Coudersport, Pennsylvania
Encyclopedia
Coudersport is a borough in Potter County
, Pennsylvania
, 110 miles (177 km) east by south of Erie
on the Allegheny River
. The populations were these: 1,530 in 1890; 3,217 in 1900; and 3,100 in 1910. The population was 2,650 at the 2000 census. It is the county seat
of Potter County
.
According to the United States Census Bureau
, the borough has a total area of 5.7 square miles (14.8 km²), all of it land.
Coudersport lies in a broad valley the joining of Allegheny and Mill Creek rivers. It is surrounded by the great hilltop plateaus of the Allegheny highlands. Highways enter north and south on Pennsylvania Route 44
, the very old Jersey Shore (log road)Turnpike, and from west to east on U.S. Route 6
, the "Grand Army of the Republic Highway", which had been long a major mid-east-states east-west corridor before Inter-State highways of late 1950s. The most noted hilltops, located here on this plateau, are Dutch Hill stretching southeastly, and Vader Hill stretching southwestly. The Allegheny river makes a quick turn at this point, going from North to West; for that reason these features are distinctly individual from afar in the broad turning valley, and rise 2400–2500 feet above sea-level.
of 2000, there were 2,650 people, 1,101 households, and 700 families residing in the borough. The population density
was 467.2 people per square mile (180.5/km²). There were 1,189 housing units at an average density of 209.6 per square mile (81.0/km²). The racial makeup of the borough was 97.02% White, 0.49% African American, 0.08% Native American, 1.62% Asian, 0.19% from other races
, and 0.60% from two or more races. Hispanic or Latino of any race were 0.49% of the population.
There were 1,101 households out of which 30.1% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 50.8% were married couples
living together, 9.3% had a female householder with no husband present, and 36.4% were non-families. 32.0% of all households were made up of individuals and 13.1% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.35 and the average family size was 3.00.
In the borough the population was spread out with 25.3% under the age of 18, 7.1% from 18 to 24, 27.5% from 25 to 44, 22.8% from 45 to 64, and 17.2% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 38 years. For every 100 females there were 94.1 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 89.7 males.
The median income for a household in the borough was $35,813, and the median income for a family was $44,053. Males had a median income of $32,288 versus $22,439 for females. The per capita income
for the borough was $18,209. About 6.9% of families and 11.0% of the population were below the poverty line, including 12.6% of those under age 18 and 12.1% of those age 65 or over.
Consistory
. With over 5000 members, Coudersport's Consistory is the largest consistory in the Scottish Rite by per capita membership.
Coudersport was the home of "Untouchable" Eliot Ness
at the time of his death.
Located in the northern portion of Coudersport, is the Coudersport Area Recreation Park (CARP). This sports and recreation park was begun in the 1960s by a group of town leaders, which included Dr. William L. Mitchell, a local veterinarian. It currently has a football field with track & field capabilities, baseball and softball fields, basketball courts, picnic areas and hiking trails.
Coudersport has the former headquarters of Adelphia, which went bankrupt after internal corruption earlier in the 2000s.
The fictional town of Farringdon, depicted in the Judy Bolton detective series
by Margaret Sutton
, is based on Coudersport, where Ms. Sutton grew up and attended school. The school, town hall, and several recognizable residences are described in her books. Judy Bolton Days http://www.judybolton.com/, an annual festival honoring the books of the late Margaret Sutton, is hosted each October by the local Chamber of Commerce.
Coudersport is hometown of indie folk rock group The Slant
. Referred to by the band as "God's Country", The Slant's musical style is reminiscent of Coudersport's rural nature.
Potter County, Pennsylvania
Potter County is a county located in the U.S. state of Pennsylvania. It is in the Allegheny Plateau region. As of 2010, the population was 17,457. Its county seat is Coudersport. Potter County was named after James Potter, who was a general from Pennsylvania in the Continental Army during the...
, Pennsylvania
Pennsylvania
The Commonwealth of Pennsylvania is a U.S. state that is located in the Northeastern and Mid-Atlantic regions of the United States. The state borders Delaware and Maryland to the south, West Virginia to the southwest, Ohio to the west, New York and Ontario, Canada, to the north, and New Jersey to...
, 110 miles (177 km) east by south of Erie
Erie, Pennsylvania
Erie is a city located in northwestern Pennsylvania in the United States. Named for the lake and the Native American tribe that resided along its southern shore, Erie is the state's fourth-largest city , with a population of 102,000...
on the Allegheny River
Allegheny River
The Allegheny River is a principal tributary of the Ohio River; it is located in the Eastern United States. The Allegheny River joins with the Monongahela River to form the Ohio River at the "Point" of Point State Park in Downtown Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania...
. The populations were these: 1,530 in 1890; 3,217 in 1900; and 3,100 in 1910. The population was 2,650 at the 2000 census. It is the county seat
County seat
A county seat is an administrative center, or seat of government, for a county or civil parish. The term is primarily used in the United States....
of Potter County
Potter County, Pennsylvania
Potter County is a county located in the U.S. state of Pennsylvania. It is in the Allegheny Plateau region. As of 2010, the population was 17,457. Its county seat is Coudersport. Potter County was named after James Potter, who was a general from Pennsylvania in the Continental Army during the...
.
Geography
Coudersport is located at 41°46′26"N 78°1′7"W (41.773903, -78.018559).According to the United States Census Bureau
United States Census Bureau
The United States Census Bureau is the government agency that is responsible for the United States Census. It also gathers other national demographic and economic data...
, the borough has a total area of 5.7 square miles (14.8 km²), all of it land.
