Cameron County, Pennsylvania

Geography

According to the U.S. Census Bureau, the county has a total area of 398.4 sqmi, of which 396.2 sqmi is land and 2.2 sqmi (0.5%) is water. It has a warm-summer humid continental climate (Dfb) and average monthly temperatures in Emporium range from 24.2 °F in January to 69.3 °F in July, while in Driftwood they range from 24.9 °F in January to 69.9 °F in July.

Adjacent counties

• McKean County (north)
• Potter County (northeast)
• Clinton County (east)
• Clearfield County (south)
• Elk County (west)

Major roads

Cameron County is the only county in the state of Pennsylvania to not be crossed by either an interstate or U.S. Route.

Demographics

|align-fn=center 1790–1960 1900–1990 1990–2000 2010–2017

2020 census

As of the 2020 census, the county had a population of 4,547. The median age was 51.3 years. 17.5% of residents were under the age of 18 and 27.7% of residents were 65 years of age or older. For every 100 females there were 105.7 males, and for every 100 females age 18 and over there were 104.4 males age 18 and over.

The racial makeup of the county was 94.2% White, 0.4% Black or African American, 0.2% American Indian and Alaska Native, 0.6% Asian,

There were 2,120 households in the county, of which 21.9% had children under the age of 18 living in them. Of all households, 43.4% were married-couple households, 24.9% were households with a male householder and no spouse or partner present, and 24.2% were households with a female householder and no spouse or partner present. About 36.1% of all households were made up of individuals and 18.6% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older.

There were 3,932 housing units, of which 46.1% were vacant. Among occupied housing units, 74.2% were owner-occupied and 25.8% were renter-occupied. The homeowner vacancy rate was 2.8% and the rental vacancy rate was 12.5%.

2000 census

As of the 2000 census, there were 5,974 people, 2,465 households, and 1,624 families residing in the county. The population density was 15 /mi2. There were 4,592 housing units at an average density of 12 /mi2. The racial makeup of the county was 98.83% White, 0.35% Black or African American, 0.13% Native American, 0.12% Asian, 0.05% Pacific Islander, 0.05% from other races, and 0.47% from two or more races. 0.57% of the population were Hispanic or Latino of any race. 33.5% were of German, 15.7% Irish, 14.5% American, 13.1% Italian, 9.2% English and 5.7% Polish ancestry.

There were 2,465 households, out of which 27.70% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 52.40% were married couples living together, 9.20% had a female householder with no husband present, and 34.10% were non-families. 30.10% of all households were made up of individuals, and 15.40% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.39 and the average family size was 2.96.

In the county, the population was spread out, with 24.50% under the age of 18, 6.00% from 18 to 24, 24.90% from 25 to 44, 24.80% from 45 to 64, and 19.80% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 41 years. For every 100 females there were 96.60 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 94.60 males.

Law and government

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Voter registration

As of February 7, 2024, there are 2,931 registered voters in Cameron County.

• Republican: 1,823 (62.20%)
• Democratic: 745 (25.42%)
• Independent: 226 (7.71%)
• Third Party: 137 (4.67%)

Law enforcement

all areas in the county use the Pennsylvania State Police (PSP) in a law enforcement capacity, either with part-time police departments or with no other police departments.

County-row offices

• County Commissioners: Jessica Herzing (R); James D. Moate (R); Josh Zucal (D)
• Sheriff: Doug Homan (R)
• Prothonotary/Clerk/Register/Recorder: Mary Grace Olay (R)
• Treasurer: Tara Newton (R)
• District Attorney: Paul J. Malizia (R)

State senate

• Cris Dush, Republican, Pennsylvania's 25th Senatorial District

State House of Representatives

• Martin T. Causer, Republican, Pennsylvania's 67th Representative District

United States House of Representatives

• Glenn "G.T." Thompson, Republican, Pennsylvania's 15th congressional district

United States Senate

• Dave McCormick, Republican
• John Fetterman, Democrat

Education

There is a single K-12 school district, Cameron County School District.

