Perry County, Pennsylvania

Perry County is a county in the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania. As of the 2020 census, the population was 45,842.[1] The county seat is New Bloomfield.[2] The county was created on March 22, 1820, and was named for Oliver Hazard Perry, a hero of the War of 1812, who had recently died.[3] It was originally part of Cumberland County and was created in part because residents did not want to travel over the mountain to Carlisle, the county seat of Cumberland County. Landisburg became the temporary county seat before New Bloomfield was ultimately chosen.

Perry County
County
Saville Covered Bridge in Saville Township, October 2010
Saville Covered Bridge in Saville Township, October 2010
Flag of Perry County
Flag
Map of Pennsylvania highlighting Perry County
Location within the U.S. state of Pennsylvania
Map of the United States highlighting Pennsylvania
Pennsylvania's location within the U.S.
Coordinates: 40°24′N 77°16′W
Country United States
State Pennsylvania
Founded22 March 1820
Named forOliver Hazard Perry
SeatNew Bloomfield
Largest BoroughMarysville
Area
 • Total556 sq mi (1,440 km2)
 • Land551 sq mi (1,430 km2)
 • Water4.1 sq mi (11 km2)  0.7%
Population
 (2020)
 • Total45,842
 • Density82/sq mi (32/km2)
Time zoneUTC−5 (Eastern)
 • Summer (DST)UTC−4 (EDT)
Congressional district12th
Websitewww.perryco.org

Perry County is included in the Harrisburg–York–Lebanon combined statistical area. The county is served by the 717/223 area codes.

In 2010, the center of population of Pennsylvania was located in the eastern end of Perry County.[4] Green Park, an unincorporated village located in northeastern Tyrone Township, serves as Perry County's midpoint between the Conococheague Mountain in the west and the Susquehanna River to the east.[5]

Geography
Main article: Geography of Pennsylvania § The Mountains

The county terrain is formed by the folded Appalachian Mountain ridges which run from southwest to northeast across the county. The terrain slopes to the northeast,[6] with its highest point on the Blue Mountain Ridge, which delineates the border between Perry and Cumberland counties. The ridge peaks at 0.83 miles (1.34 km) NE from Perry County's southmost corner; it measures 2,269 ft (692 m) ASL.[7] The county is drained by the south-flowing Susquehanna River, which forms almost all of its eastern boundary. The Juniata River enters Perry County from Juniata County near Millerstown, and flows southeast to its confluence with the Susquehanna River near Duncannon. The county also contains several creeks,[8] runs, and lakes,[9] which provide recreational and fishing[10] opportunities, formerly powered mills throughout the county[11] and provided transport venues. To this day, canoeing and kayaking are forms of recreation which utilise the Sherman Creek and other waters in the county.[12]

The county has a total area of 556 square miles (1,440 km2), of which 551 square miles (1,430 km2) is land and 4.1 square miles (11 km2) (0.7%) is water.[13]

The Appalachian Trail runs through the town of Duncannon. The county is also famous for being the northern head of the Tuscarora Trail.

Perry County has a hot-summer humid continental climate (Dfa) and average monthly temperatures in New Bloomfield range from 28.5 °F in January to 73.2 °F in July. The hardiness zone is 6b except in Marysville where it is 7a. Archived 2021-06-18 at the Wayback Machine Common trees include red maple,[14] Virginia pine, oak, eastern white pine,[15] eastern hemlock,[16] birch, shagbark hickory,[17] and juniper, though American sycamore, ironwood, sugar maple, black walnut, elm, alder, and sassafras are also fairly common.[18] Mosses of various species are common sights, especially on fallen tree logs, along streams, on tree trunks,[19] and in sidewalk cracks, usually growing in shaded areas. Ferns also grow along streams and in shaded areas, and are also commonly seen in Perry County woodlands.

