Northumberland County, Pennsylvania

Northumberland County is a county in the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania. It is part of Northeastern Pennsylvania. As of the 2020 census, the population was 91,647.[1] Its county seat is Sunbury.[2]

Northumberland County
County
Northumberland County Courthouse
Northumberland County Courthouse
Map of Pennsylvania highlighting Northumberland 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°51′N 76°43′W
Country United States
State Pennsylvania
FoundedMarch 21, 1772
Named forNorthumberland
SeatSunbury
Largest citySunbury
Area
 • Total478 sq mi (1,240 km2)
 • Land458 sq mi (1,190 km2)
 • Water19 sq mi (50 km2)  4.0%
Population
 (2020)
 • Total91,647 Decrease
 • Density204/sq mi (79/km2)
Time zoneUTC−5 (Eastern)
 • Summer (DST)UTC−4 (EDT)
Congressional district9th
Websitewww.northumberlandco.org

The county was formed in 1772 from parts of Lancaster, Berks, Bedford, Cumberland, and Northampton Counties and named for the county of Northumberland in northern England. Northumberland County is a fifth class county according to the Pennsylvania's County Code.[3] Northumberland County comprises the Sunbury, Pennsylvania Micropolitan Statistical Area, which is also included in the Bloomsburg-Berwick-Sunbury, PA Combined Statistical Area. Among its notable residents, are Thomas L. Hamer a prior democratic congressman and Joseph Priestley, the Enlightenment chemist and theologian, left England in 1796 due to religious persecution and settled on the Susquehanna River. His former house, originally purchased by chemists from Pennsylvania State University after a colloquium that founded the American Chemical Society,[4] is a historical museum.[5]

History

Before European settlement the area was inhabited by the Akhrakouaeronon or Atrakouaehronon, a subtribe of the Susquehannock. By 1813 the area once comprising the sprawling county of Northumberland had been divided over time and allotted to other counties such that lands once occupied by Old Northumberland at its greatest extent are now found in Centre, Columbia, Luzerne, Lycoming, Mifflin, Union, Clearfield, Clinton, Montour, Bradford, Lackawanna, Susquehanna, Wyoming, Tioga, Potter, McKean, Warren, Venango, Snyder, and Schuylkill Counties.

Geography
Susquehanna River from the Shikellamy State Park overlook, looking upriver. The West Branch Susquehanna River is in the foreground.
View looking northeast from the Shikellamy State Park overlook

According to the U.S. Census Bureau, the county has a total area of 478 square miles (1,240 km2), of which 458 square miles (1,190 km2) is land and 19 square miles (49 km2) (4.0%) is water.[6]

The county has a humid continental climate (Dfa/Dfb). Average temperatures in Sunbury range from 27.3 °F in January to 72.7 °F in July, while in Mount Carmel they range from 25.0 °F in January to 70.2 °F in July.[7]

The main river in Northumberland County is the Susquehanna River. The Susquehanna River's tributaries in the county include the West Branch Susquehanna River, Chillisquaque Creek, Shamokin Creek, and Mahanoy Creek. The county has mountains in the south and north, with the rest being mostly rolling hills.

Mountains
NameHeight
Mahanoy Mountain433 meters
Big Mountain402 meters

Major highways

Adjacent counties

Demographics
Historical population
CensusPop.Note%±
179017,147—
180027,79762.1%
181036,32730.7%
182015,424−57.5%
183018,13317.6%
184020,02710.4%
185023,27216.2%
186028,92224.3%
187041,44443.3%
188053,12328.2%
189074,69840.6%
190090,91121.7%
1910111,42022.6%
1920122,0799.6%
1930128,5045.3%
1940126,887−1.3%
1950117,115−7.7%
1960104,138−11.1%
197099,190−4.8%
1980100,3811.2%
199096,771−3.6%
200094,556−2.3%
201094,5280.0%
202091,647−3.0%
U.S. Decennial Census[8]
1790–1960[9] 1900–1990[10]
1990–2000[11] 2010–2017[12] 2010-2020[13]

As of the census[14] of 2000, there were 94,556 people, 38,835 households, and 25,592 families residing in the county. The population density was 206 people per square mile (80 people/km2). There were 43,164 housing units at an average density of 94 units per square mile (36/km2). The racial makeup of the county was 97.09% White, 1.52% Black or African American, 0.10% Native American, 0.22% Asian, 0.02% Pacific Islander, 0.47% from other races, and 0.58% from two or more races. 1.10% of the population were Hispanic or Latino of any race. 32.5% were of German, 12.9% Polish, 9.9% American, 8.2% Italian, 8.1% Irish and 5.8% Dutch ancestry. 95.8% spoke English and 1.5% Spanish as their first language.

