Charleroi, Pennsylvania | |
|---|---|
 Overview of Charleroi from across the Monongahela River | |
 Flag  Logo | |
| Etymology:Charleroi,Belgium;Charles the King | |
| Nickname: Magic City | |
| Motto: Business Friendly | |
 Location of Charleroi in Washington County, Pennsylvania. | |
| Coordinates:40°8′17″N79°54′5″W / 40.13806°N 79.90139°W /40.13806; -79.90139 | |
| Country | United States |
| State | Pennsylvania |
| County | Washington |
| Established | 1890 |
| Named after | Charleroi, Belgium |
| Government | |
| • Council President | Paul Pervonick (D) |
| Area | |
• Total | 0.86 sq mi (2.23 km2) |
| • Land | 0.76 sq mi (1.97 km2) |
| • Water | 0.10 sq mi (0.26 km2) |
| Population | |
• Total | 4,234 |
| • Density | 5,555.5/sq mi (2,144.98/km2) |
| [3] | |
| Time zone | UTC-5 (EST) |
| • Summer (DST) | UTC-4 (EDT) |
| ZIP code | 15022 |
| Area codes | 724,878 |
| Website | www |
Charleroi (/ˈʃɑːrlərɔɪ/SHAR-lə-roy) is aborough inWashington County, Pennsylvania, United States, along theMonongahela River, 21 miles south ofPittsburgh.[4] Charleroi was settled in 1890 and incorporated in 1891.[5] The 2020 census recorded a population of 4,210.[3]
Reduced industrial activities in the region led to a decreasing population. The steel-making industry was supported by cheap transportation on theMonongahela River from upstream of Charleroi into northernWest Virginia and north as well as downstream past McKeesport to the mouth of the Monongahela in Pittsburgh.
Colloquially, the stretch from Charleroi north to McKeesport (historically because of press coverage of High School sports leagues), is known as the "Mon Valley," and has been extended by some to mean from the river mouth to northern West Virginia. Once dubbed "Magic City," Charleroi has in recent years seen a gradual revitalization of its business district.[6]
Charleroi got its name from the Belgian city ofCharleroi. ManyBelgian immigrants lived in the Monongahela area at the end of the 19th century, some of whom were glass makers.[7][8]
The Pittsburgh Plate Glass Company, nowPPG Industries, had one of its major factories located at the current chamber plaza, at one point employing up to a thousand employees, making it one of the largest glass factories in the world at the time. For years it was the home to one ofCorning Glass Companies leading employers. It is home toCorelle Brands, which makesPyrex. In celebration of the 100th anniversary of Pyrex products, Charleroi renamed itself "Pyrex, PA" for 100 days in 2015.[9]
Charleroi was home to one of the first movie theatres in the nation, the Electric Theatre at 520 McKean Avenue, which opened in October 1905 and has since[when?] been demolished. TheCharleroi Historic District,First National Bank of Charleroi andUnited States Post Office are listed on theNational Register of Historic Places.[10][11]
In 2020,Paul Magnette, mayor ofCharleroi (Belgium) visited the town that was founded by migrants from his city.[12]
Charleroi is located at40°8′17″N79°54′5″W / 40.13806°N 79.90139°W /40.13806; -79.90139 (40.138088, -79.901333).[13] According to theU.S. Census Bureau, the borough has a total area of 0.9 square miles (2.3 km2), of which 0.8 square miles (2.1 km2) is land and 0.1 square miles (0.26 km2) is water. The total area is 10.47% water.
Charleroi has four land borders, includingNorth Charleroi to the north,Speers to the southwest,Twilight to the south, andFallowfield Township to the west. Across the Monongahela River to the east, Charleroi runs adjacent withRostraver Township in Westmoreland County.
| Census | Pop. | Note | %± |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1900 | 5,930 | — | |
| 1910 | 9,615 | 62.1% | |
| 1920 | 11,516 | 19.8% | |
| 1930 | 11,260 | −2.2% | |
| 1940 | 10,784 | −4.2% | |
| 1950 | 9,872 | −8.5% | |
| 1960 | 8,148 | −17.5% | |
| 1970 | 6,723 | −17.5% | |
| 1980 | 5,717 | −15.0% | |
| 1990 | 5,014 | −12.3% | |
| 2000 | 4,871 | −2.9% | |
| 2010 | 4,120 | −15.4% | |
| 2020 | 4,234 | 2.8% | |
| 2021 (est.) | 4,210 | [3] | −0.6% |
| Sources:[14][15][16][17][2] | |||
As of thecensus[15] of 2000, there were 4,871 people, 2,258 households, and 1,208 families residing in the borough. The population density was 6,308.6 inhabitants per square mile (2,435.8/km2). There were 2,656 housing units at an average density of 3,439.9 per square mile (1,328.2/km2). The racial makeup of the borough was 95.3%White, 3.2%African American, 0.1%Native American, 0.3%Asian, 0.2% fromother races, and 0.8% from two or more races.Hispanic orLatino of any race were 0.7% of the population.
There were 2,258 households, out of which 22.3% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 35.5% weremarried couples living together, 13.37% had a female householder with no husband present, and 46.5% were non-families. 41.8% of all households were made up of individuals, and 21.9% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.11 and the average family size was 2.88.
In the borough the population was spread out, with 20.5% under the age of 18, 7.1% from 18 to 24, 27.1% from 25 to 44, 20.2% from 45 to 64, and 25.0% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 41 years. For every 100 females, there were 81.4 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 77.1 males.
The median income for a household in the borough was $23,593, and the median income for a family was $31,699. Males had a median income of $30,093 versus $23,873 for females. Theper capita income for the borough was $13,752. About 16.1% of families and 21.3% of the population were below thepoverty line, including 36.2% of those under age 18 and 13.7% of those age 65 or over.
As of thecensus[18] of 2020, there were 4,234 people residing in the borough. The racial makeup of the borough was 78.1%White, 10.6%African American, 0.1%Native American, 1.25%Asian, 1.5% fromother races, and 8.4% from two or more races.Hispanic orLatino of any race were 3.3% of the population.
By 2024, the borough received immigrants from various countries including Haiti, Jamaica, and Liberia.[19] The Haitians opened businesses, and with their influx meant an increase in the borough's population.[20]
The school district is theCharleroi School District.[21]
| Counties |
|  | ||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Major cities | ||||||||||
| Cities and towns 15k–50k (in2010) | ||||||||||
| Airports | ||||||||||
| Topics | ||||||||||
| International | |
|---|---|
| National | |
| Other | |
