Pennsylvania

Elk

30,990
2020 population
1850
first census record
18
census records

About Elk

Elk, Pennsylvania, first appears in the United States federal census in 1850, when it recorded a population of 3,531. At the most recent census, in 2020, its population stood at 30,990.

Its recorded population peaked at 38,338 in 1980, and has since declined by roughly 19 percent.

On the ground today, 12 places are listed on the National Register of Historic Places.

Population by decade

Census YearPopulationChart
202030,990
201031,946
200035,112
199034,878
198038,338
197037,770
196037,328
195034,503
194034,443
193033,431
192034,981
191035,871
190032,903
189022,239
188012,800
18708,488
18605,915
18503,531
Source

Population data from the United States decennial census, U.S. Census Bureau (public domain).

Historic places in Elk

National Register of Historic Places listings in Elk, Pennsylvania.

St. Marys Historic District
St. Marys
Ridgway Armory
Ridgway
Decker's Chapel
St. Marys
Johnsonburg Commercial Historic District
Johnsonburg
Ridgway Historic District
Ridgway
Browse all Pennsylvaniahistoric sites ›

Other counties in Pennsylvania

Explore census history and historic records for more Pennsylvania counties.

WyomingYorkAdamsAlleghenyArmstrongBeaverBedfordBerksBlairBradfordBucksButlerCambriaCameronCarbonCentreChesterClarionClearfieldClinton
Unlimited access

Everything a full report reveals about Elk County, Pennsylvania

This page charts the census history of Elk County, Pennsylvania. A full Aubrey report for an address here pulls together everything the historical record holds about the ground, from the earliest settlement to the twentieth century:

Overview
An interactive map of the location with historic sites, battles and Native heritage plotted, and its full story era by era.
The Land
The historic sites and place names around the location, and how this land was settled and used.
Geology
The bedrock beneath the site, its age and rock type, reaching back millions of years.
LiDAR Terrain
Laser-scanned terrain that reveals earthworks and old features hidden in the landscape.
Conflict & War
The battles, raids and skirmishes fought near here, across every era of American conflict.
The Civil War
The Civil War on this ground, 1861 to 1865: who held it, and the battles, camps and regiments nearby.
The Soldiers
The men who marched from here in the Civil War, named and traced where the record allows.
Native Heritage
The Native nations who held this land, mapped across time from before European contact to today.
Settlement
Who claimed and held this ground, from Indigenous homelands through the colonial powers to the United States.
The Community
How the town grew, who came, and what kind of place it became, traced through the census record.
Rivers & Rail
The rivers, canals and railroads that connected this place between 1830 and 1911.
Notable People
The people born, buried or genuinely tied to this exact place, with their stories.
Historical Maps
Historic maps of the location layered over how it looks today.
Finds & Access
Museum objects tied to the area, and the laws on searching, collecting and access here.
Literature
The old books, county histories and archives that mention this place, quoted with their sources.
Spotlight
A deep dive into the most remarkable, lesser-known history of the place, traced back to the record.
Points of Interest
The most significant historic sites and landmarks near the location, and why they matter.
Timeline
The whole story of the location told era by era, from first peoples to the present day.
First month just $5.99, then $11.99 a month. Unlimited locations, cancel anytime.

Every location is different. Not every section appears for every place, only what the historical record actually holds turns up in a report.

Start your Elk County, Pennsylvania report
Or see a real report first

Explore Pennsylvania records

Pennsylvaniahistory ›NRHP historic sites ›Notable people from Pennsylvania›

Frequently asked about Elk

When does Elk first appear in the US census?
Elk, Pennsylvania first appears in the federal census in 1850, with a recorded population of 3,531.
What is the population of Elk?
At the most recent federal census (2020), Elk had a recorded population of 30,990.
When did Elk's population peak?
Elk's recorded population peaked at 38,338 in 1980.
How many historic places are in Elk?
12 sites are listed on the National Register of Historic Places in Elk, Pennsylvania.
Aubrey Research

Research the history of any US location

Aubrey searches federal archives, archaeological records, historic registers, and primary sources to build a full historical report for any address or place in the United States.

Research your locationView a free sample report