# Jefferson County, Pennsylvania

Jefferson County is a county in the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania. As of the 2020 census, the population was 44,492. Its county seat is Brookville. The county was established on March 26, 1804, from part of Lycoming County and later organized in 1830. It is named after President Thomas Jefferson. It is home to Punxsutawney Phil, the most famous groundhog that predicts when spring will come every February 2 on Groundhog Day. The county is part of the North Central Pennsylvania region of the state.

## Geography

According to the U.S. Census Bureau, the county has a total area of 657 square miles (1,700 km$^2$), of which 652 square miles (1,690 km$^2$) is land and 4.4 square miles (11 km$^2$) (0.7%) is water. It has a warm-summer humid continental climate (Dfb) and average monthly temperatures in Brookville range from 24.8 °F in January to 68.8 °F in July, while in Punxsutawney they range from 25.7 °F in January to 69.6 °F in July. Jefferson 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.

### Adjacent counties

* Forest County (northwest)
* Elk County (northeast)
* Clearfield County (east)
* Indiana County (south)
* Armstrong County (southwest)
* Clarion County (west)

### Major highways

* I-80
* US 119
* US 219
* US 322
* PA 28
* PA 36
* PA 310
* PA 410
* PA 536
* PA 830
* PA 899
* PA 949
* PA 950

### Streams

There are many named streams flowing through Jefferson County, far too many to list here. An exhaustive list is presented in a separate article. All those streams eventually flow to the Allegheny River except for Bear Run, 1.36 square miles (3.5 km$^2$), in the southeast which flows into the Susquehanna River. The principal streams and the area of their watersheds that lie within the county are:
* Clarion River: 130.50 square miles (338.0 km$^2$)
** Little Toby Creek: 34.46 square miles (89.3 km$^2$)
** Clear Creek: 20.12 square miles (52.1 km$^2$)
** Cathers Run: 15.69 square miles (40.6 km$^2$)
** Mill Creek: 30.70 square miles (79.5 km$^2$)
* Redbank Creek: 375.52 square miles (972.6 km$^2$)
** North Fork Creek: 91.63 square miles (237.3 km$^2$)
*** Clear Run: 9.79 square miles (25.4 km$^2$)
*** Pekin Run: 10.12 square miles (26.2 km$^2$)
** Sandy Lick Creek: 143.98 square miles (372.9 km$^2$)
*** Wolf Run: 18.19 square miles (47.1 km$^2$)
*** Soldier Run: 11.09 square miles (28.7 km$^2$)
*** Trout Run: 10.74 square miles (27.8 km$^2$)
*** Mill Creek: 53.69 square miles (139.1 km$^2$)
*** Fivemile Run: 17.55 square miles (45.5 km$^2$)
*** Falls Creek: 11.39 square miles (29.5 km$^2$)
** Little Sandy Creek: 70.65 square miles (183.0 km$^2$)
* Mahoning Creek: 149.63 square miles (387.5 km$^2$)
** East Branch Mahoning Creek: 15.27 square miles (39.5 km$^2$)
** Stump Creek: 14.86 square miles (38.5 km$^2$)
** Big Run: 19.41 square miles (50.3 km$^2$)
** Canoe Creek: 11.57 square miles (30.0 km$^2$)
** Elk Run: 13.20 square miles (34.2 km$^2$)
** Pine Run: 18.88 square miles (48.9 km$^2$)

## Demographics

As of the census of 2000, there were 45,932 people, 18,375 households, and 12,862 families residing in the county. The population density was 70 people per square mile (27 people/km$^2$). There were 22,104 housing units at an average density of 34 units per square mile (13/km$^2$). The racial makeup of the county was 98.97% White, 0.13% Black or African American, 0.16% Native American, 0.21% Asian, 0.01% Pacific Islander, 0.07% from other races, and 0.45% from two or more races. 0.41% of the population were Hispanic or Latino of any race. 31.1% were of German, 13.4% Italian, 10.8% American, 9.2% Irish and 7.8% English ancestry.
There were 18,375 households, out of which 30.30% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 56.80% were married couples living together, 9.10% had a female householder with no husband present, and 30.00% were non-families. 26.60% of all households were made up of individuals, and 13.80% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.45 and the average family size was 2.96.
In the county, the population was spread out, with 23.60% under the age of 18, 7.70% from 18 to 24, 27.20% from 25 to 44, 23.60% from 45 to 64, and 17.90% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 40 years. For every 100 females there were 95.70 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 92.60 males.

