Northumberland County, Pennsylvania

History

Before European settlement the area was inhabited by the Akhrakouaeronon or Atrakouaehronon, a subtribe of the Susquehannock. By 1813 the area once comprising the sprawling county of Northumberland had been divided over time and allotted to other counties such that lands once occupied by Old Northumberland at its greatest extent are now found in Centre, Columbia, Luzerne, Lycoming, Mifflin, Union, Clearfield, Clinton, Montour, Bradford, Lackawanna, Susquehanna, Wyoming, Tioga, Potter, McKean, Warren, Venango, Snyder, and Schuylkill Counties.

Geography

According to the U.S. Census Bureau, the county has a total area of 478 sqmi, of which 458 sqmi is land and 19 sqmi (4.0%) is water.

The county has a humid continental climate (Dfa/Dfb). Average temperatures in Sunbury range from 27.3 °F in January to 72.7 °F in July, while in Mount Carmel they range from 25.0 °F in January to 70.2 °F in July.

The main river in Northumberland County is the Susquehanna River. The Susquehanna River's tributaries in the county include the West Branch Susquehanna River, Chillisquaque Creek, Shamokin Creek, and Mahanoy Creek. The county has mountains in the south and north, with the rest being mostly rolling hills.

Mountains

Major highways

Adjacent counties

• Lycoming County (north)
• Montour County (northeast)
• Columbia County (east)
• Schuylkill County (southeast)
• Dauphin County (south)
• Perry County (southwest)
• Juniata County (west)
• Snyder County (west)
• Union County (west)

Demographics

|align-fn=center 1790–1960 1900–1990 1990–2000 2010–2017 2010-2020

2020 census

As of the 2020 census, the county had a population of 91,647. The median age was 44.5 years. 20.0% of residents were under the age of 18 and 21.6% of residents were 65 years of age or older. For every 100 females there were 101.3 males, and for every 100 females age 18 and over there were 100.1 males age 18 and over.

The racial makeup of the county was 90.4% White, 2.8% Black or African American, 0.2% American Indian and Alaska Native, 0.5% Asian,

64.7% of residents lived in urban areas, while 35.3% lived in rural areas.

There were 37,932 households in the county, of which 25.5% had children under the age of 18 living in them. Of all households, 45.2% were married-couple households, 19.2% were households with a male householder and no spouse or partner present, and 26.9% were households with a female householder and no spouse or partner present. About 31.2% of all households were made up of individuals and 15.4% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older.

There were 43,300 housing units, of which 12.4% were vacant. Among occupied housing units, 70.6% were owner-occupied and 29.4% were renter-occupied. The homeowner vacancy rate was 1.7% and the rental vacancy rate was 9.3%.

Racial and ethnic composition

2000 census

As of the 2000 census, there were 94,556 people, 38,835 households, and 25,592 families residing in the county. The population density was 206 /mi2. There were 43,164 housing units at an average density of 94 /mi2. The racial makeup of the county was 97.09% White, 1.52% Black or African American, 0.10% Native American, 0.22% Asian, 0.02% Pacific Islander, 0.47% from other races, and 0.58% from two or more races. 1.10% of the population were Hispanic or Latino of any race. 32.5% were of German, 12.9% Polish, 9.9% American, 8.2% Italian, 8.1% Irish and 5.8% Dutch ancestry. 95.8% spoke English and 1.5% Spanish as their first language.

There were 38,835 households, out of which 27.30% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 52.40% were married couples living together, 9.60% had a female householder with no husband present, and 34.10% were non-families. 30.20% of all households were made up of individuals, and 15.50% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.34 and the average family size was 2.89.

In the county, the population was spread out, with 21.90% under the age of 18, 7.00% from 18 to 24, 27.70% from 25 to 44, 24.40% from 45 to 64, and 19.00% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 41 years. For every 100 females there were 96.30 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 92.80 males.

Economy

Historically, the main employer of the county were the anthracite coal mines that dotted the landscape, as well as manufacturing factories. However, starting in the 1950s, the coal mines began to gradually close down and the factories started to move out, leading to population decline and economic depression.

Top employers

The top ten employers in Northumberland County are, as of 2023, as follows:

Micropolitan Statistical Area

]]

The United States Office of Management and Budget has designated Northumberland County as the Sunbury, PA Micropolitan Statistical Area (μSA). As of the 2010 census the micropolitan area ranked 2nd most populous in the State of Pennsylvania and the 37th most populous in the United States with a population of 94,528. Northumberland County is also a part of the Bloomsburg–Berwick–Sunbury, PA Combined Statistical Area (CSA), which combines the population of Northumberland County as well as the Columbia, Montour, Snyder and Union County areas. The Combined Statistical Area ranked 8th in the State of Pennsylvania and 115th most populous in the United States with a population of 264,739.

