Forest County, Pennsylvania

Forest County, Pennsylvania
County
Forest County Courthouse in Tionesta
Logo
Location within the U.S. state of Pennsylvania
Coordinates: 41°31′N 79°14′W / 41.52°N 79.24°W / 41.52; -79.24
Country United States
State Pennsylvania
FoundedSeptember 1, 1857
SeatTionesta
Largest communityMarienville
Area
 • Total
430 sq mi (1,100 km2)
 • Land427 sq mi (1,110 km2)
 • Water3.3 sq mi (8.5 km2)  0.8%
Population
 (2020)
 • Total
6,973
 • Estimate 
(2024)[1]
6,601
 • Density15.5/sq mi (6.0/km2)
Time zoneUTC−5 (Eastern)
 • Summer (DST)UTC−4 (EDT)
Congressional district15th
Websitewww.co.forest.pa.us

Forest County is a county in the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania. As of the 2020 census, the population was 6,973,[2] making it the third-least populous county in Pennsylvania. Its county seat is Tionesta.[3] The county was created in 1848 and later organized in 1857.[4] The county is part of the North Central region of the commonwealth.[a]

History

Forest County was created on April 11, 1848, from part of Jefferson County. The county was enlarged on October 31, 1866, when part of Venango County was incorporated into the county. Forest County was named for the forests contained within its limits.[5]

Geography

According to the U.S. Census Bureau, the county has a total area of 430 square miles (1,100 km2), of which 427 square miles (1,110 km2) is land and 3.3 square miles (8.5 km2) (0.8%) is water.[6] It has a warm-summer humid continental climate (Dfb) and average monthly temperatures in Tionesta range from 25.3 °F in January to 69.8 °F in July.[7]

Adjacent counties

National protected area

Part of Allegheny National Forest covers Forest County. Part of Allegheny Islands Wilderness is in Forest County.[8]

State protected area

Part of Cook Forest State Park is in Forest County. Part of Cornplanter State Forest is in Forest County.[9]

Major highways

Demographics

Historical population
CensusPop.Note%±
1860898—
18704,010346.5%
18804,3859.4%
18908,48293.4%
190011,03930.1%
19109,435−14.5%
19207,477−20.8%
19305,180−30.7%
19405,79111.8%
19504,944−14.6%
19604,485−9.3%
19704,9269.8%
19805,0723.0%
19904,802−5.3%
20004,9463.0%
20107,71656.0%
20206,973−9.6%
2024 (est.)6,601−5.3%
U.S. Decennial Census[10]
1790-1960[11] 1900-1990[12]
1990-2000[13] 2010-2017[14] 2024[1]

2020 census

As of the 2020 census, the county had a population of 6,973. The median age was 45.4 years. 9.3% of residents were under the age of 18 and 21.6% of residents were 65 years of age or older. For every 100 females there were 236.4 males, and for every 100 females age 18 and over there were 252.6 males age 18 and over.[15]

The racial makeup of the county was 76.0% White, 17.7% Black or African American, 0.1% American Indian and Alaska Native, 0.3% Asian, <0.1% Native Hawaiian and Pacific Islander, 4.0% from some other race, and 1.9% from two or more races. Hispanic or Latino residents of any race comprised 4.6% of the population.[16]

<0.1% of residents lived in urban areas, while 100.0% lived in rural areas.[17]

There were 2,034 households in the county, of which 17.2% had children under the age of 18 living in them. Of all households, 47.4% were married-couple households, 25.0% were households with a male householder and no spouse or partner present, and 22.1% were households with a female householder and no spouse or partner present. About 36.8% of all households were made up of individuals and 19.4% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older.[15]

There were 6,949 housing units, of which 70.7% were vacant. Among occupied housing units, 83.1% were owner-occupied and 16.9% were renter-occupied. The homeowner vacancy rate was 2.2% and the rental vacancy rate was 9.7%.[15]

Forest 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[18] Pop 2010[19] Pop 2020[20] % 2000 % 2010 % 2020
White alone (NH) 4,719 5,850 5,278 95.41% 75.81% 75.69%
Black or African American alone (NH) 110 1,374 1,235 2.22% 17.80% 17.71%
Native American or Alaska Native alone (NH) 19 11 8 0.38% 0.14% 0.11%
Asian alone (NH) 6 12 17 0.12% 0.15% 0.24%
Pacific Islander alone (NH) 0 1 0 0.00% 0.02% 0.00%
Other race alone (NH) 4 5 4 0.08% 0.06% 0.05%
Mixed race or Multiracial (NH) 28 45 108 0.56% 0.58% 1.54%
Hispanic or Latino (any race) 60 418 323 1.21% 5.41% 4.63%
Total 4,946 7,716 6,973 100.00% 100.00% 100.00%

2000 census

As of the 2000 census[21], there were 4,946 people, 2,000 households, and 1,328 families residing in the county. The population density was 12 people per square mile (4.6 people/km2). There were 8,701 housing units at an average density of 20 units per square mile (7.7/km2). The racial makeup of the county, largely a result of the SCI Forest State Penitentiary, was 77.4% White, 21.1% Black or African American, 0.40% Native American, 0.14% Asian, 0.69% from other races, and 0.61% from two or more races. 1.21% of the population were Hispanic or Latino of any race. 19.9% were of German, 9.0% Irish, 6.2% English ancestry.

