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Coordinates: 40°28′N 78°21′W / 40.47°N 78.35°W / 40.47; -78.35
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{{Short description|County in Pennsylvania, United States}}
{{Short description|County in Pennsylvania, United States}}
{{Use mdy dates|date=December 2021}}
{{Use mdy dates|date=April 2024}}
{{Infobox U.S. county
{{Infobox U.S. county
| county = Blair County
| county = Blair County
| state = Pennsylvania
| state = Pennsylvania
| flag = Flag of Blair County, Pennsylvania.png
| seal =
| seal = Seal of Blair County, Pennsylvania.png
| founded date = February 26
| founded year = 1846
| founded date = February 26
| founded year = 1846
| seat wl = Hollidaysburg
| seat wl = Hollidaysburg
| largest city wl = Altoona
| largest city wl = Altoona
| area_total_sq_mi = 527
| area_total_sq_mi = 527
| area_land_sq_mi = 526
| area_land_sq_mi = 526
| area_water_sq_mi = 1.3
| area_water_sq_mi = 1.3
| area percentage = 0.2
| area percentage = 0.2
| census yr = 2020
| census yr = 2020
| pop = 122822
| pop = 122822
| density_sq_mi = 234
| density_sq_mi = 234
| web = www.blairco.org
| web = www.blairco.org
| ex image = Blair County Courthouse Apr 10.JPG
| ex image size = 250
| ex image = Blair County Courthouse Apr 10.JPG
| ex image cap = Blair County Courthouse, Hollidaysburg
| ex image size = 250
| ex image cap = Blair County Courthouse in [[Hollidaysburg, Pennsylvania|Hollidaysburg]]
| time zone = Eastern
| time zone = Eastern
| district = 13th
| district = 13th
| footnotes = {{designation list|embed=yes|designation1=Pennsylvania|designation1_date=April 13, 1982<ref name="PAHMDB">{{cite web|url=http://www.portal.state.pa.us/portal/server.pt/community/pennsylvania_historical_marker_program/2539/search_for_historical_markers|title=PHMC Historical Markers Search|work=Pennsylvania Historical and Museum Commission|publisher=Commonwealth of Pennsylvania|format=Searchable database|access-date=January 25, 2014}}</ref>}}
| footnotes = {{designation list|embed=yes|designation1=Pennsylvania|designation1_date=April 13, 1982<ref name="PAHMDB">{{cite web|url=http://www.portal.state.pa.us/portal/server.pt/community/pennsylvania_historical_marker_program/2539/search_for_historical_markers|title=PHMC Historical Markers Search|work=Pennsylvania Historical and Museum Commission|publisher=Commonwealth of Pennsylvania|format=Searchable database|access-date=January 25, 2014|archive-date=March 21, 2016|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160321233735/http://www.portal.state.pa.us/portal/server.pt/community/pennsylvania_historical_marker_program/2539/search_for_historical_markers|url-status=dead}}</ref>}}
}}
}}


'''Blair County''' is a [[County (United States)|county]] in the [[Commonwealth (U.S. state)|Commonwealth]] of [[Pennsylvania]]. As of the [[2020 United States census|2020 census]], the population was 122,822.<ref>{{cite web|title=Census - Geography Profile: Blair County, Pennsylvania|url=https://data.census.gov/cedsci/profile?g=0500000US42013|publisher=[[United States Census Bureau]]|access-date=April 24, 2022}}</ref> Its [[county seat]] is [[Hollidaysburg, Pennsylvania|Hollidaysburg]].<ref name="GR6">{{cite web|url=http://www.naco.org/Counties/Pages/FindACounty.aspx|access-date=June 7, 2011|title=Find a County|publisher=National Association of Counties|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110531210815/http://www.naco.org/Counties/Pages/FindACounty.aspx|archive-date=May 31, 2011}}</ref> The county was created on February 26, 1846, from parts of [[Huntingdon County, Pennsylvania|Huntingdon]] and [[Bedford County, Pennsylvania|Bedford]] counties.
'''Blair County''' is a [[County (United States)|county]] in the [[Commonwealth (U.S. state)|Commonwealth]] of [[Pennsylvania]]. As of the [[2020 United States census|2020 census]], the population was 122,822.<ref>{{cite web|title=Census - Geography Profile: Blair County, Pennsylvania|url=https://data.census.gov/cedsci/profile?g=0500000US42013|publisher=[[United States Census Bureau]]|access-date=April 24, 2022}}</ref> Its [[county seat]] is [[Hollidaysburg, Pennsylvania|Hollidaysburg]], and its largest city is [[Altoona, Pennsylvania|Altoona]].<ref name="GR6">{{cite web |title=Find a County |url=http://www.naco.org/Counties/Pages/FindACounty.aspx |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110531210815/http://www.naco.org/Counties/Pages/FindACounty.aspx |archive-date=May 31, 2011 |access-date=June 7, 2011 |publisher=National Association of Counties}}</ref> The county was created on February 26, 1846, from parts of [[Huntingdon County, Pennsylvania|Huntingdon]] and [[Bedford County, Pennsylvania|Bedford]] counties. The county is part of the Southwest Pennsylvania region of the state.{{efn|Includes Westmoreland, Cambria, Fayette, Blair, Indiana, Somerset, Bedford, Huntingdon, Greene and Fulton Counties}}


