St. Marys, Pennsylvania

St. Marys is a city in Elk County, Pennsylvania, United States. The population was 14,502 at the 2000 census. St. Marys, originally a small, Bavarian Catholic town, is home to Straub Brewery and the first Benedictine convent in the United States. It was founded December 8, 1842. In 1992, the borough of St. Marys absorbed the surrounding township of Benzinger and incorporated as a city, though much of the city's area remains wild.

St. Marys lies in the center of Pennsylvania's elk country. It is one of the few places east of the Mississippi River that allows hunting of wild elk. St. Marys is considered an outdoor paradise with local trout streams and state hunting lands inside the city limits.

Geography
St. Marys is located at 41.4376°N, -78.54272°W (41.437600, -78.542724).

According to the United States Census Bureau, the city has a total area of 99.5 square miles (257.7 km2), of which 99.3 square miles (257.2 km2) is land and 0.2 square miles (0.4 km2) (0.16%) is water. It is at a relatively high elevation of 1,666 ft (508 m) above sea level. Due to its incorporation of Benzinger Township in 1992, it is the second largest city, in land area, in the state, behind Philadelphia.

The city is bordered by Jones Township to the north, Cameron County to the east, Fox and Jay Townships to the south, and Ridgway Township to the west.

Demographics
As of the census of 2000, there were 14,502 people, 5,723 households, and 4,000 families residing in the city. The population density was 146.0 people per square mile (56.4/km2). There were 6,092 housing units at an average density of 61.3/sq mi (23.7/km2). The racial makeup of the city was 98.75% White, 0.23% African American, 0.08% Native American, 0.42% Asian, 0.09% Pacific Islander, 0.12% from other races, and 0.31% from two or more races. Hispanic or Latino of any race were 0.30% of the population.

There were 5,723 households out of which 32.1% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 57.2% were married couples living together, 9.0% had a female householder with no husband present, and 30.1% were non-families. 26.9% of all households were made up of individuals and 14.1% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.48 and the average family size was 3.01.

In the city the population was spread out with 24.1% under the age of 18, 6.3% from 18 to 24, 28.8% from 25 to 44, 22.5% from 45 to 64, and 18.3% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 39 years. For every 100 females there were 95.6 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 92.2 males.

The median income for a household in the city was $41,593, and the median income for a family was $51,263. Males had a median income of $36,432 versus $22,947 for females. The per capita income for the city was $19,885. About 2.9% of families and 4.8% of the population were below the poverty line, including 6.3% of those under age 18 and 4.8% of those age 65 or over.

Transportation
The city's airport is St. Marys Municipal Airport (IATA: STQ) about 3 miles (5 km) southeast of the city. Currently, it is a general aviation airport; however, commercial airlines are showing interest because of the new terminal building and equipment upgrades.

The city's main highway is PA 255. Bus service is provided by ATA.

Catholic school system
St. Marys Catholic Elementary School has one building, which is connected to Queen of the World Church. In 2002, an addition was built, adding four classrooms and a gymnasium. It also recently had a playground added. It houses grades pre-K through 5.

St. Marys Catholic Middle School, which has one building, was built in the early 1950s and houses grades 6-8. Elk County Catholic High School, known prior to the early 2000s as Elk County Christian High School, has classes for grades 9-12. It was built in 1961.

Until the early 2000s, the Catholic school system's elementary and middle schools, then known respectively as the Queen of the World School and the St. Marys Parochial School, each served all students up through eighth grade who attended their respective Catholic churches, as did the Sacred Heart School. When the school system was reworked into its current format due to declining attendance, the Sacred Heart School was closed.

St. Marys Area School District
St. Marys's public school district has three elementary schools, one of which, the South St. Marys Street Elementary School, is located within the city. It houses kindergarten through fifth grade classes for public school students within the city limits; similar services are provided to residents of Fox Township and Jay Township by, respectively, the Fox Township Elementary School in Kersey and the Bennett's Valley Elementary School in Weedville.

The St. Marys Area Middle School and the St. Marys Area High School are located next to each other on a large complex near the edge of the city. Grades 6-8 are taught at the middle school, and grades 9-12 are taught at the high school.

Landmarks
Decker's Chapel - built by Michael Decker after a back injury, it has been called the smallest chapel in America. It is located on South St. Marys Road.

St. Joseph's Monastery - home of the Benedictine Sisters of Elk County, the oldest Benedictine women's religious order in the United States. Sisters still serve the community today. It was founded in 1852.

Straub Brewery - Founded in 1831. Originally from the Pittsburgh area, the founder made a move to St. Marys in the 1850s. Tours of the brewery include a stop at the "Eternal Tap," at which a person can drink a free glass of Straub beer.

Notable natives

 * Dr. George Albee - Psychologist
 * General Edward Meyer-Army General
 * Joe Beimel, pitcher, Colorado Rockies
 * Dan Conners, Linebacker, Oakland Raiders
 * Chuck Daly - basketball coach