Volume II History and Background Studies

8/3/2019 Volume II History and Background Studies

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Venango County

2004 Comprehensive Development Plan

History and Background Studies (Vol. II)

Venango

County

in the

21st Century

Plum

Pleasantville

IrwinBarkeyville EmlentonClintonClintonville Scrubgrass Richland

CherrytreeOil Creek

Allegheny

Jackson

Cooperstown

Canal

Oakland Cornplanter

SugarcreekPresident

Rouseville

Oil CityUtica

RocklandVictory

Mineral

Frenchcreek

PolkSandycreek

Cranberry

Franklin

Pinegrove


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Venango County Regional Planning Commission

191 Howard St.

Franklin, PA 16323

Phone: 814-432-4555

Fax: 814-432-5885

This Plan was partially funded with a grant from the

Pennsylvania Department of Community and Economic Development.

History and Background Studies

Early History and Settlement Patterns

he development of Venango County can be attributed to a number of factors.These include the existence of natural resources, the ability of early settlers to

tame the wilderness, the establishment of successful industrial enterprises, and

the development of transportation networks connecting the area with the outside world.

The current character, the appearance and ambiance of the countys towns and villages

and resources of the county are a direct result of this historical development. These

resources can play significant roles in the future educational, recreational, and economic

development of the area, while adding significantly to the quality of life for the local

residents.

T


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County History

Venango County is well known as the site of the discovery of oil as well as the

development of the early oil industry. Many of the historic resources associated with this

event have been preserved including the historic architecture of the era.

Venango County is located in northwestern Pennsylvania in the Appalachian

Plateau region. The land is composed of mountainous areas and steep sandstone

ridges with deep, irregular patterned branching streams. Large populations of game,

fish and other wild food products were readily available in the area. The Indians used a

network of trails and the Cornplanter and other Senecas summered in the area, hunting,

fishing, and raising corn.

The name Venango is the Indian name for what is now called French Creek.

The four forts built in Franklin were the French Fort Machault (1753-1759), British Fort

Venango (1760-1763), American Fort Franklin/Fort Venango (1787-1796), and American

Oil City 1896


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Old Garrison (1796). The fort was attacked and destroyed by Indians in 1763 during

Pontiacs uprising.

The early frontiersmen hunted and trapped in the wild natural landscape.

Parcels of donation land located in the unsettled lands in the northwestern portion of

Pennsylvania were made available to Revolutionary War soldiers in lieu of the vastly

depreciated continental currency. Even following these land grants, settlement in thearea was sparse with most of the land unoccupied. Early pioneers in greater numbers

began settling in what is now Venango County during the latter half of the 19 th Century.

The County was initially included in an area known as Crawford that included todays

Mercer, Venango, Warren, and Erie Counties. Transportation in the area was largely by

Indian paths and waterways such as the Allegheny River, French Creek and Oil Creek.

Venango County was officially chartered by an act of the State Legislature on

March 12, 1800. Initially the judicial and governing bodies for the new Venango County

were joined with Crawford County in Meadville. In 1800, the official population was

1,130 with Franklin as the largest settlement. By 1805, Venango County was granted

the autonomy of electing its own officials and handling its own judicial proceedings.


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Venango County, Pennsylvania

Comprehensive Development Plan

Table 2-1

Chronology

DATE EVENT

1753 MAJOR GEORGE WASHINGTON PASSES THROUGH COUNTY ANDRENAMESTHE VENANGO RIVERAS FRENCH CREEK

1787 FORT FRANKLINBUILT, FIRSTFORTINTHEAREATOPROTECTEARLYSETTLEMENTS

1791 THECOMMUNITYOF FRANKLINWASDESIGNED1800 VENANGO COUNTYFORMED1805 COUNTY SEATESTABLISHEDIN FRANKLIN1809 FIRST COURTHOUSE CONSTRUCTED

1850, CIRCA KIERBEGANTODISTILLCARBONOIL1848 SECOND COURTHOUSE COMPLETED1854 PENNSYLVANIA ROCK OIL COMPANYFORMED

1859WORLDS FIRST COMMERCIAL OIL WELL DRILLED DRAKEWELLIN TITUSVILLE

1862 OIL CITYESTABLISHED1862 OIL CREEK RAILROADCOMPLETED1863 PETROLEUM CENTRECOMPANYTOWNFOUNDED1864 PITHOLE CITY, OILBOOMTOWNFOUNDED1865 WORLDS FIRST OIL PIPELINECOMPLETED1866 PITHOLE CITYISDESERTED1868 THIRD COURTHOUSECOMPLETED1871 TITUSVILLE OIL EXCHANGEFORMED1913 COURTHOUSERENOVATIONCOMPLETED1931 DRAKE OIL MUSEUM CONSTRUCTED

Early Settlement Patterns

Pennsylvanias population migrated from Philadelphia westward. The settlers

looked for promising areas which would support agriculture. They cleared the land and

established family farms. The broad valleys with sufficient water sources, rich soil, and a

suitable climate were settled first. Venango County was settled later than other areas

which were deemed more desirable to sustain a variety of agricultural activities. The

economy of this early period was agrarian. The natural resources found in the area were

exploited and became the raw materials to support early industrial development.

Many of Pennsylvanias most basic patterns of human geography were in place

by 1900. Each region produced its own sharply differing areas characterized by its own

peculiar history and each with different physical and human components. A mosaic of

varied and complex landscapes offers residents an extraordinary variety of environments

within short distances. Historic towns, urban centers, booming suburbs, rural

Demographic Analysis

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countryside, undeveloped woods and streams are readily accessible throughout the

Commonwealth. The juxtaposition of the old and the new, are frequently found side by

side. The virtues of preservation of the integrity of towns and villages and rural

landscapes to encourage tourism have recently been recognized

Venango Countys current landscape reflects its history, the legacy of the

discovery of oil, and other early industrial development. Many of the downtown

commercial and retail areas still include the buildings and historic facades of early eras.

Early Industrial Development

The early settlers in Venango County found virgin forests with large stands of

white pine and hemlocks. These trees produced high quality lumber in demand for

construction and the building of wooden structures. The lumber boom occurred in

Pennsylvania just before the Civil War and continued for the next forty years.

Thousands of cut trees were floated downstream forming large logjams. Logs

were hauled by mules to be sawed into timber. By the end of the lumber era, the virgin

forest was plundered, and hemlocks and yellow and white pine gave way to the

harvesting of hardwoods. At that point, large tracts of trees to support the industry were

no longer available, and many lumbermen left the area.


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Franklin 1901


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The extraction and use of the minerals found in the area were exploited by the

early settlers for commercial concerns. Early iron

making was a significant part of the local

economy. The availability of raw products and

water, which could be used for power, sustained

the industry. Ruins of former iron furnaces can be

seen today.

The Indians collected petroleum that came

to the surface. Archeologists believe that the

mystery pits found in the area may have been dug

to collect the substance. The Indians and settlers

used this crude oil for a variety of medicinal purposes. It was not until the drilling of the

first successful oil well that the substance had commercial value. Subsequent publicity

following the discovery of oil caused wildcatters, and speculators to rush to the area. In

a very short period of time, the landscape was dotted by derricks, equipment, quickly

built towns, and businesses which met the needs of this influx of workers. The area

quickly developed into the worlds first oil center. Activities included production, refining,

marketing, sales, recordkeeping, leasing and distribution. The area still experienced the

typical boom and bust cycle characteristic of the petroleum industry.

Concerns to meet the needs of the oil industry including the manufacturing of

barrels, piping, industrial tools, machinery, and the like were established. Boats and

railroads were built to provide the needed transportation. These supportive businesses

employed many people. However, once the oil was drilled, refineries built, and the

transportation system in place, fewer employees were needed, unlike coal extraction

and steel manufacturing which require a continuous large labor force.

Natural gas and oil are frequently found together. At first, the important element

which created wealth was oil. Samuel Speechley completed a natural gas well that

produced enough fuel for all of Oil City and nearby communities. Natural gas becamevaluable as a source of home heating fuel and illumination. Today, one can see small oil

and gas wells dotting the countryside.


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Bullion Run Iron Furnace

Photo by Daniel Alward


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The United States Steel Corporation purchased the former Oil Well Supply

company site along the Allegheny River in Oil City. A

steel plant was built which at one time employed

thousands of workers. This site is the current Oil City

Industrial Park. The Business Innovation Center is

located in the former headquarters building.

TABLE 2-2

LISTOF VENANGO COUNTY NATIONAL REGISTEREDOR PAELIGIBLE PROPERTIES

MUNICIPALITY HISTORIC NAME ADDRESS LISTED ELIGIBLECHERRYTREETOWNSHIP

BRIDGE L. R. 60052 6/22/1988 -DRAKE OIL WELL T. R. 588 11-13-66* -

DRAKE WELL MEMORIAL PARK DRAKE WELL MUSEUMS. R. 1011

- 1/08/1998

OIL CREEK RAILROAD(PENNSYLVANIA RAILROAD) EASTLINE

DRAKE WELL STATE PARKL. R. 60052, ALONG OILCREEK

- 1/08/1998

CLINTON TOWNSHIPBRIDGE L. R. 60010 6/22/1988 -WITHERUP BRIDGE L. R. 60007 6/22/1988 -

CORNPLANTERTOWNSHIP

COAL OIL JOHNNY HOME 167 OLD BANKSON ROAD - 4/13/1984

SITEOF PITHOLE CITYOFF RTE. 227 NEAR L. R.60049

3/20/1973 -

FRANKLIN CITY

N/A 206 11TH STREET - 8/08/1986N/A 513 15TH STREET - 8/08/1986

SAMUEL F. DALE HOME 1409 ELK STREET12/04/197

5

FRANKLIN ROLLING MILL & FOUNDRYCOMPANY ATLANTIC AVENUE - 5/05/1995

PLUMER BLOCK 1205 LIBERTY STREET 4/20/1978 -

JACKSON TOWNSHIPW. H. COWAN BRIDGE T-607 - 3/27/1992GLEASON BRIDGE T-611 - 3/27/1992

MULTI-MUNICIPALITIESCLARION SECONDARY RAILROADSECTIONS 5, 6A, 6B, AND 6C

SOUTHERN VENANGO COUNTY,SANDY CREEK TO VILLAGEOFVAN

- 3/17/1997

OIL CITY

CHRIST EPISCOPAL CHURCH 16 CENTRAL AVENUE - 4/17/1986IMPERIAL WORKSOFTHE OIL WELLSUPPLY

600 BLOCKOF COLBERTAVENUE

- 5/14/1996

C. F. KRAMER BUILDING 2-30 WEST FRONT STREET - 10/08/1993NATIONAL TRANSIT BUILDING 206 SENECA STREET 9/13/1978NATIONAL TRANSIT PUMP & MACHINECOMPANY