Blair County comprises the [[Altoona, Pennsylvania|Altoona]], PA [[Metropolitan Statistical Area]]. It is also part of the Altoona-Huntingdon, PA Combined Statistical Area, which includes Blair and Huntingdon counties.<ref>{{Cite web|last=Bureau|first=US Census|title=Combined Statistical Areas Map (March 2020)|url=https://www2.census.gov/geo/maps/metroarea/us_wall/Mar2020/CSA_WallMap_Mar2020.pdf|url-status=live|access-date=2021-08-11|website=The United States Census Bureau|language=EN-US|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201021194201/https://www2.census.gov/geo/maps/metroarea/us_wall/Mar2020/CSA_WallMap_Mar2020.pdf |archive-date=October 21, 2020 }}</ref>
Blair County comprises the Altoona, PA [[metropolitan statistical area]]. It is also part of the Altoona-[[Huntingdon, Pennsylvania|Huntingdon]], PA Combined Statistical Area, which includes Blair and Huntingdon counties.<ref>{{Cite web|title=Combined Statistical Areas Map (March 2020)
|url=https://www2.census.gov/geo/maps/metroarea/us_wall/Mar2020/CSA_WallMap_Mar2020.pdf|url-status=live|access-date=August 11, 2021|website=The United States Census Bureau|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201021194201/https://www2.census.gov/geo/maps/metroarea/us_wall/Mar2020/CSA_WallMap_Mar2020.pdf |archive-date=October 21, 2020 }}</ref>


==Geography==
==Geography==
According to the [[United States Census Bureau|U.S. Census Bureau]], the county has a total area of {{convert|527|sqmi}}, of which {{convert|526|sqmi}} is land and {{convert|1.3|sqmi}} (0.2%) is water.<ref name="GR1">{{cite web|url=http://www2.census.gov/geo/docs/maps-data/data/gazetteer/counties_list_42.txt|publisher=United States Census Bureau|access-date=March 5, 2015|date=August 22, 2012|title=2010 Census Gazetteer Files}}</ref>
According to the [[United States Census Bureau|U.S. Census Bureau]], the county has a total area of {{convert|527|sqmi}}, of which {{convert|526|sqmi}} is land and {{convert|1.3|sqmi}} (0.2%) is water.<ref name="GR1">{{cite web|url=http://www2.census.gov/geo/docs/maps-data/data/gazetteer/counties_list_42.txt|publisher=United States Census Bureau|access-date=March 5, 2015|date=August 22, 2012|title=2010 Census Gazetteer Files}}</ref> Blair County is one of the 423 counties served by the [[Appalachian Regional Commission]],<ref name="ARC">{{cite web |title=About the Appalachian Region |url=https://www.arc.gov/about-the-appalachian-region/ |publisher=Appalachian Regional Commission |access-date=20 June 2024}}</ref> and it is identified as part of "Greater Appalachia" by Colin Woodard in his book ''[[American Nations|American Nations: A History of the Eleven Rival Regional Cultures of North America]]''.<ref name="NYT_CW">{{cite web |last1=Woodard |first1=Colin |title=The Maps That Show That City vs. Country Is Not Our Political Fault Line |url=https://www.nytimes.com/2018/07/30/opinion/urban-rural-united-states-regions-midterms.html |work=New York Times |access-date=30 July 2018}}</ref>


===Features===
===Features===
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|Dec snow inch = 12.1
|Dec snow inch = 12.1
|year snow inch= 60.6
|year snow inch= 60.6
|source 1 = Pennsylvania State Climatologist<ref>{{cite web |url=http://pasc.met.psu.edu/cgi-bin/lcdclim.cgi |title=Monthly Averages for Altoona, PA |publisher=psac.met.psu |year=2009 |access-date=2009-07-05 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080907094502/http://pasc.met.psu.edu/cgi-bin/lcdclim.cgi |archive-date=2008-09-07 |url-status=dead }}</ref>
|source 1 = Pennsylvania State Climatologist<ref>{{cite web |url=http://pasc.met.psu.edu/cgi-bin/lcdclim.cgi |title=Monthly Averages for Altoona, PA |publisher=psac.met.psu |year=2009 |access-date=July 5, 2009 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080907094502/http://pasc.met.psu.edu/cgi-bin/lcdclim.cgi |archive-date=September 7, 2008 |url-status=dead }}</ref>
|date=August 2010
|date=August 2010
}}
}}
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}}
}}


As of the [[census]]<ref name="GR2">{{cite web |url=https://www.census.gov |publisher=[[United States Census Bureau]] |access-date=2008-01-31 |title=U.S. Census website }}</ref> of 2000, there were 127,089 people and 52,159 households within the county. The [[population density]] was 246 people per square mile (95/km<sup>2</sup>). There were 55,061 housing units at an average density of 105 per square&nbsp;mile (40/km<sup>2</sup>). The racial makeup of the county was 96.18% [[Race (United States Census)|White]], 1.68% [[Race (United States Census)|Black]] or [[Race (United States Census)|African American]], 0.11% [[Race (United States Census)|Native American]], 0.56% [[Race (United States Census)|Asian]], 0.02% [[Race (United States Census)|Pacific Islander]], 0.23% from [[Race (United States Census)|other races]], and 1.22% from two or more races. 0.97% of the population were [[Race (United States Census)|Hispanic]] or [[Race (United States Census)|Latino]] of any race. 40.0% were of [[German people|German]], 12.2% [[Irish people|Irish]], 10.7% [[Italian people|Italian]], 9.9% [[United States|American]] and 6.0% [[English people|English]] ancestry.
As of the [[census]]<ref name="GR2">{{cite web |url=https://www.census.gov |publisher=[[United States Census Bureau]] |access-date=January 31, 2008 |title=U.S. Census website }}</ref> of 2000, there were 127,089 people and 52,159 households within the county. The [[population density]] was {{convert|246|/mi2|/km2|disp=preunit|people&nbsp;|people|}}. There were 55,061 housing units at an average density of {{convert|105|/mi2|/km2|adj=pre|units&nbsp;}}. The racial makeup of the county was 96.18% [[Race (United States Census)|White]], 1.68% [[Race (United States Census)|Black]] or [[Race (United States Census)|African American]], 0.11% [[Race (United States Census)|Native American]], 0.56% [[Race (United States Census)|Asian]], 0.02% [[Race (United States Census)|Pacific Islander]], 0.23% from [[Race (United States Census)|other races]], and 1.22% from two or more races. 0.97% of the population were [[Race (United States Census)|Hispanic]] or [[Race (United States Census)|Latino]] of any race. 40.0% were of [[German Americans|German]], 12.2% [[Irish Americans|Irish]], 10.7% [[Italian Americans|Italian]], 9.9% [[American ancestry|American]], and 6.0% [[English Americans|English]] ancestry.


