Wayne County, Pennsylvania Explained

County:Wayne County
State:Pennsylvania
Founded Date:March 21
Founded Year:1798
Seat Wl:Honesdale
Largest City Wl:Honesdale
Area Total Sq Mi:751
Area Land Sq Mi:726
Area Water Sq Mi:25
Area Percentage:3.3%
Census Yr:2020
Pop:51,155
Density Sq Mi:70
District:8th
Time Zone:Eastern
Web:WayneCountyPA.gov
Ex Image:Wayne County courthouse mod.jpg
Ex Image Size:240
Ex Image Cap:The Wayne County Courthouse in Honesdale

Wayne is a county in the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania. The county's population was 51,155 at the 2020 census.[1] The county seat is the Borough of Honesdale.[2] The county was formed from part of Northampton County on March 21, 1798,[3] and was named for the Revolutionary War General Anthony Wayne.[2] The county is part of the Northeast Pennsylvania region of the state.

The Lehigh River, a 109adj=midNaNadj=mid tributary of the Delaware River, rises in southern Wayne County.

Geography

According to the U.S. Census Bureau, Wayne County has a total area of, of which is land and (3.3%) is water.[4]

The terrain of the county is varied. In the wider northern half, the land is rugged along its border with New York State, while the southern portion tends to be swampier. Higher hills and mountains are predominantly found along the county's western edge, while lower ones are more common in the east, near the Delaware River. The middle section of Wayne County is a wide plain.

The highest elevation in the county, 2659feet, is the summit of Mount Ararat in Orson. Two other summits at the north end of the same ridge also exceed 2640feet in elevation. The county's lowest point, at approximately 680feet above sea level, is along the Delaware, near Wayne County's border with Pike County, Pennsylvania.

Most of Wayne County is drained by the Delaware (which separates Pennsylvania from New York), with the exception of a few small areas in the western part of the county, which are drained by either the Starrucca Creek or the Lackawanna River (which both eventually flow into the Susquehanna River).

The county has a warm-summer humid continental climate (Dfb) and average monthly temperatures in Honesdale range from 22.8 °F in January to 67.9 °F in July.[5]

Adjacent counties

Major highways

Demographics

As of the Census of 2010, there were 52,822 people, 20,625 households, and 13,952 families in Wayne County. The county's population density was 72.797/mi2, and there were 31,653 housing units at an average density of 43.623/mi2. The racial makeup of the populace was 94.2% White, 3.1% African American, 0.2% Native American, 0.5% Asian, 0.0% Pacific Islander, 0.9% of other races, and 1.1% of two or more races. Hispanics and Latinos of all races made up 3.4% of the population.[4] [6]

67.6% of Wayne County's households were families, 53.9% were headed by a heterosexual married couple (Pennsylvania did not allow same-sex marriage until May 20, 2014, after the 2010 Census had been completed), and 26.6% included children under the age of 18. 9.2% of households were headed by a female householder with no husband present, 4.5% by a male householder with no wife present, and 32.4% consisted of non-families. 27.2% of all households were made up of individuals, and 12.3% consisted of a person 65 years of age or older living alone. The average household size was 2.38 and the average family size was 2.87.[6]

Wayne County's age distribution was 21.1% under the age of 18, 4.5% between the ages of 18 and 24, 23.1% between 25 and 44, 32.4% between 45 and 64, and 19.0% 65 years of age or older. The population's median age was 45.9 years. For every 100 females, there were 110 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 112 males in the same age range.[6]

According to American Community Survey (ACS) estimates, the median income for a household in Wayne County in 2013 was $49,313, and the median income for a family was $58,934. Males had a median income of $36,173, while females had a median income of $23,636. The per capita income for the county was $24,005. 8.4% of families and 12.2% of people were below the Census Bureau's poverty thresholds (different from the federally defined poverty guidelines), including 18.5% of those under age 18 and 7.6% of those age 65 or over.[7] [8]