There were 38,835 households, out of which 27.30% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 52.40% were married couples living together, 9.60% had a female householder with no husband present, and 34.10% were non-families. 30.20% of all households were made up of individuals, and 15.50% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.34 and the average family size was 2.89.

In the county, the population was spread out, with 21.90% under the age of 18, 7.00% from 18 to 24, 27.70% from 25 to 44, 24.40% from 45 to 64, and 19.00% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 41 years. For every 100 females there were 96.30 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 92.80 males.

2020 census
Northumberland County Racial Composition[15]
Race Num. Perc.
White (NH) 81,689 89%
Black or African American (NH) 2,392 2.61%
Native American (NH) 110 0.12%
Asian (NH) 444 0.5%
Pacific Islander (NH) 24 0.03%
Other/Mixed (NH) 2,837 3.1%
Hispanic or Latino 4,151 4.52%

Micropolitan Statistical Area
Map of the Bloomsburg–Berwick-Sunbury, PA Combined Statistical Area (CSA), composed of the following parts:
  Bloomsburg–Berwick, PA Metropolitan Statistical Area (MSA)
  Sunbury, PA Micropolitan Statistical Area (μSA)
  Lewisburg, PA Micropolitan Statistical Area (μSA)
  Selinsgrove, PA Micropolitan Statistical Area (μSA)

The United States Office of Management and Budget[16] has designated Northumberland County as the Sunbury, PA Micropolitan Statistical Area (µSA). As of the 2010 census[17] the micropolitan area ranked 2nd most populous in the State of Pennsylvania and the 37th most populous in the United States with a population of 94,528. Northumberland County is also a part of the Bloomsburg–Berwick–Sunbury, PA Combined Statistical Area (CSA), which combines the population of Northumberland County as well as the Columbia, Montour, Snyder and Union County areas. The Combined Statistical Area ranked 8th in the State of Pennsylvania and 115th most populous in the United States with a population of 264,739.

Politics and government
United States presidential election results for Northumberland County, Pennsylvania[18]
Year Republican Democratic Third party
No. %No. %No. %
2020 28,975 68.28% 12,703 29.94% 757 1.78%
2016 25,427 68.89% 9,788 26.52% 1,692 4.58%
2012 19,518 58.51% 13,072 39.19% 766 2.30%
2008 19,018 55.75% 14,329 42.00% 767 2.25%
2004 22,262 59.95% 14,602 39.32% 270 0.73%
2000 18,142 54.56% 13,670 41.11% 1,442 4.34%
1996 13,551 41.82% 13,418 41.41% 5,431 16.76%
1992 15,057 42.07% 12,814 35.80% 7,921 22.13%
1988 20,207 58.07% 14,255 40.96% 338 0.97%
1984 22,109 61.13% 13,748 38.01% 308 0.85%
1980 20,608 56.79% 13,750 37.89% 1,932 5.32%
1976 19,283 49.60% 18,939 48.72% 654 1.68%
1972 25,912 64.16% 13,885 34.38% 588 1.46%
1968 22,366 53.38% 17,013 40.60% 2,520 6.01%
1964 17,046 37.68% 28,082 62.07% 116 0.26%
1960 27,568 55.31% 22,233 44.61% 40 0.08%
1956 28,583 62.46% 17,141 37.45% 41 0.09%
1952 28,861 61.71% 17,789 38.04% 119 0.25%
1948 23,535 58.13% 16,478 40.70% 472 1.17%
1944 21,995 51.81% 20,333 47.90% 122 0.29%
1940 22,914 46.41% 26,315 53.30% 139 0.28%
1936 21,758 40.06% 31,849 58.63% 711 1.31%
1932 17,982 42.25% 23,114 54.30% 1,468 3.45%
1928 30,949 61.30% 19,249 38.12% 292 0.58%
1924 17,516 56.18% 7,571 24.28% 6,090 19.53%
1920 17,288 58.44% 9,854 33.31% 2,439 8.25%
1916 8,722 45.00% 9,333 48.15% 1,329 6.86%
1912 2,371 12.39% 6,802 35.53% 9,971 52.08%
1908 10,439 51.97% 8,590 42.76% 1,058 5.27%
1904 11,219 62.41% 5,936 33.02% 822 4.57%
1900 8,366 49.35% 7,989 47.13% 596 3.52%
1896 8,659 51.68% 7,367 43.97% 730 4.36%
1892 6,170 44.95% 6,942 50.57% 615 4.48%
1888 6,288 48.96% 6,257 48.72% 297 2.31%

