Clairton is a city located in Allegheny County, Pennsylvania, along the Monongahela River. As of the 2000 census, the city had a total population of 8,491. The city was the setting for the movie The Deer Hunter (1978). It also is home to Clairton Works the largest coke manufacturing facility in the United States.
Clairton is located at 40°17'47" North, 79°53'14" West (40.296419, -79.887090).
According to the United States Census Bureau, the city has a total area of 7.8 km2 (3.0 mi2). 7.1 km2 (2.8 mi2) of it is land and 0.6 km2 (0.2 mi2) of it is water. The total area is 8.31% water.
As of the census of 2000, there are 8,491 people, 3,710 households, and 2,203 families residing in the city. The population density is 1,187.8/km2 (3,072.3/mi2). There are 4,350 housing units at an average density of 608.5/km2 (1,573.9/mi2). The racial makeup of the city is 69.12% White, 28.32% African American, 0.11% Native American, 0.16% Asian, 0.00% Pacific Islander, 0.28% from other races, and 2.00% from two or more races. 0.73% of the population are Hispanic or Latino of any race.
There are 3,710 households out of which 23.6% have children under the age of 18 living with them, 34.3% are married couples living together, 19.8% have a female householder with no husband present, and 40.6% are non-families. 36.4% of all households are made up of individuals and 18.5% have someone living alone who is 65 years of age or older. The average household size is 2.25 and the average family size is 2.92.
In the city the population is spread out with 22.1% under the age of 18, 7.2% from 18 to 24, 25.0% from 25 to 44, 21.6% from 45 to 64, and 24.0% who are 65 years of age or older. The median age is 42 years. For every 100 females there are 83.7 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there are 78.3 males.
The median income for a household in the city is $25,596, and the median income for a family is $31,539. Males have a median income of $29,399 versus $21,743 for females. The per capita income for the city is $14,608. 19.5% of the population and 15.4% of families are below the poverty line. Out of the total population, 32.9% of those under the age of 18 and 14.0% of those 65 and older are living below the poverty line.
Clairton's existence began when the United States Steel Company acquired the town's site just after the turn of the century as a location for an integrated steel mill. The site had more than a thousand acres of level land suitable for a large industrial complex. In January of 1922, the City of Clairton was incorporated as a City of the Third Class with a population of approximately 11,000. This incorporation was prompted by industry, which was taxed by the three boroughs -Clairton, Wilson and North Clairton - which were chartered separately prior to the incorporation of the City of Clairton.
During the next several decades, growth and advancement indicated a thriving city. As the steel mill expanded, the population of Clairton grew. Clairton took on a life of its own, including a business district and educational, religious, and cultural facilities. However, with the decline of the steel industry in the early 1980's, Clairton began to experience severe problems in its employment and tax base, which spurred a major economic shock to the community.
In 1988, the City of Clairton was designated as a distressed municipality by the Commonwealth's Department of Community Affairs (DCA). Pursuant to Act 47 of 1987 (the Financially Distressed Municipalities Act), DCA commissioned the development of a recovery plan for Clairton. (Steel Valley Council of Governments- City of Claiton)-http://users.adelphia.net/~svcog/Clairton.html
Source:
ClairtonPennsylvania.com
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