Bradford County, Pennsylvania

Bradford County is a county in the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania. It is part of Northeastern Pennsylvania. As of the 2020 census, its population was 59,967.[2] Its county seat is Towanda.[3] The county was created on February 21, 1810, from parts of Lycoming and Luzerne Counties. Originally called Ontario County, it was reorganized and separated from Lycoming County on October 13, 1812, and renamed Bradford County for William Bradford, who had been a chief justice of the Pennsylvania Supreme Court and United States Attorney General.[4][5]

Not to be confused with Bradford, Pennsylvania.

Bradford County
County
Towanda is the county seat
Towanda is the county seat
Official seal of Bradford County
Seal
Official logo of Bradford County
Logo
Map of Pennsylvania highlighting Bradford County
Location within the U.S. state of Pennsylvania
Map of the United States highlighting Pennsylvania
Pennsylvania's location within the U.S.
Coordinates: 41°47′N 76°31′W
Country United States
State Pennsylvania
FoundedFebruary 21, 1810
Named forWilliam Bradford
SeatTowanda
Largest boroughSayre
Area
 • Total1,161 sq mi (3,010 km2)
 • Land1,147 sq mi (2,970 km2)
 • Water14 sq mi (40 km2)  1.2%
Population
 (2020)
 • Total59,967
 • Density52/sq mi (20/km2)
Congressional district9th
Websitewww.bradfordcountypa.org
DesignatedJuly 10, 1982[1]

Bradford County comprises the Sayre, Pennsylvania micropolitan statistical area.

The county is not to be confused with the city of Bradford, which is in McKean County, 141 miles to the west via U.S. Route 6.

History

As noted above, Bradford County was originally named Ontario County. The county was reorganized and renamed in 1812, but a section of north Philadelphia in which major east–west streets are named after Pennsylvania counties retains an Ontario Street, between Westmoreland and Tioga Streets. Two short Bradford Streets are in northeast Philadelphia, about 4 miles from Ontario Street.

Bradford County is the ancestral home of the Tehotitachsae indigenous people of North America. Their principal village, Gohontoto, was on the site of the present Borough of Wyalusing.

Geography

According to the U.S. Census Bureau, the county has a total area of 1,161 square miles (3,010 km2), of which 1,147 square miles (2,970 km2) are land and 14 square miles (36 km2) (1.2%) are covered by water.[6] It is the second-largest county in Pennsylvania by land area and third-largest by total area.

Climate

Bradford has a warm-summer humid continental climate (Dfb) and average monthly temperatures in Towanda range from 24.5 °F in January to 70.6 °F in July.[7]

Adjacent counties

Demographics
Historical population
CensusPop.Note%±
182011,554—
183019,74670.9%
184032,76966.0%
185042,83130.7%
186048,73413.8%
187053,2049.2%
188058,54110.0%
189059,2331.2%
190059,4030.3%
191054,526−8.2%
192053,166−2.5%
193049,039−7.8%
194050,6153.2%
195051,7222.2%
196054,9256.2%
197057,9625.5%
198062,9198.6%
199060,967−3.1%
200062,7612.9%
201062,622−0.2%
202059,967−4.2%
[8]

As of the census[9] of 2000, there were 62,761 people, 24,453 households, and 17,312 families residing in the county. The population density was 54 people per square mile (21 people/km2). There were 28,664 housing units at an average density of 25 units per square mile (9.7/km2). The racial makeup of the county was 97.94% White, 0.40% Black or African American, 0.31% Native American, 0.45% Asian, 0.01% Pacific Islander, 0.19% from other races, and 0.69% from two or more races. 0.63% of the population were Hispanic or Latino of any race. 32.4% were of English, 19% German, 12.6% Irish and 6.4% Italian ancestry.

There were 24,453 households, out of which 31.80% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 57.40% were married couples living together, 8.90% had a female householder with no husband present, and 29.20% were non-families. 24.70% of all households were made up of individuals, and 11.50% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.52 and the average family size was 2.99.

In the county, the population was spread out, with 25.50% under the age of 18, 6.80% from 18 to 24, 27.20% from 25 to 44, 24.70% from 45 to 64, and 15.70% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 39 years. For every 100 females there were 95.10 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 92.10 males.

2020 census
Bradford County Racial Composition[10]
Race Num. Perc.
White (NH) 55,717 93%
Black or African American (NH) 394 0.66%
Native American (NH) 117 0.2%
Asian (NH) 460 0.77%
Pacific Islander (NH) 13 0.02%
Other/Mixed (NH) 2,393 4%
Hispanic or Latino 873 1.45%

Micropolitan Statistical Area
See also: List of micropolitan statistical areas

The United States Office of Management and Budget[11] has designated Bradford County as the Sayre, PA Micropolitan Statistical Area (µSA).[12] As of the 2010 U.S. Census[13] the micropolitan area ranked 8th most populous in the State of Pennsylvania and the 131st most populous in the United States with a population of 62,622.

