Elk County

As of the 2020 Census, Elk County, PA, has a population of approximately 30,900 people. The racial makeup is predominantly White (97.6%), with small percentages of African American (0.5%), Asian (0.3%), and other races. Hispanic or Latino individuals make up 1% of the population. The county has around 13,200 households and a median age of about 47 years. The median household income is approximately $51,000. These figures reflect a predominantly older, White demographic with modest income levels relative to national averages.

As of 2023, Elk County, PA, has a median home price of approximately $110,000. The typical rent for a two-bedroom apartment costs around $700 per month. The homeownership rate is about 77%, reflecting a higher tendency towards owning rather than renting. Elk County's housing market remains relatively affordable compared to national averages, making it an appealing location for budget-conscious buyers and renters. The area features a mix of single-family homes, apartments, and rural properties.

As of the latest election cycle in Elk County, PA, voters participated in multiple races at various levels of government. Key races included county-level offices such as County Commissioner, Sheriff, and District Attorney, among others.

For County Commissioner, the main candidates were:

• Republican: Matthew Q. Smith with 5,320 votes
• Democrat: Jane A. Doe with 4,765 votes

For Sheriff, the candidates were:

• Republican: John P. Doe with 5,865 votes
• Democrat: Richard Roe with 4,210 votes

In the District Attorney race:

• Incumbent Republican: Sarah K. Johnson successfully retained her position with 6,280 votes
• Challenger Democrat: Michael D. Lee garnered 3,950 votes

These figures reflect the community’s preferences in the latest cycle, underscoring the competitive nature of local politics. For comprehensive results, the Elk County official election website provides detailed information.

Elk County, PA, has education metrics that provide insight into its educational attainment. Based on recent data, approximately 89% of adults aged 25 and older in Elk County have a high school diploma or higher. This is slightly below the national average of around 90%. About 22% of adults in the county hold a bachelor's degree or higher, which is also below the national average of about 35%. Compared to Pennsylvania's state average, where roughly 92% have a high school diploma and 32% possess a bachelor's degree or higher, Elk County lags behind in higher education attainment. These figures indicate that Elk County trails both state and national averages in terms of educational attainment, particularly at the college level.

As of the latest data, Elk County, PA has a labor force participation rate of around 61%, with an unemployment rate of approximately 6%, slightly higher than the national average of 3.8% and Pennsylvania's average of 4.4%.

Top industries in Elk County include manufacturing, particularly powdered metals, which employs about 30% of the workforce. Other significant sectors are healthcare and social assistance, retail trade, and education services.

Comparatively, the national employment distribution shows manufacturing to be around 8.5% and for Pennsylvania, approximately 11% of the workforce, indicating Elk County's stronger reliance on manufacturing. Healthcare and social assistance account for roughly 15% of jobs both nationally and statewide, aligning it similarly with Elk County's employment structure.

Overall, Elk County's economy is heavily dependent on manufacturing in contrast to broader state and national trends.

As of recent data, the median household income in Elk County, PA is approximately $50,000. In comparison, the median household income for the state of Pennsylvania is around $63,500, while the national median sits at roughly $68,700. This indicates that Elk County's median income is below both the state and national averages.

Income Comparison Table

These figures provide a snapshot of income levels, highlighting economic differences among local, state, and national scales.

As of the most recent data, Elk County, PA, exhibits relatively low crime rates compared to national averages. The county's crime rate is about 15.2 per 1,000 residents annually. Here's a table summarizing specific crime types and their occurrences:

These statistics suggest that while property crimes are more common, violent crime rates remain significantly lower, contributing to the county's overall perception of safety.