Westmoreland County, Pennsylvania

Westmoreland County, Pennsylvania
Westmoreland County Courthouse
Location in the state of Pennsylvania
Pennsylvania's location in the U.S.
Founded	February 26, 1773
Seat	Greensburg
Largest city	Greensburg
Area  - Total  - Land  - Water	1,036 sq mi (2,683 km²) 1,025 sq mi (2,655 km²) 11 sq mi (28 km²), 1.05%
Population  - (2000)  - Density	369,993 360/sq mi (139/km²)
Website	www.co.westmoreland.pa.us

Westmoreland County is a county located in the U.S. state of Pennsylvania. It was founded on February 26, 1773, and was the first county in the colony of Pennsylvania west of the Allegheny Mountains. Westmoreland County originally included the present-day counties of Fayette, Washington, Greene, and parts of Beaver, Allegheny, Indiana, and Armstrong counties. At the 2000 census, the population was 369,993. The county seat is Greensburg.^[1] It is wholly part of the Pittsburgh Metro Area, while north-eastern Westmoreland County borders the Johnstown Metro Area. A major coal strike occurred in the county in the winter of 1910–11.

Politics and government

As of November 2008, there are 249,147 registered voters in Westmoreland County ^[2]

• Democratic: 136,882 (54.94%)
• Republican: 87,813 (35.25%)
• Other Parties: 24,452 (9.81%)

The Democratic Party had been historically dominant in county-level politics, however Westmoreland has trended Republican at the national and statewide levels. In 2000, Republican George W. Bush won 51% and Democrat Al Gore won 45%. In 2004, Republican George W. Bush won 56% and Democrat John Kerry won 43%. In 2008, Republican John McCain won 57% to Democrat Barack Obama's 41%. Governor Ed Rendell lost Westmoreland in both 2002 and 2006. In 2008 Republican Tim Krieger picked up the 57th House district left open by the retirement of Democrat Tom Tangretti. In 2010, both Pat Toomey and Tom Corbett won Westmoreland in their statewide bids. Also the GOP gained control of two more State House districts, the 54th with Eli Evankovich and the 56th with George Dunbar. In 2011, the Republican Party swept all county row offices^[3]

Presidential election results since 1960

2012 Mitt Romney 103,932 (61.3%) Barack Obama 63,722 (37.6%)

2008 John McCain 102,294 (57.6%) Barack Obama 72,721 (41.0%)

2004 George W. Bush 100,087 (56.0%) John Kerry 77,774 (43.5%)

2000 George W. Bush 80,858 (52.0%) Al Gore 71,792 (46.2%)

1996 Bill Clinton 63,686 (44.2%) Bob Dole 62,058 (43.1%)

1992 Bill Clinton 69,817 (45.0%) George H. W. Bush 47,315 (30.5%)

1988 Michael Dukakis 76,710 (55.1%) George H. W. Bush 61,472 (44.1%)

1984 Walter Mondale 79,906 (52.4%) Ronald Reagan 71,377 (46.8%)

1980 Jimmy Carter 68,627 (49.2%) Ronald Reagan 63,140 (45.6%)

1976 Jimmy Carter 74,217 (54.5%) Gerald Ford 59,172 (43.5%)

1972 Richard Nixon 75,085 (54.6%) George McGovern 59,322 (43.1%)

1968 Hubert Humphrey 81,833 (55.0%) Richard Nixon 52,206 (35.1%)

1964 Lyndon B. Johnson 107,131 (71.7%) Barry Goldwater 41,493 (27.8%)

1960 John F. Kennedy 85,641 (55.3%) Richard Nixon 68,825 (44.4%)

County commissioners

• Chuck Anderson, Chairman, Republican
• Tyler Courtney, Republican
• Ted Kopas, Democrat

Other county officials

• Clerk of Courts, Bryan Kline, Republican
• Controller, Jeff Balzer, Republican
• Coroner, Kenneth Bacha, Democrat
• District Attorney, John Peck, Democrat
• Prothonotary, Christina O'Brien, Democrat
• Recorder of Deeds, Frank Schiefer, Republican
• Register of Wills, Michael H Ginsburg, Republican
• Sheriff, Jonathan Held, Republican
• Treasurer, Jared M Squires, Republican

Pennsylvania House of Representatives

Pennsylvania State Senate

United States House of Representatives

United States Senate

Geography

According to the U.S. Census Bureau, the county has a total area of 1,036 square miles (2,684 km²), of which 1,025 square miles (2,656 km²) is land and 11 square miles (28 km²) (1.05%) is water.