There were 52,159 households, out of which 28.4% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 52.60% were [[Marriage|married couples]] living together, 11.20% had a female householder with no husband present, and 32.30% were non-families. 27.80% of all households were made up of individuals, and 13.30% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.43 and the average family size was 2.96.
There were 52,159 households, out of which 28.4% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 52.60% were [[Marriage|married couples]] living together, 11.20% had a female householder with no husband present, and 32.30% were non-families. 27.80% of all households were made up of individuals, and 13.30% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.43 and the average family size was 2.96.


In the county, the population was spread out, with 21.1% under the age of 18, 3.5% from 18 to 19, 5.9% from 20 to 24, 11.1% from 25 to 34, 19.3% from 35 to 49, 21.4% from 50 to 64, and 17.7% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 40 years. The population was 48.55% male, and 51.45% female.
In the county, the population was spread out, with 21.1% under the age of 18, 3.5% from 18 to 19, 5.9% from 20 to 24, 11.1% from 25 to 34, 19.3% from 35 to 49, 21.4% from 50 to 64, and 17.7% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 40 years. The population was 48.55% male and 51.45% female.


===2020 Census===
===2020 census===
{| class="wikitable"
{| class="wikitable"
|+Blair County Racial Composition<ref>{{Cite web|title =P2 HISPANIC OR LATINO, AND NOT HISPANIC OR LATINO BY RACE – 2020: DEC Redistricting Data (PL 94-171) – Blair County, Pennsylvania|url=https://data.census.gov/cedsci/table?q=Blair%20County,%20Pennsylvania&t=Race%20and%20Ethnicity&tid=DECENNIALPL2020.P2}}</ref>
|+Blair County Racial Composition<ref>{{Cite web|title =P2 HISPANIC OR LATINO, AND NOT HISPANIC OR LATINO BY RACE – 2020: DEC Redistricting Data (PL 94-171) – Blair County, Pennsylvania|url=https://data.census.gov/cedsci/table?q=Blair%20County,%20Pennsylvania&t=Race%20and%20Ethnicity&tid=DECENNIALPL2020.P2}}</ref>
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|1.4%
|1.4%
|}
|}
⚫
==Law and government==


⚫
==Law and government==
Blair County is a [[Republican Party (United States)|Republican Party]] stronghold. In only two elections has the Democrat won the vote of the county, and one other election won by the [[Progressive Party (United States, 1912)|Progressive Party]].
Blair County has been a [[Republican Party (United States)|Republican Party]] stronghold since the party was founded. [[Franklin D. Roosevelt]] in 1936 and [[Lyndon B. Johnson]] in 1964 are the only Democratic presidential candidates to date to win the county (with neither taking more than 52% of the county's vote), although [[Theodore Roosevelt]] won it as the candidate of the [[Progressive Party (United States, 1912–1920)|Progressive Party]] in 1912.


{{PresHead|place=Blair County, Pennsylvania|whig=no|source1=<ref>{{cite web|url=http://uselectionatlas.org/RESULTS|title=Dave Leip's Atlas of U.S. Presidential Elections|first=David|last=Leip|website=uselectionatlas.org|access-date=21 November 2018}}</ref>|source2=<ref>{{cite web|url=https://archive.org/details/presidentialball00burn/|title=Presidential ballots, 1836-1892|first=Walter Dean|last=Burnham|website=archive.org|access-date=January 16, 2021|url-status=live}}</ref>}}
{{PresHead|place=Blair County, Pennsylvania|whig=no|source1=<ref>{{cite web|url=http://uselectionatlas.org/RESULTS|title=Dave Leip's Atlas of U.S. Presidential Elections|first=David|last=Leip|website=uselectionatlas.org|access-date=November 21, 2018}}</ref>|source2=<ref>{{cite web|url=https://archive.org/details/presidentialball00burn/|title=Presidential ballots, 1836-1892|first=Walter Dean|last=Burnham|website=archive.org|access-date=January 16, 2021}}</ref>}}
<!-- PresRow should be {{PresRow|Year|Winning party|GOP/Whig vote #|Dem vote #|3rd party vote #|State}} -->
<!-- PresRow should be {{PresRow|Year|Winning party|GOP/Whig vote #|Dem vote #|3rd party vote #|State}} -->
{{PresRow|2024|Republican|46,352|18,127|470|Pennsylvania}}
{{PresRow|2020|Republican|45,306|17,636|806|Pennsylvania}}
{{PresRow|2020|Republican|45,306|17,636|806|Pennsylvania}}
{{PresRow|2016|Republican|39,135|13,958|2,248|Pennsylvania}}
{{PresRow|2016|Republican|39,135|13,958|2,248|Pennsylvania}}
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{{PresRow|1888|Republican|7,311|5,175|351|Pennsylvania}}
{{PresRow|1888|Republican|7,311|5,175|351|Pennsylvania}}
{{PresRow|1884|Republican|6,396|4,649|385|Pennsylvania}}
{{PresRow|1884|Republican|6,396|4,649|385|Pennsylvania}}
{{PresFoot|1880|Republican|5,808|4,728|230|Pennsylvania}}
{{PresRow|1880|Republican|5,808|4,728|230|Pennsylvania}}
|}