Adjacent counties

Major highways

Protected areas

Demographics
Historical population
CensusPop.Note%±
182011,342—
183014,26125.7%
184017,09619.9%
185020,08817.5%
186022,79313.5%
187025,44711.6%
188027,5228.2%
189026,276−4.5%
190026,2630.0%
191024,136−8.1%
192022,875−5.2%
193021,744−4.9%
194023,2136.8%
195024,7826.8%
196026,5827.3%
197028,6157.6%
198035,71824.8%
199041,17215.3%
200043,6095.9%
201045,9695.4%
202045,842−0.3%
US Decennial Census[20]
1790–1960[21] 1900–1990[22]
1990–2000[23] 2010–2017[24] 2010-2020[25]

2000 census

As of the 2000 United States Census, there were 43,602 people, 16,695 households, and 12,320 families in the county. The population density was 79.1 people per square mile (30.5 people/km2). There were 18,941 housing units at an average density of 34.4 units per square mile (13.3/km2). The racial makeup of the county was 98.54% White, 0.43% Black or African American, 0.12% Native American, 0.15% Asian, 0.01% Pacific Islander, 0.21% from other races, and 0.54% from two or more races. 0.69% of the population were Hispanic or Latino of any race. 45.8% were of German, 16.4% American, 7.8% Irish and 5.0% English ancestry. 96.8% spoke English and 1.2% Spanish as their first language.

There were 16,695 households, out of which 33.2% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 61.6% were married couples living together, 7.8% had a female householder with no husband present, and 26.20% were non-families. 21.7% of all households were made up of individuals, and 9.30% 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 3.01. There is also a high population of Anabaptist communities, such as Amish and Mennonites.

The county population contained 25.5% under the age of 18, 7.4% from 18 to 24, 29.8% from 25 to 44, 25.1% from 45 to 64, and 12.3% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 38 years. For every 100 females, there were 98.4 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 96.9 males.

A lake in Kennedy's Valley, Perry County PA

2020 census
Perry County Racial Composition[26]
Race Num. Perc.
White (NH) 42,838 93.4%
Black or African American (NH) 289 0.63%
Native American (NH) 50 0.11%
Asian (NH) 139 0.3%
Pacific Islander (NH) 3 0.01%
Other/Mixed (NH) 1,611 3.51%
Hispanic or Latino 912 2%

Metropolitan Statistical Area

The United States Office of Management and Budget[27] has designated Perry County as the Harrisburg-Carlisle, PA Metropolitan Statistical Area (MSA). As of the 2010 census[28] the metropolitan area ranked 6th most populous in the State of Pennsylvania and the 96th most populous in the United States, with its population of 549,475. Perry County is also a part of the larger Harrisburg–York–Lebanon combined statistical area (CSA), which combines the populations of Perry County as well as Adams, Cumberland, Dauphin, Lebanon and York Counties in Pennsylvania. The Combined Statistical Area ranked 5th in the State of Pennsylvania and 43rd most populous in the United States with a population of 1,219,422.

County government

Commissioners
  • Brian S. Allen, Chair (R)
  • Gary R. Eby, Vice Chair (R)
  • Brenda L. Watson, Secretary (D)

(as of January 2020)

Sheriff
  • David Hammar, Republican

(as of January 2020)

State Senate[29]
  • Greg Rothman, Republican, Pennsylvania's 34th Senate District

State House of Representatives[29]

United States House of Representatives

United States Senate

Emergency services

The county's emergency services are located in the basement of the Perry County Courthouse. The 911 center's coverage area includes almost all of Perry County and portions of Juniata and Dauphin Counties.

Politics

In 2016, Donald J. Trump received 73.07% of the presidential vote, compared to 21.67% to Hillary Clinton, and 5.26% for candidates Gary Johnson, write-ins, Jill Stein, and Darrell L. Castle, respectively. The county has voted for the Republican in every presidential election since 1964. In 2006, Lynn Swann received 9,998 votes (69%) to 4,477 votes (31%) for Ed Rendell, making it Swann's strongest county in his defeat. Rick Santorum also received more than 60% of the Perry County vote in his defeat.[30]

