Lawrence County

History

Lawrence County was created on March 20, 1849, from parts of Beaver and Mercer counties due to the rapid growth of New Castle, which was primarily in Mercer County but was rapidly expanding into Beaver County. The former borders between Beaver and Mercer Counties are still evident in Lawrence County today, as the northern borders of North Beaver Township, Shenango Township, and Slippery Rock Township with (respectively) the southern borders of Mahoning Township, Hickory Township, and Scott Township make up the former boundaries between Beaver and Mercer Counties. In addition, County Line Road in New Castle where the Lawrence County Courthouse is located also marks the former boundaries.

The county was named after the flagship of Commodore Oliver Hazard Perry, the USS Lawrence, which was disabled in the September 10, 1813 Battle of Lake Erie during the War of 1812. The ship's complement included local raw recruits. That niagara-class brig (more correctly: snow) was itself a namesake, of Perry's friend and naval officer James Lawrence, who died during the War of 1812.

Lawrence County Flag

In August 1981, county commissioner Paul L. Tanner proposed the creation of a flag for Lawrence County as well as a flag for each of the county's 27 municipalities These were to be displayed at the courthouse. Over the next few months, flags for Perry Township, New Beaver Borough, and Wampum Borough were presented to the commissioners

On January 12, 1982, commissioner chairman, Frank A. Vitril, announced a county flag design contest and asked residents of Lawrence County to submit entries on an 8.5 by 11 inch sheet of paper with their name, address, and telephone number on an attached sheet of paper. The winner would receive $100 prize contributed in equal parts from the county commissioners and would not come from taxpayers. They also announced the formation of a committee, coordinated by the Lawrence County Planning Commission, to select the winner. The commissioners said in a statement, "As public officials, we are aware of the need to generate public spirit and interest in the affairs of local government. The promotion of a county flag will enable interested citizens (schools, art groups, etc.) of Lawrence County participation in an historic event."

The winning flag was announced on June 4, 1982, and a ceremony was held at the courthouse on June 15, 1982, in observance of Flag Day, as the courthouse was closed on June 14. Rosemary Ann Marino, a commercial artist from New Castle, submitted several designs and her winning entry was one of 43 designs submitted by 15 individuals. The design depicts the shape of Lawrence County in green and edged with gold off-center on a white background with the words "Lawrence County, Pennsylvania" emblazoned on the bottom. The center logo features a shaft of wheat, symbolizing prosperity, against a background of rolling farmlands on the left and waves of water on the right. Marino received a check for $100 at a ceremony at the courthouse as well as a telegraph from Governor Dick Thornburgh who congratulated Lawrence County on its new flag.

A painting of the design was revealed at the ceremony and was painted on masonite by Harry Broschart, who was on the flag selection committee. He and other committee members, Dominic Caminite and former director of arts and crafts at West Side Community Center, Virginia Rankin, gave the award presentations. Honorable mentions included a covered bridge design by Grayce D. Sharek, a blue and gold circular design stating "Lawrence County, Government for the People, founded 1849" by Betty Stone, an outline of the courthouse against a red keystone on a blue background by Steve T. Grala, and a two-tone green flag with an outline of the county by James E. Hamilton. Entries were judged based on originality, creativity, theme, clarity, and design.

Geography

According to the U.S. Census Bureau, the county has a total area of 363 square miles (940 km2), of which 358 square miles (930 km2) is land and 4.5 square miles (12 km2) (1.3%) is water. Major waterways are the Shenango River, Neshannock Creek and the Mahoning River which form the Beaver River. Also, the Slippery Rock Creek and Connoquenessing Creak empty into the Beaver River. Lawrence County is one of the 423 counties served by the Appalachian Regional Commission, and it is identified as part of the "Midlands" by Colin Woodard in his book American Nations: A History of the Eleven Rival Regional Cultures of North America.

Climate

Lawrence County has a hot-summer humid continental climate (Dfa). Average monthly temperatures in New Castle range from 27.7 °F in January to 72.2 °F in July.

