Centre County, Pennsylvania

Centre County is a county in the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania, United States. As of the 2020 census, the population was 158,172.[2] Its county seat is Bellefonte.[3] Centre County comprises the State College, PA Metropolitan Statistical Area. The northwestern part of Centre County is in the sparsely populated Pennsylvania Wilds region.

Not to be confused with Centre Region Council of Governments.

Centre County
County
The Centre County Courthouse in Bellefonte
The Centre County Courthouse in Bellefonte
Flag of Centre County
Flag
Map of Pennsylvania highlighting Centre County
Location within the U.S. state of Pennsylvania
Map of the United States highlighting Pennsylvania
Pennsylvania's location within the U.S.
Coordinates: 40°55′N 77°49′W
Country United States
State Pennsylvania
FoundedFebruary 13, 1800
Named forCentre Furnace, the first industrial facility in the area
SeatBellefonte
Largest boroughState College
Area
 • Total1,113 sq mi (2,880 km2)
 • Land1,110 sq mi (2,900 km2)
 • Water3.0 sq mi (8 km2)  0.3%
Population
 (2020)
 • Total158,172 Increase
 • Density147/sq mi (57/km2)
Time zoneUTC−5 (Eastern)
 • Summer (DST)UTC−4 (EDT)
Congressional district15th
Websitewww.centrecountypa.gov
DesignatedMay 10, 1982[1]

History

The lands of the future Centre County were first recorded by James Potter in 1764. Potter, having 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!'" [4] After the American Revolutionary War, Centre County was created on February 13, 1800, from parts of Huntingdon, Lycoming, Mifflin, and Northumberland counties; it was named for its central location in the state.

Geography

According to the U.S. Census Bureau, the county has a total area of 1,113 square miles (2,880 km2), of which 1,110 square miles (2,900 km2) is land and 3.0 square miles (7.8 km2) (0.3%) is water.[5] It is the fifth-largest county in Pennsylvania by area and uses area code 814.

Centre County has a humid continental climate (Dfb/Dfa at lower elevations).

State College
Climate chart (explanation)
J
F
M
A
M
J
J
A
S
O
N
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2.7
 
 
34
20
 
 
2.5
 
 
38
22
 
 
3.4
 
 
46
28
 
 
3.2
 
 
60
39
 
 
3.5
 
 
70
49
 
 
4.1
 
 
78
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3.5
 
 
82
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3.8
 
 
80
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3.7
 
 
72
53
 
 
3.1
 
 
61
42
 
 
3.4
 
 
50
34
 
 
2.9
 
 
38
25
█ Average max. and min. temperatures in °F
█ Precipitation totals in inches
Source:Pennsylvania State Climatologist[6]
Metric conversion
J
F
M
A
M
J
J
A
S
O
N
D
 
 
70
 
 
1
−7
 
 
64
 
 
3
−6
 
 
87
 
 
8
−2
 
 
81
 
 
15
4
 
 
88
 
 
21
10
 
 
104
 
 
26
15
 
 
89
 
 
28
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98
 
 
27
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93
 
 
22
12
 
 
78
 
 
16
6
 
 
85
 
 
10
1
 
 
73
 
 
3
−4
█ Average max. and min. temperatures in °C
█ Precipitation totals in mm

Features

Adjacent counties

Demographics
Historical population
CensusPop.Note%±
181010,681—
182013,79629.2%
183018,87936.8%
184020,4928.5%
185023,35514.0%
186027,00015.6%
187034,41827.5%
188037,92210.2%
189043,26914.1%
190042,894−0.9%
191043,4241.2%
192044,3042.0%
193046,2944.5%
194052,60813.6%
195065,92225.3%
196078,58019.2%
197099,26726.3%
1980112,76013.6%
1990123,7869.8%
2000135,7609.7%
2010153,99013.4%
2020158,1722.7%
[7]

As of the 2010 census,[8] there were 153,990 people, 57,573 households, and 31,256 families residing in the county. The population density was 139 people per square mile (54 people/km2). There were 63,297 housing units at an average density of 57 units per square mile (22/km2). 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.

2020 census
Centre County Racial Composition[9]
Race Count Percent
White (non-hispanic) 129,668 82%
Black or African American (non-Hispanic) 5,306 3.35%
Native American (non-Hispanic) 120 0.08%
Asian (non-Hispanic) 11,373 7.2%
Pacific Islander (non-Hispanic) 39 0.02%
Other/Mixed (non-Hispanic) 6,015 3.8%
Hispanic or Latino 5,651 3.6%

Metropolitan Statistical Area
See also: List of Metropolitan Statistical Areas and List of Combined Statistical Areas
Map of the State College-DuBois, PA Combined Statistical Area (CSA), composed of the following parts:
  State College, PA Metropolitan Statistical Area
  DuBois, PA Micropolitan Statistical Area

