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Montour County, Pennsylvania

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Montour County is a county in the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania. As of the 2020 census, the population was 18,136.[1] Its county seat is Danville.[2] The county is named for Andrew Montour,[3] a prominent Métis interpreter who served with George Washington during the French and Indian War. It encompasses 132 sq mi, making it the smallest county by land area in the state.[4] The county is part of the Central Pennsylvania region of the state.[a]

Montour County
County
Montour County Courthouse in Danville
Montour County Courthouse in Danville
Official logo of Montour County
Logo
Map of Pennsylvania highlighting Montour County
Location within the U.S. state of Pennsylvania
Map of the United States highlighting Pennsylvania
Pennsylvania's location within the U.S.
Coordinates: 41°02′N 76°40′W / 41.03°N 76.66°W / 41.03; -76.66
Country United States
State Pennsylvania
FoundedMay 3, 1850
Named forAndrew Montour
SeatDanville
Largest boroughDanville
Area
 • Total132 sq mi (340 km2)
 • Land130 sq mi (300 km2)
 • Water2.1 sq mi (5 km2)  1.6%
Population
 • Estimate 
(2020)
18,136
 • Density140/sq mi (50/km2)
Time zoneUTC−5 (Eastern)
 • Summer (DST)UTC−4 (EDT)
Congressional district9th
Websitewww.montourco.org

Montour County is part of the Bloomsburg-Berwick, PA Metropolitan Statistical Area.

History

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Fort Bosley, located near the present day border of Derry Township and the Borough of Washingtonville, was the county's only fortified location during the Revolutionary War.[5]

Geography

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According to the U.S. Census Bureau, the county has a total area of 132 square miles (340 km2), of which 130 square miles (340 km2) is land and 2.1 square miles (5.4 km2) (1.6%) is water.[6] It is the smallest county by area in Pennsylvania. A total of 45% of Montour County is wooded. The entire county sits inside the Susquehanna River watershed. The other major streams in Montour County include Chillisquaque Creek and Mahoning Creek.[7]

Climate

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Montour has a humid continental climate (Dfa/Dfb) and average monthly temperatures in Danville range from 26.9 °F in January to 72.3 °F in July.[8]

Adjacent counties

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Major highways

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Geology

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Scenery of southern Montour County
 
Scenery of northern Montour County
 
Montour Ridge in Liberty Township

Montour County is located in the Ridge-and-Valley Province of the Appalachian Mountains. A total of 65% of the soils in the county are well-drained. The Muncy Hills are located in the northern part of the county and Montour Ridge is located in the southern part of the county, not far from the Susquehanna River. Montour Ridge also is home to the highest elevation in the county, 1425 feet above sea level. The lowest elevation is 440 feet above sea level, at the Susquehanna River.[7]

The sedimentary rocks in Montour County are from either the Devonian Period or the Silurian Period. The Devonian Period rocks are more common than Silurian Period rocks, making up two thirds of the county. These rocks are prevalent in the Muncy Hills and the lowlands in the southern portion of the county. The Devonian Period rocks in Montour County include the Catskill Formation, the Marcellus Shale, the Helderburg Formation, the Mahantango Formation, the Oriskany Formation, the Marine Beds, and the Onondaga Formation. The other one third of the rocks in Montour County are from the Silurian Period. Rocks from this period are prevalent on Montour Ridge and the adjacent valley and the hills to the northwest of Washingtonville. These areas consist of the Wills Creek formation, the Tonoloway Formation, the Bloomsburg Formation, the Tuscarora Formation, the Clinton Group, and the McKenzie Formation.[7]

There are three major anticlines and synclines in Montour County. These are the White Deer Anticline, the Lackawanna Syncline, and the Milton Anticline. These are located in the northern, central, and Montour Ridge areas of the county, respectively. These features are situated in a northeast–southwest alignment. They were formed by regional compression and uplift approximately 200 million years ago, during the Permian Period. During the Pleistocene Period, the Illinoian glacial advance reached Montour County, although the Wisconsin glacial advance stopped slightly short of it. There are alluvial deposits in many of the river valleys in the county, especially there two streams or rivers meet. These deposits were formed fairly recently, geologically speaking.[7]