According to self-reported ancestry figures recorded by the ACS, the five largest ancestral groups in Wayne County in 2013 were Germans (30.3%), Irish (22.1%), Italians (13.9%), English (10.9%), and Poles (10.1%). Those reporting American ancestry made up 8.6% of the population.[9]

2020 census

Wayne County Racial Composition[10] !Race!Num.!Perc.
White (NH)44,82187.62%
Black or African American (NH)1,6473.22%
Native American (NH)730.14%
Asian (NH)4180.82%
Pacific Islander (NH)00%
Other/Mixed (NH)1,8493.61%
Hispanic or Latino2,3474.6%

Politics

|}

As of January 8, 2024, there were 35,181 registered voters in Wayne County, with the following party breakdown:[11]

20,299 (57.70%)

9,134 (25.96%)

1,119 (3.18%)

4,629 (13.16%)

Wayne has long been one of the most Republican counties in Pennsylvania, as Republicans consistently win easily in federal, state and local elections. In 2000, Republican George W. Bush won 59.21 percent of the vote to Democrat Al Gore's 36.50 percent,[12] and in 2004, Bush won with 62.43 percent to Democrat John Kerry's 36.69 percent.[13] In 2008, Republican John McCain won with 55.39 percent of the vote to Democrat Barack Obama's 43.14 percent,[14] and in 2012, Republican Mitt Romney won with 59.50 percent to Obama's 38.74 percent.[15] In 2016, Republican Donald J. Trump won with 67.63 percent to Hillary Clinton's 29.18 percent.

Wayne County was one of the four counties that Barry Goldwater won in Pennsylvania in 1964;[16] the last Democrat to win a plurality in the county was Grover Cleveland in 1892.[17] [18] Since then, only three Democrats have won even forty percent of the county's vote – William Jennings Bryan in 1900, Lyndon B. Johnson in 1964 and Barack H. Obama in 2008.

Government and infrastructure

United States senators

United States representative

State representatives[19]

State senator

County commissioners

Other county officers

[24] Edward "Ned" Sandercock, Republican

Healthcare services

Wayne County is served by the Wayne Memorial Health System. The Health System consists of Wayne Memorial Hospital in Honesdale and several other subsidiaries and/or affiliates. In addition, the community has a number of physicians and other professionals providing needed care. The Farview State Hospital is located in Farview.

Emergency services

Paramedic services are provided by three different agencies:

BLS services are provided as dispatched through the Wayne County Communication Center. These agencies include:

Maplewood Fire and Rescue provides QRS "quick response service" to all medical calls in Lake townships.

Prisons

The Federal Bureau of Prisons United States Penitentiary, Canaan is in Canaan Township, near Waymart.[34] [35]

Education

Public school districts

Private schools

There are five private or parochial schools in Wayne County:

Libraries

The Wayne Library Alliance[40] operates seven public libraries throughout the county:

Communities

Under Pennsylvania law, there are four types of incorporated municipalities: boroughs, cities, townships, and one town. Wayne County has only boroughs and townships. The latter type is classified based on population by the state government; all of its townships are second-class. A complete list of the county's municipalities follows:

Boroughs

Townships

Census-designated places

In addition, Pennsylvania also has a few types of unincorporated communities, namely villages and private communities. Villages are unincorporated communities within a township, often defined by ZIP code boundaries, property deeds, and local consensus, but which have no official boundaries or population, unless they are also census-designated places (CDPs), geographical areas designated by the US Census Bureau for the purposes of compiling demographic data. Regardless of whether or not they are CDPs, however, they are not actual jurisdictions under Pennsylvania law. Private communities are gated settlements usually governed by a community association, which also often defines the boundaries of the community and may keep track of the number of its members. However, like villages, private communities have no official boundaries or populations, unless they are CDPs, and are never Pennsylvanian jurisdictions. The following is an incomplete list by necessity, but more complete lists of Wayne County's villages and private communities may be found in the corresponding township entry.

