Lawrence County, Pennsylvania

History

Lawrence County was created on March 20, 1849, from parts of Beaver and Mercer counties due to the rapid growth of New Castle, which was primarily in Mercer County but was rapidly expanding into Beaver County. The former borders between Beaver and Mercer Counties are still evident in Lawrence County today, as the northern borders of North Beaver Township, Shenango Township, and Slippery Rock Township with (respectively) the southern borders of Mahoning Township, Hickory Township, and Scott Township make up the former boundaries between Beaver and Mercer Counties. In addition, County Line Road in New Castle where the Lawrence County Courthouse is located also marks the former boundaries.

It was named after naval officer James Lawrence, who died during the War of 1812.

Geography

According to the U.S. Census Bureau, the county has a total area of 363 square miles (940 km²), of which 358 square miles (930 km²) is land and 4.5 square miles (12 km²) (1.3%) is water. Major waterways are the Shenango River, Neshannock Creek and the Mahoning River which form the Beaver River. Also, the Slippery Rock Creek and Connoquenessing Creak empty into the Beaver River.

Adjacent counties

Mercer County (north)

Butler County (east)

Beaver County (south)

Columbiana County, Ohio (southwest)

Mahoning County, Ohio (west)

Demographics

As of the 2000 United States Census there were 94,643 people, 37,091 households, and 25,889 families residing in the county. The population density was 263 people per square mile (101/km²). There were 39,635 housing units at an average density of 110 per square mile (42/km²). The racial makeup of the county was 94.98% White, 3.61% Black or African American, 0.10% Native American, 0.27% Asian, 0.01% Pacific Islander, 0.19% from other races, and 0.84% from two or more races. 0.56% of the population were Hispanic or Latino of any race. 26.1% were of Italian, 21.7% German, 9.3% Irish, 6.8% English and 6.8% Polish ancestry according to Census 2000.

There were 37,091 households out of which 28.80% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 54.50% were married couples living together, 11.50% had a female householder with no husband present, and 30.20% were non-families. 27.00% of all households were made up of individuals and 14.40% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.47 and the average family size was 3.00.

In the county, the population was spread out with 23.10% under the age of 18, 8.30% from 18 to 24, 25.70% from 25 to 44, 23.60% from 45 to 64, and 19.30% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 40 years. For every 100 females there were 90.60 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 86.90 males.

Micropolitan Statistical Area

The United States Office of Management and Budget has designated Lawrence County as the New Castle, PA Micropolitan Statistical Area (µSA). As of the 2010 U.S. Census the micropolitan area ranked 3rd most populous in the State of Pennsylvania and the 48th most populous in the United States with a population of 91,108. Lawrence County is also a part of the Pittsburgh-New Castle-Weirton, PA-OH-WV Combined Statistical Area (CSA), which combines the population of Lawrence, as well as the Allegheny, Armstrong, Beaver, Butler, Fayette, Indiana, Washington and Westmoreland county areas in Pennsylvania. In West Virginia the counties included are Brooke and Hancock. And in Ohio, Jefferson County. The Combined Statistical Area ranked 4th in the State of Pennsylvania and 20th most populous in the United States with a population of 2,660,727.

Government and politics

As of November 2008, there are 62,505 registered voters in Lawrence County.

Democratic: 34,728 (55.56%)

Republican: 22,509 (36.01%)

Other Parties: 5,268 (8.43%)

County commissioners

Dan Vogler, Chairman, Republican

Bob Del Signore, Republican

Steve Craig, Democrat

Other county officials

Clerk of Courts and Prothonotary, Helen Morgan, Democrat

Controller, David Gettings, Republican

District Attorney, Joshua Lamancusa, Democrat

Register of Wills and Recorder of Deeds, Janet Kalajainen, Democrat

Sheriff, Perry Quahliero, Democrat

Treasurer, Richard Rapone, Democrat

State Representatives

Christopher Sainato, Democrat, 9th district

Jaret Gibbons, Democrat, 10th district

Parke Wentling, Republican, 17th district

State Senators

Elder Vogel, Republican, 47th district

Michele Brooks, Republican, 50th district

US Representative

Keith Rothfus, Republican, 12th district

Mike Kelly, Republican, 3rd district

Pennsylvania State Police Station Commander, Sergeant William J. Link, Jr.

Colleges

Butler Community College Lawrence Crossing Campus

Erie Business College

Westminster College - New Wilmington

Public school districts

Blackhawk School District (part)

Ellwood City Area School District (part)

Laurel School District

Mohawk Area School District

Neshannock Township School District

New Castle Area School District

Shenango School District

Union Area School District

Wilmington Area School District (part)

Tech schools

Erie Business Center South - New Castle (Closed 2014)

Lawrence County Career Technology Center - New Castle

New Castle School of Trades - New Castle

Private schools

Per data provided at Pennsylvania EdNA

Libraries

Ellwood City Area Public Library

F D Campbell Memorial Library - Bessemer

Lawrence County Federated Library System - New Castle

New Castle Public Library

Airports

New Castle Municipal Airport

Public transit

New Castle Area Transit Authority

Major roads

I-76 / Penna Turnpike

Interstate 79

Interstate 376

Pennsylvania Route 18

Pennsylvania Route 65

Pennsylvania Route 388

Pennsylvania Route 551

U.S. Route 19

U.S. Route 224

U.S. Route 422

Parks

Cascade Park (New Castle)

Ewing Park (Ellwood City)

Gaston Park (New Castle)

McConnells Mill State Park (Slippery Rock Twp)

Pearson Park (Neshannock Twp)

West Park Nature Center (Union Twp)

Marti Park

New Wilmington Borough Park

State Game Lands

SGL 148 (New Beaver)

SGL 150 (Pulaski Twp)

SGL 151 (Washington Twp)

SGL 178 (Neshannock Twp)

SGL 216 (Scott Twp)

Trails

North Country Trail

Stavich Bike Trail

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 Lawrence County:

City

New Castle (county seat)

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.

Chewton

Frizzleburg

New Bedford

New Castle Northwest

Oakland

Oakwood

West Pittsburg

Unincorporated communities

Various unincorporated communities that lie within and are part of official municipalities.

Former community

Big Beaver Borough- was encepted on March 7, 1958. Until that date it was known as Big Beaver Township which was formed in 1802 when South Beaver Township was divided. In 1849 when Lawrence County was created, the new county line split Big Beaver leaving a township of that name in each county. Big Beaver in Lawrence County is now known as New Beaver Borough.

Population ranking

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

† county seat