Slippery Rock, Pennsylvania

Slippery Rock, Pennsylvania
Borough
north Main Street
north Main Street
Location in Butler County, Pennsylvania
Location in Butler County, Pennsylvania
Slippery Rock is located in Pennsylvania
Slippery Rock
Slippery Rock
Location in Pennsylvania
Slippery Rock is located in the United States
Slippery Rock
Slippery Rock
Location in the United States
Coordinates: 41°03′49″N 80°03′18″W / 41.06361°N 80.05500°W / 41.06361; -80.05500
CountryUnited States
StatePennsylvania
CountyButler
Settled1841
Government
 • MayorJondavid R. Longo (R)
Area
[1]
 • Total
1.64 sq mi (4.26 km2)
 • Land1.64 sq mi (4.26 km2)
 • Water0 sq mi (0.00 km2)
Population
 (2020)[2]
 • Total
3,081
 • Density1,872.5/sq mi (722.96/km2)
Time zoneUTC-5 (EST)
 • Summer (DST)UTC-4 (EDT)
ZIP code
16057[3]
Area code724/878
FIPS code42-71184
Websiteslipperyrockboroughpa.gov

Slippery Rock is a borough in Butler County, Pennsylvania. The population was 3,558 at the 2020 census.[4] Slippery Rock is included in the Greater Pittsburgh Region. The area is home to Slippery Rock University of Pennsylvania, partially in the borough limits,[5] and attended by nearly 9,000 students as a member of the Pennsylvania State System of Higher Education.

History

The origins of the name "Slippery Rock" date back to colonial times, when members of the Seneca Nation chased European soldiers through the area where Slippery Rock lies today. While crossing a creek, the Seneca lost their footing and slipped on the moss-covered rocks of the creek. The Seneca would later name the creek Slippery Rock.[6]

The post office for Slippery Rock Township was established in 1826 in the Ginger Hill area. The town of Ginger Hill was incorporated as a borough under the name Centreville in 1841, later changing its name to Slippery Rock in 1896 after the Slippery Rock Creek.[7]

In 1889, Slippery Rock State Normal School was founded in the borough. In 1926, the state of Pennsylvania purchased the institution, and in 1960 the school was rebranded as Slippery Rock State College. 1983 marked the final rebrand, wherein the name Slippery Rock University of Pennsylvania was adopted.[8] Today, Slippery Rock University plays a significant role in the community.

Geography

Slippery Rock is located in northwest Butler County at 41°3′49″N 80°3′18″W / 41.06361°N 80.05500°W / 41.06361; -80.05500 (41.063746, −80.055007).[9] According to the United States Census Bureau, the borough has a total area of 1.7 square miles (4.3 km2), all land.[4] Slippery Rock Creek, the borough's namesake, runs through a valley 2 miles (3 km) south of the borough.

The terrain around Slippery Rock is hilly, and the strip mining of coal has been a prominent commercial activity in the surrounding area, which is largely agricultural.

Climate

Climate data for Slippery Rock, Pennsylvania (1991–2020 normals, extremes 1949–present)
Month Jan Feb Mar Apr May Jun Jul Aug Sep Oct Nov Dec Year
Record high °F (°C) 72
(22)		 74
(23)		 87
(31)		 89
(32)		 96
(36)		 99
(37)		 102
(39)		 99
(37)		 99
(37)		 91
(33)		 81
(27)		 74
(23)		 102
(39)
Mean daily maximum °F (°C) 33.4
(0.8)		 36.7
(2.6)		 45.7
(7.6)		 58.6
(14.8)		 69.3
(20.7)		 76.9
(24.9)		 81.3
(27.4)		 80.0
(26.7)		 73.7
(23.2)		 61.5
(16.4)		 48.9
(9.4)		 38.1
(3.4)		 58.7
(14.8)
Daily mean °F (°C) 25.1
(−3.8)		 27.4
(−2.6)		 35.5
(1.9)		 46.7
(8.2)		 57.1
(13.9)		 65.3
(18.5)		 69.7
(20.9)		 68.2
(20.1)		 61.8
(16.6)		 50.5
(10.3)		 39.7
(4.3)		 30.6
(−0.8)		 48.1
(8.9)
Mean daily minimum °F (°C) 16.8
(−8.4)		 18.0
(−7.8)		 25.3
(−3.7)		 34.7
(1.5)		 44.9
(7.2)		 53.6
(12.0)		 58.0
(14.4)		 56.4
(13.6)		 49.8
(9.9)		 39.4
(4.1)		 30.6
(−0.8)		 23.2
(−4.9)		 37.6
(3.1)
Record low °F (°C) −28
(−33)		 −21
(−29)		 −10
(−23)		 9
(−13)		 22
(−6)		 30
(−1)		 37
(3)		 28
(−2)		 27
(−3)		 12
(−11)		 −1
(−18)		 −20
(−29)		 −28
(−33)
Average precipitation inches (mm) 3.47
(88)		 2.69
(68)		 3.41
(87)		 3.94
(100)		 4.14
(105)		 4.76
(121)		 4.63
(118)		 4.02
(102)		 4.07
(103)		 3.45
(88)		 3.47
(88)		 3.19
(81)		 45.24
(1,149)
Average precipitation days (≥ 0.01 in) 17.2 13.6 13.1 14.2 15.0 14.1 12.6 11.3 11.2 13.5 13.2 15.2 164.2
Source: NOAA[10][11]

