And the poorest county in Pennsylvania is..................................

[The Spin Meister]

You've heard the term "nimby?" The folks who are making the serious money from that activity don't live there.

Says a guy that doesn't live here. Lots of new homes built with lease and royalty payments. Like another poster said, if you own acreage, you are rolling in the cash. Others got great jobs, do you know what a rig worker gets? Or a pipeline welder?

Motels are are full as are restaurants. Farm implement dealers can't keep inventory on hand. Schools and municipalities getting lots of tax revenue and substantial payments from impact fees. But none of that fits the story line.

 

[The Spin Meister]

Partly true. The center city area and a few other trendy neighborhoods like Fishtown and Manyunk have seen a lot of increases in wealth, as white professionals have driven up the averages. But the more seedy areas which have long been problems such as North Philadelphia, Kensington, SW Philadelphia, etc., are still pretty bad. It’s a city of neighborhoods - some are very good, and some are pretty horrific. The downtown area has become very posh however, and most of us couldn’t afford to live there.

---
Well guess what? A lot of people in McKean and Potter Counties are doing quite well. Most are great people that do a lot to help their fellow man. Go to work, go to church, raise great families. Serve their country. Pay their taxes.

 

[Tom McAndrew]

And the poorest county in Pennsylvania is..................................Philadelphia county!

Amusing thread, but I believe that Glov's claim is inaccurate.

The last complete analysis was the 2010 census. If you go by the data from the 2010 census, the poorest PA counties would be as follows:

Per capita income:
1. Forest
2. Mifflin
3. Fayette
4. Clinton
5. Sullivan
6. Somerset
7. Clearfield
8. Greene
9. Clarion
10. Jefferson
...
23. Philadelphia

Median household income:
1. Fayette
2. Forest
3. Sullivan
4. Philadelphia
5. Clearfield
6. Mifflin
7. Northumberland
8. Jefferson
9. Crawford
10. Somerset

Median family income:
1. Forest
2. Fayette
3. Philadelphia
4. Mifflin
5. Clearfield
6. Jefferson
7. Potter
8. Sullivan
9. Tioga
10. Crawford

The census bureau does generate data for years between the census. I was able to find some of that data, but it wasn't in a format that made it easy for me to do a county-by-county analysis. It's probably out there -- I just don't feel like spending any more time on it. Others are free to do so.

 

[wbcincy]

Mifflin is a beautiful county but there just is not much there (unless you like to fish/hunt). I spend quite a bit of time there fishing, but that is about it. Otherwise its a drive through county.

I spent many of my formative years in MiffCo and am a product of their education system. So there's another strike against it.

 

[TheGLOV]

Amusing thread, but I believe that Glov's claim is inaccurate.

The last complete analysis was the 2010 census. If you go by the data from the 2010 census, the poorest PA counties would be as follows:

Per capita income:
1. Forest
2. Mifflin
3. Fayette
4. Clinton
5. Sullivan
6. Somerset
7. Clearfield
8. Greene
9. Clarion
10. Jefferson
...
23. Philadelphia

Median household income:
1. Fayette
2. Forest
3. Sullivan
4. Philadelphia
5. Clearfield
6. Mifflin
7. Northumberland
8. Jefferson
9. Crawford
10. Somerset

Median family income:
1. Forest
2. Fayette
3. Philadelphia
4. Mifflin
5. Clearfield
6. Jefferson
7. Potter
8. Sullivan
9. Tioga
10. Crawford

The census bureau does generate data for years between the census. I was able to find some of that data, but it wasn't in a format that made it easy for me to do a county-by-county analysis. It's probably out there -- I just don't feel like spending any more time on it. Others are free to do so.

**Don't shoot the messenger Tom!

I just posted the article.

 

[CF LION]

Amusing thread, but I believe that Glov's claim is inaccurate.

