Westmoreland County is a county located in the U.S. state of Pennsylvania. At the 2010 census, the population was 365,169.[1] The county seat is Greensburg.[2] Formed from, successively, Lancaster, Northumberland, and later Bedford counties, Westmoreland County was founded on February 26, 1773, and was the first county in the colony of Pennsylvania whose entire territorial boundary was located 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. It is named after Westmorland, a historic county of England.
![]() | This article needs additional citations for verification. (October 2018) |
Westmoreland County | |
---|---|
U.S. county | |
![]() Westmoreland County Courthouse | |
![]() Flag | |
![]() Location within the U.S. state of Pennsylvania | |
![]() Pennsylvania's location within the U.S. | |
Coordinates: 40°19′N 79°28′W | |
Country | ![]() |
State | ![]() |
Founded | February 26, 1773 |
Named for | Westmorland |
Seat | Greensburg |
Largest city | Hempfield Township |
Area | |
• Total | 1,036 sq mi (2,680 km2) |
• Land | 1,028 sq mi (2,660 km2) |
• Water | 8.5 sq mi (22 km2) 0.8%% |
Population | |
• Estimate (2019) | 348,899 |
• Density | 341/sq mi (132/km2) |
Time zone | UTC−5 (Eastern) |
• Summer (DST) | UTC−4 (EDT) |
Congressional districts | 13th, 14th |
Website | www |
Westmoreland County is included in the Pittsburgh Metropolitan Statistical Area.
Formed from, successively, Lancaster, Northumberland, and later Bedford counties, Westmoreland County was founded on February 26, 1773, and was the first county in the Pennsylvania colony whose entire territorial boundary was located 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. It is named after Westmorland, a historic county of England.
According to the U.S. Census Bureau, the county has a total area of 1,036 square miles (2,680 km2), of which 1,028 square miles (2,660 km2) is land and 8.5 square miles (22 km2) (0.8%) is water.[3] Westmoreland has a humid continental climate (Dfa/Dfb). Average monthly temperatures in Greensburg range from 28.7 °F in January to 71.8 °F in July, while in Murrysville they range from 29.4 °F in January to 73.1 °F in July, in Latrobe they range from 28.9 °F in January to 72.0 °F in July, and in Ligonier they range from 28.1 °F in January to 71.1 °F in July.
Historical population | |||
---|---|---|---|
Census | Pop. | %± | |
1790 | 16,019 | — | |
1800 | 22,726 | 41.9% | |
1810 | 26,392 | 16.1% | |
1820 | 30,540 | 15.7% | |
1830 | 38,400 | 25.7% | |
1840 | 42,699 | 11.2% | |
1850 | 51,726 | 21.1% | |
1860 | 53,736 | 3.9% | |
1870 | 58,719 | 9.3% | |
1880 | 78,036 | 32.9% | |
1890 | 112,819 | 44.6% | |
1900 | 160,175 | 42.0% | |
1910 | 231,304 | 44.4% | |
1920 | 273,568 | 18.3% | |
1930 | 294,995 | 7.8% | |
1940 | 303,411 | 2.9% | |
1950 | 313,179 | 3.2% | |
1960 | 352,629 | 12.6% | |
1970 | 376,935 | 6.9% | |
1980 | 392,294 | 4.1% | |
1990 | 370,321 | −5.6% | |
2000 | 369,993 | −0.1% | |
2010 | 365,169 | −1.3% | |
2020 | 354,663 | −2.9% | |
U.S. Decennial Census[4] 1790-1960[5] 1900-1990[6] 1990-2000[7] 2010-2019[1] 2010-2020[8] |
At the 2010 census,[9] there were 365,169 people, 153,650 households and 101,928 families residing in the county. The population density was 355.4 per square mile (137.2/km2). There were 168,199 housing units at an average density of 163.7 per square mile (63.2/km2). The racial makeup of the county was 95.3% White, 2.3% Black or African American, 0.1% Native American, 0.7% Asian, 0.03% Pacific Islander, 0.2% from other races, and 1.2% from two or more races. 0.9% of the population were Hispanic or Latino of any race.
There were 153,650 households, of which 24.5% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 52.2% were married couples living together, 10.0% had a female householder with no husband present, and 33.7% were non-families. 29.0% of all households were made up of individuals, and 13.3% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.32, and the average family size was 2.86.
22.3% of the population were under 18, 5.1% from 18 to 24, 22.4% from 25 to 44, 31.3% from 45 to 64, and 18.9% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 45.1 years. For every 100 females, there were 94.8 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 92.3 males.
