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{{Short description|County in Pennsylvania, United States}}
{{Infobox U.S. County
{{Redirect|Indiana County|a list of counties in the state of Indiana|List of counties in Indiana}}
| county = Indiana County
{{Use mdy dates|date=April 2024}}
| state = Pennsylvania
{{Infobox U.S. county
| seal =
| county = Indiana County
| founded = November 3, 1806
| state = Pennsylvania
| seat wl = Indiana
| seal = Seal of Indiana County, Pennsylvania.svg
| largest city = Indiana
| founded date = November 3
| city type = borough
| founded year = 1806
| area_total_sq_mi = 834
| seat wl = Indiana
| area_land_sq_mi = 827
| largest city = Indiana
| area_water_sq_mi = 7.3
| city type = borough
| area percentage = 0.9%
| area_total_sq_mi = 834
| census estimate yr = 2015
| area_land_sq_mi = 827
| pop = 86966
| area_water_sq_mi = 7.3
| density_sq_mi = 105
| area percentage = 0.9
| web = www.countyofindiana.org
| census yr = 2020
| ex image = Indiana County Courthouse.jpg
| pop = 83,246
| ex image size = 250
| density_sq_mi = 101
| ex image cap = Indiana County Courthouse
| web = https://www.indianacountypa.gov/
| time zone = Eastern
| ex image = Indiana County Courthouse.jpg
| district = 9th
| ex image size = 250
| ex image cap = Indiana County Courthouse
| time zone = Eastern
| district = 15th
}}
}}


'''Indiana County''' is a [[County (United States)|county]] located in the [[U.S. state]] of [[Pennsylvania]]. As of the [[2010 United States Census|2010 census]], the population was 88,880.<ref name="QF">{{cite web|title=State & County QuickFacts|url=http://quickfacts.census.gov/qfd/states/42/42063.html|publisher=United States Census Bureau|accessdate=November 17, 2013}}</ref> Its [[county seat]] is [[Indiana, Pennsylvania|Indiana]].<ref name="GR6">{{cite web|url=http://www.naco.org/Counties/Pages/FindACounty.aspx |accessdate=2011-06-07 |title=Find a County |publisher=National Association of Counties |deadurl=yes |archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20110531210815/http://www.naco.org/Counties/Pages/FindACounty.aspx |archivedate=May 31, 2011 }}</ref> The county was created on March 30, 1803, from parts of [[Westmoreland County, Pennsylvania|Westmoreland]] and [[Clearfield County, Pennsylvania|Clearfield]] counties and later organized in 1806.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://publications.newberry.org/ahcbp/documents/PA_Individual_County_Chronologies.htm|title=Pennsylvania: Individual County Chronologies|publisher=The Newberry Library|website=Pennsylvania Atlas of Historical County Boundaries|date=2008|accessdate=March 12, 2015}}</ref> Indiana County (Indiana meaning "land of the Indians") derives its name from the Iroquois Six Nations so-called Indiana Grant of 1768. The area of the Indiana Grant formed a proposed colony bordered on the north and west by the Ohio River, and was made up of what is now parts of eastern Kentucky, northern West Virginia, and western Pennsylvania. The proposed colony or part thereof was variously labelled on maps of the late 1700s as Indiana, Vandalia, Pittsylvania, or Westsylvania. This area was unrelated to and physically separated from the later named (1800), farther west Indiana Territory which became the State of Indiana.
'''Indiana County''' is a [[County (United States)|county]] in the [[Commonwealth (U.S. state)|Commonwealth]] of [[Pennsylvania]]. It is located in the west central part of Pennsylvania. As of the [[2020 United States census|2020 census]], the population was 83,246.<ref>{{cite web|title=Census - Geography Profile: Indiana County, Pennsylvania|url=https://data.census.gov/profile/Indiana_County,_Pennsylvania?g=0500000US42063|publisher=[[United States Census Bureau]]|access-date=December 18, 2022}}</ref> Its [[county seat]] is [[Indiana, Pennsylvania|Indiana]].<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> Indiana County comprises the [[#Micropolitan Statistical Area|Indiana, PA Micropolitan Statistical Area]], which is also included in the [[Pittsburgh metropolitan area|Pittsburgh-New Castle-Weirton, PA-WV-OH Combined Statistical Area]]. 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}}


Prior to the [[American Revolutionary War|Revolutionary War]], some settlers proposed this as part of a larger, separate colony to be known as Vandalia, but opposing interests and the war intervened. Afterward, claims to the territory by both the states of [[Virginia]] and Pennsylvania had to be reconciled. After this land was assigned to Pennsylvania by the federal government according to the placement of the [[Mason–Dixon line]], Indiana County was created on March 30, 1803, from parts of [[Westmoreland County, Pennsylvania|Westmoreland]] and [[Clearfield County, Pennsylvania|Clearfield]] counties and was formally organized in 1806.<ref name="counties">{{cite web|url=http://publications.newberry.org/ahcbp/documents/PA_Individual_County_Chronologies.htm|title=Pennsylvania: Individual County Chronologies|publisher=The Newberry Library|website=Pennsylvania Atlas of Historical County Boundaries|date=2008|access-date=March 12, 2015|archive-date=March 25, 2015|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150325044238/http://publications.newberry.org/ahcbp/documents/PA_Individual_County_Chronologies.htm|url-status=dead}}</ref>
Indiana County comprises the Indiana, PA [[Micropolitan Statistical Area]], which is also included in the [[Pittsburgh]]-[[New Castle, Pennsylvania|New Castle]]-[[Weirton, West Virginia|Weirton]], PA-[[Ohio|OH]]-[[West Virginia|WV]] [[Pittsburgh metropolitan area|Combined Statistical Area]].<ref>http://www.whitehouse.gov/sites/default/files/omb/bulletins/2013/b13-01.pdf</ref> It is in the defined region of the Pittsburgh [[Media in Pittsburgh#DMA|media market]]. Indiana County is served by three different [[area code]]s: [[area code 724|724]], [[area code 814|814]], and [[area code 582|582]].


==History==
The county proclaims itself the "[[Christmas Tree]] Capital of the World", shipping over one million trees annually.<ref name=tree>{{cite web | title='Tis the season for tree farmers | publisher=''[[Pittsburgh Tribune-Review]]'' | date=December 20, 2004 | url=http://www.pittsburghlive.com/x/pittsburghtrib/s_285172.html | accessdate=May 16, 2006 }}</ref>
Indiana County (Indiana meaning "land of the Indians") derives its name from the so-called "Indiana Grant of 1768" that the Iroquois Six Nations were forced to make to "suffering traders" under the [[Fort Stanwix Treaty of 1768]]. The Iroquois had controlled much of the Ohio River valley as their hunting grounds since the 17th century, and Anglo-American colonists were moving into the area and wanted to develop it. Traders arranged to force the Iroquois to grant land under the treaty in relations to losses due to [[Pontiac's Rebellion]].<ref name="anderson">Anderson, James Donald, "Vandalia: The First West Virginia?" ''West Virginia History'', Volume 40, No. 4 (Summer 1979), pp. 375-92 [http://www.wvculture.org/HISTORY/journal_wvh/wvh40-4.html online]</ref>

Some of the grantees joined forces with the [[Ohio Company]], forming a larger development company based on enlarging their grant of land. They proposed that the entire large area would become a new British colony, possibly to be called Pittsylvania or [[Vandalia (colony)|Vandalia]]. It was to be bordered on the north and west by the [[Ohio River]], and made up of what are now parts of eastern Kentucky, northern West Virginia (then part of the Virginia Colony), and western Pennsylvania. Anglo-European colonists from Virginia and Pennsylvania had already started to move into the area, which was identified by these various names as Indiana and the other above names on some maps of the late 1700s.<ref name="miller"/><ref name="anderson"/>

Opposition from other interest groups<ref>Gipson, Lawrence Henry, ''The British Empire Before the American Revolution'', 15 vols. New York: Alfred A. Knopf, 1946-1970, IX 457-88</ref> and the American Revolutionary War intervened before Britain approved such a colony. Afterward, some United States speculators proposed setting up a state in this area to be called Vandalia, or Westsylvania, as appears on some maps of the period.