- - 10/08/1993

OIL CITY ARMORY EAST 2ND & STATE STREETS 5/09/1991 -OIL CITY LIBRARY 2 CENTRAL AVENUE 8/29/1994OIL CITY U. S. POST OFFICE (NOWVENANGO MUSEUMOF ART, SCIENCEAND INDUSTRY)

270 SENECA STREET 9/15/1977 -

NATURAL GAS COMPANY 308-310 SENECA STREET - 11/15/1994

PLEASANTVILLE ALLEGHENY BAPTIST CHURCH MAIN STREET, RTE. 2712/15/197

8-

PLUM TOWNSHIP JACK COWAN BRIDGE T. R. 595 - 4/10/1990POLK BOROUGH CHURCH STREET BRIDGE CHURCH STREET - 8/08/1994


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MUNICIPALITY HISTORIC NAME ADDRESS LISTED ELIGIBLEPOLK STATE SCHOOLAND HOSPITAL U. S. RTE. 62 - 6/00/1987

POLK STATE SCHOOL HOSPITALBARN

U. S. RTE. 62. LOCATEDONPOLK STATE SCHOOLANDHOSPITALPROPERTY

- 11/24/1978

PRESIDENT TOWNSHIP PITHOLE STONE ARCH L. R. 60046 6/22/1988 -

ROCKLAND TOWNSHIP

BELMAR BRIDGE ACROSS ALLEGHENY RIVER - 3/17/1997

INDIAN GOD ROCK PETROGLYPH EAST BANKOF ALLEGHENY

RIVER5/14/1984 -

ROCKLAND FURNACE NEAR ROCKLANDON T-480 9/06/1991 -SANDYCREEKTOWNSHIP

BELMAR BRIDGE ACROSS ALLEGHENY RIVER- 3/17/1997

SCRUBGRASSTOWNSHIP

JAMES ANDERSON HOUSE T-400- 2/06/1987

Source: Pennsylvania Historic and Museum Commission, January 2002*National Historic Landmark

The only National Historic Landmark in Venango County at

the present time (designated 11/13/66) is the Drake Well,

specifically the hole and adjacent casing. The County is considering nominating the

Venango County Courthouse as a National Historic Landmark. Another group is

preparing a NHL nomination for the National Transit Building in Oil City.

These lists indicate the variety and large number of significant properties and

sites connected with the history of Venango County. The county, municipalities and local

historic societies, other organizations directly related to historic preservation and

promotion, individuals, and community groups should be encouraged to continue

preservation efforts. Good stewardship of these properties and sites not only preserves

these historic resources for future generations, and maintains the historic character of

these communities, but also provides physical references and connections with our

collective past, which can be visited and experienced. Preservation and enhancement of

significant historic resources helps tell the story of our shared legacy.

HISTORICAL MARKERSINVENANGOCOUNTY

Historical markers honor a famous individual, building, event or place of special

historical importance or significance. These markers are erected throughout the

Commonwealth by the Pennsylvania Historical and Museum Commission based on area

nominations.


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Photo courtesy Daniel Alward



While the full text of each marker cannot be reproduced in this report, the name

of each marker and its location is listed in the following table.

TABLE 2-3

VENANGO COUNTY HISTORIC MARKERS

MARKER NAMEYEAR

INSTALLEDLOCATION

Drake Well Park 1948 At Drake Will Museum SE Titusville

Drake Well Park 1947US 322 at Cranberry, at intersection with PA257

First Oil Pipeline 1954 PA 227, 4 miles SW of Pleasantville

Fort Franklin 1947 13th St. (US 322) & Franklin Ave, Franklin

Fort Machault 1969 8th & Elk Streets. (on US 322), Franklin

Fort Venango 1972 9th & Elk Streets, (on US 322), Franklin

Galena-Signal Oil Company 1987 1140 Liberty ST., FranklinGeorge Bissell 2002 Liberty and South Park Street, Franklin

Henry R. Rouse 1996 U.S. 8 Rouseville Borough Building

Humboldt Refinery 2001Masonic Hall, Plumer Village along SR 227outside Oil City

Jacob J. Vandergrift 2001 Justus Park, Oil City

John Dewey 1980 Central Ave, & W. 4th St., Oil City

Johnny Appleseed 1982 13th St. (Us 322) & Franklin Ave., Franklin

John Reid Gas Engine andCompany

1997Intersection of Main St. (PA 8), Halday St. &Petroleum St., Oil City

Oil Well Supply Company 1947 East Front St., (US 62) & East First St., Oil City

Old Garrison 1958 10th & Liberty Streets. (on US 322), Franklin

Oldest Oil Producing WellMcClintock No. 1

1986PA 8 just S of Rouseville

Pithole 1973Intersection PA 227 & SR 1006, 5.6 miles SW ofPleasantville

Pithole 1986 SR 1006 on the hill, Pleasantville

Pithole City 1966 At site on SR 1006

Speechley Gas Pool 1999Rte. 157 & Twp. Road 60028, Pine GroveTownship

Venango County 1981County Courthouse, 12th & Liberty Streets.,Franklin

Venango Path 1987Intersection SR 3013 (old PA 8) & SR 3003 just

N of WesleySource: Pennsylvania Historic and Museum Commission, February 2004

HISTORICDISTRICTSINVENANGOCOUNTY

Venango County has significant clusters of historic sites, and properties

associated with the discovery, production, refining, and transporting of oil. These


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located generally along Seneca, Center, Elm, Sycamore, Duncomb and Main Streets

and its architectural style consists of Italianate, Romanesque and Colonial Revival

styles, with the period of significance occurring between 1875 and 1949. The main

historic function of the district was commerce/trade, government,

industry/processing/extraction and social uses.

The Oil City North Side Historic District was added to the National Register in

1999 and is also known as Cottage Hill, Palace Hill and Polish Hill and consists of 2500

acres and 1140 buildings. The

district is roughly bounded by the

Conrail railroad, Manning Street,

Park Road, Deer Street and

Linden, Hassen, Bishop, Carroll

and East Bissell Avenues. Its

architectural style consists of late

Victorian and late 19th and 20th

Century Revivals, with the period

of significance occurring between

1850 and 1949. The main historic

function of the district was

commerce/trade, domestic uses and religion. Oil City South SideBusiness District

From Clark's Summit

The Oil City South Side Historic District was added to the National Register in

1997 and is also known as Venango City and Laytonia and consists of 2220 acres, 882

buildings and 2 objects. The Allegheny River, Wilson Avenue, Lees Lane, West Third

and West Fifth Streets and Reservoir Street roughly bound the district. Its architectural

style consists of Colonial, Romanesque and Italianate styles, with the period of

significance occurring between 1850 and 1949. The main historic function of the districtwas commerce/trade, domestic uses, religion and social uses.

TABLE 2-4

VENANGO COUNTY HISTORIC DISTRICTS


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MUNICIPALITY HISTORIC NAME DESCRIPTION LISTED

Emlenton Borough Emlenton Historic DistrictBounded by AlleghenyRiver, Borough Limits,Kerr Avenue, Hickory

11/10/1997

Franklin City Franklin Historic District Parts of Wards 1 and 2 1/26/1984

City of Oil City Oil City DowntownCommercial Historic District

Along Seneca, Center,

Elm, Sycamore, Dancomband Main

10/24/1997

City of Oil CityOil City North SideResidential Historic District

Oil Creek, Linden,Plummer, Masson, andBishop

11/12/1999

City of Oil CityOil City South Side HistoricDistrict

Petroleum Street, R. R.,Wilson, and East 2ndStreet

11/10/1997

President TownshipPresident Oil Track HistoricDistrict

Hemlock Lane andPorcupine Lane

Identified aseligible 5/19/1995

Source: Pennsylvania Historic and Museum Commission, February 2004

Since the historic district nomination process requires a history anddocumentation of significance as well as photographs and descriptions of buildings

including architectural style, this information provides a valuable record of these historic

resources. This information can be useful in a variety of ways including education,

public awareness, and for scholars and those interested in historic architecture and the

history of these communities. This information identifies those elements associated with

the architectural style which can be useful during preservation. In 1997 the NRHP

approved a Multiple Property Documentation Form covering the entire oil field of

Pennsylvania, thus providing for expedited review of future oil-related districtnominations.

Only Franklin has enacted a local Historic District Ordinance. A Historic

Architectural Review Board (HARB) administers the Ordinance. HARB guidelines,

requirements regarding membership, and duties and responsibilities are regulated by the

Pennsylvania Historic and Museum Commission.

There are historic walking and driving toursof downtown Franklin, Oil City and

Emlenton. Attractive booklets about each self-guided town provide an overview of the

history, description of architectural styles, maps and other information to improve the

experience.


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PRESERVATIONORGANIZATIONS, HISTORICAL SOCIETIES, MUSEUMS,AND OTHER

ATTRACTIONS

Venango County has a large and diverse number of organizations dedicated to

improving the preservation, education, and marketing of its historic resources. There are

a number of groups and organizations which are dedicated to providing cultural

activities, improving the quality of life in the area, and encouraging economic

development through historic preservation and historic tourism. A brief description of

these follows.