As of November 7, 2022, there are 58,632 registered voters in Northumberland County.[19]

While county-level politics tend to be competitive, Northumberland is a Republican county in most statewide elections. The margins of victory in the county for the Republican presidential candidate in 2000, 2004, and 2008 have been 13, 21, and 14 percentage points, respectively. Governor Ed Rendell narrowly carried it against Lynn Swann while Republican Rick Santorum narrowly carried it against Bob Casey in 2006. The only Democratic statewide candidate to carry the county in 2008 was incumbent Auditor General Jack Wagner. In 2011, the election of Stephen Bridy resulted in a three-way split among the county commissioners.

County commissioners
  • Kymberley Best, Democrat
  • Joseph Klebon, Republican
  • Samuel Schiccatano, Republican

Other county offices
  • Clerk of Courts and Prothonotary, Jamie Saleski, Republican
  • Controller, Christopher L. Grayson, Democrat
  • District Attorney, Anthony Matulewicz III, Republican
  • Recorder of Deeds and Register of Wills, Christina Mertz, Republican
  • Sheriff, Robert J.Wolfe, Republican
  • Treasurer, Kevin P. Gilroy, Republican
  • Coroner, James F. Kelley, Democrat

State House of Representatives[20]

State Senator[20]

United States Representative

United States Senate

Education
Map of Northumberland County, Pennsylvania Public School Districts

Public school districts

Career Tech school

Northumberland County Career Technology Center located in Coal Township

Intermediate Unit

Central Susquehanna Intermediate Unit 16 – The primary service area consists of: Columbia, Montour, Northumberland, Snyder and Union counties in central Pennsylvania. Provides a wide variety of education related services to school districts, private and parochial schools and hame schooled students.

Independent schools
  • Bethesda Alternative School, Milton 7–12th grade
  • Keefertown Parochial School 1–8th grade
  • Maranatha Mennonite Christian School K-12th grade
  • Meadowbrook Christian Academy PreK-12th grade
  • Meadowview Christian Academy PreK-10th grade
  • Northumberland Christian School PreK-12th grade
  • Northwestern Academy 5–12th grade
  • Our Lady of Lourdes Regional School preK–12th grade[21]
  • Schwaben Creek School 1–8th grade
  • Spring View Parochial School, Watsontown 1–9th grade
  • St Louis De Monfort Academy, Herdon 7–12 grade[22]
  • Sunbury Christian Academy, Northumberland K-12th grade[23]
  • Sunny Slope Amish Parochial School 1–8th grade
  • Telos Educational Services Tutoring Center, Montandon[24]
  • Transfiguration Elementary School, Shamokin PreK-8th grade
  • Watsontown Christian Academy, Watsontown PreK-12th grade

Communities
Map of Northumberland County, Pennsylvania with Municipal Labels showing Cities and Boroughs (red), Townships (white), and Census-designated places (blue).

Under Pennsylvania law, there are four types of incorporated municipalities: cities, boroughs, townships, and, in one case, a town. The following cities, boroughs, and townships are located in Northumberland 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 unincorporated communities, such as villages, may be listed here as well.

