Newry, Pennsylvania
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Newry is a borough located in Blair County, Pennsylvania. As of the 2000 census, the borough had a total population of 245.
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Geography
Newry is located at 40°23'36" North, 78°26'6" West (40.393223, -78.435085)Template:GR.
According to the United States Census Bureau, the borough has a total area of 0.3 km² (0.1 mi²). 0.3 km² (0.1 mi²) of it is land and none of the area is covered with water.
Demographics
As of the censusTemplate:GR of 2000, there are 245 people, 107 households, and 61 families residing in the borough. The population density is 946.0/km² (2,550.2/mi²). There are 116 housing units at an average density of 447.9/km² (1,207.4/mi²). The racial makeup of the borough is 97.14% White, 0.82% African American, 0.00% Native American, 0.00% Asian, 0.00% Pacific Islander, 0.82% from other races, and 1.22% from two or more races. 1.22% of the population are Hispanic or Latino of any race.
There are 107 households out of which 29.9% have children under the age of 18 living with them, 44.9% are married couples living together, 10.3% have a female householder with no husband present, and 42.1% are non-families. 38.3% of all households are made up of individuals and 9.3% have someone living alone who is 65 years of age or older. The average household size is 2.26 and the average family size is 3.08.
In the borough the population is spread out with 24.9% under the age of 18, 7.8% from 18 to 24, 29.0% from 25 to 44, 24.9% from 45 to 64, and 13.5% who are 65 years of age or older. The median age is 36 years. For every 100 females there are 92.9 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there are 84.0 males.
The median income for a household in the borough is $24,688, and the median income for a family is $39,375. Males have a median income of $38,500 versus $18,333 for females. The per capita income for the borough is $14,949. 14.2% of the population and 14.5% of families are below the poverty line. Out of the total population, 15.6% of those under the age of 18 and 7.4% of those 65 and older are living below the poverty line.
History
During the late 1700s, Patrick Cassidy, a native of Newry, Ireland and an American soldier in the American Revolutionary War, purchased a several-dozen-acre parcel of land in Huntingdon County, Pennsylvania, now known as Blair County. C. 1793, he constructed a small town on the land, which he named for his home.
A half-century later, Newry flourished as the Allegheny Portage Railroad began to carry passengers from Hollidaysburg across the Alleghenies to Johnstown. Newry's location made it a suitable stop for the railroad and this new influx of visitors stimulated the economy of the town. This prosperity lasted from the 1830s to the 1850s, when the railroad closed.
During the following century, the town decreased in population and quietly shifted from an urban to a rural center until the 1950s, when migration of Altoonans from the north began to increase the size of Newry and gave it a more suburban character.
Businesses and institutions
The majority of Newry's businesses are found along the main north-south road, Old Route 220: just north of the town, a small golf course, an automotive garage, a storage company, and a small motor vehicles store; within Newry, several crafts shops and an electronics repair store; and immediately to the south, the largest business in the town, Leighty's, which comprises a convenience store, a computer systems, parts, and repair store, a golf course, a hunting outfitter, a flea market, a flower store, and a bathroom and kitchen remodeling store.
Along South Street, the southmost east-west road in the town, are located a post office, a small apartment building, a furniture store, a used appliances and furniture store, and St. Patrick's Parish, a Roman Catholic parish comprising a small church, a graveyard, a shrine to Our Lady of Lourdes, and an elementary school.
Along Allegheny Street, the northmost east-west street, one can find a Lutheran church, two bars, and the town hall.
Events
The two yearly events celebrated by the community, both held by St. Patrick's Parish, are the Lenten fish fries, held in the cafeteria of the school, and the summer festival, held near the end of August on the school playground and in the gymnasium. Both attract visitors from across the Altoona metropolis and greatly benefit the church and school.
Surrounding areas
To the north of Newry, Old Route 220 leads to Duncansville and then to Altoona and other points north.
To the west, the Puzzletown Road curves to the southwest through a few miles of housing developments and into Puzzletown, where it becomes the Blue Knob Road, continues south-southwest up the Appalachian Plateau, up the mountain of Blue Knob and reaches the town of the same name.
To the south, 220 leads through Leamersville and East Freedom, near McKee, and intersects with Interstate 99; it leads eventually to Bedford.
To the east, the Catfish Road goes through a few miles of sparse farmland, interrupted by a few houses and a monastery, until it intersects Route 36, which leads north to Hollidaysburg and south to Roaring Spring.