Beaver County is a county in the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania. As of the 2020 census, the population was 168,215. Its county seat is Beaver, and its largest city is Aliquippa. The county is part of the Greater Pittsburgh region of the commonwealth.

History

Beaver County was created on March 12, 1800, from parts of Allegheny and Washington counties. It took its name from the Beaver River.

thumb|upright=1.1|Original township in 1800

The original townships at the date of the erection of Beaver County in 1800 were North Beaver, in what would eventually become Lawrence County, east and west of the Big Beaver Creek; South Beaver, west of the Big Beaver; Sewickley, east of the Big Beaver—all north of the Ohio River; Hanover, in the southeastern corner of the county; and lastly, First Moon, and Second Moon, south of the Ohio. Beaver County has a hot-summer humid continental climate (Dfa). Average monthly temperatures in the Beaver/Rochester vicinity range from 29.4 °F in January to 73.2 °F in July. Beaver County is one of the 423 counties served by the Appalachian Regional Commission, and it is identified as part of the "Midlands" by Colin Woodard in his book American Nations: A History of the Eleven Rival Regional Cultures of North America.

Bodies of water

  • The Ohio River flows north through Beaver County from a point near Ambridge, then turns west near Beaver and on to the Ohio and West Virginia borders. It divides the southern third of the county from the northern two-thirds.
  • The Beaver River flows south from Lawrence County entering Beaver County near Koppel and continuing south to its confluence with the Ohio near Beaver.

Adjacent counties

  • Lawrence County (north)
  • Butler County (east)
  • Allegheny County (southeast)
  • Washington County (south)
  • Hancock County, West Virginia (west)
  • Columbiana County, Ohio (west)

Protected areas

  • Phillis Island and Georgetown Island, part of the Ohio River Islands National Wildlife Refuge
  • Raccoon Creek State Park
  • Brady’s Run Park
  • Brush Creek Park
  • Buttermilk Falls Park
  • Old Economy Park

Demographics

2020 census

As of the 2020 census, the county had a population of 168,215. The median age was 45.6 years. 19.1% of residents were under the age of 18 and 22.2% of residents were 65 years of age or older. For every 100 females there were 96.1 males, and for every 100 females age 18 and over there were 94.1 males age 18 and over.

The racial makeup of the county was 86.2% White, 6.6% Black or African American, 0.1% American Indian and Alaska Native, 0.6% Asian, <0.1% Native Hawaiian and Pacific Islander, 0.8% from some other race, and 5.6% from two or more races. Hispanic or Latino residents of any race comprised 2.1% of the population.

71.1% of residents lived in urban areas, while 28.9% lived in rural areas.

There were 71,971 households in the county, of which 24.6% had children under the age of 18 living in them. Of all households, 46.3% were married-couple households, 19.4% were households with a male householder and no spouse or partner present, and 27.6% were households with a female householder and no spouse or partner present. About 31.1% of all households were made up of individuals and 14.6% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older.

!Pop 2010

!

!% 2000

!% 2010

!

|-

|White alone (NH)

|167,018

|154,196

|style='background: #ffffe6; |143,881

|92.06%

|90.41%

|style='background: #ffffe6; |85.53%

|-

|Black or African American alone (NH)

|10,728

|10,586

|style='background: #ffffe6; |11,069

|5.91%

|6.20%

|style='background: #ffffe6; |6.58%

|-

|Native American or Alaska Native alone (NH)

|156

|158

|style='background: #ffffe6; |195

|0.08%

|0.09%

|style='background: #ffffe6; |0.11%

|-

|Asian alone (NH)

|450

|717

|style='background: #ffffe6; |1,022

|0.24%

|0.42%

|style='background: #ffffe6; |0.60%

|-

|Pacific Islander alone (NH)

|19

|32

|style='background: #ffffe6; |53

|0.01%

|0.01%

|style='background: #ffffe6; |0.03%

|-

|Other race alone (NH)

|173

|141

|style='background: #ffffe6; |613

|0.09%

|0.08%

|style='background: #ffffe6; |0.36%

|-

|Mixed race or Multiracial (NH)

