McKean County, Pennsylvania

McKean County is a rural county in the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania. As of the 2020 census, the population was 40,432. Its county seat is Smethport. The county was created in 1804 and organized in 1826. It was named in honor of former Pennsylvania Governor and Declaration of Independence signer Thomas McKean. The county is part of the North Central Pennsylvania region of the state.

McKean County comprises the Bradford, Pennsylvania micropolitan statistical area. It includes the Allegheny National Forest and borders New York. The Allegheny River flows through much of the eastern portion of the county, and the Allegheny Reservoir is accessible on the county’s western border. McKean County boasts of being "The Black Cherry Capital of the World."

McKean County was settled because of its natural resources of oil and timber, both of which continue to provide significant input to the local economy. Today, a university, rural medical center, federal prison and numerous manufacturing companies balance the area's economy.

Geography

According to the U.S. Census Bureau, the county has an area of , of which is land and (0.5%) is water. It has a warm-summer humid continental climate (Dfb) and average monthly temperatures in downtown Bradford range from 23.0 °F in January to 67.6 °F in July, while in Mount Jewett they range from 21.2 °F in January to 65.1 °F in July.

Adjacent counties

Cattaraugus County, New York (north)
Allegany County, New York (northeast)
Potter County (east)
Cameron County (southeast)
Elk County (south)
Forest County (southwest)
Warren County (west)

Major highways

National protected area

Allegheny National Forest (part)
Allegheny National Recreation Area (part)

Demographics

As of the 2000 census, there were 45,936 people, 18,024 households, and 12,094 families residing in the county. The population density was . There were 21,644 housing units at an average density of . The racial makeup of the county was 96.46% White, 1.87% Black, 0.32% Native American, 0.30% Asian, 0.02% Pacific Islander, 0.40% from other races, and 0.61% from two or more races. 1.06% of the population were Hispanic or Latino of any race. 35.0% German, 22.2% Irish, 14.6% Italian, 12.3% English, 10.0% Swedish, 8.6% American, 5.8% Polish, and 3.7% French ancestry.

There were 18,024 households, out of which 30.50% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 52.50% were married couples living together, 10.10% had a female householder with no husband present, and 32.90% were non-families. 28.30% of all households were made up of individuals, and 13.30% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.40 and the average family size was 2.93.

In the county, the age distribution of the population shows 23.70% under the age of 18, 7.90% from 18 to 24, 28.50% from 25 to 44, 23.20% from 45 to 64, and 16.70% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 39 years. For every 100 females there were 100.40 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 98.70 males.

2020 census

As of the 2020 census, the county had a population of 40,432. The median age was 44.0 years. 20.1% of residents were under the age of 18 and 20.7% of residents were 65 years of age or older. For every 100 females there were 103.2 males, and for every 100 females age 18 and over there were 102.1 males age 18 and over.

The racial makeup of the county was majority White, with smaller Black or African American, American Indian and Alaska Native, Asian, Pacific Islander, some other race, and multiracial populations, while Hispanic or Latino residents of any race comprised 1.6% of the population.

27.6% of residents lived in urban areas, while 72.4% lived in rural areas.

There were 16,470 households in the county, of which 25.7% had children under the age of 18 living in them. Of all households, 45.1% were married-couple households, 20.6% were households with a male householder and no spouse or partner present, and 25.4% were households with a female householder and no spouse or partner present. About 31.5% of all households were made up of individuals and 14.7% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older.

!Pop 2010

!% 2000

!% 2010

|White alone (NH)

|44,078

|41,039

|style='background: #ffffe6; |36,991

|95.95%

|94.45%

|style='background: #ffffe6; |91.48%

|Black or African American alone (NH)

|829

|1,008

|style='background: #ffffe6; |849

|1.80%

|2.31%

|style='background: #ffffe6; |2.09%

|Native American or Alaska Native alone (NH)

|132

|83

|style='background: #ffffe6; |102

|0.28%

|0.19%

|style='background: #ffffe6; |0.25%

|Asian alone (NH)

|138

|191

|style='background: #ffffe6; |193

|0.30%

|0.43%

|style='background: #ffffe6; |0.47%

|Pacific Islander alone (NH)

|style='background: #ffffe6; |2

|0.01%

|0.00%

|style='background: #ffffe6; |0.00%

|Other race alone (NH)

|29

|13

|style='background: #ffffe6; |82

|0.06%

|0.02%

|style='background: #ffffe6; |0.20%

|Mixed race or Multiracial (NH)

|239

|356

|style='background: #ffffe6; |1,571

|0.52%

|0.81%

|style='background: #ffffe6; |3.88%

|Hispanic or Latino (any race)

|485

|757

|style='background: #ffffe6; |642

|1.05%

|1.74%

|style='background: #ffffe6; |1.58%

|Total

|45,936

|43,450

|style='background: #ffffe6; |40,432

|100.00%

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

Micropolitan Statistical Area

The United States Office of Management and Budget has designated McKean County as the Bradford, PA micropolitan statistical area (USA). As of the 2010 U.S. census the micropolitan area ranked 13th most populous in Pennsylvania and the 277th most populous in the United States with a population of 43,450.

Law and government

Voter registration

As of February 21, 2022, there are 24,893 registered voters in McKean County.

Democratic: 6,037 (24.25%)
Republican: 15,357 (61.69%)
Independent: 2,296 (9.22%)
Third Party: 1,203 (4.83%)

State Senate

Cris Dush, Republican, Pennsylvania's 25th Senatorial District

State House of Representatives

Martin T. Causer, Republican, Pennsylvania's 67th Representative District