Cameron County, Pennsylvania


Cameron County is a county in the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania. As of the 2020 census, the population was 4,547, making it Pennsylvania's least populous county. Its county seat is Emporium. The county was created on March 29, 1860, from parts of Clinton, Elk, McKean, and Potter counties. It is named for Senator Simon Cameron. The county is part of the North Central region of the commonwealth.
WWW cameroncountypa.com

Geography

According to the U.S. Census Bureau, the county has a total area of, of which is land and is water. It has a warm-summer humid continental climate and average monthly temperatures in Emporium range from 24.2 °F in January to 69.3 °F in July, while in Driftwood they range from 24.9 °F in January to 69.9 °F in July.

Adjacent counties

Major roads

Cameron County is the only county in the state of Pennsylvania to not be crossed by either an interstate or U.S. Route.

Demographics

2020 census

As of the 2020 census, the county had a population of 4,547. The median age was 51.3 years. 17.5% of residents were under the age of 18 and 27.7% of residents were 65 years of age or older. For every 100 females there were 105.7 males, and for every 100 females age 18 and over there were 104.4 males age 18 and over.
The racial makeup of the county was 94.2% White, 0.4% Black or African American, 0.2% American Indian and Alaska Native, 0.6% Asian, <0.1% Native Hawaiian and Pacific Islander, 0.9% from some other race, and 3.7% from two or more races. Hispanic or Latino residents of any race comprised 1.9% of the population.
Race / Ethnicity Pop 2000Pop 2010% 2000% 2010
White alone 5,8824,9854,27198.45%98.03%93.93%
Black or African American alone 2112120.35%0.23%0.26%
Native American or Alaska Native alone 81380.13%0.25%0.17%
Asian alone 714290.11%0.27%0.63%
Pacific Islander alone 0000.00%0.00%0.00%
Other race alone 20120.03%0.00%0.26%
Mixed race or Multiracial 20421290.33%0.82%2.83%
Hispanic or Latino 3419860.56%0.37%1.89%
Total5,9745,0854,547100.00%100.00%100.00%

<0.1% of residents lived in urban areas, while 100.0% lived in rural areas.
There were 2,120 households in the county, of which 21.9% had children under the age of 18 living in them. Of all households, 43.4% were married-couple households, 24.9% were households with a male householder and no spouse or partner present, and 24.2% were households with a female householder and no spouse or partner present. About 36.1% of all households were made up of individuals and 18.6% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older.
There were 3,932 housing units, of which 46.1% were vacant. Among occupied housing units, 74.2% were owner-occupied and 25.8% were renter-occupied. The homeowner vacancy rate was 2.8% and the rental vacancy rate was 12.5%.

2000 census

As of the 2000 census, there were 5,974 people, 2,465 households, and 1,624 families residing in the county. The population density was. There were 4,592 housing units at an average density of. The racial makeup of the county was 98.83% White, 0.35% Black or African American, 0.13% Native American, 0.12% Asian, 0.05% Pacific Islander, 0.05% from other races, and 0.47% from two or more races. 0.57% of the population were Hispanic or Latino of any race. 33.5% were of German, 15.7% Irish, 14.5% American, 13.1% Italian, 9.2% English and 5.7% Polish ancestry.
There were 2,465 households, out of which 27.70% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 52.40% were married couples living together, 9.20% had a female householder with no husband present, and 34.10% were non-families. 30.10% of all households were made up of individuals, and 15.40% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.39 and the average family size was 2.96.
In the county, the population was spread out, with 24.50% under the age of 18, 6.00% from 18 to 24, 24.90% from 25 to 44, 24.80% from 45 to 64, and 19.80% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 41 years. For every 100 females there were 96.60 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 94.60 males.

Law and government

Voter registration

As of February 7, 2024, there are 2,931 registered voters in Cameron County.

Law enforcement

all areas in the county use the Pennsylvania State Police in a law enforcement capacity, either with part-time police departments or with no other police departments.

County-row offices

  • County Commissioners: Jessica Herzing ; James D. Moate ; Josh Zucal
  • Sheriff: Doug Homan
  • Prothonotary/Clerk/Register/Recorder: Mary Grace Olay
  • Treasurer: Tara Newton
  • District Attorney: Paul J. Malizia

State senate

State House of Representatives

United States House of Representatives

United States Senate

Education

There is a single K-12 school district, Cameron County School District.

Recreation

There are three Pennsylvania state parks that are partly in Cameron County.
The West Creek Rail Trail has been built on the abandoned rail corridor between Emporium and St. Mary's in Elk County. It provides a paved surface with guard rails and is suitable for hiking or biking in the warm seasons or snowmobiling in winter.
The Fred Woods Trail offers a 4.57 mile loop of blazed trail with scenic valley views and a challenging section running through unique rock formations. The trailhead is accessed off Mason Hill Road above Driftwood, PA.

Communities

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

Boroughs

Townships

Census-designated place

Population ranking

The population ranking of the following table is based on the 2010 census of Cameron County.
† county seat
RankCity/Town/etc.Population Municipal typeIncorporated
1† Emporium2,073Borough1864
2Prospect Park327CDP
3Driftwood67Borough1872

Notable people