Centre County, Pennsylvania

History

The land of the future Centre County was first recorded by James Potter in 1764. Potter reached the top of Nittany Mountain and "seeing the prairies and noble forest beneath him, cried out to his attendant, 'By heavens, Thompson, I have discovered an empire!'" Centre County was created on February 13, 1800 by Act 2092 of the Pennsylvania Legislature from parts of Huntingdon, Lycoming, Mifflin, and Northumberland counties. The act said that its inhabitants "labour under great hardships, by reason of their great distance from the present seats of justice, and the public offices" of their current counties. Its population was 4,112. Centre was among ten new counties carved from the existing twenty-six in early 1800. The county was named after the Centre Furnace.

Geography

According to the U.S. Census Bureau, the county has a total area of 1113 sqmi, of which 1110 sqmi is land and 3.0 sqmi (0.3%) is water. Centre County is one of the 423 counties served by the Appalachian Regional Commission. It is the fifth-largest county in Pennsylvania by area and its area code is 814.

Centre County has a humid continental climate (Dfb/Dfa at lower elevations). | State College |20.2|34.0|2.74 |21.7|37.5|2.53 |28.2|46.4|3.41 |39.3|59.8|3.20 |49.3|69.7|3.45 |58.7|77.9|4.10 |62.6|81.6|3.52 |61.0|80.2|3.84 |53.1|72.3|3.65 |42.1|61.2|3.09 |33.9|49.8|3.35 |24.8|38.1|2.88 |access-date = April 28, 2013}}

Features

• Bald Eagle Valley
• Bald Eagle Mountain
• Nittany Valley
• Mount Nittany
• Penns Valley
• Tussey Mountain

Adjacent counties

• Clinton County (north)
• Union County (east)
• Mifflin County (southeast)
• Huntingdon County (south)
• Blair County (south)
• Clearfield County (west)

Demographics

| align-fn = center

2020 census

As of the 2020 census, the county had a population of 158,172. The median age was 31.5 years. 15.0% of residents were under the age of 18 and 15.1% of residents were 65 years of age or older. For every 100 females there were 107.9 males, and for every 100 females age 18 and over there were 108.6 males age 18 and over.

The racial makeup of the county was 83.0% White, 3.5% Black or African American, 0.1% American Indian and Alaska Native, 7.2% Asian,

65.4% of residents lived in urban areas, while 34.6% lived in rural areas.

There were 59,357 households in the county, of which 21.8% had children under the age of 18 living in them. Of all households, 43.8% were married-couple households, 24.3% were households with a male householder and no spouse or partner present, and 26.3% were households with a female householder and no spouse or partner present. About 30.8% of all households were made up of individuals and 10.0% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older.

There were 65,408 housing units, of which 9.3% were vacant. Among occupied housing units, 57.7% were owner-occupied and 42.3% were renter-occupied. The homeowner vacancy rate was 1.0% and the rental vacancy rate was 5.5%.

2010 census

As of the 2010 census, there were 153,990 people, 57,573 households, and 31,256 families residing in the county. The population density was 139 /mi2. There were 63,297 housing units at an average density of 57 /mi2. The racial makeup of the county was 89.4% White, 3.0% Black or African American, 0.1% Native American, 5.2% Asian, 0.1% Pacific Islander, 0.7% from other races, and 1.5% from two or more races. 2.4% of the population were Hispanic or Latino of any race.

There were 57,573 households, out of which 23.3% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 44.6% were married couples living together, 3.3% had a male householder with no wife present, 6.4% had a female householder with no husband present, and 45.7% were non-families. 28.7% of all households were made up of individuals, and 8.3% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.38 and the average family size was 2.91.

In the county, 15.9% of the population was under the age of 18, 28.9% was from 18 to 24, 22.6% from 25 to 44, 21.3% from 45 to 64, and 11.3% was 65 years of age or older. The median age was 29 years. For every 100 females there were 107.5 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 108.1 males.

Metropolitan statistical area

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The United States Office of Management and Budget has designated Centre County as the State College, PA Metropolitan Statistical Area (MSA). As of the 2010 U.S. census the metropolitan area ranked 13th most populous in Pennsylvania and the 259th most populous in the United States with a population of 155,403. Centre County is also a part of the larger State College–DuBois, PA Combined Statistical Area (CSA), which combines the populations of Centre County as well as Clearfield County to the west. The combined statistical area ranked ninth in Pennsylvania and 123rd most populous in the United States with a population of 236,577.

