Bradford County, Pennsylvania

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Wikipedia

Bradford County, Pennsylvania
County
Towanda is the county seat
Towanda is the county seat
Official seal of Bradford County, Pennsylvania
Seal
Official logo of Bradford County, Pennsylvania
Logo
Map of Pennsylvania highlighting Bradford County
Location within the U.S. state of Pennsylvania
Coordinates: 41°47′N 76°31′W / 41.79°N 76.52°W / 41.79; -76.52
Country United States
State Pennsylvania
FoundedFebruary 21, 1810
Named afterWilliam Bradford
SeatTowanda
Largest boroughSayre
Area
 • Total
1,161 sq mi (3,010 km2)
 • Land1,147 sq mi (2,970 km2)
 • Water14 sq mi (36 km2)  1.2%
Population
 (2020)
 • Total
59,967
 • Density52/sq mi (20/km2)
Congressional district9th
Websitewww.bradfordcountypa.gov
DesignatedJuly 10, 1982[1]

Bradford County is a county in the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania. As of the 2020 census, its population was 59,967.[2] Its county seat is Towanda.[3] The county was created on February 21, 1810, from parts of Lycoming and Luzerne Counties. Originally called Ontario County, it was reorganized and separated from Lycoming County on October 13, 1812, and renamed Bradford County for William Bradford, who had been a chief justice of the Pennsylvania Supreme Court and United States Attorney General.[4][5] The county is part of the Northeast region of the commonwealth.[a]

Bradford County comprises the Sayre, Pennsylvania micropolitan statistical area.

The county is not to be confused with the city of Bradford, which is in McKean County, 141 miles to the west via U.S. Route 6.

History

As noted above, Bradford County was originally named Ontario County. The county was reorganized and renamed in 1812, but a section of north Philadelphia in which major east–west streets are named after Pennsylvania counties retains an Ontario Street, between Westmoreland and Tioga Streets. Two short Bradford Streets are in northeast Philadelphia, about 4 miles from Ontario Street.

Bradford County is the ancestral home of the Tehotitachsae indigenous people of North America. Their principal village, Gohontoto, was on the site of the present Borough of Wyalusing.

Geography

According to the U.S. Census Bureau, the county has a total area of 1,161 square miles (3,010 km2), of which 1,147 square miles (2,970 km2) are land and 14 square miles (36 km2) (1.2%) are covered by water.[6] It is the second-largest county in Pennsylvania by land area and third-largest by total area.

Climate

Bradford has a warm-summer humid continental climate (Dfb) and average monthly temperatures in Towanda range from 24.5 °F in January to 70.6 °F in July.[7]

Adjacent counties

Bradford County is one of the few counties in the US to border two counties of the same name in different states (Tioga County in New York and Pennsylvania).

Demographics

Historical population
CensusPop.Note%±
182011,554—
183019,74670.9%
184032,76966.0%
185042,83130.7%
186048,73413.8%
187053,2049.2%
188058,54110.0%
189059,2331.2%
190059,4030.3%
191054,526−8.2%
192053,166−2.5%
193049,039−7.8%
194050,6153.2%
195051,7222.2%
196054,9256.2%
197057,9625.5%
198062,9198.6%
199060,967−3.1%
200062,7612.9%
201062,622−0.2%
202059,967−4.2%
[8]

2020 census

As of the 2020 census, the county had a population of 59,967. The median age was 44.1 years. 21.7% of residents were under the age of 18 and 21.4% of residents were 65 years of age or older. For every 100 females there were 99.2 males, and for every 100 females age 18 and over there were 97.6 males age 18 and over.[9]

The racial makeup of the county was 93.4% White, 0.7% Black or African American, 0.2% American Indian and Alaska Native, 0.8% Asian, <0.1% Native Hawaiian and Pacific Islander, 0.5% from some other race, and 4.4% from two or more races. Hispanic or Latino residents of any race comprised 1.5% of the population.[10]

27.0% of residents lived in urban areas, while 73.0% lived in rural areas.[11]

There were 24,789 households in the county, of which 27.0% had children under the age of 18 living in them. Of all households, 48.8% were married-couple households, 19.0% were households with a male householder and no spouse or partner present, and 23.3% were households with a female householder and no spouse or partner present. About 28.9% of all households were made up of individuals and 14.0% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older.[9]

