Huntingdon County, Pennsylvania

Huntingdon County, Pennsylvania. Located in the Appalachian Mountains, the county is part of the Altoona, PA Metropolitan Statistical Area and is situated near the Raystown Branch Juniata River. The county seat, Huntingdon, is home to Juniata College, a private liberal arts college founded in 1876. The county is also close to State College, home of Pennsylvania State University, and University Park, Pennsylvania, a campus of Pennsylvania State University.

Geography

Huntingdon County is bordered by Blair County, Pennsylvania to the west, Bedford County, Pennsylvania to the southwest, Fulton County, Pennsylvania to the south, Franklin County, Pennsylvania to the southeast, Mifflin County, Pennsylvania to the east, and Centre County, Pennsylvania to the north. The county is part of the Juniata River watershed and is home to Raystown Lake, a large reservoir created by the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers. The lake is a popular destination for outdoor recreation, including fishing, boating, and hiking. Nearby Shawnee State Park and Trough Creek State Park offer additional opportunities for outdoor recreation and are managed by the Pennsylvania Department of Conservation and Natural Resources. The county is also close to the Lincoln Highway, a historic transcontinental highway that spans from Times Square in New York City to Lincoln Park in San Francisco.

History

Huntingdon County was founded on September 20, 1787, from part of Bedford County, Pennsylvania. The county was named after Selina Hastings, Countess of Huntingdon, a British noblewoman and philanthropist. During the American Civil War, the county was a stronghold for the Republican Party and was home to several Union Army regiments, including the 125th Pennsylvania Infantry. The county is also home to the Huntingdon and Broad Top Mountain Railroad, a historic railroad that operated from 1854 to 1954. Nearby Gettysburg National Military Park and Antietam National Battlefield are significant American Civil War battlefields and are managed by the National Park Service. The county is also close to the Flight 93 National Memorial, a memorial to the passengers and crew of United Airlines Flight 93.

Demographics

As of the 2020 United States Census, the county had a population of 45,093. The county is part of the Altoona, PA Metropolitan Statistical Area and has a diverse economy based on manufacturing, healthcare, and education. The county is home to Juniata College, a private liberal arts college founded in 1876, and is close to Pennsylvania State University and University Park, Pennsylvania. The county has a high percentage of Amish residents, particularly in the southern part of the county, and is home to several Amish communities. Nearby Lancaster, Pennsylvania is a major center for Amish culture and is home to the Lancaster Central Market, a historic farmers' market.

Communities

Huntingdon County is home to several boroughs, including Huntingdon, Mount Union, and Orbisonia. The county is also home to several townships, including Barree Township, Brady Township, and Cass Township. Nearby State College is a major center for education and research and is home to Pennsylvania State University. The county is also close to Altoona, Pennsylvania, a major center for rail transportation and home to the Altoona Railroaders Memorial Museum. The county is home to several historic districts, including the Huntingdon Historic District and the Mount Union Historic District.

Government

Huntingdon County is governed by a board of commissioners, which is responsible for overseeing the county's budget and infrastructure. The county is part of the 20th Congressional District of Pennsylvania and is represented in Congress by John Joyce (American politician). The county is also part of the 30th Senatorial District of Pennsylvania and is represented in the Pennsylvania State Senate by Judy Ward. Nearby Harrisburg, Pennsylvania is the state capital of Pennsylvania and is home to the Pennsylvania State Capitol.

Economy

Huntingdon County has a diverse economy based on manufacturing, healthcare, and education. The county is home to several major employers, including Juniata College, Pennsylvania State University, and University Park, Pennsylvania. The county is also close to several major industrial parks, including the Altoona Industrial Park and the State College Industrial Park. Nearby Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania is a major center for industry and finance and is home to several major corporations, including U.S. Steel and PNC Financial Services. The county is also home to several small businesses and entrepreneurs, particularly in the areas of tourism and agriculture. The county is close to the Horseshoe Curve, a historic railroad curve and National Historic Landmark.