Wayne County, Pennsylvania

Wayne is a county in the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania. It is part of Northeastern Pennsylvania. The county's population was 51,155 at the 2020 census.[1] The county seat is the Borough of Honesdale.[2] The county was formed from part of Northampton County on March 21, 1798,[3] and was named for the Revolutionary War General Anthony Wayne.[2]

Wayne County
County
The Wayne County Courthouse in Honesdale
The Wayne County Courthouse in Honesdale
Map of Pennsylvania highlighting Wayne 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°39′N 75°19′W
Country United States
State Pennsylvania
FoundedMarch 21, 1798
Named forAnthony Wayne
SeatHonesdale
Largest boroughHonesdale
Area
 • Total751 sq mi (1,950 km2)
 • Land726 sq mi (1,880 km2)
 • Water25 sq mi (60 km2)  3.3%
Population
 (2020)
 • Total51,155
 • Density70/sq mi (30/km2)
Time zoneUTC−5 (Eastern)
 • Summer (DST)UTC−4 (EDT)
Congressional district8th
Websitewaynecountypa.gov

The Lehigh River, a 109-mile-long (175 km) tributary of the Delaware River, rises in southern Wayne County.

Geography

According to the U.S. Census Bureau, Wayne County has a total area of 751 square miles (1,950 km2), of which 726 square miles (1,880 km2) is land and 25 square miles (65 km2) (3.3%) is water.[4]

The terrain of the county is varied. In the wider northern half, the land is rugged along its border with New York State, while the southern portion tends to be swampier. Higher hills and mountains are predominantly found along the county's western edge, while lower ones are more common in the east, near the Delaware River. The middle section of Wayne County is a wide plain.

The highest elevation in the county, 2,659 ft (810 m), is the summit of Mount Ararat in Orson. Two other summits at the north end of the same ridge also exceed 2,640 ft (800 m) in elevation. The county's lowest point, at approximately 680 ft (210 m) above sea level, is along the Delaware, near Wayne County's border with Pike County, Pennsylvania.

Most of Wayne County is drained by the Delaware (which separates Pennsylvania from New York), with the exception of a few small areas in the western part of the county, which are drained by either the Starrucca Creek or the Lackawanna River (which both eventually flow into the Susquehanna River).

The county has a warm-summer humid continental climate (Dfb) and average monthly temperatures in Honesdale range from 22.8 °F in January to 67.9 °F in July.[5]

Adjacent counties

Major highways

Demographics
Historical population
CensusPop.Note%±
18002,562—
18104,12561.0%
18204,1270.0%
18307,66385.7%
184011,84854.6%
185021,89084.8%
186032,23947.3%
187033,1882.9%
188033,5131.0%
189031,010−7.5%
190030,171−2.7%
191029,236−3.1%
192027,435−6.2%
193028,4203.6%
194029,9345.3%
195028,478−4.9%
196028,237−0.8%
197029,5814.8%
198035,23719.1%
199039,94413.4%
200047,72219.5%
201052,82210.7%
202051,155−3.2%
U.S. Decennial Census[6]
1790–1960[7] 1900–1990[8]
1990–2000[9] 2010–2017[10] 2010-2020[11]

As of the Census of 2010, there were 52,822 people, 20,625 households, and 13,952 families in Wayne County. The county's population density was 72.797 people per square mile (28.107 people/km2), and there were 31,653 housing units at an average density of 43.623 per square mile (16.843/km2). The racial makeup of the populace was 94.2% White, 3.1% African American, 0.2% Native American, 0.5% Asian, 0.0% Pacific Islander, 0.9% of other races, and 1.1% of two or more races. Hispanics and Latinos of all races made up 3.4% of the population.[4][12]