But both the states of Virginia and Pennsylvania claimed the land based on their colonial charters. In establishing the [[Mason–Dixon line]], the federal government assigned the Indiana Grant to Pennsylvania.<ref name="miller">David W. Miller. ''The Taking of American Indian Lands in the Southeast: A History of Territorial Cessions and Forced Relocations, 1607-1840.'' McFarland, 2011. p. 41. {{ISBN|978-0-7864-6277-3}}</ref> As population increased after the war, this county was made up in 1803 of territory from [[Westmoreland County, Pennsylvania|Westmoreland]] and [[Clearfield County, Pennsylvania|Clearfield]] counties; it was formally organized in 1806.<ref name="counties"/>

Kentucky and West Virginia continued to be associated with Virginia for some time, being separately admitted as states in the early 19th century and during the American Civil War, respectively. The area in Pennsylvania was unrelated to and was physically separated from the later named [[Indiana Territory]] established north of the Ohio River in 1800 by the new United States; that territory was eventually admitted to the Union as the State of Indiana.

Indiana County was known as a "hotbed of abolition", and was home to at least two African Methodist Episcopal Zion churches as well as other anti-slavery Protestants such as [[Methodism|Wesleyan Methodists]] and [[Baptists in the United States|Baptists]].<ref name=":1">{{cite web |title=Indiana County and the Underground Railroad |url=https://www.iup.edu/library/departments/archives/civilwar/historical-background/indiana-county-and-the-underground-railroad.html |access-date=May 2, 2022 |website=Indiana University of Pennsylvania}}</ref> It was also in Indiana, local [[Abolitionism|abolitionist]] leader James Moorhead published several anti-slavery newspapers.<ref>{{cite web |title=Antislavery Newspapers |url=https://www.iup.edu/library/departments/archives/civilwar/historical-background/antislavery-newspapers.html |access-date=May 2, 2022 |website=Indiana University of Pennsylvania}}</ref> The first of these was ''The Clarion of Freedom'', founded in 1843. Moorhead eventually sold the ''Clarion'' and founded a new anti-slavery paper, the ''Indiana Independent,'' which he published until his death in 1857. The ''Independent'' was published by his son J. W. Moorhead after his death. [[Blairsville, Pennsylvania|Blairsville]] was home to another abolitionist newspaper, ''The Appalachian'', which was pro-[[Free Soil Party|Free Soil]] from 1848. Some of the nearby anti-slavery families like the Mitchells and Van Leers, became conductors or contributors in 1958. In a letter to abolitionist [[Theodore Parker]], a local geologist Peter Lesley stated there we over 3,000 men helping the railroad in the area.<ref>{{cite web |title=Our UGRR Conductors & Incidents |url=https://undergroundrailroadblairsvillepa.com/team |website=Blairsville Area Underground Railroad}}</ref>

Indiana County was an active hub of the [[Underground Railroad]].<ref name=":1" /> At least 90 county residents are known to have been conductors or agents, guiding fugitive slaves between hiding places on their way to freedom in Canada.<ref>{{Cite web |title=Our UGRR Conductors & Incidents |url=https://undergroundrailroadblairsvillepa.com/team |access-date=May 2, 2022 |website=Blairsville Area Underground Railroad |language=en-US}}</ref>

In the 21st century, Indiana County comprises the [[Indiana, Pennsylvania|Indiana, PA]] [[Micropolitan Statistical Area]]. This is included in the [[Pittsburgh metropolitan area|Pittsburgh-New Castle-Weirton, PA-WV-OH Combined Statistical Area]].<ref>{{cite web|url=https://obamawhitehouse.archives.gov/sites/default/files/omb/bulletins/2013/b13-01.pdf |title=Archived copy |access-date=January 4, 2017 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170121004708/https://obamawhitehouse.archives.gov/sites/default/files/omb/bulletins/2013/b13-01.pdf |via=[[NARA|National Archives]] |work=[[Office of Management and Budget]] |archive-date=January 21, 2017 }}</ref> It is in the defined region of the [[Pittsburgh]] [[Media in Pittsburgh#DMA|media market]]. Indiana County is served by three different [[area code]]s: [[area code 724|724]], [[area code 814|814]], and [[area code 582|582]].

The county proclaims itself the "[[Christmas tree|Christmas Tree]] Capital of the World", shipping over one million trees annually.<ref name=tree>{{cite news | title='Tis the season for tree farmers | newspaper=[[Pittsburgh Tribune-Review]] | date=December 20, 2004 | url=http://www.pittsburghlive.com/x/pittsburghtrib/s_285172.html | access-date=May 16, 2006 | url-status=dead | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20061022031549/http://www.pittsburghlive.com/x/pittsburghtrib/s_285172.html | archive-date=October 22, 2006 }}</ref> Agriculture is a major part of its economy.


==Geography==
==Geography==
According to the [[United States Census Bureau|U.S. Census Bureau]], the county has a total area of {{convert|834|sqmi}}, of which {{convert|827|sqmi}} is land and {{convert|7.3|sqmi}} (0.9%) 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 7, 2015|date=August 22, 2012|title=2010 Census Gazetteer Files}}</ref> Located in the county is the [[Buttermilk Falls Natural Area]].<ref name="indianacountyparks">{{Cite web |url= http://www.indianacountyparks.org/parks/bf/bf.html |title= Buttermilk Falls Natural Area |publisher= Indiana County Parks and Trails |access-date= May 24, 2017 |archive-date= March 11, 2015 |archive-url= https://web.archive.org/web/20150311041751/http://www.indianacountyparks.org/parks/bf/bf.html |url-status= dead }}</ref> The county has a [[humid continental climate]] which is warm-summer, (''Dfb'') except along the [[Conemaugh River|Conemaugh]], from below Strangford and the [[Kiskiminetas River]], where it is hot-summer (''Dfa''). Average monthly temperatures in the borough of Indiana range from 27.2&nbsp;°F in January to 70.9&nbsp;°F in July.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://prism.oregonstate.edu/explorer/|title=PRISM Climate Group at Oregon State University|website=prism.oregonstate.edu}}</ref> Indiana 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=23 June 2024}}</ref> and it is identified as part of the "Midlands" 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>
According to the [[U.S. Census Bureau]], the county has a total area of {{convert|834|sqmi}}, of which {{convert|827|sqmi}} is land and {{convert|7.3|sqmi}} (0.9%) 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|accessdate=March 7, 2015|date=August 22, 2012|title=2010 Census Gazetteer Files}}</ref>


===Adjacent counties===
===Adjacent counties===
Line 38: Line 59:
* [[Armstrong County, Pennsylvania|Armstrong County]] (west)
* [[Armstrong County, Pennsylvania|Armstrong County]] (west)


===Major highways===
==Demographics==
{{US Census population
{{US Census population
|1810= 6214
|1810= 6214
Line 61: Line 82:
|2000= 89605
|2000= 89605
|2010= 88880
|2010= 88880
|2020= 83246
|estyear=2015
|footnote=<ref>{{cite web |title=Census 2020 |url=https://www.census.gov/quickfacts/fact/table/indianacountypennsylvania/PST045219}}</ref>
|estimate=86966
|estref=<ref name="USCensusEst2015">{{cite web|url=http://www.census.gov/popest/data/counties/totals/2015/CO-EST2015-alldata.html|title=County Totals Dataset: Population, Population Change and Estimated Components of Population Change: April 1, 2010 to July 1, 2015|accessdate=July 2, 2016}}</ref>
|align-fn=center
|footnote=U.S. Decennial Census<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.census.gov/prod/www/decennial.html |title=U.S. Decennial Census |publisher=Census.gov |accessdate=November 17, 2013 |deadurl=yes |archiveurl=http://www.webcitation.org/6YSasqtfX |archivedate=May 11, 2015 }}</ref><br />2012 Estimate<ref name="QF" />
}}
}}
{{div col|colwidth=22em}}
*{{jct|state=PA|US|22}}
*{{jct|state=PA|US|119}}
*{{jct|state=PA|US|219}}
*{{jct|state=PA|US|422}}
*{{jct|state=PA|US-Bus|422|dab1=Indiana}}
*{{jct|state=PA|PA|36}}
*{{jct|state=PA|PA|56}}
*{{jct|state=PA|PA|85}}
*{{jct|state=PA|PA|110}}
*{{jct|state=PA|PA|156}}
*{{jct|state=PA|PA|210}}
*{{jct|state=PA|PA|217}}
*{{jct|state=PA|PA|240}}
*{{jct|state=PA|PA|259}}
*{{jct|state=PA|PA|286}}
*{{jct|state=PA|PA|403}}
*{{jct|state=PA|PA|553}}
*{{jct|state=PA|PA|580}}
*{{jct|state=PA|PA|711}}
*{{jct|state=PA|PA|954}}
{{div col end}}


