Fort Halifax was located along the Susquehanna River near the present borough. It was a temporary stronghold for the Pennsylvania colonial militia from 1756 to 1757, during the French and Indian War. Prior to settlement by Europeans the area was inhabited by North American Indians, presumably Susquehannocks, evidenced by frequent unearthing of tools and arrowheads by local residents and farmers.
As of the census[8] of 2000, there were 875 people, 386 households, and 240 families residing in the borough. The population density was 2,578.4 inhabitants per square mile (995.5/km2). There were 419 housing units at an average density of 1,234.7 per square mile (476.7/km2). The racial makeup of the borough was 98.40% White, 0.46% Asian, 0.11% from other races, and 1.03% from two or more races. Hispanic or Latino of any race were 1.37% of the population.
There were 386 households, out of which 32.6% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 43.8% were married couples living together, 12.7% had a female householder with no husband present, and 37.6% were non-families. 33.2% of all households were made up of individuals, and 15.8% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.27 and the average family size was 2.85.
In the borough the population was spread out, with 26.1% under the age of 18, 7.3% from 18 to 24, 30.2% from 25 to 44, 20.8% from 45 to 64, and 15.7% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 36 years. For every 100 females, there were 91.9 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 85.4 males.
The median income for a household in the borough was $31,597, and the median income for a family was $37,222. Males had a median income of $33,438 versus $24,643 for females. The per capita income for the borough was $16,443. About 7.7% of families and 11.0% of the population were below the poverty line, including 18.8% of those under 18 and 13.6% of those over 64.