Demographics

Historical population
CensusPop.Note%±
1850278—
186034724.8%
18703665.5%
188041814.2%
18904487.2%
1900993121.7%
1910870−12.4%
1920826−5.1%
19301,16541.0%
19401,2698.9%
19502,29480.8%
19602,56311.7%
19704,94993.1%
19803,047−38.4%
19903,008−1.3%
20003,0682.0%
20103,62518.2%
20203,081−15.0%
U.S. Decennial Census[12]

2020 census

As of the 2020 census, Slippery Rock had a population of 3,081. The median age was 24.2 years. 12.1% of residents were under the age of 18 and 12.7% of residents were 65 years of age or older. For every 100 females there were 89.4 males, and for every 100 females age 18 and over there were 88.6 males age 18 and over.[13][14]

99.4% of residents lived in urban areas, while 0.6% lived in rural areas.[15]

There were 1,258 households in Slippery Rock, of which 17.5% had children under the age of 18 living in them. Of all households, 28.2% were married-couple households, 32.3% were households with a male householder and no spouse or partner present, and 35.2% were households with a female householder and no spouse or partner present. About 42.7% of all households were made up of individuals and 11.3% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older.[13]

There were 1,508 housing units, of which 16.6% were vacant. The homeowner vacancy rate was 2.6% and the rental vacancy rate was 13.2%.[13]

Racial composition as of the 2020 census[14]
RaceNumberPercent
White2,54782.7%
Black or African American1264.1%
American Indian and Alaska Native10.0%
Asian1775.7%
Native Hawaiian and Other Pacific Islander00.0%
Some other race591.9%
Two or more races1715.6%
Hispanic or Latino (of any race)872.8%

2000 census

As of the 2000 census,[16] there were 3,068 people, 977 households, and 387 families residing in the borough. The population density was 1,820.4 inhabitants per square mile (702.9/km2). There were 1,039 housing units at an average density of 616.5 per square mile (238.0/km2). The racial makeup of the borough was 91.30% White, 3.26% African American, 0.20% Native American, 3.29% Asian, 0.07% Pacific Islander, 0.68% from other races, and 1.21% from two or more races. Hispanic or Latino of any race were 1.11% of the population.

There were 977 households, out of which 15.3% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 30.8% were married couples living together, 6.4% had a female householder with no husband present, and 60.3% were non-families. 27.7% of all households were made up of individuals, and 12.8% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.38 and the average family size was 2.71.

In the borough the population was spread out, with 8.5% under the age of 18, 55.9% from 18 to 24, 15.0% from 25 to 44, 10.1% from 45 to 64, and 10.4% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 23 years. For every 100 females, there were 77.2 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 74.8 males.

The median income for a household in the borough was $24,554, and the median income for a family was $42,450. Males had a median income of $37,188 versus $30,104 for females. The per capita income for the borough was $13,538. About 10.1% of families and 42.6% of the population were below the poverty line, including 11.0% of those under age 18 and 8.0% of those age 65 or over.

Sports

The university has many sports events and venues located in the borough. The Rock football team plays their games at Bob DiSpirito Field at N. Kerr Thompson Stadium, while the baseball team has their games at Jack Critchfield Park.[17]

Government and Politics

Government

Slippery Rock operates as a borough under Pennsylvania law.[18] The borough uses a mayor–council government system and includes a Borough Manager. Several commissions also function under the direction of the Borough Council, most notably the Planning Commission and the Civil Service Commission. Both the mayor and the seven Borough Council members are elected to four year terms.[19]

Jondavid Longo, a Republican, has served as mayor since 2018.[20] As of August, 2026 the Slippery Rock Borough Council consists of:[19]

  • Jeff Campbell, Council President
  • John Hicks, Council Vice-President
  • Denton Zeronas
  • Jenifer Ravert
  • Lauren Christmann
  • Alex Tuten
  • Paul Lueken

