Elk County, Pennsylvania

Founding: 1843
Parent counties: Clearfield, Jefferson, and McKean

Namesake: The eastern elk, a species once common in the region
Seat: Ridgway (1843–)

Land area: 827 square miles

Population (2020): 30,990

Population (historic): 3,531 (1850); 8,488 (1870); 32,903 (1900); 33,431 (1930)

Periods of population growth: pre-1850–1900; 1950s

Subdivisions: One city; two boroughs; six CDPs; nine townships

Pre-1940 residences (estimated): 5,271 (29.8%)
Pre-1940 housing survival rate: 70.5%
Pre-1860 housing survival rate (1940): 8.2%

Farm housing in disrepair (1950): 13.4%

Nonfarm housing in disrepair (1950): 7.6%
Average farmhouse value (1930): $1,648
Average outbuilding value (1930): $1,335
Average farmhouse size (1940): 6.9 rooms
Number of farms (1920): 856
Average farm size (1920): 33.6 acres
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Ridgway

Namesake: Jacob Ridgway, Philadelphia businessman

Founding: 1824 (platting); 1868 (post office); 1881 (incorporation)

Population (2020): 4,039

Population (historic): 1,100 (1880); 3,515 (1900); 6,313 (1930)

Periods of population growth: pre-1880–1930; 1950s
Pre-1940 residences (estimated): 1,247 (59.8%)
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Outstanding Buildings

1. Bonifels / Norman Arnold Estate (1898). 230 Bonifels Lane. Ridgway. Romanesque/Classical Revival.

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