Bradford County, Pennsylvania

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Towanda_Main_Street

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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[edit | edit source]

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[edit | edit source]

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[edit | edit source]

Demographics[edit | edit source]

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[edit | edit source]

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.