Mercer, Pennsylvania
Encyclopedia
Mercer is a borough in Mercer County
, Pennsylvania
, United States
. The population was 2,391 at the 2000 census. It is the county seat
of Mercer County. Mercer is part of the Youngstown
–Warren
–Boardman
, OH
-PA Metropolitan Statistical Area
.
The community was named after physician Brigadier General
Hugh Mercer
. Brigadier General Mercer was a close friend to General Washington and became a rallying point for the Battle of Princeton.
Mercer is the birthplace of the 19th century painter Samuel Waugh
, actor and impresario J C Williamson born here in 1845 (full name James Cassius Williamson) as well as musician Trent Reznor
, creator of the band Nine Inch Nails
. Mercer is also known for its Memorial Day Parade with the main street lined with 500 flags. Each February it holds Penn's Woods West Arts & Crafts Festival at the Mercer Area High School
as well Victorian Days in the summer. Many attend the outdoor concerts by the Mercer Community Band on Friday evenings each summer. Facebook has links back to this small town, including that of the Winklevoss twins' father attended Mercer High School.
At the time of his inauguration in Mercer, Pa. in January 2002 Chris Portman was one of the youngest mayors in the history of the USA.
According to the United States Census Bureau
, the borough has a total area of 1.2 square miles (3.1 km²), all land.
of 2000, there were 2,391 people, 1,020 households, and 609 families residing in the borough. The population density
was 1,930.3 people per square mile (744.5/km²). There were 1,086 housing units at an average density of 876.7 per square mile (338.2/km²). The racial makeup of the borough was 96.45% White, 2.17% African American, 0.17% Native American, 0.21% Asian, 0.04% Pacific Islander, 0.17% from other races
, and 0.79% from two or more races. Hispanic or Latino of any race were 0.84% of the population.
There were 1,020 households out of which 26.8% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 43.7% were married couples
living together, 13.1% had a female householder with no husband present, and 40.2% were non-families. 34.2% of all households were made up of individuals and 13.3% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.24 and the average family size was 2.89.
In the borough the population was spread out with 22.2% under the age of 18, 9.2% from 18 to 24, 29.2% from 25 to 44, 22.6% from 45 to 64, and 16.8% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 37 years. For every 100 females there were 100.8 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 95.3 males.
The median income for a household in the borough was $29,795, and the median income for a family was $46,979. Males had a median income of $27,371 versus $19,576 for females. The per capita income
for the borough was $22,161. About 6.0% of families and 9.0% of the population were below the poverty line, including 8.8% of those under age 18 and 8.5% of those age 65 or over.
Mercer County, Pennsylvania
Mercer County is a county located in the U.S. state of Pennsylvania. As of 2010, the population was 116,638. Its county seat is Mercer; Sharon is its largest city....
, 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...
, United States
United States
The United States of America is a federal constitutional republic comprising fifty states and a federal district...
. The population was 2,391 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 Mercer County. Mercer is part of the Youngstown
Youngstown, Ohio
Youngstown is a city in the U.S. state of Ohio and the county seat of Mahoning County; it also extends into Trumbull County. The municipality is situated on the Mahoning River, approximately southeast of Cleveland and northwest of Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania...
–Warren
Warren, Ohio
As of the census of 2000, there were 46,832 people, 19,288 households and 12,035 families residing in the city. The population density was 2,912.4 people per square mile . There were 21,279 housing units at an average density of 1,322.9 per square mile...
–Boardman
Boardman, Ohio
Boardman is a census-designated place in Boardman Township, Mahoning County, Ohio, United States, just south of Youngstown. Boardman is considered to be a moderately affluent community and is one of two major retail hubs in the greater Youngstown area...
, OH
Ohio
Ohio is a Midwestern state in the United States. The 34th largest state by area in the U.S.,it is the 7th‑most populous with over 11.5 million residents, containing several major American cities and seven metropolitan areas with populations of 500,000 or more.The state's capital is Columbus...
