RANK #45 / 1001 NAT · #2 / 44 PA · POP 78,635
1YR FORECAST: +2.0%
5YR OUTLOOK: +39%
Clearfield County, Pennsylvania, located in the north-central part of the state, is known for its "clear fields" that early explorers found, a nod to the open areas created by bison herds and Native American cornfields. The county seat, Clearfield, is situated along the West Branch Susquehanna River and is about a 2.5-hour drive from Harrisburg and 2 hours from Pittsburgh. Interstate 80 runs directly through the county, offering access to major markets. The community offers a small-town feel with historical landmarks from the late 1800s, particularly in Clearfield's "Old Town Historic District." Outdoor recreation is a significant draw, with Curwensville Lake Recreation Area offering hiking, fishing, boating, and camping, and Parker Dam State Park providing trails and wildlife viewing opportunities.
Life in Clearfield County often appeals to those seeking a rural lifestyle. The economy, historically rooted in lumber and coal, has been transitioning. While natural resource extraction still plays a role, the area has seen recent investments in sectors like energy and advanced manufacturing. Clearfield County is served by several public school districts, including Clearfield Area, DuBois Area, and Curwensville Area School Districts. Public transportation options, including bus services, are available within the county.
Clearfield County's data profile doesn't fit any single market profile cleanly — its housing, labor, and demographic signals pull in different directions (home prices +2.2% YoY, population -0.3%, wages +3.9%). About 414 U.S. counties show this kind of mixed-signal pattern.
See all 414 Idiosyncratic Markets counties →Below national median (11.3x)
Above national median
Moderate climate & terrain
Below national median (15x)
Housing is fairly valued at 6.9x 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.
Bars show trailing 12-month growth. The dashed Forecast bars are the model's next-12-month projection; the whisker marks the ±1% range (cooling–accelerating).
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 (2021–2022). Grade based on 3-year average median AQI. Learn about AQI →
| PROJECT | AMOUNT | STATUS |
|---|---|---|
|
Iron City No. 1 Power Generator and Compute Center (AI Data Center)
Iron City Wells, LLC
|
$500M | Planned |
|
Mineral Basin Solar Project
Swift Current Energy
|
$402M | Under Development |
|
Shallow Seam BESS (Battery Energy Storage System)
Undisclosed
|
$400M | Planned |
|
CPV Rogue's Wind
Competitive Power Ventures (CPV) Renewable Power
|
$300M | Under Construction |
|
Madera - Westover South 115 kV Wind Project
Undisclosed
|
$110M | Planned |
|
KeyState River Hill Fertilizers, Fuels and Chemicals
KeyState Natural Gas Synthesis
|
$70M | Operating |
Source: public records, news, corporate announcements. Amounts are estimates where noted.
Bars show percentile rank among all 1001 counties.
Clearfield County ranks #45 out of 1001 U.S. counties on the Boom Town Index with a score of 96/100, placing it in the top tier nationally. Median household income is $62,152 and the underlying growth metrics (housing, migration, income) hold up against peer counties.
By national standards, Clearfield County is quite affordable. Homes here have a median value of $137,000, and the income-to-home-value ratio of 0.45 is well above the U.S. average — especially with median rent at just $791/month. Residents can generally buy a home without being cost-burdened.
Population and employment in Clearfield County are both close to flat — population -0.3% YoY and jobs 0.0%. Home values shifted +2.2% over the past 12 months. A steady-state county, neither expanding quickly nor shrinking.
There's a moderate stream of newcomers. About 2.38% of residents moved from another state, which is above average and suggests Clearfield County has appeal as a relocation destination — though it's not among the highest-inflow counties nationally.