|1,553

|2,711

|style='background: #ffffe6; |7,771

|0.85%

|1.58%

|style='background: #ffffe6; |4.61%

|-

|Hispanic or Latino (any race)

|1,315

|1,998

|style='background: #ffffe6; |3,611

|0.72%

|1.17%

|style='background: #ffffe6; |2.14%

|-

|Total

|181,412

|170,539

|style='background: #ffffe6; |168,215

|100.00%

|100.00%

|style='background: #ffffe6; |100.00%

|}

2000 census

As of the 2000 census, there were 181,412 people, 72,576 households, and 50,512 families residing in the county. The population density was . There were 77,765 housing units at an average density of . The racial makeup of the county was 92.55% White, 5.96% Black or African American, 0.10% Native American, 0.25% Asian, 0.01% Pacific Islander, 0.20% from other races, and 0.92% from two or more races. 0.72% of the population were Hispanic or Latino of any race. 23.0% were of German, 17.4% Italian, 9.9% Irish, 6.5% English, 6.4% Polish and 5.8% American ancestry.

There were 72,576 households, out of which 28.60% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 54.50% were married couples living together, 11.40% had a female householder with no husband present, and 30.40% were non-families. Of all households 26.90% were made up of individuals, and 13.10% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.44 and the average family size was 2.96.

In the county, the age distribution of the population shows 22.60% under the age of 18, 7.40% from 18 to 24, 27.30% from 25 to 44, 24.20% from 45 to 64, and 18.40% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 41 years. For every 100 females, there were 91.90 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 88.20 males.

Government and politics

thumb|2024 Presidential Election by Township and City <br />Trump:

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Voter registration

In November 2008, there were 118,269 registered voters in Beaver County.

  • Democratic: 70,819 (59.88%)
  • Republican: 36,239 (30.64%)
  • Other parties/non-partisan: 11,211 (9.48%)

By April 2016, there were 109,091 registered voters, a decrease of 7.7% since 2008.

The county is divided into 129 precincts.

  • Democratic: 58,828 (53.93%)
  • Republican: 38,015 (34.85%)
  • Other parties/non-partisan: 12,248 (11.23%)

As of January 8, 2024, there were 111,767 registered voters in Beaver county. Republicans hold a plurality of voters by a margin of just 190 voters (less than 1% of the total registered), after overtaking Dems at the end of December 2023. There were 48,229 registered Republicans, 48,039 registered Democrats, 10,390 registered non-affiliated voters and 5,109 voters registered to other parties.

{| class="wikitable float"

! colspan = 6 | Voter registration and party enrollment

|-

! colspan = 2 | Party

! Number of voters

! Percentage

|-

|

| Republican

| style="text-align:center;"| 51,030

| style="text-align:center;"| 43.15%

|-

|

| Democratic

| style="text-align:center;"| 48,008

| style="text-align:center;"| 42.98%

|-

|

| Independent

| style="text-align:center;" | 10,390

| style="text-align:center;" | 9.30%

|-

|

| Third Party

| style="text-align:center;" | 5,109

| style="text-align:center;" | 4.57%

|-

! colspan="2" | Total

! style="text-align:center;" | 111,767

! style="text-align:center;" | 100%

|}

Political history

Beaver County used to be a Democratic stronghold, and had a slight Democratic edge in registration until 2023. In 2015, the GOP took majority status in the Commissioners' Office for the first time since 1955. In 2004, Democrat John Kerry won Beaver County over Republican George W. Bush 51% to 48%. In 2008, Republican John McCain defeated Democrat Barack Obama 50% to 47%, becoming the first Republican to win there since 1972 and only the third since 1928. Mitt Romney and Donald Trump (thrice) carried the county in the next four elections. In 2010, Republican Governor Tom Corbett and Republican Senator Pat Toomey both carried Beaver in their successful statewide bids, and Toomey won the county again in 2016. However, Democrats have still seen recent success in Beaver County in non-presidential races, with Democrats often being competitive in the county in Senate and gubernatorial elections. Beaver County voted for Bob Casey Jr. in his reelection bid in 2012 50% to 47%, and again voted to re-elect Casey in 2018, as well as Democrat Tom Wolf.

