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Bradford is a small city located in rural McKean County, Pennsylvania, in the United States. Located 78 miles (126 km) south of Buffalo, New York, Bradford was an oil boomtown in the late 1800s and stands in a region that produces petroleum and natural gas; those materials, however, once abundant, are less plentiful now. Settled in 1823, Bradford was chartered as a city in 1879. The population stood at 15,029 in 1900; 14,544 in 1910; 15,525 in 1920; and 17,691 in 1940. As of the 2000 census, the city had a population of 9,175. Two adjoining townships, home to approximately 9,000 people, make the population of Greater Bradford about 18,000. Opera singer Marilyn Horne was born in Bradford in 1934.
Geography
Bradford is located at (41.959100, -78.644611).
According to the United States Census Bureau, the city has a total area of 8.9 km² (3.5 mi²). 8.9 km² (3.5 mi²) of it is land, and none of the area is covered with water. Bradford is situated in a valley in the Allegheny Mountains and is surrounded by woods and steep hills. Two branches of the Tunungwant Creek (the Tuna) enter the city, merge and flow north into the Allegheny River just across the New York border. Bradford is located within miles of the Allegany State Park, the largest state park in New York, and the Allegheny National Forest, the only national forest in Pennsylvania.
Bradford Regional Airport, located about 10 miles south of the city, at Mount Alton, serves the city and region. Because of its elevation, it often reports the coldest air temperatures in Pennsylvania.
Economy
Bradford is well known as the home of Zippo, a manufacturer of collectible pocket lighters, and Case, which is owned by Zippo and makes collectible knives. After Zippo and Case, the second largest employer is Bradford Regional Medical Center, which employs 800 and was undergoing a significant expansion in 2006. The city also boasts an American Refining Group (ARG) oil refinery, the oldest continuously operating refinery in the United States, and a four-year college, the University of Pittsburgh at Bradford, which has about 1,300 students.
Demographics
As of the census of 2000, there were 9,175 people, 3,922 households, and 2,247 families residing in the city. The population density was 1,026.8/km² (2,659.7/mi²). There were 4,371 housing units at an average density of 489.2/km² (1,267.1/mi²). The racial makeup of the city was 97.74% White, 0.49% African American, 0.31% Native American, 0.52% Asian, 0.03% Pacific Islander, 0.27% from other races, and 0.63% from two or more races. Hispanic or Latino of any race were 0.95% of the population.
There are 3,922 households, of which 29.4% have children under the age of 18, 36.9% have married couples living together and 14.8% have a female householder with no husband present. 42.7% of households are non-families, 36.3% are made up of individuals and 15.2% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.27, and the average family size was 2.93.
25.4% of the population is under the age of 18, 9.4% from 18 to 24, 28.0% from 25 to 44, 20.0% from 45 to 64, and 17.1% 65 years of age or older. The median age is 36 years. For every 100 females there were 88.4 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 83.7 males.
The median income for a household in the city was $26,463, and the median income for a family was $32,828. Males had a median income of $30,661 versus $21,250 for females. The per capita income for the city was $17,537. About 16.9% of families and 20.7% of the population were below the poverty line, including 28.1% of those under age 18 and 9.5% of those age 65 or over.
Misc
- Birthplace of Opera Singer Marilyn Horne
- Hometown of Singer/Actor Jason McAdams
- Town Motto: "Bradford: Cool town, warm hearts"
- Featured on "The Daily Show with Jon Stewart" in a "fake news story" profiling the shortlived town mascot, "Slick", who was meant to evoke memories of the city's oil boomtown days
- The town hosts a variety of annual festivals including; Stinkfest, The Italian Festival, and Zippo/Case International Swap Meet (biennial).
External links
"Bradford, Pennsylvania"