Adjacent counties

• Armstrong County (north)
• Indiana County (northeast)
• Cambria County (east)
• Somerset County (southeast)
• Fayette County (south)
• Washington County (southwest)
• Allegheny County (west)
• Butler County (northwest)

	Butler County	Armstrong County	Indiana County
	Allegheny County		Cambria County
		Westmoreland County, Pennsylvania
	Washington County	Fayette County	Somerset County

Demographics

As of the census^[6] of 2000, there were 369,993 people, 149,813 households, and 104,569 families residing in the county. The population density was 361 people per square mile (139/km²). There were 161,058 housing units at an average density of 157 per square mile (61/km²). The racial makeup of the county was 96.58% White, 2.01% Black or African American, 0.09% Native American, 0.52% Asian, 0.02% Pacific Islander, 0.15% from other races, and 0.64% from two or more races. 0.51% of the population were Hispanic or Latino of any race. 23.7% were of German, 18.5% Italian, 9.7% Irish, 8.9% Polish, 6.7% English, 5.2% Slovak and 5.0% American ancestry according to Census 2000.

There were 149,813 households out of which 28.40% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 57.00% were married couples living together, 9.60% had a female householder with no husband present, and 30.20% were non-families. 26.90% 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 2.41 and the average family size was 2.93.

In the county, the population was spread out with 22.00% under the age of 18, 6.80% from 18 to 24, 27.50% from 25 to 44, 25.40% from 45 to 64, and 18.30% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 41 years. For every 100 females there were 93.10 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 89.70 males.

Municipalities

Map of Westmoreland 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 Westmoreland County:

Cities

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 not actual jurisdictions under Pennsylvania law. Other unincorporated communities, such as villages, may be listed here as well.

Other Communities

• Westmoreland City

County Population Ranking

The following is a rank of the seventy-three populated areas of Westmoreland County in order of population during the 2000 census.

† county seat

Education

Public school districts

Map of Westmoreland County, Pennsylvania Public School Districts

• Belle Vernon Area School District (Also in Fayette County)
• Blairsville-Saltsburg School District (Also in Indiana County)
• Burrell School District
• Derry Area School District
• Franklin Regional School District
• Greater Latrobe School District
• Greensburg-Salem School District
• Hempfield Area School District
• Jeannette City School District
• Kiski Area School District
• Leechburg Area School District
• Ligonier Valley School District
• Monessen City School District
• Mount Pleasant Area School District
• New Kensington–Arnold School District
• Norwin School District
• Penn-Trafford School District (also in Allegheny County)
• Southmoreland School District (also in Fayette County)
• Yough School District

Public Charter Schools

• Dr. Robert Ketterer Charter School grades 7th through 12th Latrobe (since 2008)

According to EdNA ^[7]

Private high school

• Greensburg Central Catholic High School

Colleges and universities

• Penn State New Kensington
• Seton Hill University
• Saint Vincent College
• Westmoreland County Community College
• University of Pittsburgh at Greensburg

Notable people

• David Alter, born in Westmoreland County, noted inventor^[8]
• Pete Babando, former NHL Hockey player, played for 1950 Stanley Cup champions Detroit Red Wings, born in Braeburn neighborhood of the City of Lower Burrell.
• George Blanda, Hall of Fame football player, born in Youngwood.
• D.J. Coffman, comic book artist and writer, creator of Hero By Night. Born in Mt. Pleasant. Resides in Scottdale.
• Johnny Costa, jazz pianist, was born and raised in Arnold.
• Hutton Gibson, writer and father of actor Mel Gibson
• Shirley Jones, Academy Award–winning actress and singer, grew up in Smithton.
• Sheila Kelley, American actor, born and raised in Greensburg, Pa. Founder of Sheila Kelley S Factor movement.
• Bill Mazeroski, Hall of Fame baseball player
• Michael Moorer, boxer
• Arnold Palmer, golfer, was born and raised in Latrobe.
• Fred Rogers, television personality, was born and raised in Latrobe.
• Arthur St. Clair. American Revolution Major General, buried in Greensburg, Pa.
• Willie Thrower, football player, was born and raised in New Kensington.
• Jim White, KMOX radio talk show host, born and raised in Greensburg, Pa.
• Jacob Zimmerman (born 1831), newspaper editor, newspaper owner, Illinois politician, mine owner, real estate entrepreneur, and businessman.

Recreation

Autumn on a small state road near the Pennsylvania Turnpike in Laurel Mountains.

There are four Pennsylvania state parks in Westmoreland County.

• Keystone State Park
• Laurel Ridge State Park
• Laurel Summit State Park
• Linn Run State Park

See also

• List of municipal authorities in Westmoreland County, Pennsylvania
• National Register of Historic Places listings in Westmoreland County, Pennsylvania

