Pennsylvania's smallest town by population is Centralia, a borough located in Columbia County. As of the 2020 census, Centralia had a total population of just 5 residents.
The Decline of Centralia's Population
Centralia's dramatically low population is a direct consequence of an ongoing underground mine fire that has been burning beneath the borough since 1962. This environmental disaster has led to the condemnation and demolition of most buildings, forcing nearly all residents to relocate.
Here's a snapshot of Centralia's key demographic information based on recent data:
| Statistic | Value |
|---|---|
| Population (2020) | 5 |
| Density (2020) | 20.833/sq mi (8.08/km²) |
| Elevation | 1,467 ft (447 m) |
The Catastrophic Mine Fire
The infamous Centralia mine fire started in an abandoned coal mine beneath the town. Over the decades, the fire has spread through a labyrinth of coal seams, emitting noxious gases, creating sinkholes, and making the ground unstable and dangerous.
- Initial Event: The fire is believed to have started when a landfill fire, ignited to clean up a dump, spread to an exposed coal seam.
- Government Intervention: Despite numerous attempts to extinguish it, the fire persisted. In 1983, Congress allocated over $42 million for relocation efforts, and most residents were bought out and moved to nearby communities.
- Eminent Domain: In 1992, the state of Pennsylvania exercised eminent domain over all properties in the borough, condemning them. A small handful of residents, however, fought to remain and were eventually permitted to live out their lives there through a 2013 settlement, though their properties will be condemned upon their deaths.
What Remains in Centralia Today
Today, Centralia is largely a ghost town. Most of the streets are empty and overgrown, and only a few scattered homes remain. The borough still exists legally, maintaining its status as an incorporated municipality, but it functions more as a poignant reminder of human-environmental conflict and resilience.
Visitors can observe the eerie landscape, where steam and smoke sometimes rise from cracks in the ground, and warning signs advise against entering certain areas due to hazardous conditions. The abandoned section of Pennsylvania Route 61, known as the "Graffiti Highway," also became a popular, albeit unofficial, attraction before it was covered in 2020.
Despite its desolate appearance, Centralia's unique history and ongoing geological event continue to fascinate researchers, urban explorers, and those interested in the environmental impact of industrial activities.
For more detailed information on Centralia's history and the mine fire, you can visit its Wikipedia page.