Politics

Unlike much of Butler County, Slippery Rock is considered a swing borough. Slippery Rock has voted with the winner of every presidential election since 2008.[21]

Local politics in Slippery Rock tends to favor the Republican Party. Every counselor of the seven-member Borough Council is an elected Republican.[21]

United States Presidential Election Results for Slippery Rock Borough[21]
Year Democratic Republican Other
# % # % # %
2024 564 45.01% 671 53.55% 18 1.44%
2020 647 53.50% 544 45.00% 18 1.50%
2016 555 45.90% 563 46.60% 90 7.50%
2012 612 55.30% 495 44.70% 0 0.00%
2008 762 58.30% 519 39.70% 26 2.00%
2004 591 56.99% 438 42.24% 8 0.77%

Education

The school district is the Slippery Rock Area School District.[22]

A portion of Slippery Rock University is within the borough limits.[5]

Transport

Since the 1960s, Slippery Rock has been served by the Interstate Highway system as Interstate 79 (north-south) and Interstate 80 (east-west) cross 12 miles (19 km) to the north. The closest access to I-79 is 4 miles (6 km) to the west on Pennsylvania Route 108. PA 258 (North Main Street) leads northwest 7.7 miles (12.4 km) to I-79.

Public transport is provided to students of Slippery Rock University through the Student Government Association's "Happy Bus" service.[23]

No airports are located within the borough itself, with general aviation's closest links to the city being at Grove City Airport. Pittsburgh International Airport is the closest airport with commercial service.

References

  1. ↑ "ArcGIS REST Services Directory". United States Census Bureau. Retrieved October 16, 2022.
  2. ↑ "Census Population API". United States Census Bureau. Retrieved October 12, 2022.
  3. ↑ "Zipdatamaps". Retrieved November 6, 2016.
  4. 1 2 "Geographic Identifiers: 2010 Demographic Profile Data (G001): Slippery Rock borough, Pennsylvania". U.S. Census Bureau, American Factfinder. Retrieved March 27, 2014.{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: deprecated archival service (link)
  5. 1 2 "2020 CENSUS - CENSUS BLOCK MAP: Slippery Rock borough, PA" (PDF). U.S. Census Bureau. Retrieved October 18, 2024. Slippery Rock Univ
  6. ↑ "Welcome to Slippery Rock: How Slippery Rock Got Its Name". Retrieved August 21, 2026.
  7. ↑ McKee, James A., ed. (1909). 20th Century History of Butler and Butler County, Pa., and Representative Citizens. Vol. 1. Richmond-Arnold. pp. 558–559, 148. Retrieved October 27, 2019.
  8. ↑ "About Slippery Rock University". Retrieved August 24, 2026.
  9. ↑ "US Gazetteer files: 2010, 2000, and 1990". United States Census Bureau. February 12, 2011. Retrieved April 23, 2011.
  10. ↑ "NowData – NOAA Online Weather Data". National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration. Retrieved August 8, 2021.
  11. ↑ "Station: Slippery Rock, PA". U.S. Climate Normals 2020: U.S. Monthly Climate Normals (1991-2020). National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration. Retrieved August 8, 2021.
  12. ↑ "Census of Population and Housing". Census.gov. Retrieved June 4, 2016.
  13. 1 2 3 "2020 Decennial Census Demographic Profile (DP1)". United States Census Bureau. 2021. Retrieved April 29, 2026.
  14. 1 2 "2020 Decennial Census Redistricting Data (Public Law 94-171)". United States Census Bureau. 2021. Retrieved April 29, 2026.
  15. ↑ "2020 Decennial Census Demographic and Housing Characteristics (DHC)". United States Census Bureau. 2023. Retrieved April 29, 2026.
  16. ↑ "U.S. Census website". United States Census Bureau. Retrieved January 31, 2008.
  17. ↑ "Rock Athletics: Mihalik-Thompson Stadium". Retrieved August 21, 2026.
  18. ↑ "Slippery Rock Borough Code". Retrieved August 21, 2026.
  19. 1 2 "Slippery Rock Borough: The Borough Council". Retrieved August 21, 2026.
  20. ↑ "Slippery Rock Borough: The Mayor". Retrieved August 21, 2026.
  21. 1 2 3 "Election Results | Slippery Rock Borough". Retrieved August 23, 2026.
  22. ↑ "2020 CENSUS - SCHOOL DISTRICT REFERENCE MAP: Butler County, PA" (PDF). U.S. Census Bureau. Retrieved October 18, 2024. - Text list
  23. ↑ "Transportation". www.sru.edu. Retrieved October 19, 2022.
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