Allegheny County, Pennsylvania is located in the southwestern portion of the state and is bordered by Armstrong County to the north, Beaver County to the east, Washington County to the south, and Westmoreland County to the west. See Countryaah – Counties in Pennsylvania. The county seat is Pittsburgh and its population as of 2019 is 1,225,365 people.
The county has a total area of 745 square miles with a variety of terrain including hills and valleys. It is home to several rivers including the Allegheny River which flows through the county from north to south. The county’s highest point is Mount Davis at 3,213 feet above sea level.
The climate in Allegheny County can vary depending on location but generally consists of hot summers and cold winters with moderate rainfall throughout the year. Snowfall occurs mainly in winter months with an average snowfall of around 28 inches per season.
Allegheny County has a diverse economy that includes a mix of manufacturing, technology, finance, health care and education sectors. Major employers include UPMC (University of Pittsburgh Medical Center), PNC Financial Services Group Inc., Highmark Health Insurance Company and Carnegie Mellon University among others.
The area also offers plenty for visitors to enjoy such as local restaurants and shops in downtown Pittsburgh as well as attractions like Point State Park which borders the Allegheny River and provides stunning views across the city skyline. There are also numerous parks located throughout Allegheny County that offer activities such as hiking trails and camping sites for outdoor enthusiasts looking for an escape from city life.
Demographics of Allegheny County, Pennsylvania
Allegheny County is home to 1,225,365 people as of 2019 and has a population density of 1,637 people per square mile. The median age of the county is 40.7 years with 18.9% of residents under the age of 18 and 13.1% over 65.
The racial makeup of Allegheny County is 75.2% White, 14.7% Black or African American, 0.4% Native American, 4.0% Asian and 5.9% from other races with 6.8% identifying as two or more races. The Hispanic or Latino population makes up 9%.
The largest ancestry groups in Allegheny County are German (25%), Irish (17%), Italian (13%), Polish (10%) and English (10%). In terms of religious affiliations, the largest are Catholic (45%) followed by Protestant/Other Christian denominations (30%). Other faiths include Islam (2%), Judaism (2%) and Buddhism (<1%). There are also 12% who identify as non-religious or atheist/agnostic in Allegheny County.
In regards to education attainment, 89% have obtained a high school diploma or higher with 36% having obtained a bachelor’s degree or higher while 8% hold a graduate degree or higher. The median household income for Allegheny County is $56,501 with 12% living below the poverty line as of 2018 data from the US Census Bureau’s American Community Survey 5-year estimates report.
Places of Interest in Allegheny County, Pennsylvania
Allegheny County is home to a variety of attractions that offer something for everyone. Downtown Pittsburgh is the most popular destination in the county with its abundance of restaurants, shops and entertainment venues. Point State Park is another popular spot located at the tip of the Golden Triangle which offers stunning views across the city skyline.
The Phipps Conservatory and Botanical Gardens is a must-see attraction in Allegheny County, offering visitors 13 acres of gardens, glasshouses and art galleries. The Carnegie Museum of Natural History is also located in Pittsburgh and is home to over 20 million specimens from around the world.
The National Aviary houses over 500 birds from more than 150 species and is located on Pittsburgh’s North Side. The Duquesne Incline, an old-fashioned cable car ride up Mount Washington, provides visitors with spectacular views of downtown Pittsburgh and its surrounding neighborhoods.
For outdoor enthusiasts, Allegheny County offers a variety of parks such as North Park which features a lake, trails and golf course as well as Hartwood Acres Park which contains 662 acres of woodlands and meadows perfect for hiking or biking. For those looking for an adrenaline rush, there are also several amusement parks such as Kennywood Park or Sandcastle Waterpark located nearby.
No matter what your interests are, Allegheny County has something to offer. From shopping to outdoor activities to entertainment venues – there’s something for everyone here.
Notable People of Allegheny County, Pennsylvania
Allegheny County has been home to many notable individuals throughout its history. From entrepreneurs to actors, politicians, and athletes, the county has produced a variety of successful and influential people.
In the business world, Andrew Carnegie was born in Allegheny County in 1835 and went on to become one of the most successful businessmen in American history. He founded the Carnegie Steel Company which later became U.S Steel and made him one of the wealthiest men in the world.
In politics, Allegheny County native William Pitt Fessenden served as a US Senator from Maine and was a leader of the Radical Republicans during the Civil War. Another notable politician from Allegheny County is John Heinz III who was a US Senator from Pennsylvania from 1977 until his death in 1991.
On the entertainment side, actor Michael Keaton hails from Allegheny County and has appeared in numerous films such as Batman Returns and Beetlejuice. Singer Christina Aguilera also calls Allegheny County home and she is best known for her hit singles “Genie in a Bottle” and “Beautiful” among others.
When it comes to sports, Pittsburgh Steelers quarterback Ben Roethlisberger leads the pack as he grew up in Findlay Township which is just outside of Pittsburgh. Other notable athletes include former NHL goalie Tom Barrasso who was born in Boston but grew up in Gibsonia as well as professional golfer Arnold Palmer who was born near Latrobe.
All these individuals have had an impact on their respective fields while also representing their hometown of Allegheny County with pride.