State College
RANK #779 / 996 NAT · #37 / 44 PA · POP 158,665
1YR FORECAST: +0.9%
5YR OUTLOOK: +17%
The historic borough of Bellefonte, known as the "Victorian Jewel" of Pennsylvania, serves as Centre County's seat and offers a glimpse into the region's past with its preserved architecture and natural Big Spring. Centre County is located in central Pennsylvania, roughly bisected by the Allegheny Mountains, and is home to Penn State University's main campus in State College. The county's landscape features forested plateaus, rolling limestone valleys, and numerous state parks like Bald Eagle, Black Moshannon, and Poe Valley, providing extensive outdoor recreation opportunities. Commuting within the county is facilitated by the Centre Area Transportation Authority (CATA), which offers bus services connecting State College, Bellefonte, and surrounding areas, including routes to Penn State.
Life in Centre County balances metropolitan conveniences with rural charm, attracting a mix of young professionals and families. Public schools in the county, including the State College Area School District, are recognized for their quality. The economy is largely driven by education and healthcare, with Penn State University and Mount Nittany Medical Center being major employers. Recent economic development initiatives aim to diversify the economy by supporting business expansion and targeting growth in sectors such as high-tech manufacturing, life sciences, and sensor technology. There is also a focus on developing infrastructure, including expanding air service and addressing housing needs across various income levels.
Above national median (4.7x)
Below national median
Above national median
Below-average climate & terrain
Above national median (13x)
Housing is fairly valued at 5.1x relative to local economic output. The typical U.S. county is 4–6x.
Estimated local headcount ranges. Larger employers shown as floor + "+"; smaller employers show exact counts where reported.
Source: Redfin · Census BPS — Browse sales on Redfin →
Source: CDC/NCHS vital statistics via County Health Rankings (2020–2022 avg). Rates per 100,000 population. Grade based on homicide rate relative to national average (~6.3). Learn more →
Source: EPA Air Quality System (2021–2023). Grade based on 3-year average median AQI. Learn about AQI →
| PROJECT | AMOUNT | STATUS |
|---|---|---|
|
Black Moshannon Solar Project
Undisclosed Developer (approved by Rush Township Supervisors)
|
$265M | Planned |
|
MPG Solar Project
MPG Solar (Energix Renewables)
|
$162M | Planned |
Source: public records, news, corporate announcements. Amounts are estimates where noted.
Bars show percentile rank among all 996 counties.
At 21/100, Centre County faces headwinds that place it in the lower third of the 996 counties we track. Median income of $70,087 combined with job growth of +0.2% suggests the local economy is struggling to keep pace with national trends.
Centre County leans toward the expensive side. A median home value of $289,800 against an income-to-home-value ratio of 0.24 means housing eats a bigger share of local earnings than the national norm. Renters face $1,118/month on average.
Population and employment in Centre County are both close to flat — population -0.1% YoY and jobs +0.2%. Home values shifted +1.9% over the past 12 months. A steady-state county, neither expanding quickly nor shrinking.
In significant numbers — 7.02% of Centre County's current population relocated from another state, well above the national norm. That level of in-migration usually signals a county where jobs, affordability, or quality of life are pulling people in from elsewhere.