Adjacent counties

Mercer County (north)

Butler County (east)

Beaver County (south)

Columbiana County, Ohio (southwest)

Mahoning County, Ohio (west)

Demographics

2020 census

As of the 2020 census, the county had a population of 86,070. The median age was 45.5 years. 19.8% of residents were under the age of 18 and 22.7% of residents were 65 years of age or older. For every 100 females there were 94.8 males, and for every 100 females age 18 and over there were 93.1 males age 18 and over.

The racial makeup of the county was 88.7% White, 4.3% Black or African American, 0.1% American Indian and Alaska Native, 0.4% Asian, <0.1% Native Hawaiian and Pacific Islander, 0.8% from some other race, and 5.8% from two or more races. Hispanic or Latino residents of any race comprised 1.9% of the population.

57.6% of residents lived in urban areas, while 42.4% lived in rural areas.

There were 35,939 households in the county, of which 25.5% had children under the age of 18 living in them. Of all households, 46.3% were married-couple households, 18.9% were households with a male householder and no spouse or partner present, and 27.9% were households with a female householder and no spouse or partner present. About 30.6% of all households were made up of individuals and 15.5% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older.

There were 39,492 housing units, of which 9.0% were vacant. Among occupied housing units, 73.6% were owner-occupied and 26.4% were renter-occupied. The homeowner vacancy rate was 1.9% and the rental vacancy rate was 8.2%.

2000 census

As of the 2000 census there were 94,643 people, 37,091 households, and 25,889 families residing in the county. The population density was 263 inhabitants per square mile (102/km2). There were 39,635 housing units at an average density of 110 units per square mile (42/km2). The racial makeup of the county was 94.98% White, 3.61% Black or African American, 0.10% Native American, 0.27% Asian, 0.01% Pacific Islander, 0.19% from other races, and 0.84% from two or more races. 0.56% of the population were Hispanic or Latino of any race. 34.2% English or Welsh, 14.6% were of Italian, 12.4% American, 9.0% German, 8.1% Irish, and 6.8% Scotch-Irish, 2.5% Polish, and 1.9% African ancestry.

There were 37,091 households, out of which 28.80% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 54.50% were married couples living together, 11.50% had a female householder with no husband present, and 30.20% were non-families. 27.00% of all households were made up of individuals, and 14.40% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.47 and the average family size was 3.00.

In the county, the population was spread out, with 23.10% under the age of 18, 8.30% from 18 to 24, 25.70% from 25 to 44, 23.60% from 45 to 64, and 19.30% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 40 years. For every 100 females, there were 90.60 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 86.90 males.

Micropolitan Statistical Area

The United States Office of Management and Budget has designated Lawrence County as the New Castle, PA Micropolitan Statistical Area (MSA). As of the 2010 U.S. census the micropolitan area ranked 3rd most populous in the State of Pennsylvania and the 48th most populous in the United States with a population of 91,108. Lawrence County is also a part of the Pittsburgh–New Castle–Weirton combined statistical area (CSA), which combines the population of Lawrence, and Allegheny, Armstrong, Beaver, Butler, Fayette, Indiana, Washington, and Westmoreland Counties in Pennsylvania. In West Virginia, the counties included are Brooke and Hancock. And in Ohio, Jefferson County. The combined statistical area ranked the fourth most populous in Pennsylvania and 20th most populous in the U.S. with a population of 2,660,727.

Government and politics

Voter registration

As of June 30, 2025, there are 57,172 registered voters in Lawrence County. Republicans hold a majority of voters. There were 29,982 registered Republicans, 19,890 registered Democrats, 5,348 registered non-affiliated voters, and 1,952 voters registered to other parties.

