Located along the Kiskiminetas River, Leechburg was a major port of the Pennsylvania Canal. Early in the 20th century, it was the site of extensive steel sheet works, foundries, cement plants, and productive coal mines. Leechburg was the first place where natural gas was used for industrial purposes.
Local government
Leechburg is governed by a Mayor and Council. Current officials and when their terms expire are:
Mayor
Doreen Smeal (D) 2025
Council
Tom Foster (D), President 2027
Chuck Pascal (D), Vice President 2025
Lorrie Bazella (R) 2025
John Mrvan (R) 2025
Robert Raypush (R) 2027
Alan Tarr (D) 2025
D. J. Zelczak (R) 2027
Federal and state representatives
Leechburg is in Pennsylvania's 15th congressional district, represented in Congress by Rep. Glenn Thompson (R).
At the state level, Leechburg is in the 41st senatorial district, represented by State Senator Joe Pittman (R), and in the 60th legislative district, represented by Rep. Abby Major (R).
According to the United States Census Bureau, the borough has a total area of 0.46 square miles (1.2 km2), of which 0.42 square miles (1.1 km2) is land and 0.039 square miles (0.1 km2), or 8.62%, is water.[5]
As of the 2000 census,[7] there were 2,386 people, 1,109 households, and 645 families residing in the borough. The population density was 5,320.9 inhabitants per square mile (2,054.4/km2). There were 1,193 housing units at an average density of 2,660.5 per square mile (1,027.2/km2). The racial makeup of the borough was 97.53% White, 1.26% African American, 0.04% Native American, 0.17% Asian, 0.04% from other races, and 0.96% from two or more races. Hispanic or Latino of any race were 0.67% of the population.
There were 1,109 households, out of which 23.4% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 43.2% were married couples living together, 10.7% had a female householder with no husband present, and 41.8% were non-families. 39.1% of all households were made up of individuals, and 23.1% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.14 and the average family size was 2.85.
The borough median age of 43 years was significantly more than the county median age of 40 years. The distribution by age group was 21.1% under the age of 18, 6.4% from 18 to 24, 26.2% from 25 to 44, 22.5% from 45 to 64, and 23.7% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 43 years. For every 100 females, there were 83.7 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 78.5 males.
According to the United States Census Bureau, in 2012 the median household income in the borough was $35,682 and the median family income was $45,563. 17.8% of the population, 14.4% of families, 29.3% of children, and 8.8% of those 65 or older had income below the poverty level.[9]
Panoramic view facing west showing approximately 160 degrees of downtown Leechburg from on top of the highrise located at 2nd and Main Street
Panoramic view facing east showing approximately 180 degrees of downtown Leechburg from on top of the highrise located at 2nd and Main Street
History
This section needs expansion. You can help by adding to it. (November 2007)
Leechburg was founded in 1850 by David Leech. Prior to 1850, the settlement was known as White Plains. Leech purchased the land from a local Native American known as White Maddock.