United States presidential election results for Perry County, Pennsylvania[30]
Year Republican Democratic Third party
No. %No. %No. %
2020 18,293 73.98% 5,950 24.06% 485 1.96%
2016 15,616 73.07% 4,632 21.67% 1,123 5.25%
2012 13,120 68.28% 5,685 29.59% 410 2.13%
2008 13,058 65.79% 6,396 32.22% 394 1.99%
2004 13,919 71.65% 5,423 27.91% 85 0.44%
2000 11,184 69.56% 4,459 27.73% 436 2.71%
1996 8,156 56.19% 4,611 31.77% 1,748 12.04%
1992 7,871 51.35% 4,086 26.66% 3,370 21.99%
1988 8,545 68.18% 3,910 31.20% 78 0.62%
1984 9,365 71.42% 3,692 28.16% 56 0.43%
1980 8,026 63.70% 3,681 29.22% 892 7.08%
1976 7,454 60.50% 4,605 37.38% 261 2.12%
1972 8,082 73.31% 2,731 24.77% 212 1.92%
1968 6,655 61.34% 2,944 27.14% 1,250 11.52%
1964 5,364 46.84% 6,054 52.86% 34 0.30%
1960 8,134 70.30% 3,413 29.50% 23 0.20%
1956 7,511 67.59% 3,576 32.18% 25 0.22%
1952 6,733 68.76% 3,042 31.07% 17 0.17%
1948 5,444 67.71% 2,596 32.29% 0 0.00%
1944 5,722 63.37% 3,265 36.16% 43 0.48%
1940 5,877 56.02% 4,601 43.86% 12 0.11%
1936 5,759 49.65% 5,780 49.83% 61 0.53%
1932 4,402 53.23% 3,733 45.14% 134 1.62%
1928 6,469 77.66% 1,807 21.69% 54 0.65%
1924 4,185 57.52% 2,710 37.25% 381 5.24%
1920 3,787 60.64% 2,314 37.05% 144 2.31%
1916 2,575 51.46% 2,348 46.92% 81 1.62%
1912 1,140 23.48% 1,941 39.98% 1,774 36.54%
1908 3,269 58.82% 2,184 39.29% 105 1.89%
1904 3,433 60.72% 2,094 37.04% 127 2.25%
1900 3,400 57.41% 2,440 41.20% 82 1.38%
1896 3,537 57.23% 2,477 40.08% 166 2.69%
1892 3,120 52.20% 2,705 45.26% 152 2.54%
1888 3,168 53.04% 2,738 45.84% 67 1.12%

Education

Public School Districts

Intermediate unit

The Capital Area Intermediate Unit 15 is a state approved education agency that offers to Perry County school districts, charter schools, private schools, and home school students, a variety of services including: a completely developed K-12 curriculum that is mapped and aligned with the Pennsylvania Academic Standards (available online), shared services, a joint purchasing program and a wide variety of special education and special needs services.

Private schools

As reported on EdNA (ED Names and Addresses) by the Pennsylvania Department of Education:

  • Blue Goose Children's Learning Center, Inc – Newport
  • Carson Long Military Institute
  • Clarks Run Parochial School – Blain
  • Community Christian Academy – Newport
  • Farm Lane School – Ickesburg
  • Fowlers Hollow School – Blain
  • Heritage Christian School – West Perry
  • Honeysuckle Ridge School – Elliotsburg
  • Kuddly Bear Child Care Center Inc. – Duncannon
  • Loysville Youth Development Center – Loysville
  • Manassa School – Blain
  • Messiah Day Care Center – Elliottsburg
  • Mountain View Parochial School – Ickesburg
  • Perry View Parochial School – Landisburg
  • Raccoon Valley Amish School – Millerstown
  • Shermans View School – Loysville
  • Stony Point School – Loysville
  • Sunset Valley School – Millerstown

Trade schools
  • Central Pennsylvania Diesel Institute – Liverpool

Public libraries
  • New Bloomfield Public Library
  • Community Library of Western Perry County
  • Marysville-Rye Public Library
  • Newport Public Library[31]

Media

Newspapers

The county is home to four weekly newspapers, three published by Advance Publications of Perry and Juniata Counties, Inc. associated with The Patriot-News of Harrisburg: Duncannon Record, The News-Sun, and Perry County Times.[32] The Perry County Weekly is published by The Sentinel in Carlisle, Cumberland County, by Lee Enterprises of Davenport, Iowa.[33]