67.6% of Wayne County's households were families, 53.9% were headed by a heterosexual married couple (Pennsylvania did not allow same-sex marriage until May 20, 2014, after the 2010 Census had been completed), and 26.6% included children under the age of 18. 9.2% of households were headed by a female householder with no husband present, 4.5% by a male householder with no wife present, and 32.4% consisted of non-families. 27.2% of all households were made up of individuals, and 12.3% consisted of a person 65 years of age or older living alone. The average household size was 2.38 and the average family size was 2.87.[12]

Wayne County's age distribution was 21.1% under the age of 18, 4.5% between the ages of 18 and 24, 23.1% between 25 and 44, 32.4% between 45 and 64, and 19.0% 65 years of age or older. The population's median age was 45.9 years. For every 100 females, there were 110 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 112 males in the same age range.[12]

According to American Community Survey (ACS) estimates, the median income for a household in Wayne County in 2013 was $49,313, and the median income for a family was $58,934. Males had a median income of $36,173, while females had a median income of $23,636. The per capita income for the county was $24,005. 8.4% of families and 12.2% of people were below the Census Bureau's poverty thresholds (different from the federally defined poverty guidelines), including 18.5% of those under age 18 and 7.6% of those age 65 or over.[13][14]

According to self-reported ancestry figures recorded by the ACS, the five largest ancestral groups in Wayne County in 2013 were Germans (30.3%), Irish (22.1%), Italians (13.9%), English (10.9%), and Poles (10.1%). Those reporting American ancestry made up 8.6% of the population.[15]

2020 census
Wayne County Racial Composition[16]
Race Num. Perc.
White (NH) 44,821 87.62%
Black or African American (NH) 1,647 3.22%
Native American (NH) 73 0.14%
Asian (NH) 418 0.82%
Pacific Islander (NH) 0 0%
Other/Mixed (NH) 1,849 3.61%
Hispanic or Latino 2,347 4.6%

Politics
United States presidential election results for Wayne County, Pennsylvania[17]
Year Republican Democratic Third party
No. %No. %No. %
2020 18,637 66.21% 9,191 32.65% 319 1.13%
2016 16,244 67.63% 7,008 29.18% 766 3.19%
2012 12,896 59.50% 8,396 38.74% 382 1.76%
2008 12,702 55.39% 9,892 43.14% 338 1.47%
2004 13,713 62.43% 8,060 36.69% 194 0.88%
2000 11,201 59.21% 6,904 36.50% 811 4.29%
1996 8,077 49.45% 5,928 36.29% 2,329 14.26%
1992 8,184 48.65% 4,817 28.64% 3,821 22.71%
1988 9,926 71.61% 3,775 27.23% 161 1.16%
1984 10,061 75.66% 3,155 23.73% 81 0.61%
1980 8,468 67.48% 3,375 26.90% 705 5.62%
1976 7,811 63.45% 4,244 34.48% 255 2.07%
1972 8,948 74.51% 2,733 22.76% 328 2.73%
1968 7,827 66.39% 3,176 26.94% 787 6.68%
1964 6,512 52.82% 5,781 46.89% 35 0.28%
1960 9,360 67.77% 4,425 32.04% 26 0.19%
1956 9,658 75.64% 3,092 24.22% 18 0.14%
1952 9,623 78.96% 2,530 20.76% 34 0.28%
1948 7,708 77.14% 2,284 22.86% 0 0.00%
1944 8,242 74.43% 2,793 25.22% 39 0.35%
1940 9,203 72.44% 3,460 27.24% 41 0.32%
1936 9,347 65.00% 4,864 33.82% 169 1.18%
1932 6,215 61.47% 3,666 36.26% 230 2.27%
1928 8,576 72.78% 3,148 26.72% 59 0.50%
1924 5,578 72.87% 1,477 19.29% 600 7.84%
1920 5,164 73.14% 1,589 22.51% 307 4.35%
1916 2,869 55.84% 2,019 39.30% 250 4.87%
1912 659 12.29% 1,924 35.90% 2,777 51.81%
1908 3,650 56.67% 2,438 37.85% 353 5.48%
1904 3,386 56.85% 2,097 35.21% 473 7.94%
1900 3,229 50.91% 2,647 41.74% 466 7.35%
1896 3,708 56.59% 2,473 37.74% 371 5.66%
1892 2,690 44.41% 2,915 48.13% 452 7.46%
1888 2,939 46.47% 3,010 47.60% 375 5.93%