Recreation

There are three Pennsylvania state parks that are partly in Cameron County.

• Bucktail State Park Natural Area is a 75-mile (121-km) scenic route along Pennsylvania Route 120 stretching from Lock Haven in Clinton County to Emporium the county seat of Cameron County.
• Sinnemahoning State Park
• Sizerville State Park
  • both of these state parks straddle the Cameron and Potter County line.

The West Creek Rail Trail has been built on the abandoned rail corridor between Emporium and St. Mary's in Elk County. It provides a paved surface with guard rails and is suitable for hiking or biking in the warm seasons or snowmobiling in winter.

The Fred Woods Trail offers a 4.57 mile loop of blazed trail with scenic valley views and a challenging section running through unique rock formations. The trailhead is accessed off Mason Hill Road above Driftwood, PA.

Communities

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 Cameron County:

Boroughs

• Driftwood
• Emporium (county seat)

Townships

• Gibson
• Grove
• Lumber
• Portage
• Shippen

Census-designated place

• Prospect Park

Population ranking

The population ranking of the following table is based on the 2010 census of Cameron County.

† county seat

Notable people

• Tom Mix
• Joseph T. McNarney
• Nate Sestina

References

References

1. "Cameron County, Pennsylvania".
2. "PHMC Historical Markers Search". Commonwealth of Pennsylvania.
3. "Census - Geography Profile: Cameron County, Pennsylvania". [[United States Census Bureau]].
4. "Find a County". National Association of Counties.
5. (August 22, 2012). "2010 Census Gazetteer Files". United States Census Bureau.
6. "PRISM Climate Group at Oregon State University".
7. "County Population Totals: 2010-2020".
8. "U.S. Decennial Census". United States Census Bureau.
9. "Historical Census Browser". University of Virginia Library.
10. (March 24, 1995). "Population of Counties by Decennial Census: 1900 to 1990". United States Census Bureau.
11. (April 2, 2001). "Census 2000 PHC-T-4. Ranking Tables for Counties: 1990 and 2000". United States Census Bureau.
12. "State & County QuickFacts". United States Census Bureau.
13. (2021). "2020 Decennial Census Demographic Profile (DP1)".
14. (2021). "2020 Decennial Census Redistricting Data (Public Law 94-171)".
15. "P004: Hispanic or Latino, and Not Hispanic or Latino by Race – 2000: DEC Summary File 1 – Cameron County, Pennsylvania". [[United States Census Bureau]].
16. "P2 Hispanic or Latino, and Not Hispanic or Latino by Race – 2010: DEC Redistricting Data (PL 94-171) - Cameron County, Pennsylvania".
17. "P2 Hispanic or Latino, and Not Hispanic or Latino by Race – 2020: DEC Redistricting Data (PL 94-171) - Cameron County, Pennsylvania".
18. (2023). "2020 Decennial Census Demographic and Housing Characteristics (DHC)".
19. "U.S. Census website". [[United States Census Bureau]].
20. Leip, David. "Dave Leip's Atlas of U.S. Presidential Elections".
21. (November 5, 2024). "2024 Senate Election (Official Returns)".
22. Pennsylvania Department of State. (February 5, 2024). "Voter registration statistics by county".
23. Klibanoff, Eleanor. (2016-05-04). "Half of Pa. municipalities rely fully on state police". [[WHYY-TV]].
24. "2020 CENSUS - SCHOOL DISTRICT REFERENCE MAP: Cameron County, PA". [[U.S. Census Bureau]].
25. "PROJECT TRAIL: West Creek Recreational Trail | Pennsylvania Trails | TrailLink.com".
26. "Fred Woods Trail". Pennsylvania Department of Conservation and Natural Resources.
27. "Fred Woods Trail".
28. "Fred Woods Trail Description".
29. "2010 U.S. Census website". [[United States Census Bureau]].