Gilberton, Pennsylvania

Gilberton is a borough in Schuylkill County, Pennsylvania, four miles (7 km) west by south of Mahanoy City. Its population was 769 at the 2010 census, a decline from 867 in 2000.[3] Extensive deposits of anthracite coal are in the region, and coal-mining had been practiced by many of the 4,373 people who lived there in 1900. The coal-mining industry was thriving in 1910, and 5,401 people lived in Gilberton.

Gilberton, Pennsylvania
Borough
Continental Hose Co. #3 in Gilberton.
Location of Gilberton in Schuylkill County, Pennsylvania.
Gilberton Location in Pennsylvania Show map of Pennsylvania Gilberton Gilberton (the United States) Show map of the United States
Coordinates: 40°47′51″N 76°13′33″W
Country	United States
State	Pennsylvania
County	Schuylkill
Incorporated	1873
Government
• Type	Borough Council
Area [1]
• Total	1.45 sq mi (3.76 km^2)
• Land	1.42 sq mi (3.68 km^2)
• Water	0.03 sq mi (0.09 km^2)
Elevation	1,132 ft (345 m)
Population  (2010)
• Total	769
• Estimate  (2019)[2]	723
• Density	509.51/sq mi (196.66/km^2)
Time zone	UTC-5 (Eastern (EST))
• Summer (DST)	UTC-4 (EDT)
ZIP code	17934
Area code(s)	570 Exchange: 874
FIPS code	42-29088

History

Gilberton is named for John Gilbert, a coal mine owner.[4]

Geography

Gilberton is located at 40°47′51″N 76°13′33″W (40.797496, -76.225781).[3] According to the United States Census Bureau, the borough has a total area of 1.5 square miles (3.9 km²), of which, 1.4 square miles (3.6 km²) of it is land and 0.04 square miles (0.10 km²) of it (2.74%) is water.

The borough is made up of three small villages, Mahanoy Plane, Maizeville and Gilberton proper.

Demographics

Historical population
Census	Pop.		%±
1880	3,098		—
1890	3,687		19.0%
1900	4,373		18.6%
1910	5,401		23.5%
1920	4,766		−11.8%
1930	4,227		−11.3%
1940	3,710		−12.2%
1950	2,641		−28.8%
1960	1,712		−35.2%
1970	1,293		−24.5%
1980	1,096		−15.2%
1990	953		−13.0%
2000	867		−9.0%
2010	769		−11.3%
Est. 2019	723	[2]	−6.0%
Sources:[5][6][7]

As of the census[6] of 2000, there were 867 people, 385 households, and 219 families residing in the borough. The population density was 608.3 people per square mile (234.1/km²). There were 474 housing units at an average density of 332.6 per square mile (128.0/km²). The racial makeup of the borough was 97.92% White, 0.35% Native American, 1.61% Asian, and 0.12% from two or more races. Hispanic or Latino of any race were 0.35% of the population.

There were 385 households out of which 23.6% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 42.3% were married couples living together, 10.9% had a female householder with no husband present, and 43.1% were non-families. 40.3% of all households were made up of individuals and 22.3% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.25 and the average family size was 3.10.

In the borough the population was spread out with 21.8% under the age of 18, 6.8% from 18 to 24, 29.3% from 25 to 44, 22.6% from 45 to 64, and 19.5% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 40 years. For every 100 females, there were 100.2 males. For every 100 women age 18 and over, there were 98.2 men.

The median income for a household in the borough was $24,792, and the median income for a family was $34,500. Males had a median income of $27,875 versus $21,000 for females. The per capita income for the borough was $14,785. About 9.5% of families and 10.6% of the population were below the poverty line, including 12.4% of those under age 18 and 7.7% of those age 65 or over.

Gilberton Coal Company

Gilberton Coal Company was founded in 1940 by John B. Rich. It is located on eastern edge of the borough on Gilberton Rd. and is still in operation.[8]

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Gallery

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  United Methodist Church in Gilberton.
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  Main Street of Maizeville (PA 54).
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  Naspinsky's Bar in Mahanoy Plane.
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  Mahanoy Creek in Mahanoy Plane.

References

1. "2019 U.S. Gazetteer Files". United States Census Bureau. Retrieved July 28, 2020.
2. "Population and Housing Unit Estimates". United States Census Bureau. May 24, 2020. Retrieved May 27, 2020.
3. "US Gazetteer files: 2010, 2000, and 1990". United States Census Bureau. 2011-02-12. Retrieved 2011-04-23.
4. Gannett, Henry (1905). The Origin of Certain Place Names in the United States. Govt. Print. Off. pp. 137.
5. "Census of Population and Housing". U.S. Census Bureau. Retrieved 11 December 2013.
6. "U.S. Census website". United States Census Bureau. Retrieved 2008-01-31.
7. "Incorporated Places and Minor Civil Divisions Datasets: Subcounty Resident Population Estimates: April 1, 2010 to July 1, 2012". Population Estimates. U.S. Census Bureau. Archived from the original on 29 November 2013. Retrieved 11 December 2013.
8. The Rich Family of Companies. Gilberton Coal Company