Books

There are numerous historical books written about the county, available at the Council of the Arts in Newport as well as other establishments. They cover various topics of the county's past, including an historical overview of the Blain area; an account of the life of the early settlers along the Shermans Creek in three townships;[34] and an account of a Civil War battle on Sterrett's Gap.[35]

Communities
Map of Perry County, with Boroughs (red) and Townships (white)

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 Perry County:

Boroughs

Unincorporated communities
  • Acker
  • Andersonburg
  • Alinda[36]
  • Amity Hall
  • Aqueduct
  • Bailey
  • Bixler
  • Bridgeport
  • Centre
  • Center Square
  • Cisna Run
  • Couchtown[37]
  • Cove
  • Crums Corners
  • Dellville
  • Donnally Mills
  • Dromgold
  • Elliottsburg[38]
  • Erly
  • Eshcol
  • Everhartville
  • Falling Spring
  • Fort Robertson
  • Glenvale
  • Gramere
  • Green Park
  • Half Falls
  • Ickesburg
  • Juniata Furnace
  • Keystone
  • Kinkora Heights
  • Kistler
  • Little Germany
  • Losh Run
  • Loysville
  • Mannsville
  • Marklesville
  • McKee
  • Mecks Corner
  • Milltown
  • Montebello
  • Montgomery Ferry
  • Mount Patrick
  • Mount Pleasant
  • Nekoda
  • New Germantown
  • Oakgrove
  • Old Ferry
  • Perdix
  • Pine Grove
  • Pfoutz Valley
  • Reward
  • Rose Glen
  • Roseburg
  • Saville
  • Seyoc
  • Shermans Dale
  • Stony Point
  • Sundy Place
  • Wahneta
  • Walnut Grove
  • Wardville
  • Wila[39]

Townships

Population ranking

The population ranking of the following table is based on the 2010 census of Perry County.[28]

† county seat

Rank City/Town/etc. Municipal type Population (2010 Census)
1 Marysville Borough 2,534
2 Newport Borough 1,574
3 Duncannon Borough 1,522
4 † New Bloomfield Borough 1,247
5 Liverpool Borough 955
6 Millerstown Borough 673
7 Blain Borough 263
8 Landisburg Borough 218
9 New Buffalo Borough 129

Economy
A barn near Duncannon

Perry County's economy is primarily agricultural.[40] Various farmers markets,[41] roadside stands, farm produce stands,[42] food festivals,[43] resale farm stands, meat stores, and plant nurseries[44][45] are present throughout the county. Two farms in Perry County are particularly well known, which are Spiral Path Farm and Yeehaw Farm, with the latter having been spotlighted by the Washington Post.[46] The county's area is 38.3% farmland, of which 11.09% (thus 4.24% of all land in the county) is pastureland.[47]

Perry County also hosts a wide range of non-agricultural businesses. Historically, mills were prevalent, and the county currently has 21 known non-operational mills still standing.[48] Settlement was not allowed until 1755, and when settlement was allowed, it was not safe: in June 1755, Native Americans chased nearly all of the pioneers out, until it was considered safe to return in 1762. The first mill was taxed in 1763, though the exact date of its completion is not known.[49]

Nearly every stream's basin hosted a sawmill, providing wood for early buildings and boardwalks.[49]

Recreation

The county has a variety of recreation facilities. There are three state parks: Fowlers Hollow State Park, Little Buffalo State Park, and Big Spring State Forest Picnic Area. The Hoverter and Sholl Box Huckleberry Natural Area is found near New Bloomfield along Huckleberry Road. Carroll Township Park also offers a wide variety of athletic facilities.[50]

Pools: Liverpool Pool (Jann Deitzler Memorial Pool), Millerstown Pool, New Bloomfield Pool, and Little Buffalo State Park Pool

Trails: Hawk Rock Trail and Iron Horse Trail

State Game Lands: #170 Dellville, #254 New Buffalo, #256-Mecks Corner and #281 Miller Township. Hunting requires licenses from the PA Game Commission.