===County commissioners===
===County commissioners===
*Bruce Erb, Chair, Republican
*David Kessling, chair, Republican
*Laura Burke, Vice-chair, Democrat
*Laura Burke, Vice-chair, Democrat
*Amy Webster, Secretary, Republican
*Amy Webster, Secretary, Republican
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*Coroner, Patricia Ross, Republican
*Coroner, Patricia Ross, Republican
*District Attorney, Pete Weeks, Republican
*District Attorney, Pete Weeks, Republican
*Register of Wills and Recorder of Deeds, Mary Ann Bennis, Republican
*Register of Wills and Recorder of Deeds, Anita Terchanik, Republican
*Sheriff, James Ott, Republican
*Sheriff, James Ott, Republican
*Treasurer, James Carothers, Republican
*Treasurer, James Carothers, Republican
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{{Div col end}}
{{Div col end}}


===State Senate===
===State senate===
* [[Judy Ward]], [[Republican Party (United States)|Republican]], [[Pennsylvania's 30th Senatorial District]]
* [[Judy Ward]], [[Republican Party (United States)|Republican]], [[Pennsylvania's 30th Senatorial District]]


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===United States Senate===
===United States Senate===
*[[Pat Toomey]], [[Republican Party (United States)|Republican]]
*[[John Fetterman]], [[Democratic Party (United States)|Democrat]]
*[[Bob Casey, Jr.|Bob Casey]], [[Democratic Party (United States)|Democrat]]
*[[Bob Casey, Jr.|Bob Casey]], [[Democratic Party (United States)|Democrat]]


===Politics===
===Politics===
As of November 1, 2021, there are 77,618 registered voters in Blair County.<ref>https://www.dos.pa.gov/VotingElections/OtherServicesEvents/VotingElectionStatistics/Documents/currentvotestats.xls {{Bare URL spreadsheet|date=April 2022}}</ref>


=== Voter registration ===
⚫
* [[Republican Party (United States)|Republican]]: 47,140 (60.73%)
{{Pie chart|thumb=right|caption=Chart of Voter Registration|label1=[[Republican Party (United States)|Republican]]|value1=61.87|color1={{party color|Republican Party (United States)}}|label2=[[Democratic Party (United States)|Democratic]]|value2=25.40|color2={{party color|Democratic Party (United States)}}|label3=[[Independent (United States)|Independent]]|value3=9.12|color3={{party color|Independent (United States)}}|label4=[[Third party (United States)|Other Parties]]|value4=3.61|color4={{party color|Green Party (United States)}}}}As of April 29, 2024, there are 77,491 registered voters in Blair County.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Pennsylvania Department of State |date=February 5, 2024 |title=Voter registration statistics by county |url=https://www.dos.pa.gov/VotingElections/OtherServicesEvents/VotingElectionStatistics/Pages/VotingElectionStatistics.aspx |access-date=February 7, 2024 |website=dos.pa.gov}}</ref>
⚫
* [[Democratic Party (United States)|Democratic]]: 20,800 (26.8%)

* [[Independent (United States)|Independent]]: 6,530 (8.41%)
* [[Third party (United States)|Third Party]]: 3,148 (4.06%)
* [[Republican Party (United States)|Republican]]: 47,947 (61.87%)
⚫
* [[Democratic Party (United States)|Democratic]]: 19,679 (25.40%)
⚫
* [[Independent (United States)|Independent]]: 7,067 (9.12%)
* [[Third party (U.S. politics)|Third party]]: 2,798 (3.61%)


==Education==
==Education==
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Blair County hosts a system of nine libraries that can be accessed with one library card. Resource sharing exists between the eight libraries. Books from any of the eight system libraries can be placed on hold and delivered to a patron's home library and then returned to any of the eight libraries in the system.
Blair County hosts a system of nine libraries that can be accessed with one library card. Resource sharing exists between the eight libraries. Books from any of the eight system libraries can be placed on hold and delivered to a patron's home library and then returned to any of the eight libraries in the system.
{{Div col}}
{{Div col}}
*[http://www.altoonalibrary.org Altoona Area Public Library] - Altoona
*Altoona Area Public Library - Altoona
*[https://web.archive.org/web/20170708231850/http://bapl.lib.pa.us/default.aspx Bellwood Antis Public Library] - Bellwood
*Bellwood Antis Public Library - Bellwood
*[http://www.altoonalibrary.org/blair-county-library-system/ Blair County Library System] - Altoona
*Blair County Library System - Altoona
*[http://www.claysburglibrary.org/ Claysburg Area Public Library] - Claysburg
*Claysburg Area Public Library - Claysburg
*[http://www.hollidaysburglibrary.org/ Hollidaysburg Area Public Library] - Hollidaysburg
*Hollidaysburg Area Public Library - Hollidaysburg
*[http://www.martinsburgcommunitylibrary.org/ Martinsburg Community Library] - Martinsburg
*Martinsburg Community Library - Martinsburg
*[http://www.roaringspringlibrary.org/ Roaring Spring Community Library] - Roaring Spring
*Roaring Spring Community Library - Roaring Spring
*[http://www.tyronelibrary.org/ Tyrone-Snyder Twnshp Pub Library] - Tyrone
*Tyrone-Snyder Twnshp Pub Library - Tyrone
*[http://www.williamsburgpl.net/ Williamsburg Public Library] - Williamsburg
*Williamsburg Public Library - Williamsburg
{{Div col end}}
{{Div col end}}


==Recreation==
==Recreation==
There is one [[List of Pennsylvania state parks|Pennsylvania state park]] in Blair County.
There is one [[List of Pennsylvania state parks|Pennsylvania state park]] in Blair County, [[Canoe Creek State Park]] in [[Frankstown Township, Blair County, Pennsylvania|Frankstown Township]].
*[[Canoe Creek State Park]]

