Hermitage, Pennsylvania

Hermitage is a city in Mercer County, Pennsylvania, United States, 67 miles (108 km) southeast of Cleveland and 60 miles (97 km) north of Pittsburgh. The population was 16,220 at the 2010 census. It is part of the Youngstown-Warren-Boardman, OH-PA Metropolitan Statistical Area.

Hermitage, Pennsylvania
City
Entering town from the east.
Location of Hermitage in Mercer County, Pennsylvania.
Coordinates: 41.23250°N 80.46056°W / 41.23250; -80.46056
CountryUnited States
StatePennsylvania
CountyMercer
Area
 • Total29.56 sq mi (76.56 km2)
 • Land29.46 sq mi (76.30 km2)
 • Water0.10 sq mi (0.26 km2)
Population
 (2010)
 • Total16,220
 • Estimate 
(2019)[2]
15,471
 • Density525.15/sq mi (202.76/km2)
Time zoneUTC-4 (EST)
 • Summer (DST)UTC-5 (EDT)
Zip code
16148
Area code(s)724
FIPS code42-34064
Websitewww.hermitage.net

History

Formerly known as Hickory Township (hence Hickory High School with its Hickory Hornet mascot), the City of Hermitage, in Mercer County, Pennsylvania, was first settled in 1796, and the Township of Hickory was incorporated in 1832 from portions of the Shenango and Pymatuning townships. Following the incorporation of the cities of Sharon and Farrell and the boroughs of Sharpsville and Wheatland, the remainder of the Township was incorporated into a First Class Township.

The Home Rule Charter and Optional Plans Law, Act 62 of 1972, provided all local governments in Pennsylvania a unique opportunity of true "home rule" On August 9, 1972, Ordinance 13–72 was enacted by the Board of Commissioners, providing for a referendum on electing a Governmental Study Commission of nine members. On November 17, 1972, the electors voted in favor of a commission and selected nine members with the task of studying present Township government and the alternative of an Optional Plan of Government or a Home Rule Charter.

On March 13, 1974, the final report of the Government Study Commission recommended a Home Rule Charter, which was approved on May 21, 1974 by a vote of 1,375 to 546. The Charter was to become effective on January 1, 1976.

A resolution of April 9, 1975 stated the Board of Commissioners' intent to start an informal campaign to consider the possibility of a name change for the Township. A survey was conducted to determine possible names. In July, 1975, the Commissioners petitioned to the Court of Common Pleas of Mercer County pursuant to the Act of June 14, 1957, P.L. 330. The petition contained almost double the signature requirement of ten percent of the registered electors of the Township. The questions to be placed on the ballot were whether the name of the Township should be changed, and if so, which name: "Hermitage," "Mount Hickory," "Hickory Hills."

On November 4, 1975, the voters approved, by 2,986 to 695, a change in name, and selected "Hermitage." The President Judge of Mercer County Court of Common Pleas issued an order on December 11, 1975 decreeing that the name of the Township of Hickory shall be changed to Hermitage, Pennsylvania, effective January 2, 1976.

On May 31, 1985 Hermitage was struck by an F5 tornado that killed 18 people and injured 310. It was the strongest tornado ever recorded in Pennsylvania. On May 31, 2015, the 30th anniversary of the F5, an EF0 tornado touched down in the southern part of town. It flipped two cars, damaged the canopy at a Sheetz gas station and downed a few trees and branches.[3][4]

Geography
The display known as the Avenue of 444 Flags was constructed to commemorate the victims of the Iran Hostage Crisis.

Hermitage is located at 41°13′57″N 80°27′38″W (41.232456, −80.460464).[5]

According to the United States Census Bureau, the city has a total area of 29.6 square miles (77 km2), of which, 29.5 square miles (76 km2) of it is land and 0.1 square miles (0.26 km2) of it (0.37%) is water. Based on area, Hermitage is the 3rd largest city in Pennsylvania.

The Shenango River Lake north of Hermitage is run by the US Army Corps of Engineers.

Demographics
Historical population
CensusPop.%±
188049—
19204,569—
19303,984−12.8%
19404,2957.8%
19506,72556.6%
196012,63587.9%
197015,39921.9%
198016,3656.3%
199015,300−6.5%
200016,1575.6%
201016,2200.4%
2019 (est.)15,471[2]−4.6%
Sources:[6][7][8]

As of the census[7] of 2000, there were 16,157 people, 6,809 households, and 4,616 families residing in the city. The population density was 548.3 people per square mile (211.7/km2). There were 7,104 housing units at an average density of 241.1 per square mile (93.1/km2). The racial makeup of the city was 94.97% White, 3.09% African American, 0.04% Native American, 0.80% Asian, 0.01% Pacific Islander, 0.23% from other races, and 0.85% from two or more races. Hispanic or Latino of any race were 0.66% of the population.

There were 6,809 households, out of which 26.4% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 54.9% were married couples living together, 10.2% had a female householder with no husband present, and 32.2% were non-families. 29.4% of all households were made up of individuals, and 15.7% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.32 and the average family size was 2.87.

In the city, the population was spread out, with 21.7% under the age of 18, 5.5% from 18 to 24, 24.6% from 25 to 44, 24.7% from 45 to 64, and 23.6% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 44 years. For every 100 females, there were 87.9 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 83.4 males.

The median income for a household in the city was $39,454, and the median income for a family was $46,994. Males had a median income of $41,506 versus $25,217 for females. The per capita income for the city was $23,227. About 6.3% of families and 8.2% of the population were below the poverty line, including 12.1% of those under age 18 and 6.5% of those age 65 or over.

Notable people

Tourism
  • Avenue of Flags and war on Terror veterans Memorial- Largest Display of Flying Flags in the World
  • Buhl Park
  • Kraynaks

Broadcast media

Television

Because of Hermitage's location near the Pennsylvania/Ohio border, it is served by WKBN-TV (CBS), WFMJ-TV (NBC), WYTV (ABC), WYFX-LD (Fox) and WBCB (CW), all broadcast from nearby Youngstown, OH.

Radio

Hermitage is served by AM radio stations such as WLOA (1470 AM) (Farrell, PA), WPIC (790 AM), WKBN (570 AM) (Youngstown, OH) and FM radio stations such as WYFM/"Y-103" (102.9 FM), WLLF/"The River" (96.7 FM) (Mercer, PA), WYLE/"Willie 95.1" (95.1 FM) (Grove City, PA), WMXY/"Mix 98.9" (98.9 FM) (Youngstown, OH).

See also

References
  1. "2019 U.S. Gazetteer Files". United States Census Bureau. Retrieved July 28, 2020.
  2. "Population and Housing Unit Estimates". United States Census Bureau. May 24, 2020. Retrieved May 27, 2020.
  3. http://www.weather.gov/ctp/TornadoOutbreak_May311985
  4. https://www.webcitation.org/6YyGithbb?url=http://kamala.cod.edu/offs/KPBZ/1506012053.nous41.html
  5. "US Gazetteer files: 2010, 2000, and 1990". United States Census Bureau. 2011-02-12. Retrieved 2011-04-23.
  6. "Census of Population and Housing". U.S. Census Bureau. Retrieved 11 December 2013.
  7. "U.S. Census website". United States Census Bureau. Retrieved 2008-01-31.
  8. "Incorporated Places and Minor Civil Divisions Datasets: Subcounty Resident Population Estimates: April 1, 2010 to July 1, 2012". Population Estimates. U.S. Census Bureau. Archived from the original on 11 June 2013. Retrieved 11 December 2013.
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