There were 2,000 households, out of which 23.20% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 55.70% were married couples living together, 6.70% had a female householder with no husband present, and 33.60% were non-families. 29.10% of all households were made up of individuals, and 15.10% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.29 and the average family size was 2.81.

In the county, the population was spread out, with 22.70% under the age of 18, 5.90% from 18 to 24, 22.60% from 25 to 44, 28.90% from 45 to 64, and 19.90% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 44 years. For every 100 females there were 111.20 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 102.30 males. According to a 2025 Census Bureau survey, Forest County had the highest percentage of unmarried adults of any county in the Mid-Atlantic, Northeastern, Appalachian, and Great Lakes regions of the United States.[22]

Law and government

United States presidential election results for Forest County, Pennsylvania[23]
Year Republican Democratic Third party(ies)
No.  % No.  % No.  %
1888 917 57.24% 612 38.20% 73 4.56%
1892 938 54.31% 660 38.22% 129 7.47%
1896 1,224 57.74% 805 37.97% 91 4.29%
1900 1,309 61.25% 714 33.41% 114 5.33%
1904 1,328 68.14% 411 21.09% 210 10.77%
1908 1,119 60.91% 512 27.87% 206 11.21%
1912 240 15.38% 373 23.91% 947 60.71%
1916 617 47.03% 463 35.29% 232 17.68%
1920 993 56.36% 389 22.08% 380 21.57%
1924 1,130 71.20% 280 17.64% 177 11.15%
1928 1,707 84.59% 289 14.32% 22 1.09%
1932 1,090 63.34% 569 33.06% 62 3.60%
1936 1,757 59.50% 1,157 39.18% 39 1.32%
1940 1,811 66.19% 919 33.59% 6 0.22%
1944 1,344 65.95% 673 33.02% 21 1.03%
1948 1,209 62.29% 687 35.39% 45 2.32%
1952 1,511 69.92% 627 29.01% 23 1.06%
1956 1,535 71.13% 622 28.82% 1 0.05%
1960 1,497 64.19% 828 35.51% 7 0.30%
1964 900 41.78% 1,249 57.99% 5 0.23%
1968 1,172 59.40% 669 33.91% 132 6.69%
1972 1,374 71.75% 509 26.58% 32 1.67%
1976 1,135 51.90% 1,017 46.50% 35 1.60%
1980 1,206 56.12% 819 38.11% 124 5.77%
1984 1,468 63.36% 839 36.21% 10 0.43%
1988 1,159 56.13% 895 43.34% 11 0.53%
1992 801 37.36% 890 41.51% 453 21.13%
1996 902 40.98% 964 43.80% 335 15.22%
2000 1,371 60.05% 843 36.93% 69 3.02%
2004 1,571 61.06% 989 38.44% 13 0.51%
2008 1,366 55.35% 1,038 42.06% 64 2.59%
2012 1,383 59.51% 896 38.55% 45 1.94%
2016 1,684 69.59% 626 25.87% 110 4.55%
2020 1,882 70.91% 728 27.43% 44 1.66%
2024 1,902 71.50% 724 27.22% 34 1.28%
United States Senate election results for Forest County, Pennsylvania1[24]
Year Republican Democratic Third party(ies)
No.  % No.  % No.  %
2018 1,201 62.16% 693 35.87% 38 1.97%
2024 1,808 68.25% 741 27.97% 100 3.78%
United States Senate election results for Forest County, Pennsylvania3
Year Republican Democratic Third party(ies)
No.  % No.  % No.  %
2016 1,502 63.27% 708 29.82% 164 6.91%
2022 1,434 65.72% 694 31.81% 54 2.47%
Pennsylvania Gubernatorial election results for Forest County
Year Republican Democratic Third party(ies)
No.  % No.  % No.  %
2014 820 50.15% 815 49.85% 0 0.00%
2018 1,159 59.80% 746 38.49% 33 1.70%
2022 1,340 61.13% 825 37.64% 27 1.23%

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.[25]

Voter registration

As of February 5, 2024, there are 3,159 registered voters in Forest County.[26]

Chart of Voter Registration
  1. Republican (61.9%)
  2. Democratic (26.8%)
  3. Independent (7.28%)
  4. Third Party (4.05%)

State Senate

Source:[27]

State House of Representatives

Source:[27]

United States House of Representatives

United States Senate

Education

The Forest Area School District serves the entire Forest County.[28]

Private schools:

  • Cornell Abraxas I Arlene Lissner (9th-12th) Marienville

Libraries:

  • Marienville Area Library - Marienville
  • Sarah Stewart Bovard Memorial Library - Tionesta

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 Forest County:

Borough

Townships

Census-designated place

Unincorporated communities

Population ranking

The population ranking of the following table is based on the 2010 census of Forest County.[29] The jump in census figures between the 2000 and 2010 census, is due in a large part to the opening of the State Correctional Institution - Forest (SCI - Forest) in October 2004. SCI Forest houses approximately 2,200 inmates at their facility in Marienville, PA.

