Textbook example of "brain drain"
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3/14/2013
St. Marys, and the whole Elk County area are a textbook example of the term "Brain Drain." Ever since the mid to late 90's, most of the youth that went away to college never came back. This is a problem that is occurring in many rural areas, but it is especially pronounced here. The Elk and Cameron county areas have experienced the largest population declines in PA over the past 10 years.
I was born and raised here, went to school here from preschool to 12th grade, went to college, moved back, tried to live here, but ultimately became part of the "mass exodus," and moved away.
I liked growing up here in the 80's and 90's, but after living here as a young adult with my own children, I did not want them to grow up in an area that was in such economic decline, and has such a resentment towards the younger generation.
Over the past 15-20 years, the demographics of this area has basically transformed to poor white trash, or old people (60 +). The unemployment rate has steadily gone down, but only because older people retire, and the younger people with half a brain move out. There is pretty much no growth opportunities available anymore. At some point, the population decline will level off, but when looking at the demographic makeup of the age distribution, it may decline for at least another 20 years.
In short, this is a town where people drive trucks that are worth more than their homes. They spend $30 a week on lottery tickets, yet complain when gas goes up 5 cents a gallon. They would rather spend $5,000 on a snowmobile or ATV, than invest it an asset that actually has a chance of appreciating in value. They still think Pontiac's are awesome cars, and there are still a few that think mullets are in. After all of this, they then complain that they just can't "get ahead in life."
If all of this fits your personality, St. Marys and Elk county are right for you. If you enjoy an area that you still can't even get decent internet service or TV, then move on in. If you enjoy driving for 35-45 minutes behind an 85 year old lady or a Wal-Mart truck just to get to the nearest major highway, then this is the place for you. If you enjoy a closed minded population that thinks they are well traveled because they drove to the Outer Banks or went to Pittsburgh a few times, then welcome to St. Marys.
John | St. Marys, PA