Mercersburg is a borough in Franklin County, Pennsylvania, United States. It is southwest of Harrisburg, the state capital. Originally called "Black Town", it was incorporated in 1831. Locals also used to refer an area outside of the town as "Little Africa" due to the large population of African Americans who lived here during the time of the Underground Railroad. However as of 2010 only 6.49 percent of the population is African American. The population was 1,561 at the 2010 census.
As of the census of 2000, there were 1,540 people, 686 households, and 439 families residing in the borough. The population density was 1,581.0 people per square mile. There were 770 housing units at an average density of 790.5 per square mile. The racial makeup of the borough was 92.08% White, 6.49% African American, 0.58% Asian, 0.52% from other races, and 0.32% from two or more races. Hispanic or Latino of any race were 1.36% of the population. There were 686 households, out of which 30.8% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 48.8% were married couples living together, 11.2% had a female householder with no husband present, and 36.0% were non-families. 32.4% of all households were made up of individuals, and 14.7% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.24 and the average family size was 2.80. In the borough the population was spread out, with 23.6% under the age of 18, 6.5% from 18 to 24, 29.7% from 25 to 44, 22.7% from 45 to 64, and 17.4% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 39 years. For every 100 females there were 88.3 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 88.8 males. The median income for a household in the borough was $32,619, and the median income for a family was $46,042. Males had a median income of $30,602 versus $23,000 for females. The per capita income for the borough was $18,934. About 7.2% of families and 8.6% of the population were below the poverty line, including 7.5% of those under age 18 and 10.2% of those age 65 or over.
The Tuscarora School District covers an area of, stretching north-south from just south of 40 degrees north latitude to the Maryland border and from east of the 78 degree west longitude line to just west of Chambersburg. The district is located within the borders of Franklin County in south-central Pennsylvania and includes the borough of Mercersburg and Montgomery, Peters, St. Thomas and Warren townships. The school district is primarily a rural agricultural area with a total population of approximately 17,000 people. The district consists of four K-5 elementary schools, one grade 6-8 middle school and one grade 9-12 high school. Tuscarora, the name of the mountain on the western boundary, is derived from the Tuscarora people of the Iroquois Confederation. The Tuscarora came north from the Carolinas about 1713 and settled for a time along the mountains. "Conococheague", the name of the creek that flows through the district on its way from the Path Valley south to the Potomac River, is a name from the Delaware people meaning "clear water".
Mercersburg Academy
is an independent college preparatory school that was founded in 1893. It has produced several Rhodes scholars, three Medal of Honor recipients, a Nobel laureate, two Academy Award winners, and 54 Olympians. Its campus, located east of the square in downtown Mercersburg, spans and is home to 430 students from 26 states and 40 nations.
James Buchanan, the only Pennsylvanian to be elected President of the United States, was born in a log cabin in the village of Cove Gap northwest of Mercersburg and grew up in the town. His log cabin today stands on the Mercersburg Academy campus near the athletics building.
William Findlay, governor of Pennsylvania from 1817 to 1820 and U.S. senator from Pennsylvania from 1821 to 1827, was born in Mercersburg.
Harriet Lane, niece of James Buchanan, was born at Mercersburg in the Lane House.
James S. McCullough, Illinois state auditor, was born in Mercersburg.
