Cameron County, Pennsylvania

Cameron County, Pennsylvania
County
Cameron County Courthouse
Flag
Logo
Location within the U.S. state of Pennsylvania
Coordinates: 41°26′N 78°12′W / 41.44°N 78.2°W / 41.44; -78.2
Country United States
State Pennsylvania
FoundedMarch 29, 1860
Named afterSimon Cameron
SeatEmporium
Largest boroughEmporium
Area
 • Total
398.4 sq mi (1,032 km2)
 • Land396.2 sq mi (1,026 km2)
 • Water2.2 sq mi (5.7 km2)  0.5%
Population
 (2020)
 • Total
4,547
 • Estimate 
(2024)[1]
4,348
 • Density11.4/sq mi (4.4/km2)
Time zoneUTC−5 (Eastern)
 • Summer (DST)UTC−4 (EDT)
Congressional district15th
Websitewww.cameroncountypa.com
DesignatedSeptember 14, 1982[2]

Cameron County is a county in the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania. As of the 2020 census, the population was 4,547,[3] making it Pennsylvania's least populous county. Its county seat is Emporium.[4] 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.[a]

Geography

According to the U.S. Census Bureau, the county has a total area of 398.4 square miles (1,032 km2), of which 396.2 square miles (1,026 km2) is land and 2.2 square miles (5.7 km2) (0.5%) is water.[5] It has a warm-summer humid continental climate (Dfb) 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.[6]

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

Historical population
CensusPop.Note%±
18704,273—
18805,15920.7%
18907,23840.3%
19007,048−2.6%
19107,6448.5%
19206,297−17.6%
19305,307−15.7%
19406,85229.1%
19507,0232.5%
19607,5868.0%
19707,096−6.5%
19806,674−5.9%
19905,913−11.4%
20005,9741.0%
20105,085−14.9%
20204,547−10.6%
2023 (est.)4,380[7]−3.7%
U.S. Decennial Census[8]
1790–1960[9] 1900–1990[10]
1990–2000[11] 2010–2017[12]

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.[13]

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.[14]

Cameron County, Pennsylvania – Racial and ethnic composition
Note: the US Census treats Hispanic/Latino as an ethnic category. This table excludes Latinos from the racial categories and assigns them to a separate category. Hispanics/Latinos may be of any race.
Race / Ethnicity (NH = Non-Hispanic) Pop 2000[15] Pop 2010[16] Pop 2020[17] % 2000 % 2010 % 2020
White alone (NH) 5,882 4,985 4,271 98.45% 98.03% 93.93%
Black or African American alone (NH) 21 12 12 0.35% 0.23% 0.26%
Native American or Alaska Native alone (NH) 8 13 8 0.13% 0.25% 0.17%
Asian alone (NH) 7 14 29 0.11% 0.27% 0.63%
Pacific Islander alone (NH) 0 0 0 0.00% 0.00% 0.00%
Other race alone (NH) 2 0 12 0.03% 0.00% 0.26%
Mixed race or Multiracial (NH) 20 42 129 0.33% 0.82% 2.83%
Hispanic or Latino (any race) 34 19 86 0.56% 0.37% 1.89%
Total 5,974 5,085 4,547 100.00% 100.00% 100.00%

<0.1% of residents lived in urban areas, while 100.0% lived in rural areas.[18]

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.[13]

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%.[13]

2000 census

As of the 2000 census,[19] there were 5,974 people, 2,465 households, and 1,624 families residing in the county. The population density was 15 people per square mile (5.8 people/km2). There were 4,592 housing units at an average density of 12 units per square mile (4.6/km2). 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