The water supply for Montour County comes primarily from the Susquehanna River, as well as wells and springs. The rural areas especially depend on wells for their water supply, but Danville mostly uses the Susquehanna River. Wells drilled into Silurian rock have a tendency to be highly hard and prone to developing sinkholes. However, the Keyser, Wills Creek, and Tonoloway Formations are considerably better at producing water.[7]

Demographics

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Historical population
CensusPop.Note%±
185013,239—
186013,053−1.4%
187015,34417.6%
188015,4680.8%
189015,6451.1%
190015,526−0.8%
191014,868−4.2%
192014,080−5.3%
193014,5173.1%
194015,4666.5%
195016,0013.5%
196016,7304.6%
197016,508−1.3%
198016,6751.0%
199017,7356.4%
200018,2392.8%
201018,2670.2%
202018,136−0.7%
U.S. Decennial Census[9]
1790-1960[10] 1900-1990[11]
1990-2000[12] 2010-2017[13] 2010-2020[14]

As of the census of 2000,[15] there were 18,236 people, 7,085 households, and 4,817 families residing in the county. The population density was 140 inhabitants per square mile (54/km2). There were 7,627 housing units at an average density of 58 units per square mile (22/km2). The racial makeup of the county was 96.67% White, 1.01% Black or African American, 0.07% Native American, 1.28% Asian, 0.38% from other races, and 0.59% from two or more races. 0.92% of the population were Hispanic or Latino of any race. 33.2% were of German, 13.2% American, 8.1% Irish, 6.6% English, 5.7% Italian and 5.6% Polish ancestry.

There were 7,085 households, out of which 30.00% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 56.30% were married couples living together, 8.90% had a female householder with no husband present, and 32.00% were non-families. 28.00% of all households were made up of individuals, and 12.00% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.43 and the average family size was 2.98.

In Montour County, the population was spread out, with 24.40% under the age of 18, 6.40% from 18 to 24, 28.20% from 25 to 44, 24.00% from 45 to 64, and 17.10% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 40 years. For every 100 females, there were 90.50 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 86.00 males.

2020 census

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Montour County Racial Composition[16]
Race Num. Perc.
White (NH) 16,105 88.8%
Black or African American (NH) 320 1.7%
Native American (NH) 27 0.2%
Asian (NH) 668 3.7%
Pacific Islander (NH) 0 0%
Other/Mixed (NH) 529 3%
Hispanic or Latino 487 2.7%

Metropolitan Statistical Area

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The United States Office of Management and Budget[17] has designated Montour County as the Bloomsburg-Berwick, PA Metropolitan Statistical Area (MSA). As of the 2010 U.S. Census[18] the metropolitan area ranked 20th most populous in the State of Pennsylvania and the 368th most populous in the United States with a population of 82,562. Montour County is also a part of the larger Bloomsburg-Berwick-Sunbury, PA Combined Statistical Area (CSA), which combines the populations of Montour County as well as Columbia, Northumberland, Snyder and Union Counties in Pennsylvania. The Combined Statistical Area ranked 8th in the State of Pennsylvania and 115th most populous in the United States with a population of 264,739.

Economy

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There are approximately 350 farms in Montour County. The majority of these farms produce beef, hogs, and dairy. Limestone is mined in some areas in the county.[7]