Unincorporated communities

Population ranking

The population ranking of the following table is based on the 2010 census of Wayne County.[48]

† county seat

RankCity/Town/etc.Municipal typePopulation (2010 Census)
1† HonesdaleBorough4,480
2The Hideout CDP3,013
3WaymartBorough1,341
4Wallenpaupack Lake Estates CDP1,279
5Big Bass Lake (mostly in Lackawanna County)CDP1,270
6HawleyBorough1,211
7Pocono Springs CDP926
8Gouldsboro (partially in Monroe County)CDP890
9White Mills CDP659
10PromptonBorough250
11BethanyBorough246
12StarruccaBorough173

See also

References

41.65°N -93°W

Notes and References

  1. Web site: Census - Geography Profile: Wayne County, Pennsylvania. United States Census Bureau. December 18, 2022.
  2. Web site: Wayne County, PA. . 2014. Wayne County, PA. Wayne County Courthouse. June 27, 2015. https://web.archive.org/web/20150630121553/http://waynecountypa.gov/. June 30, 2015. dead.
  3. Book: Goodrich, Phineas G.. 1992. 1880. History of Wayne County. Baltimore. Gateway Press, Inc..
  4. . 2014. 2014 Census National Counties Gazetteer File for Pennsylvania. United States Census Bureau. June 27, 2015.
  5. Web site: PRISM Climate Group at Oregon State University .
  6. . 2010. Profile of General Population and Housing Characteristics: 2010 Demographic Profile Data for Wayne County, Pennsylvania. U.S. Department of Commerce. June 27, 2015. https://archive.today/20200213032146/http://factfinder.census.gov/bkmk/table/1.0/en/DEC/10_DP/DPDP1/0500000US42127. February 13, 2020. dead.
  7. . 2013. Selected Economic Characteristics 2009–2013 American Community Survey 5-Year Estimates for Wayne County, Pennsylvania. U.S. Department of Commerce. June 27, 2015. https://archive.today/20200213010822/http://factfinder.census.gov/bkmk/table/1.0/en/ACS/13_5YR/DP03/0500000US42127. February 13, 2020. dead.
  8. . 2013. Occupation by Sex and Median Earnings in the Past 12 Months (In 2013 Inflation-Adjusted Dollars) For the Civilian Employed Population 16 Years and Over 2009–2013 American Community Survey 5-Year Estimates for Wayne County, Pennsylvania. U.S. Department of Commerce. June 27, 2015. https://archive.today/20200213035847/http://factfinder.census.gov/bkmk/table/1.0/en/ACS/13_5YR/S2401/0500000US42127. February 13, 2020. dead.
  9. . 2013. Selected Social Characteristics in the United States 2009–2013 American Community Survey 5-Year Estimates for Wayne County, Pennsylvania. U.S. Department of Commerce. June 29, 2015. https://archive.today/20200213022134/http://factfinder.census.gov/bkmk/table/1.0/en/ACS/13_5YR/DP02/0500000US42127. February 13, 2020. dead.
  10. Web site: P2 HISPANIC OR LATINO, AND NOT HISPANIC OR LATINO BY RACE – 2020: DEC Redistricting Data (PL 94-171) – Wayne County, Pennsylvania.
  11. Web site: Pennsylvania Department of State . May 15, 2023 . Voter registration statistics by county . May 17, 2023 . dos.pa.gov.
  12. Web site: 2000 Presidential General Election Results - Pennsylvania. Leip. Dave. 2012. Dave Leip's Atlas of U.S. Presidential Elections. David Leip. November 15, 2015. https://web.archive.org/web/20151117022024/http://uselectionatlas.org/RESULTS/state.php?year=2000&fips=42&f=1&off=0&elect=0. November 17, 2015. dead.
  13. Web site: 2004 Presidential General Election Results - Pennsylvania. Leip. Dave. 2012. Dave Leip's Atlas of U.S. Presidential Elections. David Leip. November 15, 2015. https://web.archive.org/web/20151117030739/http://uselectionatlas.org/RESULTS/state.php?year=2004&fips=42&f=1&off=0&elect=0. November 17, 2015. dead.
