Erie is a city located in Erie County, Pennsylvania, on Lake Erie. As of the
2000 census, the city had a total population of 103,717. It is the county
seat of Erie County6.
As of 2004, the city's largest single employer is the railroad locomotive
builder GE Transportation Systems. The plastics industry also employs a
large number, but spread among a number of companies.
Geography
Erie is located at 42°6'52" North, 80°4'34" West (42.114507, -80.076213).
According to the United States Census Bureau, the city has a total area of
72.5 km˛ (28.0 mi˛). 56.9 km˛ (22.0 mi˛) of it is land and 15.6 km˛ (6.0 mi˛)
of it is water. The total area is 21.54% water.
Demographics
As of the census of 2000, there are 103,717 people, 40,938 households, and
24,480 families residing in the city. The population density is 1,823.6/km˛
(4,722.9/mi˛). There are 44,971 housing units at an average density of
790.7/km˛ (2,047.8/mi˛). The racial makeup of the city is 80.56% White,
14.20% African American, 0.22% Native American, 0.75% Asian, 0.04% Pacific
Islander, 1.92% from other races, and 2.32% from two or more races. 4.41% of
the population are Hispanic or Latino of any race.
There are 40,938 households out of which 29.2% have children under the age
of 18 living with them, 38.2% are married couples living together, 16.8%
have a female householder with no husband present, and 40.2% are non-families.
33.4% of all households are made up of individuals and 13.3% have someone
living alone who is 65 years of age or older. The average household size is
2.39 and the average family size is 3.08.
In the city the population is spread out with 25.4% under the age of 18,
11.6% from 18 to 24, 28.5% from 25 to 44, 19.2% from 45 to 64, and 15.4% who
are 65 years of age or older. The median age is 34 years. For every 100
females there are 90.8 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there
are 86.2 males.
The median income for a household in the city is $28,387, and the median
income for a family is $36,446. Males have a median income of $30,714 versus
$21,828 for females. The per capita income for the city is $14,972. 18.8% of
the population and 13.8% of families are below the poverty line. Out of the
total people living in poverty, 27.0% are under the age of 18 and 10.3% are
65 or older.
