Erie is a city located in Erie County, Pennsylvania, on the coast of Lake Erie. As of the 2000 census, the city had a total population of 103,717. It is the county seat of Erie County.
Erie is the fourth-largest city in Pennsylvania, behind, respectively, Philadelphia, Pittsburgh, and Allentown. Erie lost its status as the state's third-largest city to Allentown after the 2000 census, likely because Allentown is located in the fast-growing Lehigh Valley area.
As of 2004, the city's largest single employer is the locomotive builder GE Infrastructure-Rail, formerly known as GE Transportation Systems, located in neighboring Lawrence Park Township to the east. Apart from the General Electric plant, heavy industry is rapidly on the decline. However, smaller, high-precision companies are growing in size and scope. For example, the Lord Corporation, which specializes in shock- and vibration-damping products, has a plant in Erie.
The plastics industry is also a significant employer, although most of these companies are small to medium-sized. Over 10% of the nation's plastics are manufactured or finished in Erie-based plastics plants. These plants are supported by many locally owned CNC machine tool job shops. Boldt Machinery is based in Erie and is one of the largest CNC machine tool distributors in the Great Lakes region.
Erie is the home of the US Brig Niagara. This antique flagship was once commanded by Oliver Hazard Perry in the 1812 Battle of Lake Erie. Perry's report of victory in the Battle of Lake Erie to General Harrison, "We have met the enemy and they are ours..." has become a classic quote from American history. The flagship Niagara is usually docked at the Erie Maritime Museum in Erie, and was even featured on a Pennsylvania License Plate.
Erie is located at 42°6'52" North, 80°4'34" West (42.114507, -80.076213).
According to the United States Census Bureau, the city has a total area of 72.5 km2 (28.0 mi2). 56.9 km2 (22.0 mi2) of it is land and 15.6 km2 (6.0 mi2) of it is water. The total area is 21.54% water. Erie is home to Presque Isle State Park (known to the locals as "The Peninsula"), a peninsula that juts out into Lake Erie and boasts numerous public beaches, wetlands, and good fishing locations.
As of the census of 2000, there are 103,717 people, 40,938 households, and 24,480 families residing in the city. The population density is 1,823.6/km2 (4,722.9/mi2). There are 44,971 housing units at an average density of 790.7/km2 (2,047.8/mi2). The racial makeup of the city is 80.56% White, 14.20% African American, 0.22% Native American, 0.75% Asian, 0.04% Pacific Islander, 1.92% from other races, and 2.32% from two or more races. 4.41% of the population are Hispanic or Latino of any race.
Erie has long been declining in population due to the leave of many businesses and factories. Recently however, due to large revitalization projects and other factors, Erie is expected to have gained people by 2010. Erie has become a popular home because of the beautiful beaches, revitalized downtown, and a suburban feel, even though Erie's population is over 100,000.
There are 40,938 households out of which 29.2% have children under the age of 18 living with them, 38.2% are married couples living together, 16.8% have a female householder with no husband present, and 40.2% are non-families. 33.4% of all households are made up of individuals and 13.3% have someone living alone who is 65 years of age or older. The average household size is 2.39 and the average family size is 3.08.
In the city the population is spread out with 25.4% under the age of 18, 11.6% from 18 to 24, 28.5% from 25 to 44, 19.2% from 45 to 64, and 15.4% who are 65 years of age or older. The median age is 34 years. For every 100 females there are 90.8 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there are 86.2 males.
The median income for a household in the city is $28,387, and the median income for a family is $36,446. Males have a median income of $30,714 versus $21,828 for females. The per capita income for the city is $14,972. 18.8% of the population and 13.8% of families are below the poverty line. Out of the total population, 27.0% of those under the age of 18 and 10.3% of those 65 and older are living below the poverty line.
Erie was first settled by the French, who built Fort Presque Isle in 1750, part of their effort to garrison New France against the encroaching English. The fort was surrendered to the British, along with the rest of New France, at the end of the Seven Years War in 1763.
The City of Erie was part of the Erie Triangle that was claimed by the states of New York, Pennsylvania, Connecticut (as part of its Western Reserve), and Massachusetts. It officially became part of Pennsylvania in 1792, after all four states renounced their claims and the federal government sold the area to Pennsylvania. The city was founded in 1795.
During the War of 1812, Commodore Oliver Hazard Perry built his fleet that successfully fought the British in the historic Battle of Lake Erie.
Source:
EriePennsylvania.com
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