How Pennsylvania Measures Up - A Statistical, Year-end Look

December 17, 1998

MIDDLETOWN, Pa. -- For more than 200 years, the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania has,
of course, grown and changed.

And Pennsylvania can claim a number of interesting titles including most rural state and top
mushroom producer in the nation, reports the Pennsylvania State Data Center, Penn State
Harrisburg. Below are a variety of topics comparing Pennsylvania and the remainder of the nation.

Population and Size: Pennsylvania has the fifth largest population in the United States and
is number 33 in land area. In 1997, the U.S. Census Bureau estimated 12,019,661 residents of
Pennsylvania compared to 32,268,301 in California, the most populated state, and 479,742 in
Wyoming, the least populous.

Pennsylvania had 44,820 square miles which made it tenth in the nation as far as population
density with 268.2 people per square mile. The largest state was Alaska with 550,043 square miles
followed by Texas with 261,734. The smallest was Rhode Island with 1,045 square miles. Alaska
was the most sparsely populated with only 1.1 people per square mile. New Jersey had the most
dense population with 1,085.5 people per square mile.

Pennsylvania had the largest rural population in the nation in terms of actual numbers
(3,693,348), according to 1990 census figures. The Commonwealth ranked 26th in terms of percent
of population that is rural (31.1 percent). Vermont was the most rural state in percents while
California was the most urban.

Population by Age: Pennsylvania's population had a median age of 37.3 years in 1997.
Only West Virginia (38.1) and Florida (38.0) had older average populations. The youngest state was
Utah by far with a median age of 26.9. The Commonwealth was fifth in number of citizens 65 and
older. Pennsylvania had the second oldest population in that 15.9 percent of the total population
was 65 years of age and older. Utah had the fewest elderly while Florida had the highest percent.

Income and Poverty: According to 1996 Census Bureau data, Pennsylvania ranked thirteenth
in the United States for median family income (family of 4) with a median of $53,814 compared to
number one ranking Connecticut with $67,380 and number 50 (Arkansas) at $36,828. In terms of
median household income, 1995 figures rank Pennsylvania 24th with $34,524. Alaska was first with
$47,954 while West Virginia was number 50 with $24,880.

1997 figures from the Bureau of Economic Analysis ranked Pennsylvania fifteenth in the
United States for per capita personal income with a value of $26,058. Connecticut was first and
Mississippi was last.

For percent of total population in poverty, 29 states had higher rates than Pennsylvania's 11.6
percent in 1996. New Hampshire had the lowest percent of persons in poverty while New Mexico
had the highest.

Economy and Business: The Gross State Product in Pennsylvania in 1996 was $328.5 billion
ranking the Commonwealth sixth. Vermont had the lowest GSP and California had the highest,
according to data from the U.S. Bureau of Economic Analysis.

Figures from the U.S. Statistical Abstract show that, in 1997, Pennsylvania's gasoline excise
tax was $.22 on the gallon. This amount represents the thirteenth highest in the nation, a position
shared by three other states. Connecticut had the highest tax while Alaska and Georgia had the
lowest. In 1995, the Commonwealth gained the third highest dollar amount from motor fuel taxes
surpassed by only California and Texas.

Pennsylvania was eighteenth for number of insured commercial banks (217) in 1996 but had
the third highest dollar amount of deposits ($184.3 billion). The state with the most banks of this
nature was Texas while New York had the highest deposits. Rhode Island and Hawaii had the
fewest such banks and Alaska the fewest deposits.

Pennsylvania ranked seventh in 1995 for business starts and sixth for business failures.
California was first for both while North Dakota was last for starts and Delaware had the fewest
failures. In 1996, Pennsylvania was twelfth for bankruptcy cases. Alaska experienced the least and
California the most.

Pennsylvanians were granted 2,925 patents in 1995, the eighth most in the nation. California
led in this arena while South Dakota was last.

Pennsylvania had the eleventh highest rate of home ownership in 1996 at 71.7 percent of the
population. Maine was number one and Hawaii had the lowest rate.

