54.6%) | George H. W. Bush 21,977 (26.0%) |
| 1988 | Michael Dukakis 47, 527 (62.1%) | George H. W. Bush 28,651 (37.8%) |
| 1984 | Walter Mondale 50,911 (59.2%) | Ronald Reagan 34,782 (40.5%) |
| 1980 | Jimmy Carter 45,295 (55.2%) | Ronald Reagan 32,532 (39.7%) |
| 1976 | Jimmy Carter 49,317 (59.2%) | Gerald Ford 32,827 (39.4%) |
| 1972 | George McGovern 34,781 (44.1%) | Richard Nixon 42,587 (54.0%) |
| 1968 | Hubert Humphrey 47,805 (56.3%) | Richard Nixon 28,023 (33.0%) |
| 1964 | Lyndon B. Johnson 63,482 (72.3%) | Barry Goldwater 24,127 (27.5%) |
| 1960 | John F. Kennedy 53,729 (58.3%) | Richard Nixon 38,348 (41.6%) |
Another sign of growing strength for the Republican party was the overwhelming victory of now District Attorney Steven Toprani in 2007. Toprani won by a nearly 2 to 1 margin over 24 year incumbent John Pettit, who was dogged by accusations of corruption. In 2011, Toprani retired and was succeeded by Republican Eugene Vittone in a close election.
County row offices
- Clerk of Courts, Barbara Gibbs, Democrat
- Controller, Michael Namie, Democrat
- Coroner, Timothy Warco, Democrat
- District Attorney, Eugene Vittone, Republican
- Prothonotary, Phyllis Ranko-Matheny, Democrat
- Recorder of Deeds, Deborah Bardella, Democrat
- Register of Wills, Mary Jo Poknis, Democrat
- Sheriff, Samuel Romano, Democrat
- Treasurer, Francis L. King, Democrat
- Public Safety Director, Jeffrey A. Yates, Independent
State Representatives
- Richard Saccone, Republican, 39th district
- John A. Maher, Republican, 40th district
- Jesse J. White, Democrat, 46th district
- Brandon P. Neuman, Democrat, 48th district
- Peter Daley, Democrat, 49th district
- H. William DeWeese, Democrat, 50th district
State Senators
- Rich Kasunic, Democrat, 32nd district
- Timothy Solobay, Democrat, 46th district
US Representatives
- Bill Shuster, Republican, 9th district
- Tim Murphy, Republican, 18th district
Demographics
| Historical population | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| Census | Pop. | %± | |
| 1790 | 23,892 | ||
| 1800 | 28,298 | 18.4% | |
| 1810 | 36,289 | 28.2% | |
| 1820 | 40,038 | 10.3% | |
| 1830 | 42,784 | 6.9% | |
| 1840 | 41,279 | −3.5% | |
| 1850 | 44,939 | 8.9% | |
| 1860 | 46,805 | 4.2% | |
| 1870 | 48,483 | 3.6% | |
| 1880 | 55,418 | 14.3% | |
| 1890 | 71,155 | 28.4% | |
| 1900 | 92,181 | 29.5% | |
| 1910 | 143,680 | 55.9% | |
| 1920 | 188,992 | 31.5% | |
| 1930 | 204,802 | 8.4% | |
| 1940 | 210,852 | 3.0% | |
| 1950 | 209,628 | −0.6% | |
| 1960 | 217,271 | 3.6% | |
| 1970 | 210,876 | −2.9% | |
| 1980 | 217,074 | 2.9% | |
| 1990 | 204,584 | −5.8% | |
| 2000 | 202,897 | −0.8% | |
| 2010 | 207,820 | 2.4% | |
| Est. 2012 | 208,716 | 0.4% | |
2012 Estimate[1] | |||
As of the census[5] 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 (91/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 according to Census 2000.
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 religion because "prime lands" were already taken by the Germans and the Quakers.
Landmarks and events
Washington County is the home of the PONY Baseball and Softball International Headquarters[6] and is the home of the Pennsylvania Trolley Museum.[7] 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.[8] The county has 21 covered bridges still standing.[9]
The Whiskey Rebellion culminated in Washington. The home of David Bradford, one of the rebellions leaders, is located in Washington and is a national landmark.[10] 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.[11][12]
In 1981, the Pennsylvania Historical and Museum Commission installed a historical marker noting the historic importance of the county.[13]
Municipalities
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.
