Hermitage, Pennsylvania

Avenue of Flags commemorates victims of the Iran Hostage Crisis

Hermitage was first settled in 1796 and incorporated in 1832 as Hickory Township from portions of the Shenango and Pymatuning townships. Following the incorporation of the cities of Sharon and Farrell and the boroughs of Sharpsville and Wheatland, the remainder of the Township was incorporated into a first class township.

The Home Rule Charter and Optional Plans Law was passed in 1972, allowing for municipalities to establish their own home rule charters.[3] A home rule charter in Hickory Township was approved on May 21, 1974, by a vote of 1,375 to 546, and was to become effective on January 1, 1976. A resolution of April 9, 1975, stated the Board of Commissioners' intent to start an informal campaign to consider the possibility of a name change for the Township. After conducting a survey, the names "Hermitage", "Mount Hickory", and "Hickory Hills" were to be placed on a ballot. Hermitage was selected in the November 1975 election, effective from January 2, 1976.

On November 8, 1983, the voters approved by a margin of 1971 to 1846 to reclassify the Township of Hermitage to a city. Hermitage became a third class city on January 1, 1984.

On May 31, 1985, Hermitage was struck by an F5 tornado that killed 18 people and injured 310. It was the strongest tornado ever recorded in Pennsylvania. On May 31, 2015, the 30th anniversary of the F5, an EF0 tornado touched down in the southern part of town. It flipped two cars, damaged the canopy at a Sheetz gas station and downed a few trees and branches.[4][5]

According to the United States Census Bureau, the city has a total area of 29.6 square miles (77 km²), of which 29.5 square miles (76 km²) is land and 0.1 square miles (0.26 km²) (0.37%) is water. Based on area, Hermitage is the third largest city in Pennsylvania.

The Shenango River Lake north of Hermitage is run by the US Army Corps of Engineers.

As of the 2000 census,[7] there were 16,157 people, 6,809 households, and 4,616 families residing in the city. The population density was 548.3 inhabitants per square mile (211.7/km²). There were 7,104 housing units at an average density of 241.1 per square mile (93.1/km²). The racial makeup of the city was 94.97% White, 3.09% African American, 0.04% Native American, 0.80% Asian, 0.01% Pacific Islander, 0.23% from other races, and 0.85% from two or more races. Hispanic or Latino of any race were 0.66% of the population.

There were 6,809 households, out of which 26.4% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 54.9% were married couples living together, 10.2% had a female householder with no husband present, and 32.2% were non-families. 29.4% of all households were made up of individuals, and 15.7% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.32 and the average family size was 2.87.

In the city, the population was spread out, with 21.7% under the age of 18, 5.5% from 18 to 24, 24.6% from 25 to 44, 24.7% from 45 to 64, and 23.6% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 44 years. For every 100 females, there were 87.9 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 83.4 males.

The median income for a household in the city was $39,454, and the median income for a family was $46,994. Males had a median income of $41,506 versus $25,217 for females. The per capita income for the city was $23,227. About 6.3% of families and 8.2% of the population were below the poverty line, including 12.1% of those under age 18 and 6.5% of those age 65 or over.

Kennedy Catholic High School

Hermitage is served by the public Hermitage School District, which includes Karen A. Ionta Elementary School, Artman Elementary School, Delahunty Middle School, and Hickory High School. The city is also served by the private Kennedy Catholic High School under the Roman Catholic Diocese of Erie.

Because of Hermitage's location near the Pennsylvania/Ohio border, it is served by WKBN-TV (CBS), WFMJ-TV (NBC), WYTV (ABC), WYFX-LD (Fox) and WBCB (CW), all broadcast from nearby Youngstown, OH.

Hermitage is served by AM radio stations such as WLOA (1470 AM) (Farrell, PA), WPIC (790 AM) (Sharon, PA), WKBN (570 AM) (Youngstown, OH) and FM radio stations such as WYFM/"Y-103" (102.9 FM), WLLF/"The River" (96.7 FM) (Mercer, PA), WYLE/"Willie 95.1" (95.1 FM) (Grove City, PA), WMXY/"Mix 98.9" (98.9 FM) (Youngstown, OH).

• Avenue of Flags – includes a War on Terror Memorial
• Buhl Farm Golf Course

• Sincere Carry, college basketball player for the Kent State Golden Flashes
• Andre Coleman, former National Football League wide receiver and kick returner
• Michael Gruitza, member of the Pennsylvania House of Representatives from the 7th district
• Jon Kolb, former National Football League offensive tackle and center
• Mark Longietti, member of the Pennsylvania House of Representatives from the 7th district
• Rob Spon, professional basketball coach
• Rod White, former US Olympic Team archer

Hermitage is twinned with:

• Žipov, Slovakia

• Buhl Farm Golf Course

Wikimedia Commons has media related to Hermitage, Pennsylvania.

• City website
• Hermitage, PA/city-data
• Buhl Farm Park