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Fayette County is a county located in the U.S. state of Pennsylvania. As of 2000, the population was 148,644. The county is part of the Pittsburgh Metropolitan Statistical Area.
Fayette County was created on September 26, 1783 from part of Westmoreland County and named for the Marquis de Lafayette. Its county seat is Uniontown6.
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Historical Facts
When the ownership of the area was still undecided, 22-year-old George Washington fought his first battles against the French at Jumonville Glen and Fort Necessity in 1754.
Albert Gallatin, Secretary of the Treasury to Adams and Jeffferson built his home at Friendship Hill.
Secretary of State and WW II Supreme Commander George C. Marshall of the Marshall Plan was born and educated through High School in the county seat, Uniontown.
Prolific architect Frank Lloyd Wright constructed his crowning jewel in the mountains at Ohiopyle - Fallingwater, said to be the most famous home in America was a vacation retreat for the Edgar J. Kaufmann family. Later, he designed Kentuck Knob, a hexagonal Usonian style home, for the Hagan Family, in nearby Stewart Township, adjacent to Ohiopyle State Park. Kentuck Knob was one of the last, if not the last home Wright designed before his death.
Two home-improvement families make Fayette County home. Both the Lowe family (of Lowe's) and the Hardy family (of 84 Lumber) reside in the county. The Hardys also maintain a huge resort and gold course.
Rock and roller Fabian built and maintains a home in the county.
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Geography
According to the U.S. Census Bureau, the county has a total area of 2,067 km² (798 mi²). 2,046 km² (790 mi²) of it is land and 20 km² (8 mi²) of it (0.98%) is water.
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Adjacent counties
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Demographics
As of the census² of 2000, there were 148,644 people, 59,969 households, and 41,198 families residing in the county. The population density was 73/km² (188/mi²). There were 66,490 housing units at an average density of 32/km² (84/mi²). The racial makeup of the county was 95.30% White, 3.51% Black or African American, 0.11% Native American, 0.22% Asian, 0.01% Pacific Islander, 0.11% from other races, and 0.73% from two or more races. 0.38% of the population were Hispanic or Latino of any race.
There were 59,969 households out of which 28.70% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 51.80% were married couples living together, 12.40% had a female householder with no husband present, and 31.30% were non-families. 28.00% of all households were made up of individuals and 14.50% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.43 and the average family size was 2.96.
In the county, the population was spread out with 22.70% under the age of 18, 7.70% from 18 to 24, 27.20% from 25 to 44, 24.20% from 45 to 64, and 18.10% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 40 years. For every 100 females there were 91.80 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 87.60 males.
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Municipalities
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Cities
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Public School Districts
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Fixtures
Fort Necessity is a reconstructed historic stockade that was originally built by George Washington to defend against an attack during the French and Indian War. Washington's loss at Fort Necessity was the only blemish on his military record. It is now operated as a national battlefield.
General Edmund Braddock's Grave is across the highway from Fort Necessity. He was mortally wounded attacking Fort Duquesne (at the "forks of the Ohio River" in Pittsburgh) during the French and Indian War. It is a unit of the national battlefield.
Two historic fixtures from the National Road exist within Fayette County's borders. Searights Toll House is one of few remaining toll collection stops along the old route. The Washington Tavern is a classic example of an early 19th Century inn along the National Road.
The town of Perryopolis was designed by George Washington during his days as a surveyor. It includes a failed grist mill that Washington attempted to opperate.
Fallingwater, architect Frank Lloyd Wright's most famous home, is located within the county, atop a beautiful waterfall. His lesser known but equally impressive Kentuck Knob is also located here.
Albert Gallatin's home, called Friendship Hill, is maintained as national historic site.
Fayette County's southern border is marked with plaques that mark its significance as part of the Mason-Dixon Line
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