| County: | Lawrence County |
| State: | Pennsylvania |
| Seal: | Seal of Lawrence County, Pennsylvania.svg |
| Flag: | Flag of Lawrence County, Pennsylvania.svg |
| Founded Date: | March 20 |
| Founded Year: | 1849 |
| Seat Wl: | New Castle |
| Largest City Wl: | New Castle |
| Area Total Sq Mi: | 363 |
| Area Land Sq Mi: | 358 |
| Area Water Sq Mi: | 4.5 |
| Area Percentage: | 1.3 |
| Census Yr: | 2020 |
| Pop: | 86,070 |
| Density Sq Mi: | 240 |
| Web: | https://lawrencecountypa.gov/ |
| Ex Image: | Lawrence County PA Couthouse.jpg |
| Ex Image Size: | 250 |
| Time Zone: | Eastern |
| District: | 16th |
Lawrence County is a county in the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania. As of the 2020 census, the population was 86,070.[1] The county seat and largest city is New Castle.[2]
The county was created on March 20, 1849, from parts of Beaver and Mercer counties. The county is part of the Greater Pittsburgh region of the state.
Lawrence County was created on March 20, 1849, from parts of Beaver and Mercer counties due to the rapid growth of New Castle, which was primarily in Mercer County but was rapidly expanding into Beaver County. The former borders between Beaver and Mercer Counties are still evident in Lawrence County today, as the northern borders of North Beaver Township, Shenango Township, and Slippery Rock Township with (respectively) the southern borders of Mahoning Township, Hickory Township, and Scott Township make up the former boundaries between Beaver and Mercer Counties. In addition, County Line Road in New Castle where the Lawrence County Courthouse is located also marks the former boundaries.
The county was named after the flagship of Commodore Oliver Hazard Perry, the USS Lawrence, which was disabled in the September 10, 1813 Battle of Lake Erie during the War of 1812. The ship's complement included local raw recruits. That niagara-class brig (more correctly: snow) was itself a namesake, of Perry's friend and naval officer James Lawrence, who died during the War of 1812.[3]
In August 1981, county commissioner Paul L. Tanner proposed the creation of a flag for Lawrence County as well as a flag for each of the county's 27 municipalities These were to be displayed at the courthouse. Over the next few months, flags for Perry Township, New Beaver Borough, and Wampum Borough were presented to the commissioners[4]
On January 12, 1982, commissioner chairman, Frank A. Vitril, announced a county flag design contest and asked residents of Lawrence County to submit entries on an 8.5 by 11 inch sheet of paper with their name, address, and telephone number on an attached sheet of paper. The winner would receive $100 prize contributed in equal parts from the county commissioners and would not come from taxpayers. They also announced the formation of a committee, coordinated by the Lawrence County Planning Commission, to select the winner. The commissioners said in a statement, "As public officials, we are aware of the need to generate public spirit and interest in the affairs of local government. The promotion of a county flag will enable interested citizens (schools, art groups, etc.) of Lawrence County participation in an historic event."[5]
The winning flag was announced on June 4, 1982, and a ceremony was held at the courthouse on June 15, 1982, in observance of Flag Day, as the courthouse was closed on June 14. Rosemary Ann Marino, a commercial artist from New Castle, submitted several designs and her winning entry was one of 43 designs submitted by 15 individuals. The design depicts the shape of Lawrence County in green and edged with gold off-center on a white background with the words "Lawrence County, Pennsylvania" emblazoned on the bottom. The center logo features a shaft of wheat, symbolizing prosperity, against a background of rolling farmlands on the left and waves of water on the right. Marino received a check for $100 at a ceremony at the courthouse as well as a telegraph from Governor Dick Thornburgh who congratulated Lawrence County on its new flag.[6]
A painting of the design was revealed at the ceremony and was painted on masonite by Harry Broschart, who was on the flag selection committee. He and other committee members, Dominic Caminite and former director of arts and crafts at West Side Community Center, Virginia Rankin, gave the award presentations.[6] Honorable mentions included a covered bridge design by Grayce D. Sharek, a blue and gold circular design stating "Lawrence County, Government for the People, founded 1849" by Betty Stone, an outline of the courthouse against a red keystone on a blue background by Steve T. Grala, and a two-tone green flag with an outline of the county by James E. Hamilton.[4] Entries were judged based on originality, creativity, theme, clarity, and design.[5]
President Judge Glenn McCracken offered remarks urging those present to take pride in their home, Lawrence County, and the flag which symbolizes it, and saying Lawrence County needs the kind of American pride in their heredity that was reawakened by the television show Roots.[6]
According to the U.S. Census Bureau, the county has a total area of, of which is land and (1.3%) is water.[7] Major waterways are the Shenango River, Neshannock Creek and the Mahoning River which form the Beaver River. Also, the Slippery Rock Creek and Connoquenessing Creak empty into the Beaver River. Lawrence County is one of the 423 counties served by the Appalachian Regional Commission,[8] and it is identified as part of the "Midlands" by Colin Woodard in his book American Nations: A History of the Eleven Rival Regional Cultures of North America.[9]
Lawrence County has a humid continental climate (Dfa/Dfb) and average monthly temperatures in New Castle range from 27.7 °F in January to 72.2 °F in July.[10]
As of the 2000 census[11] there were 94,643 people, 37,091 households, and 25,889 families residing in the county. The population density was 263sp=usNaNsp=us. There were 39,635 housing units at an average density of 110adj=preNaNadj=pre. The racial makeup of the county was 94.98% White, 3.61% Black or African American, 0.10% Native American, 0.27% Asian, 0.01% Pacific Islander, 0.19% from other races, and 0.84% from two or more races. 0.56% of the population were Hispanic or Latino of any race. 34.2% English or Welsh, 14.6% were of Italian, 12.4% American, 9.0% German, 8.1% Irish, and 6.8% Scotch-Irish, 2.5% Polish, and 1.9% African ancestry.