Law and government

Bradford County is a Republican Party stronghold in presidential elections. The only two instances Republican presidential candidates have failed to win the county from 1880 to the present were when Theodore Roosevelt won it in 1912 by splitting the Republican vote & in 1964 when Lyndon B. Johnson won statewide & nationally in a landslide. Johnson is also the only Democrat to ever manage over forty percent of the county's vote. Even so, he won Bradford County only narrowly, by just over one percent.

Voter registration

As of July 17, 2023, there are 36,677 registered voters in the county. There are 23,604 registered Republicans, 8,315 registered Democrats, 3,105 voters registered non-affiliated voters, and 1,653 voters registered to other parties.[14]

Chart of Voter Registration

  Republican (64.36%)
  Democratic (22.67%)
  Independent (8.47%)
  Other Parties (4.51%)
United States presidential election results for Bradford County, Pennsylvania[15]
Year Republican Democratic Third party
No. %No. %No. %
2020 21,600 71.45% 8,046 26.61% 586 1.94%
2016 18,141 69.81% 6,369 24.51% 1,476 5.68%
2012 14,410 61.21% 8,624 36.64% 506 2.15%
2008 15,057 58.16% 10,306 39.81% 526 2.03%
2004 16,942 66.05% 8,590 33.49% 120 0.47%
2000 14,660 62.78% 7,911 33.88% 781 3.34%
1996 10,393 49.47% 7,736 36.82% 2,879 13.70%
1992 10,221 45.17% 6,903 30.51% 5,504 24.32%
1988 13,568 66.72% 6,635 32.63% 134 0.66%
1984 14,808 72.71% 5,474 26.88% 85 0.42%
1980 13,139 62.97% 6,439 30.86% 1,287 6.17%
1976 12,851 61.10% 7,913 37.62% 270 1.28%
1972 15,050 73.57% 5,204 25.44% 204 1.00%
1968 13,308 63.20% 6,373 30.26% 1,377 6.54%
1964 10,434 49.31% 10,714 50.63% 14 0.07%
1960 16,252 70.04% 6,920 29.82% 33 0.14%
1956 15,399 73.57% 5,502 26.29% 30 0.14%
1952 15,894 76.02% 4,959 23.72% 55 0.26%
1948 11,783 71.99% 4,421 27.01% 163 1.00%
1944 13,472 70.40% 5,523 28.86% 142 0.74%
1940 14,826 69.01% 6,605 30.74% 53 0.25%
1936 16,643 66.74% 8,078 32.39% 215 0.86%
1932 11,521 63.34% 5,970 32.82% 697 3.83%
1928 17,251 79.83% 4,281 19.81% 77 0.36%
1924 11,620 73.62% 2,307 14.62% 1,857 11.77%
1920 11,947 75.14% 2,825 17.77% 1,128 7.09%
1916 6,178 57.51% 3,655 34.03% 909 8.46%
1912 2,034 18.56% 2,960 27.01% 5,963 54.42%
1908 7,997 63.43% 3,758 29.81% 853 6.77%
1904 8,303 69.23% 2,862 23.86% 828 6.90%
1900 8,625 64.05% 4,211 31.27% 631 4.69%
1896 9,422 66.04% 4,388 30.76% 457 3.20%
1892 8,132 63.10% 4,080 31.66% 676 5.25%
1888 8,762 63.00% 4,552 32.73% 594 4.27%
1884 8,405 62.51% 4,216 31.36% 825 6.14%
1880 8,152 59.65% 4,950 36.22% 564 4.13%

County commissioners
  • Daryl Miller, Chairman, Republican
  • Doug McLinko, Vice-chairman, Republican
  • John Sullivan, Democrat[16]

Other county officials
  • Auditors, Jeff Warner, Eric Matthews, Sebrina Shanks
  • Clerk of Courts and Prothonotary, Dawn Close, Republican
  • Coroner, James Bowen
  • District Attorney, N.A.
  • Register of Wills and Recorder of Deeds, Sheila Johnson, Republican
  • Sheriff, Clinton J. Walters, Republican
  • Treasurer, Matthew Allen, Republican

State senate

State House of Representatives

United States House of Representatives

United States Senate

Economy

Major employers are the natural gas industry, farming, logging, DuPont, Global-Tungsten and Powders (formerly Sylvania), Jeld-Wen, and Cargill Regional Beef, Wyalusing.

