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Centralia, Pennsylvania

Centralia is a borough located in Columbia County, Pennsylvania. As of the 2000 census, the borough had a total population of 21.

Table of contents
1 Geography
2 History
3 Demographics

Geography

Centralia is located at 40°48'12" North, 76°20'30" West (40.803291, -76.341741)1.

According to the United States Census Bureau, the borough has a total area of 0.6 km² (0.2 mi²). 0.6 km² (0.2 mi²) of it is land and none of the area is covered with water.

History

In 1962, a coal mine fire started that is still burning to this day. The fire, which emits toxic fumes through street sinkholes, basements, and broken sidewalks, could last for a century. A drastic reduction in population occurred as a result of the fire; only 15 residents (20 in the entire borough) out of 1,100 remained as of 2003.

Demographics

As of the census of 2000, there are 21 people, 10 households, and 7 families residing in the borough. The population density is 33.8/km² (87.5/mi²). There are 16 housing units at an average density of 25.7/km² (66.7/mi²). The racial makeup of the borough is 100.00% White, 0.00% African American, 0.00% Native American, 0.00% Asian, 0.00% Pacific Islander, 0.00% from other races, and 0.00% from two or more races. 0.00% of the population are Hispanic or Latino of any race.

There are 10 households out of which 10.0% have children under the age of 18 living with them, 50.0% are married couples living together, 10.0% have a female householder with no husband present, and 30.0% are non-families. 30.0% of all households are made up of individuals and 10.0% have someone living alone who is 65 years of age or older. The average household size is 2.10 and the average family size is 2.57.

In the borough the population is spread out with 4.8% under the age of 18, 4.8% from 18 to 24, 19.0% from 25 to 44, 33.3% from 45 to 64, and 38.1% who are 65 years of age or older. The median age is 62 years. For every 100 females there are 110.0 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there are 100.0 males.

The median income for a household in the borough is $23,750, and the median income for a family is $28,750. The per capita income for the borough is $16,083. 0.0% of the population and 0.0% of families are below the poverty line.