Other places
Education
Colleges and universities
- California University of Pennsylvania in California Borough
- Community College of Allegheny County Washington branch in North Franklin Township
- Washington & Jefferson College in the City of Washington and East Washington Borough
- Waynesburg University- Southpointe Center Campus in Canonsburg.[14]
Public school districts
- Avella Area School District
- Bentworth School District
- Bethlehem-Center School District
- Brownsville Area School District (also in Fayette County)
- Burgettstown Area School District
- California Area School District
- Canon-McMillan School District
- Charleroi School District
- Chartiers-Houston School District
- Fort Cherry School District (also in Allegheny County)
- McGuffey School District
- Peters Township School District
- Ringgold School District
- Trinity Area School District
- Washington School District
- Served by
- Intermediate Unit 1 - Coal Center
- Mon Valley Career and Technology Center - Charleroi
- Western Area Career and Technology Center - Canonsburg
Private Schools
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Libraries
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Hospitals
- Canonsburg General Hospital, part of West Penn Allegheny Health System in North Strabane Township
- Monongahela Valley Hospital in Carroll Township
- The Washington Hospital in the City of Washington
Notable people
- John Alexander Anderson, born in Washington County, United States Congressman from Kansas[15]
- Kurt Angle (1968–present), resided in Canonsburg, Olympic gold medalist and Professional wrestler
- James G. Blaine (1830–1893), native of West Brownsville, United States Secretary of State, Speaker of the House of Representatives, and 1884 Republican presidential nominee
- David Bradford, born in Maryland 1760 and resided in Washington, early deputy attorney-general for Washington County, became a leader in the Whiskey Rebellion challenging the nascent U.S. federal government[16]
- Alexander G. Clark (1826–1891), born in Washington County, "The Colored Orator of the West", Minister to Liberia 1890–1891[17][18]
- William J. Carson (1840–1913), Civil War Medal of Honor recipient, 1863[19][20]
- Perry Como (1912–2001), native of Canonsburg, recording artist and television performer
- Mitch Daniels (1949–present), native of Monongahela, former Governor of Indiana, current president of Purdue University
- iJustine (1984–present), YouTube personality and actress
- Alexander Fulton (unknown-died ca. 1818), founder of Alexandria, Louisiana[21]
- Ken Griffey, Jr. (1969–present), native of Donora, Major League Baseball player
- Ken Griffey, Sr. (1950–present), native of Donora, Major League Baseball player
- Joseph Hardy (1924–present), former resident of Eighty Four, philanthropist, former CEO and founder of 84 Lumber
- Pete Henry (1897–1952), NFL player/coach, member of Pro Football Hall of Fame.
- Shirley Jones (1934–present), native of Charleroi, best known for her role as the mother of the Partridge Family and winning an Academy Award.
- Francis Julius LeMoyne (1798–1879) abolitionist and pioneer of cremation in the U.S.
- Jonathan Letterman (1824–1872), native of Canonsburg, Father of Battlefield Medicine and Civil War surgeon
- William Henry Letterman (1832–1881), native of Canonsburg, co-founder of the Phi Kappa Psi fraternity, surgeon, and brother of Jonathan Letterman
- Jay Livingston (1915–2001), native of McDonald, Oscar-winning songwriter
- William Holmes McGuffey (1800–1873), native of the western side of the county, famous educator and writer of McGuffey's Ecletic Readers – one of America's first text books
- Joe Montana (1956–present), native of Monongahela, National Football League player
- Stan Musial (1920–2013), native of Donora, Major League Baseball player
- Deborah Jeane Palfrey (1956–2008), native of Charleroi, "The D.C. Madam"
- David Redick (died 1805), Vice-President (Lt. Governor) of Pennsylvania for three weeks in 1788; surveyor—laid out the town of Washington.
- Paul Shannon (1909–1990), radio and television personality
- Bobby Vinton (1935–present), native of Canonsburg, recording artist
- Bud Yorkin (1926–present), American film and television producer, director, writer and actor.
- Marty Schottenheimer (1943–present), native of McDonald, National Football League player, coach
- Kurt Schottenheimer (1949–present), native of McDonald, National Football League coach
- Marvin Lewis (1958–present), native of McDonald, National Football League player, coach
References
- ↑ 1.0 1.1 "State & County QuickFacts". United States Census Bureau. Retrieved November 22, 2013.
- ↑ "Find a County". National Association of Counties. Retrieved 2011-06-07.
- ↑ "US Gazetteer files: 2010, 2000, and 1990". United States Census Bureau. 2011-02-12. Retrieved 2011-04-23.
- ↑ "U.S. Decennial Census". Census.gov. Retrieved November 22, 2013.
- ↑ "American FactFinder". United States Census Bureau. Retrieved 2011-05-14.
- ↑ PONY Baseball/Softball • Protect Our Nation's Youths. Pony.org. Retrieved on 2013-07-23.
- ↑
- ↑
- ↑
- ↑ Welcome!. Bradfordhouse.org. Retrieved on 2013-07-23.
- ↑ "The LeMoyne Crematory". Retrieved March 7, 2009.
- ↑ "An Unceremonious Rite; Cremation of Mrs. Ben Pitman" (PDF). New York Times. February 16, 1879. Retrieved March 7, 2009.
- ↑ "Mingo Creek Church - PHMC Historical Markers". Historical Marker Database. Pennsylvania Historical & Museum Commission. Retrieved December 9, 2013.
- ↑
- ↑ Who Was Who in America, Historical Volume, 1607–1896. Marquis Who's Who. 1967.
- ↑ Welcome!. Bradfordhouse.org. Retrieved on 2013-07-23.
- ↑ Alexander Clark of Muscatine, Iowa | HOME. Alexanderclark.org. Retrieved on 2013-07-23.
- ↑
- ↑ US Army Center of Military History
- ↑ Congressional Medal of Honor Society
- ↑ "Fulton, Alexander". lahistory.org (Louisiana Historical Association). Retrieved October 9, 2010.
External links
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Wikimedia Commons has media related to Washington County, Pennsylvania. |
- Washington County Web Site
- History & Genealogy in Washington County, PA
- History of Townships in Washington County, PA
- History of Washington County, Pennsylvania
- Citizens of Washington County (Deaths and Obituaries)
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Coordinates: 40°11′N 80°15′W / 40.19°N 80.25°W