Education
Bradford County school districts

Public school districts

Other public school entities

Private schools
  • Canton Country School – Canton
  • Children's Place – Sayre
  • Epiphany School (Catholic) Pre-K–6 – Sayre accepting OSTCP students
  • Freedom Lane Academy – Milan
  • G&G Learning Center – Rome
  • Maranatha Mission Learning Community Branch 19 – Canton
  • North Rome Christian School
  • South Hill Amish School – Wyalusing
  • St. Agnes Elementary School – Towanda accepting OSTCP students
  • Union Valley Christian School – Ulster
  • Valley View Amish School – Pike Township
  • Wyalusing Valley Children's Center INC – Wyalusing

Data from EdNA database maintained by Pennsylvania Department of Education 2012

Libraries
  • Allen F. Pierce Free Library – Troy
  • Bradford County Library – Troy
  • Bradford County Library System – Troy
  • Green Free Library – Canton
  • Mather Memorial Library – Ulster
  • Monroeton Public Library – Monroeton
  • New Albany Community Library Inc.
  • Sayre Public Library
  • Spalding Memorial Library – Athens
  • Towanda Public Library
  • Wyalusing Public Library

Transportation

Public transportation is provided by BeST Transit.

Major highways

Recreation

There is one Pennsylvania state park in Bradford County.

Communities
Map of Bradford County, Pennsylvania with Municipal Labels showing Boroughs (red) and Townships (white).

Under Pennsylvania law, there are four types of incorporated municipalities: cities, boroughs, townships, and, in only one case (Bloomsburg, Columbia County), towns. The following boroughs and townships are located in Bradford County:

Boroughs

Townships

Census-designated place

Unincorporated communities

Population ranking

The population ranking of the following table is based on the 2010 census of Bradford County.[13]

† county seat

Rank City/Town/etc. Population (2010 Census) Municipal type Incorporated
1 Sayre 5,587 Borough 1891
2 Athens 3,367 Borough 1831
3 † Towanda 2,919 Borough 1828
4 Canton 1,976 Borough 1864
5 Troy 1,354 Borough
6 South Waverly 1,027 Borough 1878
7 Greens Landing 894 CDP
8 Wyalusing 596 Borough
9 Monroe 554 Borough 1855
10 Rome 441 Borough 1860
11 New Albany 356 Borough 1879
12 Le Raysville 290 Borough 1863
13 Sylvania 219 Borough 1853
14 Alba 157 Borough 1864
15 Burlington 156 Borough 1854

See also

References
  1. "PHMC Historical Markers Search". Pennsylvania Historical and Museum Commission. Commonwealth of Pennsylvania. Archived from the original (Searchable database) on March 21, 2016. Retrieved January 25, 2014.
  2. "Census - Geography Profile: Bradford County, Pennsylvania". United States Census Bureau. Retrieved April 24, 2022.
  3. "Find a County". National Association of Counties. Archived from the original on May 31, 2011. Retrieved June 7, 2011.
  4. An outline history of Tioga and Bradford counties in Pennsylvania, Chemung, Steuben, Tioga, Tompkins and Schuyler in New York: by townships, villages, boro's and cities, John L. Sexton. The Gazette Company, 1885, p67. 1885. p. 67. Retrieved September 17, 2010. bradford county, pa. sexton.
  5. Bradford County History Archived July 27, 2011, at the Wayback Machine, Bradford County, Pennsylvania. Accessed August 21, 2007
  6. "2010 Census Gazetteer Files". United States Census Bureau. August 22, 2012. Retrieved March 5, 2015.
  7. "PRISM Climate Group at Oregon State University".
  8. "Census 2020".
  9. "U.S. Census website". United States Census Bureau. Retrieved January 31, 2008.
  10. "P2 HISPANIC OR LATINO, AND NOT HISPANIC OR LATINO BY RACE – 2020: DEC Redistricting Data (PL 94-171) – Bradford County, Pennsylvania".
  11. "Office of Management and Budget - The White House". Retrieved November 21, 2018.
  12. "Businesses that Received Forms in 2012: Pennsylvania - U.S. Census Bureau". Archived from the original on September 24, 2015. Retrieved December 7, 2017.
  13. "2010 U.S. Census website". United States Census Bureau. Retrieved May 25, 2015.
  14. Pennsylvania Department of State (July 17, 2023). "Voter registration statistics by county". dos.pa.gov. Retrieved July 20, 2023.
  15. Leip, David. "Dave Leip's Atlas of U.S. Presidential Elections". uselectionatlas.org. Retrieved November 21, 2018.
  16. "Commissioners". Retrieved September 10, 2020.
  17. "Towanda - Lackawanna College". www.lackawanna.edu. Archived from the original on August 30, 2020. Retrieved November 21, 2018.
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