Oil Heritage Region, Inc.

The non-profit Oil Region State Heritage Park includes all of Venango County,

Titusville, and Oil Creek Township in Crawford County. The organization

emphasizes the unique legacy of the area as the birthplace of the oil industry

through developing, preserving, and promoting the regions cultural, recreational,

historic, and natural resources. OHR staff provides leadership, advocacy, and

technical assistance with planning, grantsmanship, project management, and

other services in support of the activities of historical societies, economic

development agencies, museums, municipalities, and community groups and

organizations interested in enhancing and preserving the regions historic

resources. OHR encourages cooperative planning, coordination, and the

creation of private/public partnerships.

Oil Heritage Region Tourist Promotion Agency, Inc.

The non-profit organization promotes Venango County as a destination of

historical, recreational, and scenic interest through a variety of educational

activities to promote understanding of the areas historical significance,

coordinating cooperative advertising, publishing and distributing literature,

assisting members in developing promotional materials, attending trade shows,

and sponsoring familiarization tours.

Venango County Historical Society


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The organization is dedicated to acquiring and preserving material relating to the

history of Venango County, to encouraging the study and the appreciation of that

history, and to making its resources accessible to the public. A part time staff and

large number of dedicated volunteers carry out the daily activities. The restored

historic Hoge-Osmer House in Franklin is the headquarters of the Society and is

also a house museum with docent-guided tours. Other services include a

genealogical and local history research library, and a climate-controlled Archival

Resource Center containing photographs and other documents. The Society

operates a gift shop, offers a variety of education programs, and sponsors

special events.

Historic Franklin Preservation Association

The organization is dedicated to protecting, enhancing, and preserving the

history and historic resources in the community of Franklin. The organization

provides a variety of educational programs, gives preservation awards, provides

plaques for historic buildings, and gives scholarships to promote historic

preservation. The organization provides assistance with research regarding

historic properties, and monitors any potential demolition of historic buildings.

Fund raisers include the production of pewter ornaments of significant community

buildings.

Drake Well Museum

The Drake Well Museum in Titusville is the siteof the worlds first oil well. Over

time the oil industry became concentrated in other areas but the conductors of

the Oil Creek Railroad continued to point out the site. In 1911, Edwin C. Bell built

and operated an oil museum until his death in 1923. In the 1930's, the American

Petroleum Institute acquired the land, and constructed a small museum, and

turned the site over to the Commonwealth. A replica of Drakes well was

constructed over the original site, prior to the celebration of the Centennial of Oilin 1959. In 1963, the present museum building was built. Operating machinery

associated with the oil industry was added to the grounds in the 1970s and a

reproduction of Drakes steam engine was installed in 1986. The first settlers in

the area discovered mystery pits that may have been dug by Native Americans to

collect oil. Such pits are located at the south tip of Drake Well Park. Visitors


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board the Oil Creek & Titusville Railroad for seasonal trips. The train travels a

1912 route through the valley that changed the world. The museum pumps and

bottles oil for sale as souvenirs from the McClintock Number 1, which is the

worlds oldest continuing producing oil well. The museum sponsors educational

programs for the general public, teachers, students, and intergenerational

programs. The museum houses a variety of exhibits, an oil library, and is

frequently the site of documentary filming. A collection of artifacts, tools, and

machinery associated with the oil industry is housed at the site.

Collection of Mather Photographs

John A. Mather arrived in Titusville following the discovery of oil. He spent his life

recording the saga of the early oil industry. The Drake Museum conserves, and

protects this important collection. A catalogue of these photographs enables

researchers, authors, those interested in the history of oil, and the general public

to view this priceless record of the life and times in the early oil fields.

Venango Museum of Art, Science & Industry

The Venango Museum of Art, Science and Industry, located in Oil City, Pa., is a

private, non-profit general museum that offers a combination of permanent and

changing exhibits. Annual offerings include musical and performance programs,

summer children's programs, regional art shows, tours to historic sites, lectures,a changing annual "hands on" science exhibit for children, and an annual river

expedition aboard a working replica of a 19th century packet boat, the "Pine

Knot."1

Oil City Center for the Arts

Located on the first floor of the historic National Transit Building in Oil City, it

includes a restored Great Room for performance seating of 75, classrooms,

recording studio, and art gallery.

1http://www.ibp.com/pit/venango/pineknot.html


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DeBence Antique Music World

Located in the former G. C.

Murphy 5 & 10 Cent Store in

downtown historic Franklin, the

museum houses a collection of

over 100 antique musical

instruments dating from the mid

1800s to the 1940s. The

collection was assembled by

Jake and Elizabeth DeBence,

and today the collection, along with other numerous organs and antiques that

have either a musical or local significance, is owned and operated by the

nonprofit Oil Region Music Preservation Museum created specifically for this

purpose. Lighting is provided by the DeBence collection of Tiffany-style hanging

lamps. Many of the instruments are very rare, and one of a kind. Guests not

only view these mechanical antique instruments but have the opportunity to hear

many of them play the music of yesteryear. The gift shop is located on the lower

level.

Oil City Community Playhouse

Currently renovating the Lyric Theater at 216 Seneca Street, this nonprofit

membership group also conducts dinner theaters and other live performances at

other area venues.

Barrow -Civic Theater

Restored historic theater at 1223 Liberty Street in Franklin hosts a variety of live

performances from dramas to musicals to concerts, lectures and recitals.

Victorian Region of Northern Pennsylvania.

The communities comprising this region of Pennsylvania have encouraged

tourists to visit the historic downtowns, quaint neighborhoods, historic homes and

other buildings of the region. A Web Site has been created to provide information

describing the historic assets of the area. (victorianregion.com)


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Victorian Architecture Conference

This annual conference is designed to highlight the areas historic resources and

encourage visitors to come to the area. The conference features information

regarding period architecture, preservation techniques, and other aspects of

preservation. A variety of experts and guests are featured.

Tiffany Windows

St. Johns Episcopal Church in Franklin contains a number of windows by the

famous company. The Rose Window of favrile glass is a Louis Comfort Tiffany

trademark. The nave contains 8 sets of triple lancet windows with religious

themes in the romantic Art Nouveau style typical of the early 1900s. Tiffany

windows are also part of the Christ Episcopal Church in Oil City.

ARCHAEOLOGICAL SITES

Indian God Rock

Petroglyph and Pithole

City Archeological Site.

There is another

Petoglyph outcropping

along the East Sandy

Creek.


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Photos by Daniel Alward


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SUMMARYOFFINDINGS

o There are a vast number of significant historic buildings, sites, andother resources throughout Venango County.

o

Many of these historic resources are associated with the earlysettlement of the county and its industrial development.

o The discovery of oil in the county and the development of the first oilcenter is of worldwide, national, regional and local significance.

o The preservation, restoration, and enhancement of the countyshistoric resources will protect them for the enjoyment of futuregenerations.

o The preservation and restoration of the downtown and residentialareas of the historic communities throughout the county provide

attractive streetscapes and historic ambiance which have positiveimpacts upon residents and visitors.

o Encouraging volunteerism and financial support can assist in thefulfillment of the mission of the many historic agencies andorganizations.

o The understanding of history, its importance, and appreciation ofpreservation efforts should be encouraged for youth and adults toimprove awareness and support.

o The strengthening of the existing relationships among operators of

museums, historic preservation organizations, organizations whichsupport the arts, and county and municipal governments encouragescooperation, coordination, and collaboration.

The County and municipalities have endorsed the Oil Heritage Region

Management Action Plan and its updates as strategy outlines for the ongoing

enhancement of area resources. This Comprehensive Development Plan also endorses

and concurs with the OHR, M.A.P. and its updates and includes them by reference in

this Comprehensive Development Plan.

Encouraging historic tourism as an important element in an over all economic

development strategy can bring visitors to the area. Designation of the Oil Region

National Heritage Area would expedite revitalization, preservation, and interpretation of

the existing natural, historic, recreational, and cultural resources.


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enango Countys people are clearly its most vital resource. This chapter will

analyze the composition of this population, how this composition has changed,

and how it may continue to change in the future. This analysis will center on

variables such as population growth and decline, population distribution/density, age

structure, gender and racial composition, education, household size and structure, and

income. Each of these variables can reveal information that is essential to properly

planning for the Countys future. Where it is applicable, Venango Countys

demographic statistics will be compared to those of neighboring counties, the

Commonwealth of Pennsylvania and the United States.

V

Present Population

As of April 1, 2000 the US Census reported the population of Venango County

was 57,565 making the County the 44th largest county in the State (out of 67) and the

829th largest in the U.S. (out of 3,141). Through the period

of April 1, 2000 to July 1, 2001 the Census Bureau

estimates the population to have declined by 487 persons,

a 0.8% loss placing the population at slightly over 57,000.

The loss of nearly 1% from April 2000 through July of 2001

placed the County 55th in terms of population growth

during that time period. Over that same time period 33

Pennsylvania counties were estimated to have gained

population. See Table 3-1 below for detailed population

totals.