There were 29,363 housing units, of which 15.6% were vacant. Among occupied housing units, 71.9% were owner-occupied and 28.1% were renter-occupied. The homeowner vacancy rate was 1.6% and the rental vacancy rate was 8.1%.[9]

Bradford County Racial Composition[12]
Race Num. Perc.
White (NH) 55,717 93%
Black or African American (NH) 394 0.66%
Native American (NH) 117 0.2%
Asian (NH) 460 0.77%
Pacific Islander (NH) 13 0.02%
Other/Mixed (NH) 2,393 4%
Hispanic or Latino 873 1.45%

2000 census

As of the 2000 census, there were 62,761 people, 24,453 households, and 17,312 families residing in the county. The population density was 54 people per square mile (21 people/km2). There were 28,664 housing units at an average density of 25 units per square mile (9.7/km2). The racial makeup of the county was 97.94% White, 0.40% Black or African American, 0.31% Native American, 0.45% Asian, 0.01% Pacific Islander, 0.19% from other races, and 0.69% from two or more races. 0.63% of the population were Hispanic or Latino of any race. 32.4% were of English, 19% German, 12.6% Irish and 6.4% Italian ancestry.[13]

There were 24,453 households, out of which 31.80% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 57.40% were married couples living together, 8.90% had a female householder with no husband present, and 29.20% were non-families. 24.70% of all households were made up of individuals, and 11.50% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.52 and the average family size was 2.99.

In the county, the population was spread out, with 25.50% under the age of 18, 6.80% from 18 to 24, 27.20% from 25 to 44, 24.70% from 45 to 64, and 15.70% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 39 years. For every 100 females there were 95.10 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 92.10 males.

Micropolitan Statistical Area

The United States Office of Management and Budget[14] has designated Bradford County as the Sayre, PA Micropolitan Statistical Area (μSA).[15] As of the 2010 U.S. census[16] the micropolitan area ranked 8th most populous in the State of Pennsylvania and the 131st most populous in the United States with a population of 62,622.

Law and government

Bradford County is a Republican Party stronghold in presidential elections. The only two instances Republican presidential candidates have failed to win the county from 1880 to the present were when Theodore Roosevelt won it in 1912 by splitting the Republican vote & in 1964 when Lyndon B. Johnson won statewide & nationally in a landslide. Johnson is also the only Democrat to ever manage over forty percent of the county's vote. Even so, he won Bradford County only narrowly, by just over one percent.

Voter registration

Chart of Voter Registration
  1. Republican (64.6%)
  2. Democratic (22.2%)
  3. Independent (8.78%)
  4. Other Parties (4.44%)

As of February 7, 2024, there are 37,159 registered voters in the county. There are 23,988 registered Republicans, 8,258 registered Democrats, 3,264 voters registered non-affiliated voters, and 1,649 voters registered to other parties.[17]