Race | Num. | Perc. |
---|---|---|
White (NH) | 323,114 | 91.1% |
Black or African American (NH) | 8,985 | 2.53% |
Native American (NH) | 295 | 0.1% |
Asian (NH) | 3,301 | 1% |
Pacific Islander (NH) | 36 | 0.01% |
Other/Mixed (NH) | 13,702 | 3.86% |
Hispanic or Latino | 5,230 | 1.47% |
As of November 7, 2022, there are 248,459 registered voters in Westmoreland County.[11]
The Democratic Party historically dominated county-level politics between the New Deal realignment and the turn of the century; however, Westmoreland has trended Republican at the national and statewide levels in the 21st century (in direct lockstep with most other Appalachian counties). In 2000, Republican George W. Bush became the first Republican to carry the county since 1972, and Republicans have carried the county in every election since, increasing the margin of victory in every successive election until 2020. Democratic 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 Democratic state representative 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.[12] A Democratic resurgence in 2015 gave that party a majority of the county commissioners. However, in the 2019 elections, Democratic elected officials lost that majority and carried only one row office.
As of 2020, the only majority-Dem cities within the county are Arnold and Monessen.[13]
Year | Republican | Democratic | Third party | |||
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
No. | % | No. | % | No. | % | |
2020 | 130,299 | 63.46% | 72,192 | 35.16% | 2,839 | 1.38% |
2016 | 116,522 | 63.50% | 59,669 | 32.52% | 7,301 | 3.98% |
2012 | 103,932 | 61.29% | 63,722 | 37.58% | 1,918 | 1.13% |
2008 | 102,294 | 57.62% | 72,721 | 40.96% | 2,532 | 1.43% |
2004 | 100,087 | 56.01% | 77,774 | 43.52% | 835 | 0.47% |
2000 | 80,858 | 51.60% | 71,792 | 45.81% | 4,059 | 2.59% |
1996 | 62,058 | 43.30% | 63,686 | 44.43% | 17,585 | 12.27% |
1992 | 47,315 | 30.63% | 69,817 | 45.20% | 37,319 | 24.16% |
1988 | 61,472 | 44.13% | 76,710 | 55.07% | 1,108 | 0.80% |
1984 | 71,377 | 46.82% | 79,906 | 52.41% | 1,181 | 0.77% |
1980 | 63,140 | 45.06% | 68,627 | 48.97% | 8,372 | 5.97% |
1976 | 59,172 | 43.47% | 74,217 | 54.52% | 2,745 | 2.02% |
1972 | 75,085 | 54.60% | 59,322 | 43.13% | 3,120 | 2.27% |
1968 | 52,206 | 35.08% | 81,833 | 54.98% | 14,800 | 9.94% |
1964 | 41,493 | 27.77% | 107,131 | 71.70% | 792 | 0.53% |
1960 | 68,825 | 44.45% | 85,641 | 55.31% | 374 | 0.24% |
1956 | 66,580 | 47.77% | 72,616 | 52.10% | 192 | 0.14% |
1952 | 58,923 | 42.24% | 80,068 | 57.40% | 503 | 0.36% |
1948 | 41,709 | 39.05% | 61,901 | 57.95% | 3,204 | 3.00% |
1944 | 43,202 | 41.16% | 61,057 | 58.17% | 705 | 0.67% |
1940 | 42,643 | 39.56% | 64,567 | 59.90% | 577 | 0.54% |
1936 | 36,079 | 32.23% | 73,574 | 65.73% | 2,282 | 2.04% |
1932 | 30,426 | 37.73% | 45,436 | 56.34% | 4,789 | 5.94% |
1928 | 51,760 | 61.88% | 30,587 | 36.57% | 1,296 | 1.55% |
1924 | 34,522 | 55.22% | 10,223 | 16.35% | 17,769 | 28.42% |
1920 | 27,077 | 59.71% | 12,845 | 28.32% | 5,427 | 11.97% |
1916 | 15,283 | 46.68% | 13,829 | 42.24% | 3,625 | 11.07% |
1912 | 4,299 | 14.66% | 9,262 | 31.58% | 15,764 | 53.76% |
1908 | 15,429 | 52.00% | 11,101 | 37.41% | 3,141 | 10.59% |
1904 | 17,239 | 63.16% | 8,007 | 29.33% | 2,050 | 7.51% |
1900 | 16,014 | 57.00% | 11,010 | 39.19% | 1,072 | 3.82% |
1896 | 14,928 | 56.23% | 11,029 | 41.55% | 589 | 2.22% |
1892 | 10,804 | 48.84% | 10,747 | 48.58% | 569 | 2.57% |
1888 | 9,926 | 49.37% | 9,602 | 47.76% | 577 | 2.87% |
1884 | 8,339 | 47.52% | 8,346 | 47.56% | 864 | 4.92% |
1880 | 7,113 | 44.47% | 7,975 | 49.86% | 908 | 5.68% |
District | Representative | Party |
---|---|---|
33 | Carrie Delrosso | Republican |
52 | Ryan Warner | Republican |
54 | Bob Brooks | Republican |
55 | Jason Silvis | Republican |
56 | George Dunbar | Republican |
57 | Eric Nelson | Republican |
58 | Eric Davanzo | Republican |
59 | Leslie Rossi | Republican |
District | Senator | Party |
---|---|---|
32 | Patrick J. Stefano | Republican |
39 | Kim Ward | Republican |
41 | Joe Pittman | Republican |
45 | Jim Brewster | Democratic |
District | Representative | Party |
---|---|---|
13 | John Joyce | Republican |
14 | Guy Reschenthaler | Republican |
Senator | Party |
---|---|
Pat Toomey | Republican |
Bob Casey | Democratic |
School districts:[16]
According to EdNA[17]
Coal mining became a major industry in the county after the Civil War, followed by expansion of manufacturing of iron, steel and glass. The 600-acre coke works for the Isabella Furnace were built in Cokeville (then Coketown) in Spring of 1872.[18][19] At one point, company "coal patches" (towns built for miners) represented about one-third of the county's settlements.[20] A major strike by coal miners represented by the United Mine Workers of America took place in 1910–1911. Sixteen people were killed in the strike.[21]
In 2020 the top industries in the county were health care and social services (16.3% of jobs), manufacturing (13.8%) and retail trade (13.7%).[22] Mining comprised less than 1% of the jobs in the county. Westmoreland County is now believed to be the site of over 100 abandoned mines.[23][24]
Volkswagen's Westmoreland plant near New Stanton in Westmoreland County was the first foreign-owned factory mass-producing automobiles in the U.S. It operated from 1978 to 1988.