==Demographics==
As of the [[census]]<ref name="GR2">{{cite web|url=http://factfinder2.census.gov |publisher=[[United States Census Bureau]] |accessdate=2008-01-31 |title=American FactFinder |deadurl=yes |archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20130911234518/http://factfinder2.census.gov |archivedate=September 11, 2013 }}</ref> of 2000, there were 89,605 people, 34,123 households, and 22,521 families residing in the county. The [[population density]] was 108 people per square mile (42/km²). There were 37,250 housing units at an average density of 45 per square&nbsp;mile (17/km²). The racial makeup of the county was 96.87% [[Race (United States Census)|White]], 1.57% [[Race (United States Census)|Black]] or [[Race (United States Census)|African American]], 0.08% [[Race (United States Census)|Native American]], 0.74% [[Race (United States Census)|Asian]], 0.01% [[Race (United States Census)|Pacific Islander]], 0.16% from [[Race (United States Census)|other races]], and 0.58% from two or more races. 0.51% of the population were [[Race (United States Census)|Hispanic]] or [[Race (United States Census)|Latino]] of any race. 25.9% were of [[German people|German]], 11.6% [[Italian people|Italian]], 10.7% [[Irish people|Irish]], 8.6% [[United States|American]], 7.1% [[English people|English]] and 6.8% [[Polish people|Polish]] ancestry according to [[Census 2000]].
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 89,605 people, 34,123 households, and 22,521 families residing in the county. The population density was {{convert|108|PD/sqmi|PD/km2|sp=us|adj=off}}. There were 37,250 housing units at an average density of {{convert|45|/mi2|/km2|adj=pre|units&nbsp;}}. The racial makeup of the county was 96.87% [[Race (United States Census)|White]], 1.57% [[Race (United States Census)|Black]] or [[Race (United States Census)|African American]], 0.08% [[Race (United States Census)|Native American]], 0.74% [[Race (United States Census)|Asian]], 0.01% [[Race (United States Census)|Pacific Islander]], 0.16% from [[Race (United States Census)|other races]], and 0.58% from two or more races. 0.51% of the population were [[Race (United States Census)|Hispanic]] or [[Race (United States Census)|Latino]] of any race. 25.9% were of [[German people|German]], 11.6% [[Italian people|Italian]], 10.7% [[Irish people|Irish]], 8.6% [[United States|American]], 7.1% [[English people|English]] and 6.8% [[Polish people|Polish]] ancestry.


There were 34,123 households out of which 27.90% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 54.30% were [[Marriage|married couples]] living together, 8.20% had a female householder with no husband present, and 34.00% were non-families. 26.50% of all households were made up of individuals and 11.80% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.47 and the average family size was 2.99.
There were 34,123 households, out of which 27.90% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 54.30% were [[Marriage|married couples]] living together, 8.20% had a female householder with no husband present, and 34.00% were non-families. 26.50% of all households were made up of individuals, and 11.80% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.47 and the average family size was 2.99.


In the county, the population was spread out with 21.10% under the age of 18, 16.60% from 18 to 24, 24.80% from 25 to 44, 22.70% from 45 to 64, and 14.90% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 36 years. For every 100 females there were 94.00 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 90.60 males.
In the county, the population was spread out, with 21.10% under the age of 18, 16.60% from 18 to 24, 24.80% from 25 to 44, 22.70% from 45 to 64, and 14.90% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 36 years. For every 100 females, there were 94.00 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 90.60 males.

===2020 census===
{| class="wikitable"
|+Indiana 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) – Indiana County, Pennsylvania|url=https://data.census.gov/cedsci/table?q=Indiana%20County,%20Pennsylvania&t=Race%20and%20Ethnicity&tid=DECENNIALPL2020.P2}}</ref>
!Race
!Num.
!Perc.
|-
|[[White (U.S. Census)|White]] (NH)
|75,718
|91%
|-
|[[African American (U.S. Census)|Black or African American]] (NH)
|2,409
|2.9%
|-
|[[Native American (U.S. Census)|Native American]] (NH)
|116
|0.14%
|-
|[[Asian (U.S. Census)|Asian]] (NH)
|816
|1%
|-
|[[Pacific Islander (U.S. Census)|Pacific Islander]] (NH)
|7
|0.01%
|-
|[[Race (United States Census)|Other/Mixed]] (NH)
|2,704
|3.25%
|-
|[[Hispanic (U.S. Census)|Hispanic]] or [[Latino (U.S. Census)|Latino]]
|1,476
|1.77%
|}


==Micropolitan Statistical Area==
==Micropolitan Statistical Area==
[[Image:2013 Pittsburgh Metro Area SMALL.PNG|thumb|right|300px|Map of the Pittsburgh-New Castle-Weirton, PA-OH-WV Combined Statistical Area (CSA)]]
[[Image:2013 Pittsburgh Metro Area SMALL.PNG|thumb|Map of the Pittsburgh-New Castle-Weirton, PA-OH-WV Combined Statistical Area (CSA)]]


The [[United States Office of Management and Budget]]<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.whitehouse.gov/omb|title=Office of Management and Budget|website=whitehouse.gov|access-date=March 28, 2018}}</ref> has designated Indiana County as the '''Indiana, PA [[Micropolitan Statistical Area]] (μSA)'''. As of the [[2010 United States Census|2010 U.S. Census]]<ref name="auto">{{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> the micropolitan area ranked 4th most populous in the State of Pennsylvania and the [[List of micropolitan statistical areas|50th most populous]] in the United States with a population of 88,880. Indiana County is also a part of the '''[[Pittsburgh-New Castle-Weirton, PA-OH-WV Combined Statistical Area]] (CSA)''', which combines the population of Indiana, as well as the [[Allegheny County, Pennsylvania|Allegheny]], [[Armstrong County, Pennsylvania|Armstrong]], [[Beaver County, Pennsylvania|Beaver]], [[Butler County, Pennsylvania|Butler]], [[Fayette County, Pennsylvania|Fayette]], [[Lawrence County, Pennsylvania|Lawrence]], [[Washington County, Pennsylvania|Washington]] and [[Westmoreland County, Pennsylvania|Westmoreland]] county areas in Pennsylvania. In [[West Virginia]] the counties included are [[Brooke County, West Virginia|Brooke]] and [[Hancock County, West Virginia|Hancock]]. And in [[Ohio]], [[Jefferson County, Ohio|Jefferson County]]. The [[Combined Statistical Area]] ranked 4th in the State of Pennsylvania and [[List of Combined Statistical Areas|20th most populous]] in the United States with a population of 2,660,727.
{{See also|List of Micropolitan Statistical Areas|List of Combined Statistical Areas}}

The [[United States Office of Management and Budget]]<ref>http://www.whitehouse.gov/omb</ref> has designated Indiana County as the '''Indiana, PA [[Micropolitan Statistical Area]] (µSA)'''. As of the [[2010 United States Census|2010 U.S. Census]]<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.census.gov/2010census/ |title=Archived copy |accessdate=February 13, 2016 |deadurl=yes |archiveurl=http://www.webcitation.org/6M1KRmETR |archivedate=December 21, 2013 }}</ref> the micropolitan area ranked 4th most populous in the State of Pennsylvania and the [[List of Micropolitan Statistical Areas|50th most populous]] in the United States with a population of 88,880. Indiana County is also a part of the '''[[Pittsburgh-New Castle-Weirton, PA-OH-WV Combined Statistical Area]] (CSA)''', which combines the population of Indiana, as well as the [[Allegheny County, Pennsylvania|Allegheny]], [[Armstrong County, Pennsylvania|Armstrong]], [[Beaver County, Pennsylvania|Beaver]], [[Butler County, Pennsylvania|Butler]], [[Fayette County, Pennsylvania|Fayette]], [[Lawrence County, Pennsylvania|Lawrence]], [[Washington County, Pennsylvania|Washington]] and [[Westmoreland County, Pennsylvania|Westmoreland]] county areas in Pennsylvania. In [[West Virginia]] the counties included are [[Brooke County, West Virginia|Brooke]] and [[Hancock County, West Virginia|Hancock]]. And in [[Ohio]], [[Jefferson County, Ohio|Jefferson County]]. The [[Combined Statistical Area]] ranked 4th in the State of Pennsylvania and [[List of Combined Statistical Areas|20th most populous]] in the United States with a population of 2,660,727.


