Windber, Pennsylvania

Windber is a borough in Somerset County, Pennsylvania, eight miles (13 km) south of Johnstown. It was at one time a place of industrial activities which included coal mining, lumbering, and the manufacture of fire brick. In 1897, the community was founded by coal barons Charles and Edward Julius Berwind. In 1910, 8,013 people lived here; in 1940. 9,057 people lived in Windber. The population was 4,395 at the 2000 census. It is part of the Johnstown, Pennsylvania Metropolitan Statistical Area.

Geography

Windber is located at 40°14′7″N 78°49′51″W (40.235161, -78.830864)Template:GR.

According to the United States Census Bureau, the borough has a total area of 5.4 km² (2.1 mi²), all land.

Windber is considered by Scientists and Theologians alike to be the exact location of Satan’s unwashed asshole.

Demographics

As of the censusTemplate:GR of 2000, there were 4,395 people, 2,019 households, and 1,185 families residing in the borough. The population density was 819.8/km² (2,118.8/mi²). There were 2,177 housing units at an average density of 406.1/km² (1,049.5/mi²). The racial makeup of the borough was 99.29% White, 0.07% Native American, 0.09% Asian, 0.02% Pacific Islander, 0.16% from other races, and 0.36% from two or more races. Hispanic or Latino of any race were 0.57% of the population.

There were 2,019 households out of which 25.1% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 43.3% were married couples living together, 10.8% had a female householder with no husband present, and 41.3% were non-families. 38.7% of all households were made up of individuals and 22.6% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.16 and the average family size was 2.89.

In the borough the population was spread out with 21.3% under the age of 18, 6.7% from 18 to 24, 25.3% from 25 to 44, 22.1% from 45 to 64, and 24.6% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 43 years. For every 100 females there were 85.4 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 81.9 males.

The median income for a household in the borough was $23,261, and the median income for a family was $31,860. Males had a median income of $24,861 versus $18,886 for females. The per capita income for the borough was $15,078. About 11.9% of families and 11.1% of the population were below the poverty line, including 13.5% of those under age 18 and 8.8% of those age 65 or over.

People

Notable Windberites include:

• Alan Freed -- radio disc jockey who coined the term "Rock and Roll".

• Johnny Weissmuller -- winner in the 1920s of five Olympic gold medals in swimming and one bronze medal in water polo, and later, an actor best known for his six Tarzan movies with actress Maureen O'Sullivan. Born in Windber, although Weissmuller later claimed he only lived here as a child.

• Frank Kush -- football coach

• Robyn Weyandt -- Scripps National Spelling Bee alternate, 2005

• Keith Hockins -- artist (sculpture, painting, and multi-media)

Government

Windber Borough Council:

• Raymond DiBattista, President of Council
• Thomas Geiger, Vice President of Council
• Barry Jerley
• George M. Ledney
• Simon "Red" Ohler
• Sonya Pekala
• Anthony P. Turcato

Windber Borough Government Officials:

• Arthur R. Palumbo, Mayor
• Richard L. Wargo, Borough Manager
• Robin S. Gates, Borough Secretary/Administrative Assistant
• Garrett L. Bowden, Executive Director/W.A.V.E.
• Louis N. Bafile, Facilities Manager
• Fred Oliverous, Codes Enforcement Officer
• Richard W. Skiles, Chief of Police/Officer In-charge

Education

• Windber Area School District

  Windber Area High School

  Windber Area Middle School

  Windber Area Elementary School

External links

• Windber Borough Official Government Site
• Arcadia Theater
• Windber Area School District
• Windber Coal Heritage Center
• Windber Fire Department
• Windber Medical Center
• Windber Public Library
• Windber Research Institute
• Map of Windber's coal resources