Bradford County, Pennsylvania

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Bradford County is a county located in the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania. As of the 2020 census, the population was 59,967. The county seat is Towanda. The county was created on February 21, 1810, from parts of Luzerne and Lycoming counties.

History

Bradford County was originally named Ontario County, but it was renamed in 1812 in honor of William Bradford, who served as a United States Attorney General under President George Washington. The county has a rich history, including its role in the American Civil War and its development during the Industrial Revolution.

Geography

Bradford County is located in the northern part of Pennsylvania, bordering the state of New York. According to the United States Census Bureau, the county has a total area of 1,161 square miles, of which 1,147 square miles is land and 14 square miles is water. The county is part of the Northern Tier region of Pennsylvania.

Adjacent counties

• Tioga County (west)
• Chemung County, New York (northwest)
• Tioga County, New York (north)
• Susquehanna County (east)
• Wyoming County (southeast)
• Sullivan County (south)
• Lycoming County (southwest)

Demographics

As of the 2020 census, there were 59,967 people, 24,000 households, and 16,000 families residing in the county. The population density was 52 people per square mile. The racial makeup of the county was predominantly White, with small percentages of African American, Native American, Asian, and other races.

Economy

The economy of Bradford County is diverse, with significant contributions from agriculture, manufacturing, and natural gas extraction. The county is part of the Marcellus Shale region, which has seen a boom in natural gas drilling and production.

Education

Bradford County is served by several public school districts, including the Athens Area School District, Canton Area School District, Northeast Bradford School District, Sayre Area School District, Towanda Area School District, Troy Area School District, and Wyalusing Area School District. Higher education is provided by institutions such as Mansfield University of Pennsylvania.

Transportation

Major highways in Bradford County include U.S. Route 6, U.S. Route 220, and Pennsylvania Route 14. The county is also served by the Lehigh Valley Railroad and the Towanda-Monroeton Shippers Lifeline.

Communities

Boroughs

• Athens
• Canton
• LeRaysville
• New Albany
• Rome
• Sayre
• South Waverly
• Towanda (county seat)
• Troy

Townships

Bradford County is divided into 51 townships, including Albany Township, Armenia Township, and Asylum Township.

See also

• List of counties in Pennsylvania
• National Register of Historic Places listings in Bradford County, Pennsylvania
• Northern Tier (Pennsylvania)