Howe Township, Forest County, Pennsylvania

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Howe Township is a rural area in Forest County, Pennsylvania, in the state’s northeastern corner. It borders Warren County to the north, Elk County to the east, and McKean County at the northeast corner.

Geography and roads
The township covers about 87.5 square miles of mostly land. Tionesta Creek flows through the northern part of Howe Township. Pennsylvania Route 666 runs along the creek and passes through communities such as Mayburg, Balltown, Porkey, Minister, Truemans, and Lynch. Route 948 crosses the northeastern corner along the South Branch of Tionesta Creek and goes through Brookston. Route 66 crosses the southeastern part near Pigeon.

Population and notable facilities
The population was 201 in 2020 and an estimated 197 in 2023, down from 405 in 2010. The 2000 census counted 417 people. Howe Township is home to the Cornell Abraxas juvenile detention facility, a 274‑bed long‑term institution for substance abusers. Because many residents are counted as Howe Township residents for census purposes, some statistics can look biased toward the facility.

A look at the 2000 census
- Population: 417 people, 68 households, 36 families
- Racial makeup: about 66% White, 24% African American, with small numbers of Native American, Asian, and other races; about 10% were Hispanic or Latino
- Age: the median age was 18 years, with 53% of residents under 18
- Household structure: average household size was about 2.07; many households had children
- Income and poverty: median household income about $26,000; per capita income about $5,223; a large share of residents lived in poverty

Overall
Howe Township is a sparsely populated, young, and economically challenged area, with several small communities along its main roads and a major correctional facility that influences census numbers.