Government

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United States presidential election results for Montour County, Pennsylvania[19]
Year Republican Democratic Third party(ies)
No.  % No.  % No.  %
2020 5,844 59.53% 3,771 38.41% 202 2.06%
2016 5,288 61.80% 2,857 33.39% 411 4.80%
2012 4,652 59.19% 3,053 38.85% 154 1.96%
2008 4,574 56.64% 3,364 41.65% 138 1.71%
2004 4,903 64.31% 2,666 34.97% 55 0.72%
2000 3,960 60.97% 2,356 36.27% 179 2.76%
1996 2,785 47.93% 2,183 37.57% 843 14.51%
1992 3,096 46.58% 2,150 32.35% 1,400 21.07%
1988 3,617 63.50% 2,031 35.66% 48 0.84%
1984 4,174 66.81% 2,055 32.89% 19 0.30%
1980 3,399 55.76% 2,272 37.27% 425 6.97%
1976 3,259 53.65% 2,727 44.89% 89 1.47%
1972 4,386 69.64% 1,755 27.87% 157 2.49%
1968 3,289 55.04% 2,239 37.47% 448 7.50%
1964 2,527 40.67% 3,683 59.27% 4 0.06%
1960 4,154 61.17% 2,629 38.71% 8 0.12%
1956 3,976 65.71% 2,072 34.24% 3 0.05%
1952 3,725 62.12% 2,264 37.76% 7 0.12%
1948 2,690 57.60% 1,964 42.06% 16 0.34%
1944 2,727 55.12% 2,212 44.71% 8 0.16%
1940 2,723 46.89% 3,080 53.04% 4 0.07%
1936 2,350 39.74% 3,534 59.76% 30 0.51%
1932 2,159 44.24% 2,677 54.86% 44 0.90%
1928 3,692 71.69% 1,445 28.06% 13 0.25%
1924 2,499 55.83% 1,799 40.19% 178 3.98%
1920 2,296 53.76% 1,872 43.83% 103 2.41%
1916 1,068 40.11% 1,530 57.45% 65 2.44%
1912 308 10.98% 1,492 53.19% 1,005 35.83%
1908 1,164 42.34% 1,490 54.20% 95 3.46%
1904 1,518 51.37% 1,358 45.96% 79 2.67%
1900 1,292 39.89% 1,875 57.89% 72 2.22%
1896 1,384 42.65% 1,747 53.84% 114 3.51%
1892 1,108 35.97% 1,877 60.94% 95 3.08%
1888 1,289 39.91% 1,865 57.74% 76 2.35%

Montour County has traditionally been heavily Republican, with it voting for every Republican presidential candidate since 1944, with the exception of Barry Goldwater. Donald Trump won it by just over 21% in 2020, down from his 28-point margin in 2016 and slightly better than Mitt Romney's margin in 2012.

The county is run by three locally elected commissioners, each of whose term of office lasts for four years.

State senate

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State House of Representatives

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United States House of Representatives

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United States Senate

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Education

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Map of Montour County, Pennsylvania Public School Districts

Central Susquehanna Intermediate Unit #16 provides a wide variety of services to children living in Montour County. These include early intervention, special education support services, driver education on road training, speech and hearing therapy and autistic support. Services for children during the preschool years are provided without cost to their families when the child is determined to meet eligibility requirements.[21]

Danville Area Head Start[22]

Public school districts

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Private schools

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As reported by the Pennsylvania Department of Education - EdNA. February 2014[23]

  • Alternative Education Program - Danville
  • Breezy Meadow - Danville [24]
  • Chillisquaque Valley Parochial School - Bloomsburg
  • County Line Parochial School - Danville
  • Creek Side School[25] - Turbotville
  • Danville Child Development Center - Danville
  • Danville Mennonite School - Danville
  • Delong Alternative Educ Program - Washingtonville
  • Limestone Mennonite Parochial School - Milton
  • Ridgeview Amish School - Watsontown
  • St Cyril Kindergarten - Danville
  • St Joseph School - Danville
  • The Learning Tree Child Care Center, LLC - Danville

CSIU16 School Directory 2014 [26]

Library

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  • Thomas Beaver Free Library - Danville

Communities

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Map of Montour County, Pennsylvania with Municipal Labels showing Boroughs (red), Townships (white), and Census-designated places (blue).

Under Pennsylvania law, there are four types of incorporated municipalities: cities, boroughs, townships, and, in one case, towns. The following boroughs and townships are located in Montour County:

Boroughs

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Townships

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Unincorporated communities

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Population ranking

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The population ranking of the following table is based on the 2010 census of Montour County.[27]

† county seat

Rank City/Town/etc. Municipal type Population (2010 Census)
1 † Danville Borough 4,699
2 Washingtonville Borough 273