Page 20

2000 Total Population

Pennsylvania 12,281,054Venango County 57,565Armstrong County 72,392Butler County 174,083Clarion County 41,765Crawford County 90,366Erie County 280,843Forest County 4,946Mercer County 120,293Warren County 43,863

Ven

ango

Arms

trong

B

utler

Cla

rion

Crawford

E

rie

Fore

st

Mercer

Warren

0

50

100

150

200

250

300

Thousands


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TABLE 3-1

PRESENT POPULATION

Jurisdiction 2000 Population Jurisdiction 2000 Population

U.S. 281,421,906 Central Planning UnitPA 12,281,054 City of Franklin 7,212Venango Co. 57,565 City of Oil City 11,504

Northern Planning Unit Cranberry Township 7,014Allegheny Township 281 Sugarcreek Borough 5,331Canal Township 1,008 Total 31,061Cherry Tree Township 1,543 Southern Planning UnitCooperstown Borough 400 Barkeyville Borough 237Cornplanter Township 2,687 Clinton Township 758Jackson Township 1,168 Clintonville Borough 528Oakland Township 1,565 Emlenton Borough 784Oil Creek Township 840 French Creek Township 1,605

Pine Grove Township 1,338 Irwin Township 1,309Pleasantville Borough 850 Mineral Township 533Plum Township 1,060 Polk Borough 1,031President Township 543 Richland Township 744Rouseville Borough 472 Rockland Township 1,346

Total 13,755 Sandy Creek Township 2,406Scrubgrass Township 799Utica Borough 211Victory Township 408

Total 12,699Source: 2000 US Census of Population and Housing

Population Changes

Historical Changes: Venango County, Pennsylvania and the U.S.

The 2000 United States Census of Population and Housing determined that

Venango County had 57,565 residents. This was a 3.15% decrease from the Countys

1990 population of 59,381. That loss ranks the County as the 64th slowest growing

county in the State for that time period. However, only five decades since 1800 has the

Countys population declined, four of which took place in the later half of the 20 th

century. Since the Countys peak population of 65,328 in1950 population losses had

amounted to 13.4%.

The chart below indicates that Venango County has followed closely to the population patterns of both

Pennsylvania and the Unites States, however, at lower levels of growth and higher levels of population

decline with the exception of the growth patterns of the 1970s.


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......... 20th CENTURY POPULATION CHANGEVenago County, PA and the U.S.

-10.0%

-5.0%

0.0%

5.0%

10.0%

15.0%

20.0%

25.0%

1900 1910 1920 1930 1940 1950 1960 1970 1980 1990 2000YEAR

PercentofPopulationLoss/G

Venango CountyPA

US



Figure 1

Source: 1900-2000 US Census

In comparison, the County has experienced recent population losses very similar


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to many western Pennsylvania Counties. The population loss 13.4% was experienced

since 1980.

See Table 3-2 for details on the population changes of Venango County, the

Commonwealth, and the United States as a whole.


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.........



TABLE 3-2POPULATION CHANGE

1800-2000 VENANGO COUNTY, PENNSYLVANIA, ANDTHE U.S.

Year Population Percent Change in DecadeVenango Co. PA U.S. Venango Co. PA U.S.

1800 1,130 602,356 5,308,483 - - -

1810 3,060 810,091 7,239,881 65.35% 25.64% 35.10%

1820 4,915 1,049,458 9,638,453 37.74% 29.55% 33.13%

1830 9,470 1,348,233 12,860,702 48.10% 28.47% 33.43%

1840 17,900 1,724,033 17,063,353 47.10% 27.87% 32.68%

1850 18,310 2,311,786 23,191,876 2.23% 34.09% 35.92%

1860 25,043 2,906,215 31,443,321 26.89% 25.71% 35.58%

1870 47,925 3,521,951 38,558,371 47.74% 21.19% 22.63%

1880 43,670 4,282,891 50,189,209 -9.74% 21.61% 30.16%1890 46,640 5,258,113 62,979,766 6.36% 22.77% 25.48%

1900 49,648 6,302,115 76,212,168 6.05% 19.86% 21.01%

1910 56,359 7,665,111 92,228,496 11.91% 21.63% 21.02%

1920 59,184 8,720,017 106,021,537 4.77% 13.76% 14.96%

1930 63,226 9,631,350 123,202,624 6.39% 10.45% 16.21%

1940 63,958 9,900,180 132,164,569 1.14% 2.79% 7.27%

1950 65,328 10,498,012 151,325,798 2.10% 6.04% 14.50%

1960 65,295 11,319,366 179,323,175 -0.05% 7.82% 18.50%

1970 62,335 11,800,766 203,302,031 -4.74% 4.25% 13.37%

1980 64,444 11,864,720 226,542,199 3.27% 0.54% 11.43%1990 59,381 11,881,643 248,709,873 -7.86% 0.14% 9.79%

2000 57,565 12,281,054 281,421,906 -3.15% 3.25% 11.62%Source: US Census of Population and Housing

Historical Municipal Population Comparisons

This section summarizes the population changes in each of Venango Countys

31 municipalities. Since 1980 the County has experienced a significant population

decline. The majority of these population losses occurred in the nine (9) Boroughs andthe cities of Franklin and Oil City.

Cities

The population of Franklin and Oil City in 1980 was 22,027, which declined by 3,311

(15.0%) and was reported to be 18,716 in 2000. Since 1980 Oil City lost 2,377


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.........

Figure 2Source: 1990-2000 US Census



residents, while Franklin lost nearly 1,000. The losses slowed greatly in the 1990s and

perhaps are stabilizing throughout the 2000 decade. From 1990 to 2000 Franklin and Oil

City lost numerical totals equal to 117 and 445 respectively. In 2000 the city populations

made up 32.5% of the countys total population down from 34.1% in 1980.

Boroughs

The Borough population in 1980 was 12,142, which declined by 2,298 (18.9%) to settle

at 9,844 for the 2000 Census. The Borough population as of 2000 represented 17.1% of

the countys total population down from 18.8% in 1980. As the population of the county

slowed its population losses through the 1990s the Boroughs continued to lose

significant population. From 1990 to

2000 the Boroughs of Venango

County lost 897 residents, or 8.4%

of their 10,739 1990 total. Since

1990 only one Borough in Venango

County has increased its

population. Clintonville grew by

1.5%; however, this was an actual

increase of only 8 residents. The

largest percent loss of population

since 1980 was Polk Borough who

saw 45.3% of its population leave

its boundaries. The reason for this

population loss directly related to

the Department of Public Welfares

normalization program, which

aggressively relocated residents at

Polk Center into community

awareness settings.

Townships

Since 1980 the 20 Venango County Townships present a mixed bag of change. The


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1980 Township population was 30,274 representing 46.9% of the countys total

population. Since 1980 the Townships lost 1,269 residents bringing their 2000 population

totals to 29,005, a loss of 4.1% for the decade, but a gain since 1980 in terms of the

countys total population representation (50.3%). During the 90s 12 of the 20 Townships

gained modestly in population, while Richland and French Creek Townships experienced

heavy percentage losses. Numerically the largest population losses occurred in

Cornplanter and Cranberry Townships, despite the latters significant commercial

developments. As the county slowed its population losses through the 1990s the

Townships began to respond. From 1990 to 2000 the Townships of Venango County lost

only 359 residents, or 1.2% of their 1990 total of 29,364. Since 1990, seven (7) of the

20 Townships lost population. The fastest growing Townships, growing at 10% or more

for the decade, include Scrubgrass, Victory and Irwin. Numerically the Townships

adding the most people to its boundaries since 1990 include Irwin, Jackson, Victory,

President and Oakland. See Figure 2 and Table 3-3 for a detailed presentation of

population changes in Venango County since 1980.

Table 3-3

MUNICIPAL POPULATION COMPARISONS

Name1980

Population1990

Population2000

Population

TotalChange1980-2000

PercentChange1980-2000



VenangoCounty

64,444 59,381 57,565 -6,879 -11.9 1,816 -3.15

NORTHERN MUNICIPALITIES

Name1980

Population1990

Population2000

Population





AlleghenyTownship

261 281 281 20 7.7 0 0.0

CanalTownship 1,055 1,067 1,008 -47 -4.5 -59 -5.5

Cherry TreeTownship

1635 1601 1,543 -92 -5.6 -58 -3.6

CooperstownBorough

644 506 400 -244 -37.9 -106 -20.9

CornplanterTownship

3,038 2,968 2,687 -351 -11.6 -281 -9.5

Jackson 1,097 1,089 1,168 71 6.5 79 7.3


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Township

OaklandTownship

1,559 1,527 1,565 6 0.4 38 2.5

Oil CreekTownship

873 915 840 -33 -3.8 -75 -8.2

Pine GroveTownship 1,437 1,395 1,338 -99 -6.9 -57 -4.1

PleasantvilleBorough

1,099 991 850 -249 -22.7 -141 -14.2

PlumTownship

1,031 1,031 1,060 29 2.8 29 2.8

PresidentTownship

534 501 543 9 1.7 42 8.4

RousevilleBorough

734 583 472 -262 -35.7 -111 -19.0

Total 14,997 14,455 13,755 -1,242 -8.4 -700 -64

CENTRAL MUNICIPALITIES

Name1980

Population1990

Population2000

Population




PercentChange

1990-2000

City ofFranklin

8,146 7,329 7,212 -934 -11.5 -117 -1.6

City of OilCity

13,881 11949 11,504 -2,377 -17.1 -445 -3.7

CranberryTownship

7,873 7,256 7,014 -859 -10.9 -242 -3.3

SugarcreekBorough 5,954 5,532 5,331 -623 -10.5 -201 -3.6

Total 35,854 32,066 31,061 -4,793 -13.5 -1,005 -12.2

SOUTHERN MUNICIPALITIES

Name1980

Population1990

Population2000

Population





BarkeyvilleBorough

266 274 237 -29 -10.9 -37 -13.5

Clinton

Township686 733 758 72 10.5 25 3.4

ClintonvilleBorough

512 520 528 16 3.1 8 1.5

EmlentonBorough

794 824 784 -10 -1.3 -40 -4.9

FrenchCreekTownship

2,076 1,676 1,605 -471 -22.7 -71 -4.2

Irwin 1,234 1,182 1,309 75 6.1 127 10.7


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.........



