County population in 2012: 17,577 (all rural); it was 18,080 in 2000 County owner-occupied with a mortgage or a loan houses and condos in 2010: 2,971 County owner-occupied free and clear houses and condos in 2010: 2,553 County owner-occupied houses and condos in 2000: 5,421 Renter-occupied apartments: 1,703 (it was 1,584 in 2000)
% of renters here:
23%
State:
30%
Land area: 1081 sq. mi. Water area: 0.2 sq. mi.
Population density: 16 people per square mile
(low).
Mar. 2012 cost of living index in Potter County: 94.2 (less than average, U.S. average is 100)
We are giving away a $200 prize - enter simply by sending us your own pictures of this county!
Industries providing employment: Educational,health and social services (20.9%), Manufacturing (18.9%), Retail trade (10.2%).
Median real estate property taxes paid for housing units with mortgages in 2009: $1,429 (1.6%) Median real estate property taxes paid for housing units with no mortgage in 2009: $1,183 (1.4%)
Percentage of residents living in poverty in 2009: 15.4%
(15.0% for White Non-Hispanic residents, 14.1% for Black residents, 38.4% for Hispanic or Latino residents, 38.5% for American Indian residents, 0.0% for Native Hawaiian and other Pacific Islander residents, 45.5% for other race residents, 42.0% for two or more races residents) Median age of residents in 2010: 44 years old
(Males: 43 years old, Females: 46 years old)
(Median age for: White residents: 45 years old, Black residents: 25 years old, American Indian residents: 23 years old, Asian residents: 32 years old, Hispanic or Latino residents: 23 years old, Other race residents: 24 years old)
Residents with income below the poverty level in 2009:
This county:
12.7%
Whole state:
11.0%
Residents with income below 50% of the poverty level in 2009:
This county:
4.9%
Whole state:
5.1%
Fair market rent in 2006 for a 1-bedroom apartment in Potter County is $443 a month. Fair market rent for a 2-bedroom apartment is $491 a month. Fair market rent for a 3-bedroom apartment is $651 a month.
Notable locations in this county outside city limits:
Notable locations in Potter County: Denton Hill Ski Area (A), Lamont (B), Germania Station (C), Williston (D), Prouty Place Camp (E), Coudersport Country Club (F), Bailey Run (G), Carter Camp (H), Kibboville Corners (I), Lyman Run Camp (J), Lymans Run Station (K), Pusher Siding (L), Seven Bridges (M), Whites Corners (N), Cherry Springs (O), Lyman Run (P), Pennsylvania Lumber Museum (Q), Northern Tier Childrens Home (R), Harrison Township Volunteer Fire Company Station 20 (S), Kettle Creek Hose Company 1 (T). Display/hide their locations on the map
Churches in Potter County include: Union Church (A), Fishing Creek Church (B), Sartwell Creek Church (C), Sweden Hill Church (D). Display/hide their locations on the map
Cemeteries: Yochum Hill Cemetery (1), Anson Cemetery (2), Ayers Hill Cemetery (3), Wharton Cemetery (4), Sweden Hill Cemetery (5), Brooks Cemetery (6), Byam Cemetery (7). Display/hide their locations on the map
Streams, rivers, and creeks: Dyer Branch (A), Moore Hollow Run (B), Dodge Hollow Run (C), West Darian Run (D), Right Branch Lushbaugh Run (E), Straight Run (F), West Branch Genesee River (G), West Branch Dingman Run (H), Left Branch Lushbaugh Run (I). Display/hide their locations on the map
Parks in Potter County include: Denton Hill State Park (1), Patterson State Park (2), Ole Bull State Park (3), State Game Lands Number 204 (4), Cherry Springs State Park (5), Prouty Place State Park (6), Ole Bull State Park (7), Little Cherry Springs Park (8), Lyman Run State Park (9). Display/hide their locations on the map
Current college students: 301 People 25 years of age or older with a high school degree or higher: 80.6% People 25 years of age or older with a bachelor's degree or higher: 12.3%
Number of foreign born residents: 201 (63% naturalized citizens)
Potter County:
1.1%
Whole state:
4.1%
Year of entry for the foreign-born population
1995 to March 2000: 33
1990 to 1994: 10
1985 to 1989: 25
1980 to 1984: 22
1975 to 1979: 20
1970 to 1974: 13
1970 to 1974: 21
1965 to 1969: 57
Mean travel time to work (commute): 23.2 minutes
