U.S. Census figures released yesterday show the population dropped in 44 of Pennsylvania’s 67 counties between 2010 and 2020, and Indiana County suffered one of the largest losses, by number of people and by percentage of population.
The state’s population grew in the last ten years, but because the population of other states outperformed Pennsylvania, we lost one congressional seat, down to 18. Indiana County’s population count was 83,246, compared to 88,880 in 2010. That’s a drop of 5,634 people, or 6.3 percent. It’s the 12th highest loss of population in the state by percentage and the 6th largest drop by total number of people.
All of Indiana County’s neighbors suffered population losses in the new census count. Westmoreland and Cambria counties each lost more than 10,000 people; Armstrong more than 3,300; Clearfield lost almost 1,100; Jefferson fell by 1.6 percent.
Only three counties in western Pennsylvania, Allegheny, Butler, and Washington, grew in population. Cumberland County, which grew by more than 24,000 people, led the state with a 10.2 percent increase since 2010.
The census figures will be used to redraw Pennsylvania’s congressional and legislative maps.
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