In 2022, Democratic gubernatorial candidate Josh Shapiro defeated Republican Doug Mastriano in the county, but was the only Democrat that cycle to do so.

County commissioners

{| class="wikitable"

|-

! Commissioner !! Party !! Title

|-

| Daniel C. Camp III || Republican || Chairman

|-

| Tony Amadio || Democratic ||

|-

| Jack Manning || Republican ||

|-

|}

County officials

{| class="wikitable"

|-

! Office !! Official !! Party

|-

| Clerk of Courts || Judy R. Enslen || Democratic

|-

| Controller || Maria Longo || Republican

|-

| Coroner || David Gabauer|| Republican

|-

| District Attorney|| Nathan Bible || Democratic

|-

| Prothonotary || Jodi Janicki-Jones || Republican

|-

| Recorder of Deeds || Ronald Alberti || Republican

|-

| Register of Wills || Tracey Antoline Patton || Democratic

|-

| Sheriff || Tony Guy || Republican

|-

| Treasurer || Sandie Egley || Republican

|}

Governor

  • Josh Shapiro, Democratic, 48thPennsylvania Governor

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State representatives

{|class="wikitable"

|-

!District !! Representative !! Party

|-

| 14 || Roman Kozak || Republican

|-

| 15 || Josh Kail || Republican

|-

| 16 || Robert Matzie || Democratic

|}

State senators

{|class="wikitable"

|-

!District !! Senator !! Party

|-

| 46 || Camera Bartolotta || Republican

|-

| 47 || Elder Vogel || Republican

|}

United States House of Representatives

{|class="wikitable"

|-

!District !! Representative !! Party

|-

| 17 || Chris Deluzio || Democratic

|}

United States Senate

{|class="wikitable"

|-

!Senator !! Party

|-

| Dave McCormick || Republican

|-

| John Fetterman || Democratic

|}

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Recreation

There are two Buttermilk Falls in Beaver County. The one in Buttermilk Falls county park in Homewood is the highest. In Brighton Township there is Brady's Run Park. Racoon Creek State Park is listed as one of Pennsylvania's top fifteen state parks. The park encompasses and features the Raccoon Lake, a wildflower preserve, and the Frankfort Mineral Springs.

Transportation

Major roads and highways

Public transit

Beaver County Transit Authority

Airports

  • Beaver County Airport
  • Zelienople Municipal Airport

Education

Colleges and universities

  • Geneva College
  • Penn State Beaver Campus
  • Trinity Episcopal School for Ministry

Community, junior, and technical colleges

  • Community College of Beaver County

thumb|300 px|right|Map of Beaver County, Pennsylvania public school districts. Note that two districts on this map, Monaca School District and Center Area School District, merged in 2009 to form the [[Central Valley School District (Pennsylvania)|Central Valley School District.]]

Public school districts

  • Aliquippa School District
  • Ambridge Area School District
  • Beaver Area School District
  • Big Beaver Falls Area School District
  • Blackhawk School District (part)
  • Central Valley School District
  • Freedom Area School District
  • Hopewell Area School District
  • Midland Borough School District
  • New Brighton Area School District
  • Riverside Beaver County School District
  • Rochester Area School District
  • South Side Area School District
  • Western Beaver County School District

High schools

  • Aliquippa High School
  • Ambridge Area High School
  • Beaver Area High School
  • Beaver County Christian High School
  • Beaver Falls High School
  • Blackhawk High School
  • Central Valley High School
  • Freedom Area High School
  • Hopewell High School
  • Lincoln Park Performing Arts Charter School
  • New Brighton High School
  • Quigley Catholic High School
  • Riverside High School
  • Rochester Area High School
  • South Side Beaver High School
  • Western Beaver High School

Charter schools

As reported by the Pennsylvania Department of Education – EdNA, as of April 2010.