==Communities==
==Communities==
[[Image:Map of Blair County Pennsylvania With Municipal and Township Labels.png|right|thumb|250px|Map of Blair County, Pennsylvania, with municipal labels showing cities and boroughs (red), townships (white), and census-designated places (blue)]]
[[Image:Map of Blair County Pennsylvania With Municipal and Township Labels.png|right|thumb|250px|Map of Blair County, Pennsylvania, with municipal labels showing cities and boroughs (red), townships (white), and census-designated places (blue)]]
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*[[Allegheny Township, Blair County, Pennsylvania|Allegheny]]
*[[Allegheny Township, Blair County, Pennsylvania|Allegheny]]
*[[Antis Township, Blair County, Pennsylvania|Antis]]
*[[Antis Township, Blair County, Pennsylvania|Antis]]
*[[Blair Township, Blair County, Pennsylvania|Blair]]
*[[Blair Township, Pennsylvania|Blair]]
*[[Catharine Township, Blair County, Pennsylvania|Catharine]]
*[[Catharine Township, Blair County, Pennsylvania|Catharine]]
*[[Frankstown Township, Blair County, Pennsylvania|Frankstown]]
*[[Frankstown Township, Blair County, Pennsylvania|Frankstown]]
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===Population ranking===
===Population ranking===
The population ranking of the following table is based on the [[2010 United States census|2010 census]] of Blair County.<ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.census.gov/programs-surveys/decennial-census/decade.2010.html |publisher=[[United States Census Bureau]] |title=2010 U.S. Census website |access-date=2016-02-13 }}</ref>
The population ranking of the following table is based on the [[2010 United States census|2010 census]] of Blair County.<ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.census.gov/programs-surveys/decennial-census/decade.2010.html |publisher=[[United States Census Bureau]] |title=2010 U.S. Census website |access-date=February 13, 2016 }}</ref>


'''†''' ''county seat''
† county seat


{| class="wikitable sortable"
{| class="wikitable sortable"
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|- style="background-color:#FFFF54;"
|- style="background-color:#FFFF54;"
| 1
| 1
| '''[[Altoona, Pennsylvania|Altoona]]'''
| [[Altoona, Pennsylvania|Altoona]]
| 46,320
| 46,320
| City
| City
Line 563: Line 567:
|- style="background-color:#DDA0DD;"
|- style="background-color:#DDA0DD;"
| 2
| 2
| '''† [[Hollidaysburg, Pennsylvania|Hollidaysburg]]'''
| † [[Hollidaysburg, Pennsylvania|Hollidaysburg]]
| 5,791
| 5,791
| Borough
| Borough
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|- style="background-color:#DDA0DD;"
|- style="background-color:#DDA0DD;"
| 3
| 3
| '''[[Tyrone, Pennsylvania|Tyrone]]'''
| [[Tyrone, Pennsylvania|Tyrone]]
| 5,477
| 5,477
| Borough
| Borough
Line 575: Line 579:
|- style="background-color:#DDA0DD;"
|- style="background-color:#DDA0DD;"
| 4
| 4
| '''[[Bellwood, Pennsylvania|Bellwood]]'''
| [[Bellwood, Pennsylvania|Bellwood]]
| 3,564
| 3,564
| Borough
| Borough
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|- style="background-color:#DDA0DD;"
|- style="background-color:#DDA0DD;"
| 5
| 5
| '''[[Roaring Spring, Pennsylvania|Roaring Spring]]'''
| [[Roaring Spring, Pennsylvania|Roaring Spring]]
| 2,585
| 2,585
| Borough
| Borough
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|- style="background-color:#ADFF2F;"
|- style="background-color:#ADFF2F;"
| 6
| 6
| '''[[Greenwood, Pennsylvania|Greenwood]]'''
| [[Greenwood, Pennsylvania|Greenwood]]
| 2,458
| 2,458
| CDP
| CDP
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|- style="background-color:#DDA0DD;"
|- style="background-color:#DDA0DD;"
| 7
| 7
| '''[[Martinsburg, Pennsylvania|Martinsburg]]'''
| [[Martinsburg, Pennsylvania|Martinsburg]]
| 1,958
| 1,958
| Borough
| Borough
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|- style="background-color:#ADFF2F;"
|- style="background-color:#ADFF2F;"
| 8
| 8
| '''[[Lakemont, Pennsylvania|Lakemont]]'''
| [[Lakemont, Pennsylvania|Lakemont]]
| 1,868
| 1,868
| CDP
| CDP
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|- style="background-color:#ADFF2F;"
|- style="background-color:#ADFF2F;"
| 9
| 9
| '''[[Claysburg, Pennsylvania|Claysburg]]'''
| [[Claysburg, Pennsylvania|Claysburg]]
| 1,625
| 1,625
| CDP
| CDP
Line 611: Line 615:
|- style="background-color:#DDA0DD;"
|- style="background-color:#DDA0DD;"
| 10
| 10
| '''[[Williamsburg, Pennsylvania|Williamsburg]]'''
| [[Williamsburg, Pennsylvania|Williamsburg]]
| 1,254
| 1,254
| Borough
| Borough
Line 617: Line 621:
|- style="background-color:#DDA0DD;"
|- style="background-color:#DDA0DD;"
| 11
| 11
| '''[[Duncansville, Pennsylvania|Duncansville]]'''
| [[Duncansville, Pennsylvania|Duncansville]]
| 1,233
| 1,233
| Borough
| Borough
Line 623: Line 627:
|- style="background-color:#ADFF2F;"
|- style="background-color:#ADFF2F;"
| 12
| 12
| '''[[Tipton, Pennsylvania|Tipton]]'''
| [[Tipton, Pennsylvania|Tipton]]
| 1,083
| 1,083
| CDP
| CDP
Line 629: Line 633:
|- style="background-color:#ADFF2F;"
|- style="background-color:#ADFF2F;"
| 13
| 13
| '''[[East Freedom, Pennsylvania|East Freedom]]'''
| [[East Freedom, Pennsylvania|East Freedom]]
| 972
| 972
| CDP
| CDP
Line 635: Line 639:
|- style="background-color:#ADFF2F;"
|- style="background-color:#ADFF2F;"
| 14
| 14
| '''[[Foot of Ten, Pennsylvania|Foot of Ten]]'''
| [[Foot of Ten, Pennsylvania|Foot of Ten]]
| 672
| 672
| CDP
| CDP
Line 641: Line 645:
|- style="background-color:#ADFF2F;"
|- style="background-color:#ADFF2F;"
| 15
| 15
| '''[[Grazierville, Pennsylvania|Grazierville]]'''
| [[Grazierville, Pennsylvania|Grazierville]]
| 665
| 665
| CDP
| CDP
Line 647: Line 651:
|- style="background-color:#DDA0DD;"
|- style="background-color:#DDA0DD;"
| 16
| 16
| '''[[Tunnelhill, Pennsylvania|Tunnelhill]]''' ''(mostly in [[Cambria County, Pennsylvania|Cambria County]])''
| [[Tunnelhill, Pennsylvania|Tunnelhill]] (mostly in [[Cambria County, Pennsylvania|Cambria County]])
| 363
| 363
| Borough
| Borough
Line 653: Line 657:
|- style="background-color:#ADFF2F;"
|- style="background-color:#ADFF2F;"
| 17
| 17
| '''[[Northwood, Pennsylvania|Northwood]]'''
| [[Northwood, Pennsylvania|Northwood]]
| 296
| 296
| CDP
| CDP
Line 659: Line 663:
|- style="background-color:#DDA0DD;"
|- style="background-color:#DDA0DD;"
| 18
| 18
| '''[[Newry, Pennsylvania|Newry]]'''
| [[Newry, Pennsylvania|Newry]]
| 270
| 270
| Borough
| Borough
Line 669: Line 673:


