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Greene County, Pennsylvania

Coordinates: 39°52′N 80°13′W / 39.86°N 80.22°W / 39.86; -80.22
From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

Greene County, Pennsylvania
County
Greene County Courthouse
Greene County Courthouse
Flag of Greene County, Pennsylvania
Flag
Official seal of Greene County, Pennsylvania
Seal
Map of Pennsylvania highlighting Greene County
Location within the U.S. state of Pennsylvania
Coordinates: 39°52′N 80°13′W / 39.86°N 80.22°W / 39.86; -80.22
Country United States
State Pennsylvania
FoundedFebruary 9, 1796
Named afterNathanael Greene
SeatWaynesburg
Largest boroughWaynesburg
Government
 • Chairman of the Board of CommissionersJared Edgreen
Area
 • Total
578 sq mi (1,500 km2)
 • Land576 sq mi (1,490 km2)
 • Water2.0 sq mi (5.2 km2)  0.4%
Population
 (2020)
 • Total
35,954 Decrease
 • Density62/sq mi (24/km2)
Time zoneUTC−5 (Eastern)
 • Summer (DST)UTC−4 (EDT)
Congressional district14th
Websitewww.co.greene.pa.us

Greene County is a county in the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania. As of the 2020 census, the population was 35,954.[1] Its county seat is Waynesburg.[2] Greene County is part of the Pittsburgh media market. The county is part of the Southwest region of the commonwealth.[a]

History

[edit]

A significant Native American village, now known as The Fisher Site, was once located in what is now Richhill Township.

Greene County Historical Society

One researcher claims that the first white (non-Native Americans) settlers in what later became Greene County were a Dr. Thomas Eckerlin and his two brothers, who lived at the mouth of Dunkard Creek beginning in 1745. Other early pioneers in the mid-1750s include the Provins and Cox families; they lived along Whiteley Creek and at Ten Mile on Castile Run respectively. John Armstrong settled on Muddy Creek and claimed to have the first white child born west of the Monongahela River.[3]

Writing in 1875-1876, another researcher stated that early settlers were largely of Scots, Irish and German origin; that the county was the site of much conflict between early settlers and Native Americans; and that the Great Catawba Indian War Path crossed the Dunkard valley and ran south to Monongalia County, West Virginia.[4][5]

What is now Greene County was originally claimed by Virginia. Later it was part of Washington County, Pennsylvania. The Pennsylvania State Legislature created Greene County on February 9, 1796. [6] The capital, Waynesburg, was named after Anthony Wayne, a general in the American Revolutionary War and Native American conflicts.[7]

Garards Fort, an unincorporated commumity southeast of Waynesburg, is known for the Revolutionary era Corbly family massacre.

Geography

[edit]

According to the U.S. Census Bureau, the county has a total area of 578 square miles (1,500 km2), of which 576 square miles (1,490 km2) is land. 2.0 square miles (5.2 km2) (0.4%) is water. [8]

Climate

[edit]

The county has a humid continental climate (Köppen Dfa/Dfb) and average monthly temperatures in Waynesburg range from 28.9 °F in January to 71.9 °F in July.[9] Greene County is one of the 423 counties served by the Appalachian Regional Commission,[10] and it is identified as part of "Greater Appalachia" by Colin Woodard in his book American Nations: A History of the Eleven Rival Regional Cultures of North America.[11] It is also located within the Laurel Highlands subrange, which consists of low plateaus and river valleys.

Minerals

[edit]

Bituminous coal underlies much of the county and has been mined extensively (see "Economy"). Shale, sandstone and limestone are also present.[12][13]

Rivers, Streams and Watersheds

[edit]

Coal Lick Run was the site of early settlers' homes.[14] Ruff Creek is said to be named for a Native American who lived nearby in pioneer days.[15] Others include Tenmmile Creek, Dunkard Creek,[16][17] and South Fork Tenmile Creek.

State Park

[edit]

Ryerson Station State Park is on Duke Lake in Richhill township.