Law and government

County commissioners

• Mark Higgins, Chairman (Democrat)
• Amber Concepcion, Vice-chair (Democrat)
• Steven G. Dershem, Commissioner (Republican)

Other county offices

• Clerk of Courts and Prothonotary, Jeremy Breon, Democrat
• Controller, Jason Moser, Democrat
• Coroner, Scott Sayers, Democrat
• District Attorney, Bernie Cantorna, Democrat
• Recorder of Deeds, Joe Davidson, Republican
• Register of Wills, Christine Millinder, Republican
• Sheriff, Bryan Sampsel, Republican
• Treasurer, Colleen Kennedy, Democrat

State senate

• Cris Dush, Republican, Pennsylvania's 35th Senatorial District

State House of Representatives

• Scott Conklin, Democrat, Pennsylvania's 77th Representative District
• Paul Takac, Democrat, Pennsylvania's 82nd Representative District
• Kerry Benninghoff, Republican, Pennsylvania's 171st Representative District

United States House of Representatives

• Glenn "G.T." Thompson, Republican, Pennsylvania's 15th congressional district

United States Senate

• Dave McCormick, Republican
• John Fetterman, Democrat

Politics

|} Centre County for many years has been a strongly Republican county, like most of central Pennsylvania. By the 21st century however, it became more competitive, in line with college towns around the country. Democratic strength is largely around the Happy Valley (home of Penn State University Park) and county seat Bellefonte, with the rest of the county being Republican.

In 2000 George W. Bush defeated Al Gore with 52% of the vote to Gore's 43%. In 2004 Bush won the county by a much smaller margin. Bush won 51% to Kerry's 47%, a margin of only 4%. In 2006, Governor Ed Rendell and Bob Casey Jr. both carried Centre, and Democrat Scott Conklin decisively won the State House seat left open by the retirement of Republican Lynn Herman in the 77th district. In 2008, Democrats captured the countywide registration edge, Barack Obama carried the county with 55% of the vote to McCain's 44%, and Democratic statewide winners (Rob McCord for Treasurer and Jack Wagner for Auditor General also carried Centre).

In 2012, Barack Obama won the county in his reelection campaign by a very narrow margin, 48.9% to 48.65%, a difference of just 175 votes. In 2016, Democrat Hillary Clinton beat Republican nominee Donald Trump 47.76% to 45.86%. In the same election, incumbent Republican Senator Pat Toomey beat Democratic opponent Katie McGinty 47.91% to 46.2% in the county.

Voter registration

As of August 27, 2025, there were 101,604 registered voters in Centre County.

• Democratic: 41,194 (40.54%)
• Republican: 42,011 (41.34%)
• Non-affiliated: 15,567 (15.32%)
• Third Parties: 2,724 (0.026%)

Education

Colleges and universities

• Pennsylvania State University

Community, junior, and technical colleges

• South Hills School of Business & Technology
• Central Pennsylvania Institute of Science and Technology, public Vo Tech in Pleasant Gap

Public school districts

School districts include:

• Bald Eagle Area School District
• Bellefonte Area School District
• Keystone Central School District (also in Clinton County)
• Penns Valley Area School District
• Philipsburg-Osceola Area School District (also in Clearfield County)
• State College Area School District
• Tyrone Area School District (also in Blair County and Huntingdon County)

Public charter schools

• Young Scholars of Central PA Charter School
• Centre Learning Community Charter School
• Nittany Valley Charter School
• There are 13 public cyber charter schools in Pennsylvania that are available for free statewide, to children K-12. See: Education in Pennsylvania.

Private schools

As reported by the Pennsylvania Department of Education 2010.