United States presidential election results for Bradford County, Pennsylvania[18]
Year Republican Democratic Third party(ies)
№ %№ %№ %
1880 8,152 59.65% 4,950 36.22% 564 4.13%
1884 8,405 62.51% 4,216 31.36% 825 6.14%
1888 8,762 63.00% 4,552 32.73% 594 4.27%
1892 8,132 63.10% 4,080 31.66% 676 5.25%
1896 9,422 66.04% 4,388 30.76% 457 3.20%
1900 8,625 64.05% 4,211 31.27% 631 4.69%
1904 8,303 69.23% 2,862 23.86% 828 6.90%
1908 7,997 63.43% 3,758 29.81% 853 6.77%
1912 2,034 18.56% 2,960 27.01% 5,963 54.42%
1916 6,178 57.51% 3,655 34.03% 909 8.46%
1920 11,947 75.14% 2,825 17.77% 1,128 7.09%
1924 11,620 73.62% 2,307 14.62% 1,857 11.77%
1928 17,251 79.83% 4,281 19.81% 77 0.36%
1932 11,521 63.34% 5,970 32.82% 697 3.83%
1936 16,643 66.74% 8,078 32.39% 215 0.86%
1940 14,826 69.01% 6,605 30.74% 53 0.25%
1944 13,472 70.40% 5,523 28.86% 142 0.74%
1948 11,783 71.99% 4,421 27.01% 163 1.00%
1952 15,894 76.02% 4,959 23.72% 55 0.26%
1956 15,399 73.57% 5,502 26.29% 30 0.14%
1960 16,252 70.04% 6,920 29.82% 33 0.14%
1964 10,434 49.31% 10,714 50.63% 14 0.07%
1968 13,308 63.20% 6,373 30.26% 1,377 6.54%
1972 15,050 73.57% 5,204 25.44% 204 1.00%
1976 12,851 61.10% 7,913 37.62% 270 1.28%
1980 13,139 62.97% 6,439 30.86% 1,287 6.17%
1984 14,808 72.71% 5,474 26.88% 85 0.42%
1988 13,568 66.72% 6,635 32.63% 134 0.66%
1992 10,221 45.17% 6,903 30.51% 5,504 24.32%
1996 10,393 49.47% 7,736 36.82% 2,879 13.70%
2000 14,660 62.78% 7,911 33.88% 781 3.34%
2004 16,942 66.05% 8,590 33.49% 120 0.47%
2008 15,057 58.16% 10,306 39.81% 526 2.03%
2012 14,410 61.21% 8,624 36.64% 506 2.15%
2016 18,141 69.81% 6,369 24.51% 1,476 5.68%
2020 21,600 71.45% 8,046 26.61% 586 1.94%
2024 22,937 73.34% 7,990 25.55% 347 1.11%
United States Senate election results for Bradford County, Pennsylvania1[19]
Year Republican Democratic Third party(ies)
№ %№ %№ %
2024 22,099 71.49% 8,007 25.90% 804 2.60%
2018 13,032 64.11% 6,926 34.07% 370 1.82%
United States Senate election results for Bradford County, Pennsylvania3
Year Republican Democratic Third party(ies)
№ %№ %№ %
2022 16,033 68.12% 6,632 28.18% 873 3.71%

County commissioners

  • Daryl Miller, Chairman, Republican
  • Doug McLinko, Vice-chairman, Republican
  • Zachary Gates, Democrat[20]

Other county officials

  • Auditors, Jeff Warner, Eric Matthews, Sebrina Shanks
  • Clerk of Courts and Prothonotary, Dawn Close, Republican
  • Coroner, James Bowen
  • District Attorney, Richard Wilson
  • Register of Wills and Recorder of Deeds, Sheila Johnson, Republican
  • Sheriff, Clinton J. Walters, Republican
  • Treasurer, Matthew Allen, Republican

State senate

State House of Representatives

United States House of Representatives

United States Senate

Economy

Major employers are the natural gas industry, farming, logging, DuPont, Global-Tungsten and Powders (formerly Sylvania), Jeld-Wen, and Cargill Regional Beef, Wyalusing.

Education

Bradford County school districts

Public school districts

Other public school entities

Private schools

  • Canton Country School – Canton
  • Children's Place – Sayre
  • Epiphany School (Catholic) Pre-K–6 – Sayre accepting OSTCP students
  • Freedom Lane Academy – Milan
  • G&G Learning Center – Rome
  • Maranatha Mission Learning Community Branch 19 – Canton
  • North Rome Christian School
  • South Hill Amish School – Wyalusing
  • St. Agnes Elementary School – Towanda accepting OSTCP students
  • Union Valley Christian School – Ulster
  • Valley View Amish School – Pike Township
  • Wyalusing Valley Children's Center INC – Wyalusing

Data from EdNA database maintained by Pennsylvania Department of Education 2012

Libraries

  • Allen F. Pierce Free Library – Troy
  • Bradford County Library – Troy
  • Bradford County Library System – Troy
  • Green Free Library – Canton
  • Mather Memorial Library – Ulster
  • Monroeton Public Library – Monroeton
  • New Albany Community Library Inc.
  • Sayre Public Library
  • Spalding Memorial Library – Athens
  • Towanda Public Library
  • Wyalusing Public Library

Transportation

Public transportation is provided by BeST Transit.

Major highways

Recreation

There is one Pennsylvania state park in Bradford County.

Communities

Map of Bradford County, Pennsylvania with Municipal Labels showing Boroughs (red) and Townships (white).