Adjacent counties

[edit]

Demographics

[edit]
Historical population
CensusPop.Note%±
18008,605—
181012,54445.8%
182015,55424.0%
183018,02815.9%
184019,1476.2%
185022,13615.6%
186024,34310.0%
187025,8876.3%
188028,2739.2%
189028,9352.3%
190028,281−2.3%
191028,8822.1%
192030,8046.7%
193041,76735.6%
194044,6717.0%
195045,3941.6%
196039,457−13.1%
197039,108−0.9%
198042,2538.0%
199044,1644.5%
200040,672−7.9%
201038,686−4.9%
202035,954−7.1%
[18]

2020 census

[edit]

As of the 2020 census, the county had a population of 35,954. The median age was 43.7 years, 18.6% of residents were under the age of 18, and 20.2% of residents were 65 years of age or older. For every 100 females there were 109.3 males, and for every 100 females age 18 and over there were 109.6 males age 18 and over.[19]

Racial and ethnic composition is detailed in the table below.[20]

24.3% of residents lived in urban areas, while 75.7% lived in rural areas.[21]

There were 14,058 households in the county, of which 26.4% had children under the age of 18 living in them. Of all households, 48.0% were married-couple households, 19.6% were households with a male householder and no spouse or partner present, and 24.9% were households with a female householder and no spouse or partner present. About 29.4% of all households were made up of individuals and 13.7% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older.[19]

There were 16,138 housing units, of which 12.9% were vacant. Among occupied housing units, 73.4% were owner-occupied and 26.6% were renter-occupied. The homeowner vacancy rate was 1.9% and the rental vacancy rate was 9.1%.[19]

Greene County Racial Composition[20]
Race Num. Perc.
White (NH) 32,898 91.5%
Black or African American (NH) 1,062 3%
Native American (NH) 69 0.2%
Asian (NH) 120 0.33%
Pacific Islander (NH) 6 0.02%
Other/Mixed (NH) 1,289 3.6%
Hispanic or Latino 510 1.42%

2010 census

[edit]

As of the census[22] of 2010, there were 38,686 people, 14,724 households, and 9,970 families residing in the county. The population density was 67 people per square mile (26 people/km2). There were 16,678 housing units at an average density of 29 units per square mile (11/km2). The racial makeup of the county was 94.6 percent White, 3.3 percent Black or African American, 0.2% Native American, 0.3 percent Asian, 0.0 percent Pacific Islander, 0.7 percent from other races, and 1.0% from two or more races. 1.2 percent of the population were Hispanic or Latino of any race.

There were 14,724 households, out of which 29.3 percent had children under the age of 18 living with them, 51.5 percent were married couples living together, 10.9 percent had a female householder with no husband present, and 32.3 percent were non-families. 27.0 percent of all households were made up of individuals, and 11.7 percent had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.42 and the average family size was 2.91.

The county population distribution by age was 19.9 percent under the age of 18, 9.9 percent from 18 to 24, 25.5 percent from 25 to 44, 29.3 percent from 45 to 64, and 15.3 percent who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 41.1 years. For every 100 females there were 106.2 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 105.6 males.

Government and politics

[edit]

Greene County was long a Democratic stronghold, due to the strong unionization of the county's steel mills; between 1932 and 2000, the Democratic presidential candidate won the county in every election except in the Republican landslide of 1972. Due to the decline of the Pittsburgh area's steel industry (similar to other Appalachian counties), and the Democratic Party's shift on cultural issues like environmental safety and firearms, the county was a landslide for the Republican Party in 2024 for Donald Trump who won the county with 71.5% of the vote.

