Disappearing cities and boroughs of the Keystone State: Bradford, Pennsylvania (2020 census update)

Bradford's 2022 estimated population decreased 2% since the 2020 census.  Its population is down 60% since its 1930 peak of 19,306.  The city has fewer residents than it did in 1880.

Source:  Wikipedia

Bradford Era, 5/16/2023

“For rural Pennsylvania to increase or sustain its current population, it must rely on in-migration,” the study concluded. 

“While some rural areas did attract new residents through in-migration, most did not.” 

The local region was not in the area where new residents moved in. Those areas were generally located to the northeast, southwest and northwest parts of the state. 

The report noted that rural Pennsylvania’s population is aging. One in five people in rural Pennsylvania are 65 and older. “ 

With an aging population, an increase in deaths is inevitable,” the study concluded. “The bottom line is that the trend of more deaths than births will not change in the near future, and will have implications on school enrollments, workforce participation rates, and volunteerism.”

1/17/2022 update starts here

Wikipedia, U.S. Census Bureau

Downtown Bradford in its heyday

Hollenback-Cahill Funeral Homes

Original 1/20/2019 post starts here

Bradford Era, 1/22/2016

A new in-depth analysis by the National Association of Counties (NACo) reveals that economic recovery accelerated on the ground over the past year, but challenges remain — especially for small, rural counties like McKean County.

Source:  Wikipedia

Bradford's population peaked at 19,306 in 1920.  Its 2016 estimated population is 8,369 -- a drop of 10,937, or nearly 57%

The City of Bradford is located in McKean County in northwestern Pennsylvania, just south of the New York state line.  The county's population peaked at 56,673 in 1940 and has since fallen to 41,330 -- a drop of 27%.

Bradford's main claim to fame.

Related reading:

Bradford oil field history.  (American Refining Group, Inc.)

Other disappearing cities and boroughs of the Keystone State

Aliquippa.  (1/12/2019)
Ambridge.  (1/17/2019)
Arnold.  (1/18/2019)
Braddock.  (1/19/2019)
Johnstown.  (1/6/2019)
Pittsburgh.  (1/13/2019)
Scranton.  (1/14/2019)

Other U.S. disappearing cities:
Baltimore, Maryland.  (12/31/2018)
Benton Harbor, Michigan.  (1/15/2019)
Buffalo, New York, (1/8/2019)
Cairo, Illinois.   (1/5/2019)
Cleveland, Ohio (1/2/2019)
Detroit, Michigan.  (1/1/2019)
East St. Louis, Illinois.  (1/11/2019)
Flint, Michigan.  (1/7/2019)
Gary, Indiana.  (1/4/2019)
St. Louis, Missouri.  (1/2/2019)
Wheeling, West Virginia.  (1/16/2019)
Youngstown, Ohio.  (1/9/2019)