### 2020 census

Jefferson County Racial Composition :
| Race | Num. | Perc. |
| White (NH) | 42,317 | 95.1% |
| Black or African American (NH) | 125 | 0.3% |
| Native American (NH) | 45 | 0.1% |
| Asian (NH) | 100 | 0.2% |
| Pacific Islander (NH) | 8 | 0.02% |
| Other/Mixed (NH) | 1,500 | 3.4% |
| Hispanic or Latino | 397 | 1% |

## Law and government

Jefferson County is a very safe county for the Republican Party, which has won the vote of all but two presidential elections.
United States presidential election results for Jefferson County, Pennsylvania :
| Year | Republican | Republican | Democratic | Democratic | Third party(ies) | Third party(ies) |
| Year | No. | % | No. | % | No. | % |
| 2024 | 18,235 | 78.66% | 4,707 | 20.30% | 241 | 1.04% |
| 2020 | 17,964 | 78.54% | 4,529 | 19.80% | 379 | 1.66% |
| 2016 | 15,192 | 77.53% | 3,650 | 18.63% | 753 | 3.84% |
| 2012 | 13,048 | 71.78% | 4,787 | 26.33% | 343 | 1.89% |
| 2008 | 12,057 | 63.75% | 6,447 | 34.09% | 408 | 2.16% |
| 2004 | 13,371 | 68.36% | 6,073 | 31.05% | 116 | 0.59% |
| 2000 | 11,473 | 65.24% | 5,566 | 31.65% | 547 | 3.11% |
| 1996 | 8,156 | 49.56% | 5,846 | 35.52% | 2,455 | 14.92% |
| 1992 | 7,271 | 41.05% | 5,998 | 33.87% | 4,442 | 25.08% |
| 1988 | 9,743 | 60.48% | 6,235 | 38.71% | 131 | 0.81% |
| 1984 | 11,334 | 65.31% | 5,950 | 34.28% | 71 | 0.41% |
| 1980 | 9,628 | 57.38% | 6,296 | 37.53% | 854 | 5.09% |
| 1976 | 9,437 | 55.09% | 7,456 | 43.53% | 237 | 1.38% |
| 1972 | 11,631 | 68.92% | 5,024 | 29.77% | 221 | 1.31% |
| 1968 | 10,214 | 55.67% | 6,839 | 37.28% | 1,294 | 7.05% |
| 1964 | 8,373 | 43.47% | 10,851 | 56.34% | 37 | 0.19% |
| 1960 | 13,845 | 63.82% | 7,811 | 36.01% | 38 | 0.18% |
| 1956 | 13,051 | 66.26% | 6,627 | 33.64% | 19 | 0.10% |
| 1952 | 11,833 | 64.61% | 6,365 | 34.75% | 116 | 0.63% |
| 1948 | 9,395 | 61.43% | 5,632 | 36.82% | 268 | 1.75% |
| 1944 | 10,970 | 62.52% | 6,425 | 36.62% | 152 | 0.87% |
| 1940 | 12,081 | 58.40% | 8,559 | 41.37% | 47 | 0.23% |
| 1936 | 11,943 | 51.24% | 11,080 | 47.54% | 283 | 1.21% |
| 1932 | 8,246 | 52.48% | 6,570 | 41.81% | 897 | 5.71% |
| 1928 | 13,233 | 74.63% | 4,325 | 24.39% | 173 | 0.98% |
| 1924 | 10,673 | 64.88% | 2,664 | 16.19% | 3,113 | 18.92% |
| 1920 | 7,970 | 66.69% | 3,060 | 25.61% | 920 | 7.70% |
| 1916 | 4,332 | 51.74% | 3,253 | 38.85% | 788 | 9.41% |
| 1912 | 1,608 | 18.65% | 2,510 | 29.11% | 4,504 | 52.24% |
| 1908 | 5,652 | 60.17% | 2,986 | 31.79% | 755 | 8.04% |
| 1904 | 5,860 | 69.09% | 2,095 | 24.70% | 527 | 6.21% |
| 1900 | 5,950 | 62.38% | 3,063 | 32.11% | 525 | 5.50% |
| 1896 | 5,500 | 57.18% | 3,671 | 38.16% | 448 | 4.66% |
| 1892 | 4,100 | 50.41% | 3,251 | 39.97% | 782 | 9.62% |
| 1888 | 4,090 | 53.48% | 3,257 | 42.59% | 301 | 3.94% |

