Mount Union, PA: Snapshot of a Small Town

It is a small town, pressed up against the Juniata. It is a fairly quiet town in a rural county; nothing much ever happens. It is a fairly typical small town by most standards--low crime, little traffic, and generations of the same families living in the area. Most people know each other, if not by name at least by sight.

According to the 2000 census, Mount Union is home to 2,504 people, with a slightly higher percentage of females (55.1%) than males (44.9%). Three years later, there was an estimated population of 2,432 people. This drop in population is not simply an issue in Mount Union, though. Like the rest of Huntingdon County, Mount Union is facing a declining population and "brain drain."

Of the 2,504 people counted in the 2000 census, 1,696 of them were aged 25 or over. Of that number, 50.5% were high school graduates. In terms of higher education, 12.1% either had some college experience or held an Associate's degree; 6% held bachelor's degrees, and a mere 3.7% held graduate degrees.

Most of the jobs available in the area are industrial/manufacturing types. Few employment opportunities can be found within the county for the college educated individual. For those, one needs to turn to other areas such as Altoona, State College, and Harrisburg. While Mount Union is centrally located for commutes to those towns, its citizens commuting to these other towns does not remedy the issues facing the local economy.

In order to save Mount Union, the rest of Huntingdon County, and other small areas such as this, there needs to be a focus on building strong local economies. That does not mean destroying more farm land to put in strip malls and box stores. Local businesses need to be supported instead; that is the only way to rebuild the downtown areas of these small towns. Money spent at a box retailer does not go to support the local community; instead, it goes back to corporate headquarters.

There are great things about Mount Union (just as there are about most, if not all, small towns). The quiet streets, low crime level, and great views make it an excellent place to live. However, without revitalizing the local economy and training and retaining better educated citizens, what will be left in ten years? In twenty? In thirty?

Yes, Mount Union is fairly typical. It is a snapshot of a good town in decline-- a small town struggling.