There are four Pennsylvania state parks in Westmoreland County.
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:
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.
The population ranking of the following table is based on the 2010 census of Westmoreland County.[28]
† county seat
Rank | City/Town/etc. | Municipal type | Population (2010 Census) |
---|---|---|---|
1 | Murrysville | Municipality | 20,079 |
2 | † Greensburg | City | 14,892 |
3 | New Kensington | City | 13,116 |
4 | Lower Burrell | City | 11,761 |
5 | Jeannette | City | 9,654 |
6 | Latrobe | City | 8,338 |
7 | Monessen | City | 7,720 |
8 | Vandergrift | Borough | 5,205 |
9 | Arnold | City | 5,157 |
10 | Mount Pleasant | Borough | 4,454 |
11 | Scottdale | Borough | 4,384 |
12 | Level Green | CDP | 4,020 |
13 | Irwin | Borough | 3,973 |
14 | Loyalhanna | CDP | 3,428 |
15 | Manor | Borough | 3,239 |
16 | Trafford (partially in Allegheny County) | Borough | 3,174 |
17 | Youngwood | Borough | 3,050 |
18 | Derry | Borough | 2,688 |
19 | Delmont | Borough | 2,686 |
20 | West Newton | Borough | 2,633 |
21 | Lawson Heights | CDP | 2,194 |
22 | New Stanton | Borough | 2,173 |
23 | Southwest Greensburg | Borough | 2,155 |
24 | South Greensburg | Borough | 2,117 |
25 | Lynnwood-Pricedale | CDP | 2,031 |
26 | North Belle Vernon | Borough | 1,971 |
27 | Ligonier | Borough | 1,573 |
28 | St. Vincent College | CDP | 1,357 |
29 | West Leechburg | Borough | 1,294 |
30 | Calumet | CDP | 1,241 |
31 | Fellsburg | CDP | 1,180 |
32 | Collinsburg | CDP | 1,125 |
33 | Avonmore | Borough | 1,011 |
34 | Norvelt | CDP | 948 |
35 | Export | Borough | 917 |
36 | North Irwin | Borough | 846 |
37 | Oklahoma | Borough | 809 |
38 | Herminie | CDP | 789 |
39 | Hostetter | CDP | 740 |
40 | New Florence | Borough | 689 |
41 | Yukon | CDP | 677 |
42 | East Vandergrift | Borough | 674 |
43 | Sutersville | Borough | 605 |
44 | Millwood | CDP | 566 |
45 | New Alexandria | Borough | 560 |
46 | Bradenville | CDP | 545 |
47 | Grapeville | CDP | 538 |
48 | Mammoth | CDP | 525 |
49 | Hyde Park | Borough | 500 |
50 | Seward | Borough | 495 |
51 | Wyano | CDP | 484 |
52 | Penn | Borough | 475 |
53 | Bolivar | Borough | 465 |
54 | Smithton | Borough | 399 |
55 | Madison | Borough | 397 |
56 | Slickville | CDP | 388 |
57 | Arona | Borough | 370 |
58 | Youngstown | Borough | 326 |
59 | Hunker | Borough | 291 |
60 | Crabtree | CDP | 277 |
61 | Webster | CDP | 255 |
62 | Adamsburg | Borough | 172 |
63 | Laurel Mountain | Borough | 167 |
64 | Harrison City | CDP | 134 |
65 | Donegal | Borough | 120 |
{{cite web}}
: CS1 maint: multiple names: authors list (link)Places adjacent to Westmoreland County, Pennsylvania | ||||||||||||||||
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
|
| ||
---|---|---|
Pittsburgh–New Castle–Weirton combined statistical area | ||
Counties | ||
Major cities | ||
Cities and towns 15k–50k (in 2010) | ||
Airports | ||
Topics |
| |
|
General | |
---|---|
National libraries | |
Other |
|