York County, Pennsylvania

Infobox U.S. County
county = York County
state = Pennsylvania

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map size = 225
founded = August 19, 1749
seat = York | largest city = York
area_total_sq_mi = 910
area_land_sq_mi = 904
area_water_sq_mi = 6
area percentage = 0.64%
census yr = 2000
pop = 381751
density_km2 = 163
web = www.york-county.org
|

York County is a county located in the U.S. state of Pennsylvania. As of 2004, the estimated population was 401,613. York County is located in the Susquehanna Valley, a large fertile agricultural region in South Central Pennsylvania.

York County was created on August 19, 1749 from part of Lancaster County and named either for the Duke of York, an early patron of the Penn family, or for the city and shire of York in England. Its county seat is the city of YorkGR|6.

Geography

According to the U.S. Census Bureau, the county has a total area of 910 square miles (2,358 km²), of which, 904 square miles (2,343 km²) of it is land and 6 square miles (15 km²) of it (0.64%) is water. The county is bound to its eastern border by the Susquehanna River. Its southern border is the Mason-Dixon Line, which separates Pennsylvania and Maryland.

Adjacent counties

*Cumberland County (north)
*Dauphin County (northeast)
*Lancaster County (east)
*Harford County, Maryland (southeast)
*Baltimore County, Maryland (south)
*Carroll County, Maryland (southwest)
*Adams County (west)

Demographics

As of the censusGR|2 of 2000, there were 381,751 people, 148,219 households, and 105,531 families residing in the county. The population density was 422 people per square mile (163/km²). There were 156,720 housing units at an average density of 173 per square mile (67/km²). The racial makeup of the county was 92.76% White, 3.69% African American, 0.18% Native American, 0.86% Asian, 0.03% Pacific Islander, 1.39% from other races, and 1.10% from two or more races. Hispanic or Latino of any race were 2.96% of the population. 42.0% were of German, 12.6% American, 7.7% Irish, 6.4% English and 5.1% Italian ancestry according to Census 2000. 94.8% spoke English and 2.9% Spanish as their first language.

There were 148,219 households out of which 32.50% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 58.30% were married couples living together, 9.00% had a female householder with no husband present, and 28.80% were non-families. 23.30% of all households were made up of individuals and 9.20% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.52 and the average family size was 2.98.

In the county, the population was spread out with 24.60% under the age of 18, 7.50% from 18 to 24, 30.30% from 25 to 44, 24.00% from 45 to 64, and 13.50% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 38 years. For every 100 females there were 96.70 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 93.80 males.

The York-Hanover Metropolitan Statistical Area is the fastest-growing metro area in the Northeast region, and is ranked nationally among the fastest-growing in the nation, according to the "2006 Population Estimates for Metropolitan and Micropolitan Statistical Areas" (U.S. Census Bureau). The estimates listed York-Hanover as the 95th fastest-growing metro area in the nation, increasing 9.1 percent between 2000 and 2006.

Politics

As of November 2007, there are 278,979 registered voters in York County [http://www.dos.state.pa.us/elections/lib/elections/055_voter_registration_statistics/2007nov.pdf] .

* Democratic: 94,986 (34.05%)
* Republican: 142,137 (50.95%)
* Other Parties: 41,856 (15.00%)

Law and Government

Pennsylvania State Senate

United States Senate

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.

Education

Public School Districts

* Central York School District
* Dallastown Area School District
* Dover Area School District
* Eastern York School District
* Hanover Public School District
* Northeastern York School District
* Northern York County School District
* Red Lion Area School District
* South Eastern School District
* South Western School District
* Southern York County School District
* Spring Grove Area School District
* West Shore School District
* West York Area School District
* York City School District
* York Suburban School District
* York County School of Technology

Notable residents

*John Andrews, born in York County was a United States Navy sailor awarded the Medal of Honor for actions during the Korean Expedition in 1872.

References

External links

* [http://www.york-county.org/ York County official website]
* [http://www.yorkpa.org/ Official Travel and Tourism site]
* [http://www.yorkheritage.org/ York County Heritage Trust]
* [http://www.ydr.com/history/ York County history from the York Daily Record/Sunday News]