References

Pittsburgh portal

External links

• Westmoreland County
• InWestmoreland – A directory of Westmoreland County
• Westmoreland County Historical Society

v t e Municipalities and communities of Westmoreland County, Pennsylvania, United States County seat: Greensburg Cities Arnold Greensburg Jeannette Latrobe Lower Burrell Monessen New Kensington Boroughs Adamsburg Arona Avonmore Bolivar Delmont Derry Donegal East Vandergrift Export Hunker Hyde Park Irwin Laurel Mountain Ligonier Madison Manor Mount Pleasant Murrysville New Alexandria New Florence New Stanton North Belle Vernon North Irwin Oklahoma Penn Scottdale Seward Smithton South Greensburg Southwest Greensburg Sutersville Trafford‡ Vandergrift West Leechburg West Newton Youngstown Youngwood Townships Allegheny Bell Cook Derry Donegal East Huntingdon Fairfield Hempfield Ligonier Loyalhanna Mount Pleasant North Huntingdon Penn Rostraver St. Clair Salem Sewickley South Huntingdon Unity Upper Burrell Washington CDPs Bradenville Calumet Collinsburg Crabtree Fellsburg Grapeville Harrison City Herminie Hostetter Lawson Heights Level Green Loyalhanna Lynnwood-Pricedale‡ Mammoth Millwood Norvelt St. Vincent College Slickville Webster Wyano Yukon Unincorporated communities Acme Atlantic Baggaley Blackstone Boquet Bovard Brenizer Carbon Greenwald Hannastown Hopewell Hutchinson Kecksburg Lloydsville Luxor Marguerite Morewood Moween Pandora Peanut Ruffs Dale Scab Hill Seger Southwest Stahlstown Standard Shaft Salina Tarrs Trauger Turkeytown United Ghost town Cokeville West Overton Footnotes ‡This populated place also has portions in an adjacent county or counties

v t e Pittsburgh metropolitan area   Counties Allegheny Armstrong Beaver Brooke Butler Fayette Hancock Indiana Jefferson Lawrence Washington Westmoreland Map of the Pittsburgh Tri-State with green counties in the metropolitan area and yellow counties in the combined area.   Major city Pittsburgh   Municipalities & communities Municipalities 30,000–50,000 population (in 2010) Bethel Park Hempfield Mt. Lebanon North Huntingdon Penn Hills Ross Municipalities 15,000–30,000 population (in 2010) Baldwin Butler Cranberry Hampton McCandless McKeesport Monroeville Moon Township Murrysville New Castle Penn Peters Plum Scott Shaler Upper St. Clair Unity West Mifflin Wilkinsburg   Topics Architecture Arts Climate Chronology of Pittsburgh Crime Education Demographics Economy Etymology of Pittsburgh Festivals Government Urban Landmarks Area Landmarks History Media Museums Neighborhoods Parks People Public Schools Film Skyscrapers Sports Tourism Transportation Book Portal Category

v t e  Commonwealth of Pennsylvania Harrisburg (capital) Topics Cities Government Delegations History Geography Geology Pennsylvanians State parks Symbols Visitor attractions Society Agriculture Culture Crime Demographics Economy Education Gambling Politics Metro areas Altoona Philadelphia Erie Harrisburg–Carlisle Johnstown Lancaster Lebanon Lehigh Valley New York Pittsburgh Reading State College Williamsport Scranton‑Wilkes-Barre York-Hanover Cities Allentown Altoona Bethlehem Chester DuBois Easton Erie Greensburg Harrisburg Hazleton Johnstown Lancaster Lebanon McKeesport New Castle Philadelphia Pittsburgh Pottsville Reading Scranton Sunbury Wilkes-Barre Williamsport York Largest municipalities Baldwin Berwick Bethel Park Brentwood Carlisle Chambersburg Cheltenham Columbia Darby Dunmore Elizabethtown Emmaus Ephrata Franklin Park Hanover Haverford Indiana Kingston Lansdale Lansdowne Millcreek Township Monroeville Munhall Murrysville Norristown Penn Hills Phoenixville Plum Pottstown State College Upper Darby West Chester West Mifflin Whitehall Wilkinsburg Wyomissing Yeadon Regions Allegheny Mountains Allegheny National Forest Allegheny Plateau Atlantic Coastal Plain Blue Ridge Coal Region Cumberland Valley Delaware Valley Dutch Country Endless Mountains Happy Valley Laurel Highlands Lehigh Valley Main Line Northeast Northern Tier Northwestern Oil Region Pennsylvania Highlands Piedmont Pocono Mountains Ridge and Valley South Central Susquehanna Valley Western Wyoming Valley Counties Adams Allegheny Armstrong Beaver Bedford Berks Blair Bradford Bucks Butler Cambria Cameron Carbon Centre Chester Clarion Clearfield Clinton Columbia Crawford Cumberland Dauphin Delaware Elk Erie Fayette Forest Franklin Fulton Greene Huntingdon Indiana Jefferson Juniata Lackawanna Lancaster Lawrence Lebanon Lehigh Luzerne Lycoming McKean Mercer Mifflin Monroe Montgomery Montour Northampton Northumberland Perry Philadelphia Pike Potter Schuylkill Snyder Somerset Sullivan Susquehanna Tioga Union Venango Warren Washington Wayne Westmoreland Wyoming York

Coordinates: 40°19′N 79°28′W / 40.31°N 79.47°W / 40.31; -79.47