As of May 15, 2023, there were 34,789 registered voters in Wayne County, with the following party breakdown:[18]

Chart of Voter Registration

  Republican (57.48%)
  Democratic (26.36%)
  Independent (12.94%)
  Other Parties (3.22%)

Wayne has long been one of the most Republican counties in Pennsylvania, as Republicans consistently win easily in federal, state and local elections. In 2000, Republican George W. Bush won 59.21 percent of the vote to Democrat Al Gore's 36.50 percent,[19] and in 2004, Bush won with 62.43 percent to Democrat John Kerry's 36.69 percent.[20] In 2008, Republican John McCain won with 55.39 percent of the vote to Democrat Barack Obama's 43.14 percent,[21] and in 2012, Republican Mitt Romney won with 59.50 percent to Obama's 38.74 percent.[22] In 2016, Republican Donald J. Trump won with 67.63 percent to Hillary Clinton's 29.18 percent.

Wayne County was one of the four counties that Barry Goldwater won in Pennsylvania in 1964;[23] the last Democrat to win a plurality in the county was Grover Cleveland in 1892.[24][25] Since then, only three Democrats have won even forty percent of the county's vote – William Jennings Bryan in 1900, Lyndon Johnson in 1964 and Obama in 2008.

Government and infrastructure

United States senators

United States representative

State representatives[26]
  • Jonathan Fritz, Republican (111th district) - Buckingham, Clinton (partially), Lebanon, Manchester, Mount Pleasant, Oregon, Preston, and Scott Townships, and Starrucca Borough
  • Michael Peifer, Republican (139th district) - Berlin, Cherry Ridge, Clinton (partially), Damascus, Dyberry, Palmyra, Paupack, South Canaan, and Texas Townships, and Bethany, Hawley, Honesdale, and Prompton Boroughs

State senator[26]

County commissioners
  • Brian W. Smith, Republican (Chairman)[27]
  • James Shook, Republican[27]
  • Jocelyn Cramer, Democrat[27]

Other county officers
  • Auditors:[28] Carla J. Komar, Republican; Kathy Schloesser, Democrat; Catherine Jane Rickard, Republican
  • Coroner:[29] Edward R. Howell, Republican
  • District Attorney:[30] A.G. Howell, Republican
  • Prothonotary:[31] Edward "Ned" Sandercock, Republican
  • Recorder of Deeds[32] and Register of Wills:[33] Debbie Bates, Republican
  • Sheriff:[34] Christopher Rosler, Republican
  • Treasurer:[35] Brian T. Field, Republican

Healthcare services

Wayne County is served by the Wayne Memorial Health System. The Health System consists of Wayne Memorial Hospital in Honesdale and several other subsidiaries and/or affiliates. In addition, the community has a number of physicians and other professionals providing needed care. The Farview State Hospital is located in Farview.

Emergency services

Paramedic services are provided by three different agencies:

BLS services are provided as dispatched through the Wayne County Communication Center. These agencies include:

  • Newfoundland Area Ambulance, a volunteer ambulance corps, provides basic life support services in Dreher Township, and portions of adjoining Sterling and Lehigh townships.
  • Hawley Ambulance & Rescue Company provides BLS services.[39]
  • White Mills Community Ambulance provides BLS services.[39]
  • Northern Wayne Fire Company provides BLS service from their station on Route 370 in Lakewood.[40]

Maplewood Fire and Rescue provides QRS "quick response service" to all medical calls in Lake townships. Hamlin Fire and has three BLS units Waymart EMS Damascus EMS Mt Pleastant EMS

Correctional facilities

The Federal Bureau of Prisons United States Penitentiary, Canaan is in Canaan Township, near Waymart.[41][42]

Education
Map of Wayne County's school districts, colored in dark green, light green, orange, and red, and labeled by district. Text across the top reads "Wayne County, Pennsylvania School Districts Map."
Map of Wayne County's school districts.