==Government and politics==
==Government and politics==
Indiana County has been strongly Republican in presidential elections for most of its history, only backing Democratic party candidates four times in presidential elections from 1880 to the present day.
As of the 2016 primary election held April 26, 2016, there were 48,710 registered voters across Indiana County's 69 precincts: 20,089 [[Democratic Party (United States)|Democrats]] (41.24%); 22,134 [[Republican Party (United States)|Republicans]] (45.44%); and 6,487 Independents (13.32%).<ref>
{{PresHead|place=Indiana County, Pennsylvania|source=<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=March 28, 2018}}</ref>}}
[http://www.countyofindiana.org/Depts/Elections/Election_Results/electionresults.txt 2016 Primary Election Results] Indiana County, Pennsylvania. Official Website. 2016 Unofficial Election Results. Retrieved on 2016-09-05.</ref> This represents a slight demographic shift since November 2008, when a total of 58,077 registered voters were 45.89% (26,653) Democrat, 41.60% (24,159) Republican, and 12.51% (7,265) Independent.<ref>
<!-- PresRow should be {{PresRow|Year|Winning party|GOP vote #|Dem vote #|3rd party vote #|State}} -->
[http://www.dos.state.pa.us/elections/lib/elections/055_voter_registration_statistics/currentstats/currentvotestats.xls Running for Office] {{wayback|url=http://www.dos.state.pa.us/elections/lib/elections/055_voter_registration_statistics/currentstats/currentvotestats.xls |date=20081126000000 }}. Dos.state.pa.us. Retrieved on 2013-07-23.</ref>
{{PresRow|2024|Republican|29,215|12,697|425|Pennsylvania}}
{{PresRow|2020|Republican|28,089|12,634|566|Pennsylvania}}
{{PresRow|2016|Republican|24,888|11,528|1,706|Pennsylvania}}
{{PresRow|2012|Republican|21,257|14,473|714|Pennsylvania}}
{{PresRow|2008|Republican|19,727|17,065|510|Pennsylvania}}
{{PresRow|2004|Republican|20,254|15,831|163|Pennsylvania}}
{{PresRow|2000|Republican|16,799|13,667|935|Pennsylvania}}
{{PresRow|1996|Democratic|12,874|13,868|3,841|Pennsylvania}}
{{PresRow|1992|Democratic|10,966|15,194|7,154|Pennsylvania}}
{{PresRow|1988|Democratic|14,983|16,514|242|Pennsylvania}}
{{PresRow|1984|Republican|18,845|15,791|123|Pennsylvania}}
{{PresRow|1980|Republican|15,607|13,828|2,016|Pennsylvania}}
{{PresRow|1976|Republican|15,786|14,650|513|Pennsylvania}}
{{PresRow|1972|Republican|18,122|10,833|319|Pennsylvania}}
{{PresRow|1968|Republican|14,899|12,175|2,122|Pennsylvania}}
{{PresRow|1964|Democratic|11,706|17,568|46|Pennsylvania}}
{{PresRow|1960|Republican|18,756|13,174|83|Pennsylvania}}
{{PresRow|1956|Republican|18,593|11,268|0|Pennsylvania}}
{{PresRow|1952|Republican|16,673|11,620|147|Pennsylvania}}
{{PresRow|1948|Republican|12,640|8,543|0|Pennsylvania}}
{{PresRow|1944|Republican|14,388|8,863|175|Pennsylvania}}
{{PresRow|1940|Republican|15,547|12,035|68|Pennsylvania}}
{{PresRow|1936|Republican|16,530|15,353|294|Pennsylvania}}
{{PresRow|1932|Republican|12,727|8,606|902|Pennsylvania}}
{{PresRow|1928|Republican|16,706|4,810|252|Pennsylvania}}
{{PresRow|1924|Republican|12,748|2,067|3,462|Pennsylvania}}
{{PresRow|1920|Republican|8,616|1,936|1,441|Pennsylvania}}
{{PresRow|1916|Republican|4,887|2,398|1,192|Pennsylvania}}
{{PresRow|1912|Progressive|1,720|1,593|5,197|Pennsylvania}}
{{PresRow|1908|Republican|6,416|1,965|1,133|Pennsylvania}}
{{PresRow|1904|Republican|6,878|1,558|468|Pennsylvania}}
{{PresRow|1900|Republican|5,687|1,767|417|Pennsylvania}}
{{PresRow|1896|Republican|5,818|2,752|231|Pennsylvania}}
{{PresRow|1892|Republican|4,559|2,134|759|Pennsylvania}}
{{PresRow|1888|Republican|5,084|2,231|777|Pennsylvania}}
|}


As of February 5, 2024, there were 48,654 registered voters across Indiana County's 69 precincts: 27,290 [[Republican Party (United States)|Republicans]] (56.09%); 15,193 [[Democratic Party (United States)|Democrats]] (31.23%), 4,334 Independents (8.91%) and 1,837 from other parties (3.77%).<ref>
* [[Democratic Party (United States)|Democratic]]: 26,653 (45.89%)
{{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 5, 2024 |website=dos.pa.gov}}</ref>{{Pie chart|thumb=left|caption=Chart of Voter Registration|label1=[[Republican Party (United States)|Republican]]|value1=56.09|color1={{party color|Republican Party (United States)}}|label2=[[Democratic Party (United States)|Democratic]]|value2=31.23|color2={{party color|Democratic Party (United States)}}|label3=[[Independent (United States)|Independent]]|value3=8.91|color3={{party color|Independent (United States)}}|label4=[[Third party (United States)|Other Parties]]|value4=3.77|color4={{party color|Green Party (United States)}}}}
* [[Republican Party (United States)|Republican]]: 24,159 (41.60%)
* Other Parties: 7,265 (12.51%)


===County commissioners===
===County commissioners===
*Rodney Ruddock, Chairman, Republican
*Michael Keith, chairman, Republican
*Robin Gorman, Republican
*Patricia Evanko, Democrat
*Sherene Hess, Democrat
*Michael A Baker, Republican


===Other county offices===
===Other county offices===
*Coroner, Jerry L Overman Jr, Republican
*Coroner, Jerry L Overman Jr, Republican
*District Attorney, Patrick Dougherty, Democrat
*District Attorney, Robert Manzi, Republican
*Prothonotary, Randy Degenkolb, Republican
*Prothonotary, Randy Degenkolb, Republican
*Recorder of Deeds and Register of Wills, Patricia Streams-Warman, Republican
*Recorder of Deeds and Register of Wills, Maria Jack, Republican
*Sheriff, Robert Fyock, Republican
*Sheriff, Robert Fyock, Republican
*Treasurer, Sandra Kirkland, Democrat
*Treasurer, Kimberly McCullough, Republican
*Board of Auditors, Donna Cupp, Republican; Bonni S. Dunlap, Ph.D., Republican; [[James P. Smith Jr.]], Democrat

===State representatives===

Source:<ref name=":0">{{Cite web|url=http://www.legis.state.pa.us/cfdocs/legis/home/findyourlegislator/county_list.cfm?CNTYLIST=Indiana|title=Find Your Legislator|last=Center|first=Legislativate Data Processing|website=The official website for the Pennsylvania General Assembly.|language=en|access-date=May 3, 2017}}</ref>

* [[Jason Silvis]], Republican, [[Pennsylvania House of Representatives, District 55|55th district]]
* [[Abby Major]], Republican, [[Pennsylvania House of Representatives, District 60|60th district]]
* [[James Struzzi]], Republican, [[Pennsylvania House of Representatives, District 62|62nd district]]
* [[Brian Smith (Pennsylvania politician)|Brian Smith]], Republican, [[Pennsylvania House of Representatives, District 66|66th district]]


===State Representatives===
===State senator===
* [[Jeff Pyle]], Republican, 60th district
* [[Joe Pittman (politician)|Joe Pittman]], Republican, [[Pennsylvania Senate, District 41|41st district]]<ref name=":0" />
* [[Dave L. Reed|David Reed]], Republican, 62nd district
* [[Cris Dush]], (politician), Republican, 66th district


===State Senator===
===United States representative===
* [[Donald C. White]], Republican, 41st district
* [[Glenn Thompson (politician)|Glenn Thompson]], Republican, [[Pennsylvania's 15th congressional district|15th district]]
* [[Guy Reschenthaler]], Republican, [[Pennsylvania's 14th congressional district|14th district]]


===US Representatives===
===United States senators===
* [[Bob Casey Jr.]], [[Democratic Party (United States)|Democrat]]
* [[Bill Shuster]], Republican, 9th district
* [[John Fetterman]], [[Democratic Party (United States)|Democrat]]


==Education==
==Education==
Line 118: Line 238:


===Public school districts===
===Public school districts===
School districts include:<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www2.census.gov/geo/maps/DC2020/PL20/st42_pa/schooldistrict_maps/c42063_indiana/DC20SD_C42063.pdf|title=2020 CENSUS - SCHOOL DISTRICT REFERENCE MAP: Indiana County, PA|publisher=[[U.S. Census Bureau]]|access-date=2024-09-23}} - [https://www2.census.gov/geo/maps/DC2020/PL20/st42_pa/schooldistrict_maps/c42063_indiana/DC20SD_C42063_SD2MS.txt Text list]</ref>
* [[Armstrong School District]] (part)
* [[Armstrong School District]] (part)
* [[Apollo-Ridge School District]] (part)
* [[Apollo-Ridge School District]] (part)
* [[Blairsville-Saltsburg School District]] (part)
* [[Harmony Area School District]] (part)
* [[Harmony Area School District]] (part)
* [[Homer-Center School District]]
* [[Homer-Center School District]]
Line 128: Line 248:
* [[Punxsutawney Area School District]] (part)
* [[Punxsutawney Area School District]] (part)
* [[Purchase Line School District]] (part)
* [[Purchase Line School District]] (part)
* [[River Valley School District (Pennsylvania)|River Valley School District]] ''formerly Blairsville-Saltsburg School District''
* [[United School District (Pennsylvania)|United School District]]
* [[United School District (Pennsylvania)|United School District]]


===Post-secondary education===
===Post-secondary education===
* [[Cambria-Rowe Business College]] – Indiana
* [[Indiana University of Pennsylvania]] – Indiana
* [[Indiana University of Pennsylvania]] – Indiana
* [[Westmoreland County Community College]] – Indiana
* [[Westmoreland County Community College]] – Indiana
* [[Wyoming Technical Institute (WyoTech)|WyoTech]] – Blairsville


==Environment==
==Environment==
In 2003 the county was recommended for non-attainment under [[United States Environmental Protection Agency|EPA]] [[ozone]] standards based upon mobile source contribution to [[smog]]-forming [[Pollution|emissions]].<ref name=smog>{{cite web | title=Figure 3. Mobile Source Contribution to Smog-Forming Emissions in Counties Recommended for Nonattainment under New EPA Ozone Standards | publisher=Surface Transportation Policy Project|date=April 16, 2004 | url=http://www.transact.org/nrdc/ozoneappendix.htm | accessdate=May 16, 2006 }}</ref>
In 2003, the county was recommended for non-attainment under [[United States Environmental Protection Agency|EPA]] [[ozone]] standards based upon mobile source contribution to [[smog]]-forming [[Pollution|emissions]].<ref name=smog>{{cite web | title=Figure 3. Mobile Source Contribution to Smog-Forming Emissions in Counties Recommended for Nonattainment under New EPA Ozone Standards|publisher=Surface Transportation Policy Project|date=April 16, 2004|url=http://www.transact.org/nrdc/ozoneappendix.htm|access-date=May 16, 2006|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20060927164342/http://www.transact.org/nrdc/ozoneappendix.htm|archive-date=September 27, 2006}}</ref>


The county is also the site of the [[Homer City Generating Station]], a coal-burning [[power plant]]. The plant has caught the attention of [[environmentalist]]s as being ranked second in emissions, in 2002, of [[Toxics Release Inventory]] (TRI) in Pennsylvania.<ref name=TRI>{{cite web | title=Pa. ranks among worst states for toxic emissions | publisher=''[[Pittsburgh Tribune-Review]]'' | date=November 18, 2002 | url=http://www.pittsburghlive.com/x/pittsburghtrib/s_103122.html | accessdate=May 16, 2006 }}</ref> The plant also ranked high, in 2003, in the emissions of both [[sulfur dioxide]] and [[carbon dioxide]] ranking 4th and 28th in the nation.<ref name=SO2>{{cite journal|author=Environmental Integrity Project & Public Citizen’s Congress Watch |date=May 2004 |title=America’s Dirtiest Power Plants: Plugged into the Bush Administration |url=http://www.whitehouseforsale.org/documents/dirtiest_plants2.pdf |accessdate=May 16, 2006 |format=PDF |deadurl=yes |archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20060413085342/http://www.whitehouseforsale.org/documents/dirtiest_plants2.pdf |archivedate=April 13, 2006 }}</ref>
The county is the site of the [[Homer City Generating Station]], a coal-burning [[power plant]]. In 2002 the plant was ranked as second in emissions in the [[Toxics Release Inventory]] (TRI) in Pennsylvania.<ref name=TRI>{{cite news|title=Pa. ranks among worst states for toxic emissions |newspaper=[[Pittsburgh Tribune-Review]] |date=November 18, 2002 |url=http://www.pittsburghlive.com/x/pittsburghtrib/s_103122.html |access-date=May 16, 2006 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20070524223710/http://www.pittsburghlive.com/x/pittsburghtrib/s_103122.html |archive-date=May 24, 2007 }}</ref> In 2003, the plant ranked high in the emissions of both [[sulfur dioxide]] and [[carbon dioxide]], ranking 4th and 28th, respectively, in the nation.<ref name=SO2>{{cite journal|author=Environmental Integrity Project & Public Citizen's Congress Watch |date=May 2004 |title=America's Dirtiest Power Plants: Plugged into the Bush Administration |url=http://www.whitehouseforsale.org/documents/dirtiest_plants2.pdf |access-date=May 16, 2006 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20060413085342/http://www.whitehouseforsale.org/documents/dirtiest_plants2.pdf |archive-date=April 13, 2006 }}</ref> Such toxic emissions are injurious to people and other living things.


==Communities==
==Communities==
Line 147: Line 266:


===Boroughs===
===Boroughs===
{{div col|3}}
{{div col|colwidth=22em}}
* [[Armagh, Pennsylvania|Armagh]]
* [[Armagh, Pennsylvania|Armagh]]
* [[Blairsville, Pennsylvania|Blairsville]]
* [[Blairsville, Pennsylvania|Blairsville]]
Line 165: Line 284:


===Townships===
===Townships===
{{div col||12em}}
{{div col|colwidth=12em}}
* [[Armstrong Township, Indiana County, Pennsylvania|Armstrong]]
* [[Armstrong Township, Indiana County, Pennsylvania|Armstrong]]
* [[Banks Township, Indiana County, Pennsylvania|Banks]]
* [[Banks Township, Indiana County, Pennsylvania|Banks]]
* [[Black Lick Township, Indiana County, Pennsylvania|Black Lick]]
* [[Black Lick Township, Pennsylvania|Black Lick]]
* [[Brush Valley Township, Indiana County, Pennsylvania|Brush Valley]]
* [[Brush Valley Township, Indiana County, Pennsylvania|Brush Valley]]
* [[Buffington Township, Indiana County, Pennsylvania|Buffington]]
* [[Buffington Township, Indiana County, Pennsylvania|Buffington]]
Line 181: Line 300:
* [[Green Township, Indiana County, Pennsylvania|Green]]
* [[Green Township, Indiana County, Pennsylvania|Green]]
* [[Montgomery Township, Indiana County, Pennsylvania|Montgomery]]
* [[Montgomery Township, Indiana County, Pennsylvania|Montgomery]]
* [[North Mahoning Township, Indiana County, Pennsylvania|North Mahoning]]
* [[North Mahoning Township, Pennsylvania|North Mahoning]]
* [[Pine Township, Indiana County, Pennsylvania|Pine]]
* [[Pine Township, Indiana County, Pennsylvania|Pine]]
* [[Rayne Township, Indiana County, Pennsylvania|Rayne]]
* [[Rayne Township, Pennsylvania|Rayne]]
* [[South Mahoning Township, Pennsylvania|South Mahoning]]
* [[South Mahoning Township, Pennsylvania|South Mahoning]]
* [[Washington Township, Indiana County, Pennsylvania|Washington]]
* [[Washington Township, Indiana County, Pennsylvania|Washington]]
Line 196: Line 315:


{{div col}}
{{div col}}
* [[Alverda, Pennsylvania|Alverda]]
* [[Black Lick, Pennsylvania|Black Lick]]
* [[Black Lick, Pennsylvania|Black Lick]]
* [[Chevy Chase Heights, Pennsylvania|Chevy Chase Heights]]
* [[Chevy Chase Heights, Pennsylvania|Chevy Chase Heights]]
* [[Commodore, Pennsylvania|Commodore]]
* [[Commodore, Pennsylvania|Commodore]]
* [[Coral, Pennsylvania|Coral]]
* [[Coral, Pennsylvania|Coral]]
* [[Dicksonville, Pennsylvania|Dicksonville]]
* [[Dixonville, Pennsylvania|Dicksonville]]
* [[Graceton, Pennsylvania|Graceton]]
* [[Graceton, Pennsylvania|Graceton]]
* [[Heilwood, Pennsylvania|Heilwood]]
* [[Heilwood, Pennsylvania|Heilwood]]
Line 210: Line 330:


===Unincorporated communities===
===Unincorporated communities===
{{div col|3}}
{{div col|colwidth=22em}}

* [[Arcadia, Pennsylvania|Arcadia]]
* [[Arcadia, Pennsylvania|Arcadia]]
* [[Clarksburg, Pennsylvania|Clarksburg]]
* [[Clarksburg, Pennsylvania|Clarksburg]]
* [[Covode, Pennsylvania|Covode]]
* [[Dilltown, Pennsylvania|Dilltown]]
* [[Dixonville, Pennsylvania|Dixonville]]
* [[Dixonville, Pennsylvania|Dixonville]]
* [[Gipsy, Pennsylvania|Gipsy]]
* [[Gipsy, Pennsylvania|Gipsy]]
* [[Home, Pennsylvania|Home]]
* [[Home, Pennsylvania|Home]]
* [[Iselin, Pennsylvania|Iselin]]
* [[Jewtown, Pennsylvania|Jewtown]]
* [[Jewtown, Pennsylvania|Jewtown]]
* [[Locust, Pennsylvania|Locust]]
* [[Locust, Pennsylvania|Locust]]
* [[Loop, Indiana County, Pennsylvania|Loop]]
* [[Mentcle, Pennsylvania|Mentcle]]
* [[Mentcle, Pennsylvania|Mentcle]]
* [[Nolo, Pennsylvania|Nolo]]
* [[Rexis, Pennsylvania|Rexis]]
* [[Rochester Mills, Pennsylvania|Rochester Mills]]
* [[Rochester Mills, Pennsylvania|Rochester Mills]]
* [[Sesha Loop, Pennsylvania|Sesha Loop]]
* [[Starford, Pennsylvania|Starford]]
* [[Strongstown, Pennsylvania|Strongstown]]
* [[Wehrum, Pennsylvania|Wehrum]]
* [[Wehrum, Pennsylvania|Wehrum]]
* [[West Lebanon, Pennsylvania|West Lebanon]]
* [[West Lebanon, Pennsylvania|West Lebanon]]
Line 226: Line 354:


===Population ranking===
===Population ranking===
The population ranking of the following table is based on the [[2010 United States census|2010 census]] of Indiana County.<ref name="auto"/>


'''*''' ''county seat''
The population ranking of the following table is based on the [[2010 United States census|2010 census]] of Indiana County.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.census.gov/2010census/ |title=Archived copy |accessdate=February 13, 2016 |deadurl=yes |archiveurl=http://www.webcitation.org/6M1KRmETR |archivedate=December 21, 2013 }}</ref>

'''†''' ''county seat''


{| class="wikitable sortable"
{| class="wikitable sortable"
Line 237: Line 364:
!Municipal type
!Municipal type
!Population (2010 Census)
!Population (2010 Census)

'''
|- style="background-color:#FFF5EE;"
|- style="background-color:#FFF5EE;"
| 1
| 1
| '''†''' '''[[Indiana, Pennsylvania|Indiana]]'''
| '''*''' '''[[Indiana, Pennsylvania|Indiana]]'''
| Borough
| Borough
| 13,975
| 13,975
Line 300: Line 427:
|- style="background-color:#F0FFF0;"
|- style="background-color:#F0FFF0;"
| 13
| 13
| '''[[Dicksonville, Pennsylvania|Dicksonville]]'''
| '''[[Dixonville, Pennsylvania|Dixonville]]'''
| CDP
| CDP
| 467
| 467
Line 365: Line 492:
|}
|}


==Notable natives and residents==
==Notable people==
* [[Edward Abbey]], environmentalist and author
* [[Doc Gessler|Henry Homer "Doc" Gessler]], professional baseball player and manager; born and died in [[Indiana, Pennsylvania|Indiana Borough]].
* [[James H. Brady]], [[Governor of Idaho]] 1909–11, U.S. Senator 1913–18, born in Indiana County
* [[John Buccigross]], ESPN anchor, former co-host of [[NHL 2Night]]
* [[John Buccigross]], ESPN anchor, former co-host of [[NHL 2Night]]
* [[Samuel Kier]], "Grandfather of the American Oil Industry"
* [[Samuel Kier]], "Grandfather of the American Oil Industry"
* [[Mary D. Lowman]], one of first women mayors in [[Kansas]]; county native
* [[Jim Nance]], former football player, Running Back [[Syracuse University]] and later professionally with the [[New England Patriots|New England/Boston Patriots]]
* [[James Stewart]], actor, born in [[Indiana, Pennsylvania|Indiana Borough]]
* [[Ben McAdoo]], former head coach, [[New York Giants]]
* [[Jim Nance]], football player, running back for [[Syracuse University]] and professionally with [[New England Patriots|New England/Boston Patriots]]
* [[Edward Abbey]], environmentalist and author
* [[Ben McAdoo]], head coach [[New York Giants]]
* [[James Stewart]], iconic actor, born in [[Indiana, Pennsylvania|Indiana Borough]]


==See also==
==See also==
Line 378: Line 508:


==References==
==References==
{{Reflist}}
{{Notelist}}{{Reflist}}


== External links ==
==External links==
{{AmCyc Poster|Indiana (county)|Indiana County, Pennsylvania}}
{{AmCyc Poster|Indiana (county)|Indiana County, Pennsylvania}}
* {{Official website|http://www.countyofindiana.org/|Indiana County official website}}
* {{Official website|http://www.countyofindiana.org/|Indiana County official website}}
Line 402: Line 532:
{{Indiana, Pennsylvania}}
{{Indiana, Pennsylvania}}
{{Pittsburgh Metro Area}}
{{Pittsburgh Metro Area}}
{{Authority control}}

{{Coord|40.65|-79.09|display=title|type:adm2nd_region:US-PA_source:UScensus1990}}
{{Coord|40.65|-79.09|display=title|type:adm2nd_region:US-PA_source:UScensus1990}}


Latest revision as of 23:44, 15 December 2024

"Indiana County" redirects here. For a list of counties in the state of Indiana, see List of counties in Indiana.

Indiana County
County
Indiana County Courthouse
Indiana County Courthouse
Official seal of Indiana County
Seal
Map of Pennsylvania highlighting Indiana 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°39′N 79°05′W / 40.65°N 79.09°W / 40.65; -79.09
Country United States
State Pennsylvania
FoundedNovember 3, 1806
SeatIndiana
Largest boroughIndiana
Area
 • Total
834 sq mi (2,160 km2)
 • Land827 sq mi (2,140 km2)
 • Water7.3 sq mi (19 km2)  0.9%
Population
 (2020)
 • Total
83,246
 • Density101/sq mi (39/km2)
Time zoneUTC−5 (Eastern)
 • Summer (DST)UTC−4 (EDT)
Congressional district15th
Websitewww.indianacountypa.gov

Indiana County is a county in the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania. It is located in the west central part of Pennsylvania. As of the 2020 census, the population was 83,246.[1] Its county seat is Indiana.[2] Indiana County comprises the Indiana, PA Micropolitan Statistical Area, which is also included in the Pittsburgh-New Castle-Weirton, PA-WV-OH Combined Statistical Area. The county is part of the Southwest Pennsylvania region of the state.[a]

Prior to the Revolutionary War, some settlers proposed this as part of a larger, separate colony to be known as Vandalia, but opposing interests and the war intervened. Afterward, claims to the territory by both the states of Virginia and Pennsylvania had to be reconciled. After this land was assigned to Pennsylvania by the federal government according to the placement of the Mason–Dixon line, Indiana County was created on March 30, 1803, from parts of Westmoreland and Clearfield counties and was formally organized in 1806.[3]

History

[edit]

Indiana County (Indiana meaning "land of the Indians") derives its name from the so-called "Indiana Grant of 1768" that the Iroquois Six Nations were forced to make to "suffering traders" under the Fort Stanwix Treaty of 1768. The Iroquois had controlled much of the Ohio River valley as their hunting grounds since the 17th century, and Anglo-American colonists were moving into the area and wanted to develop it. Traders arranged to force the Iroquois to grant land under the treaty in relations to losses due to Pontiac's Rebellion.[4]

Some of the grantees joined forces with the Ohio Company, forming a larger development company based on enlarging their grant of land. They proposed that the entire large area would become a new British colony, possibly to be called Pittsylvania or Vandalia. It was to be bordered on the north and west by the Ohio River, and made up of what are now parts of eastern Kentucky, northern West Virginia (then part of the Virginia Colony), and western Pennsylvania. Anglo-European colonists from Virginia and Pennsylvania had already started to move into the area, which was identified by these various names as Indiana and the other above names on some maps of the late 1700s.[5][4]

Opposition from other interest groups[6] and the American Revolutionary War intervened before Britain approved such a colony. Afterward, some United States speculators proposed setting up a state in this area to be called Vandalia, or Westsylvania, as appears on some maps of the period.

