Punxsutawney, Pennsylvania
Encyclopedia
Punxsutawney is a borough in Jefferson County
, Pennsylvania
, United States
, 84 miles (135.2 km) northeast of Pittsburgh. In 1907, Punxsutawney and Claysville boroughs were consolidated and incorporated as Greater Punxsutawney. A high-grade soft coal
was mined in the surrounding region. Formerly, the manufacturies included glassworks, foundries, ironworks, machine shops, and planing, flour, feed, and silk mills. In 1900, 6,746 people lived there; in 1910, 9,058; in 1920, 10,311; and in 1940, 9,482 people lived there. The population was 6,271 at the 2000 census.
The area was originally settled by the Delaware Indians and the name "Punxsutawney" derives from a Native American term which translates to "town of the sandflies
(or, perhaps, "town of the mosquito
es").
Punxsutawney's most famous resident is Punxsutawney Phil
, a groundhog
said to predict the weather annually on Groundhog Day
(February 2). Phil and the town were the basis for the 1993 film Groundhog Day
(although nearly all of the movie itself was shot in Woodstock, Illinois
).
.
According to the United States Census Bureau
, the borough has a total area of 3.4 square miles (8.8 km²), all of it land. It is bordered on the north, west, and south by Young Township
, and on the east by Bell Township
.
of 2000, there were 6,271 people, 2,748 households, and 1,602 families residing in the borough. The population density
was 1,836.2 people per square mile (708.0/km²). There were 3,042 housing units at an average density of 890.7 per square mile (343.4/km²). The racial makeup of the borough was 98.79% White, 0.22% African American, 0.16% Native American, 0.27% Asian, 0.02% from other races
, and 0.54% from two or more races. Hispanic or Latino of any race were 0.75% of the population.
There were 2,749 households out of which 25.3% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 41.0% were married couples
living together, 13.5% had a female householder with no husband present, and 41.7% were non-families. 37.8% of all households were made up of individuals and 20.6% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.19 and the average family size was 2.89.
In the borough the population was spread out with 21.3% under the age of 18, 9.9% from 18 to 24, 25.1% from 25 to 44, 21.6% from 45 to 64, and 22.2% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 41 years. For every 100 females there were 80.9 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 77.2 males.
The median income for a household in the borough was $26,250, and the median income for a family was $33,054. Men had a median income of $28,958 versus $19,076 for women. The per capita income
for the borough was $14,802. About 13.3% of families and 16.9% of the population were below the poverty line, including 20.6% of those under age 18 and 12.8% of those age 65 or over.
The Mayor, James Wehrle, is also elected to a four year term, and in addition to other duties, has oversight of the Borough Police Department.
Other elected offices include: one Tax Collector (four year term), six assessors (four year terms) and six constables (four year terms).
The Borough Manager position, held by Benjamin White, is the Chief Administrative Officer of the Borough, and reports to Borough Council.
Punxsutawney is the most populous incorporated municipality in Jefferson County.
The Punxsutawney Fire Department is made up of three volunteer stations, The Central Fire Dept. (Jefferson County Station 20), Elk Run Volunteer Fire Company (Jefferson County Station 30), and Lindsey Fire Company (Jefferson County Station 40). The president of the Punxsutawney Fire Department is Doug McAfoos. The Fire Department Chief is Paul Hense. In addition to department officers, each station elects its own officers. Scott Depp is the chief of Central Fire Dept., Bryan Smith the chief of Elk Run VFC, and Joe Defelice the chief of Lindsey Fire Co. The fire department responds to fires, vehicle accidents, hazardous materials incidents, and rescue situations in the borough of Punxsutawney, Bell Township, and Young Township. The Punxsutawney Fire Department also maintains an active water rescue team comprising scuba divers
and a boat crew.
Jefferson County
EMS
operates the ambulance station in Punxsutawney. Station 50 is a full advanced life support service comprising paramedic
s and emergency medical technician
s. Station 50 serves not only the borough of Punxsutawney, but also Southern Jefferson County
and parts of Northern Indiana County
.
is set in Punxsutawney, although actual filming was done in Woodstock, Illinois
. Many buildings of this historic city are painted with his murals as well.
In the Lost In Space
television series, Captain Alonzo P. Tucker, a space pirate (appeared in two episodes), hailed from the railroad tracks of Punxsutawney, Pennsylvania. Cap'n Tucker (as Will Robinson would call him) was a homeless person, until aliens abducted him and others for study, mostly keeping him in suspended animation.