The last complete analysis was the 2010 census. If you go by the data from the 2010 census, the poorest PA counties would be as follows:

Per capita income:
1. Forest
2. Mifflin
3. Fayette
4. Clinton
5. Sullivan
6. Somerset
7. Clearfield
8. Greene
9. Clarion
10. Jefferson
...
23. Philadelphia

Median household income:
1. Fayette
2. Forest
3. Sullivan
4. Philadelphia
5. Clearfield
6. Mifflin
7. Northumberland
8. Jefferson
9. Crawford
10. Somerset

Median family income:
1. Forest
2. Fayette
3. Philadelphia
4. Mifflin
5. Clearfield
6. Jefferson
7. Potter
8. Sullivan
9. Tioga
10. Crawford

The census bureau does generate data for years between the census. I was able to find some of that data, but it wasn't in a format that made it easy for me to do a county-by-county analysis. It's probably out there -- I just don't feel like spending any more time on it. Others are free to do so.

In other words, I nailed it....

 

[royboy]

From GLOV's original post (source was MSN / Money)

Philadelphia County, Pennsylvania
County median household income: $39,770
State median household income: $54,895
Poverty rate: 25.9%
Nov. unemployment: 5.7%

Philadelphia County is coterminous with the city of Philadelphia, the largest city in Pennsylvania and one of the largest in the United States. Philadelphia has struggled with many of the problems that have plagued large cities since the mid-20th century, such as the decline of manufacturing and flight of the middle class to the suburbs. While the city’s population has increased in recent years and is now home to 1.6 million people, it has yet to return to its 1950 peak of 2.1 million.

The typical household in Philadelphia earns just $39,770 a year, far less than both the state and national median household incomes of $54,895 and $55,322, respectively. While the poorest counties often have the lowest college attainment rates, some 26.3% of Philadelphia adults have a bachelor’s degree -- more than a majority of counties in the state.

 

[royboy]

Tom's list has Forest County has either #1 or #2 on lists of lowest income, by individual, household, or family.

Forest County is made up of real forest areas, including Allegheny National Forest, and has a population of less than 8,000. Here's the Wiki link:
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Forest_County,_Pennsylvania

What really stands out in these stats is the degree of poverty in the big city of Philadelphia, which is exceeded on a per capita basis only by a few very rural, lightly populated counties.

 

[psuro]

From GLOV's original post (source was MSN / Money)

Philadelphia County, Pennsylvania
County median household income: $39,770
State median household income: $54,895
Poverty rate: 25.9%
Nov. unemployment: 5.7%

Philadelphia County is coterminous with the city of Philadelphia, the largest city in Pennsylvania and one of the largest in the United States. Philadelphia has struggled with many of the problems that have plagued large cities since the mid-20th century, such as the decline of manufacturing and flight of the middle class to the suburbs. While the city’s population has increased in recent years and is now home to 1.6 million people, it has yet to return to its 1950 peak of 2.1 million.

The typical household in Philadelphia earns just $39,770 a year, far less than both the state and national median household incomes of $54,895 and $55,322, respectively. While the poorest counties often have the lowest college attainment rates, some 26.3% of Philadelphia adults have a bachelor’s degree -- more than a majority of counties in the state.

Call it for what it is - Glov looks to massage data to document his predetermined argument. It's like he is a minor league Louis Freeh.

The reason Pittsburgh may be appear to be doing so well is because Glov does not live there anymore. Can't discount that.

 

[PSURAHJ]

Somehow in all my years of traveling through the great state of PA I have never heard of Forest County. I had to look it up to see exactly where it is. Seems like there's some fishing I could do up there some day.

The whole county has less than 5,000 people from what I just read. The Christiana Mall has more than that on any random day. One school district for the whole county! I'm intrigued by such a barren place that's within a day's drive. I must visit!

 

[The Spin Meister]

Somehow in all my years of traveling through the great state of PA I have never heard of Forest County. I had to look it up to see exactly where it is. Seems like there's some fishing I could do up there some day.

The whole county has less than 5,000 people from what I just read. The Christiana Mall has more than that on any random day. One school district for the whole county! I'm intrigued by such a barren place that's within a day's drive. I must visit!

---
Lots of gorgeous areas in north central Pa with lots of native trout. Wild elk between St Marys and Emporium. Check out Clear Creek State Park and Cooks Forrest SP. Head north to Kinzua Reservoir and check out Jake's Rocks.

