Pennsylvania really, really needs to change this image:
It's been said that Pennsylvania consists of Pittsburgh on one side, Philadelphia on the other, and Alabama in the middle.
When somebody actually uses that as some sort of analysis of Pennsylvania's politics, or a socioeconomic analysis, or whatever, then I usually look at that person as either full of shit or dumb as shit. First of all, it's an old adage that didn't even make sense whenever it was first created. Exactly how is Central Pennsylvania like Alabama? Those who say this line should be forced to explain exactly what they mean.
Secondly, it ignores what is going on in Central Pennsylvania - pockets of growth greater than the state average. In the 21st Century, Cumberland County has been growing at 4 times the rate of the entire state. Centre County - nearly 3 times. Franklin County? Six times the state rate. York County - seven times. Meanwhile, Allegheny County is losing population, Philadelphia County is losing people, and many of the counties surrounding Pennsylvania's two biggest cities have slowed down in growth.
Why is that? Because Central Pennsylvania is a relative bargain in cost. Cultural, recreational and educational assets are growing in the local regions and in addition, the advantages of Philadelphia, Baltimore, Washington, New York City and Pittsburgh are a short drive away. Is that what they mean by that comparison with Alabama?
The growth rate numbers are interesting. I'm from York and almost all the people I went to school with have left the area. The town also took a big hit when Caterpillar left town. I suspect the population growth may be Harrisburg and Baltimore commuters moving into the northern and southern ends of the county.
I think it's getting better but there is a lot of "backwardness" especially once you get outside of the Harrisburg/West Shore area.
Black population of Camp Hill: 0 percent
With the growth, the various population percentages ought to change to be more reflective of the country as a whole.
One of the problems of looking at boroughs is that they aren't going to be the areas of population growth - and because of that, areas of change - in Pennsylvania. The land tends to be in the townships.
And the black population across the river in Harrisburg is over fifty percent. There is a tremendous amount of defacto segregation in this area. Much less in the south.
I don't think Alabama was a good comparison but I think she has a valid point about attitudes in the less urban parts of the state. Whites and blacks don't have a lot of positive interaction in Central PA.
I can understand how this might offend. I've heard it for ever (Pennsylvania, although not as much as Ohio, is a favorite target of Michiganders*), and I can tell you that it exactly refers to considering Pittsburgh as newer liberal elite, Philly as older liberal elite, and everything in between as redneck mofos who ran away from Massabama and made a new one up north.
Also, for the record: I'm not saying it, I'm just reporting on how I heard the tale being told.
* - I'm a border child - ma's from metro Detroit and pa's a farm boy from Canada and lots of my friends are in Ontario and lots are in Michigan - and so I'm always that dang furriner wherever I go.
Bloomsburg, PA
Columbia County Pennsylvania becomes the ONLY county North of the Mason-Dixon line to vote for Wallace in the Primary election