There were 37,091 households, out of which 28.80% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 54.50% were married couples living together, 11.50% had a female householder with no husband present, and 30.20% were non-families. 27.00% of all households were made up of individuals, and 14.40% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.47 and the average family size was 3.00.
In the county, the population was spread out, with 23.10% under the age of 18, 8.30% from 18 to 24, 25.70% from 25 to 44, 23.60% from 45 to 64, and 19.30% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 40 years. For every 100 females, there were 90.60 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 86.90 males.
| White (NH) | 75,811 | 88.1% | |
| Black or African American (NH) | 3,546 | 4.12% | |
| Native American (NH) | 75 | 0.1% | |
| Asian (NH) | 321 | 0.37% | |
| Pacific Islander (NH) | 4 | 0.01% | |
| Other/Mixed (NH) | 4,658 | 5.4% | |
| Hispanic or Latino | 1,655 | 2% |
The United States Office of Management and Budget[13] has designated Lawrence County as the New Castle, PA Micropolitan Statistical Area (MSA). As of the 2010 U.S. census[14] the micropolitan area ranked 3rd most populous in the State of Pennsylvania and the 48th most populous in the United States with a population of 91,108. Lawrence County is also a part of the Pittsburgh–New Castle–Weirton combined statistical area (CSA), which combines the population of Lawrence, and Allegheny, Armstrong, Beaver, Butler, Fayette, Indiana, Washington, and Westmoreland Counties in Pennsylvania. In West Virginia, the counties included are Brooke and Hancock. And in Ohio, Jefferson County. The combined statistical area ranked the fourth most populous in Pennsylvania and 20th most populous in the U.S. with a population of 2,660,727.
As of June 12, 2023, there are 55,256 registered voters in Lawrence County. Republicans hold a plurality of voters. There were 27,370 registered Republicans, 21,263 registered Democrats, 4,574 registered non-affiliated voters, and 2,049 voters registered to other parties.[15]
| Voter registration and party enrollment | |||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Party | Number of voters | Percentage | |||
| Republican | 27,370 | 49.53% | |||
| Democratic | 21,263 | 38.48% | |||
| Independent | 7,319 | 10.37% | |||
| Third Party | 2,118 | 3.01% | |||
| Total | 55,256 | 100% | |||
|}
Lawrence County is administered by a three-member publicly elected commission. Each commissioner serves in four-year terms. Elections occur in the odd-numbered years that precede U.S. presidential elections. All three Commissioners are chosen in the same election, and voters may vote for no more than two of the candidates. By state law, the commission must have a minority party guaranteeing a political split on the commission. The Commissioners are responsible for the management of the fiscal and administrative functions of the county.[16]
| Commissioner | Party | Title |
|---|---|---|
| Dan Vogler[17] | Chairman | |
| Chris Sainato[18] | ||
| Dan Kennedy[19] | ||
| Office | Official | Party | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Controller | Dave Prestopine[20] | Republican | |
| Coroner | Richard Johnson[21] | Democratic | |
| District Attorney | Joshua Lamancusa[22] | Democratic | |
| Prothonotary and Clerk of Courts | Jodi Klabon-Esoldo[23] | Democratic | |
| Register of Wills and Recorder of Deeds | Tammy Crawford[24] | Republican | |
| Sheriff | Perry Quahliero[25] | Democratic | |
| Treasurer | Richard L. Rapone[26] | Democratic |
| District | Representative | Party | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Republican | |||
| Republican |
| District | Senator | Party | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Republican | |||
| Republican |
| Senator | Party | |
|---|---|---|
| Democrat | ||
| Democrat |
Per data provided at Pennsylvania EdNA
Under Pennsylvania law, there are four types of incorporated municipalities: cities, boroughs, townships, and, in at most two cases, towns. The following cities, boroughs and townships are located in Lawrence County:
Census-designated places are geographical areas designated by the U.S. Census Bureau for the purposes of compiling demographic data. They are not actual jurisdictions under Pennsylvania law. Other unincorporated communities, such as villages, may be listed here as well.
Various unincorporated communities that lie within and are part of official municipalities.
The population ranking of the following table is based on the 2010 census of Lawrence County.[29]
† county seat
| Rank | City/Town/etc. | Municipal type | Population (2010 Census) | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | † New Castle | City | 23,273 | |
| 2 | Ellwood City (partially in Beaver County) | Borough | 7,921 | |
| 3 | New Wilmington | Borough | 2,466 | |
| 4 | Oakwood | CDP | 2,270 | |
| 5 | Oakland | CDP | 1,569 | |
| 6 | New Beaver | Borough | 1,502 | |
| 7 | New Castle Northwest | CDP | 1,413 | |
| 8 | Ellport | Borough | 1,180 | |
| 9 | Bessemer | Borough | 1,111 | |
| 10 | New Bedford | CDP | 925 | |
| 11 | West Pittsburg | CDP | 808 | |
| 12 | Wampum | Borough | 717 | |
| 13 | South New Castle | Borough | 709 | |
| 14 | Frizzleburg | CDP | 602 | |
| 15 | Chewton | CDP | 488 | |
| 16 | Enon Valley | Borough | 306 | |
| 17 | Volant | Borough | 168 | |
| 18 | S.N.P.J. | Borough | 19 |
See also: List of people from the Pittsburgh metropolitan area.