Percentage of county residents living and working in this county: 74.1%
Housing units in structures:
One, detached: 9,268
One, attached: 69
Two: 333
3 or 4: 195
5 to 9: 79
10 to 19: 84
20 or more: 77
Mobile homes: 2,007
Boats, RVs, vans, etc.: 47
Housing units in Potter County with a mortgage: 1,850 (156 second mortgage, 236 home equity loan, 8 both second mortgage and home equity loan) Houses without a mortgage: 1,365
Here:
57.5% with mortgage
State:
62.2% with mortgage
Religion statistics:
Percentage of population affiliated with a religious congregations: 37.11%
Here
37.1%
USA
50.2%
Total adherents: 6,710 Total congregations: 46
Adherents
Breakdown of population affiliated with a religious congregations
Name
Catholic Church
United Methodist Church
Evangelical Lutheran Church in America
General Association of Regular Baptist Churches
Christian and Missionary Alliance
Adherents
2,124 (31.7%)
1,517 (22.6%)
521 (7.8%)
435 (6.5%)
417 (6.2%)
Congregations
6 (13.0%)
14 (30.4%)
3 (6.5%)
3 (6.5%)
3 (6.5%)
Name
Charismatic Churches Independent
American Baptist Churches in the USA
Presbyterian Church (USA)
Episcopal Church
Other
Adherents
400 (6.0%)
388 (5.8%)
271 (4.0%)
230 (3.4%)
407 (6.1%)
Congregations
1 (2.2%)
4 (8.7%)
2 (4.3%)
2 (4.3%)
8 (17.4%)
Source: Jones, Dale E., et al. 2002. Congregations and Membership in the United States 2000. Nashville, TN: Glenmary Research Center.
Average size of farms: 275 acres Average value of agricultural products sold per farm: $77,090 Average value of crops sold per acre for harvested cropland: $277.28 The value of nursery, greenhouse, floriculture, and sod as a percentage of the total market value of agricultural products sold: 0.24% The value of livestock, poultry, and their products as a percentage of the total market value of agricultural products sold: 64.56% Average total farm production expenses per farm: $52,165 Harvested cropland as a percentage of land in farms: 35.80% Average market value of all machinery and equipment per farm: $64,651 The percentage of farms operated by a family or individual: 92.42% Average age of principal farm operators: 54 years Average number of cattle and calves per 100 acres of all land in farms: 14.53 Milk cows as a percentage of all cattle and calves: 38.91% Corn for grain: 1555 harvested acres All wheat for grain: 965 harvested acres Vegetables: 1,939 harvested acres Land in orchards: 21 acres
Tornado activity:
Potter County historical area-adjusted tornado activity is below Pennsylvania state average. It is 1.5 times below overall U.S. average. Tornadoes in this county have caused 3 injuries recorded between 1950 and 2004. On 7/29/1974, a category 1 (max. wind speeds 73-112 mph) tornado injured 3 people and caused between $5000 and $50,000 in damages.
Earthquake activity:
Potter County-area historical earthquake activity is significantly below Pennsylvania state average. It is 97% smaller than the overall U.S. average.
On 3/12/1994 at 10:43:15, a magnitude 3.6 (3.5 LG, 3.6 LG, Depth: 0.6 mi, Class: Light, Intensity: II - III) earthquake occurred 69.0 miles away from the county center On 2/3/2001 at 20:15:15, a magnitude 3.2 (3.2 LG) earthquake occurred 47.0 miles away from the county center On 8/15/1991 at 07:16:07, a magnitude 3.0 (3.0 LG, Depth: 0.6 mi) earthquake occurred 70.4 miles away from the county center On 5/25/1995 at 14:22:32, a magnitude 3.0 (2.6 LG, 3.0 LG, Depth: 3.1 mi) earthquake occurred 95.9 miles away from Potter County center Magnitude types: regional Lg-wave magnitude (LG)
Most recent natural disasters:
Pennsylvania Hurricane Katrina Evacuation, Incident Period: August 29, 2005 to October 1, 2005, Emergency Declared (EM-3235): September 10, 2005, FEMA Id: FEMA-EM-3235, Natural disaster type: Hurricane
Pennsylvania Tropical Depression Ivan, Incident Period: September 17, 2004 to October 1, 2004, Major Disaster (Presidential) Declared (DR-1557): September 19, 2004, FEMA Id: FEMA-DR-1557, Natural disaster type: Tropical Depression
Pennsylvania Severe Storms, Tornadoes, and Flooding, Incident Period: July 21, 2003 to September 12, 2003, Major Disaster (Presidential) Declared (DR-1485): August 23, 2003, FEMA Id: FEMA-DR-1485, Natural disaster type: Storm, Tornado, Flood
