Wyoming, Pennsylvania

Wyoming is a borough in the Greater Pittston area of Luzerne County, Pennsylvania, United States. It is located north of Wilkes-Barre, along the Susquehanna River. The population was 3,097 as of the 2020 census.

Etymology

The name "Wyoming" derives from the Munsee word ', meaning "at the big river flat". The state of Wyoming is either named after this borough or the surrounding valley.

History

Early history

By the 1700s, the Wyoming Valley was inhabited by several Native American tribes (including the Susquehannock and the Delaware). In the mid-18th century, Connecticut settlers ventured into the valley. These were the first recorded Europeans in the region. In 1768, the Susquehanna Company of Connecticut devised a plan to divide the Wyoming Valley into five townships. Each township was to be divided amongst forty settlers. Wyoming was originally part of Kingston Township.

Wyoming Massacre

On June 30, 1778, British (Tory) forces, under the command of Colonel John Butler, arrived in the Wyoming Valley to confront the American settlers. On July 1, the American militia at Fort Wintermute (Wintermoot) and Fort Jenkins (a Patriot stockade in present-day West Pittston) surrendered.

On July 3, the British spotted the American militia near Forty Fort. Butler wanted to lure the Americans away from their fortifications. He ordered for Fort Wintermute to be set ablaze. The Patriots, believing it signified a British retreat, advanced rapidly. British soldiers, with the assistance of about 700 Native Americans, ambushed the oncoming American militia in and around the present-day Exeter and Wyoming. In the end, nearly 300 Wyoming Valley settlers were killed in what would be known as the Wyoming Massacre. On July 4, the American colonel, Nathan Denison, agreed to surrender Forty Fort along with several other posts.

Wyoming Monument

Today, in the Borough of Wyoming, a monument marks the gravesite of the victims from the battle; it was constructed in the early 1830s. An annual observance, sponsored by the Wyoming Commemorative Association, takes place at the obelisk grounds to honor the fallen heroes of this Revolutionary War battle. The monument has also been listed on the National Register of Historic Places.

Along with the Wyoming Monument, the Luzerne Presbyterial Institute and Swetland Homestead are also listed on the National Register of Historic Places.

Borough of Wyoming

Wyoming was officially incorporated as a borough in 1885. The Eighth Street Bridge was constructed over the Susquehanna River during the early 20th century; it connected the Borough of Wyoming to Jenkins Township. In 2011, it was demolished and replaced with a new bridge.

The flood of 2011 prompted the evacuation of the Wilkes-Barre Wyoming Valley Airport (in southern Wyoming). The planes were moved to a higher elevation to prevent flood damage; they were relocated to the Wyoming Monument.

Luzerne Presbyterial Institute.jpg, Luzerne Presbyterial Institute
Swetland Homestead, Forty Fort Pa., Front view.jpg, Swetland Homestead

Geography

Wyoming is located at (41.309346, -75.836849). According to the United States Census Bureau, the borough has a total area of , of which is land and , or 9.26%, is water.

The Borough of Wyoming is a small strip of land on the western bank of the Susquehanna River. The area closest to the river is mostly made up of trees and fertile farmland. Homes and businesses are located further inland. Eighth Street and Wyoming Avenue (U.S. Route 11) run through the heart of the borough. They intersect in the northern half of the community. Many businesses are located along US 11. The Eighth Street Bridge links Wyoming to Jenkins Township, which is on the opposite bank of the Susquehanna River.

A section of the Wilkes-Barre Wyoming Valley Airport is located in southern Wyoming. The airport covers 135 acres (55 ha) at an elevation of 543 feet (166 m). In 2011, the airport had 25,125 aircraft operations (an average of 68 per day). 99.5% was general aviation, while 0.3% was military and 0.2% was air taxi. 51 aircraft were then based at the airport (this consisted of 98% single-engine and 2% multi-engine).. Federal Aviation Administration. Effective May 31, 2012.

The following communities neighbor Wyoming: West Wyoming Borough (northwest), Exeter Borough (northeast), Jenkins Township (east, southeast), Plains Township (south), and Forty Fort Borough (southwest).

Demographics

As of the census of 2000, there were 3,221 people, 1,487 households, and 852 families residing in the borough. The population density was 2,271.6 people per square mile (875.8/km²). There were 1,580 housing units at an average density of 1,114.3 per square mile (429.6/km²). The racial makeup of the borough was 99.50% White, 0.06% African American, 0.06% Asian, 0.03% Pacific Islander, 0.16% from other races, and 0.19% from two or more races. Hispanic or Latino of any race were 0.28% of the population.

There were 1,487 households, out of which 21.5% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 43.6% were married couples living together, 10.1% had a female householder with no husband present, and 42.7% were non-families. 38.5% of all households were made up of individuals, and 21.6% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.13 and the average family size was 2.87.

In the borough the population was spread out, with 19.2% under the age of 18, 5.7% from 18 to 24, 27.9% from 25 to 44, 21.5% from 45 to 64, and 25.6% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 43 years. For every 100 females, there were 82.8 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 78.9 males.

The median income for a household in the borough was $33,576, and the median income for a family was $44,087. Males had a median income of $33,015 versus $24,718 for females. The per capita income for the borough was $18,428. About 5.7% of families and 9.9% of the population were below the poverty line, including 14.9% of those under age 18 and 9.3% of those age 65 or over.

References

External links

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Pennsylvania populated places on the Susquehanna River
Populated places established in 1780
Boroughs in Luzerne County, Pennsylvania