Elk County, Pennsylvania

Elk County is a county located in the U.S. state of Pennsylvania. As of the 2000 census, the population was 35,112.

Elk County was created on April 18, 1843 from parts of Jefferson, Clearfield and McKean Counties, and is named for the Elk which historically inhabited the region. Its county seat is Ridgway6.

Geography
According to the U.S. Census Bureau, the county has a total area of 2,155 km² (832 mi²). 2,146 km² (829 mi²) of it is land and 9 km² (4 mi²) of it (0.43%) is water.

Adjacent Counties

 * McKean County (north)
 * Cameron County (east)
 * Clearfield County (south)
 * Jefferson County (southwest)
 * Forest County (west)
 * Warren County (northwest)

Demographics
As of the census² of 2000, there were 35,112 people, 14,124 households, and 9,745 families residing in the county. The population density was 16/km² (42/mi²). There were 18,115 housing units at an average density of 8/km² (22/mi²). The racial makeup of the county was 98.96% White, 0.15% Black or African American, 0.09% Native American, 0.35% Asian, 0.04% Pacific Islander, 0.10% from other races, and 0.31% from two or more races. 0.40% of the population were Hispanic or Latino of any race.

There were 14,124 households out of which 31.00% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 56.00% were married couples living together, 8.70% had a female householder with no husband present, and 31.00% were non-families. 27.30% of all households were made up of individuals and 13.60% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.45 and the average family size was 2.99.

In the county, the population was spread out with 24.00% under the age of 18, 6.80% from 18 to 24, 28.60% from 25 to 44, 23.30% from 45 to 64, and 17.30% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 39 years. For every 100 females there were 98.00 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 95.30 males.

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 Elk County:

Cities

 * St. Marys

Boroughs

 * Johnsonburg
 * Ridgway

Townships

 * Benezette Township
 * Fox Township
 * Highland Township
 * Horton Township
 * Jay Township
 * Jones Township
 * Millstone Township
 * Ridgway Township
 * Spring Creek Township

Community, Junior and Technical Colleges

 * North Central Industrial Technical Education Center

Public School Districts

 * Brockway Area School District
 * Forest Area School District
 * Kane Area School District
 * Johnsonburg Area School District
 * Ridgway Area School District
 * Saint Marys Area School District

Recreation
There are two Pennsylvania state parks in Elk County.
 * Bendigo State Park
 * Elk State Park