Leechburg is a

borough A borough is an administrative division in various English-speaking countries. In principle, the term ''borough'' designates a self-governing walled town, although in practice, official use of the term varies widely. History In the Middle A ...

in southern Armstrong County in the

U.S. state In the United States, a state is a constituent political entity, of which there are 50. Bound together in a political union, each state holds governmental jurisdiction over a separate and defined geographic territory where it shares its sove ...

Pennsylvania Pennsylvania (; ( Pennsylvania Dutch: )), officially the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania, is a state spanning the Mid-Atlantic, Northeastern, Appalachian, and Great Lakes regions of the United States. It borders Delaware to its southeast, ...

, northeast of

Pittsburgh Pittsburgh ( ) is a city in the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania, United States, and the county seat of Allegheny County. It is the most populous city in both Allegheny County and Western Pennsylvania, the second-most populous city in Pennsylva ...

. A population of 2,149 residents live within the borough limits as of the 2020 census, according to

US Census Bureau The United States Census Bureau (USCB), officially the Bureau of the Census, is a principal agency of the U.S. Federal Statistical System, responsible for producing data about the American people and economy. The Census Bureau is part of the ...

. Leechburg was founded by David Leech, for whom it was named, and was incorporated as a borough in 1850. Located along the

Kiskiminetas River The Kiskiminetas River (commonly referred to as the Kiski by locals) is a tributary of the Allegheny River, approximately long, in Western Pennsylvania in the United States. The region stretching from the northern side of Harmar Township, Pennsy ...

, Leechburg was a major port of the Pennsylvania Canal. Early in the 20th century, it was the site of extensive steel sheet works, foundries, cement plants, and productive coal mines. Leechburg was the first place where

natural gas Natural gas (also called fossil gas or simply gas) is a naturally occurring mixture of gaseous hydrocarbons consisting primarily of methane in addition to various smaller amounts of other higher alkanes. Low levels of trace gases like carbo ...

was used for industrial purposes.

Local government

Leechburg is governed by a Mayor and Council. Current officials and when their terms expire are: Mayor: Tony Roppolo (D) 2023 Council: Tom Foster (D), President 2023 Chuck Pascal (D), Vice President 2025 Lorrie Bazella (R) 2025 John Mrvan (R) 2025 Doreen Smeal (D) 2023 Alan Tarr (D) 2025 D.J. Zelczak (R) 2023

Federal and state representatives

Leechburg is in Pennsylvania's 15th Congressional District, represented in Congress by Rep. Glenn Thompson (R). At the state level, Leechburg is in the 41st Senatorial District, represented by State Senator Joe Pittman (R), and in the 60th Legislative District, represented by Rep. Abby Major (R).

Geography

Leechburg is located at (40.629304, -79.603727). Elevations range from to above sea level. According to the

United States Census Bureau The United States Census Bureau (USCB), officially the Bureau of the Census, is a principal agency of the U.S. Federal Statistical System, responsible for producing data about the American people and economy. The Census Bureau is part of t ...

, the borough has a total area of , of which is land and , or 8.62%, is water. The town is bordered by the

to the south, on the border of Westmoreland County, and Gilpin Township to the north.

Demographics

As of the

census A census is the procedure of systematically acquiring, recording and calculating information about the members of a given population. This term is used mostly in connection with national population and housing censuses; other common censuses in ...

of 2000, there were 2,386 people, 1,109 households, and 645 families residing in the borough. The

population density Population density (in agriculture: Stock (disambiguation), standing stock or plant density) is a measurement of population per unit land area. It is mostly applied to humans, but sometimes to other living organisms too. It is a key geographical ...

was 5,320.9 people per square mile (2,047.2/km²). There were 1,193 housing units at an average density of 2,660.5 per square mile (1,023.6/km²). The racial makeup of the borough was 97.53%

White White is the lightest color and is achromatic (having no hue). It is the color of objects such as snow, chalk, and milk, and is the opposite of black. White objects fully reflect and scatter all the visible wavelengths of light. White o ...

, 1.26%

African American African Americans (also referred to as Black Americans and Afro-Americans) are an ethnic group consisting of Americans with partial or total ancestry from sub-Saharan Africa. The term "African American" generally denotes descendants of ens ...

, 0.04% Native American, 0.17% Asian, 0.04% from

other races Other often refers to: * Other (philosophy), a concept in psychology and philosophy Other or The Other may also refer to: Film and television * ''The Other'' (1913 film), a German silent film directed by Max Mack * ''The Other'' (1930 film), a ...

, and 0.96% from two or more races.

Hispanic The term ''Hispanic'' ( es, hispano) refers to people, cultures, or countries related to Spain, the Spanish language, or Hispanidad. The term commonly applies to countries with a cultural and historical link to Spain and to viceroyalties forme ...

Latino Latino or Latinos most often refers to: * Latino (demonym), a term used in the United States for people with cultural ties to Latin America * Hispanic and Latino Americans in the United States * The people or cultures of Latin America; ** Latin A ...

of any race were 0.67% of the population. There were 1,109 households, out of which 23.4% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 43.2% were married couples living together, 10.7% had a female householder with no husband present, and 41.8% were non-families. 39.1% of all households were made up of individuals, and 23.1% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.14 and the average family size was 2.85. The borough median age of 43 years was significantly more than the county median age of 40 years. The distribution by age group was 21.1% under the age of 18, 6.4% from 18 to 24, 26.2% from 25 to 44, 22.5% from 45 to 64, and 23.7% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 43 years. For every 100 females, there were 83.7 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 78.5 males. According to the

, in 2012 the median household income in the borough was $35,682 and the median family income was $45,563. 17.8% of the population, 14.4% of families, 29.3% of children, and 8.8% of those 65 or older had income below the poverty level.

History

Leechburg was founded in 1850 by David Leech. Prior to 1850, the settlement was known as White Plains. David Leech purchased the land from a local Native American known as White Maddock.

Notable people

* John Phillips, U.S. Ambassador to Italy *

Mickey Morandini Michael Robert "Mickey" Morandini (born April 22, 1966), is an American former professional baseball second baseman and coach, who played in Major League Baseball (MLB) for the Philadelphia Phillies, Chicago Cubs, and Toronto Blue Jays. His car ...

, Olympic athlete and All-Star MLB second baseman * Alex Kroll, professional football player and CEO of Young & Rubicam * Joseph Grant Beale, Member of Congress and industrialist * Larry J. Kulick, current Bishop of the Diocese of Greensburg

Education

The children of Leechburg are educated by the Leechburg Area School District. The school district consists of Leechburg, Gilpin Township and West Leechburg Borough.

Cemeteries

*Leechburg Cemetery

References

External links

*
Leechburg Area Museum and Historical Society
{{authority control Populated places established in 1832 Pittsburgh metropolitan area Boroughs in Armstrong County, Pennsylvania 1850 establishments in Pennsylvania