  • Duncannon, downtown view showing the Doyle.
    Duncannon, downtown view showing the Doyle.
  • New Bloomfield in 1913.
    New Bloomfield in 1913.
  • Books Covered Bridge.
    Books Covered Bridge.
  • New Bloomfield.
    New Bloomfield.
  • Blain Depot in Blain.
    Blain Depot in Blain.
  • South High Street Bridge, Duncannon.
    South High Street Bridge, Duncannon.
  • Little Buffalo State Park, near New Bloomfield.
    Little Buffalo State Park, near New Bloomfield.
  • An old building in Dellville (formerly a store.)
    An old building in Dellville (formerly a store.)
  • Downtown Newport.
    Downtown Newport.
  • Presbyterian church in Duncannon.
    Presbyterian church in Duncannon.
  • Landisburg.
    Landisburg.
  • A shagbark hickory tree near Dellville.
    A shagbark hickory tree near Dellville.

See also

References
  1. "Census - Geography Profile: Perry County, Pennsylvania". United States Census Bureau. Retrieved December 18, 2022.
  2. "Find a County". National Association of Counties. Archived from the original on May 31, 2011. Retrieved June 7, 2011.
  3. Early History of Perry County Archived July 26, 2011, at the Wayback Machine
  4. "Centers of Population by State: 2010". US Census Bureau. Archived from the original on January 3, 2014. Retrieved April 22, 2014.
  5. Hain, H. H. "History of Perry County, Pennsylvania". Hain-Moore Co. Retrieved October 14, 2011.
  6. ""Find an Altitude/Perry County PA" - Google Maps (accessed 25 May 2019)". Archived from the original on May 21, 2019. Retrieved May 25, 2019.
  7. Blue Mountain-Perry/Cumberland High Point, Pennsylvania (PeakBagger.com, accessed 25 May 2019)
  8. "Sherman Creek (Pennsylvania)". September 11, 2016. {{cite journal}}: Cite journal requires |journal= (help); Check |url= value (help)
  9. SusquehannaMan (February 7, 2018), English: A lake., archived from the original on May 10, 2018, retrieved March 10, 2018
  10. Inc., Fishidy. "Sherman Creek PA Fishing Reports, Map & Hot Spots". www.fishidy.com. Archived from the original on March 11, 2018. Retrieved March 10, 2018. {{cite web}}: |last= has generic name (help)
  11. "Roddy/Waggoner's Mill - Perry Co. - Pennsylvania". millpictures.com. Archived from the original on March 11, 2018. Retrieved March 10, 2018.
  12. "Kayaking Shermans Creek, PA". Vimeo. Archived from the original on May 10, 2018. Retrieved March 10, 2018.
  13. "2010 Census Gazetteer Files". US Census Bureau. August 22, 2012. Retrieved March 10, 2015.
  14. SusquehannaMan (October 24, 2017), English: Maple, archived from the original on May 10, 2018, retrieved March 10, 2018
  15. SusquehannaMan (November 21, 2017), English: Pinus strobus, Pennsylvania., archived from the original on May 10, 2018, retrieved March 10, 2018
  16. "A hemlock tree in Perry County, PA".
  17. SusquehannaMan (October 26, 2017), English: Hickory., archived from the original on May 10, 2018, retrieved March 10, 2018
  18. "Table of Contents: Trees of Pennsylvania". www.upenn.edu. Archived from the original on January 29, 2018. Retrieved August 25, 2019.
  19. SusquehannaMan (July 2, 2015), English: Moss, retrieved March 10, 2018
  20. "US Decennial Census". US Census Bureau. Archived from the original on May 7, 2015. Retrieved March 10, 2015.
  21. "Historical Census Browser". University of Virginia Library. Archived from the original on August 11, 2012. Retrieved March 10, 2015.
  22. Forstall, Richard L., ed. (March 24, 1995). "Population of Counties by Decennial Census: 1900 to 1990". US Census Bureau. Archived from the original on March 20, 2015. Retrieved March 10, 2015.
  23. "Census 2000 PHC-T-4. Ranking Tables for Counties: 1990 and 2000" (PDF). US Census Bureau. April 2, 2001. Archived (PDF) from the original on December 18, 2014. Retrieved March 10, 2015.