United States presidential election results for Cameron County, Pennsylvania[20]
Year Republican Democratic Third party(ies)
No.  % No.  % No.  %
1888 782 58.14% 551 40.97% 12 0.89%
1892 829 52.37% 701 44.28% 53 3.35%
1896 925 59.60% 575 37.05% 52 3.35%
1900 971 63.59% 514 33.66% 42 2.75%
1904 1,228 73.75% 404 24.26% 33 1.98%
1908 1,110 65.72% 533 31.56% 46 2.72%
1912 388 30.10% 291 22.58% 610 47.32%
1916 713 59.17% 452 37.51% 40 3.32%
1920 1,364 68.06% 497 24.80% 143 7.14%
1924 1,366 77.18% 260 14.69% 144 8.14%
1928 1,564 75.52% 501 24.19% 6 0.29%
1932 1,438 64.31% 748 33.45% 50 2.24%
1936 1,801 53.21% 1,538 45.44% 46 1.36%
1940 1,793 55.15% 1,450 44.60% 8 0.25%
1944 1,729 60.60% 1,115 39.08% 9 0.32%
1948 1,596 64.75% 858 34.81% 11 0.45%
1952 2,307 69.05% 1,020 30.53% 14 0.42%
1956 2,462 74.52% 841 25.45% 1 0.03%
1960 2,129 61.06% 1,353 38.80% 5 0.14%
1964 1,376 41.89% 1,904 57.96% 5 0.15%
1968 1,822 58.96% 1,104 35.73% 164 5.31%
1972 1,935 68.45% 828 29.29% 64 2.26%
1976 1,616 54.28% 1,319 44.31% 42 1.41%
1980 1,795 59.24% 1,112 36.70% 123 4.06%
1984 2,031 67.05% 990 32.68% 8 0.26%
1988 1,731 65.20% 901 33.94% 23 0.87%
1992 1,173 43.80% 824 30.77% 681 25.43%
1996 1,113 49.89% 822 36.84% 296 13.27%
2000 1,383 61.58% 779 34.68% 84 3.74%
2004 1,599 66.46% 794 33.00% 13 0.54%
2008 1,323 58.62% 879 38.95% 55 2.44%
2012 1,359 63.95% 724 34.07% 42 1.98%
2016 1,589 71.90% 531 24.03% 90 4.07%
2020 1,771 72.58% 634 25.98% 35 1.43%
2024 1,654 74.27% 538 24.16% 35 1.57%
United States Senate election results for Cameron County, Pennsylvania1[21]
Year Republican Democratic Third party(ies)
No.  % No.  % No.  %
2018 1,390 64.53% 593 27.53% 171 7.94%
2024 1,558 70.37% 580 26.20% 76 3.43%
United States Senate election results for Cameron County, Pennsylvania3
Year Republican Democratic Third party(ies)
No.  % No.  % No.  %
2016 36,948 58.90% 21,894 34.90% 3,886 6.20%
2022 1,247 66.12% 547 29.00% 92 4.88%
Pennsylvania Gubernatorial election results for Cameron County
Year Republican Democratic Third party(ies)
No.  % No.  % No.  %
2014 779 56.12% 609 43.88% 0 0.00%
2018 1,127 63.56% 619 34.91% 27 1.52%
2022 1,200 63.49% 639 33.81% 51 2.70%

Voter registration

As of February 7, 2024, there are 2,931 registered voters in Cameron County.[22]

Chart of Voter Registration
  1. Republican (62.2%)
  2. Democratic (25.4%)
  3. Independent (7.71%)
  4. Other Parties (4.67%)

Law enforcement

As of 2016 all areas in the county use the Pennsylvania State Police (PSP) in a law enforcement capacity, either with part-time police departments or with no other police departments.[23]

County-row offices

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

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.[24]

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.[25]

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.[26][27][28]

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 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.[29]

† county seat

Rank City/Town/etc. Population (2010 Census) Municipal type Incorporated
1 † Emporium 2,073 Borough 1864
2 Prospect Park 327 CDP
3 Driftwood 67 Borough 1872

