Northwest Region of Penn State Cooperative Extension

About the NW Region:

The Northwest Region consists of eight counties: Clarion, Crawford, Erie, Forest, Lawrence, Mercer, Venango, and Warren. With an area of 5,435 square miles, the region encompasses 846,000 acres of farmland, 1.7 million acres of private forest land, and 232,000 acres of public forest land (Allegheny National Forest.) The region has a ridge and valley topography to the east and a glaciated plain to the west. The region's infrastructure includes major interstate highways to small rural roads; large industrial complexes to small businesses; and metropolitan areas to small rural towns.

The following information was taken from the Northwest Region's Strategic Plan. If you would like to read this in it's entirety, please email the office to receive a copy.

The population of the region is currently estimated at about 735,000. Over the past ten years, population has increased slightly in five counties and decreased greater than 5% in three counties. The projected population in the region for the year 2000 is given below.

County	1990	2000	% Change	County	1990	2000	% Change
Clarion	41,630	41,997	.08	Lawrence	96,405	91,028	-5.57
Crawford	86,669	88,366	1.90	Mercer	121,238	122,293	.08
Erie	276,373	283,851	2.63	Venango	59,256	55,943	-5.59
Forest	4,964	5,051	1.72	Warren	44,843	42,486	-5.25

Other statistical information of interest to Cooperative Extension is the personal poverty rate, which averages 13.7% over the region. Over 19% of the children under age 18 are living in poverty. 2.8% of the population receive cash assistance, 8.9% participate in food stamp programs, and 14.9% are eligible for medical assistance. The average unemployment rate for the region is 6.5%. The population continues to decline in the region, which also results in a declining tax base in the counties. The region needs industrial development, infrastructure improvement, and technical skills training.

The Northwest Region's estimated 5,170 farms generate more than $280 million in total agricultural revenues. Of this total, a little more than $135 million (48 %) is generated by dairy farms. Since 1992 there has been a decrease in the number of farms in the region by 14.9%. Acres of farmland lost since 1992 is 13.6%.

The Northwest Region has a very diverse agriculture. The variety includes: grape production near Lake Erie, ornamental horticulture, fruits, vegetables, potatoes, poultry, and traditional dairy, livestock and field crops. Forest production is important to the entire region and provides employment and tax revenue. Other natural resources such as water, oil, and wildlife play an important role in the economy and tourism of the area.