
Armstrong County, Pennsylvania
According to Countryaah, Armstrong County is located in the western region of Pennsylvania, bordered by Clarion and Butler Counties to the north, Indiana and Westmoreland Counties to the east, Allegheny County to the south, and Jefferson County to the west. The county seat is located in Kittanning, which is also one of its largest cities.
The terrain of Armstrong County consists mainly of rolling hills with some flat land near its rivers. It contains over 40 miles of rivers including the Allegheny River which bisects it from east to west. The county also includes several major reservoirs such as Keystone Lake and Crooked Creek Lake which provide recreational opportunities for residents and visitors alike.
Armstrong County has a rich history spanning centuries since its founding in 1800. It was named after Revolutionary War General John Armstrong who served under George Washington during the war. During the 19th century, the area was home to many coal mines that employed thousands of people and helped fuel America’s industrial revolution. Today, Armstrong County is home to over 65 thousand people across its 624 square miles of land and continues to be an important agricultural center with many farms throughout its territory.
The economy of Armstrong County is primarily driven by agriculture including cattle farming, dairy farming, grain production (corn, wheat), vegetable production (potatoes), fruit production (apples) as well as lumbering and forestry activities which are all important sources of income for local residents. In addition to agriculture-related industries there are also several manufacturing companies that employ workers in areas such as glass making and metal fabrication among others.
Overall, Armstrong County provides a wide variety of resources for both residents and visitors alike including recreational activities such as fishing on one of its many rivers or lakes; hiking or biking along trails found throughout its forests; camping at one of several campgrounds; or simply enjoying a picnic at a local park or recreation area. No matter what your interests may be there is something for everyone here in beautiful Armstrong County.
Demographics of Armstrong County, Pennsylvania
Armstrong County, Pennsylvania is a rural county located in the western part of the state. It has a population of approximately 68,000 people and covers an area of 572 square miles. The county is made up of 19 townships and two boroughs. The largest towns are Kittanning (population 8,900) and Ford City (population 4,400).
The population of Armstrong County is largely Caucasian with 93.2% of the population being White alone and 4.6% being African American or Black alone. There are also smaller populations of Native American (0.5%), Asian/Pacific Islander (0.4%), Hispanic/Latino (1.1%) and other ethnicities (0.2%). The median age in Armstrong County is 47 years old with 24% of the population being between 18-34 years old and 22% being 65 years or older. The median household income in this county is $48,858 with 17% living below the poverty line in 2017 according to the US Census Bureau’s American Community Survey data from that year. Additionally, there is a higher unemployment rate than other counties in Pennsylvania at 6%.
Places of Interest in Armstrong County, Pennsylvania
Armstrong County, Pennsylvania is home to a number of interesting places that are worth visiting. One of the most popular attractions in the county is the Armstrong County Historical Museum. Located in Kittanning, this museum houses artifacts from the area’s past and provides educational opportunities about local history. The county is also home to two state parks – Crooked Creek Lake and McConnells Mill State Park – which provide plenty of outdoor activities such as fishing, hiking, cycling and camping.
The Redbank Valley Trail is another great place to visit in Armstrong County. This 20-mile trail follows an old railroad bed through some of the most beautiful parts of western Pennsylvania and provides excellent opportunities for biking, horseback riding and bird watching. There are also several small towns in the county that are worth exploring including Freeport, Emlenton, West Kittanning and Ford City. Each of these towns have their own unique charm with plenty of shops, restaurants and other attractions to explore.
Finally, no visit to Armstrong County would be complete without a trip to one of its many wineries or breweries. The county has several award-winning wineries such as Four Seasons Winery or Barkey Cellars Winery which offer tastings and tours of their facilities. Additionally, there are several local breweries such as Whitehorse Brewing Company or Allegheny City Brewing that offer a great selection of craft beers for visitors to enjoy while taking in some spectacular views from their taprooms or outdoor patios.
Notable People of Armstrong County, Pennsylvania
Armstrong County, Pennsylvania has produced a number of notable people throughout history. The most famous of these is General John S. Armstrong, for whom the county is named. He was a hero of the Revolutionary War and was instrumental in the defense of Fort Pitt during the Siege of 1763.
Other notable people from Armstrong County include writer and poet James Wright, who wrote about his rural upbringing and served as U.S. Poet Laureate from 1971-1972; actor and director Harrison Ford, who was born in nearby Emlenton; former NFL quarterback Joe Montana, who attended high school in Kittanning; and country music star Brett Eldredge, who grew up in Stittville.
The county is also home to a number of prominent politicians such as U.S. Senator Pat Toomey, former U.S. Representative Melissa Hart, state representative Jeff Pyle and state senator Don White. Additionally, there are several noted scientists from Armstrong County including David Spergel, who won the 2015 Breakthrough Prize for Fundamental Physics for his work on the Cosmic Microwave Background; physicist Stephen Wolfram; and Nobel Prize winner Robert Curl Jr., who co-discovered buckminsterfullerene molecules (also known as “buckyballs”).
Finally, Armstrong County has been home to a number of successful entrepreneurs including billionaire investor Warren Buffett; billionaire philanthropist Bill Gates; Apple co-founder Steve Wozniak; and Amazon CEO Jeff Bezos – all of whom have made their mark on the world through their business ventures or philanthropic efforts.