Erie, Pennsylvania
Erie (/ˈɪəri/; EER-ee) is a city on the south shore of Lake Erie and the county seat of Erie County, Pennsylvania, United States. It is the fifth-most populous city in Pennsylvania and the most populous in Northwestern Pennsylvania with a population of 94,831 at the 2020 census.[3][4] The Erie metropolitan area, equivalent to all of Erie County, had a population of 270,876 in 2020.[5] Erie is located approximately 80 miles (130 km) from Buffalo, 90 miles (140 km) from Cleveland, and 120 miles (190 km) from Pittsburgh.[6]
"Erie" redirects here. For the lake, see Lake Erie. For other uses, see Erie (disambiguation).
Erie, Pennsylvania
1753
April 18, 1795
April 14, 1851
19.37 sq mi (50.16 km2)
19.13 sq mi (49.55 km2)
0.24 sq mi (0.61 km2) about 1.04%
728 ft (222 m)
94,831
4,956.67/sq mi (1,913.81/km2)
270,876 (Erie Metro)
Erieite(s)
42-24000
The city was named for the Native American Erie people who lived in the area until the mid-17th century. Erie is nicknamed both the "Gem City", in reference to it once being known as the "Gem of the Great Lakes" due to its fine natural harbor; and more recently, the "Flagship City", from a local marketing effort to promote its status as the home port of Oliver Hazard Perry's flagship Niagara.[7]
Erie's manufacturing sector remains prominent in the local economy, while insurance, healthcare, higher education, technology, service industries, and tourism are emerging as significant economic drivers. Like the other Great Lakes port cities, Erie is accessible to the oceans via the Lake Ontario and St. Lawrence River network in Canada. The local climate is humid, four-seasonal, and snowy, with warm summers and harsh winters, owing to its southern lakeshore location.
The city of Erie is incorporated as a third-class city under Pennsylvania law.[84] Incorporated under an "optional charter", the city is governed by a mayor–council government. The government consists of a mayor, treasurer, and controller, and a seven-member city council. They are elected to four-year terms, with the terms of the council designed to be overlapping.[84] The mayor is chief executive and the city council prepares legislation and conducts oversight. The city council meets in Mario S. Bagnoni Council Chambers at City Hall. Joseph Schember (D) is the mayor of the city of Erie and was first elected in 2017. As of February 2023, the Erie City Council consists of:[85]
Erie is the largest city in Pennsylvania's 16th congressional district and is currently represented in Congress by Republican Mike Kelly, who was elected in 2010. Republican Dan Laughlin of the 49th District represents Erie in the Pennsylvania State Senate. The city of Erie is split by the 1st and 2nd Districts of the Pennsylvania House of Representatives and is represented by Democrats Patrick Harkins and Robert E. Merski, respectively.[87]
Erie has four official sister cities as designated by Sister Cities International:[100]