Pennsylvania Flooding, Incident Period: January 19, 1996 to February 1, 1996, Major Disaster (Presidential) Declared (DR-1093): January 21, 1996, FEMA Id: FEMA-DR-1093, Natural disaster type: Flood
Pennsylvania Severe Snowfall and Winter Storm, Incident Period: March 13, 1993 to March 17, 1993, Emergency Declared (EM-3105): March 16, 1993, FEMA Id: FEMA-EM-3105, Natural disaster type: Winter Storm, Snowfall
Pennsylvania Snowstorms, Incident Period: January 29, 1977, Emergency Declared (EM-3026): January 29, 1977, FEMA Id: FEMA-EM-3026, Natural disaster type: Snowstorm
Pennsylvania Severe Storms, Heavy Rians, Flooding, Incident Period: September 26, 1975, Major Disaster (Presidential) Declared (DR-485): September 26, 1975, FEMA Id: FEMA-DR-485, Natural disaster type: Storm, Flood
Pennsylvania Tropical Storm Agnes, Incident Period: June 23, 1972, Major Disaster (Presidential) Declared (DR-340): June 23, 1972, FEMA Id: FEMA-DR-340, Natural disaster type: Tropical Storm
The number of natural disasters in Potter County (8) is smaller than the US average (12). Major Disasters (Presidential) Declared: 5 Emergencies Declared: 3
Other production occupations including supervisors (8%)
Driver/sales workers and truck drivers (6%)
Electrical equipment mechanics and other installation, maintenance, and repair occupations including supervisors (5%)
Vehicle and mobile equipment mechanics, installers, and repairers (4%)
Other management occupations except farmers and farm managers (4%)
Laborers and material movers, hand (3%)
Secretaries and administrative assistants (6%)
Other office and administrative support workers including supervisors (5%)
Other production occupations including supervisors (5%)
Preschool, kindergarten, elementary and middle school teachers (4%)
Other sales and related workers including supervisors (4%)
Health technologists and technicians (3%)
Building and grounds cleaning and maintenance occupations (3%)
Most common places of birth for the foreign-born residents (%):
Germany (16%)
Philippines (8%)
Hungary (8%)
China, excluding Hong Kong and Taiwan (7%)
Cambodia (7%)
Canada (6%)
Russia (4%)
Most common first ancestries reported in Potter County (%):
German (27%)
English (14%)
United States or American (13%)
Irish (10%)
Italian (6%)
Polish (5%)
Dutch (3%)
Means of transportation to work:
Drove a car alone: 5,616 (73%)
Carpooled: 1,097 (14%)
Bus or trolley bus: 7 (0%)
Streetcar or trolley car: 2 (0%)
Walked: 493 (6%)
Other means: 69 (1%)
Worked at home: 365 (5%)
Owners and renters by unit type in %
Breakdown of mean house values by ages of householders
People in group quarters in Potter County, Pennsylvania in 2000:
154 people in nursing homes
38 people in homes for the mentally retarded
38 people in other noninstitutional group quarters
30 people in homes for abused, dependent, and neglected children
22 people in local jails and other confinement facilities (including police lockups)
16 people in wards in general hospitals for patients who have no usual home elsewhere
People in group quarters in Potter County, Pennsylvania in 2010:
132 people in nursing facilities/skilled-nursing facilities
46 people in local jails and other municipal confinement facilities
30 people in group homes intended for adults
8 people in group homes for juveniles (non-correctional)
Average gross adjusted income of non-migrant taxpayers in this county in 2005 was $40,166.
10 or fewer of this county's residents relocated from other counties between 2005 and 2006.1,000 average adjusted gross income)
10 or fewer of this county's residents moved from foreign countries.
10 or fewer of this county's residents relocated from other counties in Pennsylvania.
10 or fewer of this county's residents relocated from other states.
Percentage of residents relocating from other counties or countries
6.23% of this county's 2005 resident taxpayers moved to other counties in 2006 ($35,543 average adjusted gross income)
Here:
6.23%
Pennsylvania average:
5.08%
10 or fewer of this county's residents moved to foreign countries.