United States presidential election results for Greene County, Pennsylvania[23]
Year Republican Democratic Third party(ies)
№  % №  % №  %
2024 12,319 71.47% 4,592 26.64% 325 1.89%
2020 12,579 71.08% 4,911 27.75% 207 1.17%
2016 10,849 68.37% 4,482 28.25% 537 3.38%
2012 8,428 57.94% 5,852 40.23% 266 1.83%
2008 7,889 48.96% 7,829 48.59% 396 2.46%
2004 7,786 50.02% 7,674 49.30% 105 0.67%
2000 5,890 43.14% 7,230 52.96% 533 3.90%
1996 4,002 29.14% 7,620 55.47% 2,114 15.39%
1992 3,482 23.01% 8,438 55.75% 3,215 21.24%
1988 4,879 34.62% 9,126 64.75% 90 0.64%
1984 6,376 40.40% 9,365 59.33% 43 0.27%
1980 5,336 37.79% 8,193 58.02% 592 4.19%
1976 5,293 37.22% 8,769 61.67% 157 1.10%
1972 7,790 57.52% 5,562 41.07% 191 1.41%
1968 5,099 35.41% 8,198 56.93% 1,104 7.67%
1964 3,896 25.42% 11,412 74.46% 19 0.12%
1960 7,498 43.70% 9,645 56.21% 16 0.09%
1956 7,562 43.45% 9,827 56.47% 14 0.08%
1952 6,964 40.68% 10,125 59.14% 30 0.18%
1948 4,717 36.47% 8,015 61.97% 202 1.56%
1944 5,747 40.49% 8,392 59.13% 53 0.37%
1940 6,726 39.62% 10,214 60.17% 36 0.21%
1936 6,359 34.42% 12,006 64.99% 109 0.59%
1932 4,808 33.42% 9,322 64.79% 258 1.79%
1928 6,910 56.18% 5,293 43.04% 96 0.78%
1924 4,590 41.82% 5,874 53.52% 512 4.66%
1920 4,253 42.41% 5,592 55.76% 183 1.82%
1916 2,096 33.93% 3,930 63.62% 151 2.44%
1912 1,150 19.00% 3,551 58.67% 1,351 22.32%
1908 2,438 37.22% 3,793 57.91% 319 4.87%
1904 2,442 41.32% 3,198 54.11% 270 4.57%
1900 2,427 39.02% 3,674 59.07% 119 1.91%
1896 2,453 36.41% 4,198 62.31% 86 1.28%
1892 2,126 33.39% 3,977 62.46% 264 4.15%
1888 2,373 35.79% 4,116 62.08% 141 2.13%
United States Senate election results for Greene County, Pennsylvania1[24]
Year Republican Democratic Third party(ies)
№  % №  % №  %
2024 11,643 67.91% 5,075 29.60% 427 2.49%
2018 6,422 51.67% 5,819 46.82% 187 1.50%
United States Senate election results for Greene County, Pennsylvania3
Year Republican Democratic Third party(ies)
№  % №  % №  %
2022 8,348 63.77% 4,394 33.57% 349 2.67%

Voter registration

[edit]

As of February 8, 2025, there are 21,629 registered voters in the county. There are 11,762 registered Republicans, 7,727 registered Democrats, 1,542 voters registered non-affiliated voters, and 598 voters registered to other parties.[25]

Chart of Voter Registration
  1. Republican (54.4%)
  2. Democratic (35.7%)
  3. Independent (7.13%)
  4. Other Parties (2.76%)
Voter Registration and Party Enrollment
Party Number of Voters Percentage
Republican 11,762 54.38%
Democratic 7,727 35.73%
Independent 1,542 7.13%
Third Parties 598 2.76%
Total 21,629 100%

Commissioners

[edit]

Greene County is administered by a three-person board of commissioners, who serve four-year terms. Elections occur in the odd-numbered years that precede U.S. presidential elections, with the most recent election falling in 2023. All three commissioners are chosen in the same election, and voters may vote for no more than two of the candidates. The commissioners are responsible for the management of the fiscal and administrative functions of the county.[26]

Official Party Term ends
Jared Edgreen Republican 2027
Betsy McClure Republican 2027
Blair Zimmerman Democratic 2027

Elected county officials

[edit]

As of the 2021 and 2023 General Elections.