  • Baden Academy Charter School (grades K–6)
  • Lincoln Park Performing Arts Charter School (grades 7–12)
  • Midland Innovation + Technology Charter School (grades 9-12) (announced closure in August 2025)

Private schools

As reported by the Pennsylvania Department of Education – EdNA, as of April 2010.

  • Agapeland Children Garden – Beaver
  • Beaver County Christian School -Upper – Beaver Falls
  • Beaver Co Christian -West Park Elementary – Beaver Falls
  • Bethel Christian School – Aliquippa
  • Deliverance Temple Ministries ROOTS Inc Christian Academy – Aliquippa
  • Hope Christian Academy – Aliquippa
  • North Hills Christian School – Baden
  • Our Lady of Fatima School – Aliquippa
  • Pleasant Hill Wesleyan Academy – Hookstown
  • Quigley Catholic High School – Baden
  • St John the Baptist School – Monaca
  • St Monica Catholic Academy – Beaver Falls
  • Sts Peter & Paul School – Beaver
  • Sylvania Hills Christian – Rochester

Former school districts

In 2009, Center Area School District and Monaca School District merged to form Central Valley School District.

Communities

right|thumb|250px|Map of Beaver County, Pennsylvania with municipal labels showing cities and boroughs (red), townships (white), and census-designated places (blue)

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 in Beaver County:

Cities

  • Aliquippa
  • Beaver Falls

Boroughs

  • Ambridge
  • Baden
  • Beaver (county seat)
  • Big Beaver
  • Bridgewater
  • Conway
  • Darlington
  • East Rochester
  • Eastvale
  • Economy
  • Ellwood City (mostly in Lawrence County)
  • Fallston
  • Frankfort Springs
  • Freedom
  • Georgetown
  • Glasgow
  • Homewood
  • Hookstown
  • Industry
  • Koppel
  • Midland
  • Monaca
  • New Brighton
  • New Galilee
  • Ohioville
  • Patterson Heights
  • Rochester
  • Shippingport
  • South Heights
  • West Mayfield

Townships

  • Brighton
  • Center
  • Chippewa
  • Darlington
  • Daugherty
  • Franklin
  • Greene
  • Hanover
  • Harmony
  • Hopewell
  • Independence
  • Marion
  • New Sewickley
  • North Sewickley
  • Patterson
  • Potter
  • Pulaski
  • Raccoon
  • Rochester
  • South Beaver
  • Vanport
  • White

Census-designated places

  • Frisco
  • Hazen

Unincorporated communities

  • Byersdale
  • Cannelton
  • Fombell
  • Gringo
  • Harshaville
  • Kobuta
  • Unionville
  • West Aliquippa

Former communities

  • Borough Township, established in 1804 from the small southeast corner of South Beaver Township. In 1970, it was renamed Vanport Township.
  • First Moon Township, split from Moon Township in Allegheny County in 1800, and was abolished in 1812 after the county was restructured.
  • Little Beaver Township, which was part of Beaver County from 1801 until 1849, when Lawrence County was created.
  • Moon Township, established in 1812 in most of the territories of First and Second Moon Townships. It originally held the portion of the county South of the Ohio River. Over the next century, parts of the Township were split into Center, Potter, and Racoon Townships. It became extinct in 1932 after the remaining portion was annexed by Monaca, as the ward of Monaca Heights.
  • North Beaver Township, which was one of the original townships of Beaver County, from its creation in 1799, until 1849, when Lawrence County was created.
  • Perry Township, which was part of Beaver County from 1845 until 1849, when Lawrence County was created.
  • Second Moon Township, split from Moon Township in Allegheny County in 1800, and was abolished in 1812 after the county was restructured.
  • Sewickley Township, split from Pine Township in Allegheny County in 1797, and originally held the portion of the county East of the Beaver River. It was split into North Sewickley and New Sewickley Townships in 1801.
  • Shenango Township, which was part of Beaver County from 1804 until 1849, when Lawrence County was created.
  • Slippery Rock Township, which was part of Beaver County from 1837 until 1849, when Lawrence County was created.
  • Wayne Township, which was part of Beaver County from 1845 until 1849, when Lawrence County was created.