Township

MineralTownship

519 514 533 14 2.7 19 3.7

PolkBorough

1,884 1,267 1,031 -853 -45.3 -236 -18.6

RichlandTownship 1,055 775 744 -311 -29.5 -31 -4.0

RocklandTownship

1,310 1,320 1,346 36 2.7 26 2.0

SandyCreekTownship

1,948 2,495 2,406 458 23.5 -89 -3.6

ScrubgrassTownship

719 673 799 80 11.1 126 18.7

UticaBorough

255 242 211 -44 -17.3 -31 -12.8

VictoryTownship

335 365 408 73 21.8 43 11.8

Total 13,593 12,860 12,699 -894 -7 -161 -9.8

Source: US Census of Population and Housing


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.........

Figure 3Source: 2000 US Census

Figure 4Source: 2000 US Census



Density

The

population density

for Venango

County in 2000

was 85.3 persons

per square mile.

The 2000 density

for Pennsylvania

was much higher

at 274 persons per

square mile, while

the U.S. was 79.6.

Density is

calculated by

taking the total population and dividing it by the land area of the unit assigned.

Figure 3 shows the density of the County by municipal subdivision.

The density for the county is represented by dark brown in the densest areas

and off-white in the rural areas. As would be expected the density per square mile is

concentrated in theBoroughs and

cities, along major

transportation

corridors and

within the

Townships near Oil

City and Franklin.


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.........



Distribution

The weakness in a density analysis for large areas, rural areas and other land

areas where populations are dispersed in clusters is the assumption that all people live

equidistance from one another. By breaking the municipal subdivisions down into

population distribution categories such as Census Tracts and Census Block Groups an

improved picture of an areas density and population distribution can be assembled.

Census Tracts

A Census Tract is a small, relatively permanent statistical subdivision of a county

delineated by a local committee of census data users for the purpose of presenting data.

Census tract boundaries normally follow visible features, but may follow governmental

unit boundaries and other non-visible features in some instances; they always nest

within counties. Designed to be relatively homogeneous units with respect to population

characteristics, economic status, and living conditions at the time of establishment,

census tracts average about 4,000 inhabitants. They may be split by any sub-county

geographic entity.

The advantage to this density interpretation is that the census tracts are

established around population areas that amount to around 4,000 residents. Thus the

areas with more census tracts have higher concentrations of; however, the disadvantage

is that the census tracts are larger than most subdivisions.

The census tract density picture (Figure 4) is more representative of the

population distribution of the county. The major corridor along routes 322 and 62 make

up the smallest census tracts and highest population concentrations. However, the

concentrated distribution patterns that appear in the Townships of Sugarcreek, Sandy

Creek and Cranberry are not represented in sufficient detail.


Page 30

2000 Population Density

Pennsylvania 274.0Venango County 85.3Armstrong County 110.7Butler County 220.8Clarion County 69.3Crawford County 89.2Erie County 350.2Forest County 11.6Mercer County 179.1Warren Count 49.6


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.........

Figure 5

Source: 2000 US Census



Block Groups

A Census Block is a subdivision of a census

tract. Many blocks correspond to individual city

blocks bounded by streets, but blocks especially in

rural areas may include many square miles and

may have some boundaries that are not streets.

A Census Block Group is a subdivision of a

census tract. A block group consists of all the blocks

within a census tract with the same beginning

number. To a far greater degree of usefulness are

the census blocks. Like Census Tracts they also

represent areas of population concentrations in a

range of 1,000 to 2,500 persons and therefore they

identify some of the detailed distribution patterns we were looking for. The primary

concentrations of inhabitants newly identified in Figure 5 are the commercial and

residential developments in Cranberry and Sugarcreek Township on the outskirts of

Franklin and Oil City.

Population Projection to 2020

This section uses the cohort-component projection technique to forecast theprobable size and composition of Venango Countys population through the year 2020.

There are three components of population change that will determine the future of any

population. The first of these is mortality, and the second is fertility. A population

projection that uses only these two components is called a natural increase projection.

The Natural Increase Population Projection for Venango County shown in Table 3-4

uses the Countys 1990 to 1999 mortality rates and its 1990 to 1999 fertility rates. All of

this data was obtained from the Pennsylvania State Data Center and the Pennsylvania

Health Data Center.

However, a natural increase projection ignores the third, and often the most

important component of population change -- migration. Throughout western

Pennsylvania and northeastern Ohio, the effects of migration have usually outweighed

the effects of mortality and fertility over the past 30 years. Unfortunately, migration is

almost impossible to predict due to the many variables that influence it -- such as the


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perceived difference of economic opportunity between the place of initial residence and

the place of relocation, the desire for more moderate climates or different types of life

experiences, and the previous migration of friends or relatives to the new location.

However, the aggregation of these decisions may show some pattern over long periods

of time. The Population Projection Using 1990-1999 Migration Rates for Venango

County shown in Table 3-4 applies the said migration rates to the aforementioned

Natural Increase Population Projection. The migration rates themselves were obtained

through the Pennsylvania State Data Center.

TABLE 3-4POPULATION PROJECTIONS - 2020

Category 2000Census

2010 2020 2000-2010

2010-2020

%Change

2000-2020% Change

Trend Projection

57,565

55,975 54,385 -2.8 -2.8 -5.5Natural Increase PopulationProjection

54,961 52,668 -4.5 -4.2 -8.5

Natural Increase and Migration 52,268 46,971 -9.2 -10.1 -18.4Source: 2002 RCS&A, Inc.


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Other Projections

Penn State Data Center

Census Census Projection Projection %Change %Change %Change

April 1,1990

July 1,2000

July 1,2010

July 1,2020

1990-2000

2000-2010

2010-2020

Pennsylvania

11,882,842 12,241,488 12,407,523 12,569,017 3.0 1.4 1.3

VenangoCounty

59,381 55,943 53,140 50,852 -3.1 -4.2 -4.1

ArmstrongCounty

73,478 68,829 64,518 61,003 -6.3 -6.3 -5.4

ButlerCounty

152,013 163,031 171,066 177,837 7.2 4.9 4.0

ClarionCounty

41,699 41,997 41,762 40,781 0.7 -0.6 -2.3

CrawfordCounty

86,170 88,366 90,316 93,048 2.5 2.2 3.0

ForestCounty

4,802 5,051 5,116 5,158 5.2 1.3 0.8

MercerCounty

121,003 122,293 123,152 124,609 1.1 0.7 1.2

WarrenCounty

45,049 42,486 40,278 38,306 -5.7 -5.2 -4.9

Age, Gender and Racial Composition

Median Age

1According to the 2000 US Census

the median age for Pennsylvania was 38.0

years of age increasing sharply from the

1990 median age of 34.0 years, which was

the 2nd highest among all of the states.

The 2000 US median age was 35.3

ranking Pennsylvania as now having the

3rd oldest resident population in the US

behind West Virginia and Florida, which

were at 38.9 and 38.7, respectively. In

2000, Venango County had a median age of 40.2 years ranking the County as having

the 11th oldest resident population in the state. In 1990 the median age in the County

was 34.8 years.


Page 33

Median Age 2000

Pennsylvania 38.0

Venango County 40.2

Armstrong County 40.4

Butler County 37.6

Clarion County 36.3

Crawford County 38.1

Erie County 36.2

Forest County 44.2

Mercer County 39.6

Warren County 40.5


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Table 3-5

Median Age by Planning Unit

1990-2000

Central Planning Unit

1990 2000

City of Franklin 35.9 39.5

City of Oil City 35.8 37.9

Cranberry Township 35.6 40.2

Sugarcreek Borough 38.0 41.8

Southern Planning Unit

Barkeyville Borough 35.7 41.6

Clinton Township 32.6 37.4

Photo by Daniel Alward Clintonville Borough 33.4 35.3

Northern Planning Unit Emlenton Borough 39.4 42.4

Allegheny Township 36.5 41.9 French Creek Township 34.8 41.7

Canal Township 36.3 40.2 Irwin Township 32.3 37.2

Cherry Tree Township 34.1 40.2 Mineral Township 35.6 41.3

Cooperstown Borough 36.1 43.4 Polk Borough 43.0 46.5

Cornplanter Township 37.2 42.4 Richland Township 34.7 41.7

Jackson Township 30.3 35.7 Rockland Township 36.8 43.4

Oakland Township 33.4 40.1 Sandy Creek Township 32.8 38.3

Oil Creek Township 36.5 42.6 Scrubgrass Township 38.7 41.4

Pine Grove Township 35.6 40.2 Utica Borough 30.3 34.4

Pleasantville Borough 33.1 40.4 Victory Township 37.8 40.6

Plum Township 34.9 39.5

President Township 39.6 45.9

Rouseville Borough 36.9 44.0


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Age Structure

Three of the most important demographic groups in any human population are

people under the age of 18, females in the most common childbearing years (i.e., ages

14 to 45), and senior citizens (i.e., ages 65 and up). People under the age of 18 are

important simply because they are the future of the population. Women in the

childbearing years are important simply because they represent the populations ability

to reproduce itself. Senior citizens are important because of the special services that

they often require.

