Cumberland County, Pennsylvania

Cumberland County, Pennsylvania
source
County	Cumberland County
State	Pennsylvania
Founded	April 27, 1750
Seat	Carlisle
Largest city	Carlisle
Area total sq mi	550
Area land sq mi	545
Population as of	2020
Population total	259666
Population density sq mi	476

Cumberland County, Pennsylvania is a U.S. county located in the Susquehanna Valley, bordered by Perry County to the northwest, Dauphin County to the northeast, York County to the southeast, and Franklin County to the southwest. The county is home to Dickinson College, a liberal arts college founded in 1773, and Penn State Dickinson Law, a law school affiliated with Penn State. The county seat, Carlisle, is also the location of the U.S. Army War College and the U.S. Army Heritage and Education Center. Nearby cities include Harrisburg, the state capital, and Gettysburg, famous for the Gettysburg Battlefield and the Gettysburg National Military Park.

Geography

Cumberland County is situated in the Cumberland Valley, a valley that stretches from Hagerstown to Harrisburg. The county is drained by the Yellow Breeches Creek, which flows into the Susquehanna River, and the Conodoguinet Creek, which flows into the Yellow Breeches Creek. The county's terrain is characterized by rolling hills and farmland, with the South Mountain range to the south. Nearby state parks include Kings Gap Environmental Education and Training Center, Pine Grove Furnace State Park, and Colonel Denning State Park. The county is also close to the Appalachian Trail, a hiking trail that stretches from Springer Mountain in Georgia to Mount Katahdin in Maine.

History

Cumberland County was founded on April 27, 1750, from parts of Lancaster County and has a rich history dating back to the French and Indian War. The county was named after the Duke of Cumberland, a British Army officer who played a key role in the War of the Austrian Succession. The county was also home to the Carlisle Indian Industrial School, a boarding school for Native American children founded by Richard Henry Pratt in 1879. The school was known for its assimilation policies and was the subject of controversy, as discussed by historians such as David Wallace Adams and Brenda Child. Nearby historic sites include the Gettysburg National Cemetery, the Eisenhower National Historic Site, and the Landis Valley Farm Museum.

Demographics

As of the 2020 census, the county had a population of 259,666, with a population density of 476 people per square mile. The county is home to a diverse population, with a mix of urban and rural areas. The largest city in the county is Carlisle, which has a population of over 20,000. Other notable towns include Mechanicsburg, Shippensburg, and Newville. The county is also home to a number of universities and colleges, including Shippensburg University and the Central Pennsylvania Youth Ballet. Nearby cities with significant populations include Harrisburg, York, and Lancaster.

Government

Cumberland County is governed by a board of commissioners, which consists of three members elected by the voters. The county is also part of the 13th congressional district and is represented in the United States House of Representatives by John Joyce. The county is home to a number of state parks and recreation areas, including the Kings Gap Environmental Education and Training Center and the Pine Grove Furnace State Park. The county is also served by the Cumberland County Sheriff's Office and the Pennsylvania State Police. Nearby government institutions include the Pennsylvania State Capitol and the Supreme Court of Pennsylvania.

Economy

The economy of Cumberland County is diverse, with a mix of manufacturing, agriculture, and service industries. The county is home to a number of major employers, including the U.S. Army, Dickinson College, and Penn State Dickinson Law. The county is also a major hub for transportation, with Interstate 81 and U.S. Route 11 passing through the county. Nearby economic centers include the Harrisburg metropolitan area and the York metropolitan area. The county is also close to the Baltimore metropolitan area and the Washington, D.C. metropolitan area. Major companies with operations in the county include Caterpillar Inc., Amazon, and UPS.

Education

Cumberland County is served by a number of school districts, including the Carlisle Area School District, the Mechanicsburg Area School District, and the Shippensburg Area School District. The county is also home to a number of private schools, including the Carlisle Christian Academy and the Shippensburg Christian Academy. The county is home to several institutions of higher education, including Dickinson College, Penn State Dickinson Law, and Shippensburg University. Nearby institutions of higher education include the Penn State University Park campus, the Gettysburg College, and the York College of Pennsylvania. The county is also served by the Cumberland County Library System, which has branches in Carlisle, Mechanicsburg, and Shippensburg.