Nicholson, Pennsylvania

Coordinates: 41°37′30″N 75°46′59″W / 41.62500°N 75.78306°W / 41.62500; -75.78306
From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
Borough of Nicholson
Aerial view of Nicholson and Tunkhannock Viaduct
Aerial view of Nicholson and Tunkhannock Viaduct
Motto: 
Population 1,000. Hospitality for 1,000,000
Location of Nicholson in Wyoming County, Pennsylvania
Location of Nicholson in Wyoming County, Pennsylvania
Nicholson is located in Pennsylvania
Nicholson
Nicholson
Location of Nicholson in Pennsylvania
Nicholson is located in the United States
Nicholson
Nicholson
Nicholson (the United States)
Coordinates: 41°37′30″N 75°46′59″W / 41.62500°N 75.78306°W / 41.62500; -75.78306
CountryUnited States
StatePennsylvania
CountyWyoming
FoundedAugust 23, 1875
Government
 • MayorCharles H. Litwin Jr.
 • Council PresidentDawn Bell
Area
 • Total1.17 sq mi (3.04 km2)
 • Land1.16 sq mi (3.00 km2)
 • Water0.02 sq mi (0.04 km2)
Elevation
728 ft (222 m)
Population
 • Total696
 • Density601.04/sq mi (231.99/km2)
Time zoneUTC-5 (EST)
 • Summer (DST)UTC-4 (EDT)
ZIP Code
18446
Area code570
FIPS code42-54400
Websitewww.nicholsonborough.org

Nicholson is a borough in Wyoming County, Pennsylvania. The population was 698 at the 2020 census.[3]

History[edit]

The borough of Nicholson was incorporated on August 23, 1875 and was named after John Nicholson, who had been Pennsylvania's comptroller general in the late 1700s.[4]

The town of Nicholson attracted national attention during the final week of July 1986, when an escaped Bengal tiger was hunted in the area for several days.[5] Despite air and ground searches by state police and zoo officials, the animal was never found.[6][7]

Geography[edit]

Nicholson is located at 41°37′30″N 75°46′59″W / 41.62500°N 75.78306°W / 41.62500; -75.78306 (41.624983, -75.783054).[8] According to the U.S. Census Bureau, the borough has a total area of 1.2 square miles (3.1 km2), of which 1.2 square miles (3.1 km2) is land and 0.01 square miles (0.026 km2) (0.83%) is water.

Demographics[edit]

Historical population
CensusPop.Note
1880586
189073425.3%
190089321.7%
1910852−4.6%
1920842−1.2%
193093210.7%
1940731−21.6%
1950569−22.2%
196068620.6%
197087727.8%
19809457.8%
1990857−9.3%
2000713−16.8%
20107677.6%
2020698−9.0%
2021 (est.)697[3]−0.1%
Sources:[9][10][11][2]

As of the census[12] of 2010, there were 767 people, 302 households, and 195 families residing in the borough. The population density was 639.2 inhabitants per square mile (246.8/km2). There were 343 housing units at an average density of 285.8 per square mile (110.3/km2). The racial makeup of the borough was 97% White, 0.1% African American, 0.1% Native American, 0.1% Pacific Islander, 0.1% some other race, and 2.5% from two or more races. Hispanic or Latino of any race were 1.4% of the population.

There were 302 households, out of which 29.1% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 48.7% were married couples living together, 11.3% had a female householder with no husband present, and 35.4% were non-families. 28.5% of all households were made up of individuals, and 16.9% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.54 and the average family size was 3.15.

In the borough, the population was spread out, with 25% under the age of 18, 58.3% from 18 to 64, and 16.7% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 37 years.

The median income for a household in the borough was $38,650, and the median income for a family was $40,833. Males had a median income of $38,889 versus $27,813 for females. The per capita income for the borough was $21,449. About 24% of families and 24.8% of the population were below the poverty line, including 41% of those under age 18 and 10.5% of those age 65 or over.

Government[edit]

The town has a weak mayor - strong council form of government.

Mayor[edit]

Charles Litwin Jr. Republican

Council[edit]

Council Member Term Expires Party
Nathan Harpster 2025 Democratic
John Kiryluk 2025 Republican
John Decker 2025 Republican
Albert Olive 2023 Republican
Joan Irion Jenkins 2025 Republican
David Noakes 2023 Republican
John Bower 2023 Republican

Tunkhannock Viaduct[edit]

A local landmark, the Tunkhannock Viaduct, Tunkhannock Creek Viaduct or "Nicholson Bridge" has been a focal point of the Nicholson community since its completion in 1915.[13] Built by the Delaware, Lackawanna & Western Railroad between 1912 and 1915, the bridge has served many owners: DL&W, Erie Lackawanna, Conrail, Delaware & Hudson [also operated by Guilford Transportation, and New York Susquehanna & Western] before the current owner, Norfolk Southern Railway. Norfolk Southern trains operate over it daily between Binghamton and several other New York state locations, along with rail yards in Pennsylvania such as Scranton, Allentown and Harrisburg. Each year the town organizes a festival in honor of the bridge called Nicholson Bridge Day. The entire main street of the town is shut down and filled with vendors, entertainment, and more.

Notable people[edit]

References[edit]

  1. ^ "ArcGIS REST Services Directory". United States Census Bureau. Retrieved October 12, 2022.
  2. ^ a b "Census Population API". United States Census Bureau. Retrieved Oct 12, 2022.
  3. ^ a b Bureau, US Census. "City and Town Population Totals: 2020—2021". Census.gov. US Census Bureau. Retrieved August 5, 2022.
  4. ^ "Nicholson – Nicholson Heritage Association".
  5. ^ Daily Herald (Chicago) "Bengal tiger on the loose," (July 28, 1986, p7); "Tiger loose in Pennsylvania mountains?" (July 29, 1986, p3)
  6. ^ The Indiana (Pa.) Gazette "Tiger may be stray pet, caller says," (July 30, 1986, p29) "Calls, leads in Gibson tiger hunt die down," (July 31, 1986, p3)
  7. ^ Tyrone (Pa.) Daily Herald (UPI) "Was The Loose Tiger A Pet Which Finally Went Home?" (August 1, 1986, p1).
  8. ^ "US Gazetteer files: 2010, 2000, and 1990". United States Census Bureau. 2011-02-12. Retrieved 2011-04-23.
  9. ^ "Census of Population and Housing". U.S. Census Bureau. Retrieved 11 December 2013.
  10. ^ "U.S. Census website". United States Census Bureau. Retrieved 2008-01-31.
  11. ^ "Incorporated Places and Minor Civil Divisions Datasets: Subcounty Resident Population Estimates: April 1, 2010 to July 1, 2012". Population Estimates. U.S. Census Bureau. Archived from the original on 11 June 2013. Retrieved 11 December 2013.
  12. ^ "U.S. Census website". United States Census Bureau. Retrieved 2011-05-14.
  13. ^ "Tunkhannock Creek Viaduct – Nicholson Heritage Association".