Mac Miller's 2011 song "Frick Park Market" makes a reference to Punxsutawney, PA.
Jefferson County, Pennsylvania
Jefferson County is a county located in the U.S. state of Pennsylvania. In 2010, its population was 45,200. It was established on March 26, 1804, from part of Lycoming County and named for then-President Thomas Jefferson. Its county seat is Brookville...
, Pennsylvania
Pennsylvania
The Commonwealth of Pennsylvania is a U.S. state that is located in the Northeastern and Mid-Atlantic regions of the United States. The state borders Delaware and Maryland to the south, West Virginia to the southwest, Ohio to the west, New York and Ontario, Canada, to the north, and New Jersey to...
, United States
United States
The United States of America is a federal constitutional republic comprising fifty states and a federal district...
, 84 miles (135.2 km) northeast of Pittsburgh. In 1907, Punxsutawney and Claysville boroughs were consolidated and incorporated as Greater Punxsutawney. A high-grade soft coal
Bituminous coal
Bituminous coal or black coal is a relatively soft coal containing a tarlike substance called bitumen. It is of higher quality than lignite coal but of poorer quality than Anthracite...
was mined in the surrounding region. Formerly, the manufacturies included glassworks, foundries, ironworks, machine shops, and planing, flour, feed, and silk mills. In 1900, 6,746 people lived there; in 1910, 9,058; in 1920, 10,311; and in 1940, 9,482 people lived there. The population was 6,271 at the 2000 census.
The area was originally settled by the Delaware Indians and the name "Punxsutawney" derives from a Native American term which translates to "town of the sandflies
Sandfly
thumb|Sandfly biting a human's little fingerthumb|Sandfly biteSandfly is a colloquial name for any species or genus of flying, biting, blood-sucking Dipteran encountered in sandy areas...
(or, perhaps, "town of the mosquito
Mosquito
Mosquitoes are members of a family of nematocerid flies: the Culicidae . The word Mosquito is from the Spanish and Portuguese for little fly...
es").
Punxsutawney's most famous resident is Punxsutawney Phil
Punxsutawney Phil
Punxsutawney Phil is a groundhog resident of Punxsutawney, Pennsylvania. On February 2 of each year, the town of Punxsutawney celebrates the beloved groundhog with a festive atmosphere of music and food...
, a groundhog
Groundhog
The groundhog , also known as a woodchuck, whistle-pig, or in some areas as a land-beaver, is a rodent of the family Sciuridae, belonging to the group of large ground squirrels known as marmots. Other marmots, such as the yellow-bellied and hoary marmots, live in rocky and mountainous areas, but...
said to predict the weather annually on Groundhog Day
Groundhog Day
Groundhog Day is a holiday celebrated on February 2 in the United States and Canada. According to folklore, if it is cloudy when a groundhog emerges from its burrow on this day, it will leave the burrow, signifying that winter-like weather will soon end...
(February 2). Phil and the town were the basis for the 1993 film Groundhog Day
Groundhog Day (film)
Groundhog Day is a 1993 American comedy film directed by Harold Ramis, starring Bill Murray and Andie MacDowell. It was written by Ramis and Danny Rubin, based on a story by Rubin....
(although nearly all of the movie itself was shot in Woodstock, Illinois
Woodstock, Illinois
Woodstock is a far northwest suburb of Chicago in McHenry County, Illinois. The population was 20,151 at the 2000 census. The 2010 Census shows 24,770 residents. It is the county seat of McHenry County...
).
Geography
Punxsutawney is located at 40°56′44"N 78°58′31"W (40.945454, -78.975175), roughly 90 miles northeast of Pittsburgh and 100 miles southeast of ErieErie, Pennsylvania
Erie is a city located in northwestern Pennsylvania in the United States. Named for the lake and the Native American tribe that resided along its southern shore, Erie is the state's fourth-largest city , with a population of 102,000...
.
According to the United States Census Bureau
United States Census Bureau
The United States Census Bureau is the government agency that is responsible for the United States Census. It also gathers other national demographic and economic data...