-PA Metropolitan Statistical Area
Youngstown-Warren-Boardman, OH-PA Metropolitan Area
The Youngstown Metropolitan Area is a metropolitan area centered on the American city of Youngstown, Ohio. According to the US Census Bureau, the metropolitan area includes Mahoning and Trumbull counties in Ohio and Mercer county in Pennsylvania...
.
The community was named after physician Brigadier General
Brigadier General
Brigadier general is a senior rank in the armed forces. It is the lowest ranking general officer in some countries, usually sitting between the ranks of colonel and major general. When appointed to a field command, a brigadier general is typically in command of a brigade consisting of around 4,000...
Hugh Mercer
Hugh Mercer
Hugh Mercer was a soldier and physician. He initially served with British forces during the Seven Years War but later became a brigadier general in the Continental Army and a close friend to George Washington...
. Brigadier General Mercer was a close friend to General Washington and became a rallying point for the Battle of Princeton.
Mercer is the birthplace of the 19th century painter Samuel Waugh
Samuel Waugh
Samuel Waugh was a 19th century painter.Born in Mercer, Pennsylvania, he became one of the most famous portrait painters of Philadelphia...
, actor and impresario J C Williamson born here in 1845 (full name James Cassius Williamson) as well as musician Trent Reznor
Trent Reznor
Michael Trent Reznor is an American multi-instrumentalist, composer, record producer, and leader of industrial rock band Nine Inch Nails. Reznor is also a member of How to Destroy Angels alongside his wife, Mariqueen Maandig, and Atticus Ross. He was previously associated with bands Option 30,...
, creator of the band Nine Inch Nails
Nine Inch Nails
Nine Inch Nails is an American industrial rock project, founded in 1988 by Trent Reznor in Cleveland, Ohio. As its main producer, singer, songwriter, and instrumentalist, Reznor is the only official member of Nine Inch Nails and remains solely responsible for its direction...
. Mercer is also known for its Memorial Day Parade with the main street lined with 500 flags. Each February it holds Penn's Woods West Arts & Crafts Festival at the Mercer Area High School
Mercer Area High School
Mercer Area High School is a high school located in Mercer, Pennsylvania, United States. The school's colors are Royal blue and white. The school mascot is the Mercer Mustang .-Football:...
as well Victorian Days in the summer. Many attend the outdoor concerts by the Mercer Community Band on Friday evenings each summer. Facebook has links back to this small town, including that of the Winklevoss twins' father attended Mercer High School.
At the time of his inauguration in Mercer, Pa. in January 2002 Chris Portman was one of the youngest mayors in the history of the USA.
Geography
Mercer is located at 41°13′35"N 80°14′15"W (41.226347, -80.237436).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 1.2 square miles (3.1 km²), all land.
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 2,391 people, 1,020 households, and 609 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 1,930.3 people per square mile (744.5/km²). There were 1,086 housing units at an average density of 876.7 per square mile (338.2/km²). The racial makeup of the borough was 96.45% White, 2.17% African American, 0.17% Native American, 0.21% Asian, 0.04% Pacific Islander, 0.17% 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 0.79% from two or more races. Hispanic or Latino of any race were 0.84% of the population.
There were 1,020 households out of which 26.8% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 43.7% 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, 13.1% had a female householder with no husband present, and 40.2% were non-families. 34.2% of all households were made up of individuals and 13.3% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.24 and the average family size was 2.89.
In the borough the population was spread out with 22.2% under the age of 18, 9.2% from 18 to 24, 29.2% from 25 to 44, 22.6% from 45 to 64, and 16.8% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 37 years. For every 100 females there were 100.8 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 95.3 males.
The median income for a household in the borough was $29,795, and the median income for a family was $46,979. Males had a median income of $27,371 versus $19,576 for females. The per capita income
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 $22,161. About 6.0% of families and 9.0% of the population were below the poverty line, including 8.8% of those under age 18 and 8.5% of those age 65 or over.