3.32% relocated to other counties in Pennsylvania ($18,136 average AGI)
2.91% relocated to other states ($17,406 average AGI)
Potter County:
2.91%
Pennsylvania average:
2.30%
Percentage of residents relocating to other counties or countries
Top counties to which taxpayers relocated from this county between 2005 and 2006:
Births per 1000 population from 1990 to 1999: 12.8 Births per 1000 population from 2000 to 2006: 11.8
Births per 1000 population in Potter County
Deaths per 1000 population from 1990 to 1999: 11.1 Deaths per 1000 population from 2000 to 2006: 11.5
Deaths per 1000 population in Potter County
Infant deaths per 1000 live births from 1990 to 1999: 4.8 Infant deaths per 1000 live births from 2000 to 2006: 7.5
Infant deaths per 1000 live births in Potter County
Persons enrolled in hospital insurance and/or supplemental medical insurance (Medicare) in July 1, 2003: 3,426 (2,952 aged, 474 disabled) Population without health insurance coverage in 2000: 12% Children under 18 without health insurance coverage in 2000: 10%
Short term general hospitals per 100,000 population in 2004: 5.57 Short term general hospital admissions per 100,000 population in 2004: 17314.76 Short term general hospital beds per 100,000 population in 2004: 690.810 Emergency room visits per 100,000 population in 2004: 51615.6
General practice office based MDs per 100,000 population in 2005: 975.660 Medical specialist MDs per 100,000 population in 2005: 1300.890 Dentists per 100,000 population in 1998: 16.82
Total births per 100,000 population, July 2005 - July 2006 : 40.74 Total deaths per 100,000 population, July 2005 - July 2006: 56.07
Suicides per 1,000,000 population from 2000 to 2006: 216.1. This is more than state average.
Household type by relationship:
Households: 17,240
In family households: 14,431 (3,820 male householders, 1,055 female householders)
3,890 spouses, 4,629 children (4,260 natural, 116 adopted, 253 stepchildren), 246 grandchildren, 95 brothers or sisters, 127 parents, 114 other relatives, 381 non-relatives
In nonfamily households: 2,809 (1,198 male householders (948 living alone)), 1,154 female householders (1,033 living alone)), 457 nonrelatives
In group quarters: 217 (186 institutionalized population)
Size of family households: 2,538 2-persons, 958 3-persons, 795 4-persons, 368 5-persons, 138 6-persons, 78 7-or-more-persons.
96.4% of residents of Potter County speak English at home.
1.0% of residents speak Spanish at home (71% speak English very well, 15% speak English well, 11% speak English not well, 4% don't speak English at all).
1.9% of residents speak other Indo-European language at home (70% speak English very well, 20% speak English well, 9% speak English not well, 1% don't speak English at all).
0.5% of residents speak Asian or Pacific Island language at home (51% speak English very well, 26% speak English well, 21% speak English not well, 2% don't speak English at all).
0.1% of residents speak other language at home (30% speak English very well, 70% speak English well).
In fiscal year 2004:
Federal Government expenditure: $108,702,000 ($6056 per capita) Department of Defense expenditure: $3,450,000 Federal direct payments to individuals for retirement and disability: $50,655,000 Federal other direct payments to individuals: $21,628,000 Federal direct payments not to individuals: $770,000 Federal grants: $30,189,000 Federal procurement contracts: $1,930,000 ($1,026,000 Department of Defense) Federal salaries and wages: $3,530,000 ($0,000 Department of Defense) Federal Government direct loans: $2,715,000 Federal guaranteed/insured loans: $1,701,000 Federal Government insurance: $17,177,000
Population change from April 1, 2000 to July 1, 2005:
Births: 1,135
Here:
64 per 1000 residents
State:
61 per 1000 residents
Deaths: 1,089
Here:
61 per 1000 residents
State:
54 per 1000 residents
Net international migration: +13
Here:
+1 per 1000 residents
State:
+8 per 1000 residents
Net internal migration: -275
Here:
-15 per 1000 residents
State:
-2 per 1000 residents
Population growth in Potter County
Total withdrawal of fresh water for public supply: 1.13 millions of gallons per day (38% from ground, 62% from surface)
Median number of rooms in houses and condos:
Here:
6.3
State:
6.4
Median number of rooms in apartments:
Here:
4.9
State:
4.2
Year house built
2005 or later: 118
2000 to 2004: 501
1990 to 1999: 1,381
1980 to 1989: 1,782
1970 to 1979: 2,107
1960 to 1969: 1,096
1950 to 1959: 1,132
1940 to 1949: 783
1939 or earlier: 3,798
Rooms in houses/apartments in Potter County, Pennsylvania
65% of Potter County residents lived in the same house 5 years ago. Out of people who lived in different houses, 51% lived in this county. Out of people who lived in different counties, 56% lived in Pennsylvania.
Potter County:
65.3%
State average:
64.4%
Place of birth for U.S.-born residents:
This state: 12592
Northeast: 3697
Midwest: 566
South: 748
West: 193
Median price asked for vacant for-sale houses in 2000: $56,900
Housing units lacking complete plumbing facilities: 14%
Housing units lacking complete kitchen facilities: 9%
Year Householders Moved Into Unit:
Most commonly used house heating fuel in Potter County
44.0 years
40.0 years
(51.1%)
(48.9%)
, Cameron County 
, Clinton County 
, Lycoming County 
, McKean County 
, Steuben County, New York 
, Tioga County 
.