Office Official Party Term ends
Magisterial Court Judge David Balint Independent 2027
Magisterial Court Judge Tom Ankrom Independent 2027
Clerk of Courts Crystal Walters Independent 2027
Controller Ami Cree Independent 2027
Coroner Gene Rush Republican 2025
Treasurer Jeannie High Grimes Independent 2027
District Attorney Brianna Vanata Republican 2027
Prothonotary Jennifer Maas Republican 2027
Recorder of Deeds and Register of Wills Tammy Brookover Republican 2027
Sheriff Marcus N. Simms Independent 2025

Pennsylvania House of Representatives

[edit]

Greene County consists of one Pennsylvania House District. The 50th district covers all of Greene County and parts of Washington County to the north.[27]

District Representative Party
50 Donald "Bud" Cook Republican

Pennsylvania Senate

[edit]

Greene County is entirely contained within the 46th Senatorial District, which also includes parts of Beaver County and all of Washington County.[27]

District Senator Party
46 Camera Bartolotta Republican

United States House of Representatives

[edit]

Greene County is part of the 14th Congressional District.[27]

District Representative Party
14 Guy Reschenthaler Republican

United States Senate

[edit]
Senator Party
John Fetterman Democratic
Dave McCormick Republican

Economy

[edit]

Coal and natural gas have a long history in Greene County. A 19th century history lists numerous prominent citizens involved in the coal industry.[28] Some 200 deaths were caused by the Mather Mine disaster of 1928. The Shannopin coal mine extracted coal from the Pittsburgh Seam from 1926 until it closed in 1993. Hatfield's Ferry, a coal-burning power plant near Monongahela Township, was a significant source of employment for local residents for over 40 years. It was shut down in 2013[29] and dismantled in 2023.[30]

Natural gas extraction, including fracking the Marcellus Shale formation, is prevalent in the county.[31] While it has brought new jobs to the area, opponents claim the process contaminates drinking water. [32][33][34] A U.S. Geological Survey report notes that it creates "potentially serious landscape disturbances."[35]

Greene County is home to Hill Top Energy Center, a modern 665-megawatt natural gas-fired power plant built on the site of a former coal mine.[36] Blackstone Energy Transition Partners acquired the plant in 2025.[37][38] In August 2025 International Electric Power announced plans to build a 944-megawatt natural gas-fired power plant in Greene County to power a proposed data center. State and federal approvals for the new power plant will be required.[39]

State Correctional Institution – Greene (SCI Greene), located in Waynesburg, provides jobs for about 670 people.[40]

Greene County's development commission has assisted area businesses since 1998.[41] Meadow Ridge Business Park has served the county since the early 2000s.[42][43]

Education

[edit]
Map of Greene County, Pennsylvania School Districts

Colleges and universities

[edit]

Public school districts

[edit]

Greene County is divided into five public school districts.[44][45] There are 15 public schools that serve Greene County, Pennsylvania.[46]

Some schools within the five above districts include:

Private schools

[edit]

Libraries

[edit]

Transportation

[edit]

Interstate Highways

[edit]

State Highways

[edit]

Airport

[edit]

Greene County Airport is a county-owned, public-use airport located two nautical miles (4 km) east of the central business district of Waynesburg, Pennsylvania.[50]

Communities

[edit]
Map of Greene County, Pennsylvania with Municipal Labels showing Boroughs (red), Townships (white), and Census-designated places (blue).

Under Pennsylvania law, there are four types of incorporated municipalities: cities, boroughs, townships, and, in at most two cases, towns. The following boroughs and townships are located in Greene County:

Boroughs

[edit]

Townships

[edit]

Census-designated places

[edit]

Census-designated places are geographical areas designated by the U.S. Census Bureau for the purposes of compiling demographic data. They are not actual jurisdictions under Pennsylvania law. Other unincorporated communities, such as villages, may be listed here as well.

Population ranking

[edit]

The population ranking of the following table is based on the 2020 census of Greene County.

† county seat

Rank City/Town/etc. Municipal type Population (2020 Census)[51]
1 † Waynesburg Borough 4,006
2 Fairdale CDP 2,064
3 Morrisville CDP 1,209
4 Nemacolin CDP 826
5 Bobtown CDP 701
6 Crucible CDP 673
7 Mather CDP 659
8 Dry Tavern CDP 655
9 Mount Morris CDP 645
10 Carmichaels Borough 432
11 Rices Landing Borough 425
12 West Waynesburg CDP 401
13 Greensboro Borough 264
14 Jefferson Borough 253
15 Rogersville CDP 215
16 Wind Ridge CDP 204
17 Clarksville Borough 203
18 Brave CDP 142
19 Mapletown CDP 125
20 New Freeport CDP 77
[edit]