### Voter Registration

As of July 22, 2024, there are 27,731 registered voters in Jefferson County.
* Republican (67.86%)
* Democratic (20.94%)
* Independent (7.56%)
* Third Party (3.64%)
* Republican: 18,817 (67.86%)
* Democratic: 5,809 (20.94%)
* Independent: 2,096 (7.56%)
* Third Party: 1,009 (3.64%)

### County commissioners

* Herbert L. Bullers Jr.(R)
* Scott E. North(R)
* Jeffrey E. Pisarcik(D)

### State Senate

* Cris Dush, District 25
* Joey Pittman, District 41

### State House of Representatives

* Brian Smith, Republican, Pennsylvania's 66th Representative District

### United States House of Representatives

* G.T. Thompson, Republican, Pennsylvania's 15th congressional district

### United States Senate

* David McCormick, Republican
* John Fetterman, Democratic

## Education
### Colleges and universities

* Indiana University of Pennsylvania
* Clarion University of Pennsylvania
* Butler County Community College (Brockway)

### Public school districts

* Brockway Area School District
* Brookville Area School District
* Clarion-Limestone Area School District
* DuBois Area School District
* Punxsutawney Area School District

### Related public entities

* Jefferson County-DuBois AVTS
* Riverview Intermediate Unit #6

### Private schools

* Allens Mills School - Reynoldsville
* Bear Lane School - Punxsutawney
* Blose Hill Amish School - Reynoldsville
* Bucks Run - Reynoldsville
* Canoe Ridge Amish School - Rossiter
* Christ Dominion Academy
* Colonial Drake - Punxsutawney
* Eagles Nest Amish School - Brockway
* Highland Park - Punxsutawney
* Hillside School - Punxsutawney
* Lone Maple School - Punxsutawney
* Maple Grove School - Reynoldsville
* Mountain View School - Punxsutawney
* Munderf Amish School - Brockway
* Oak Grove Parochial School - Smicksburg
* Pine Valley Parochial School - Punxsutawney
* Playhouse Children's Center - Punxsutawney
* Praise Christian Academy - Reynoldsville
* Punxsutawney Christian Sch - Ele Level - Punxsutawney
* Spring Hollow Amish School - Reynoldsville
* Spring Run School - Smickburg
* Sts Cosmas & Damian School - Punxsutawney
* Trout Run School - Punxsutawney
* Valley View School - Punxsutawney
* West Creek Road Amish School - Punxsutawney
* Willow Drive School - Punxsutawney
* Windy Hollow Amish School - Mayport

### Libraries

* Jefferson County Library System - Brockway
* Mengle Memorial Library - Brockway
* Punxsutawney Memorial Library - Punxsutawney
* Rebecca M Arthurs Memorial Library - Brookville
* Reynoldsville Public Library - Reynoldsville
* Summerville Public Library - Summerville
* Sykesville Public Library - Sykesville

### Licensed entities

* Full Circle Inc Boys Home - Reynolds
* Jefferson County Adult Detention Center
* Western Pennsylvania School of Taxidermy - Oliveburg

## Recreation

Two Pennsylvania state parks are in the county.
* Clear Creek State Park is in Barnett and Heath Townships.
* Cook Forest State Park is in Barnett Township and stretches into neighboring Clarion and Forest Counties
The Jefferson County Fair is held annually in July.

