Centre County, PA

County

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2021 Population

158,879

2.09% 1-year decline

US Senator

Bob Casey Jr.

Democratic Party

US Senator

John Fetterman

Democratic Party

2021 Median Age

33.5

1.82% 1-year increase

2021 Poverty Rate

17.2%

3.51% 1-year decrease

2021 Median Household Income

$64,995

4.96% 1-year growth

2021 Median Property Value

$254,500

4.86% 1-year growth

2021 Employed Population

75,359

2.58% 1-year decline

About

In 2021, Centre County, PA had a population of 159k people with a median age of 33.5 and a median household income of $64,995. Between 2020 and 2021 the population of Centre County, PA declined from 162,264 to 158,879, a −2.09% decrease and its median household income grew from $61,921 to $64,995, a 4.96% increase.

The 5 largest ethnic groups in Centre County, PA are White (Non-Hispanic) (84.7%), Asian (Non-Hispanic) (6.22%), Black or African American (Non-Hispanic) (3.3%), Two+ (Non-Hispanic) (2.64%), and White (Hispanic) (1.66%).

None of the households in Centre County, PA reported speaking a non-English language at home as their primary shared language. This does not consider the potential multi-lingual nature of households, but only the primary self-reported language spoken by all members of the household.

94.5% of the residents in Centre County, PA are U.S. citizens.

The largest universities in Centre County, PA are The Pennsylvania State University (24,399 degrees awarded in 2021), South Hills School of Business & Technology (234 degrees), and Central Pennsylvania Institute of Science and Technology (369668) (105 degrees).

In 2021, the median property value in Centre County, PA was $254,500, and the homeownership rate was 63.1%.

Most people in Centre County, PA drove alone to work, and the average commute time was 20.7 minutes. The average car ownership in Centre County, PA was 2 cars per household.

Centre County, PA borders Blair County, PA, Clearfield County, PA, Clinton County, PA, Huntingdon County, PA, Mifflin County, PA, and Union County, PA.

About the photo: Wetland (north view), Black Moshannon State Park, Centre County.

Photo by Nicholas A. Tonelli

United States Pennsylvania State College, PA

Population & Diversity

Centre County, PA is home to a population of 159k people, from which 94.5% are citizens. As of 2021, 7.96% of Centre County, PA residents were born outside of the country (12.7k people).

In 2021, there were 13.6 times more White (Non-Hispanic) residents (135k people) in Centre County, PA than any other race or ethnicity. There were 9.89k Asian (Non-Hispanic) and 5.24k Black or African American (Non-Hispanic) residents, the second and third most common ethnic groups.

Population & Diversity

Citizenship

94.5%

2021 Citizenship

94.3%

2020 Citizenship

As of 2021, 94.5% of Centre County, PA residents were US citizens, which is higher than the national average of 93.4%. In 2020, the percentage of US citizens in Centre County, PA was 94.3%, meaning that the rate of citizenship has been increasing.

The following chart shows US citizenship percentages in Centre County, PA compared to that of it's neighboring and parent geographies.

Diversity

Race and Ethnicity

The 3 largest ethnic groups in Centre County, PA

White (Non-Hispanic)
135k ± 448
Asian (Non-Hispanic)
9.89k ± 295
Black or African American (Non-Hispanic)
5.24k ± 375

3.03%

Hispanic Population

4.81k people

3.03% of the people in Centre County, PA are hispanic (4.81k people).

The following chart shows the 7 races represented in Centre County, PA as a share of the total population.

Global Diversity

The PUMS dataset is not available at the County level, so we are showing data for Pennsylvania.

Most Common Origin

India
98,153 ± 7,663 people
Dominican Republic
81,192 ± 6,974 people
China
66,978 ± 6,337 people

In 2021, the most common birthplace for the foreign-born residents of Pennsylvania was India, the natal country of 98,153 Pennsylvania residents, followed by Dominican Republic with 81,192 and China with 66,978.

