Tyrone, Pennsylvania

Tyrone is a borough in Blair County, Pennsylvania, 15 miles (24 km) northeast of Altoona, on the Little Juniata River. Tyrone was of considerable commercial importance in the twentieth century. It was an outlet for the Clearfield coal fields, and it was noted for the manufacture of paper products. There were planing mills, and chemical and candy factories. In 1900, 5,847 people lived here; in 1910, 7,176; and in 1940, 8,845 people resided here. The population was 5,477 at the 2010 census. It is part of the Altoona, PA Metropolitan Statistical Area. It was named for County Tyrone in Ireland.[3]

Tyrone, Pennsylvania
Borough
Pennsylvania Avenue
Motto(s): 
Where quality of life comes first
Location of Tyrone in Blair County, Pennsylvania.
Tyrone
Location of Tyrone in Blair County, Pennsylvania.
Coordinates: 40°40′29″N 78°14′29″W
CountryUnited States
StatePennsylvania
CountyBlair
Settled1851
Incorporated1857
Government
 • TypeBorough Council
 • MayorWilliam Latchford
Area
 • Total2.04 sq mi (5.27 km2)
 • Land2.04 sq mi (5.27 km2)
 • Water0.00 sq mi (0.00 km2)
Population
 (2010)
 • Total5,477
 • Estimate 
(2019)[2]
5,139
 • Density2,525.31/sq mi (975.01/km2)
Time zoneUTC-5 (Eastern (EST))
 • Summer (DST)UTC-4 (EDT)
Zip code
16686
Area code(s)814
FIPS code42-78168
WebsiteTyrone Borough website

Located along the main lines of the Norfolk Southern and Nittany and Bald Eagle railroads, and US-220, PA-453, and I-99 highways, Tyrone was at one time known as "The Hub of the Highways." In those days four railroads [Pennsylvania, Tyrone and Clearfield, Tyrone and Lock Haven, Lewisburg and Tyrone] and three main highways [US-220, PA-350, PA-453] converged there.

History

The Tyrone Borough Historic District was added to the National Register of Historic Places in 1993.[4]

Tornado

On June 2, 1998, an F1 tornado moved southeast along Pennsylvania Route 453 northwest of Tyrone. Significant tree damage was noted in several locations along a 4-mile path, beginning about 5 miles northwest of Tyrone. No significant damage was reported in Tyrone, although eyewitnesses reported seeing clouds rotating as they crossed the city. This tornado was part of the 1998 Eastern Tornado Outbreak. [5]

Industry

The largest employers in Tyrone are the Tyrone Area School District and the independent Tyrone Hospital. Tyrone is also the home to American Eagle Paper Mills[6] and Gardners Candies. Founded in 1897, Gardners Candies has ten retail stores in the area and is known regionally for its peanut butter meltaway candy.[7]

Geography

Tyrone is located at 40°40′29″N 78°14′29″W.[8]

According to the United States Census Bureau, the borough has a total area of 2.0 square miles (5.2 km2), all of it land.

Tyrone is situated in the Bald Eagle Valley at the base of Bald Eagle Mountain along Bald Eagle Creek at the Little Juniata River water gap.

Demographics
Historical population
CensusPop.%±
1860741—
18701,840148.3%
18802,67845.5%
18904,70575.7%
19005,84724.3%
19107,17622.7%
19209,08426.6%
19309,042−0.5%
19408,845−2.2%
19508,214−7.1%
19607,792−5.1%
19707,072−9.2%
19806,346−10.3%
19905,743−9.5%
20005,528−3.7%
20105,477−0.9%
2019 (est.)5,139[2]−6.2%
Sources:[9][10][11]

As of the census[10] of 2010, there were 5,477 people, 2,275 households, and 1,422 families residing in the borough. The population density was 2,711.4 people per square mile (1,046.8/km²). There were 2,472 housing units at an average density of 1,223.8 per square mile (472.5/km²). The racial makeup of the borough was 97.3% White, 0.7% Black or African American, 0.3% Native American, 0.3% Asian, 0.2% from other races, and 1.2% from two or more races. Hispanic or Latino of any race were 1.0% of the population.

There were 2,275 households, out of which 30.9% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 43.0% were married couples living together, 4.8% had a male householder with no wife present, 14.7% had a female householder with no husband present, and 37.5% were non-families. 33.0% of all households were made up of individuals, and 14.8% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.34 and the average family size was 2.93.

In the borough, the population was spread out, with 22.6% under the age of 18, 8.2% from 18 to 24, 25.6% from 25 to 44, 25.3% from 45 to 64, and 18.3% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 40 years. For every 100 females, there were 88.8 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 85.8 males.

The median income for a household in the borough was $34,850, and the median income for a family was $43,851. The per capita income for the borough was $18,664. About 10.7% of families and 14.0% of the population were below the poverty line, including 23.0% of those under age 18 and 10.9% of those age 65 or over.

Transportation
John Deere Combine harvesters being transported by railway on flatcars in Tyrone, Pennsylvania.

Sports

Tyrone won the Pennsylvania AA State Football Championship in 1999. Tyrone also made the PIAA State Championship Game in 1996 and 2011, and tied for the championship in 1940.

Movie Filming

During October 2009, several scenes for the Tony Scott film Unstoppable (with Denzel Washington, Chris Pine, and Rosario Dawson) were filmed in and around Tyrone, mostly at the 14th street crossing and the north end of the rail yard. Several hundred local residents were employed as background extras. The film was released on November 12, 2010.

Tyrone Historic Downtown 2012

Media
See also: List of newspapers in Pennsylvania, List of radio stations in Pennsylvania, and List of television stations in Pennsylvania

Since 1887, the Tyrone Daily Herald has been the newspaper of record for Tyrone. WTRN, the local radio station in Tyrone, has been on the air since 1955, when it was first founded by Tyrone resident Cary Simpson. The station broadcasts at 1340 AM and simulcasts over 100.7 FM, with a format of adult contemporary music and local news and high school sports.

Notable people

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. "History". Retrieved 4 December 2016. Irish immigrants brought the name of their home county, Tyrone, with them to America.
  4. "National Register Information System". National Register of Historic Places. National Park Service. July 9, 2010.
  5. NCEI. "Storm Events Database - Event Details - National Centers for Environmental Information". Retrieved 4 December 2016.
  6. "American Eagle Paper Mills: Our Story". Retrieved July 14, 2019.
  7. "About Gardners Candies". Retrieved July 14, 2019.
  8. "US Gazetteer files: 2010, 2000, and 1990". United States Census Bureau. 2011-02-12. Retrieved 2011-04-23.
  9. "Census of Population and Housing". U.S. Census Bureau. Retrieved 11 December 2013.
  10. "U.S. Census website". United States Census Bureau. Retrieved 2008-01-31.
  11. "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.
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