Click photo to enlarge

  • Veterans memorial, Morris Township
    Veterans memorial, Morris Township
  • Village of Aleppo
    Village of Aleppo
  • Nemacolin Coal Mine, 1930
    Nemacolin Coal Mine, 1930
  • State Correctional Institution, Waynesburg
    State Correctional Institution, Waynesburg

See also

[edit]

References

[edit]
  1. ^ Includes Westmoreland, Cambria, Fayette, Blair, Indiana, Somerset, Bedford, Huntingdon, Greene and Fulton Counties
  1. ^ "Census - Geography Profile: Greene County, Pennsylvania". United States Census Bureau. Retrieved December 18, 2022.
  2. ^ "Find a County". National Association of Counties. Archived from the original on May 31, 2011. Retrieved June 7, 2011.
  3. ^ "Lesson on County's Early Settlers Heard at Corner; Greene County Senior Judge Terry Grimesstone". Washington PA Observer Reporter. March 15, 2012.
  4. ^ Evans, L.K. (1941) [1875-1876]. Pioneer History of Greene County, Pennsylvania. Waynesburg PA: Waynesburg Republican. p. 24.
  5. ^ "Catawba War Path". Historical Marker Database. Retrieved December 30, 2025.
  6. ^ Bates, Samuel P. (1888). History of Greene County, Pennsylvania. Chicago: Nelson Rishfort. pp. 272–273. Retrieved December 27, 2025.
  7. ^ Bates op cit p. 279.
  8. ^ "2010 Census Gazetteer Files". United States Census Bureau. August 22, 2012. Retrieved March 7, 2015.
  9. ^ "PRISM Climate Group at Oregon State University".
  10. ^ "About the Appalachian Region". Appalachian Regional Commission. Retrieved June 20, 2024.
  11. ^ Woodard, Colin (July 30, 2018). "The Maps That Show That City vs. Country Is Not Our Political Fault Line". New York Times. Retrieved July 30, 2018.
  12. ^ Bates op.cit. p. 17.
  13. ^ "Early Coal Mining". Visit Greene. Greene County Tourist Promotion Agency. Retrieved December 30, 2025.
  14. ^ "Coal Lick Run @ SR2026 (21PA_WQX-COALLUP) site data in the Water Quality Portal". National Water Quality Monitoring Council. Retrieved December 29, 2025.
  15. ^ Haney, Christine C. (September 4, 1988). "Unusual Names Give Greene Co. Color". Observer-Reporter. Retrieved January 1, 2026.
  16. ^ Pennsylvania Gazeteer of Streams (PDF). Pennsylvania Department of Environmental Protection. p. 56. Retrieved December 29, 2025.
  17. ^ "Dunkard Stream Watershed". Dunkard Stream Watershed Association, Inc.
  18. ^ "Census 2020".
  19. ^ a b c "2020 Decennial Census Demographic Profile (DP1)". United States Census Bureau. 2021. Retrieved December 26, 2025.
  20. ^ a b "2020 Decennial Census Redistricting Data (Public Law 94-171)". United States Census Bureau. 2021. Retrieved December 26, 2025.
  21. ^ "2020 Decennial Census Demographic and Housing Characteristics (DHC)". United States Census Bureau. 2023. Retrieved December 26, 2025.
  22. ^ "U.S. Census website". United States Census Bureau. Retrieved January 31, 2008.
  23. ^ Leip, David. "Dave Leip's Atlas of U.S. Presidential Elections". uselectionatlas.org. Retrieved November 26, 2018.
  24. ^ "2024 Senate Election (Official Returns)". Commonwealth of Pennsylvania by county. November 5, 2024. Retrieved December 5, 2024.
  25. ^ Pennsylvania Department of State (February 3, 2025). "Voter registration statistics by county". dos.pa.gov. Archived from the original on February 8, 2025. Retrieved February 8, 2025.
  26. ^ "2023 General Election". CountySuite Elections Results. Retrieved February 8, 2025.
  27. ^ a b c "2024 General Election". CountySuite Elections Results. Retrieved February 8, 2025.
  28. ^ Bates op. cit. pp. 557–558, 637, 682, 697, 704, 708.
