Hermitage, Pennsylvania

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Hermitage is a city in Mercer County, Pennsylvania, United States. The population was 16,157 at the 2000 census.

Contents 1 Geography 2 History 3 Demographics 4 External links

[edit] Geography

Hermitage is located at 41°13′57″N, 80°27′38″W (41.232456, -80.460464)^GR1.

According to the United States Census Bureau, the city has a total area of 76.6 km² (29.6 mi²). 76.3 km² (29.5 mi²) of it is land and 0.3 km² (0.1 mi²) of it (0.37%) is water.

[edit] History

The City of Hermitage, in Mercer County, Pennsylvania, was first settled in 1796, and the Township of Hickory was incorporated in 1833 from portions of the Shenango and Pymatuning townships. Following the incorporation of the cities of Sharon and Farrell and the Boroughs of Sharpsville and Wheatland, the remainder of the Township was incorporated into a First Class Township.

The Home Rule Charter and Optional Plans Law, Act 62 of 1972, provided all local governments in Pennsylvania a unique opportunity of true "home rule." On August 9th, 1972, Ordinance 13-72 was enacted by the Board of Commissioners, providing for a referendum on electing a Governmental Study Commission of nine members. On November 17th, 1972, the electors voted in favor of a commission and selected nine members with the task of studying present Township government and the alternative of an Optional Plan of Government or a Home Rule Charter.

On March 13th, 1974, the final report of the Government Study Commission recommended a Home Rule Charter, which was approved on May 21st, 1974 by a vote of 1,375 to 546. The Charter was to become effective on January 1st, 1976.

A resolution of April 9th, 1975 stated the Board of Commissioners' intent to start an informal campaign to consider the possibility of a name change for the Township. A survey was conducted to determine possible names. In July, 1975, the Commissioners petitioned to the Court of Common Pleas of Mercer County pursuant to the Act of June 14th, 1957, P.L. 330. The petition contained almost double the signature requirement of ten percent of the registered electors of the Township. The questions to be placed on the ballot were whether the name of the Township should be changed, and if so, which name: "Hermitage," "Mount Hickory," "Hickory Hills."

On November 4th, 1975, the voters approved, by 2,986 to 695, a change in name, and selected "Hermitage." The Honorable Judge John Q. Stranahan, President Judge of Mercer County Court of Common Pleas, issued an order on December 11th, 1975, decreeing that the name of the Township of Hickory shall be and was hereby changed to Hermitage, Pennsylvania, effective January 2nd, 1976.

[edit] Demographics

As of the census^GR2 of 2000, there were 16,157 people, 6,809 households, and 4,616 families residing in the city. The population density was 211.7/km² (548.3/mi²). There were 7,104 housing units at an average density of 93.1/km² (241.1/mi²). The racial makeup of the city was 94.97% White, 3.09% African American, 0.04% Native American, 0.80% Asian, 0.01% Pacific Islander, 0.23% from other races, and 0.85% from two or more races. Hispanic or Latino of any race were 0.66% of the population.

There were 6,809 households out of which 26.4% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 54.9% were married couples living together, 10.2% had a female householder with no husband present, and 32.2% were non-families. 29.4% of all households were made up of individuals and 15.7% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.32 and the average family size was 2.87.

In the city the population was spread out with 21.7% under the age of 18, 5.5% from 18 to 24, 24.6% from 25 to 44, 24.7% from 45 to 64, and 23.6% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 44 years. For every 100 females there were 87.9 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 83.4 males.

The median income for a household in the city was $39,454, and the median income for a family was $46,994. Males had a median income of $41,506 versus $25,217 for females. The per capita income for the city was $23,227. About 6.3% of families and 8.2% of the population were below the poverty line, including 12.1% of those under age 18 and 6.5% of those age 65 or over. a

[edit] External links

• Maps and aerial photos Coordinates: 41.232456° -80.460464°
  • Street map from Google Maps, or Yahoo! Maps, or Windows Live Local
  • Satellite image from Google Maps, Windows Live Local, WikiMapia
  • Topographic map from TopoZone
  • Aerial image or topographic map from TerraServer-USA
• Official Website of the City of Hermitage