Donegal, Pennsylvania

Donegal is a borough in Westmoreland County, Pennsylvania, United States. It is a distinct municipality from the adjacent Donegal Township. The population was 165 at the 2000 census. Donegal is best known as an exit on the Pennsylvania Turnpike with restaurants, gas stations, and two hotels for travelers.

There are also three Donegal Townships in Pennsylvania.

Donegal, Pennsylvania
Borough
Main Street
Location of Donegal in Westmoreland County, Pennsylvania.
Donegal, Pennsylvania Location of Donegal in Westmoreland County, Pennsylvania.
Coordinates: 40°06′42″N 79°22′55″W
Country	United States
State	Pennsylvania
County	Westmoreland
Settled	1796
Incorporated	August 20, 1867
Government
• Type	Borough Council
Area [1]
• Total	0.23 sq mi (0.59 km^2)
• Land	0.23 sq mi (0.59 km^2)
• Water	0.00 sq mi (0.00 km^2)
Elevation	1,834 ft (559 m)
Population  (2010)
• Total	120
• Estimate  (2019)[2]	110
• Density	484.58/sq mi (186.97/km^2)
Time zone	UTC-5 (Eastern (EST))
• Summer (DST)	UTC-4 (EDT)
Zip code	15628
FIPS code	42-19472

PA Turnpike at Donegal, PA, 1959.

It was named after the town and county of Donegal in Ireland.[3]

Geography

Donegal is located at 40°6′42″N 79°22′55″W (40.111789, -79.381931).[4]

According to the United States Census Bureau, the borough has a total area of 0.3 square miles (0.78 km²), all of it land.

Demographics

Historical population
Census	Pop.		%±
1870	192		—
1880	183		−4.7%
1890	163		−10.9%
1900	157		−3.7%
1910	147		−6.4%
1920	132		−10.2%
1930	163		23.5%
1940	258		58.3%
1950	198		−23.3%
1960	216		9.1%
1970	255		18.1%
1980	212		−16.9%
1990	212		0.0%
2000	165		−22.2%
2010	120		−27.3%
2019 (est.)	110	[2]	−8.3%
Sources:[5][6][7]

As of the census[6] of 2000, there were 165 people, 72 households, and 47 families residing in the borough. The population density was 519.1 people per square mile (199.1/km²). There were 79 housing units at an average density of 248.5 per square mile (95.3/km²). The racial makeup of the borough was 98.79% White, and 1.21% from two or more races.

There were 72 households, out of which 26.4% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 54.2% were married couples living together, 9.7% had a female householder with no husband present, and 34.7% were non-families. 29.2% of all households were made up of individuals, and 9.7% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.29 and the average family size was 2.83.

In the borough the population was spread out, with 21.8% under the age of 18, 10.3% from 18 to 24, 24.8% from 25 to 44, 27.3% from 45 to 64, and 15.8% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 41 years. For every 100 females, there were 81.3 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 81.7 males.

The median income for a household in the borough was $23,875, and the median income for a family was $25,417. Males had a median income of $32,000 versus $13,958 for females. The per capita income for the borough was $12,656. About 21.1% of families and 20.0% of the population were below the poverty line, including 18.9% of those under the age of eighteen and 17.1% of those 65 or over.

Education

Donegal has an elementary school for its children and for the children of several other area communities. As part of the Mount Pleasant Area School District, older students attend Mount Pleasant Area Junior/Senior High School.

Attractions

Donegal Township is home to a busy turnpike exchange that sees thousands of people every year. Most travelers are on their way to one of the many local attractions. Two of the main attractions are the 7 Springs Ski Resort and Hidden Valley Ski Resort. These resorts provide a steady winter income for many local businesses. There are also several Frank Lloyd Wright homes within driving distance that can be toured such as The Duncan House, Kentuck Knob and Falling Water. Falling Water is nestled right up to Ohiopyle State Park where visitors are welcome to hike, bike, swim and sunbathe.

A post card of Monticue's Motel in Donegal, 1954

References

1. "2019 U.S. Gazetteer Files". United States Census Bureau. Retrieved July 28, 2020.
2. "Population and Housing Unit Estimates". United States Census Bureau. May 24, 2020. Retrieved May 27, 2020.
3. Gannett, Henry (1905). The Origin of Certain Place Names in the United States. Govt. Print. Off. pp. 107.
4. "US Gazetteer files: 2010, 2000, and 1990". United States Census Bureau. 2011-02-12. Retrieved 2011-04-23.
5. "Census of Population and Housing". U.S. Census Bureau. Retrieved 11 December 2013.
6. "U.S. Census website". United States Census Bureau. Retrieved 2008-01-31.
7. "Incorporated Places and Minor Civil Divisions Datasets: Subcounty Resident Population Estimates: April 1, 2010 to July 1, 2012". Population Estimates. U.S. Census Bureau. Archived from the original on 11 June 2013. Retrieved 11 December 2013.