, the borough has a total area of 3.4 square miles (8.8 km²), all of it land. It is bordered on the north, west, and south by Young Township
Young Township, Jefferson County, Pennsylvania
Young Township is a township in Jefferson County, Pennsylvania, United States. The population was 1,800 at the 2000 census.-Geography:According to the United States Census Bureau, the township has a total area of 15.5 square miles , all of it land.-Demographics:As of the census of 2000, there...
, and on the east by Bell Township
Bell Township, Jefferson County, Pennsylvania
Bell Township is a township in Jefferson County, Pennsylvania, United States. The population was 2,029 at the 2000 census.-Geography:According to the United States Census Bureau, the township has a total area of , of which, of it is land and of it is water.-Demographics:As of the census of 2000,...
.
Demographics
As of the censusCensus
A census is the procedure of systematically acquiring and recording information about the members of a given population. It is a regularly occurring and official count of a particular population. The term is used mostly in connection with national population and housing censuses; other common...
of 2000, there were 6,271 people, 2,748 households, and 1,602 families residing in the borough. The population density
Population density
Population density is a measurement of population per unit area or unit volume. It is frequently applied to living organisms, and particularly to humans...
was 1,836.2 people per square mile (708.0/km²). There were 3,042 housing units at an average density of 890.7 per square mile (343.4/km²). The racial makeup of the borough was 98.79% White, 0.22% African American, 0.16% Native American, 0.27% Asian, 0.02% from other races
Race (United States Census)
Race and ethnicity in the United States Census, as defined by the Federal Office of Management and Budget and the United States Census Bureau, are self-identification data items in which residents choose the race or races with which they most closely identify, and indicate whether or not they are...
, and 0.54% from two or more races. Hispanic or Latino of any race were 0.75% of the population.
There were 2,749 households out of which 25.3% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 41.0% were married couples
Marriage
Marriage is a social union or legal contract between people that creates kinship. It is an institution in which interpersonal relationships, usually intimate and sexual, are acknowledged in a variety of ways, depending on the culture or subculture in which it is found...
living together, 13.5% had a female householder with no husband present, and 41.7% were non-families. 37.8% of all households were made up of individuals and 20.6% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.19 and the average family size was 2.89.
In the borough the population was spread out with 21.3% under the age of 18, 9.9% from 18 to 24, 25.1% from 25 to 44, 21.6% from 45 to 64, and 22.2% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 41 years. For every 100 females there were 80.9 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 77.2 males.
The median income for a household in the borough was $26,250, and the median income for a family was $33,054. Men had a median income of $28,958 versus $19,076 for women. The per capita income
Per capita income
Per capita income or income per person is a measure of mean income within an economic aggregate, such as a country or city. It is calculated by taking a measure of all sources of income in the aggregate and dividing it by the total population...
for the borough was $14,802. About 13.3% of families and 16.9% of the population were below the poverty line, including 20.6% of those under age 18 and 12.8% of those age 65 or over.
Government
The Borough of Punxsutawney is governed by seven Council members, each elected to a four year term. The members are: Susan Glessner, President; Donna Lellock, Vice President; Lawrence Chenoga; Michael Porada; Robert Reesman; William Spencer and Roger Steele.The Mayor, James Wehrle, is also elected to a four year term, and in addition to other duties, has oversight of the Borough Police Department.
Other elected offices include: one Tax Collector (four year term), six assessors (four year terms) and six constables (four year terms).
The Borough Manager position, held by Benjamin White, is the Chief Administrative Officer of the Borough, and reports to Borough Council.
Punxsutawney is the most populous incorporated municipality in Jefferson County.
Emergency services
The Borough of Punxsutawney employs a full time police service made up of 12 police officers. The Chief of Police is Tom Fedigan. Dispatchers and wardens are also employed by the borough and work closely with police. The police station is staffed 24 hours a day, 7 days a week, by both police officers and wardens. The website for the police department is at punxsutawneyboro.comThe Punxsutawney Fire Department is made up of three volunteer stations, The Central Fire Dept. (Jefferson County Station 20), Elk Run Volunteer Fire Company (Jefferson County Station 30), and Lindsey Fire Company (Jefferson County Station 40). The president of the Punxsutawney Fire Department is Doug McAfoos. The Fire Department Chief is Paul Hense. In addition to department officers, each station elects its own officers. Scott Depp is the chief of Central Fire Dept., Bryan Smith the chief of Elk Run VFC, and Joe Defelice the chief of Lindsey Fire Co. The fire department responds to fires, vehicle accidents, hazardous materials incidents, and rescue situations in the borough of Punxsutawney, Bell Township, and Young Township. The Punxsutawney Fire Department also maintains an active water rescue team comprising scuba divers
Scuba diving
Scuba diving is a form of underwater diving in which a diver uses a scuba set to breathe underwater....
and a boat crew.
