Sayre is a borough located in Bradford County, Pennsylvania. As of the 2000 census, the borough had a total population of 5,813.

Sayre is close to the New York border and is contiguous with Waverly, New York.

History

In May of 1870, a Waverly banker named Howard Elmer, along with Charles Anthony and James Fritcher, bought the Pine Plains area between Waverly and Athens. Elmer then convinced Robert Asa Packer to locate a new railroad repair facility on the Pine Plains for the expanding Lehigh Valley Railroad, which was making a push north to connect to the New York state railroads. Robert Sayre, President of the Pennsylvania & New York Railroad, helped cement the deal and had the town named in his honor. Sayre was incorporated on February 1, 1891.

Geography

Sayre is situated in a river valley in the Allegheny Plateau on the confluence of the Susquehanna River and the Chemung River, along with Athens, Pennsylvania, South Waverly, Pennsylvania, and Waverly, New York. Together, these small towns make up the greater area known as the Valley. The New York / Pennsylvania border cuts through the Valley, but any sort of material border between the towns is non-existent, as the grid of streets and avenues blend seamlessly from one town to another.

Sayre is located at 41°59'1" North, 76°31'15" West (41.983567, -76.520845).

According to the United States Census Bureau, the borough has a total area of 5.3 km² (2.0 mi²). 5.3 km² (2.0 mi²) of it is land and 0.49% is water.

Demographics

As of the census² of 2000, there are 5,813 people, 2,529 households, and 1,514 families residing in the borough. The population density is 1,105.6/km² (2,866.8/mi²). There are 2,722 housing units at an average density of 517.7/km² (1,342.4/mi²). The racial makeup of the borough is 96.92% White, 0.62% African American, 0.17% Native American, 1.26% Asian, 0.00% Pacific Islander, 0.15% from other races, and 0.88% from two or more races. 0.71% of the population are Hispanic or Latino of any race.

There are 2,529 households out of which 26.9% have children under the age of 18 living with them, 43.9% are married couples living together, 11.9% have a female householder with no husband present, and 40.1% are non-families. 35.6% of all households are made up of individuals and 16.2% have someone living alone who is 65 years of age or older. The average household size is 2.28 and the average family size is 2.96.

In the borough the population is spread out with 23.9% under the age of 18, 7.8% from 18 to 24, 28.2% from 25 to 44, 21.9% from 45 to 64, and 18.3% who are 65 years of age or older. The median age is 39 years. For every 100 females there are 85.7 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there are 82.0 males.

The median income for a household in the borough is $33,338, and the median income for a family is $40,571. Males have a median income of $30,685 versus $24,837 for females. The per capita income for the borough is $18,549. 9.1% of the population and 7.1% of families are below the poverty line. Out of the total population, 8.7% of those under the age of 18 and 8.4% of those 65 and older are living below the poverty line.

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