Cresson, Pennsylvania

Cresson, Pennsylvania
Borough
Country	United States
State	Pennsylvania
County	Cambria
Incorporated	1902
Government
• Type	Borough Council
Area
• Total	0.5 sq mi (1 km2)
Elevation	2,057 ft (627 m)
Population  (2000)
• Total	1,631
• Density	3,297.7/sq mi (1,273.2/km2)
Time zone	UTC-5 (Eastern (EST))
• Summer (DST)	UTC-4 (EDT)
Zip code	16630
Area code	814
Website	Cresson Borough

Cresson is a borough in Cambria County, Pennsylvania, 75 miles (121 km) east of Pittsburgh. Cresson is an elevated place known for its beauty. Mineral springs add to its attractions. It is above 2,000 feet (610 m) in elevation. Lumber, coal, and coke yards were industries that had supported the population which numbered 1,470 in 1910. It is most commonly listed as part of the Johnstown Metropolitan Statistical Area, although state and local sources list it as part of the Altoona area. The population at the 2000 census was 1,631.

The location was named Cresson in 1854, as a memorial to philanthropist Elliott Cresson. Railroads, specifically the Allegheny Portage Railroad, fueled the growth of the area. Many famous Pittsburgh businessmen (Charles M. Schwab, Andrew Carnegie, Henry Clay Frick, etc.) maintained summer residences in the area.

Geography

Cresson is located at 40°27′45″N 78°35′11″W (40.462631, -78.586319)Template:GR, about 10.5 miles west-southwest of Altoona.

According to the United States Census Bureau, the borough has a total area of 0.5 square miles (1.3 km²), all of it land.

Demographics

As of the censusTemplate:GR of 2000, there were 1,631 people, 726 households, and 426 families residing in the borough. The population density was 3,297.7 people per square mile (1,285.2/km²). There were 786 housing units at an average density of 1,589.2 per square mile (619.3/km²). The racial makeup of the borough was 98.90% White, 0.12% African American, 0.37% Asian, 0.25% from other races, and 0.37% from two or more races. Hispanic or Latino of any race were 0.74% of the population.

There were 726 households out of which 26.0% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 41.9% were married couples living together, 13.6% had a female householder with no husband present, and 41.3% were non-families. 36.8% of all households were made up of individuals and 16.9% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.23 and the average family size was 2.94.

In the borough the population was spread out with 21.0% under the age of 18, 10.3% from 18 to 24, 27.5% from 25 to 44, 22.2% from 45 to 64, and 19.0% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 39 years. For every 100 females there were 85.1 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 81.8 males.

The median income for a household in the borough was $26,293, and the median income for a family was $34,900. Males had a median income of $30,972 versus $21,853 for females. The per capita income for the borough was $15,562. About 13.7% of families and 16.8% of the population were below the poverty line, including 16.4% of those under age 18 and 6.4% of those age 65 or over.

Notable people

• Rear Admiral Robert Peary, early American explorer.
• John F. Cogan

External links

• Borough website
• Cresson Area Chamber of Commerce