Population ranking

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

† county seat

{| class="wikitable sortable"

|-

!Rank

!City/town/etc.

!Population (2010 Census)

!Municipal type

!Incorporated

|- style="background-color:#FFFACD;"

| 1

| Aliquippa

| 9,438

| City

| 1928 (borough) 1987 (city)

|- style="background-color:#FFFACD;"

| 2

| Beaver Falls

| 8,987

| City

| 1868 (borough) 1928 (city)

|- style="background-color:#FFF5EE;"

| 3

| Economy

| 8,970

| Borough

| 1957

|- style="background-color:#FFF5EE;"

| 4

| Ellwood City (mostly in Lawrence County)

| 7,921

| Borough

|

|- style="background-color:#FFF5EE;"

| 5

| Ambridge

| 7,050

| Borough

| 1905

|- style="background-color:#FFF5EE;"

| 6

| New Brighton

| 6,025

| Borough

| 1838

|- style="background-color:#FFF5EE;"

| 7

| Monaca

| 5,737

| Borough

| 1840

|- style="background-color:#FFF5EE;"

| 8

| † Beaver

| 4,531

| Borough

| 1802

|- style="background-color:#FFF5EE;"

| 9

| Baden

| 4,135

| Borough

| 1868

|- style="background-color:#FFF5EE;"

| 10

| Rochester

| 3,657

| Borough

| 1849

|- style="background-color:#FFF5EE;"

| 11

| Ohioville

| 3,533

| Borough

| 1860

|- style="background-color:#F0FFF0;"

| 12

| Harmony Township

| 3,197

| CDP and township

| 1851

|- style="background-color:#F0FFF0;"

| 13

| Patterson Township

| 3,029

| CDP and township

| 1845

|- style="background-color:#FFF5EE;"

| 14

| Midland

| 2,635

| Borough

| 1906

|- style="background-color:#FFF5EE;"

| 15

| Conway

| 2,176

| Borough

| 1902

|- style="background-color:#FFF5EE;"

| 16

| Big Beaver

| 1,970

| Borough

| 1858

|- style="background-color:#FFF5EE;"

| 17

| Industry

| 1,835

| Borough

| 1960

|- style="background-color:#FFF5EE;"

| 18

| Freedom

| 1,569

| Borough

| 1838

|- style="background-color:#FFF5EE;"

| 19

| West Mayfield

| 1,239

| Borough

| 1923

|- style="background-color:#FFF5EE;"

| 20

| Koppel

| 762

| Borough

| 1910

|- style="background-color:#FFF5EE;"

| 21

| Bridgewater

| 704

| Borough

| 1835

|- style="background-color:#FFF5EE;"

| 22

| Patterson Heights

| 636

| Borough

| 1899

|- style="background-color:#FFF5EE;"

| 23

| East Rochester

| 567

| Borough

| 1908

|- style="background-color:#FFF5EE;"

| 24

| South Heights

| 475

| Borough

| 1910

|- style="background-color:#FFF5EE;"

| 25

| New Galilee

| 379

| Borough

| 1854

|- style="background-color:#FFF5EE;"

| 26

| Fallston

| 266

| Borough

| 1829

|- style="background-color:#FFF5EE;"

| 27

| Darlington

| 254

| Borough

| 1820

|- style="background-color:#FFF5EE;"

| 28

| Eastvale

| 225

| Borough

| 1892

|- style="background-color:#FFF5EE;"

| 29

| Shippingport

| 214

| Borough

| 1910

|- style="background-color:#FFF5EE;"

| 30

| Georgetown

| 174

| Borough

| 1850

|- style="background-color:#FFF5EE;"

| 31

| Hookstown

| 147

| Borough

| 1843

|- style="background-color:#FFF5EE;"

| 32

| Frankfort Springs

| 130

| Borough

| 1844

|- style="background-color:#FFF5EE;"

| 33

| Homewood

| 109

| Borough

| 1910

|- style="background-color:#FFF5EE;"

