Located between Pittsburgh and Altoona , Johnstown is a mid-sized city located in the southern portion of
Cambria County . As of the last census taken in the year 2000, Johnstown has a population of 23,906 while
the great metro area has a total of 144,995 people. First settled in 1770, Johnstown is most known for its
history of floods and has earned the nickname of Flood City .
History Of Johnstown , Pa
As the canal was phased out, Johnstown quickly moved towards becoming an industrial town with iron, coal,
and steel becoming a key component to the area’s economy. The Cambria Iron Company became the
largest producing steel plant in the United States , and Johnstown began rapid growth as the demand for
steel and barbwire, its other major producer, skyrocketed – reaching a total population of over 75,000 by the
early 20th century.
The first half of the 20th century saw WJAC, the city’s first radio station, begin broadcasts, a public
transportation system that was amongst the best in the country, and major department stores sprouting up in
the downtown portion of the city. Although the flood of 1936 along with the Great Depression left the
manufacturing city struggling for a bit, the period after the Second World War was when the city peaked as a
steel maker and fabricator.
manufacturing industry, such as a Spanish wind energy company named Gamesa opening its first U.S. wind
turbine blade manufacturing facility in the region in 2006. The area has also emerged as an important
center for the defense industry, with the Federal government granting over $100 million annually on projects.
Demographics & Location
Located in Cambria County , Johnstown is spread over 6.1 square miles with a total population of 23,906 as
of the last census taken in 2000. The city is located where the Conemaugh River is formed from its
tributaries, the Stonycreek River and the Little Conemaugh. Johnstown has a population of 23,906 people
with 11,134 households and 6,045 families. Johnstown has a higher than average poverty rate, with 24.6%
of the population and 18.9% of families having incomes below the poverty line. As of the last census, the
median household income was $20,595, median family income was $28,279, and per capita income was
$13,236.
Demographically, the city is mostly Caucasian, with 86.28% of the population being White, 10.71% African
American, 0.28% Asian, 0.13% Native American, 0.05% Pacific Islander, 0.61% from other races, and 1.92%
from more than one race. Hispanic or Latino of any race make up 1.59% of the total population. The latest
census shows German makes up the largest group of ancestry, with 23.8%, followed by 10.0% Italian, 9.2%
Irish, 7.7% Polish, 7.2% Slovak and 5.7% American ancestry.
Around Town
Ferndale Borough, Upper Yoder Township, and Lower Yoder Township . The East Hills consist of Richland ,
Geistown Borough, Lorain Borough and Stoneycreek, while East Conemaugh Borough, Franklin Borough,
Daisytown Borough, Conemaugh Township , and West, Middle, and East Taylor Townships lie to the north of
the city.
Cambria County . As of the last census taken in the year 2000, Johnstown has a population of 23,906 while
the great metro area has a total of 144,995 people. First settled in 1770, Johnstown is most known for its
history of floods and has earned the nickname of Flood City .
History Of Johnstown , Pa
- Three major floods have struck the city. The largest happened on
May 31st of 1889 and is known as the Great Flood. The Great Flood
was caused by the South Fork Dam collapsing upstream some 14
miles from heavy rains. This monster flood resulted in 2,209 dying and
caused a subsequent fire that destroyed much of the city. The city
has had to deal with two other severe floods, one occurring in 1936
and the other in 1977.
While it was first settled in 1770, Swiss German immigrant Joseph
Johns formally organized Johnstown as a town in 1800. During the
early and into the mid 19th century, Johnstown was a port and became
a key transfer point along the Pennsylvania Main Line Canal .
Johnstown was the location where, after having been transported over
the mountains by railroad, canal boats were put back in to continue
their trip westward by water to the areas of Pittsburgh and the Ohio
Valley . As the completion of the Pennsylvania Railroad took place in
the 1850’s the canal transport became unnecessary and was
eventually abandoned.
As the canal was phased out, Johnstown quickly moved towards becoming an industrial town with iron, coal,
and steel becoming a key component to the area’s economy. The Cambria Iron Company became the
largest producing steel plant in the United States , and Johnstown began rapid growth as the demand for
steel and barbwire, its other major producer, skyrocketed – reaching a total population of over 75,000 by the
early 20th century.
The first half of the 20th century saw WJAC, the city’s first radio station, begin broadcasts, a public
transportation system that was amongst the best in the country, and major department stores sprouting up in
the downtown portion of the city. Although the flood of 1936 along with the Great Depression left the
manufacturing city struggling for a bit, the period after the Second World War was when the city peaked as a
steel maker and fabricator.
- The mid 1900’s began to see Johnstown ’s steady decline as a steel
town. Combined with Johnstown ’s poor location and decreased
demand, profit began to decrease and mills began to close. The flood
of 1977 was the final nail for the city as a steelmaker, and most of the
steel production has been abandoned. With little other economic
activity in the area, the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania had to
designate Johnstown as a financially distressed city in 1992.
manufacturing industry, such as a Spanish wind energy company named Gamesa opening its first U.S. wind
turbine blade manufacturing facility in the region in 2006. The area has also emerged as an important
center for the defense industry, with the Federal government granting over $100 million annually on projects.
Demographics & Location
Located in Cambria County , Johnstown is spread over 6.1 square miles with a total population of 23,906 as
of the last census taken in 2000. The city is located where the Conemaugh River is formed from its
tributaries, the Stonycreek River and the Little Conemaugh. Johnstown has a population of 23,906 people
with 11,134 households and 6,045 families. Johnstown has a higher than average poverty rate, with 24.6%
of the population and 18.9% of families having incomes below the poverty line. As of the last census, the
median household income was $20,595, median family income was $28,279, and per capita income was
$13,236.
Demographically, the city is mostly Caucasian, with 86.28% of the population being White, 10.71% African
American, 0.28% Asian, 0.13% Native American, 0.05% Pacific Islander, 0.61% from other races, and 1.92%
from more than one race. Hispanic or Latino of any race make up 1.59% of the total population. The latest
census shows German makes up the largest group of ancestry, with 23.8%, followed by 10.0% Italian, 9.2%
Irish, 7.7% Polish, 7.2% Slovak and 5.7% American ancestry.
Around Town
- There are many different neighborhoods, each with its own separate cultural
feel, that make up the City of Johnstown . These are the Downtown Business
District, Kernville, Hornerstown, Roxbury, Old Conemaugh Borough,
Prospect, Woodvale, Minersville, Cambria City , Morrellville, Oakhurst,
Coopersdale, Walnut Grove and Moxham.
Ferndale Borough, Upper Yoder Township, and Lower Yoder Township . The East Hills consist of Richland ,
Geistown Borough, Lorain Borough and Stoneycreek, while East Conemaugh Borough, Franklin Borough,
Daisytown Borough, Conemaugh Township , and West, Middle, and East Taylor Townships lie to the north of
the city.
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