Politics and government

|} As of November 7, 2022, there are 58,632 registered voters in Northumberland County.

• Republican: 31,682 (54.04%)
• Democratic: 18,515 (31.58%)
• Independent: 5,547 (9.46%)
• Third Party: 2,888 (4.93%)

While county-level politics tend to be competitive, Northumberland is a Republican county in most statewide elections. The margins of victory in the county for the Republican presidential candidate in 2000, 2004, and 2008 have been 13, 21, and 14 percentage points, respectively. Governor Ed Rendell narrowly carried it against Lynn Swann while Republican Rick Santorum narrowly carried it against Bob Casey in 2006. The only Democratic statewide candidate to carry the county in 2008 was incumbent Auditor General Jack Wagner. In 2011, the election of Stephen Bridy resulted in a three-way split among the county commissioners.

County commissioners

• Kymberley Best, Democrat
• Joseph Klebon, Republican
• Samuel Schiccatano, Republican

Other county offices

• Clerk of Courts and Prothonotary, Jamie Saleski, Republican
• Controller, Christopher L. Grayson, Democrat
• District Attorney, Anthony Matulewicz III, Republican
• Recorder of Deeds and Register of Wills, Christina Mertz, Republican
• Sheriff, Robert J.Wolfe, Republican
• Treasurer, Kevin P. Gilroy, Republican
• Coroner, James F. Kelley, Democrat

State House of Representatives

Source:

• Joanne Stehr, Republican, 107th district
• Lynda Schlegel-Culver, Republican, 108th district

State Senator

• John Gordner, Republican, 27th district

United States Representative

• Dan Meuser, Republican, 9th district

United States Senate

• John Fetterman, Democrat
• Dave McCormick, Republican

Education

Public school districts

• Danville Area School District (also in Montour County)
• Line Mountain School District
• Milton Area School District (also in Union County)
• Mount Carmel Area School District (also in Columbia County)
• Shamokin Area School District
• Shikellamy School District
• Southern Columbia Area School District (also in Columbia County)
• Warrior Run School District (also in Montour and Union Counties)

Career Tech school

Northumberland County Career Technology Center located in Coal Township

Intermediate Unit

Central Susquehanna Intermediate Unit 16 – The primary service area consists of: Columbia, Montour, Northumberland, Snyder and Union counties in central Pennsylvania. Provides a wide variety of education related services to school districts, private and parochial schools and hame schooled students.

Independent schools

• Bethesda Alternative School, Milton 7–12th grade
• Keefertown Parochial School 1–8th grade
• Maranatha Mennonite Christian School K-12th grade
• Meadowbrook Christian Academy PreK-12th grade
• Meadowview Christian Academy PreK-10th grade
• Northumberland Christian School PreK-12th grade
• Northwestern Academy 5–12th grade
• Our Lady of Lourdes Regional School preK–12th grade
• Schwaben Creek School 1–8th grade
• Spring View Parochial School, Watsontown 1–9th grade
• St Louis De Monfort Academy, Herdon 7–12 grade
• Sunbury Christian Academy, Northumberland K-12th grade
• Sunny Slope Amish Parochial School 1–8th grade
• Telos Educational Services Tutoring Center, Montandon
• Transfiguration Elementary School, Shamokin PreK-8th grade
• Watsontown Christian Academy, Watsontown PreK-12th grade

Communities

Under Pennsylvania law, there are four types of incorporated municipalities: cities, boroughs, townships, and, in one case, a town. The following cities, boroughs, and townships are located in Northumberland County:

Cities

• Shamokin
• Sunbury (county seat)

Boroughs

• Herndon
• Kulpmont
• Marion Heights
• McEwensville
• Milton
• Mount Carmel
• Northumberland
• Riverside
• Snydertown
• Turbotville
• Watsontown

Townships

• Coal
• Delaware
• East Cameron
• East Chillisquaque
• Jackson
• Jordan
• Lewis
• Little Mahanoy
• Lower Augusta
• Lower Mahanoy
• Mount Carmel
• Point
• Ralpho
• Rockefeller
• Rush
• Shamokin
• Turbot
• Upper Augusta
• Upper Mahanoy
• Washington
• West Cameron
• West Chillisquaque
• Zerbe

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.