  14. Web site: 2008 Presidential General Election Results - Pennsylvania. Leip. Dave. 2012. Dave Leip's Atlas of U.S. Presidential Elections. David Leip. November 15, 2015. https://web.archive.org/web/20151117030435/http://uselectionatlas.org/RESULTS/state.php?year=2008&fips=42&f=1&off=0&elect=0. November 17, 2015. dead.
  15. Web site: 2012 Presidential General Election Results - Pennsylvania. Leip. Dave. 2012. Dave Leip's Atlas of U.S. Presidential Elections. David Leip. November 15, 2015. https://web.archive.org/web/20150907192416/http://uselectionatlas.org/RESULTS/state.php?year=2012&fips=42&f=1&off=0&elect=0. September 7, 2015. dead.
  16. Web site: 1964 Presidential General Election Results - Pennsylvania. https://web.archive.org/web/20120229152723/http://uselectionatlas.org/RESULTS/state.php?year=1964&fips=42&f=1&off=0&elect=0. dead. February 29, 2012. Leip. Dave. 2012. Dave Leip’s Atlas of U.S. Presidential Elections. David Leip. November 15, 2015.
  17. Web site: Presidential election of 1892 - Map by counties. geoelections.free.fr. April 7, 2018.
  18. Sullivan, Robert David; ‘How the Red and Blue Map Evolved Over the Past Century’; America Magazine in The National Catholic Review; June 29, 2016
  19. Web site: Find Your Legislator. Center. Legislativate Data Processing. The official website for the Pennsylvania General Assembly.. en. May 9, 2017. https://web.archive.org/web/20170506213917/https://www.legis.state.pa.us/cfdocs/legis/home/findyourlegislator/county_list.cfm?CNTYLIST=WAYNE. May 6, 2017. dead.
  20. Web site: Commissioners. . 2014. Wayne County, PA. Wayne County Courthouse. December 17, 2014. https://web.archive.org/web/20141202041758/http://waynecountypa.gov/commissioners/. December 2, 2014. dead.
  21. Web site: Auditors. . 2014. Wayne County, PA. Wayne County Courthouse. December 17, 2014. https://web.archive.org/web/20141202041833/http://waynecountypa.gov/auditors/. December 2, 2014. dead.
  22. Web site: Coroner. . 2014. Wayne County, PA. Wayne County Courthouse. December 17, 2014. https://web.archive.org/web/20141202041801/http://waynecountypa.gov/coroner/. December 2, 2014. dead.
  23. Web site: District Attorney. . 2014. Wayne County, PA. Wayne County Courthouse. December 17, 2014. https://web.archive.org/web/20141202041639/http://waynecountypa.gov/district-attorney/. December 2, 2014. dead.
  24. Web site: Prothonotary. . 2014. Wayne County, PA. Wayne County Courthouse. December 17, 2014. https://web.archive.org/web/20141202041756/http://waynecountypa.gov/prothonotary/. December 2, 2014. dead.
  25. Web site: Recorder of Deeds. . 2014. Wayne County, PA. Wayne County Courthouse. December 17, 2014. https://web.archive.org/web/20141202042514/http://waynecountypa.gov/recorder-of-deeds/. December 2, 2014. dead.
  26. Web site: Register of Wills. . 2014. Wayne County, PA. Wayne County Courthouse. December 17, 2014. https://web.archive.org/web/20141202041803/http://waynecountypa.gov/register-of-wills/. December 2, 2014. dead.
  27. Web site: Sheriff. . 2014. Wayne County, PA. Wayne County Courthouse. December 17, 2014. https://web.archive.org/web/20141202041628/http://waynecountypa.gov/sheriff/. December 2, 2014. dead.
  28. Web site: Treasurer. . 2014. Wayne County, PA. Wayne County Courthouse. December 17, 2014. https://web.archive.org/web/20141202042738/http://waynecountypa.gov/treasurer/. December 2, 2014. dead.