  24. "State & County QuickFacts". United States Census Bureau. Archived from the original on July 17, 2011. Retrieved November 20, 2013.
  25. "Census 2020".
  26. "P2 HISPANIC OR LATINO, AND NOT HISPANIC OR LATINO BY RACE – 2020: DEC Redistricting Data (PL 94-171) – Perry County, Pennsylvania".
  27. "Office of Management and Budget". whitehouse.gov. Archived from the original on April 29, 2018.
  28. CNMP, US Census Bureau. "Decennial Census of Population and Housing". www.census.gov. Archived from the original on December 6, 2013. Retrieved December 7, 2017.
  29. Center, Legislativate Data Processing. "Find Your Legislator". The official website for the Pennsylvania General Assembly. Archived from the original on May 6, 2017. Retrieved May 10, 2017.
  30. Leip, David. "Atlas of US Presidential Elections". uselectionatlas.org. Archived from the original on March 23, 2018.
  31. "Public Libraries of Perry County, Pennsylvania". pecoinfo.org. Archived from the original on April 2, 2012. Retrieved May 10, 2018.
  32. Archived 10 March 2010 at the Wayback Machine Perry County Times and "Perry County Times | Perry County Newspapers Online - PennLive.com". Archived from the original on December 11, 2012. Retrieved December 18, 2012.
  33. Cumberlink
  34. "Life Along the Shermans". www.perryheritage.com. Archived from the original on July 6, 2017. Retrieved March 9, 2018.
  35. "The Wind-Down of Photo Season". Emerging Civil War. November 20, 2014. Archived from the original on March 10, 2018. Retrieved March 9, 2018.
  36. Alinda PA - Google Maps (accessed 25 May 2019)
  37. Couchtown PA - Google Maps (accessed 25 May 2019)
  38. Elliottsburg PA - Google Maps (accessed 25 May 2019)
  39. Wila PA - Google Maps (accessed 25 May 2019)
  40. "USDA - NASS, Census of Agriculture - Ag Census Web Maps - Documentation". Archived from the original on July 22, 2017. Retrieved January 29, 2018. State Name: Pennsylvania/County Name: Perry/NASS County Code: 42099: Acres of Land in Farms as Percent of Land Area in Acres: 2012, 38.3%
  41. Services, Audra Jon Hoover Creative. "Butcher's Farm Market : Newport, PA : Fresh Produce, Fruits, Vegetables, Baked Goods, Flowers". www.butchersfarmmarket.com. Archived from the original on January 29, 2018. Retrieved January 29, 2018.
  42. "Google Maps". Google Maps. Retrieved January 29, 2018.
  43. "Home | Sherman's Valley Heritage Days". www.svheritagedays.com. Archived from the original on April 22, 2018. Retrieved January 29, 2018.
  44. "Perennial Gardens". perennialgardens.name. Archived from the original on January 29, 2018. Retrieved January 29, 2018.
  45. Connect, Garden. "Perennials range of Ashcombe Garden Center in Shermans Dale". www.gardencenterguide.com. Archived from the original on January 29, 2018. Retrieved January 29, 2018.
  46. Horton, Emily C. (September 10, 2013). "Want your own personal farmer? Try a whole-diet CSA". Washington Post. ISSN 0190-8286. Archived from the original on January 29, 2018. Retrieved January 29, 2018.
  47. "USDA - NASS, Census of Agriculture - Ag Census Web Maps - Documentation". Archived from the original on July 22, 2017. Retrieved January 29, 2018. State Name: Pennsylvania/County Name: Perry/NASS County Code: 42099: Acres of All Types of Pastureland as Percent of Land in Farms Acreage: 2012 (Text),"11.09"
  48. "Pennsylvania - Perry Co. Mills". millpictures.com. Archived from the original on March 11, 2018. Retrieved March 10, 2018.
  49. Hain, Harry Harrison (1922). History of Perry County, Pennsylvania, including descriptions of Indians and pioneer life from the time of earliest settlement. The Library of Congress. Hain-Moore Co., Harrisburg PA. Archived from the original on June 3, 2017.
  50. Perry County Administration, Services available in Perry County, 2015

40.40°N 77.27°W / 40.40; -77.27

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