Notable people

References

  1. ^ Includes Clearfield, Jefferson, Tioga, McKean, Warren, Clarion, Elk, Potter, Forest and Cameron Counties
  1. ^ "Cameron County, Pennsylvania". Census.gov.
  2. ^ "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.
  3. ^ "Census - Geography Profile: Cameron County, Pennsylvania". United States Census Bureau. Archived from the original on November 27, 2022. Retrieved April 24, 2022.
  4. ^ "Find a County". National Association of Counties. Archived from the original on May 31, 2011. Retrieved June 7, 2011.
  5. ^ "2010 Census Gazetteer Files". United States Census Bureau. August 22, 2012. Archived from the original on September 4, 2015. Retrieved March 5, 2015.
  6. ^ "PRISM Climate Group at Oregon State University". Archived from the original on July 25, 2019. Retrieved November 9, 2019.
  7. ^ "2023 Population Estimates (PEP)". United States Census Bureau. Retrieved February 22, 2026.
  8. ^ "U.S. Decennial Census". United States Census Bureau. Archived from the original on November 8, 2020. Retrieved March 5, 2015.
  9. ^ "Historical Census Browser". University of Virginia Library. Archived from the original on August 11, 2012. Retrieved March 5, 2015.
  10. ^ Forstall, Richard L., ed. (March 24, 1995). "Population of Counties by Decennial Census: 1900 to 1990". United States Census Bureau. Archived from the original on March 20, 2015. Retrieved March 5, 2015.
  11. ^ "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 March 27, 2010. Retrieved March 5, 2015.
  12. ^ "State & County QuickFacts". United States Census Bureau. Archived from the original on June 6, 2011. Retrieved November 16, 2013.
  13. ^ a b c "2020 Decennial Census Demographic Profile (DP1)". United States Census Bureau. 2021. Retrieved December 26, 2025.
  14. ^ "2020 Decennial Census Redistricting Data (Public Law 94-171)". United States Census Bureau. 2021. Retrieved December 26, 2025.
  15. ^ "P004: Hispanic or Latino, and Not Hispanic or Latino by Race – 2000: DEC Summary File 1 – Cameron County, Pennsylvania". United States Census Bureau.
  16. ^ "P2 Hispanic or Latino, and Not Hispanic or Latino by Race – 2010: DEC Redistricting Data (PL 94-171) - Cameron County, Pennsylvania". United States Census Bureau.
  17. ^ "P2 Hispanic or Latino, and Not Hispanic or Latino by Race – 2020: DEC Redistricting Data (PL 94-171) - Cameron County, Pennsylvania". United States Census Bureau.
  18. ^ "2020 Decennial Census Demographic and Housing Characteristics (DHC)". United States Census Bureau. 2023. Retrieved December 26, 2025.
  19. ^ "U.S. Census website". United States Census Bureau. Archived from the original on December 27, 1996. Retrieved January 31, 2008.
  20. ^ Leip, David. "Dave Leip's Atlas of U.S. Presidential Elections". uselectionatlas.org. Archived from the original on March 23, 2018. Retrieved November 21, 2018.
  21. ^ "2024 Senate Election (Official Returns)". Commonwealth of Pennsylvania by county. November 5, 2024. Retrieved December 5, 2024.
  22. ^ Pennsylvania Department of State (February 5, 2024). "Voter registration statistics by county". dos.pa.gov. Archived from the original on August 17, 2016. Retrieved February 7, 2024.
  23. ^ Klibanoff, Eleanor (May 4, 2016). "Half of Pa. municipalities rely fully on state police". WHYY-TV. Retrieved July 23, 2024.
  24. ^ "2020 CENSUS - SCHOOL DISTRICT REFERENCE MAP: Cameron County, PA" (PDF). U.S. Census Bureau. Retrieved July 23, 2024. - Text list
  25. ^ "PROJECT TRAIL: West Creek Recreational Trail | Pennsylvania Trails | TrailLink.com". Archived from the original on February 19, 2015. Retrieved February 19, 2015.
  26. ^ Fred Woods Trail (PDF), Pennsylvania Department of Conservation and Natural Resources, archived from the original (PDF) on September 23, 2015.
  27. ^ "Fred Woods Trail". VisitPA - #visitPA. Archived from the original on November 22, 2018. Retrieved November 21, 2018.
  28. ^ "Fred Woods Trail Description". www.wapitiwoods.com. Archived from the original on November 22, 2018. Retrieved November 21, 2018.
  29. ^ "2010 U.S. Census website". United States Census Bureau. Archived from the original on May 22, 2017. Retrieved February 10, 2013.
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