See also

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References

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  1. ^ Includes Centre, Lycoming, Northumberland, Columbia, Mifflin, Union, Snyder, Clinton, Juniata and Montour Counties
  1. ^ "Census - Geography Profile: Montour County, Pennsylvania". United States Census Bureau. Retrieved December 18, 2022.
  2. ^ "Find a County". National Association of Counties. Retrieved June 7, 2011.
  3. ^ Donehoo, Dr. George P. (1999) [1928]. A History of the Indian Villages and Place Names in Pennsylvania (PDF) (Second Reprint ed.). Lewisburg, Pennsylvania: Wennawoods Publishing. p. 290. ISBN 1-889037-11-7. Archived (PDF) from the original on October 9, 2022. Retrieved March 7, 2007. ISBN refers to a 1999 reprint edition, URL is for the Susquehanna River Basin Commission's web page of Native American Place names, quoting and citing the book. Some older sources say the county was named for Madame Montour, Andrew's mother.
  4. ^ The State Museum (April 12, 2013). "Montour County - Our Smallest County THIS WEEK IN PENNSYLVANIA ARCHAEOLOGY".
  5. ^ Buckalew, John M., Captain The Frontier Forts Within The North and West Branches of the Susquehanna River Pennsylvania. Read Before The Wyoming Historical And Geological, Society, October 1, 1895. Reprinted From The State Report, 1896. Wilkes-Barre, PA.: E. B. Yoruy, Printer. 1896 AccessGenealogy.com. Web. February 21, 2016.
  6. ^ "2010 Census Gazetteer Files". United States Census Bureau. August 22, 2012. Retrieved March 9, 2015.
  7. ^ a b c d e f Joseph J. Eckenrode (1985), Soil Survey of Montour County, Pennsylvania, retrieved July 15, 2013
  8. ^ "PRISM Climate Group at Oregon State University".
  9. ^ "U.S. Decennial Census". United States Census Bureau. Retrieved March 9, 2015.
  10. ^ "Historical Census Browser". University of Virginia Library. Retrieved March 9, 2015.
  11. ^ Forstall, Richard L., ed. (March 24, 1995). "Population of Counties by Decennial Census: 1900 to 1990". United States Census Bureau. Retrieved March 9, 2015.
  12. ^ "Census 2000 PHC-T-4. Ranking Tables for Counties: 1990 and 2000" (PDF). United States Census Bureau. April 2, 2001. Archived (PDF) from the original on October 9, 2022. Retrieved March 9, 2015.
  13. ^ "State & County QuickFacts". United States Census Bureau. Archived from the original on June 6, 2011. Retrieved November 20, 2013.
  14. ^ "Census 2020".
  15. ^ "U.S. Census website". United States Census Bureau. Retrieved January 31, 2008.
  16. ^ "P2 HISPANIC OR LATINO, AND NOT HISPANIC OR LATINO BY RACE – 2020: DEC Redistricting Data (PL 94-171) – Montour County, Pennsylvania".
  17. ^ "Office of Management and Budget | The White House". whitehouse.gov. Retrieved October 16, 2014.
  18. ^ "2010 Census". census.gov. Retrieved October 16, 2014.
  19. ^ Leip, David. "Dave Leip's Atlas of U.S. Presidential Elections". uselectionatlas.org. Retrieved December 26, 2020.
  20. ^ a b Center, Legislativate Data Processing. "Find Your Legislator". The official website for the Pennsylvania General Assembly. Retrieved May 11, 2017.
  21. ^ Central Susquehanna Intermediate Unit 16 Administration (2014). "About the CSIU". Archived from the original on October 29, 2014.{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: numeric names: authors list (link)
  22. ^ Danville Area School District Administration (2014). "Danville Head Start web site". Archived from the original on September 23, 2015. Retrieved February 6, 2014.
  23. ^ Pennsylvania Department of Education (February 6, 2014). "PDE Education Names and addresses".
  24. ^ "Entity Detail". Archived from the original on April 15, 2012. Retrieved November 3, 2011.
  25. ^ "Creek Side School in Turbotville, PA 17772". localschooldirectory.com. Retrieved October 16, 2014.
  26. ^ "CSIU16 School Directory 2014" (PDF). January 20, 2014. Archived from the original (PDF) on February 23, 2014.
  27. ^ "Decennial Census by Decades". www.census.gov. Retrieved November 29, 2018.
 
Wikisource has the text of the 1879 American Cyclopædia article Montour.

41°02′N 76°40′W / 41.03°N 76.66°W / 41.03; -76.66

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