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McKeesport is a city in Allegheny County, Pennsylvania, USA, at the confluence of the Monongahela and Youghiogheny Rivers. The population was 24,040 at the 2000 census. It is the 2nd largest city in Allegheny County behind only Pittsburgh. 55,355 people lived in McKeesport in 1940. The decrease in the population is attributable to the general economic malaise which descended onto the region when the steel-making industry moved elsewhere.
Settled in 1795 and named in honor of John McKee, its founder, McKeesport remained a village until 1830 when coal mining began in the district. Large deposits of bituminous coal existed.
McKeesport was incorporated as a borough in 1842 and as a city in 1891. Population in 1900, 34,227; in 1910, 42,694; in 1914 (US estimate), 45,965; and in 1920, 45,975. The major employer was the National Tube Works, which fashioned iron pipes, and which once employed 10,000 men. McKeesport is the site of the first G. C. Murphy 5 and 10 cents store.
Geography
McKeesport is located at (40.343919, -79.848844). Pittsburgh is about 15 miles (c 24km) to the north where the Monongahela river ends.
According to the United States Census Bureau, the city has a total area of 13.9 km² (5.4 mi²). 12.9 km² (5.0 mi²) of it is land and 1.0 km² (0.4 mi²) of it (7.06%) is water.
History
James McKee an original settler of Philadelphia and son of David McKee, built a log cabin near the confluence of the Monongahela and Youghiogheny rivers, the site of modern day McKeesport. After taking over his father's ferry business which resided on the Youghiogheny and Monogahela rivers, he devised a plan for a city to be called McKee's Port. John set out his proposal in the Pittsburgh Gazette, under which new residents purchased plots of land for $20 and a lottery was to be held to satisfy those who may complain of an inferior location.
Demographics
As of the census of 2000, there were 24,040 people, 9,655 households, and 5,976 families residing in the city. The population density was 1,856.4/km² (4,806.9/mi²). There were 11,124 housing units at an average density of 859.0/km² (2,224.3/mi²). The racial makeup of the city was 72.40% White, 24.46% African American, 0.27% Native American, 0.12% Asian, 0.01% Pacific Islander, 0.59% from other races, and 2.14% from two or more races. Hispanic or Latino of any race were 1.50% of the population.
There were 9,655 households out of which 28.6% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 34.7% were married couples living together, 21.9% had a female householder with no husband present, and 38.1% were non-families. 33.9% of all households were made up of individuals and 15.7% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.35 and the average family size was 3.01.
In the city the population was spread out with 25.4% under the age of 18, 7.5% from 18 to 24, 24.8% from 25 to 44, 21.3% from 45 to 64, and 20.9% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 40 years. For every 100 females there were 84.8 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 76.8 males.
The median income for a household in the city was $23,715, and the median income for a family was $31,577. Males had a median income of $27,412 versus $21,977 for females. The per capita income for the city was $13,242. About 18.1% of families and 23.0% of the population were below the poverty line, including 35.9% of those under age 18 and 12.1% of those age 65 or over.
Points of interest
Richard J. Gergely Riverfront Park, Penn State University - McKeesport Campus, John F. Kennedy Memorial, McKeesport Historical Society Museum, Mon-Yough Community Choir
External links
"McKeesport, Pennsylvania"