• Bower Hollow Parochial School – Woodward
• Elk Creek School – Rebersburg
• Faith Christian Academy – Philipsburg
• Grace Prep – Ferguson
• Hill Side School – Rebersburg
• Hubler Ridge School – Bellefonte
• Kramer Gap School – Spring Mills
• Little Nittany Amish Parochial School – Howard
• Mountain View School – Rebersburg
• Nittany Christian School – State College
• Our Lady of Victory School – State College
• Park Forest Montessori School - Patton
• Peach Lane Amish School – Madisonburg
• Penns Valley Amish Paroch School – Woodward
• Rockville School – Rebersburg
• Spring Bank School – Rebersburg
• St John Evangelist School – Bellefonte
• St. Joseph's Academy – Boalsburg
• State College Friends School – State College
• Sunny Meadow Parochial School – Howard
• Sunset View School – Howard
• Sunset View School – Rebersburg
• Windy Poplars School – Centre Hall
• Woodside Amish School – Spring Mills

Libraries

• Centre County Libraries
  • Centre County Library & Historical Museum – Bellefonte
  • Centre Hall Area Branch Library – Centre Hall
  • Holt Memorial Library – Philipsburg
  • Centre County Bookmobile
• American Philatelic Research Library
• Schlow Centre Region Library

Pennsylvania State University libraries

• Pattee Library
• Paterno Library
• Architecture and Landscape Architecture Library
• Earth and Mineral Sciences Library
• Engineering Library
• Physical and Mathematical Sciences Library

Transportation

Airport

State College Regional Airport offers daily commercial and general aviation flights. United Express and American Eagle service the airport currently with nonstop flights to Philadelphia, Washington-Dulles, and Chicago-O'Hare.

Major highways

Recreation

Bald Eagle State Park, October 2009]]

There are six Pennsylvania state parks in Centre County.

• Bald Eagle State Park is the largest state park in Centre County with 5,900 acre. It is on Pennsylvania Route 150 between Milesburg and Lock Haven.
• Black Moshannon State Park, west of State College has a bog with three species of carnivorous plants and 17 orchid varieties.
• McCalls Dam State Park is a small park on a dirt road in the easternmost area of the eastern tip of the county.
• Penn-Roosevelt State Park is the site of a former segregated CCC camp for African American men.
• Poe Paddy State Park is at the confluence of Big Poe Creek and Penns Creek.
• Poe Valley State Park is in an isolated valley surrounding 25 acre Poe Lake.

Media

Centre County's main daily newspaper is the Centre Daily Times (part of the McClatchy Company chain). Alternative newspapers include the Centre County Gazette and State College City Guide. Newspapers of Pennsylvania State University's main campus include the student-run Daily Collegian. Magazines in the area include Town & Gown, State College Magazine, Good Life in Happy Valley, Blue White Illustrated, Pennsylvania Business Central, and Voices of Central Pennsylvania. The radio market of Centre County is ranked #257 in the nation. Some of the more popular stations include WPSU, WKPS, WZWW, WLEJ, WFGE, WNLI, WRSC-FM, WBHV, WOWY, and WBUS.

Centre County is part of the Johnstown/Altoona/State College television market, which is currently ranked #99 in the nation. Television stations broadcasting out of State College are WPSU (PBS) and WHVL-LD (MyNetworkTV) as well as C-NET, Centre County's Government and Education Access Television Network, which broadcasts on two channels: CGTV (Government Access TV) and CETV (Educational Access TV). Johnstown-based WJAC-TV (NBC) and Altoona-based WTAJ-TV (CBS) maintain satellite studios and offices.

Communities

Under Pennsylvania law, there are five types of incorporated municipalities: cities, home rule municipalities, boroughs, townships, and in at most two cases, towns. These are the municipalities, boroughs and townships in Centre County:

Home rule municipalities

• Ferguson Township (Happy Valley)
• State College (Happy Valley)

Boroughs

• Bellefonte (county seat)
• Centre Hall
• Howard
• Milesburg
• Millheim
• Philipsburg
• Port Matilda
• Snow Shoe
• Unionville

Townships

• Benner
• Boggs
• Burnside
• College (Happy Valley)
• Curtin
• Ferguson (Happy Valley)
• Gregg
• Haines
• Halfmoon
• Harris (Happy Valley)
• Howard
• Huston
• Liberty
• Marion
• Miles
• Patton (Happy Valley)
• Penn
• Potter
• Rush
• Snow Shoe
• Spring
• Taylor
• Union
• Walker
• Worth

Census-designated places

Census-designated places are geographical areas designated by the U.S. Census Bureau for the purposes of compiling demographic data. They are not actual jurisdictions under Pennsylvania law. Other unincorporated communities, such as villages, may also be listed here.