==References==
==References==
{{reflist|30em}}
{{Notelist}}{{reflist|30em}}


==External links==
==External links==

Revision as of 14:43, 20 November 2024

Blair County
County
Blair County Courthouse in Hollidaysburg
Blair County Courthouse in Hollidaysburg
Flag of Blair County
Flag
Official seal of Blair County
Seal
Map of Pennsylvania highlighting Blair 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°28′N 78°21′W / 40.47°N 78.35°W / 40.47; -78.35
Country United States
State Pennsylvania
FoundedFebruary 26, 1846
SeatHollidaysburg
Largest cityAltoona
Area
 • Total
527 sq mi (1,360 km2)
 • Land526 sq mi (1,360 km2)
 • Water1.3 sq mi (3 km2)  0.2%
Population
 (2020)
 • Total
122,822
 • Density234/sq mi (90/km2)
Time zoneUTC−5 (Eastern)
 • Summer (DST)UTC−4 (EDT)
Congressional district13th
Websitewww.blairco.org
DesignatedApril 13, 1982[1]

Blair County is a county in the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania. As of the 2020 census, the population was 122,822.[2] Its county seat is Hollidaysburg, and its largest city is Altoona.[3] The county was created on February 26, 1846, from parts of Huntingdon and Bedford counties. The county is part of the Southwest Pennsylvania region of the state.[a]

Blair County comprises the Altoona, PA metropolitan statistical area. It is also part of the Altoona-Huntingdon, PA Combined Statistical Area, which includes Blair and Huntingdon counties.[4]

Geography

According to the U.S. Census Bureau, the county has a total area of 527 square miles (1,360 km2), of which 526 square miles (1,360 km2) is land and 1.3 square miles (3.4 km2) (0.2%) is water.[5] Blair County is one of the 423 counties served by the Appalachian Regional Commission,[6] and it is identified as part of "Greater Appalachia" by Colin Woodard in his book American Nations: A History of the Eleven Rival Regional Cultures of North America.[7]

Features

Adjacent counties

National protected area

Major highways

Climate

Blair has a warm-summer humid continental climate (Dfb).

Climate data for Altoona
Month Jan Feb Mar Apr May Jun Jul Aug Sep Oct Nov Dec Year
Record high °F (°C) 78
(26) 		76
(24) 		85
(29) 		91
(33) 		94
(34) 		97
(36) 		103
(39) 		102
(39) 		96
(36) 		90
(32) 		82
(28) 		12
(−11) 		103
(39)
Mean daily maximum °F (°C) 31.9
(−0.1) 		34.6
(1.4) 		44.7
(7.1) 		57.8
(14.3) 		67.6
(19.8) 		77.1
(25.1) 		81.4
(27.4) 		80.3
(26.8) 		72.3
(22.4) 		61.3
(16.3) 		49.4
(9.7) 		37.1
(2.8) 		57.9
(14.4)
Mean daily minimum °F (°C) 15.6
(−9.1) 		17.7
(−7.9) 		25.5
(−3.6) 		36.6
(2.6) 		46.8
(8.2) 		54.9
(12.7) 		60.2
(15.7) 		58.4
(14.7) 		51.3
(10.7) 		41.4
(5.2) 		32.1
(0.1) 		21.9
(−5.6) 		38.5
(3.6)
Record low °F (°C) −29
(−34) 		−25
(−32) 		−7
(−22) 		8
(−13) 		20
(−7) 		32
(0) 		38
(3) 		34
(1) 		26
(−3) 		15
(−9) 		0
(−18) 		−13
(−25) 		−29
(−34)
Average precipitation inches (mm) 2.64
(67) 		2.43
(62) 		3.48
(88) 		3.63
(92) 		4.30
(109) 		4.08
(104) 		4.14
(105) 		3.50
(89) 		3.85
(98) 		3.43
(87) 		3.71
(94) 		3.11
(79) 		42.64
(1,083)
Average snowfall inches (cm) 11.2
(28) 		14.3
(36) 		16.9
(43) 		2.5
(6.4) 		0.1
(0.25) 		0
(0) 		0
(0) 		0
(0) 		0
(0) 		0.2
(0.51) 		3.3
(8.4) 		12.1
(31) 		60.6
(154)
Source: Pennsylvania State Climatologist[8]