But both the states of Virginia and Pennsylvania claimed the land based on their colonial charters. In establishing the Mason–Dixon line, the federal government assigned the Indiana Grant to Pennsylvania.[5] As population increased after the war, this county was made up in 1803 of territory from Westmoreland and Clearfield counties; it was formally organized in 1806.[3]

Kentucky and West Virginia continued to be associated with Virginia for some time, being separately admitted as states in the early 19th century and during the American Civil War, respectively. The area in Pennsylvania was unrelated to and was physically separated from the later named Indiana Territory established north of the Ohio River in 1800 by the new United States; that territory was eventually admitted to the Union as the State of Indiana.

Indiana County was known as a "hotbed of abolition", and was home to at least two African Methodist Episcopal Zion churches as well as other anti-slavery Protestants such as Wesleyan Methodists and Baptists.[7] It was also in Indiana, local abolitionist leader James Moorhead published several anti-slavery newspapers.[8] The first of these was The Clarion of Freedom, founded in 1843. Moorhead eventually sold the Clarion and founded a new anti-slavery paper, the Indiana Independent, which he published until his death in 1857. The Independent was published by his son J. W. Moorhead after his death. Blairsville was home to another abolitionist newspaper, The Appalachian, which was pro-Free Soil from 1848. Some of the nearby anti-slavery families like the Mitchells and Van Leers, became conductors or contributors in 1958. In a letter to abolitionist Theodore Parker, a local geologist Peter Lesley stated there we over 3,000 men helping the railroad in the area.[9]

Indiana County was an active hub of the Underground Railroad.[7] At least 90 county residents are known to have been conductors or agents, guiding fugitive slaves between hiding places on their way to freedom in Canada.[10]

In the 21st century, Indiana County comprises the Indiana, PA Micropolitan Statistical Area. This is included in the Pittsburgh-New Castle-Weirton, PA-WV-OH Combined Statistical Area.[11] It is in the defined region of the Pittsburgh media market. Indiana County is served by three different area codes: 724, 814, and 582.

The county proclaims itself the "Christmas Tree Capital of the World", shipping over one million trees annually.[12] Agriculture is a major part of its economy.

Geography

[edit]

According to the U.S. Census Bureau, the county has a total area of 834 square miles (2,160 km2), of which 827 square miles (2,140 km2) is land and 7.3 square miles (19 km2) (0.9%) is water.[13] Located in the county is the Buttermilk Falls Natural Area.[14] The county has a humid continental climate which is warm-summer, (Dfb) except along the Conemaugh, from below Strangford and the Kiskiminetas River, where it is hot-summer (Dfa). Average monthly temperatures in the borough of Indiana range from 27.2 °F in January to 70.9 °F in July.[15] Indiana County is one of the 423 counties served by the Appalachian Regional Commission,[16] and it is identified as part of the "Midlands" by Colin Woodard in his book American Nations: A History of the Eleven Rival Regional Cultures of North America.[17]

Adjacent counties

[edit]

Major highways

[edit]
Historical population
CensusPop.Note%±
18106,214—
18208,88242.9%
183014,25260.5%
184020,78245.8%
185027,17030.7%
186033,68724.0%
187036,1387.3%
188040,52712.1%
189042,1754.1%
190042,5560.9%
191066,21055.6%
192080,91022.2%
193075,395−6.8%
194079,8545.9%
195077,106−3.4%
196075,366−2.3%
197079,4515.4%
198092,28116.1%
199089,994−2.5%
200089,605−0.4%
201088,880−0.8%
202083,246−6.3%
[18]

Demographics

[edit]

As of the census[19] of 2000, there were 89,605 people, 34,123 households, and 22,521 families residing in the county. The population density was 108 inhabitants per square mile (42/km2). There were 37,250 housing units at an average density of 45 units per square mile (17/km2). The racial makeup of the county was 96.87% White, 1.57% Black or African American, 0.08% Native American, 0.74% Asian, 0.01% Pacific Islander, 0.16% from other races, and 0.58% from two or more races. 0.51% of the population were Hispanic or Latino of any race. 25.9% were of German, 11.6% Italian, 10.7% Irish, 8.6% American, 7.1% English and 6.8% Polish ancestry.

There were 34,123 households, out of which 27.90% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 54.30% were married couples living together, 8.20% had a female householder with no husband present, and 34.00% were non-families. 26.50% of all households were made up of individuals, and 11.80% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.47 and the average family size was 2.99.

In the county, the population was spread out, with 21.10% under the age of 18, 16.60% from 18 to 24, 24.80% from 25 to 44, 22.70% from 45 to 64, and 14.90% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 36 years. For every 100 females, there were 94.00 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 90.60 males.

2020 census

[edit]
Indiana County Racial Composition[20]
Race Num. Perc.
White (NH) 75,718 91%
Black or African American (NH) 2,409 2.9%
Native American (NH) 116 0.14%
Asian (NH) 816 1%
Pacific Islander (NH) 7 0.01%
Other/Mixed (NH) 2,704 3.25%
Hispanic or Latino 1,476 1.77%

Micropolitan Statistical Area

[edit]
Map of the Pittsburgh-New Castle-Weirton, PA-OH-WV Combined Statistical Area (CSA)

The United States Office of Management and Budget[21] has designated Indiana County as the Indiana, PA Micropolitan Statistical Area (μSA). As of the 2010 U.S. Census[22] the micropolitan area ranked 4th most populous in the State of Pennsylvania and the 50th most populous in the United States with a population of 88,880. Indiana County is also a part of the Pittsburgh-New Castle-Weirton, PA-OH-WV Combined Statistical Area (CSA), which combines the population of Indiana, as well as the Allegheny, Armstrong, Beaver, Butler, Fayette, Lawrence, Washington and Westmoreland county areas in Pennsylvania. In West Virginia the counties included are Brooke and Hancock. And in Ohio, Jefferson County. The Combined Statistical Area ranked 4th in the State of Pennsylvania and 20th most populous in the United States with a population of 2,660,727.

Government and politics

[edit]

Indiana County has been strongly Republican in presidential elections for most of its history, only backing Democratic party candidates four times in presidential elections from 1880 to the present day.

United States presidential election results for Indiana County, Pennsylvania[23]
Year Republican Democratic Third party(ies)
No.  % No.  % No.  %
2024 29,215 69.01% 12,697 29.99% 425 1.00%
2020 28,089 68.03% 12,634 30.60% 566 1.37%
2016 24,888 65.29% 11,528 30.24% 1,706 4.48%
2012 21,257 58.33% 14,473 39.71% 714 1.96%
2008 19,727 52.88% 17,065 45.75% 510 1.37%
2004 20,254 55.88% 15,831 43.67% 163 0.45%
2000 16,799 53.50% 13,667 43.52% 935 2.98%
1996 12,874 42.10% 13,868 45.35% 3,841 12.56%
1992 10,966 32.92% 15,194 45.61% 7,154 21.47%
1988 14,983 47.21% 16,514 52.03% 242 0.76%
1984 18,845 54.22% 15,791 45.43% 123 0.35%
1980 15,607 49.62% 13,828 43.97% 2,016 6.41%
1976 15,786 51.01% 14,650 47.34% 513 1.66%
1972 18,122 61.90% 10,833 37.01% 319 1.09%
1968 14,899 51.03% 12,175 41.70% 2,122 7.27%
1964 11,706 39.92% 17,568 59.92% 46 0.16%
1960 18,756 58.59% 13,174 41.15% 83 0.26%
1956 18,593 62.27% 11,268 37.73% 0 0.00%
1952 16,673 58.63% 11,620 40.86% 147 0.52%
1948 12,640 59.67% 8,543 40.33% 0 0.00%
1944 14,388 61.42% 8,863 37.83% 175 0.75%
1940 15,547 56.23% 12,035 43.53% 68 0.25%
1936 16,530 51.37% 15,353 47.71% 294 0.91%
1932 12,727 57.24% 8,606 38.70% 902 4.06%
1928 16,706 76.75% 4,810 22.10% 252 1.16%
1924 12,748 69.75% 2,067 11.31% 3,462 18.94%
1920 8,616 71.84% 1,936 16.14% 1,441 12.02%
1916 4,887 57.65% 2,398 28.29% 1,192 14.06%
1912 1,720 20.21% 1,593 18.72% 5,197 61.07%
1908 6,416 67.44% 1,965 20.65% 1,133 11.91%
1904 6,878 77.25% 1,558 17.50% 468 5.26%
1900 5,687 72.25% 1,767 22.45% 417 5.30%
1896 5,818 66.11% 2,752 31.27% 231 2.62%
1892 4,559 61.18% 2,134 28.64% 759 10.19%
1888 5,084 62.83% 2,231 27.57% 777 9.60%