These areas are at a huge disadvantage economically. The only real jobs are at local schools, local government, and local hospitals. No industry, no financial centers, no big businesses, poor roads. . Much of their land is national forests, state parks, state forests, and state game lands....meaning they are not taxable so schools and government struggle.

They have some forestry, tourism, and now many have nat gas. Thats about it. The fact that Philly is comparable economically to these areas is a crying shame on Philly.

 

[kijanacat]

Forest, I believe, has a State Correctional Institution. I know because I visited an inmate there. I think the Federal Correctional Institution at McKean is close. I visited one there also. A glorified welfare system for northern tier counties.

 

[royboy]

Forest, I believe, has a State Correctional Institution. I know because I visited an inmate there. I think the Federal Correctional Institution at McKean is close. I visited one there also. A glorified welfare system for northern tier counties.

What?

I'm not following you at all here -- don't need the prisons? should be located somewhere else?

 

[psu00]

Wonder where Pittsburgh would rank if the city limits of the Burgh made its own county (like Philly) rather than being just part of larger Allegheny county. (Same goes for Scranton, Allentown, Harrisburg, York, Lancaster, Chester, etc.).

 

[kijanacat]

What?

I'm not following you at all here -- don't need the prisons? should be located somewhere else?

No. Just commenting that a lot of prisons are in Northern tier counties. They need to be somewhere. Just gives the feeling of spreading money around like the welfare system.

 

[kijanacat]

Although Pennsylvania Death Row is SCI Greene (County). I believe executions are still in Bellefonte, although we haven't had one in a while.

 

[TheGLOV]

Call it for what it is - Glov looks to massage data to document his predetermined argument. It's like he is a minor league Louis Freeh.

The reason Pittsburgh may be appear to be doing so well is because Glov does not live there anymore. Can't discount that.

Try Tucks medicate pads sir for what ails you!

 

[TheGLOV]

---
Lots of gorgeous areas in north central Pa with lots of native trout. Wild elk between St Marys and Emporium. Check out Clear Creek State Park and Cooks Forrest SP. Head north to Kinzua Reservoir and check out Jake's Rocks.

These areas are at a huge disadvantage economically. The only real jobs are at local schools, local government, and local hospitals. No industry, no financial centers, no big businesses, poor roads. . Much of their land is national forests, state parks, state forests, and state game lands....meaning they are not taxable so schools and government struggle.

They have some forestry, tourism, and now many have nat gas. Thats about it. The fact that Philly is comparable economically to these areas is a crying shame on Philly.

My cousin used to own a place near Rattle Snake Hill sir.

 

[Nitwit]

There are a lot of stupid posts in this message string regarding Philly and Pittsburgh. What’s the point? Big cities and many small ones are home to many low income people. So what?

 

[Woodpecker]

Wonder where Pittsburgh would rank if the city limits of the Burgh made its own county (like Philly) rather than being just part of larger Allegheny county. (Same goes for Scranton, Allentown, Harrisburg, York, Lancaster, Chester, etc.).

Conversely, if the county with Philadelphia would include Bucks, Montgomery, and Delaware counties

 

[CF LION]

Somehow in all my years of traveling through the great state of PA I have never heard of Forest County. I had to look it up to see exactly where it is. Seems like there's some fishing I could do up there some day.

The whole county has less than 5,000 people from what I just read. The Christiana Mall has more than that on any random day. One school district for the whole county! I'm intrigued by such a barren place that's within a day's drive. I must visit!

I grew up in Clarion County but spent a lot of time in Forest hunting and fishing as a kid. Once almost sunk an International Harvester Scout in a frozen pond near Marienville. Drove it across the ice and didn't quite make it all the way across. My buddies and I got it out though.

Beautiful county, not much going on economically.

 

[BlueBand]

I grew up in Clarion County but spent a lot of time in Forest hunting and fishing as a kid. Once almost sunk an International Harvester Scout in a frozen pond near Marienville. Drove it across the ice and didn't quite make it all the way across. My buddies and I got it out though.

Beautiful county, not much going on economically.

OK, I'll bite. Who thinks driving a harvester over a frozen pond is a good idea? Why?

 

[CF LION]

OK, I'll bite. Who thinks driving a harvester over a frozen pond is a good idea? Why?

Had to get to the other side.