Demographics

Historical population
CensusPop.Note%±
185021,777—
186027,82927.8%
187038,05136.7%
188052,74038.6%
189070,86634.4%
190085,09920.1%
1910108,85827.9%
1920128,33417.9%
1930139,8409.0%
1940140,3580.4%
1950139,519−0.6%
1960137,270−1.6%
1970135,356−1.4%
1980136,6210.9%
1990130,542−4.4%
2000129,144−1.1%
2010127,089−1.6%
2020122,822−3.4%
[9]

As of the census[10] of 2000, there were 127,089 people and 52,159 households within the county. The population density was 246 people per square mile (95 people/km2). There were 55,061 housing units at an average density of 105 units per square mile (41/km2). The racial makeup of the county was 96.18% White, 1.68% Black or African American, 0.11% Native American, 0.56% Asian, 0.02% Pacific Islander, 0.23% from other races, and 1.22% from two or more races. 0.97% of the population were Hispanic or Latino of any race. 40.0% were of German, 12.2% Irish, 10.7% Italian, 9.9% American, and 6.0% English ancestry.

There were 52,159 households, out of which 28.4% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 52.60% were married couples living together, 11.20% had a female householder with no husband present, and 32.30% were non-families. 27.80% of all households were made up of individuals, and 13.30% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.43 and the average family size was 2.96.

In the county, the population was spread out, with 21.1% under the age of 18, 3.5% from 18 to 19, 5.9% from 20 to 24, 11.1% from 25 to 34, 19.3% from 35 to 49, 21.4% from 50 to 64, and 17.7% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 40 years. The population was 48.55% male and 51.45% female.

2020 census

Blair County Racial Composition[11]
Race Num. Perc.
White (NH) 113,016 92%
Black or African American (NH) 2,463 2%
Native American (NH) 134 0.1%
Asian (NH) 868 0.7%
Pacific Islander (NH) 12 0.01%
Other/Mixed (NH) 4,621 3.76%
Hispanic or Latino 1,708 1.4%

Law and government

Blair County has been a Republican Party stronghold since the party was founded. Franklin D. Roosevelt in 1936 and Lyndon B. Johnson in 1964 are the only Democratic presidential candidates to date to win the county (with neither taking more than 52% of the county's vote), although Theodore Roosevelt won it as the candidate of the Progressive Party in 1912.

United States presidential election results for Blair County, Pennsylvania[12][13]
Year Republican Democratic Third party(ies)
No.  % No.  % No.  %
2024 46,352 71.37% 18,127 27.91% 470 0.72%
2020 45,306 71.07% 17,636 27.67% 806 1.26%
2016 39,135 70.72% 13,958 25.22% 2,248 4.06%
2012 33,319 66.16% 16,276 32.32% 770 1.53%
2008 32,708 61.37% 19,813 37.17% 777 1.46%
2004 35,751 65.99% 18,105 33.42% 322 0.59%
2000 28,376 62.86% 15,774 34.94% 990 2.19%
1996 21,282 52.30% 15,036 36.95% 4,373 10.75%
1992 21,447 47.92% 14,857 33.19% 8,454 18.89%
1988 25,623 61.50% 15,588 37.42% 451 1.08%
1984 30,104 65.52% 15,651 34.06% 190 0.41%
1980 28,931 62.41% 15,014 32.39% 2,414 5.21%
1976 28,290 59.73% 18,397 38.84% 679 1.43%
1972 33,126 75.10% 10,023 22.72% 961 2.18%
1968 28,780 59.59% 15,803 32.72% 3,713 7.69%
1964 24,301 48.09% 26,157 51.76% 73 0.14%
1960 35,297 64.40% 19,445 35.48% 67 0.12%
1956 33,623 65.68% 17,503 34.19% 65 0.13%
1952 32,113 65.44% 16,851 34.34% 106 0.22%
1948 22,382 60.68% 14,050 38.09% 454 1.23%
1944 24,925 57.82% 18,003 41.76% 178 0.41%
1940 26,639 55.11% 21,573 44.63% 125 0.26%
1936 24,711 46.98% 27,038 51.41% 848 1.61%
1932 19,553 56.95% 13,709 39.93% 1,073 3.13%
1928 34,356 73.53% 12,104 25.90% 266 0.57%
1924 20,313 65.93% 4,244 13.78% 6,251 20.29%
1920 15,035 56.97% 5,668 21.48% 5,689 21.56%
1916 9,893 55.16% 7,002 39.04% 1,040 5.80%
1912 3,138 18.16% 4,108 23.78% 10,030 58.06%
1908 10,583 63.01% 4,981 29.66% 1,232 7.34%
1904 12,482 73.46% 3,675 21.63% 835 4.91%
1900 9,749 65.81% 4,528 30.57% 537 3.62%
1896 10,382 65.50% 4,840 30.53% 629 3.97%
1892 7,407 56.75% 5,265 40.34% 380 2.91%
1888 7,311 56.95% 5,175 40.31% 351 2.73%
1884 6,396 55.96% 4,649 40.67% 385 3.37%
1880 5,808 53.95% 4,728 43.92% 230 2.14%

County commissioners

  • David Kessling, chair, Republican
  • Laura Burke, Vice-chair, Democrat
  • Amy Webster, Secretary, Republican

Other county offices

  • Clerk of Courts and Prothonotary, Robin Patton, Republican
  • Controller, A.C. Stickel, Republican
  • Coroner, Patricia Ross, Republican
  • District Attorney, Pete Weeks, Republican
  • Register of Wills and Recorder of Deeds, Anita Terchanik, Republican
  • Sheriff, James Ott, Republican
  • Treasurer, James Carothers, Republican