Public school districts

Private schools

There are five private or parochial schools in Wayne County:

  • Canaan Christian Academy[43] in Varden
  • Saint Dominic's Academy[44] in Honesdale
  • Serendipity Center Early Learning[45] in Hawley
  • Sonshine Christian Preschool and Daycare[46] in Hawley

Libraries

The Wayne Library Alliance[47] operates seven public libraries throughout the county:

  • The Bethany Public Library[48] in Bethany
  • Hamlin Community Library[49] in Hamlin
  • The Hawley Public Library[50] in Hawley
  • The Newfoundland Area Public Library[51] in Newfoundland
  • The Northern Wayne Community Library[52] in Lakewood
  • The Pleasant Mount Public Library[53] in Pleasant Mount
  • The Wayne County Public Library[54] in Honesdale

Communities
Political map of Wayne County, Pennsylvania, with townships, boroughs, and census-designated places labeled. Townships are colored white and boroughs and CDPs are colored various shades of orange.
Map of Wayne County with municipalities and CDPs labeled.

Under Pennsylvania law, there are four types of incorporated municipalities: boroughs, cities, townships, and one town. Wayne County has only boroughs and townships. The latter type is classified based on population by the state government; all of its townships are second-class. A complete list of the county's municipalities follows:

Boroughs

Townships

Census-designated places

In addition, Pennsylvania also has a few types of unincorporated communities, namely villages and private communities. Villages are unincorporated communities within a township, often defined by ZIP code boundaries, property deeds, and local consensus, but which have no official boundaries or population, unless they are also census-designated places (CDPs), geographical areas designated by the US Census Bureau for the purposes of compiling demographic data. Regardless of whether or not they are CDPs, however, they are not actual jurisdictions under Pennsylvania law. Private communities are gated settlements usually governed by a community association, which also often defines the boundaries of the community and may keep track of the number of its members. However, like villages, private communities have no official boundaries or populations, unless they are CDPs, and are never Pennsylvanian jurisdictions. The following is an incomplete list by necessity, but more complete lists of Wayne County's villages and private communities may be found in the corresponding township entry.

Unincorporated communities

Population ranking

The population ranking of the following table is based on the 2010 census of Wayne County.[55]

† county seat

Rank City/Town/etc. Municipal type Population (2010 Census)
1 † Honesdale Borough 4,480
2 The Hideout CDP 3,013
3 Waymart Borough 1,341
4 Wallenpaupack Lake Estates CDP 1,279
5 Big Bass Lake (mostly in Lackawanna County) CDP 1,270
6 Hawley Borough 1,211
7 Pocono Springs CDP 926
8 Gouldsboro (partially in Monroe County) CDP 890
9 White Mills CDP 659
10 Prompton Borough 250
11 Bethany Borough 246
12 Starrucca Borough 173