  29. ^ "Minor Modification for Acceptance of Coal Combustion Waste from FirstEnergy Generation, LLC Operated Power Stations, Hatfield's Ferry Power Station, Greene County ID No. 300370 Comment and Response Document" (PDF). FirstEnergy Generation LLC. Retrieved December 31, 2025.
  30. ^ Maruca, Julia (November 26, 2023). "Hatfield's Ferry power plant demolition embodies end of a bygone era". Pittsburgh Tribune-Review (TribLive). Retrieved December 29, 2025.
  31. ^ "Active Oil and Gas Companies in Greene County PA". ShaleXP. Retrieved December 31, 2025.
  32. ^ Bense, Kiley (October 9, 2025). "Scientists find evidence that a Pennsylvania town's water was contaminated by fracking". Pennsylvania Capital-Star. Retrieved January 1, 2026.
  33. ^ Litvak, Anya (September 4, 2025). "Greene County townships declare disaster emergency three years after EQT frack job". Pittsburgh Post-Gazette. Retrieved December 31, 2025.
  34. ^ Hess, David E. "Federal Court Denies Request For Injunction In Lawsuit By New Freeport Residents Against EQT Gas Drilling Company Over Contaminated Water Supplies in Greene County". Pennsylvania Capital-Star. Retrieved December 31, 2025.
  35. ^ Slonecker, E.T.; Milheim, L.E.; Roig-Silva, C.M.; Fisher, G.B. "Landscape consequences of natural gas extraction in Greene and Tioga Counties, Pennsylvania, 2004-2010". U.S. Geologic Survey. Retrieved January 1, 2026.
  36. ^ "Brief -- Pennsylvania Power Plant". Natural Gas Intelligence. Retrieved December 29, 2025.
  37. ^ Walton, Rod (April 6, 2021). "Kiewit close to completing 625-MW Hill Top CCGTo plant in PA". Power Engineering. Retrieved May 11, 2021.
  38. ^ Napsha, Joe. "Natural gas-fueled power plants on rise". Trib Total Media. Retrieved May 11, 2021.
  39. ^ Walton, Robert. "IEP plans 944-MW behind-the-meter gas plant to power PA data center". Utility Dive. Retrieved December 30, 2025.
  40. ^ "SCI Greene". State Correctional Institutional (SCI) Greene. Commonweatlh of Pennsylvania. Retrieved December 30, 2025.
  41. ^ Klopfer, Milt (September 2, 1998), "Team targets growth", Observer-Reporter, Washington, PA
  42. ^ "Robert Stephenson Named as President of RIDC; Frank Brooks Robinson, Sr. Steps Down", PR Newswire, April 17, 2003
  43. ^ Ostrosky, Steve (November 2, 2002). "Greene officials celebrate groundbreaking of new building". Herald-Standard, Uniontown PA. Retrieved January 1, 2026.
  44. ^ Thornberg, Ruth. "Education & Schools - Official Website for Greene County Government, Pennsylvania". www.co.greene.pa.us. Retrieved November 26, 2018.
  45. ^ "2020 CENSUS - SCHOOL DISTRICT REFERENCE MAP: Greene County, PA" (PDF). U.S. Census Bureau. Archived (PDF) from the original on October 9, 2022. Retrieved July 21, 2022. - Text list
  46. ^ "Top Greene County, PA Private Schools (2018-19)". www.privateschoolreview.com. Retrieved November 26, 2018.
  47. ^ "Open Door Christian School Profile (2018-19) - Waynesburg, PA". Private School Review. Retrieved November 26, 2018.
  48. ^ "Explore Open Door Christian School in Waynesburg, PA". GreatSchools.org. Retrieved November 26, 2018.
  49. ^ "Explore Greene Valley Christian Academ in Rices Landing, PA". GreatSchools.org. Retrieved November 26, 2018.
  50. ^ FAA Airport Form 5010 for WAY PDF. Federal Aviation Administration. Effective May 31, 2012.
  51. ^ "Explore Census Data". data.census.gov. Retrieved May 28, 2023.

Further reading

[edit]
[edit]

39°52′N 80°13′W / 39.86°N 80.22°W / 39.86; -80.22

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