Police agencies

State senate

State House of Representatives

United States House of Representatives

United States Senate

Politics

Voter registration

Chart of Voter Registration

  Republican (61.87%)
  Democratic (25.40%)
  Independent (9.12%)
  Other Parties (3.61%)

As of April 29, 2024, there are 77,491 registered voters in Blair County.[14]

Education

Map of Blair County, Pennsylvania School Districts

Colleges and universities

Community, junior and technical colleges

Public school districts

Charter schools

Technology school

Private schools

  • Alternative Education Program - Hollidaysburg
  • Holy Trinity Middle School - Altoona
  • Holy Trinity Elementary School - Altoona Campus
  • Holy Trinity Elementary School - Hollidaysburg Campus
  • Altoona Hospital School of Nursing
  • Bishop Guilfoyle Catholic High School - Altoona
  • Blair County Christian School - Duncansville
  • Champion Life Christian Academy - Altoona
  • Cove Lane Parochial School - Martinsburg
  • Crawford Elementary at Adelphoi Village
  • Emmanuel Baptist Christian School - Claysburg
  • Faith Tabernacle School - Altoona
  • Great Commission Schools - Altoona
  • Harbor House Center Early Academy - Altoona
  • Heritage Christian School - Martinsburg
  • Hollidaysburg Catholic School - Hollidaysburg
  • Living Water Christian Academy - Williamsburg
  • Northwestern Human Services Autism School
  • Penn Mont Academy - Hollidaysburg
  • Penn Mont at Penn State Altoona
  • Piney Creek Parochial School - New Enterprise
  • Shady Grove School - Martinsburg
  • Shady Pond School - Altoona
  • St John Evangelist School - Altoona
  • St Matthew School - Tyrone
  • St Patrick School - Newry
  • Sylvan Learning Center - Hollidaysburg
  • Tender Love for Children - Altoona
  • The Nehemiah Project - Altoona
  • Training & Development Tech - Hollidaysburg
  • White Oak School - Tyrone

Data taken from Pennsylvania EdNA - PDE database of public private schools 2012

Libraries

Blair County hosts a system of nine libraries that can be accessed with one library card. Resource sharing exists between the eight libraries. Books from any of the eight system libraries can be placed on hold and delivered to a patron's home library and then returned to any of the eight libraries in the system.

  • Altoona Area Public Library - Altoona
  • Bellwood Antis Public Library - Bellwood
  • Blair County Library System - Altoona
  • Claysburg Area Public Library - Claysburg
  • Hollidaysburg Area Public Library - Hollidaysburg
  • Martinsburg Community Library - Martinsburg
  • Roaring Spring Community Library - Roaring Spring
  • Tyrone-Snyder Twnshp Pub Library - Tyrone
  • Williamsburg Public Library - Williamsburg

Recreation

There is one Pennsylvania state park in Blair County, Canoe Creek State Park in Frankstown Township.

Communities

Map of Blair 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 at most two cases, towns. The following cities, boroughs and townships are located in Blair County:

City

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 unincorporated communities and not actual jurisdictions under Pennsylvania law.

Population ranking

The population ranking of the following table is based on the 2010 census of Blair County.[15]

† county seat

Rank City/Town/etc. Population (2010 Census) Municipal type Incorporated
1 Altoona 46,320 City 1854 (borough) 1868 (city)
2 † Hollidaysburg 5,791 Borough 1836
3 Tyrone 5,477 Borough 1857
4 Bellwood 3,564 Borough 1898
5 Roaring Spring 2,585 Borough 1888
6 Greenwood 2,458 CDP
7 Martinsburg 1,958 Borough 1832
8 Lakemont 1,868 CDP
9 Claysburg 1,625 CDP
10 Williamsburg 1,254 Borough 1827
11 Duncansville 1,233 Borough 1891
12 Tipton 1,083 CDP
13 East Freedom 972 CDP
14 Foot of Ten 672 CDP
15 Grazierville 665 CDP
16 Tunnelhill (mostly in Cambria County) 363 Borough 1876
17 Northwood 296 CDP
18 Newry 270 Borough 1876

See also

References

  1. ^ Includes Westmoreland, Cambria, Fayette, Blair, Indiana, Somerset, Bedford, Huntingdon, Greene and Fulton Counties
  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: Blair 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. ^ "Combined Statistical Areas Map (March 2020)" (PDF). The United States Census Bureau. Archived (PDF) from the original on October 21, 2020. Retrieved August 11, 2021.
  5. ^ "2010 Census Gazetteer Files". United States Census Bureau. August 22, 2012. Retrieved March 5, 2015.
  6. ^ "About the Appalachian Region". Appalachian Regional Commission. Retrieved June 20, 2024.
  7. ^ Woodard, Colin. "The Maps That Show That City vs. Country Is Not Our Political Fault Line". New York Times. Retrieved July 30, 2018.
  8. ^ "Monthly Averages for Altoona, PA". psac.met.psu. 2009. Archived from the original on September 7, 2008. Retrieved July 5, 2009.
  9. ^ "Census 2020".
  10. ^ "U.S. Census website". United States Census Bureau. Retrieved January 31, 2008.
  11. ^ "P2 HISPANIC OR LATINO, AND NOT HISPANIC OR LATINO BY RACE – 2020: DEC Redistricting Data (PL 94-171) – Blair County, Pennsylvania".
  12. ^ Leip, David. "Dave Leip's Atlas of U.S. Presidential Elections". uselectionatlas.org. Retrieved November 21, 2018.
  13. ^ Burnham, Walter Dean. "Presidential ballots, 1836-1892". archive.org. Retrieved January 16, 2021.
  14. ^ Pennsylvania Department of State (February 5, 2024). "Voter registration statistics by county". dos.pa.gov. Retrieved February 7, 2024.
  15. ^ "2010 U.S. Census website". United States Census Bureau. Retrieved February 13, 2016.
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40°28′N 78°21′W / 40.47°N 78.35°W / 40.47; -78.35

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