† county seat

Rank City/Town/etc. Population (2010 Census) Municipal type Incorporated
1 Marienville 3,137 CDP
2 † Tionesta 483 Borough 1805

See also

References

  1. ^ Includes Clearfield, Jefferson, Tioga, McKean, Warren, Clarion, Elk, Potter, Forest and Cameron Counties
  1. ^ a b "Forest County, Pennsylvania". Census.gov.
  2. ^ "Census - Geography Profile: Forest County, Pennsylvania". United States Census Bureau. Retrieved December 18, 2022.
  3. ^ "Find a County". National Association of Counties. Archived from the original on May 31, 2011. Retrieved June 7, 2011.
  4. ^ "Pennsylvania: Individual County Chronologies". Pennsylvania Atlas of Historical County Boundaries. The Newberry Library. 2008. Archived from the original on March 25, 2015. Retrieved March 12, 2015.
  5. ^ Gannett, Henry (1905). The Origin of Certain Place Names in the United States. Govt. Print. Off. pp. 128. Retrieved October 15, 2016.
  6. ^ "2010 Census Gazetteer Files". United States Census Bureau. August 22, 2012. Archived from the original on September 4, 2015. Retrieved March 7, 2015.
  7. ^ "PRISM Climate Group at Oregon State University".
  8. ^ "Wilderness Connect".
  9. ^ "Cornplanter State Forest".
  10. ^ "U.S. Decennial Census". United States Census Bureau. Retrieved March 7, 2015.
  11. ^ "Historical Census Browser". University of Virginia Library. Archived from the original on August 11, 2012. Retrieved March 7, 2015.
  12. ^ 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 7, 2015.
  13. ^ "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 December 18, 2014. Retrieved March 7, 2015.
  14. ^ "State & County QuickFacts". United States Census Bureau. Archived from the original on June 6, 2011. Retrieved November 17, 2013.
  15. ^ a b c "2020 Decennial Census Demographic Profile (DP1)". United States Census Bureau. 2021. Retrieved December 26, 2025.
  16. ^ "2020 Decennial Census Redistricting Data (Public Law 94-171)". United States Census Bureau. 2021. Retrieved December 26, 2025.
  17. ^ "2020 Decennial Census Demographic and Housing Characteristics (DHC)". United States Census Bureau. 2023. Retrieved December 26, 2025.
  18. ^ "P004: Hispanic or Latino, and Not Hispanic or Latino by Race – 2000: DEC Summary File 1 – Forest County, Pennsylvania". United States Census Bureau.
  19. ^ "P2 Hispanic or Latino, and Not Hispanic or Latino by Race – 2010: DEC Redistricting Data (PL 94-171) - Forest County, Pennsylvania". United States Census Bureau.
  20. ^ "P2 Hispanic or Latino, and Not Hispanic or Latino by Race – 2020: DEC Redistricting Data (PL 94-171) - Forest County, Pennsylvania". United States Census Bureau.
  21. ^ "U.S. Census website". United States Census Bureau. Retrieved January 31, 2008.
  22. ^ Alex Fitzpark. "Where unmarried Americans live". Axios. Retrieved February 19, 2025.
  23. ^ Leip, David. "Dave Leip's Atlas of U.S. Presidential Elections". uselectionatlas.org. Archived from the original on March 23, 2018. Retrieved November 25, 2018.
  24. ^ "2024 Senate Election (Official Returns)". Commonwealth of Pennsylvania by county. November 5, 2024. Retrieved December 5, 2024.
  25. ^ Klibanoff, Eleanor (May 4, 2016). "Half of Pa. municipalities rely fully on state police". WHYY-TV. Retrieved July 23, 2024.
  26. ^ Pennsylvania Department of State (February 5, 2024). "Voter registration statistics by county". dos.pa.gov. Retrieved February 5, 2024.
  27. ^ a b Center, Legislativate Data Processing. "Find Your Legislator". The official website for the Pennsylvania General Assembly. Archived from the original on May 6, 2017. Retrieved May 11, 2017.
  28. ^ "2020 CENSUS - SCHOOL DISTRICT REFERENCE MAP: Forest County, PA" (PDF). U.S. Census Bureau. Retrieved July 23, 2024. - Text list
  29. ^ "2010 U.S. Census website". United States Census Bureau. Retrieved February 10, 2013.

41°31′N 79°14′W / 41.52°N 79.24°W / 41.52; -79.24

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