See also

References
  1. "Census - Geography Profile: Wayne County, Pennsylvania". United States Census Bureau. Retrieved December 18, 2022.
  2. "Wayne County, PA". Wayne County, PA. Wayne County Courthouse. 2014. Archived from the original on June 30, 2015. Retrieved June 27, 2015.
  3. Goodrich, Phineas G. (1992) [1880]. History of Wayne County. Baltimore: Gateway Press, Inc.
  4. 2014 Census National Counties Gazetteer File for Pennsylvania (Report). United States Census Bureau. 2014. Retrieved June 27, 2015.
  5. "PRISM Climate Group at Oregon State University".
  6. "U.S. Decennial Census". United States Census Bureau. Retrieved August 5, 2015.
  7. "Historical Census Browser". University of Virginia Library. Retrieved August 5, 2015.
  8. Forstall, Richard L., ed. (March 27, 1995). "Population of Counties by Decennial Census: 1900 to 1990". United States Census Bureau. Retrieved August 5, 2015.
  9. "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 October 9, 2022. Retrieved August 5, 2015.
  10. "State & County QuickFacts". United States Census Bureau. Archived from the original on June 6, 2011. Retrieved August 5, 2015.
  11. "Census 2020".
  12. Profile of General Population and Housing Characteristics: 2010 Demographic Profile Data for Wayne County, Pennsylvania (Report). U.S. Department of Commerce. 2010. Archived from the original on February 13, 2020. Retrieved June 27, 2015.
  13. Selected Economic Characteristics 2009–2013 American Community Survey 5-Year Estimates for Wayne County, Pennsylvania (Report). U.S. Department of Commerce. 2013. Archived from the original on February 13, 2020. Retrieved June 27, 2015.
  14. Occupation by Sex and Median Earnings in the Past 12 Months (In 2013 Inflation-Adjusted Dollars) For the Civilian Employed Population 16 Years and Over 2009–2013 American Community Survey 5-Year Estimates for Wayne County, Pennsylvania (Report). U.S. Department of Commerce. 2013. Archived from the original on February 13, 2020. Retrieved June 27, 2015.
  15. Selected Social Characteristics in the United States 2009–2013 American Community Survey 5-Year Estimates for Wayne County, Pennsylvania (Report). U.S. Department of Commerce. 2013. Archived from the original on February 13, 2020. Retrieved June 29, 2015.
  16. "P2 HISPANIC OR LATINO, AND NOT HISPANIC OR LATINO BY RACE – 2020: DEC Redistricting Data (PL 94-171) – Wayne County, Pennsylvania".
  17. Leip, David. "Dave Leip's Atlas of U.S. Presidential Elections". uselectionatlas.org. Retrieved April 7, 2018.
  18. Pennsylvania Department of State (May 15, 2023). "Voter registration statistics by county". dos.pa.gov. Retrieved May 17, 2023.
  19. Leip, Dave (2012). "2000 Presidential General Election Results - Pennsylvania". Dave Leip's Atlas of U.S. Presidential Elections. David Leip. Archived from the original on November 17, 2015. Retrieved November 15, 2015.
  20. Leip, Dave (2012). "2004 Presidential General Election Results - Pennsylvania". Dave Leip's Atlas of U.S. Presidential Elections. David Leip. Archived from the original on November 17, 2015. Retrieved November 15, 2015.
  21. Leip, Dave (2012). "2008 Presidential General Election Results - Pennsylvania". Dave Leip's Atlas of U.S. Presidential Elections. David Leip. Archived from the original on November 17, 2015. Retrieved November 15, 2015.
  22. Leip, Dave (2012). "2012 Presidential General Election Results - Pennsylvania". Dave Leip's Atlas of U.S. Presidential Elections. David Leip. Archived from the original on September 7, 2015. Retrieved November 15, 2015.
  23. Leip, Dave (2012). "1964 Presidential General Election Results - Pennsylvania". Dave Leip’s Atlas of U.S. Presidential Elections. David Leip. Archived from the original on February 29, 2012. Retrieved November 15, 2015.
  24. "Presidential election of 1892 - Map by counties". geoelections.free.fr. Retrieved April 7, 2018.
  25. Sullivan, Robert David; ‘How the Red and Blue Map Evolved Over the Past Century’; America Magazine in The National Catholic Review; June 29, 2016
  26. 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 9, 2017.