Jefferson County
Jefferson County, Pennsylvania
Jefferson County is a county located in the U.S. state of Pennsylvania. In 2010, its population was 45,200. It was established on March 26, 1804, from part of Lycoming County and named for then-President Thomas Jefferson. Its county seat is Brookville...
EMS
Emergency medical services
Emergency medical services are a type of emergency service dedicated to providing out-of-hospital acute medical care and/or transport to definitive care, to patients with illnesses and injuries which the patient, or the medical practitioner, believes constitutes a medical emergency...
operates the ambulance station in Punxsutawney. Station 50 is a full advanced life support service comprising paramedic
Paramedic
A paramedic is a healthcare professional that works in emergency medical situations. Paramedics provide advanced levels of care for medical emergencies and trauma. The majority of paramedics are based in the field in ambulances, emergency response vehicles, or in specialist mobile units such as...
s and emergency medical technician
Emergency medical technician
Emergency Medical Technician or Ambulance Technician are terms used in some countries to denote a healthcare provider of emergency medical services...
s. Station 50 serves not only the borough of Punxsutawney, but also Southern Jefferson County
Jefferson County, Pennsylvania
Jefferson County is a county located in the U.S. state of Pennsylvania. In 2010, its population was 45,200. It was established on March 26, 1804, from part of Lycoming County and named for then-President Thomas Jefferson. Its county seat is Brookville...
and parts of Northern Indiana County
Indiana County, Pennsylvania
-Government and politics:As of November 2008, there are 58,077 registered voters in Indiana County .* Democratic: 26,653 * Republican: 24,159 * Other Parties: 7,265 -County commissioners:*Rodney Ruddock, Chairman, Republican...
.
In popular culture
The film Groundhog DayGroundhog Day (film)
Groundhog Day is a 1993 American comedy film directed by Harold Ramis, starring Bill Murray and Andie MacDowell. It was written by Ramis and Danny Rubin, based on a story by Rubin....
is set in Punxsutawney, although actual filming was done in Woodstock, Illinois
Woodstock, Illinois
Woodstock is a far northwest suburb of Chicago in McHenry County, Illinois. The population was 20,151 at the 2000 census. The 2010 Census shows 24,770 residents. It is the county seat of McHenry County...
. Many buildings of this historic city are painted with his murals as well.
In the Lost In Space
Lost in Space
Lost in Space is a science fiction TV series created and produced by Irwin Allen, filmed by 20th Century Fox Television, and broadcast on CBS. The show ran for three seasons, with 83 episodes airing between September 15, 1965, and March 6, 1968...
television series, Captain Alonzo P. Tucker, a space pirate (appeared in two episodes), hailed from the railroad tracks of Punxsutawney, Pennsylvania. Cap'n Tucker (as Will Robinson would call him) was a homeless person, until aliens abducted him and others for study, mostly keeping him in suspended animation.
Mac Miller's 2011 song "Frick Park Market" makes a reference to Punxsutawney, PA.
Media
- WECZWECZWECZ is an American commercially licensed daytime-only radio station, licensed to served the community of Punxsutawney, Pennsylvania. The station operates at 1,540 kilohertz with a maximum power output of 5,000 watts daytime, and 1,000 watts during critical hours...
-AM and WPXZ-FM, two local radio stations. - The Punxsutawney Spirit, Jefferson County's only daily newspaper.
Notable People
- Charles Jerome "Chuck" Daly (July 20, 1930 – May 9, 2009) was an American basketball head coach. He had a 14-year NBA coaching career and began his basketball coaching career in 1955 at Punxsutawney (PA) Area High School.
- John Joseph Mizerock (born December 8, 1960 in Punxsutawney, Pennsylvania) was a backup catcher for the Houston Astros and the Atlanta Braves. He was the eighth overall pick in the 1979 draft.
- Devin Douglas Mesoraco is currently an American Major League Baseball catcher for the Cincinnati Reds. He was the 15th overall pick in the 2007 draft.