Agriculture: According to the U.S. Census Bureau, Pennsylvania had 45,000 farms in 1992
ranking it seventeenth in the nation where Texas had by far the most and Alaska and Rhode Island
the fewest. In acreage, Pennsylvania ranked 37th with 7.2 million acres of farmland. Again ,Texas
led and Rhode Island was number 50.

The Commonwealth was the number one producer in the country of mushrooms and the
second largest producer of ice cream, according to the 1996 Census of Agriculture. Pennsylvania
was ranked third for corn for silage and peaches and fourth for grapes, tart cherries, butter, Italian
cheese, and whole milk in manufactured milk products. The state ranked fifth for apples, tomatoes
for processing, and milk sherbet.

Pennsylvania was second in the nation for egg-type chick hatch, third for layers and calves,
and fourth for milk cows, all chickens (excluding broilers), milk production, egg production, and
trout production. The state earned a number five rank for sheep and lambs.

Labor Force and Employment: Pennsylvania had the sixth largest civilian labor force in the
nation and the fifth largest number of unemployed persons (311,000) in 1997 according to the U.S.
Bureau of Labor Statistics. With an unemployment rate of 5.2 percent, the Commonwealth ranked
33rd. Alaska ranked last with 7.9 percent while number one was North Dakota at 2.5 percent.

According to U.S. Census Bureau figures, Pennsylvania ranked eleventh in 1996 in both
average annual pay (preliminary) and average hourly wage of production workers. Pennsylvania
workers made an average of $28,973 that year compared to New York's $36,831 and South Dakota's
$20,724. Production workers in the Commonwealth averaged $13.39 per hour compared to $16.67
in Michigan and $9.59 in South Dakota.

In the same year, Pennsylvania had the sixth lowest rate of female participation in the labor
force with 55.6 percent. State rates ranged from 47.7 percent in West Virginia to 69.6 percent in
Wisconsin. And 27.5 percent of the Commonwealth's workers were union members ranking
Pennsylvania number four where New York had the number one membership rate and South
Carolina had the lowest.

According to 1995 Census Bureau data, Pennsylvania has the least number of full-time state
and local government employees per 10,000 population, although it ranked seventh for total number
of such employees. In 1994, the Commonwealth ranked sixth for total number of federal
employees. Vermont had the fewest public employees while California had the most. Wyoming
had the most state and local employees per 10,000 population.

Government: Pennsylvania ranked second for number of governments in 1992 having 5,159
governmental units. Illinois was first with 6,723 while Hawaii had just 21.

According to 1996 Census Bureau data, Pennsylvania received the fourth highest amount
of federal aid to state and local governments ($10.1 billion). California was number one and
Delaware ranked last. The Commonwealth was 21st, however, in per capita receipts where Alaska
was first and Virginia number 50.

There were 31 women holding state public office in Pennsylvania in 1996, 29 in the
legislature and two in elective executive offices. Connecticut had 52 women in such offices and
Alabama had only eight, according to the 1997 Statistical Abstract.

Quality of Life - Children: Using 1995 indicators, the Annie E. Casey Foundation's "1998
Kids Count Data Book" ranked Pennsylvania 26th in the nation for composite quality of life of
children. New Hampshire was number one and Louisiana ranked last with Mississippi not far
above.

Pennsylvania ranked 25th in low birth-weight babies with 7.4 percent. In this category,
Alaska and North Dakota were first and Mississippi was last. Pennsylvania was 32nd in infant
mortality holding a rate of 7.8 deaths per 1,000 live births. Massachusetts led this category and
Mississippi again was 50th. Pennsylvania ranked ninth with Colorado, Maine, and Vermont in
child death rate with 24 deaths per 100,000 children ages 1-14. Massachusetts led the nation while
Mississippi yet again trailed.

For rate of teen deaths by accident, homicide, and suicide, Pennsylvania was eleventh
having 50 deaths per 100,000 teens ages 15-19. Maine ranked first while Mississippi held last place.
Pennsylvania had 26 births per 1,000 females ages 15-17 ranking fifteenth for teen birth rate.
Vermont led the nation and Mississippi trailed. Pennsylvania's juvenile crime arrest rate was 790
arrests per 100,000 youths ages 10-17 putting the state in 48th place. Vermont had the fewest arrests
and New York had the most.