As of February 5, 2024, there were 48,654 registered voters across Indiana County's 69 precincts: 27,290 Republicans (56.09%); 15,193 Democrats (31.23%), 4,334 Independents (8.91%) and 1,837 from other parties (3.77%).[24]

Chart of Voter Registration

  Republican (56.09%)
  Democratic (31.23%)
  Independent (8.91%)
  Other Parties (3.77%)

County commissioners

[edit]
  • Michael Keith, chairman, Republican
  • Robin Gorman, Republican
  • Sherene Hess, Democrat

Other county offices

[edit]
  • Coroner, Jerry L Overman Jr, Republican
  • District Attorney, Robert Manzi, Republican
  • Prothonotary, Randy Degenkolb, Republican
  • Recorder of Deeds and Register of Wills, Maria Jack, Republican
  • Sheriff, Robert Fyock, Republican
  • Treasurer, Kimberly McCullough, Republican
  • Board of Auditors, Donna Cupp, Republican; Bonni S. Dunlap, Ph.D., Republican; James P. Smith Jr., Democrat

State representatives

[edit]

Source:[25]

State senator

[edit]

United States representative

[edit]

United States senators

[edit]

Education

[edit]
Map of Indiana County, Pennsylvania Public School Districts

Public school districts

[edit]

School districts include:[26]

Post-secondary education

[edit]

Environment

[edit]

In 2003, the county was recommended for non-attainment under EPA ozone standards based upon mobile source contribution to smog-forming emissions.[27]

The county is the site of the Homer City Generating Station, a coal-burning power plant. In 2002 the plant was ranked as second in emissions in the Toxics Release Inventory (TRI) in Pennsylvania.[28] In 2003, the plant ranked high in the emissions of both sulfur dioxide and carbon dioxide, ranking 4th and 28th, respectively, in the nation.[29] Such toxic emissions are injurious to people and other living things.

Communities

[edit]
Map of Indiana County, Pennsylvania with Municipal Labels showing 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 boroughs and townships are located in Indiana County:

Boroughs

[edit]

Townships

[edit]

Census-designated places

[edit]

Census-designated places are geographical areas designated by the U.S. Census Bureau for the purposes of compiling demographic data. They are not actual jurisdictions under Pennsylvania law. Other unincorporated communities, such as villages, may be listed here as well.

Unincorporated communities

[edit]

Population ranking

[edit]

The population ranking of the following table is based on the 2010 census of Indiana County.[22]

* county seat

Rank City/Town/etc. Municipal type Population (2010 Census)
1 * Indiana Borough 13,975
2 Blairsville Borough 3,412
3 Homer City Borough 1,707
4 Chevy Chase Heights CDP 1,502
5 Black Lick CDP 1,462
6 Clymer Borough 1,357
7 Lucerne Mines CDP 937
8 Saltsburg Borough 873
9 Heilwood CDP 711
10 Rossiter CDP 646
11 Jacksonville CDP 637
12 Robinson CDP 614
13 Dixonville CDP 467
14 Ernest Borough 462
15 Marion Center Borough 451
16 Cherry Tree Borough 364
17 Commodore CDP 331
18 Coral CDP 325
19 Creekside Borough 309
20 Plumville Borough 307
21 Graceton CDP 257
22 Glen Campbell Borough 245
23 Shelocta Borough 130
24 Armagh Borough 122
25 Smicksburg Borough 46

Notable people

[edit]

See also

[edit]

References

[edit]
  1. ^ Includes Westmoreland, Cambria, Fayette, Blair, Indiana, Somerset, Bedford, Huntingdon, Greene and Fulton Counties
  1. ^ "Census - Geography Profile: Indiana County, Pennsylvania". United States Census Bureau. Retrieved December 18, 2022.
  2. ^ "Find a County". National Association of Counties. Archived from the original on May 31, 2011. Retrieved June 7, 2011.
  3. ^ a b "Pennsylvania: Individual County Chronologies". Pennsylvania Atlas of Historical County Boundaries. The Newberry Library. 2008. Archived from the original on March 25, 2015. Retrieved March 12, 2015.
  4. ^ a b Anderson, James Donald, "Vandalia: The First West Virginia?" West Virginia History, Volume 40, No. 4 (Summer 1979), pp. 375-92 online
  5. ^ a b David W. Miller. The Taking of American Indian Lands in the Southeast: A History of Territorial Cessions and Forced Relocations, 1607-1840. McFarland, 2011. p. 41. ISBN 978-0-7864-6277-3
  6. ^ Gipson, Lawrence Henry, The British Empire Before the American Revolution, 15 vols. New York: Alfred A. Knopf, 1946-1970, IX 457-88
  7. ^ a b "Indiana County and the Underground Railroad". Indiana University of Pennsylvania. Retrieved May 2, 2022.
  8. ^ "Antislavery Newspapers". Indiana University of Pennsylvania. Retrieved May 2, 2022.
  9. ^ "Our UGRR Conductors & Incidents". Blairsville Area Underground Railroad.
  10. ^ "Our UGRR Conductors & Incidents". Blairsville Area Underground Railroad. Retrieved May 2, 2022.
  11. ^ "Archived copy" (PDF). Office of Management and Budget. Archived (PDF) from the original on January 21, 2017. Retrieved January 4, 2017 – via National Archives.{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: archived copy as title (link)
  12. ^ "'Tis the season for tree farmers". Pittsburgh Tribune-Review. December 20, 2004. Archived from the original on October 22, 2006. Retrieved May 16, 2006.
  13. ^ "2010 Census Gazetteer Files". United States Census Bureau. August 22, 2012. Retrieved March 7, 2015.
  14. ^ "Buttermilk Falls Natural Area". Indiana County Parks and Trails. Archived from the original on March 11, 2015. Retrieved May 24, 2017.
  15. ^ "PRISM Climate Group at Oregon State University". prism.oregonstate.edu.
  16. ^ "About the Appalachian Region". Appalachian Regional Commission. Retrieved June 23, 2024.
  17. ^ Woodard, Colin. "The Maps That Show That City vs. Country Is Not Our Political Fault Line". New York Times. Retrieved July 30, 2018.
  18. ^ "Census 2020".
  19. ^ "U.S. Census website". United States Census Bureau. Retrieved January 31, 2008.
  20. ^ "P2 HISPANIC OR LATINO, AND NOT HISPANIC OR LATINO BY RACE – 2020: DEC Redistricting Data (PL 94-171) – Indiana County, Pennsylvania".
  21. ^ "Office of Management and Budget". whitehouse.gov. Retrieved March 28, 2018.
  22. ^ a b "2010 U.S. Census website". United States Census Bureau. Retrieved February 13, 2016.
  23. ^ Leip, David. "Dave Leip's Atlas of U.S. Presidential Elections". uselectionatlas.org. Retrieved March 28, 2018.
  24. ^ Pennsylvania Department of State (February 5, 2024). "Voter registration statistics by county". dos.pa.gov. Retrieved February 5, 2024.
  25. ^ a b Center, Legislativate Data Processing. "Find Your Legislator". The official website for the Pennsylvania General Assembly. Retrieved May 3, 2017.
  26. ^ "2020 CENSUS - SCHOOL DISTRICT REFERENCE MAP: Indiana County, PA" (PDF). U.S. Census Bureau. Retrieved September 23, 2024. - Text list
  27. ^ "Figure 3. Mobile Source Contribution to Smog-Forming Emissions in Counties Recommended for Nonattainment under New EPA Ozone Standards". Surface Transportation Policy Project. April 16, 2004. Archived from the original on September 27, 2006. Retrieved May 16, 2006.
  28. ^ "Pa. ranks among worst states for toxic emissions". Pittsburgh Tribune-Review. November 18, 2002. Archived from the original on May 24, 2007. Retrieved May 16, 2006.
  29. ^ Environmental Integrity Project & Public Citizen's Congress Watch (May 2004). "America's Dirtiest Power Plants: Plugged into the Bush Administration" (PDF). Archived from the original (PDF) on April 13, 2006. Retrieved May 16, 2006. {{cite journal}}: Cite journal requires |journal= (help)
[edit]
Wikisource has the text of an 1879 American Cyclopædia article about Indiana County, Pennsylvania.

40°39′N 79°05′W / 40.65°N 79.09°W / 40.65; -79.09

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