County commissioners

Lawrence County is administered by a three-member publicly elected commission. Each commissioner serves in four-year terms. Elections occur in the odd-numbered years that precede U.S. presidential elections. All three Commissioners are chosen in the same election, and voters may vote for no more than two of the candidates. By state law, the commission must have a minority party guaranteeing a political split on the commission. The Commissioners are responsible for the management of the fiscal and administrative functions of the county.

Education

Colleges and universities

Westminster College - New Wilmington

Community, junior, and technical colleges

Butler Community College Lawrence Crossing Campus

Public school districts

Blackhawk School District (part)

Ellwood City Area School District (part)

Laurel School District

Mohawk Area School District

Neshannock Township School District

New Castle Area School District

Shenango School District

Union Area School District

Wilmington Area School District (part)

Tech schools

Lawrence County Career Technology Center - Shenango Township

New Castle School of Trades - Union Township

Private schools

Per data provided at Pennsylvania EdNA

Libraries

Ellwood City Area Public Library

F D Campbell Memorial Library - Bessemer

Lawrence County Federated Library System - New Castle

New Castle Public Library

Transportation

Airports

New Castle Municipal Airport

Public transit

New Castle Area Transit Authority

Recreation

Parks

Cascade Park (New Castle)

Ewing Park (Ellwood City)

Gaston Park (New Castle)

McConnells Mill State Park (Slippery Rock Twp)

Pearson Park (Neshannock Twp)

West Park Nature Center (Union Twp)

Marti Park

New Wilmington Borough Park

State game lands

SGL 148 (New Beaver)

SGL 150 (Pulaski Twp)

SGL 151 (Washington Twp near Volant)

SGL 178 (Neshannock Twp north of New Castle)

SGL 216 (Scott Twp near Harlansburg)

Trails

North Country Trail (entire trail)

North Country Trail (local)

Stavich Bike Trail

Neshannock Creek Trail

Communities

Under Pennsylvania law, there are four types of incorporated municipalities: cities, boroughs, townships, and, in at most two cases, towns. The following cities, boroughs and townships are located in Lawrence County:

Cities

New Castle (county seat)

Census-designated places

Census-designated places are geographical areas designated by the U.S. Census Bureau for the purposes of compiling demographic data. They are not actual jurisdictions under Pennsylvania law. Other unincorporated communities, such as villages, may be listed here as well.

Chewton

Frizzleburg

Mount Jackson

New Bedford

New Castle Northwest

Oakland

Oakwood

West Pittsburg

Unincorporated communities

Various unincorporated communities that lie within and are part of official municipalities.

Former community

Big Beaver Borough became a borough on March 7, 1958. Until that date, it was known as Big Beaver Township, which was formed in 1802 when South Beaver Township was divided. In 1849, when Lawrence County was created, the new county line split Big Beaver leaving a township of that name in each county. Big Beaver in Lawrence County is now known as New Beaver Borough.

South New Castle Borough became a borough on April 1, 1901. It was annexed by Shenango Township on January 1, 2026.

Population ranking

The population ranking of the following table is based on the 2010 census of Lawrence County.

† county seat

Notable people

W. Thomas Andrews – former Pennsylvania state senator

Joseph Baldwin – educator

Charlie Bennett – Major League Baseball catcher for four teams

John Blangero – human geneticist; highly cited scientist in the field of complex disease genetics

Charles Joseph Carter – magician

George Chip – middleweight boxing champion of the world from 1913 to 1914

William C. Chip – Major general, USMC, son of George Chip

Ben Ciccone – NFL player for the Pittsburgh Steelers

Ralph J. Cicerone – scientist, president of the National Academy of Sciences

Bruce Clark – professional football player with the New Orleans Saints and Kansas City Chiefs and Penn State All-American

Jack Cole – cartoonist and creator of the superhero Plastic Man

Paul Cuba – American football player

Nick DeCarbo – NFL player

Matt DeSalvo – Major League Baseball starting pitcher with the Florida Marlins and formerly the New York Yankees and Atlanta Braves

Darrell Dess – former football player for the Pittsburgh Steelers, the New York Giants, and the Washington Redskins