Sullivan County, Pennsylvania

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




map size = 225
founded = March 15, 1847
seat = Laporte | largest city = Dushore
area_total_sq_mi =452
area_water_sq_mi =2
area percentage = 0.53%
census yr = 2000
pop = 6556
density_km2 =29
web = www.sullivancounty-pa.us
|

Sullivan County is a county located in the U.S. state of Pennsylvania. As of 2000, the population is 6,556.cite web|url= http://factfinder.census.gov/servlet/SAFFFacts?_event=Search&geo_id=&_geoContext=&_street=&_county=Sullivan+County&_cityTown=Sullivan+County&_state=04000US42&_zip=&_lang=en&_sse=on&pctxt=fph&pgsl=010&show_2003_tab=&redirect=Y |title = Facy Sheet: Sullivan County, Pennsylvania |publisher = U.S. Census Bureau |accessdate = 2008-02-17] Sullivan County was created on March 15, 1847 from part of Lycoming County and named for Charles Sullivan, leader of the Pennsylvania Senate. Its county seat is LaporteGR|6.

History

The land which became Sullivan County was originally purchased from the Iroquois by the Province of Pennsylvania in 1768, as part of the first Treaty of Fort Stanwix. It was then part of Northumberland County, then became part of Lycoming County when it was formed in 1795. cite book | last = Meginness | first = John Franklin | title = History of Lycoming County, Pennsylvania: including its aboriginal history; the colonial and revolutionary periods; early settlement and subsequent growth; organization and civil administration; the legal and medical professions; internal improvement; past and present history of Williamsport; manufacturing and lumber interests; religious, educational, and social development; geology and agriculture; military record; sketches of boroughs, townships, and villages; portraits and biographies of pioneers and representative citizens, etc. etc." | year = 1892 | url = http://www.usgennet.org/usa/pa/county/lycoming/history/lyco-history-01.html | accessdate = 2007-08-05 | edition = 1st Edition | publisher = Brown, Runk & Co. | location = Chicago, IL | id = ISBN 0-7884-0428-8 | quote = (Note: ISBN refers to Heritage Books July 1996 reprint. URL is to a scan of the 1892 version with some OCR typos). ] Sullivan County itself was formed from the northeastern part of Lycoming County on March 15 1847. It was the thirteenth and last county formed at least partly from Lycoming County (and the fifth entirely formed from it).

According to the official state publication "Pennsylvania Local Government", Sullivan County was named for Pennsylvania state senator Charles C. Sullivan, who "took an active part in procuring passage of the bill" establishing the county.cite web| url = http://www.portal.state.pa.us/portal/server.pt/gateway/PTARGS_0_71264_0_0_18/ | title="Pennsylvania Local Government" |publisher = Commonwealth of Pennsylvania |format = PDF |accessdate = 2008-02-07] However, according to Frederic A. Godcharles (1933), the county is named for General John Sullivan, who led the Sullivan Expedition against the Iroquois in 1779.cite book |last= Godcharles |first= Frederic A. |title= Pennsylvania: Political, Governmental, Military and Civil: Political and Civil History Volume |edition= First edition |year= 1933 |publisher= The American Historical Society |location= New York, New York ]

Geography

According to the U.S. Census Bureau, the county has a total area of 452 square miles (1,172 km²), of which, 450 square miles (1,165 km²) of it is land and 2 square miles (6 km²) of it (0.53%) is water.

Adjacent counties

*Bradford County (north)
*Wyoming County (east)
*Luzerne County (southeast)
*Columbia County (south)
*Lycoming County (west)

Recreation

There are two Pennsylvania state parks in Sullivan County.
*Part of Ricketts Glen State Park is in the eastern portion of the county.
*Worlds End State Park is near Forksville on Loyalsock Creek

There are several festivities held in the county each year.Dushore Founder's Day- Held in August. Activities such as Outhouse Races, Roll-a-Keg Races, Arts and Crafts, and vendors.Dushore Dairy Parade- Held in Mid-June. Activities such as Milking a Cow.Laporte Fireman's Carnival- Held in August. Carnival rides and games.Sullivan County Fair- Held in Late August and Early September. Carnival rides and games, exhibitions, competitions, Demolition Derby, and vendors.

Demographics

USCensusPop
title= Sullivan County US Census Data
1850= 3694
1860= 5637
1870= 6191
1880= 8073
1890= 11620
1900= 12134
1910= 11293
1920= 9520
1930= 7499
1940= 7504
1950= 6745
1960= 6251
1970= 5961
1980= 6349
1990= 6104
2000= 6556
estimate= 6277
estyear= 2006
estref= [cite web|url=http://quickfacts.census.gov/qfd/states/42/42113.html|title=Sullivan County Quickfacts|author=United States Census Bureau|accessdate=2008-02-17]
footnote= Sullivan County Census Data [ cite web| url =http://fisher.lib.virginia.edu/collections/stats/histcensus/php/newlong3.php |title = Historical Census Browser | year = 2004 |publisher = University of Virginia, Geospatial and Statistical Data Center |accessdate = 2008-02-17(1850-1960 population data) ] [cite web|url= http://www.census.gov/population/cencounts/pa190090.txt |title= "Pennsylvania, Population of Counties by Decennial Census: 1900 to 1990" | author= | author = Richard L. Forstall | date= March 27 1995 | publisher = U.S. Census Bureau | accessdate = 2008-02-17(1970-1990 population data) ] As of the censusGR|2 of 2000, there were 6,556 people, 2,660 households, and 1,752 families residing in the county. The population density was 15 people per square mile (6/km²). There were 6,017 housing units at an average density of 13 per square mile (5/km²). The racial makeup of the county was 95.58% White, 2.20% Black or African American, 0.76% Native American, 0.15% Asian, 0.46% from other races, and 0.85% from two or more races. 1.10% of the population were Hispanic or Latino of any race. 33.8% were of German, 14.7% Irish, 9.5% English, 7.5% American, 5.9% Polish and 5.6% Italian ancestry according to Census 2000.

There were 2,660 households out of which 24.20% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 54.70% were married couples living together, 6.80% had a female householder with no husband present, and 34.10% were non-families. 29.30% of all households were made up of individuals and 15.20% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.30 and the average family size was 2.81.

In the county, the population was spread out with 20.80% under the age of 18, 7.90% from 18 to 24, 24.10% from 25 to 44, 25.30% from 45 to 64, and 21.90% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 43 years. For every 100 females there were 102.10 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 100.40 males.

Municipalities

Under Pennsylvania law, there are four types of incorporated municipalities: cities, boroughs, , and, in at most two cases, towns. The following cities, boroughs and townships are located in Sullivan County:

Boroughs

Townships

Education

Public School Districts

* Sullivan County School District

Sullivan County School District has one high school, grades 7-12, and two elementary schools, grades K-6. Sullivan County High School is located in Laporte, PA. Sullivan County Elementary School is located just behind the high school, and Turnpike Elementary School is located in Mildred, PA.

References