Leechburg, Pennsylvania

Leechburg is a borough in southern Armstrong County in the U.S. state of Pennsylvania, 35 miles (56 km) northeast of Pittsburgh. A population of 2,149 residents live within the borough limits as of the 2020 census, according to United States Census Bureau.[3] Leechburg was founded by David Leech, for whom it was named, and was incorporated as a borough in 1850.

Leechburg, Pennsylvania
Borough
North side of 100 block of Market Street, looking east
North side of 100 block of Market Street, looking east
Location of Leechburg in Armstrong County, Pennsylvania.
Location of Leechburg in Armstrong County, Pennsylvania.
Leechburg is located in Pennsylvania
Leechburg
Leechburg
Coordinates: 40°37′45″N 79°36′13″W
CountryUnited States
StatePennsylvania
CountyArmstrong
Settled1832
Incorporated1850
Government
 • TypeCouncil-Mayor
 • MayorAnthony Roppolo
Area
[1]
 • Total0.48 sq mi (1.25 km2)
 • Land0.44 sq mi (1.14 km2)
 • Water0.04 sq mi (0.11 km2)
Elevation
790 ft (240 m)
Population
 (2020)[2]
 • Total2,149
 • Density4,895.22/sq mi (1,888.62/km2)
Time zoneUTC-5 (Eastern (EST))
 • Summer (DST)UTC-4 (EDT)
Zip code
15656
Area code724
FIPS code42-42280
Websiteleechburgborough.org

Located along the Kiskiminetas River, Leechburg was a major port of the Pennsylvania Canal. Early in the 20th century, it was the site of extensive steel sheet works, foundries, cement plants, and productive coal mines. Leechburg was the first place where natural gas was used for industrial purposes.

Local government

Leechburg is governed by a Mayor and Council. Current officials and when their terms expire are:

  • Mayor: Tony Roppolo (D) 2023
Council
  • Tom Foster (D), President 2023
  • Chuck Pascal (D), Vice President 2025
  • Lorrie Bazella (R) 2025
  • John Mrvan (R) 2025
  • Doreen Smeal (D) 2023
  • Alan Tarr (D) 2025
  • D. J. Zelczak (R) 2023

Federal and state representatives

Leechburg is in Pennsylvania's 15th congressional district, represented in Congress by Rep. Glenn Thompson (R).

At the state level, Leechburg is in the 41st senatorial district, represented by State Senator Joe Pittman (R), and in the 60th legislative district, represented by Rep. Abby Major (R).

Geography

Leechburg is located at 40°37′45″N 79°36′13″W (40.629304, −79.603727).[4] Elevations range from 780 feet (240 m) to 1,080 feet (330 m) above sea level.

According to the United States Census Bureau, the borough has a total area of 0.46 square miles (1.2 km2), of which 0.42 square miles (1.1 km2) is land and 0.039 square miles (0.1 km2), or 8.62%, is water.[5]

The town is bordered by the Kiskiminetas River to the south, on the border of Westmoreland County, and Gilpin Township to the north.

Demographics
Historical population
CensusPop.Note%±
1860359—
18703682.5%
18801,123205.2%
18901,92171.1%
19002,45928.0%
19103,62447.4%
19203,99110.1%
19304,48912.5%
19404,275−4.8%
19504,042−5.5%
19603,545−12.3%
19702,999−15.4%
19802,682−10.6%
19902,504−6.6%
20002,386−4.7%
20102,156−9.6%
20202,149−0.3%
Sources:[6][7][8][2]

As of the 2000 census,[7] there were 2,386 people, 1,109 households, and 645 families residing in the borough. The population density was 5,320.9 inhabitants per square mile (2,054.4/km2). There were 1,193 housing units at an average density of 2,660.5 per square mile (1,027.2/km2). The racial makeup of the borough was 97.53% White, 1.26% African American, 0.04% Native American, 0.17% Asian, 0.04% from other races, and 0.96% from two or more races. Hispanic or Latino of any race were 0.67% of the population.

There were 1,109 households, out of which 23.4% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 43.2% were married couples living together, 10.7% had a female householder with no husband present, and 41.8% were non-families. 39.1% of all households were made up of individuals, and 23.1% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.14 and the average family size was 2.85.

The borough median age of 43 years was significantly more than the county median age of 40 years. The distribution by age group was 21.1% under the age of 18, 6.4% from 18 to 24, 26.2% from 25 to 44, 22.5% from 45 to 64, and 23.7% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 43 years. For every 100 females, there were 83.7 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 78.5 males.

According to the United States Census Bureau, in 2012 the median household income in the borough was $35,682 and the median family income was $45,563. 17.8% of the population, 14.4% of families, 29.3% of children, and 8.8% of those 65 or older had income below the poverty level.[9]

Panoramic view facing west showing approximately 160 degrees of downtown Leechburg from on top of the highrise located at 2nd and Main Street
Panoramic view facing east showing approximately 180 degrees of downtown Leechburg from on top of the highrise located at 2nd and Main Street

History

Leechburg was founded in 1850 by David Leech. Prior to 1850, the settlement was known as White Plains. Leech purchased the land from a local Native American known as White Maddock.

Notable people

Education

The children of Leechburg are educated by the Leechburg Area School District. The school district consists of Leechburg, Gilpin Township and West Leechburg Borough.

Cemeteries
  • Leechburg Cemetery[11]

References
  1. "ArcGIS REST Services Directory". United States Census Bureau. Retrieved October 12, 2022.
  2. "Census Population API". United States Census Bureau. Retrieved October 12, 2022.
  3. "The U.S. Census Bureau". The U.S. Census Bureau. April 1, 2010. Retrieved August 31, 2021.
  4. "US Gazetteer files: 2010, 2000, and 1990". United States Census Bureau. February 12, 2011. Retrieved April 23, 2011.
  5. "Geographic Identifiers: 2010 Demographic Profile Data (G001): Leechburg borough, Pennsylvania". U.S. Census Bureau, American Factfinder. Archived from the original on February 12, 2020. Retrieved July 30, 2013.
  6. "Census of Population and Housing". U.S. Census Bureau. Retrieved December 11, 2013.
  7. "U.S. Census website". United States Census Bureau. Retrieved January 31, 2008.
  8. "Incorporated Places and Minor Civil Divisions Datasets: Subcounty Resident Population Estimates: April 1, 2010 to July 1, 2012". Population Estimates. U.S. Census Bureau. Archived from the original on June 11, 2013. Retrieved December 11, 2013.
  9. "U.S. Census website". United States Census Bureau. Retrieved February 17, 2014.
  10. "Roman Catholic Diocese of Greensburg". www.dioceseofgreensburg.org. Retrieved August 17, 2022.
  11. "Leechburg Cemetery". Geographic Names Information System. United States Geological Survey, United States Department of the Interior.
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