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St. Marys, PA

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St. Marys, PA

St. Marys is a city in Elk County, Pennsylvania, United States. Originally a small town inhabited by mostly Bavarian Roman Catholics, it was founded on December 8, 1842. It is home to Straub Brewery and the first Benedictine convent in the United States. In 1992, the borough of St. Marys absorbed the surrounding township of Benzinger and incorporated it as a city. Despite its place as the second-largest city by area in Pennsylvania behind Philadelphia, it is one of the state's least densely populated cities.

St. Marys lies in the center of Pennsylvania's elk country. It is one of the few places east of the Mississippi River that allows hunting of wild elk. The area is known for its access to outdoor activities, including trout streams and state hunting lands inside the city limits.

St. Marys is located at 41°26′15″N 78°32′34″W (41.437600, -78.542724). According to the United States Census Bureau, the city has a total area of 99.5 square miles (258 km2), of which 99.3 sq mi (257 km2) is land and 0.2 sq mi (0.52 km2) (0.16%) is water. Most of that area is unurbanized, and the large size is due to the city's 1992 merger with surrounding Benzinger Township. The city is at a relatively high elevation of 1,666 ft (508 m) above sea level. The city's territory is bordered by Jones Township to the north, Cameron County to the east, Fox and Jay Townships to the south, and Ridgway Township to the west.

The downtown area lies directly on the Eastern Continental Divide, such that water on the eastern side of the city drains into the Atlantic Ocean, while the western side drains to the Gulf of Mexico.

St. Marys Municipal Airport lies in the city's southeastern quadrant and serves general aviation. The city's main highways are PA 255 and PA 120. Bus service is provided by ATA; a daily Fullington Trailways bus line runs through St. Marys as well.

St. Marys places a strong emphasis on health and wellness for its residents. Penn Highlands Elk provides comprehensive medical care, including primary care, specialty services, and emergency care. Penn Highlands Fitness Center provides a comprehensive fitness experience with state-of-the-art equipment and personal training. Check out Infinite Love Yoga for yoga sessions designed to improve flexibility and reduce stress. The YMCA Ridgway offers comprehensive health and wellness services, including swimming, gym facilities, and wellness coaching. Rolley Family Chiropractic offers holistic treatments to enhance physical health and alleviate pain. April School of Dance offers dance classes that promote physical fitness. For those interested in martial arts, Silver Dragon Martial Arts offers classes for all ages.

The top sites in St. Marys, PA are Bavarian Hills Golf Course, Bendigo State Park, and Benzinger Park.

Population: 12,520 (2022). ZIP Code: 15857. Area code: 814. Elevation: 1,666 ft (508 m). Area: 99.51 sq mi (257.72 km2).

FAQs

What is St. Marys, PA famous for?

St. Marys was founded in 1842 when a group of Bavarian Catholics came to the area to escape persecution in East Coast cities. Accordingly, the town is now known for a product often associated with Germany: beer. The Straub Brewery offers tours every weekday and features an Eternal Tap that dispenses - believe it or not - free beer. St. Marys is also a great place to shop for antiques, see historic churches, and visit the PA elk herd.

Is St. Marys, PA a good place to live?

St. Marys is in Elk County. Living in St. Marys offers residents a sparse suburban feel and most residents own their homes. In St. Marys, there are a lot of bars, restaurants, and parks. Many retirees live in St. Marys and residents tend to be conservative.

What are the demographics of St Marys, PA?

St. Marys, PA is home to a population of 30.9k people, of which 99.7% are citizens. As of 2022, 0.91% of St. Marys, PA residents were born outside of the country (281 people). In 2022, there were 39.7 times more White (Non-Hispanic) residents (29.5k people) in St. Marys, PA than any other race or ethnicity. There were 744 Two+ (Non-Hispanic) and 220 Black or African American (Non-Hispanic) residents, the second and third most common ethnic groups.

Sources

Wikipedia - St. Marys, Pennsylvania

City of St. Marys

Visit PA

Niche

Data USA

Bavarian Hills Golf Course

Bendigo State Park

Benzinger Park

Penn Highlands Elk

Penn Highlands Fitness Center

Infinite Love Yoga

YMCA Ridgway

Rolley Family Chiropractic

April School of Dance

Silver Dragon Martial Arts

The content herein is provided for general informational purposes only and is not a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis or treatment. Medical information changes constantly, and therefore the content on this website should not be assumed to be current, complete or exhaustive. Always seek the advice of your doctor before starting or changing treatment. If you think you may have a medical emergency, please call your doctor or 9-1-1 (in the United States) immediately.