  29. Web site: Wayne Ambulance - Ambulance Service Area . December 2, 2018 . https://web.archive.org/web/20140314085553/http://waemt.squarespace.com/service-area/ . March 14, 2014 . dead .
  30. Web site: Moses Taylor Hospital acquires Lackawanna Ambulance. Michael Iorfino (Staff. Writer). thetimes-tribune.com. July 29, 2013 . April 7, 2018.
  31. Cottage Hose Ambulance Employee Manual
  32. Ambulance Company still struggles after fire, Wayne Independence, January 14, 2013
  33. Web site: Northern Wayne Fire Company - Lakewood, PA. FireDepartment.net. April 7, 2018. August 1, 2014. https://web.archive.org/web/20140801150541/http://firedepartment.net/directory/pennsylvania/wayne-county/lakewood/northern-wayne-fire-company. dead.
  34. "USP Canaan Contact Information ." Federal Bureau of Prisons. Retrieved on February 23, 2011. "3057 Easton Turnpike Waymart, PA 18472."
  35. "Canaan township, Wayne County, Pennsylvania." U.S. Census Bureau. Retrieved on February 23, 2011.
  36. Web site: Canaan Christian Academy. . 2014. Canaan Christian Academy. December 15, 2014. https://web.archive.org/web/20141219065652/http://www.canaanchristianacademy.org/. December 19, 2014. dead.
  37. Web site: Saint Dominic's Academy. . 2013. Saint Dominic's Academy. December 15, 2014. https://web.archive.org/web/20141215084010/http://saintdominicsacademy.org/. December 15, 2014. dead.
  38. Web site: Serendipity Center Inc. https://archive.today/20141215114041/http://www.upspring.com/serendipity-center-inc-hawley-pa.html. dead. December 15, 2014. . 2014. upspring. December 15, 2014.
  39. Web site: Sonshine Christian Preschool and Daycare. . 2014. yelp. Yelp, Inc.. December 15, 2014. https://web.archive.org/web/20141215081924/http://www.yelp.com/biz/sonshine-christian-preschool-and-daycare-hawley. December 15, 2014. dead.
  40. Web site: Wayne County Pennsylvania Public Libraries. . 2014. Wayne County Pennsylvania Public Libraries. December 15, 2014. https://web.archive.org/web/20141215082327/http://www.waynelibraries.org/. December 15, 2014. dead.
  41. Web site: Bethany Public Library Home Page!. . Bethany Public Library Home Page!. December 15, 2014. https://web.archive.org/web/20141215084537/http://bethanypubliclibrary.tripod.com/. December 15, 2014. dead.
  42. Web site: Hamlin Community Library. . March 25, 2020. Hamlin Community Library. Wix.com. March 25, 2020.
  43. Web site: Hawley Public Library. . Hawley Borough. Dynamic Technology Software, Inc.. December 15, 2014. https://web.archive.org/web/20141215084351/http://www.hawleyborough.org/index.php/public-safety-services/51-hawley-public-library. December 15, 2014. dead.
  44. Web site: Newfoundland Area Public Library. . 2014. Wayne County Pennsylvania Public Libraries. December 15, 2014. https://web.archive.org/web/20141215080918/http://www.waynelibraries.org/newfoundland/newfoundland-location/. December 15, 2014. dead.
  45. Web site: Northern Wayne Community Library. . 2014. Wayne County Pennsylvania Public Libraries. December 15, 2014. https://web.archive.org/web/20141215081742/http://www.waynelibraries.org/lakewood/northern-wayne-location/. December 15, 2014. dead.
  46. Web site: Pleasant Mount Public Library. . November 20, 2014. Facebook. Facebook, Inc.. December 15, 2014.
  47. Web site: Wayne County PA Library. . December 12, 2014. Facebook. Facebook, Inc.. December 15, 2014.
  48. Web site: US Census Bureau 2010 Census. Center for New Media and. Promotions. www.census.gov. April 7, 2018.

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