 

[BlueBand]

QUOTE="CF LION, post: 3270255, member: 264"]Had to get to the other side.[/QUOTE]
You almost didn't. LOL

 

[tboyer]

Philadelphia county!

Funny how they define "poorest." Three bedroom row houses in my neighborhood are selling for $600-700k, or $900-1.2 mil with parking, and they sell almost immediately. Center City developers can't put up ultra-luxury condo towers fast enough; they sell out before the steel is up.

Around 25% of Philly's population gets by on minimum wage and food stamps. Another approx. 40% is blue collar middle class (a lot of South Philly and the Great Northeast) but they're not poor by any standard. Another 30% is college educated and doing pretty well these days.

This idea that Philly's a poor city is a myth perpetuated mostly by people who haven't been here in a long time. Greater center city -- if you haven't been here in 15 years you wouldn't recognize a lot of these neighborhoods at all. It's a playground for upscale people, for better or worse.

 

[BBrown]

Funny how they define "poorest." Three bedroom row houses in my neighborhood are selling for $600-700k, or $900-1.2 mil with parking, and they sell almost immediately. Center City developers can't put up ultra-luxury condo towers fast enough; they sell out before the steel is up.

Around 25% of Philly's population gets by on minimum wage and food stamps. Another approx. 40% is blue collar middle class (a lot of South Philly and the Great Northeast) but they're not poor by any standard. Another 30% is college educated and doing pretty well these days.

This idea that Philly's a poor city is a myth perpetuated mostly by people who haven't been here in a long time. Greater center city -- if you haven't been here in 15 years you wouldn't recognize a lot of these neighborhoods at all. It's a playground for upscale people, for better or worse.

That was my reaction this summer as well.
The building of luxury apt. and condos is very similar to whats happening to Baltimore (in certain areas) new ones and old one being turned into luxury condos and apt. are popping every day.
I'm not sure who is moving in, I guess someone is or they wouldn't be building them, but I know the City is losing residents.
Now if they could get a handle on the violence AND FIX SOME OF THE FREAKING STREETS so they are driveable that would be a big help.

 

[tboyer]

Partly true. The center city area and a few other trendy neighborhoods like Fishtown and Manyunk have seen a lot of increases in wealth, as white professionals have driven up the averages. But the more seedy areas which have long been problems such as North Philadelphia, Kensington, SW Philadelphia, etc., are still pretty bad. It’s a city of neighborhoods - some are very good, and some are pretty horrific. The downtown area has become very posh however, and most of us couldn’t afford to live there.

Yeah and the number of neighborhoods you'd consider trendy grows every year. I'm stunned every time I go into West Philly -- the whole Clark Park corridor just expands and expands toward SW Philly. Middle class people are buying houses all over West Powellton and Mantua -- blocks that a few years ago you didn't want to drive at night.

Even a lot of Kensington is kind of hot. Millennials like the grittiness and the low-rent Asian restaurants -- best Pho in the city. People are snapping up houses just a few blocks walk from where all the junkies hang out. If I were an investor I'd be looking at McPherson square, it's right on the El, really a good location for commuting to center city. The junkies in the park won't be there forever.

 

[tboyer]

Now if they could get a handle on the violence AND FIX SOME OF THE FREAKING STREETS so they are driveable that would be a big help.

The streets are horrible. Driving in Philly is worse than I can ever remember, partly because there is construction everywhere. Seems like half the streets in Center City are blocked on any given day because of all the construction. Plus, the water and sewer lines in the older part of the city go back 100 years, and they are wearing out. When houses get renovated, they often replace the replace the connections so just about every block is full of patches. When you have to get in your car -- that is the worst thing about living here.

 

[BBrown]

The streets are horrible. Driving in Philly is worse than I can ever remember, partly because there is construction everywhere. Seems like half the streets in Center City are blocked on any given day because of all the construction. Plus, the water and sewer lines in the older part of the city go back 100 years, and they are wearing out. When houses get renovated, they often replace the replace the connections so just about every block is full of patches. When you have to get in your car -- that is the worst thing about living here.

I meant the streets of Baltimore mostly monument and Maddison but yes I thought the same thing about philly streets too.