Lawrence County is a county located in the U.S. state of Pennsylvania, United States. As of the 2010 census, the population was 91,108. The county seat is New Castle.
Lawrence County makes up the entire New Castle, PA Micropolitan Statistical Area, which is also included in the larger Pittsburgh-New Castle-Weirton, PA-WV-OH Combined Statistical Area.
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History
Lawrence County was created on March 20, 1849, from parts of Beaver and Mercer counties due to the rapid growth of New Castle, which was primarily in Mercer County but was rapidly expanding into Beaver County. The former borders between Beaver and Mercer Counties are still evident in Lawrence County today, as the northern borders of North Beaver Township, Shenango Township, and Slippery Rock Township with (respectively) the southern borders of Mahoning Township, Hickory Township, and Scott Township make up the former boundaries between Beaver and Mercer Counties. In addition, County Line Road in New Castle where the Lawrence County Courthouse is located also marks the former boundaries.
It was named after naval officer James Lawrence, who died during the War of 1812.
Geography
According to the U.S. Census Bureau, the county has a total area of 363 square miles (940 km2), of which 358 square miles (930 km2) is land and 4.5 square miles (12 km2) (1.3%) is water. Major waterways are the Shenango River, Neshannock Creek and the Mahoning River which form the Beaver River. Also, the Slippery Rock Creek and Connoquenessing Creak empty into the Beaver River.
Adjacent counties
- Mercer County (north)
- Butler County (east)
- Beaver County (south)
- Columbiana County, Ohio (southwest)
- Mahoning County, Ohio (west)
Demographics
As of the 2000 United States Census there were 94,643 people, 37,091 households, and 25,889 families residing in the county. The population density was 263 people per square mile (101/km²). There were 39,635 housing units at an average density of 110 per square mile (42/km²). The racial makeup of the county was 94.98% White, 3.61% Black or African American, 0.10% Native American, 0.27% Asian, 0.01% Pacific Islander, 0.19% from other races, and 0.84% from two or more races. 0.56% of the population were Hispanic or Latino of any race. 26.1% were of Italian, 21.7% German, 9.3% Irish, 6.8% English and 6.8% Polish ancestry according to Census 2000.
There were 37,091 households out of which 28.80% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 54.50% were married couples living together, 11.50% had a female householder with no husband present, and 30.20% were non-families. 27.00% of all households were made up of individuals and 14.40% 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 3.00.
In the county, the population was spread out with 23.10% under the age of 18, 8.30% from 18 to 24, 25.70% from 25 to 44, 23.60% from 45 to 64, and 19.30% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 40 years. For every 100 females there were 90.60 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 86.90 males.
Micropolitan Statistical Area
The United States Office of Management and Budget has designated Lawrence County as the New Castle, PA Micropolitan Statistical Area (µSA). As of the 2010 U.S. Census the micropolitan area ranked 3rd most populous in the State of Pennsylvania and the 48th most populous in the United States with a population of 91,108. Lawrence County is also a part of the Pittsburgh-New Castle-Weirton, PA-OH-WV Combined Statistical Area (CSA), which combines the population of Lawrence, as well as the Allegheny, Armstrong, Beaver, Butler, Fayette, Indiana, 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
As of November 2008, there are 62,505 registered voters in Lawrence County.
- Democratic: 34,728 (55.56%)
- Republican: 22,509 (36.01%)
- Other Parties: 5,268 (8.43%)
County commissioners
- Dan Vogler, Chairman, Republican
- Bob Del Signore, Republican
- Steve Craig, Democrat
Other county officials
- Clerk of Courts and Prothonotary, Helen Morgan, Democrat
- Controller, David Gettings, Republican
- District Attorney, Joshua Lamancusa, Democrat
- Register of Wills and Recorder of Deeds, Janet Kalajainen, Democrat
- Sheriff, Perry Quahliero, Democrat
- Treasurer, Richard Rapone, Democrat
State House of Representatives
- Christopher Sainato, Democrat, 9th district
- Jaret Gibbons, Democrat, 10th district
- Parke Wentling, Republican, 17th district
State Senators
- Elder Vogel, Republican, 47th district
United States House of Representatives
- Keith Rothfus, Republican, 12th district
- Mike Kelly, Republican, 3rd district
United States Senate
- Pat Toomey, Republican
- Bob Casey, Jr., Democrat
Pennsylvania State Police Station Commander, Sergeant William J. Link, Jr.
Education
Colleges
- Butler Community College Lawrence Crossing Campus
- Erie Business College
- Westminster College - New Wilmington
Public school districts
- Blackhawk School District (part)
- Ellwood City Area School District (part)
- Laurel School District
- Mohawk Area School District
- Neshannock Township School District
- New Castle Area School District
- Shenango School District
- Union Area School District
- Wilmington Area School District (part)
Tech schools
- Erie Business Center South - New Castle (Closed 2014)
- Lawrence County Career Technology Center - New Castle
- New Castle School of Trades - New Castle
Private schools
Per data provided at Pennsylvania EdNA
Libraries
- Ellwood City Area Public Library
- F D Campbell Memorial Library - Bessemer
- Lawrence County Federated Library System - New Castle
- New Castle Public Library
Transportation
Airports
- New Castle Municipal Airport
Public transit
- New Castle Area Transit Authority
Major roads
- I-76 / Penna Turnpike
- Interstate 79
- Interstate 376
- Pennsylvania Route 18
- Pennsylvania Route 65
- Pennsylvania Route 388
- Pennsylvania Route 551
- U.S. Route 19
- U.S. Route 224
- U.S. Route 422
Recreation
Parks
- Cascade Park (New Castle)
- Ewing Park (Ellwood City)
- Gaston Park (New Castle)
- McConnells Mill State Park (Slippery Rock Twp)
- Pearson Park (Neshannock Twp)
- West Park Nature Center (Union Twp)
- Marti Park
- New Wilmington Borough Park
State Game Lands
- SGL 148 (New Beaver)
- SGL 150 (Pulaski Twp)
- SGL 151 (Washington Twp)
- SGL 178 (Neshannock Twp)
- SGL 216 (Scott Twp)
Trails
- North Country Trail
- Stavich Bike Trail
Municipalities
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 Lawrence County:
City
- New Castle (county seat)
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.
- Chewton
- Frizzleburg
- New Bedford
- New Castle Northwest
- Oakland
- Oakwood
- West Pittsburg
Unincorporated communities
Various unincorporated communities that lie within and are part of official municipalities.
Former community
- Big Beaver Borough- was encepted on March 7, 1958. Until that date it was known as Big Beaver Township which was formed in 1802 when South Beaver Township was divided. In 1849 when Lawrence County was created, the new county line split Big Beaver leaving a township of that name in each county. Big Beaver in Lawrence County is now known as New Beaver Borough.
Population ranking
The population ranking of the following table is based on the 2010 census of Lawrence County.
+ county seat
Source of the article : Wikipedia
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