Fayette County, Pennsylvania

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Fayette County, Pennsylvania

Fayette County, Pennsylvania is a county located in the southwestern part of the U.S. state of Pennsylvania. As of the 2020 United States Census, the population was 128,804. The county seat is Uniontown. The county was created on September 26, 1783, from part of Westmoreland County and named after the Marquis de Lafayette, a French hero of the American Revolutionary War.

History[edit | edit source]

Fayette County was established in 1783 and played a significant role in the early history of the United States. The area was originally inhabited by various Native American tribes, including the Shawnee and Lenape. The county was a key location during the Whiskey Rebellion of 1794, a protest against the federal excise tax on whiskey.

Geography[edit | edit source]

According to the United States Census Bureau, the county has a total area of 798 square miles (2,070 km²), of which 790 square miles (2,000 km²) is land and 8.0 square miles (21 km²) (1.0%) is water. The county is part of the Pittsburgh metropolitan area.

Adjacent counties[edit | edit source]

Westmoreland County (north)
Somerset County (east)
Garrett County, Maryland (southeast)
Preston County, West Virginia (south)
Monongalia County, West Virginia (southwest)
Greene County (west)
Washington County (northwest)

Major highways[edit | edit source]

Demographics[edit | edit source]

As of the 2020 census, there were 128,804 people, 52,159 households, and 34,567 families residing in the county. The population density was 163 people per square mile (63/km²). The racial makeup of the county was 92.5% White, 5.2% Black or African American, 0.2% Native American, 0.3% Asian, and 1.8% from two or more races. Hispanic or Latino of any race were 1.0% of the population.

Economy[edit | edit source]

The economy of Fayette County has historically been based on coal mining and steel production. In recent years, the county has diversified its economy to include healthcare, education, and tourism. The Uniontown Mall and Laurel Caverns are notable attractions in the area.