TABLE 3-6

AGE COHORTS 1990- 2000BYNUMBER

Name

Under5

59

years

10-14

years

1519

years

20-24

years

25-34

years

35-44

years

45-54

years

55-59

years

60-64

years

65-74

years

75-84

years

85

years>

VenangoCounty

1990 3,914 4,322 4,424 4,216 3,177 8,854 8,895 6,238 2,992 3,338 5,240 2,829 852

2000 3,268 3,725 4,224 4,183 2,709 6,351 8,992 8,551 3,125 2,780 5,269 3,321 1,067

NORTHERN PLANNING UNIT

Name Under5

59

years

1

0-14

years

1519

years

2

0-24

years

2

5-34

years

3

5-44

years

4

5-54

years

5

5-59

years

6

0-64

years

6

5-74

years

7

5-84

years

85

years>

AlleghenyTownship

1990 24 17 17 15 21 41 30 40 18 22 22 11 3

2000 14 10 23 22 9 36 48 38 19 14 37 8 3

CanalTownship

1990 68 69 83 90 60 143 171 149 67 44 71 41 11

2000 54 65 82 69 44 122 167 167 51 60 77 40 10

Cherry TreeTownship

1990 111 120 128 121 95 250 245 180 76 106 116 41 12

2000 95 102 115 99 59 175 250 229 106 77 153 69 14

CooperstownBorough

1990 31 35 54 40 15 67 94 64 23 32 31 14 6

2000 14 33 34 31 21 43 72 76 29 38 46 20 3

CornplanterTownship

1990 202 225 221 182 135 415 420 338 171 158 254 173 74

2000 155 181 192 178 77 254 425 386 154 147 280 196 65

JacksonTownship

1990 92 110 118 80 48 200 183 86 31 51 67 21 2

2000 93 93 96 82 74 133 203 166 53 56 74 42 3

OaklandTownship

1990 108 140 155 111 69 221 293 151 63 68 87 44 17

2000 82 101 125 116 74 150 268 293 77 82 131 54 12

Oil CreekTownship

1990 61 67 72 62 42 130 161 116 49 45 79 26 5

2000 37 54 58 56 31 82 140 154 49 62 72 37 8

Pine GroveTownship

1990 94 99 94 117 76 202 221 155 73 83 108 58 15

2000 73 92 106 80 43 169 219 202 79 71 122 59 23


1990 74 84 93 74 50 155 154 97 41 47 72 44 6

2000 36 56 71 64 41 87 130 123 35 43 100 55 9

Plum 1990 69 78 79 80 58 153 168 133 46 57 77 32 1


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.........




Name Under5

59

years

10-14

years

1519

years

20-24

years

25-34

years

35-44

years

45-54

years

55-59

years

60-64

years

65-74

years

75-84

years

85

years>

Township 2000 53 80 92 72 35 133 174 156 57 58 93 47 10

PresidentTownship

1990 25 27 36 33 20 72 80 50 32 33 65 23 5

2000 21 22 39 37 24 36 86 82 35 34 85 37 5

RousevilleBorough

1990 40 44 26 49 37 80 75 54 49 34 58 25 12

2000 24 39 20 25 18 60 57 65 23 21 67 40 13

Total 1990 999 1,115 1,176 1,054 726 2,129 2,295 1,613 739 780 1,107 553 169

Total 2000 751 928 1,053 931 550 1,480 2,239 2,137 767 763 1,337 704 178

CENTRAL PLANNING UNIT

Name Under5

59

years

10-14

years

1519

years

20-24

years

25-34

years

35-44

years

45-54

years

55-59

years

60-64

years

65-74

years

75-84

years

City of Franklin

1990 492 539 509 495 448 1,079 1,090 696 327 364 749 776 1

2000 457 560 489 514 426 839 1,031 988 347 330 632 507 1

City of OilCity

1990 839 932 963 727 719 1,844 1,696 1,066 527 701 1,185 705 2

2000 731 837 882 802 629 1,403 1,723 1,572 514 401 968 771 2

CranberryTownship

1990 499 547 566 469 340 1,131 1,107 755 386 432 663 295

2000 415 438 536 490 340 715 1,126 1,083 400 333 660 381

SugarcreekBorough

1990 324 392 380 353 276 800 763 652 347 323 509 293 1

2000 290 310 349 335 245 573 842 749 303 326 547 327 1

Total 1990 2,154 2,410 2,418 2,044 1,783 4,854 4,656 3,169 1,587 1,820 3,106 2,069 5

Total 2000 1,893 2,145 2,256 2,141 1,640 3,530 4,722 4,392 1,564 1,390 2,807 1,986 6


Name Under5

59

yea

rs

10-14

yea

rs

15

19

year

s

20-24

yea

rs

25-34

yea

rs

35-44

yea

rs

45-54

yea

rs

55-59

yea

rs

60-64

yea

rs

65-74

yea

rs

75-84

yea

rs

85

years

>

BarkeyvilleBorough

1990 14 15 23 22 14 44 46 21 21 19 26 7 2

2000 16 16 13 8 11 32 40 44 9 6 24 17 1

ClintonTownship

1990 66 55 66 58 37 116 87 79 34 40 54 36 5

2000 40 52 70 57 36 93 114 105 55 35 65 29 7

ClintonvilleBorough

1990 47 45 34 32 32 82 62 49 20 20 50 40 7

2000 39 32 38 45 34 75 70 62 26 25 33 37 12

EmlentonBorough

1990 42 67 50 51 47 100 110 81 36 49 77 83 31

2000 38 50 51 58 37 83 97 96 46 34 66 61 57

French

CreekTownship

1990 109 128 126 128 87 266 280 188 79 93 119 58 15

2000 64 108 133 114 49 147 297 278 100 100 128 67 20

IrwinTownship

1990 72 92 99 112 84 177 182 104 58 76 80 39 7

2000 101 90 93 86 80 167 217 208 60 57 94 42 14

MineralTownship

1990 25 27 40 58 20 79 100 68 35 24 21 13 4

2000 37 30 25 28 18 66 98 94 33 30 53 16 5

PolkBorough

1990 28 39 48 55 52 190 281 205 84 79 130 68 8

2000 26 34 32 35 26 140 180 230 81 71 99 64 13

RichlandTownship

1990 39 75 72 55 36 115 107 93 37 48 56 34 8

2000 40 37 45 69 31 94 108 115 43 41 76 34 11


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Name Under5

59

years

10-14

years

15

19

years

20-24

years

25-34

years

35-44

years

45-54

years

55-59

years

60-64

years

65-74

years

75-84

years

85

years>

RocklandTownship

1990 89 86 93 106 66 185 189 150 77 90 131 50 8

2000 63 71 104 81 52 120 227 217 96 73 150 79 13

SandyCreekTownship

1990 141 182 188 343 124 350 381 297 117 129 160 73 10

2000 102 125 190 429 80 182 341 355 166 105 207 100 24

ScrubgrassTownship

1990 40 38 48 47 40 96 89 70 39 35 76 44 11

2000 30 56 52 57 44 73 146 101 55 33 72 64 16

UticaBorough

1990 25 29 15 22 11 33 37 234 9 11 13 10 3

2000 7 26 31 16 4 24 29 31 7 11 19 6 0

VictoryTownship

1990 24 19 28 29 18 38 83 27 20 25 34 16 4

2000 21 25 38 28 17 45 67 86 17 6 39 18 1

Total 1990 761 897 930 1,118 668 1,871 2,034 1,666 666 738 1,027 571 123

Total 2000 624 752 915 1,111 519 1,341 2,031 2,022 794 627 1,125 634 194


Page 37

05,000

0,000

5,000

0,000

00

0,000

5,000

1990 2000

Northern

Central

Southern


38/59

.........



TABLE 3-7AGE COHORTS 1900-2000

BYPERCENT

Name

Under

5

59

yea

rs

10-14

ye

ars

1519ye

ars

20-24

ye

ars

25-34

ye

ars

35-44

ye

ars

45-54

ye

ars

55-59

ye

ars

60-64

ye

ars

65-74

ye

ars

75-84

ye

ars

85

years>

VenangoCounty

1990 6.7 7.5 7.6 7.3 5.5 15.3 15.4 10.8 5.2 5.8 9.1 4.9 1.4

2000 5.7 6.5 7.3 7.3 4.7 11.0 15.6 14.9 5.4 4.8 9.2 5.8 1.9


Name

Under5

59

years

10-14

years

1519

years

20-24

years

25-34

years

35-44

years

45-54

years

55-59

years

60-64

years

65-74

years

75-84

years

85

years>

AlleghenyTownship

1990 8.5 6.0 6.0 5.3 7.5 14.5 10.7 14.2 6.4 7.8 7.8 3.9 1.1

2000 5.0 3.6 8.2 7.8 3.2 12.8 17.1 13.5 6.8 5.0 13.2 2.8 1.1

CanalTownship

1990 6.4 6.5 7.8 8.4 5.6 13.4 16.0 14.0 6.3 4.1 6.7 3.8 1.0

2000 5.4 6.4 8.1 6.8 4.4 12.1 16.6 16.6 5.1 6.0 7.6 4.0 1.0

Cherry TreeTownship

1990 6.9 7.5 8.0 7.6 5.9 15.6 15.3 11.3 4.7 6.6 7.2 2.5 0.7

2000 6.2 6.6 7.5 6.4 3.8 11.3 16.2 14.8 6.9 5.0 9.9 4.5 0.9

CooperstownBorough

1990 6.1 6.9 10.7 7.9 3.0 13.2 18.6 12.6 4.5 6.3 6.2 2.8 1.2

2000 3.0 7.2 7.4 6.7 4.6 9.3 15.7 16.5 6.3 8.3 10.0 1.3 0.7

CornplanterTownship

1990 6.8 7.6 7.4 6.1 4.5 13.9 14.2 11.4 5.8 5.3 8.6 5.8 2.5

2000 5.8 6.7 7.1 6.6 2.9 9.5 15.8 14.4 5.7 5.5 10.4 7.2 2.4

JacksonTownship

1990 8.4 10.1 10.8 7.3 4.4 18.4 16.9 7.9 2.8 4.7 6.1 1.9 0.2

2000 8.0 8.0 8.2 7.0 6.3 11.4 17.4 14.2 4.5 4.8 6.3 3.6 0.3

OaklandTownship

1990 7.1 9.2 10.2 7.3 4.5 14.5 19.2 9.9 4.1 4.5 5.7 2.9 1.1

2000 5.2 6.5 8.0 7.4 4.7 9.6 17.1 18.7 4.9 5.2 8.4 3.5 0.8

Oil CreekTownship

1990 6.7 7.3 7.9 6.8 4.6 14.2 17.6 12.6 5.4 4.9 8.6 2.8 0.5

2000 4.4 6.4 6.9 6.7 3.7 9.8 16.7 18.3 5.8 7.4 8.6 4.4 1.0

Pine GroveTownship

1990 6.7 7.1 6.7 8.4 5.4 14.5 15.9 11.1 5.2 5.9 7.7 4.2 1.1

2000 5.5 6.9 7.9 6.0 3.2 12.6 16.4 15.1 5.9 5.3 9.1 4.4 1.7


1990 7.5 8.5 9.4 7.5 5.0 15.7 15.6 9.8 4.1 4.7 7.2 4.4 0.6

2000 4.2 6.6 8.4 7.5 4.8 10.2 15.3 14.5 4.1 5.1 11.8 6.5 1.1

PlumTownship

1990 6.7 7.6 7.7 7.8 5.6 14.8 16.3 12.9 4.5 5.5 7.4 3.1 0.1

2000 5.0 7.5 8.7 6.8 3.3 12.5 16.4 14.7 5.4 5.5 8.8 4.4 0.9

PresidentTownship

1990 5.0 5.4 7.2 6.6 4.0 14.4 16.0 10.0 6.4 6.6 13.0 4.6 1.0

2000 3.9 4.1 7.2 6.8 4.4 6.6 15.8 15.1 6.4 6.3 15.7 6.8 0.9

RousevilleBorough

1990 6.9 7.5 4.5 8.4 6.3 13.8 12.8 9.3 8.4 5.8 9.9 4.3 2.1

2000 5.1 8.3 4.2 5.3 3.8 12.7 12.1 13.8 4.9 4.4 14.2 8.5 2.8


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.........




