Williamsport, Pennsylvania

Williamsport is a city in Lycoming County, Pennsylvania in the United States. The population was 30,706 at the 2000 census. It is the county seat of Lycoming County.

Williamsport was incorporated as a borough on March 1, 1806, and as a city on January 15, 1866. The city is the original home of Little League Baseball, founded in 1939 as a three-team league. The Little League World Series is held annually on the other side of the West Branch Susquehanna River in South Williamsport, where Little League Baseball now has its headquarters. Williamsport also hosts the Williamsport Crosscutters baseball club of the New York-Penn League.

In the late 1800s, when Williamsport was known as "The Lumber Capital the World" because of its thriving lumber industry, it also was the birthplace of the national newspaper Grit in 1882. Williamsport once had more millionaires per-capita than anywhere in the world. Williamsport is the home of two colleges, Lycoming College and Pennsylvania College of Technology, as well as the Newport Business Institute. Williamsport is also well known for the Lycoming aircraft engines made by Textron. The local newspaper is the Williamsport Sun Gazette. The local news/talk radio stations are WRAK/WRKK 1400/1200 kHz, and WWPA 1340 kHz.

The town is served by Williamsport Regional Airport, although this actually located east of town in Montoursville.

Geography

Williamsport is located at (41.244428, -77.018738). + .

According to the United States Census Bureau, the city has a total area of 24.7 km² (9.5 mi²). 23.0 km² (8.9 mi²) of it is land and 1.7 km² (0.7 mi²) of it (6.92%) is water.

Government

Williamsport operates on a "Strong Mayor" form of governing, meaning the mayor has the power to do something without consent of the city council. The current mayor of the City of Williamsport is Mary B. Wolf.

Mayors

Former Mayors (1968-Present)

Richard J. Carey
John R. Coder
Daniel P. Kirby
Steven J. Lucasi
Jessie L. Bloom - First female mayor.
Phillip E. Preziosi - Previously member of the Williamsport Police Department. Second officer to win mayor's office. Ran for mayor because he had 4 years left to retire. Served one term.
Steven W. Cappelli - Currently State Representative
Michael R. Rafferty - Acting Mayor (Served 2 Years)
Mary B. Wolf

Demographics

As of the census of 2000, there were 30,706 people, 12,219 households, and 6,732 families residing in the city. The population density was 1,335.1/km² (3,456.3/mi²). There were 13,524 housing units at an average density of 588.0/km² (1,522.3/mi²). The racial makeup of the city was 84.11% White, 12.73% African American, 0.36% Native American, 0.57% Asian, 0.01% Pacific Islander, 0.48% from other races, and 1.73% from two or more races. Hispanic or Latino of any race were 1.11% of the population.

There were 12,219 households out of which 27.4% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 34.9% were married couples living together, 15.5% had a female householder with no husband present, and 44.9% were non-families. 35.1% of all households were made up of individuals and 12.9% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.30 and the average family size was 2.97.

In the city the population was spread out with 22.5% under the age of 18, 18.0% from 18 to 24, 26.7% from 25 to 44, 19.4% from 45 to 64, and 13.5% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 32 years. For every 100 females there were 97.7 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 95.9 males.

The median income for a household in the city was $25,946, and the median income for a family was $33,844. Males had a median income of $26,668 versus $20,196 for females. The per capita income for the city was $14,707. About 13.7% of families and 21.5% of the population were below the poverty line, including 24.0% of those under age 18 and 11.6% of those age 65 or over.

Media

WLYC 1050 AM - Williamsport | WWPA 1340 AM - Williamsport | WRAK 1400 AM - Williamsport | WKSB 102.7 FM - Williamsport WILQ 105.1 FM - Williamsport > WRVH 107.9 FM - Williamsport

External links

Cities in Pennsylvania | Lycoming County, Pennsylvania | Williamsport, Pennsylvania