Perry County, Pennsylvania

File:Perry County, Pennsylvania

Perry County, Pennsylvania

General Information
Name	Perry County, Pennsylvania
Native Name
Other Names
Settlement Type	County
Transliteration
Language 1
Type 1
Info 1
Location
Coordinates	40.40°-77.25 type:adm2nd_region:US-PA°{{{4}}}
Map
Population
Total	46,139
Density	per km²
Area
Total	km²
Land	km²
Water	km²
Government
Type
Leader
Time Zone
Standard	UTC
DST	UTC

Perry County is a county located in the U.S. state of Pennsylvania. As of the 2020 census, the population was 46,139. The county seat is New Bloomfield. The county was created on March 22, 1820, from part of Cumberland County and was named after Oliver Hazard Perry, a hero of the War of 1812.

Geography

Perry County is situated in the south-central part of Pennsylvania. It is part of the Harrisburg-Carlisle, PA Metropolitan Statistical Area. The county is characterized by its rural landscape, with rolling hills and valleys. The Susquehanna River forms the eastern boundary of the county.

Adjacent counties

• Juniata County (north)
• Dauphin County (east)
• Cumberland County (south)
• Franklin County (southwest)
• Huntingdon County (west)

Major highways

• U.S. Route 11
• U.S. Route 15
• Pennsylvania Route 34
• Pennsylvania Route 274

History

Perry County was established in 1820, carved out of Cumberland County. It was named in honor of Commodore Oliver Hazard Perry, a naval commander known for his role in the Battle of Lake Erie during the War of 1812. The county has a rich history of agriculture and small-scale industry, with many historic sites and buildings.

Demographics

As of the 2020 census, Perry County had a population of 46,139. The population density was approximately 84 people per square mile. The racial makeup of the county was predominantly White, with small percentages of African American, Asian, and Hispanic or Latino residents.

Economy

The economy of Perry County is largely based on agriculture, with dairy farming being a significant component. Other industries include manufacturing, retail trade, and services. The county's rural nature and proximity to larger urban areas like Harrisburg provide a balance of local employment opportunities and commuting options.

Education

Perry County is served by several public school districts, including West Perry School District, Susquenita School District, and Greenwood School District. The county also has access to higher education institutions in nearby areas, such as Penn State Harrisburg and Harrisburg Area Community College.

Government and politics

Perry County is governed by a board of commissioners. The county has a history of leaning Republican in political elections. It is part of Pennsylvania's 10th congressional district.

Also see

• Cumberland County, Pennsylvania
• Juniata County, Pennsylvania
• Susquehanna River
• Oliver Hazard Perry