## Communities

Under Pennsylvania law, there are four types of incorporated municipalities: cities, boroughs, townships, and, in at most two cases, towns. The following boroughs and townships are located in Jefferson County:

### Boroughs

* Big Run
* Brockway
* Brookville (county seat)
* Corsica
* Falls Creek (partly in Clearfield County)
* Punxsutawney
* Reynoldsville
* Summerville
* Sykesville
* Timblin
* Worthville

### Townships

* Barnett
* Beaver
* Bell
* Clover
* Eldred
* Gaskill
* Heath
* Henderson
* Knox
* McCalmont
* Oliver
* Perry
* Pine Creek
* Polk
* Porter
* Ringgold
* Rose
* Snyder
* Union
* Warsaw
* Washington
* Winslow
* Young

### Census-designated place

* Crenshaw

### Unincorporated communities

* Adrian Mines
* Alaska
* Allens Mills
* Anita
* Baxter
* Beechtree
* Beechwoods
* Bells Mills
* Blowtown
* Bowersville
* Cloe
* Coal Glen
* Conifer
* Content
* Coolspring
* Cortez
* Desire
* Dora
* East Branch
* Ella
* Emerickville
* Fordham
* Forestville
* Frostburg
* Fuller
* Hamilton
* Hazen
* Heathville
* Horatio
* Howe
* Kahletown
* Knox Dale
* Lanes Mills
* Langville
* Markton
* McMinns Summit
* Munderf
* North Freedom
* Ohl
* Oliveburg
* Panic
* Pancoast
* Pansy
* Pardus
* Port Barnett
* Porter
* Prescottville
* Ramsaytown
* Rathmel
* Richardsville
* Ringgold
* Rockdale
* Roseville
* Sandy Valley
* Schoffner Corner
* Sigel
* Soldier
* Sprankle Mills
* Stanton
* Stump Creek
* Sugar Hill
* Valier
* Walston
* Warsaw
* Westville
* Winslow
* Wishaw

### Population ranking

The population ranking of the following table is based on the 2010 census of Jefferson County.
† county seat
| Rank | City/Town/etc. | Municipal type | Population (2020 Census) |
| 1 | Punxsutawney | Borough | 5,769 |
| 2 | † Brookville | Borough | 3,995 |
| 3 | Reynoldsville | Borough | 2,549 |
| 4 | Brockway | Borough | 2,276 |
| 5 | Sykesville | Borough | 1,115 |
| 6 | Falls Creek (partially in Clearfield County) | Borough | 994 |
| 7 | Big Run | Borough | 647 |
| 8 | Summerville | Borough | 504 |
| 9 | Crenshaw | CDP | 468 |
| 10 | Corsica | Borough | 319 |
| 11 | Timblin | Borough | 147 |
| 12 | Worthville | Borough | 80 |

## Notable people

* John T. Morrison, sixth Governor of Idaho from 1903 until 1905; born in Jefferson County.
* Sparky Lyle, professional baseball player
* Chuck Daly, American basketball head coach
* George Jenks, politician
* Florence Parry Heide, author
* Wilbur Good, professional baseball player
* Andy Hastings, professional football player
* Mal Eason, professional baseball player
* John Mizerock, professional baseball player
* Devin Mesoraco, professional baseball player
* Jim Pittsley, professional baseball player
* Britt Baker, professional wrestler and dentist
* Laura Temple, missionary teacher and archaeologist in Mexico