The United States Office of Management and Budget[10] has designated Centre County as the State College, PA Metropolitan Statistical Area (MSA). As of the 2010 U.S. Census[11] the metropolitan area ranked 13th most populous in the State of 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 the State of 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) [12]

Other county offices

State senate

State House of Representatives

United States House of Representatives

United States Senate

Politics

Voter registration

  Democratic (42.07%)
  Republican (40.72%)
  Independent (13.39%)
  Other Parties (3.82%)
United States presidential election results for Centre County, Pennsylvania[14]
Year Republican Democratic Third party
No. %No. %No. %
2020 36,372 46.70% 40,055 51.42% 1,464 1.88%
2016 35,274 45.63% 37,088 47.97% 4,945 6.40%
2012 34,001 48.65% 34,176 48.90% 1,709 2.45%
2008 32,992 43.35% 41,950 55.12% 1,169 1.54%
2004 33,133 51.47% 30,733 47.74% 508 0.79%
2000 26,172 52.79% 21,409 43.19% 1,994 4.02%
1996 20,935 44.71% 21,145 45.16% 4,746 10.14%
1992 20,478 39.98% 21,177 41.34% 9,570 18.68%
1988 23,875 56.14% 18,357 43.17% 295 0.69%
1984 27,802 62.85% 16,194 36.61% 240 0.54%
1980 20,605 48.33% 15,987 37.50% 6,039 14.17%
1976 21,177 52.37% 17,867 44.18% 1,393 3.44%
1972 20,683 60.48% 13,194 38.58% 320 0.94%
1968 15,865 55.61% 11,163 39.13% 1,499 5.25%
1964 9,481 36.19% 16,556 63.20% 158 0.60%
1960 18,357 67.98% 8,601 31.85% 46 0.17%
1956 15,412 67.18% 7,483 32.62% 45 0.20%
1952 14,700 66.31% 7,391 33.34% 77 0.35%
1948 10,416 61.52% 6,515 38.48% 0 0.00%
1944 10,048 55.08% 8,064 44.21% 130 0.71%
1940 10,665 51.75% 9,869 47.88% 76 0.37%
1936 9,869 45.24% 11,734 53.79% 211 0.97%
1932 8,264 52.55% 7,053 44.85% 409 2.60%
1928 12,005 77.17% 3,431 22.05% 121 0.78%
1924 7,723 59.13% 4,443 34.01% 896 6.86%
1920 7,615 57.82% 4,783 36.31% 773 5.87%
1916 4,392 50.02% 4,120 46.92% 269 3.06%
1912 1,507 19.01% 3,445 43.46% 2,974 37.52%
1908 4,927 53.12% 3,998 43.10% 351 3.78%
1904 5,291 55.18% 4,015 41.87% 283 2.95%
1900 4,684 50.64% 4,339 46.91% 226 2.44%
1896 4,880 49.93% 4,546 46.51% 348 3.56%
1892 3,698 42.72% 4,624 53.42% 334 3.86%
1888 4,574 48.29% 4,712 49.75% 185 1.95%
1884 4,057 46.66% 4,495 51.70% 143 1.64%
1880 3,602 43.30% 4,598 55.28% 118 1.42%

As of July 17, 2023, there were 99,769 registered voters in Centre County.[15]

  • Democratic: 41,971 (42.07%)
  • Republican: 40,625 (40.72%)
  • No party affiliation: 13,361 (13.39%)
  • Other: 3,812 (3.82%)

Centre County had for many years been a strongly Republican county, like most of rural Pennsylvania. In the early 21st century, however, it has been more competitive. 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).

2020 presidential election, shaded by city and township
Biden:     50–60%      60–70%      70–80%
Trump:      40–50%      50–60%      60–70%      70–80%      80–90%

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.[16] In 2016, Democrat Hillary Clinton beat Republican nominee Donald Trump 47.76% to 45.86%.[17] In that same election, incumbent Republican Senator Pat Toomey beat Democratic opponent Katie McGinty 47.91% to 46.2% in the county.[17]

Education
Old Main, the main administrative building of Penn State, at University Park.

Colleges and universities

Community, junior, and technical colleges

Public school districts
Map of Centre County, Pennsylvania Public School Districts

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
  • Centre County Christian Academy - Bellefonte
  • Elk Creek School - Rebersburg
  • Faith Christian Academy - Philipsburg
  • Grace Prep - State College
  • 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
  • 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

University Park Airport operates daily commercial and general aviation flights.

Major highways

Recreation
An apple tree and meadow at Bald Eagle State Park
Black Moshannon State Park

There are six Pennsylvania state parks in Centre County.

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.[18]

Numerous magazines are also published including Town & Gown,[19] State College Magazine,[20] Good Life in Happy Valley,[21] Blue White Illustrated, Pennsylvania Business Central, and Voices of Central Pennsylvania.[22]

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 include 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) also maintain satellite studios and offices here.