Under Pennsylvania law, there are four types of incorporated municipalities: cities, boroughs, townships, and, in only one case (Bloomsburg, Columbia County), towns. The following boroughs and townships are located in Bradford County:

Boroughs

Townships

Census-designated place

Unincorporated communities

Population ranking

The population ranking of the following table is based on the 2010 census of Bradford County.[16]

† county seat

Rank City/Town/etc. Population (2010 Census) Municipal type Incorporated
1 Sayre 5,587 Borough 1891
2 Athens 3,367 Borough 1831
3 † Towanda 2,919 Borough 1828
4 Canton 1,976 Borough 1864
5 Troy 1,354 Borough 1845
6 South Waverly 1,027 Borough 1878
7 Greens Landing 894 CDP —
8 Wyalusing 596 Borough 1887
9 Monroe 554 Borough 1855
10 Rome 441 Borough 1860
11 New Albany 356 Borough 1879
12 Le Raysville 290 Borough 1863
13 Sylvania 219 Borough 1853
14 Alba 157 Borough 1864
15 Burlington 156 Borough 1854

See also

References

  1. ↑ Includes Luzerne, Lackawanna, Monroe, Schuylkill, Carbon, Pike, Bradford, Wayne, Susquehanna, Wyoming and Sullivan Counties
  1. ↑ "PHMC Historical Markers Search". Pennsylvania Historical and Museum Commission. Commonwealth of Pennsylvania. Archived from the original (Searchable database) on March 21, 2016. Retrieved January 25, 2014.
  2. ↑ "Census - Geography Profile: Bradford County, Pennsylvania". United States Census Bureau. Retrieved April 24, 2022.
  3. ↑ "Find a County". National Association of Counties. Archived from the original on May 31, 2011. Retrieved June 7, 2011.
  4. ↑ An outline history of Tioga and Bradford counties in Pennsylvania, Chemung, Steuben, Tioga, Tompkins and Schuyler in New York: by townships, villages, boro's and cities, John L. Sexton. The Gazette Company, 1885, p67. 1885. p. 67. Retrieved September 17, 2010. bradford county, pa. sexton.
  5. ↑ Bradford County History Archived July 27, 2011, at the Wayback Machine, Bradford County, Pennsylvania. Accessed August 21, 2007
  6. ↑ "2010 Census Gazetteer Files". United States Census Bureau. August 22, 2012. Retrieved March 5, 2015.
  7. ↑ "PRISM Climate Group at Oregon State University".
  8. ↑ "Census 2020".
  9. 1 2 3 "2020 Decennial Census Demographic Profile (DP1)". United States Census Bureau. 2021. Retrieved December 26, 2025.
  10. ↑ "2020 Decennial Census Redistricting Data (Public Law 94-171)". United States Census Bureau. 2021. Retrieved December 26, 2025.
  11. ↑ "2020 Decennial Census Demographic and Housing Characteristics (DHC)". United States Census Bureau. 2023. Retrieved December 26, 2025.
  12. ↑ "P2 HISPANIC OR LATINO, AND NOT HISPANIC OR LATINO BY RACE – 2020: DEC Redistricting Data (PL 94-171) – Bradford County, Pennsylvania".
  13. ↑ "U.S. Census website". United States Census Bureau. Retrieved January 31, 2008.
  14. ↑ "Office of Management and Budget - The White House". Retrieved November 21, 2018.
  15. ↑ "Businesses that Received Forms in 2012: Pennsylvania - U.S. Census Bureau". Archived from the original on September 24, 2015. Retrieved December 7, 2017.
  16. 1 2 "2010 U.S. Census website". United States Census Bureau. Retrieved May 25, 2015.
  17. ↑ Pennsylvania Department of State (February 5, 2024). "Voter registration statistics by county". dos.pa.gov. Retrieved February 7, 2024.
  18. ↑ Leip, David. "Dave Leip's Atlas of U.S. Presidential Elections". uselectionatlas.org. Retrieved November 17, 2025.
  19. ↑ "2024 Senate Election (Official Returns)". Commonwealth of Pennsylvania by county. November 5, 2024. Retrieved December 5, 2024.
  20. ↑ "Commissioners". Retrieved September 10, 2020.
  21. ↑ "Towanda - Lackawanna College". www.lackawanna.edu. Archived from the original on August 30, 2020. Retrieved November 21, 2018.

41°47′N 76°31′W / 41.79°N 76.52°W / 41.79; -76.52