• Atlas
• Dalmatia
• Dewart
• Edgewood
• Elysburg
• Fairview-Ferndale
• Kapp Heights
• Marshallton
• Montandon
• Ranshaw
• Strong
• Tharptown (Uniontown)
• Trevorton

Unincorporated communities

• Alaska
• Asherton
• Augustaville
• Bear Gap
• Bear Valley
• Big Mountain
• Boyd
• Boydtown
• Burnside
• Cabel
• Caketown
• Cameron
• Chillisquaque
• Chulasky
• Coal Run
• Colonial Park
• Connersville
• Deibler
• Delaware Run
• Diamondtown
• Dooleyville
• Dornsife
• Dunkelbergers
• East Lewisburg
• Excelsior
• Farnsworth
• Fisherdale
• Fishers Ferry
• Five Points
• Gowen City
• Greenback
• Greenbriar
• Hamilton
• Hebe
• Helfenstein
• Hickory Corners
• Hunter
• Kapp
• Keefers
• Keiser
• Kipps Run
• Kline Grove
• Kneass
• Knoebels Grove
• Kulps
• Lantz
• Leck Kill
• Line Mountain
• Lithia Springs
• Locust Gap
• Locust Summit
• Malta
• Mandata
• Mayfair
• Meadowview
• Merrian
• Mile Run
• Millers Crossroads
• Mount Carmel Junction
• Mount Pleasant
• Natalie
• North Hills
• Oak Park
• Oaklyn
• Otto
• Overlook
• Patricksburg
• Paxinos
• Point Breeze
• Potts Grove
• Purdytown
• Quitman
• Rebuck
• Red Cross
• Reed
• Resler
• Rushtown
• Sagon
• Selinsgrove Junction
• Seven Points
• Shady Acres
• Shamrock
• Snufftown
• South Danville
• Springtown
• Stonington
• Sunnyside
• Union Corner
• Urban
• Warrior Run
• West Cameron
• Wolfs Crossroads
• Wolverton
• Yordy

Population ranking

The population ranking of the following table is based on the 2010 census of Northumberland County.

† county seat

References

References

1. "QuickFacts: Northumberland County, PA". United States Census Bureau.
2. "U.S. Census Bureau QuickFacts: Northumberland County, Pennsylvania". Census.gov.
3. "Find a County". National Association of Counties.
4. "Pennsylvania Counties by Class".
5. link. (March 23, 2012)
6. {{usurped
7. (August 22, 2012). "2010 Census Gazetteer Files". United States Census Bureau.
8. "PRISM Climate Group at Oregon State University". Prism.oregonstate.edu.
9. "U.S. Decennial Census". United States Census Bureau.
10. "Historical Census Browser". University of Virginia Library.
11. (March 24, 1995). "Population of Counties by Decennial Census: 1900 to 1990". United States Census Bureau.
12. (April 2, 2001). "Census 2000 PHC-T-4. Ranking Tables for Counties: 1990 and 2000". United States Census Bureau.
13. "State & County QuickFacts". United States Census Bureau.
14. "Census 2020".
15. (2021). "2020 Decennial Census Demographic Profile (DP1)".
16. (2021). "2020 Decennial Census Redistricting Data (Public Law 94-171)".
17. (2023). "2020 Decennial Census Demographic and Housing Characteristics (DHC)".
18. "P004: Hispanic or Latino, and Not Hispanic or Latino by Race – 2000: DEC Summary File 1 – Northumberland County, Pennsylvania". [[United States Census Bureau]].
19. "P2 Hispanic or Latino, and Not Hispanic or Latino by Race – 2010: DEC Redistricting Data (PL 94-171) - Northumberland County, Pennsylvania".
20. "P2 Hispanic or Latino, and Not Hispanic or Latino by Race – 2020: DEC Redistricting Data (PL 94-171) - Northumberland County, Pennsylvania".
21. "U.S. Census website". [[United States Census Bureau]].
22. (2018-01-03). "History of Northumberland County".
23. https://www.pa.gov/content/dam/copapwp-pagov/en/dli/documents/cwia/products/top-50-emp-ind/northumberland_county_top_50.pdf {{Bare URL PDF. (January 2026)
24. "Office of Management and Budget". The White House.
25. Center for New Media and Promotions(C2PO). "2010 Census". census.gov.
26. Leip, David. "Dave Leip's Atlas of U.S. Presidential Elections".
27. (November 5, 2024). "2024 Senate Election (Official Returns)".
28. (November 7, 2022). "Voter registration statistics by county".
29. Center, Legislativate Data Processing. "Find Your Legislator".
30. "Our Lady of Lourdes ONLINE!".
31. "St Louis de Montfort Academy".
32. "Sunbury Christian Academy".
33. Daily Item.com, New tutoring center opens, April 10, 2016
34. (2021). "Other Populated Places in Northumberland County". PA HomeTownLocator.
35. Promotions, Center for New Media and. "US Census Bureau 2010 Census".