Name Under5

59

years

10-14

years

1519

years

20-24

years

25-34

years

35-44

years

45-54

years

55-59

years

60-64

years

65-74

years

75-84

years

85

years>

City of Franklin

1990 6.7 7.4 6.9 6.8 6.1 14.7 14.9 9.5 4.5 5.0 10.2 5.6 1.8

2000 6.3 6.4 6.8 7.1 5.9 11.6 14.3 13.7 4.8 4.6 8.8 7.0 2.7

City of OilCity

1990 7.0 7.0 7.2 6.1 6.0 15.4 14.2 8.9 4.4 5.9 9.9 5.9 2.1

2000 6.4 7.3 7.7 7.0 5.5 12.2 15.0 13.7 4.5 3.5 8.4 6.7 2.4

CranberryTownship

1990 6.9 7.5 7.8 6.5 4.7 15.6 15.2 10.4 5.3 6.0 9.2 4.1 0.9

2000 5.9 6.2 7.6 7.0 4.8 10.2 16.1 15.4 5.7 4.7 9.4 5.4 1.4

SugarcreekBorough

1990 5.9 7.1 6.9 6.4 5.0 14.5 13.8 11.8 6.3 5.8 9.2 5.3 2.2

2000 5.4 5.8 6.5 6.3 4.6 10.7 15.8 14.0 5.7 6.1 10.3 6.1 2.5


Name U

nder5

5

9

years

10-1

4

years

15

19

years

20-2

4

years

25-3

4

years

35-4

4

years

45-5

4

years

55-5

9

years

60-6

4

years

65-7

4

years

75-8

4

years

85

years>

BarkeyvilleBorough

1990 5.1 5.5 8.4 8.0 5.1 16.0 16.8 7.6 7.7 6.9 9.5 2.5 0.7

2000 6.8 6.8 5.5 3.4 4.6 13.5 16.9 18.6 3.8 2.5 10.1 7.2 0.4

ClintonTownship

1990 9.0 7.5 9.0 7.9 5.0 15.9 11.9 10.8 4.6 5.5 7.3 4.9 0.7

2000 5.3 6.9 9.2 7.5 4.7 12.3 15.0 13.9 7.3 4.6 8.6 3.8 0.9

ClintonvilleBorough

1990 9.0 8.7 6.5 6.2 6.2 15.8 12.0 9.4 3.8 3.8 9.6 7.7 1.3

2000 7.4 6.1 7.2 8.5 6.4 14.2 13.3 11.7 4.9 4.7 6.3 7.0 2.3

EmlentonBorough

1990 5.1 8.1 6.1 6.2 5.7 12.1 13.3 9.8 4.4 5.9 9.3 10.1 3.8

2000 4.9 6.5 6.6 7.5 4.8 10.7 12.5 12.4 5.9 4.4 8.5 7.9 7.4

FrenchCreekTownship

1990 6.5 7.6 7.5 7.6 5.2 15.9 16.7 11.2 4.7 5.5 7.1 3.5 0.9

2000 4.0 6.7 8.3 7.1 3.1 9.2 18.5 17.3 6.2 6.2 8.0 4.2 1.2

IrwinTownship

1990 6.1 7.8 8.4 9.5 7.1 15.0 15.4 8.8 4.9 6.4 6.7 3.3 0.62000 7.7 6.9 7.1 6.6 6.1 12.8 16.6 15.9 4.6 4.4 7.2 3.2 1.1

MineralTownship

1990 4.9 5.3 7.8 11.3 3.9 15.4 19.5 13.3 6.8 4.7 6.6 2.6 0.8

2000 6.9 5.6 4.7 5.3 3.4 12.4 18.4 17.6 6.2 5.6 9.9 3.0 0.9

PolkBorough

1990 2.2 3.1 3.8 4.3 4.1 15.0 22.2 16.2 6.6 6.2 10.2 5.4 0.6

2000 2.5 3.3 3.1 3.4 2.5 13.6 17.5 22.3 7.9 6.9 9.6 6.2 1.3

RichlandTownship

1990 5.0 9.7 9.3 7.1 4.6 14.8 13.8 12.0 4.8 6.2 7.2 4.4 1.0

2000 5.4 5.0 6.0 9.3 4.2 12.6 14.5 15.5 5.8 5.5 10.2 4.6 1.5

RocklandTownship

1990 6.7 6.5 7.0 8.0 5.0 14.0 14.3 11.3 5.8 6.8 9.9 3.8 0.6

2000 4.7 5.3 7.7 6.0 3.9 8.9 16.9 16.1 7.1 5.4 11.1 5.9 1.0

SandyCreekTownship

1990 5.7 7.3 7.5 13.7 5.0 14.1 15.3 11.9 4.7 5.2 6.4 2.9 0.4

2000 4.2 5.2 7.9 17.8 3.3 7.6 14.2 14.8 6.9 4.4 8.6 4.2 1.0

ScrubgrassTownship

1990 5.9 5.6 7.1 7.0 5.9 14.3 13.2 10.4 5.8 5.2 11.3 6.5 1.6

2000 3.8 7.0 6.5 7.1 5.5 9.1 18.3 12.6 6.9 4.1 9.0 8.0 2.0

UticaBorough

1990 10.3 12.0 6.2 9.1 4.5 13.6 15.3 9.9 3.7 4.5 5.4 4.2 1.2

2000 3.3 12.3 14.7 7.6 1.9 11.4 13.7 14.7 3.3 5.2 9.0 2.8 0

VictoryTownship

1990 6.6 5.2 7.7 7.9 4.9 10.4 22.8 7.4 5.5 6.8 9.3 4.4 1.1

2000 5.1 6.1 9.3 6.9 4.2 11.0 16.4 21.1 4.2 1.5 9.6 4.4 0.2


Page 39


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.........



Middle Age

The population in Venango County is aging, but not significantly more than Pennsylvania. Since

1990 the County has lost 1,936 females and 1,694 males between the ages of 20 and 39. The total male

and female population losses in those categories represent 3,630 persons, or 6.1% of the 1990 total

population. Meanwhile, between the ages of 40 to 59 the County gained 1,722 males and 1,390 females

a total gain of 3,112.

Elderly

Furthermore, the elderly population has increased

significantly. The elderly are defined as being 75 years or

older at the time of the 2000 Census. Since 1990 the Countyhas experienced a gain of 554 males that were 70 years or

older and 523 females, half of which were elderly. The total

population in the County that were 70 years or older

represented 12.2% of the total population. Comparatively,

Pennsylvanias persons 65 years or older represented a slightly lower 11.7% of the total statewide

population in 2000.

Children

In 2000, 13,947, or 24.2% of Venango residents were under the age of 18. In comparison, 23.5%

of Pennsylvanians were under the age of 18. Considering the losses of persons 20 to 39 it is not

surprising that the number of children under the age of 10 has decreased with 1,243 less since 1990.

The number of children under 10 represented 12.2% of the total County population in 2000. In

Pennsylvania the same age category represented 12.6%.

The graphic on the next page depicts the age pyramid for the County from 1990 to 2000.

Under 18 19-64 65 +Pennsylvania 23.8 60.6 15.6Venango County 24.2 59.0 16.8Armstrong

County

22.9 59.1 18.0

Butler County 24.6 61.1 14.3Clarion County 21.6 63.2 15.2Crawford County 24.7 59.7 15.6Erie County 25.0 60.7 14.3Forest County 22.7 57.4 19.9Mercer County 23.4 58.5 18.1Warren County 24.1 59.2 16.7


Page 40


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Figure 7Source: 1990-2000 US Census

.........




Page 41


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.........



Racial Composition

In 2000 97.6% of the Countys residents

considered themselves to be white and 1.1% black.

The racial diversity has varied little since 1990. The

racial composition in Pennsylvania is higher with

14.6% considering themselves a race other than

white.

URBANAND RURAL POPULATIONS

For Census 2000, the Census Bureau classifies as "urban" all territory, population, and housingunits located within an urbanized area (UA) or an urban cluster (UC). It delineates UA and UC

boundaries to encompass densely settled territory, which consists of:

o core census block groups or blocks that have a population density of at least 1,000 peopleper square mile and

o surrounding census blocks that have an overall density of at least 500 people per squaremile.

In addition, under certain conditions, less densely settled territory may be part of each UA or UC.

The Census Bureau's classification of "rural" consists of all territory, population, and housing units

located outside of UAs and UCs. The rural component contains both place and non-place territory.