  27. "Commissioners". Wayne County, PA. Wayne County Courthouse. 2014. Archived from the original on December 2, 2014. Retrieved December 17, 2014.
  28. "Auditors". Wayne County, PA. Wayne County Courthouse. 2014. Archived from the original on December 2, 2014. Retrieved December 17, 2014.
  29. "Coroner". Wayne County, PA. Wayne County Courthouse. 2014. Archived from the original on December 2, 2014. Retrieved December 17, 2014.
  30. "District Attorney". Wayne County, PA. Wayne County Courthouse. 2014. Archived from the original on December 2, 2014. Retrieved December 17, 2014.
  31. "Prothonotary". Wayne County, PA. Wayne County Courthouse. 2014. Archived from the original on December 2, 2014. Retrieved December 17, 2014.
  32. "Recorder of Deeds". Wayne County, PA. Wayne County Courthouse. 2014. Archived from the original on December 2, 2014. Retrieved December 17, 2014.
  33. "Register of Wills". Wayne County, PA. Wayne County Courthouse. 2014. Archived from the original on December 2, 2014. Retrieved December 17, 2014.
  34. "Sheriff". Wayne County, PA. Wayne County Courthouse. 2014. Archived from the original on December 2, 2014. Retrieved December 17, 2014.
  35. "Treasurer". Wayne County, PA. Wayne County Courthouse. 2014. Archived from the original on December 2, 2014. Retrieved December 17, 2014.
  36. "Wayne Ambulance - Ambulance Service Area". Archived from the original on March 14, 2014. Retrieved December 2, 2018.
  37. Writer), By Michael Iorfino (Staff (July 29, 2013). "Moses Taylor Hospital acquires Lackawanna Ambulance". thetimes-tribune.com. Retrieved April 7, 2018.
  38. Cottage Hose Ambulance Employee Manual
  39. Ambulance Company still struggles after fire, Wayne Independence, January 14, 2013
  40. "Northern Wayne Fire Company - Lakewood, PA". FireDepartment.net. Archived from the original on August 1, 2014. Retrieved April 7, 2018.
  41. "USP Canaan Contact Information Archived 2010-05-27 at the Wayback Machine." Federal Bureau of Prisons. Retrieved on February 23, 2011. "3057 Easton Turnpike Waymart, PA 18472."
  42. "Canaan township, Wayne County, Pennsylvania." U.S. Census Bureau. Retrieved on February 23, 2011.
  43. "Canaan Christian Academy". Canaan Christian Academy. 2014. Archived from the original on December 19, 2014. Retrieved December 15, 2014.
  44. "Saint Dominic's Academy". Saint Dominic's Academy. 2013. Archived from the original on December 15, 2014. Retrieved December 15, 2014.
  45. "Serendipity Center Inc". upspring. 2014. Archived from the original on December 15, 2014. Retrieved December 15, 2014.
  46. "Sonshine Christian Preschool and Daycare". yelp. Yelp, Inc. 2014. Archived from the original on December 15, 2014. Retrieved December 15, 2014.
  47. "Wayne County Pennsylvania Public Libraries". Wayne County Pennsylvania Public Libraries. 2014. Archived from the original on December 15, 2014. Retrieved December 15, 2014.
  48. "Bethany Public Library Home Page!". Bethany Public Library Home Page!. Archived from the original on December 15, 2014. Retrieved December 15, 2014.
  49. "Hamlin Community Library". Hamlin Community Library. Wix.com. March 25, 2020. Retrieved March 25, 2020.
  50. "Hawley Public Library". Hawley Borough. Dynamic Technology Software, Inc. Archived from the original on December 15, 2014. Retrieved December 15, 2014.
  51. "Newfoundland Area Public Library". Wayne County Pennsylvania Public Libraries. 2014. Archived from the original on December 15, 2014. Retrieved December 15, 2014.
  52. "Northern Wayne Community Library". Wayne County Pennsylvania Public Libraries. 2014. Archived from the original on December 15, 2014. Retrieved December 15, 2014.
  53. "Pleasant Mount Public Library". Facebook. Facebook, Inc. November 20, 2014. Retrieved December 15, 2014.
  54. "Wayne County PA Library". Facebook. Facebook, Inc. December 12, 2014. Retrieved December 15, 2014.
  55. Promotions, Center for New Media and. "US Census Bureau 2010 Census". www.census.gov. Retrieved April 7, 2018.
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