Nine percent of Pennsylvania teens (ages 16-19) dropped out of high school ranking the state
at 22 with eight other states. In Connecticut, the percent was lowest while in Nevada and Arizona
it was the highest. Pennsylvania had 9 percent of teens not attending school and not working so it
ranked 23rd in this category along with eight others. North Dakota was first and West Virginia was
last.

Pennsylvania ranked 24th for children in poverty with 17 percent. The lowest percent was
in New Hampshire and the highest in Louisiana. The percent of families with children headed by
a single parent was highest in Mississippi and Louisiana and lowest in Utah. Pennsylvania and
seven other states ranked tenth with 23 percent.

Pennsylvania's rank has generally improved over the years in teen birth rate and worsened
in teens who are high school dropouts. Juvenile crime arrests and teens not attending school or
working both improved from 1985 until 1989 and declined since that time. Since 1990, the
Commonwealth's composite rank has been as high as 14 (1992) and as low as 27 (1997).

Health and Vital Statistics: In 1994, Pennsylvania had 157,071 live births, the sixth most in
the nation according to the 1997 Statistical Abstract of the United States. In 1996, the birth rate
in Pennsylvania was 12.4 per 1,000 women aged 15 to 44. This ranked the state 46th while Utah
had the highest rate and Maine the lowest. For the rate among mothers under age 20, Pennsylvania
ranked 35th with a rate of 10.6 where Mississippi was number one and Massachusetts had the lowest
rate. Conversely, Pennsylvania ranked second for death rate in the same year having 10.7 deaths
per 1,000 population. Alaska experienced the lowest rate and West Virginia was highest.

Also in 1995, Pennsylvania had a marriage rate of 6.3 per 1,000 population and a divorce
rate of 3.3. The state's marriage rate was second lowest (tied with California) after West Virginia.
Nevada was highest in both and Massachusetts held the lowest divorce rate. Pennsylvania had the
seventh lowest divorce rate in the nation.

U.S. Census Bureau figures show the health care coverage was high in Pennsylvania with
only 9.5 percent of the population uncovered in 1996. This rate ranked the Commonwealth fourth
along with North Dakota and New Hampshire. Wisconsin was first in the country with 8.4 percent
and Texas was last with 24.3 percent uncovered.

In 1995, Massachusetts had the most physicians per 100,000 civilian population as well as
the most nurses. Idaho ranked 50th for physicians and California trailed for nurses. Pennsylvania
ranked sixth for doctors with 273 per 100,000 and seventh for nurses with a rate of 1,018, according
to data from the 1997 Statistical Abstract of the United States.

Pennsylvania had the seventh most AIDS cases reported in 1996 (2,348), at a rate of 19.5 per
100,000 population. Wyoming had the lowest rate of AIDS cases, New York had the highest, and
Pennsylvania ranked fourteenth for rate.

In 1994, 7.2 percent of Pennsylvania's population were recipients of public aid (Aid to
Families with Dependent Children and/or Federal Supplemental Security). This rate ranked the state
seventeenth where the highest rate was in California and the lowest in Idaho.

Education: In the 1995-1996 academic year, Pennsylvania was number nine for
appropriations of state tax funds for operating expenses of higher education. The state appropriated
$1,642.3 million compared to Vermont's $55.7 million and California's $5,072.8 million.

Pennsylvania had the third highest number of institutions of higher education (217) in 1995
after California and New York.

Crime and Fatality: The Federal Bureau of Investigation reports that in 1995, Pennsylvania
experienced 3,365 crimes known to police per 100,000 population. This is the eighth lowest rate
in the United States. The lowest was in West Virginia while the highest was in Arizona.
Pennsylvania's rate for violent crimes was 427, a rank of 21, compared to the high of 1,071 in
Florida and the low of 87 in North Dakota.

In 1992, Pennsylvania had 20 full-time sworn in police officers per 10,000 population. This
rate ranked the Commonwealth 30th where New York was number one and West Virginia 50.

