Cumberland County Office of VA Affairs & Services

Cumberland County Overview:

1. Founding and Name Origin:

   • Named for Cumberland, England.

   • Founded on January 27, 1750.

2. Geographical Location:

   • Located in South Central Pennsylvania.

   • Encompasses 555 square miles.

3. Diverse Landscape:

   • Comprised of urban communities and rich farmland.

4. Population and Municipalities:

   • Home to more than 250,000 residents.

   • Consists of 33 municipalities.

5. Strategic Location:

   • Within a two-hour drive or less of Philadelphia, Baltimore, and Washington.

   • Within a ten-hour drive of over 50% of the U.S. population.

6. Educational Institutions:

   • Home to six colleges and universities:

     • US Army War College

     • Shippensburg University

     • Dickinson College

     • Penn State Dickinson School of Law

     • Central Pennsylvania College

     • Messiah College

County Operations: 7. Governance:

• Classified as a third-class county.

• Governed by a Board of three Commissioners, each serving a four-year term.

1. Elected Officials:

   • Various elected officials include:

     • Clerk of Courts

     • Controller

     • Coroner

     • District Attorney

     • Prothonotary

     • Recorder of Deeds

     • Register of Wills

     • Sheriff

     • Treasurer

2. Judicial System:

   • Six Judges of the Court of Common Pleas, including a President Judge, elected for ten-year terms.

   • Addition of a seventh Judge scheduled in 2020.

   • Ten elected Magisterial District Judges, each serving a six-year term.

3. County Administration:

   • Board of Commissioners appoints the Chief Clerk to oversee County operations.

   • Administrative areas include Finance, Agriculture and Planning, Emergency Services, and Human Services.