| 34

| Glasgow

| 60

| Borough

| 1854

|}

Notable people

  • Sam Adams – early explorer of the American west
  • Gust Avrakotos – CIA operative active in Operation Cyclone
  • Julian Michael Carver – science fiction novelist known for his usage of dinosaurs in fiction
  • Jim Covert – former NFL offensive tackle for the Chicago Bears, inducted into the College Football Hall of Fame in 2003
  • Ed DeChellis – head men's basketball coach for The Naval Academy
  • Mike Ditka – former NFL tight end for the Chicago Bears, Philadelphia Eagles and Dallas Cowboys, and head coach for the Chicago Bears and New Orleans Saints, inducted into the Pro Football Hall of Fame in 1988 (as a tight end)
  • Tony Dorsett – former NFL running back for the Dallas Cowboys and Denver Broncos, inducted into both the Pro and College Football Hall of Fame in 1994
  • Shane Douglas – born Troy Martin, professional wrestler, best known with Extreme Championship Wrestling, having also wrestled for World Championship Wrestling, Total Nonstop Action Wrestling, and (briefly) with the World Wrestling Federation. He is also a former teacher for Beaver Area High School
  • Terry Francona – former Major League Baseball first baseman and outfielder for the Montreal Expos, Chicago Cubs, Cincinnati Reds, Cleveland Indians and Milwaukee Brewers, and former manager for the Philadelphia Phillies and Boston Red Sox
  • Sean Gilbert – former NFL defensive lineman for the Los Angeles/St. Louis Rams, Washington Redskins, Carolina Panthers and Oakland Raiders
  • Donnie Iris – musician, former member of The Jaggerz and Wild Cherry, also notable for his solo performances
  • Ty Law – former NFL cornerback for the New England Patriots, New York Jets, Kansas City Chiefs and Denver Broncos
  • Joe Letteri – three-time Academy Award-winning visual imaging artist, and visual effects supervisor of the movie Avatar
  • Henry Mancini – music composer, including "Moon River" and "The Pink Panther Theme", among many others
  • "Pistol" Pete Maravich – former NBA guard for the Atlanta Hawks, New Orleans/Utah Jazz and Boston Celtics, inducted into the Basketball Hall of Fame in 1987
  • Press Maravich – former NCAA Basketball coach
  • Nate Martin – Entrepreneur and "Founding Father of Escape Rooms"
  • Doc Medich – former Major League Baseball pitcher for the New York Yankees, Pittsburgh Pirates, Oakland Athletics, Seattle Mariners, New York Mets, Texas Rangers and Milwaukee Brewers
  • Ryan "Archie" Miller – current NCAA Basketball coach for the Rhode Island Rams, and former NCAA Basketball coach for the Dayton Flyers and Indiana Hoosiers.
  • Sean Miller – current NCAA Basketball coach for the Xavier Musketeers, and former NCAA Basketball coach for the Arizona Wildcats
  • Joe Namath – former NFL and AFL quarterback for the New York Jets and Los Angeles Rams, inducted into the Pro Football Hall of Fame in 1985
  • Babe Parilli – former NFL and AFL quarterback for the Green Bay Packers, Cleveland Browns, Oakland Raiders, Boston Patriots and New York Jets, former CFL quarterback for the Ottawa Rough Riders, and All-American quarterback for the University of Kentucky
  • Paul Posluszny – NFL linebacker for the Jacksonville Jaguars
  • Dan Radakovich – Athletics Director for the Georgia Tech Yellow Jackets
  • Darrelle Revis – NFL cornerback for the New York Jets
  • Jesse Steinfeld – former Surgeon General of the United States
  • Pete Suder – former Major League Baseball infielder for the Philadelphia Athletics/Kansas City Athletics
  • Mark Vlasic – former NFL quarterback for the San Diego Chargers, Kansas City Chiefs and Tampa Bay Buccaneers
  • William Ziegler – industrialist and co-founder of the Royal Baking Powder Company

See also

  • List of Pennsylvania state historical markers in Beaver County
  • National Register of Historic Places listings in Beaver County, Pennsylvania
  • Ohio River Trail

Bibliography

Notes

References

  • Beaver County website
  • Beaver County history