Pennsylvania was seventeenth (with Hawaii and Nebraska) in 1995 for motor vehicle deaths
with a rate of 1.6 deaths per 100 million vehicle miles. New Hampshire was the safest while
Mississippi ranked last. Also in 1995, Pennsylvania was number six for alcohol-related crash deaths
with 610 people killed that year. Texas was number one with 1,782 while Rhode Island experienced
the fewest with only 29.

Federal Funds: According to Census Bureau data for fiscal year 1997, Pennsylvania received
a total of $65.3 billion in federal funds, the fifth highest amount of the 50 states. California received
most at $160.9 billion and Wyoming least at $2.6 billion. California, in fact, received the most
federal dollars for each of the following uses. Pennsylvania ranked fourth as to amount received
for grants to state and local governments where Connecticut was granted the least. For salaries and
wages, Pennsylvania ranked ninth and Vermont ranked 50th. In direct payments to individuals,
the Commonwealth took in the fifth largest amount and Alaska was given the least. Pennsylvania
was number nine for procurement funds while Wyoming trailed.

Energy and the Environment: In 1996, Pennsylvania ranked second for number of hazardous
waste sites with 102 sites. New Jersey contains the most sites and Nevada and North Dakota ranked
last, according to the U.S. Department of Environmental Protection.

Pennsylvania was 33rd in 1994 for energy consumption using 317.6 million BTU per capita.
The number one per capita consumer was Alaska while New Yorkers used the least energy.
Pennsylvania was number 25 in 1995 for percent of electric energy generated from coal with 57.3
percent. West Virginia produced virtually all of its electric energy from coal while Idaho produced
none.

Pennsylvania had the second most nuclear power plants in the nation (nine of the country's
109) from which came 39.3 percent of its total net energy generation in 1995. It ranked eighth for
this percent where Vermont was first and Washington last.

The Commonwealth was sixth for demonstrated coal reserves in 1995 and held almost all
the anthracite coal in the nation (96.6%).

Pennsylvania ranked 33rd in 1992 for acres of National Forests with 513,000 acres. Alaska
had the most and many states had none.

Transportation and Recreation: Pennsylvania ranks fourth for both rail and air transportation
with 70 railroads and 5,600 miles of railway as well as 800 airports. Furthermore, the state has the
fourth largest highway system.

Pennsylvania had the tenth largest area in State Parks and recreation areas with 283,000
acres in 1995 where Alaska had 3,242,000 and Rhode Island had 9,000. However, the
Commonwealth was fourth lowest for percent of operating expenditures taken in as revenues from
these areas. Pennsylvania collected 16.4 percent of operating expenses while New Hampshire took
in 108.6 percent and Wyoming collected only 11.4 percent, according to the 1997 Statistical
Abstract.

Pennsylvania boasted the third highest number of hunters in 1996 (879,000), according to
the National Survey of Fishing, Hunting and Wildlife. The greatest numbers hunted in Michigan
(934,000) and the fewest in Hawaii (23,000).

In 1995, Pennsylvania was the thirteenth most visited state by overseas travelers attracting
599,000 people and a 2.9 percent share of the market. Florida and California each held over 25
percent of the market.

The Pennsylvania State Data Center is the Commonwealth's official source of population
and economic statistics and services. It is based at Penn State Harrisburg's Institute of State and
Regional Affairs. The Pennsylvania State Data Center is part of the U.S. Census Bureau's national
State Data Center Program.

____________________________________________________________________
Editors: For more information, contact Amy Jonas at the Pennsylvania State Data Center, (717)
772-2710 or Penn State Harrisburg's Public Information Office, (717) 948-6029.

Source of Information: U.S. Census Bureau ; Annie E. Casey
Foundation ; U.S. Bureau of Labor
Statistics ; Statistical Abstract
of the United States, 1997 ; The
Federal Bureau of Investigation ;
U.S. Department of Environmental
Protection ; U.S. Bureau of
Economic Analysis

Accompany Table: How Pennsylvania Measures Up - State Rankings