Geographic entities, such as census tracts, counties, metropolitan areas, and the territory outside

metropolitan areas, often are "split" between urban and rural territory, and the population and housing

units they contain often are partly classified as urban and partly classified as rural.

Venango County

1Franklin and Oil City populations were classified as urban clusters (UC) in the 2000 Census.

Approximately 32.5% of the Countys residents lived in the urban areas of Franklin and Oil City, 17.5% in

Boroughs and 50% lived in Townships. In 1980, 53% of the Countys residents lived in Boroughs and

cities. In 2000, 69.3 % of Pennsylvanians lived in an urban area, as defined by the Census. This was

down 1.5% from the 1990 level. About 1% of Pennsylvanians lived on rural farms in 1990, and one third

of the population lived in a rural non-farm setting. The United States as a whole has increasingly

White

Black Asian Hispanic

Pennsylvania 85.4 10.0 1.8 3.2

Venango County 97.6 1.1 0.2 0.5

ArmstrongCounty

98.3 0.8 0.1 0.4

Butler County 97.8 0.8 0.1 0.6

Clarion County 98.2 0.8 0.3 0.4

Crawford County 97.0 1.6 0.3 0.6

Erie County 90.6 6.1 0.7 2.2

Forest County 95.9 2.2 0.1 1.2

Mercer County 93.1 5.3 0.4 0.7

Warren County 98.7 0.2 0.3 0.3


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Educational

Attainment 2000

< 9th

Grade

High

School

Grad

Bach

Degree

or >

Pennsylvania 5.5 81.9 22.4

Venango County 6.3 81.0 13.1

Armstrong County 7.2 80.0 10.4

Butler County 4.0 86.8 23.5

Clarion County 6.3 81.8 15.3

Crawford County 6.0 81.6 14.7

Erie County 8.5 76.0 11.5

Forest County 7.1 78.9 14.8

Mercer County 4.9 82.9 17.3

Warren County 4.6 84.8 14.2

.........



become more urban. In 2000, nearly 77% of Americans lived in an urban area, as defined by the

Census.

Education

Education is a primary measure of the quality and flexibility of a communitys labor force. In the

post manufacturing, service-oriented economy of today, it correlates highly with income. Generally, as

shown in Table 3-8, the population of the county can be

characterized as moderate advanced educational levels.

Whereas in 2000 almost 82% of all persons over the age

of 25 in Pennsylvania had high school diplomas, 81% of

the countys residents possessed high school diplomas.

The disparity with the Commonwealth grows larger

for college educations. Over 28% of the Commonwealthscitizens over 25 years of age have attained at least two years of advanced education, while 17.7% of the

countys residents have such an occurrence of advanced education. Reflected in this statistic are the

employment opportunities available in the area.

TABLE 3-8

EDUCATIONAL ATTAINMENT

1990-2000

PlaceLess Than HighSchool Diploma

*High SchoolGraduates

**Advanced EducationalDegrees

1990 2000 1990 2000 1990 2000

Pennsylvania 25.3% 18.1% 74.7% 81.9% 23.2% 28.3%

Venango County 25.8% 19.0% 74.2% 81.0% 14.9% 17.7%*Includes persons with some college and advanced degrees.**Indicates persons receiving an Associates, Bachelors or Graduate Degrees. Does not include persons who graduated high school and have some collegeeducation but no degree.

Source: 1990-2000 US Census of Population and Housing


Page 43


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.........



TABLE 3-9

2000 EDUCATIONAL ATTAINMENT

BY NUMBER


Name < 9th Grade 9-12High

SchoolGrad

SomeCollege

AssociateDegree

BachelorsDegree

GraduateDegree

Allegheny Township 9 16 124 31 21 15 3

Canal Township 47 76 377 52 36 54 37

Cherry Tree Township 45 157 558 129 76 70 33

Cooperstown Borough 8 54 185 39 13 21 9

Cornplanter Township 87 205 800 308 174 221 118

Jackson Township 51 104 412 68 40 33 23

Oakland Township 48 111 571 121 57 104 44

Oil Creek Township 37 71 308 81 45 24 23

Pine Grove Township 77 147 446 118 53 60 36

Pleasantville Borough 34 50 270 84 72 54 23

Plum Township 49 97 397 72 32 45 35

President Township 13 49 220 38 24 38 14

Rouseville Borough 22 69 179 47 7 7 8

Total 527 1,206 4,847 1,188 650 746 406



SchoolGrad

SomeCollege

AssociateDegree

BachelorsDegree

GraduateDegree

City of Franklin 276 599 2,177 627 277 565 320

City of Oil City 386 963 3,677 1,065 415 724 378

Cranberry Township 165 671 2,365 698 232 397 243

Sugarcreek Borough 122 501 2,058 518 195 242 165

Total 949 2,734 10,277 2,908 1,119 1,928 1,106

SOUTHERN PLANNING UNIT


SchoolGrad

SomeCollege

AssociateDegree

BachelorsDegree

GraduateDegree

Barkeyville Borough 23 27 86 31 8 4 7

Clinton Township 53 67 287 30 34 15 14

Clintonville Borough 38 45 185 28 6 27 10

Emlenton Borough 27 47 284 64 27 52 52

French Creek Township 41 151 596 158 64 115 49

Irwin Township 63 176 412 83 37 62 24

Mineral Township 37 53 208 42 14 18 14

Polk Borough 553 58 159 43 18 18 19

Richland Township 35 69 288 42 30 46 29

Rockland Township 59 124 543 107 43 60 21


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.........





SchoolGrad

SomeCollege

AssociateDegree

BachelorsDegree

GraduateDegree

Sandy Creek Township 27 107 780 220 123 118 96

Scrubgrass Township 43 65 297 73 21 28 17

Utica Borough 1 16 73 8 7 5 6Victory Township 9 45 149 43 12 23 4

Total 1,009 1,050 4,347 972 444 591 362


TABLE 3-10

2000 EDUCATIONALATTAINMENT

BYPERCENT



SchoolGrad

SomeCollege

AssociateDegree

BachelorsDegree

GraduateDegree

Allegheny Township 4.1 7.3 56.6 14.2 9.6 6.8 1.4

Canal Township 6.9 11.2 55.5 7.7 5.3 8.0 5.4

Cherry Tree Township 4.2 14.7 52.2 12.1 7.1 6.6 3.1

Cooperstown Borough 2.4 16.4 56.2 11.9 4.0 6.4 2.7

Cornplanter Township 4.5 10.7 41.8 16.1 9.1 11.6 6.2

Jackson Township 7.0 14.2 56.4 9.3 5.5 4.5 3.1

Oakland Township 4.5 10.5 54.1 11.5 5.4 9.8 4.2

Oil Creek Township 6.3 12.1 52.3 13.8 7.6 4.1 3.9

Pine Grove Township 8.2 15.7 47.6 12.6 5.7 6.4 3.8

Pleasantville Borough 5.8 8.5 46.0 14.3 12.3 9.2 3.9

Plum Township 6.7 13.3 54.6 919 4.4 6.2 4.8

President Township 3.3 12.4 55.6 9.6 6.1 9.6 3.5

Rouseville Borough 6.5 20.4 52.8 13.9 2.1 2.1 2.4


< 9th Grade 9-12High

SchoolGrad

SomeCollege

AssociateDegree

BachelorsDegree

GraduateDegree

Name

City of Franklin 5.7 12.4 45.0 13.0 5.7 11.7 6.6

City of Oil City 5.1 12.7 48.3 14.0 5.5 9.5 5.0

Cranberry Township 3.5 14.1 49.6 14.6 4.9 8.3 5.1

Sugarcreek Borough 3.2 13.2 54.1 13.6 5.1 6.4 4.3


< 9th Grade 9-12High

SchoolGrad

SomeCollege

AssociateDegree

BachelorsDegree

GraduateDegree

Name


Page 45


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.........



Barkeyville Borough 12.4 14.5 46.2 16.7 4.3 2.2 3.8

Clinton Township 10.6 13.4 57.4 6.0 6.8 3.0 2.8

Clintonville Borough 11.2 13.3 54.6 8.3 1.8 8.0 2.9

Emlenton Borough 4.9 8.5 51.4 11.6 4.9 9.4 9.4

French Creek Township 3.5 12.9 50.8 13.5 5.5 9.8 4.2

Irwin Township 7.4 20.5 48.1 9.7 4.3 7.2 2.8

Mineral Township 9.6 13.7 53.9 10.9 3.6 4.7 3.6

Polk Borough 63.7 6.7 18.3 5.0 2.1 2.1 2.2

Richland Township 6.5 12.8 53.4 7.8 5.6 8.5 5.4

Rockland Township 6.2 13.0 56.7 11.2 4.5 6.3 2.2

Sandy Creek Township 1.8 7.3 53.0 15.0 8.4 8.0 6.5

Scrubgrass Township 7.9 11.9 54.6 13.4 3.9 5.1 3.1

Utica Borough 0.9 13.8 62.9 6.9 6.0 4.3 5.2

Victory Township 3.2 15.8 52.3 15.1 4.2 8.1 1.4


Income and Poverty

Income levels in Venango County since 1990 have increased quite favorably outpacing income

growth in Pennsylvania. Since 1990 median family incomes increased 42.8%, while Pennsylvanias

grew at 38%. Significant growth income levels included a 100% growth in families earning $50-75,000

annually and tremendous increases in those earning $75,000 or more. Although the number of families

making less than $10,000 annually decreased by 7% since 1990, nearly 12% of the population still falls

into this poverty challenged income area.


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.........



TABLE 3-11

HOUSEHOLDSBY INCOME GROUP, 1990-2000

1990 2000 1990 2000

Household Income in 1999:PA Households Venango County

No. % No. % No. % No. %

Total Households 4,492,958 100.0 4,779,186 100.0 22,496 100.0 22,788 100.0

Less than

Documents

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