The Pennsylvania 18th Congressional District is made up of parts of Allegheny, Beaver, Washington, and Westmoreland counties, stretching from Ligonier to Pittsburgh to Ohio. With access to major waterways, the region prospered during the 1900s, becoming a world leader in coal and steel production. While steel and coal remain vital industries to the region, electronic manufacturing, nuclear technology, and health care also play key roles.
The 18th District is home to companies such as Sony, Westinghouse, Kennametal, FedEx Ground, Bayer, GlaxoSmithKline, and hundreds of small businesses that provide thousands of jobs to the region. Three major airports are located in the 18th district: the Pittsburgh International Airport in Findlay Township, the Arnold Palmer Airport in Latrobe, and the Washington County Airport in South Franklin Township..
Farming is also important to the region. Washington County and Westmoreland Counties are leaders in cattle, sheep and dairy farming. Many of the nation’s produce and dairy products come from Southwestern Pennsylvania.
As the home to six colleges and universities, the 18th Congressional District is also attractive to young people. Some of the nation’s leading medical research -- the polio vaccine, for example, was developed at the University of Pittsburgh -- is conducted right here in Pittsburgh.
Map provided by GovTrack.us and the Open Planning Project.