Unincorporated communities

Population ranking

The population ranking of the following table is based on the 2010 census of Northumberland County.[26]

† county seat

Rank City/Town/etc. Municipal type Population (2010 Census)
1 † Sunbury City 9,905
2 Shamokin City 7,374
3 Milton Borough 7,042
4 Mount Carmel Borough 5,893
5 Northumberland Borough 3,804
6 Kulpmont Borough 2,924
7 Paxinos CDP 2,467
8 Edgewood CDP 2,384
9 Watsontown Borough 2,351
10 Elysburg CDP 2,194
11 Fairview-Ferndale CDP 2,139
12 Riverside Borough 1,932
13 Trevorton CDP 1,834
14 Dewart CDP 1,471
15 Marshallton CDP 1,441
16 Montandon CDP 903
17 Kapp Heights CDP 863
18 Atlas CDP 809
19 Turbotville Borough 705
20 Marion Heights Borough 611
21 Ranshaw CDP 510
22 Tharptown (Uniontown) CDP 498
23 Dalmatia CDP 488
24 Snydertown Borough 339
25 Herndon Borough 324
26 McEwensville Borough 279
27 Strong CDP 147

See also

References
  1. "U.S. Census Bureau QuickFacts: Northumberland County, Pennsylvania". Census.gov. Retrieved July 20, 2022.
  2. "Find a County". National Association of Counties. Archived from the original on May 31, 2011. Retrieved June 7, 2011.
  3. "PA County Code Newspaper Handbook". Pennsylvania Newspaper Association. 2005. Archived from the original on February 25, 2017.
  4. Archived March 23, 2012, at the Wayback Machine
  5. Joseph Priestley House Archived July 21, 2011, at the Wayback Machine. Joseph Priestley House. Retrieved on July 23, 2013.
  6. "2010 Census Gazetteer Files". United States Census Bureau. August 22, 2012. Retrieved March 9, 2015.
  7. "PRISM Climate Group at Oregon State University". Prism.oregonstate.edu. Retrieved July 20, 2022.
  8. "U.S. Decennial Census". United States Census Bureau. Retrieved March 9, 2015.
  9. "Historical Census Browser". University of Virginia Library. Archived from the original on August 11, 2012. Retrieved March 9, 2015.
  10. Forstall, Richard L., ed. (March 24, 1995). "Population of Counties by Decennial Census: 1900 to 1990". United States Census Bureau. Archived from the original on March 20, 2015. Retrieved March 9, 2015.
  11. "Census 2000 PHC-T-4. Ranking Tables for Counties: 1990 and 2000" (PDF). United States Census Bureau. April 2, 2001. Archived (PDF) from the original on December 18, 2014. Retrieved March 9, 2015.
  12. "State & County QuickFacts". United States Census Bureau. Archived from the original on June 6, 2011. Retrieved November 20, 2013.
  13. "Census 2020".
  14. "U.S. Census website". United States Census Bureau. Retrieved January 31, 2008.
  15. "P2 HISPANIC OR LATINO, AND NOT HISPANIC OR LATINO BY RACE – 2020: DEC Redistricting Data (PL 94-171) – Northumberland County, Pennsylvania".
  16. "Office of Management and Budget". The White House. Archived from the original on April 29, 2018. Retrieved August 5, 2015.
  17. Center for New Media and Promotions(C2PO). "2010 Census". census.gov. Retrieved August 5, 2015.
  18. Leip, David. "Dave Leip's Atlas of U.S. Presidential Elections". uselectionatlas.org. Archived from the original on March 23, 2018. Retrieved May 3, 2018.
  19. "Voter registration statistics by county". November 7, 2022.. Dos.state.pa.us. Retrieved on November 7, 2022.
  20. Center, Legislativate Data Processing. "Find Your Legislator". The official website for the Pennsylvania General Assembly. Archived from the original on April 28, 2017. Retrieved April 27, 2017.
  21. "Our Lady of Lourdes ONLINE!". Archived from the original on August 6, 2007.
  22. "St Louis de Montfort Academy". Archived from the original on December 26, 2013.
  23. "Sunbury Christian Academy". Archived from the original on February 4, 2014.
  24. Daily Item.com, New tutoring center opens, April 10, 2016
  25. Other Populated Places in Northumberland County (Map). PA HomeTownLocator. 2021. Retrieved March 4, 2021.
  26. Promotions, Center for New Media and. "US Census Bureau 2010 Census".
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40.85°N 76.71°W / 40.85; -76.71

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