• Aaronsburg
• Baileyville
• Blanchard
• Boalsburg
• Casanova
• Clarence
• Coburn
• Continental Courts
• Eagle Creek
• Eagleville
• Holters Crossing
• Houserville
• Hublersburg
• Jacksonville
• Julian
• Lemont
• Madisonburg
• Mingoville
• Monument
• Moose Run
• Moshannon
• Mount Eagle
• Nittany
• North Philipsburg
• Orviston
• Park Forest Village
• Peru
• Pine Glen
• Pine Grove Mills
• Pleasant Gap
• Potters Mills
• Ramblewood
• Rebersburg
• Runville
• Sandy Ridge
• Snydertown
• South Philipsburg
• Spring Mills
• Stormstown
• Toftrees
• Woodward
• Yarnell
• Zion

Other communities

• Axemann
• Cato
• Centennial
• Chemical
• Coleville
• Colyer
• Fillmore
• Fishermans Paradise
• Gatesburg
• Graysdale
• Gum Stump
• Ingleby (ghost town)
• Linden Hall
• Livonia
• Marengo
• Martha Furnace
• Millbrook
• Oak Hall
• Old Fort
• Overlook Heights
• Panorama
• Penn Five
• Pine Hall
• Rock Springs
• Scotia (ghost town)
• Shingletown
• Skytop
• Spike Island
• Struble
• Tusseyville
• University Park
• Waddle
• Woodycrest

Population ranking

The population ranking of the following table is based on the 2010 census of Centre County.

† county seat

References

References

1. "Centre County, Pennsylvania".
2. "PHMC Historical Markers Search". Commonwealth of Pennsylvania.
3. "Census - Geography Profile: Centre County, Pennsylvania". [[United States Census Bureau]].
4. "Find a County". National Association of Counties.
5. "Centre County Pennsylvania: 15 Historical Sketches of Our 200 Years".
6. "Preservation Project - File Download | PA Legislative Reference Bureau".
7. "Iron Making at Centre County". Centre County Historical Society.
8. (August 22, 2012). "2010 Census Gazetteer Files". United States Census Bureau.
9. "Census 2020".
10. (2021). "2020 Decennial Census Demographic Profile (DP1)".
11. (2021). "2020 Decennial Census Redistricting Data (Public Law 94-171)".
12. (2023). "2020 Decennial Census Demographic and Housing Characteristics (DHC)".
13. "P004: Hispanic or Latino, and Not Hispanic or Latino by Race – 2000: DEC Summary File 1 – Centre County, Pennsylvania". [[United States Census Bureau]].
14. "P2 Hispanic or Latino, and Not Hispanic or Latino by Race – 2010: DEC Redistricting Data (PL 94-171) - Centre County, Pennsylvania".
15. "P2 Hispanic or Latino, and Not Hispanic or Latino by Race – 2020: DEC Redistricting Data (PL 94-171) - Centre County, Pennsylvania".
16. "U.S. Census website". [[United States Census Bureau]].
17. "Office of Management and Budget".
18. "2010 U.S. Census website". [[United States Census Bureau]].
19. "Centre County Government - Welcome Page". Centre County Government.
20. Center, Legislativate Data Processing. "Find Your Legislator".
21. Leip, David. "Dave Leip's Atlas of U.S. Presidential Elections".
22. (November 5, 2024). "2024 Senate Election (Official Returns)".
23. "2012 Presidential General Election Results - Pennsylvania".
24. "Centre County, PA - Official Website - Election Results".
25. Pennsylvania Department of State. (August 27, 2025). "Voter registration statistics by county".
26. "2020 CENSUS - SCHOOL DISTRICT REFERENCE MAP: Centre County, PA". [[U.S. Census Bureau]].
27. "Pennsylvania Newspapers". NewsLink.
28. [http://www.townandgown.com Town & Gown Magazine] Town & Gown Magazine
29. [http://www.statecollegemagazine.com/index.php State College Magazine, Pennsylvania] {{webarchive. link. (January 2, 2016 . State College Magazine (March 1, 2011). Retrieved on 2011-03-30.)
30. [http://www.centredaily.com/living/a_good_life/ Good Life in Happy Valley. Centre Daily Times – State College, PA. Penn State, Nittany Lions, weather, news, jobs, homes, apartments, real estate] {{webarchive. link. (May 31, 2012 . Centredaily.com (June 19, 2009). Retrieved on 2011-03-30.)
31. "Voices of Central Pa - Central Pennsylvania's Independent Community Newspaper".