Communities
Map of Centre County, Pennsylvania with Municipal Labels showing Boroughs (red), Townships (white), and Census-designated places (blue).

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

Home rule municipalities

Boroughs

Townships

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 be listed here as well.

Other communities

Population ranking

The population ranking of the following table is based on the 2010 census of Centre County.[11]

† county seat

Rank City/Town/etc. Municipal type Population (2010 Census)
1 State College Borough 42,034
2 Park Forest Village CDP 9,660
3 † Bellefonte Borough 6,187
4 Boalsburg CDP 3,722
5 Pleasant Gap CDP 2,879
6 Philipsburg Borough 2,770
7 Stormstown CDP 2,366
8 Lemont CDP 2,270
9 Toftrees CDP 2,053
10 Zion CDP 2,030
11 Houserville CDP 1,814
12 Pine Grove Mills CDP 1,502
13 Centre Hall Borough 1,265
14 Milesburg Borough 1,123
15 Millheim Borough 904
16 Ramblewood CDP 849
17 Snow Shoe Borough 765
18 Blanchard CDP 740
19 Howard Borough 720
20 North Philipsburg CDP 660
21 Nittany CDP 658
22 Clarence CDP 626
23 Aaronsburg CDP 613
24 Port Matilda Borough 606
25 Mingoville CDP 503
26 Rebersburg CDP 494
27 Snydertown CDP 483
28 South Philipsburg CDP 410
29 Sandy Ridge CDP 407
30 Eagleville CDP 324
31 Unionville Borough 291
32 Moshannon CDP 281
33 Spring Mills CDP 268
34 Coburn CDP 236
35 Baileyville CDP 201
36 Pine Glen CDP 190
37 Madisonburg CDP 168
38 Julian CDP 152
39 Monument CDP 150
40 Woodward CDP 110
41 Hublersburg CDP 104
42 Mount Eagle CDP 103
T-43 Jacksonville CDP 95
T-43 Orviston CDP 95

See also

References
  1. "PHMC Historical Markers Search" (Searchable database). Pennsylvania Historical and Museum Commission. Commonwealth of Pennsylvania. Retrieved January 25, 2014.
  2. "Census - Geography Profile: Centre County, Pennsylvania". United States Census Bureau. Retrieved June 26, 2022.
  3. "Find a County". National Association of Counties. Archived from the original on May 31, 2011. Retrieved June 7, 2011.
  4. "Centre County Pennsylvania: 15 Historical Sketches of Our 200 Years". Retrieved June 18, 2012.
  5. "2010 Census Gazetteer Files". United States Census Bureau. August 22, 2012. Retrieved March 6, 2015.
  6. "Pennsylvania State Climatologist – State College Extremes". Pennsylvania State Climatologist. Retrieved April 28, 2013.
  7. "Census 2020".
  8. "U.S. Census website". United States Census Bureau. Retrieved January 31, 2008.
  9. "P2 HISPANIC OR LATINO, AND NOT HISPANIC OR LATINO BY RACE – 2020: DEC Redistricting Data (PL 94-171) – Centre County, Pennsylvania".
  10. "Office of Management and Budget". whitehouse.gov. Retrieved March 31, 2018.
  11. "2010 U.S. Census website". United States Census Bureau. Retrieved February 10, 2013.
  12. "Centre County Government - Welcome Page". Centre County Government. Retrieved November 21, 2015.
  13. Center, Legislativate Data Processing. "Find Your Legislator". The official website for the Pennsylvania General Assembly. Retrieved April 18, 2023.
  14. Leip, David. "Dave Leip's Atlas of U.S. Presidential Elections". uselectionatlas.org. Retrieved March 31, 2018.
  15. Voter Registration Statistics Archived 2014-11-05 at the Wayback Machine. Dos.state.pa.us. Retrieved on 2023-07-20.
  16. "2012 Presidential General Election Results - Pennsylvania".
  17. "Centre County, PA - Official Website - Election Results". centrecountypa.gov. Retrieved March 31, 2018.
  18. "Pennsylvania Newspapers". NewsLink. Retrieved March 20, 2011.
  19. Town & Gown Magazine Town & Gown Magazine
  20. State College Magazine, Pennsylvania Archived January 2, 2016, at the Wayback Machine. State College Magazine (2011-03-01). Retrieved on 2011-03-30.
  21. Good Life in Happy Valley | Centre Daily Times – State College, PA | Penn State, Nittany Lions, weather, news, jobs, homes, apartments, real estate Archived 2012-05-31 at the Wayback Machine. Centredaily.com (2009-06-19). Retrieved on 2011-03-30.
  22. "Voices of Central Pa - Central Pennsylvania's Independent Community Newspaper". www.voicesweb.org. Archived from the original on April 1, 2018. Retrieved March 31, 2018.
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