Coudersport lies in a broad valley the joining of Allegheny and Mill Creek rivers. It is surrounded by the great hilltop plateaus of the Allegheny highlands. Highways enter north and south on Pennsylvania Route 44
Pennsylvania Route 44
Pennsylvania Route 44 is a -long state highway in the U.S. state of Pennsylvania. The route is designated from Interstate 80 and Pennsylvania Route 42 in Buckhorn to the New York state line near New York State Route 417 in Ceres Township....
, the very old Jersey Shore (log road)Turnpike, and from west to east on U.S. Route 6
U.S. Route 6
U.S. Route 6 , also called the Grand Army of the Republic Highway, a name that honors an American Civil War veterans association, is a main route of the U.S. Highway system, running east-northeast from Bishop, California to Provincetown, Massachusetts. Until 1964, it continued south from Bishop to...
, the "Grand Army of the Republic Highway", which had been long a major mid-east-states east-west corridor before Inter-State highways of late 1950s. The most noted hilltops, located here on this plateau, are Dutch Hill stretching southeastly, and Vader Hill stretching southwestly. The Allegheny river makes a quick turn at this point, going from North to West; for that reason these features are distinctly individual from afar in the broad turning valley, and rise 2400–2500 feet above sea-level.
Demographics
As of the censusCensus
A census is the procedure of systematically acquiring and recording information about the members of a given population. It is a regularly occurring and official count of a particular population. The term is used mostly in connection with national population and housing censuses; other common...
of 2000, there were 2,650 people, 1,101 households, and 700 families residing in the borough. The population density
Population density
Population density is a measurement of population per unit area or unit volume. It is frequently applied to living organisms, and particularly to humans...
was 467.2 people per square mile (180.5/km²). There were 1,189 housing units at an average density of 209.6 per square mile (81.0/km²). The racial makeup of the borough was 97.02% White, 0.49% African American, 0.08% Native American, 1.62% Asian, 0.19% from other races
Race (United States Census)
Race and ethnicity in the United States Census, as defined by the Federal Office of Management and Budget and the United States Census Bureau, are self-identification data items in which residents choose the race or races with which they most closely identify, and indicate whether or not they are...
, and 0.60% from two or more races. Hispanic or Latino of any race were 0.49% of the population.
There were 1,101 households out of which 30.1% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 50.8% were married couples
Marriage
Marriage is a social union or legal contract between people that creates kinship. It is an institution in which interpersonal relationships, usually intimate and sexual, are acknowledged in a variety of ways, depending on the culture or subculture in which it is found...
living together, 9.3% had a female householder with no husband present, and 36.4% were non-families. 32.0% of all households were made up of individuals and 13.1% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.35 and the average family size was 3.00.
In the borough the population was spread out with 25.3% under the age of 18, 7.1% from 18 to 24, 27.5% from 25 to 44, 22.8% from 45 to 64, and 17.2% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 38 years. For every 100 females there were 94.1 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 89.7 males.
Per capita income
Per capita income or income per person is a measure of mean income within an economic aggregate, such as a country or city. It is calculated by taking a measure of all sources of income in the aggregate and dividing it by the total population...
for the borough was $18,209. About 6.9% of families and 11.0% of the population were below the poverty line, including 12.6% of those under age 18 and 12.1% of those age 65 or over.
Notable facts
Coudersport is home to a Scottish RiteScottish Rite
The Ancient and Accepted Scottish Rite of Freemasonry , commonly known as simply the Scottish Rite, is one of several Rites of the worldwide fraternity known as Freemasonry...
Consistory
Consistory
-Antiquity:Originally, the Latin word consistorium meant simply 'sitting together', just as the Greek synedrion ....
. With over 5000 members, Coudersport's Consistory is the largest consistory in the Scottish Rite by per capita membership.
Coudersport was the home of "Untouchable" Eliot Ness
Eliot Ness
Eliot Ness was an American Prohibition agent, famous for his efforts to enforce Prohibition in Chicago, Illinois, and the leader of a legendary team of law enforcement agents nicknamed The Untouchables.- Early life :...
at the time of his death.
Located in the northern portion of Coudersport, is the Coudersport Area Recreation Park (CARP). This sports and recreation park was begun in the 1960s by a group of town leaders, which included Dr. William L. Mitchell, a local veterinarian. It currently has a football field with track & field capabilities, baseball and softball fields, basketball courts, picnic areas and hiking trails.
Coudersport has the former headquarters of Adelphia, which went bankrupt after internal corruption earlier in the 2000s.
The fictional town of Farringdon, depicted in the Judy Bolton detective series
Judy Bolton Series
The Judy Bolton detective series, created by Margaret Sutton, follows a realistic young woman who solves mysteries. Although the series was not quite as popular as Nancy Drew, Judy Bolton has been called a more complex and believable role model for girls...
by Margaret Sutton
Margaret Sutton
Margaret Sutton was most famous as the author of the Judy Bolton Series of mystery books, 38 volumes published between 1932 and 1967...
, is based on Coudersport, where Ms. Sutton grew up and attended school. The school, town hall, and several recognizable residences are described in her books. Judy Bolton Days http://www.judybolton.com/, an annual festival honoring the books of the late Margaret Sutton, is hosted each October by the local Chamber of Commerce.
Coudersport is hometown of indie folk rock group The Slant
The Slant (band)
-The Slant :The Slant was an experimental, psychedelic, indie,alternative, folk/rock music group based in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. The group has received favorable reviews from National Public Radio and various other media outlets. The Slant used...
. Referred to by the band as "God's Country", The Slant's musical style is reminiscent of Coudersport's rural nature.