Cameron County is a county in the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania. As of the 2020 census, the population was 4,547, making it Pennsylvania's least populous county. Its county seat is Emporium. The county was created on March 29, 1860, from parts of Clinton, Elk, McKean, and Potter Counties. It is named for Senator Simon Cameron. The county is part of the North Central Pennsylvania region of the state.

Geography

According to the U.S. Census Bureau, the county has a total area of 398.4 sqmi, of which 396.2 sqmi is land and 2.2 sqmi (0.5%) is water. It has a warm-summer humid continental climate (Dfb) and average monthly temperatures in Emporium range from 24.2 °F in January to 69.3 °F in July, while in Driftwood they range from 24.9 °F in January to 69.9 °F in July.

Adjacent counties

Major roads

Cameron County is the only county in the state of Pennsylvania to not be crossed by either an interstate or U.S. Route.

Demographics

As of the 2000 census, there were 5,974 people, 2,465 households, and 1,624 families residing in the county. The population density was 15 /mi2. There were 4,592 housing units at an average density of 12 /mi2. The racial makeup of the county was 98.83% White, 0.35% Black or African American, 0.13% Native American, 0.12% Asian, 0.05% Pacific Islander, 0.05% from other races, and 0.47% from two or more races. 0.57% of the population were Hispanic or Latino of any race. 33.5% were of German, 15.7% Irish, 14.5% American, 13.1% Italian, 9.2% English and 5.7% Polish ancestry. There were 2,465 households, out of which 27.70% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 52.40% were married couples living together, 9.20% had a female householder with no husband present, and 34.10% were non-families. 30.10% of all households were made up of individuals, and 15.40% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.39 and the average family size was 2.96. In the county, the population was spread out, with 24.50% under the age of 18, 6.00% from 18 to 24, 24.90% from 25 to 44, 24.80% from 45 to 64, and 19.80% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 41 years. For every 100 females there were 96.60 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 94.60 males.

2020 census

Law and government

Voter registration

As of February 7, 2024, there are 2,931 registered voters in Cameron County.

Law enforcement

all areas in the county use the Pennsylvania State Police (PSP) in a law enforcement capacity, either with part-time police departments or with no other police departments.

County-row offices

State senate

State House of Representatives

United States House of Representatives

United States Senate

Education

There is a single K-12 school district, Cameron County School District.

Recreation

There are three Pennsylvania state parks that are partly in Cameron County. The West Creek Rail Trail has been built on the abandoned rail corridor between Emporium and St. Mary's in Elk County. It provides a paved surface with guard rails and is suitable for hiking or biking in the warm seasons or snowmobiling in winter. The Fred Woods Trail offers a 4.57 mile loop of blazed trail with scenic valley views and a challenging section running through unique rock formations. The trailhead is accessed off Mason Hill Road above Driftwood, PA.

Communities

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

Boroughs

Townships

Census-designated place

Population ranking

The population ranking of the following table is based on the 2010 census of Cameron County. † county seat

Notable people