Foreign-Born Population

7.96%

2021 Foreign-Born Population

12.7k people

7.99%

2020 Foreign-Born Population

13k people

As of 2021, 7.96% of Centre County, PA residents (12.7k people) were born outside of the United States, which is lower than the national average of 13.6%. In 2020, the percentage of foreign-born citizens in Centre County, PA was 7.99%, meaning that the rate has been decreasing.

The following chart shows the percentage of foreign-born residents in Centre County, PA compared to that of it's neighboring and parent geographies.

Military

Veterans

Most Common Service Period

Vietnam
2,459 ± 371
Gulf War (2001-)
1,535 ± 295
Gulf War (1990s)
1,131 ± 210

Centre County, PA has a large population of military personnel who served in Vietnam, 1.6 times greater than any other conflict.

Economy

The economy of Centre County, PA employs 75.4k people. The largest industries in Centre County, PA are Educational Services (21,417 people), Health Care & Social Assistance (8,384 people), and Retail Trade (7,351 people), and the highest paying industries are Management of Companies & Enterprises ($95,125), Utilities ($69,323), and Mining, Quarrying, & Oil & Gas Extraction ($65,231).

Males in Pennsylvania have an average income that is 1.33 times higher than the average income of females, which is $57,734. The income inequality in Pennsylvania (measured using the Gini index) is 0.467, which is lower than than the national average.

Employment

Occupations

75.4k

2021 Value

± 2,112

−2.58%

1 Year decline

± 4.06%

From 2020 to 2021, employment in Centre County, PA declined at a rate of −2.58%, from 77.4k employees to 75.4k employees.

The most common job groups, by number of people living in Centre County, PA, are Education Instruction, & Library Occupations (11,659 people), Management Occupations (7,339 people), and Office & Administrative Support Occupations (7,059 people). This chart illustrates the share breakdown of the primary jobs held by residents of Centre County, PA.

Unemployment Insurance Claims

Data is only available at the state level. Showing data for false.

This chart shows weekly unemployment insurance claims in Pennsylvania (not-seasonally adjusted) compared with the four states with the most similar impact.

The most recent data point uses Advance State Claims data, which can be revised in subsequent weeks.

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Industries

Employment by Industries

75.4k

2021 Value

± 2,112

−2.58%

1 Year decline

± 4.06%

From 2020 to 2021, employment in Centre County, PA declined at a rate of −2.58%, from 77.4k employees to 75.4k employees.

The most common employment sectors for those who live in Centre County, PA, are Educational Services (21,417 people), Health Care & Social Assistance (8,384 people), and Retail Trade (7,351 people). This chart shows the share breakdown of the primary industries for residents of Centre County, PA, though some of these residents may live in Centre County, PA and work somewhere else. Census data is tagged to a residential address, not a work address.

Median Earnings by Industry

$45,443

Median earning men ± $2,429

$32,316

Median earning women ± $1,288

The industries with the best median earnings for men in 2021 are Public Administration ($68,049), Professional, Scientific, & Management, & Administrative & Waste Management Services ($63,815), and Educational Services, & Health Care & Social Assistance ($58,319).

The industries with the best median earnings for women in 2021 are Wholesale Trade ($107,569), Construction ($49,118), and Public Administration ($46,534).

Employment by Industry Sector

Data is only available at the state level. Showing data for false.

Y-Axis

2.75%

Year-over-year growth

Employment change between February 2022 and February 2023

As of February 2023, there are 155M people employed in Pennsylvania. This represents a 2.75% increase in employment when compared to February 2022.

The following chart shows monthly employment numbers for each industry sector in Pennsylvania.

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Establishments by Size

The industries with the most establishments

1,539
Educational Services, Health Care & Social Assistance
815
Finance & Insurance, and Real Estate, Rental & Leasing
747
Professional, Scientific & Management, and Administrative & Waste Management Services

The visualization shows the distribution of establishments by industry and by size according to the number of employees.

Payroll by Industry Sector

The industries with the highest total annual payroll

$1.17M
Educational Services, Health Care & Social Assistance
$930k
Manufacturing
$332k
Professional, Scientific & Management, and Administrative & Waste Management Services

The chart shows the total annual payroll and the average annual payroll by industry.

Domestic Trade

Domestic Production & Consumption

Domestic production and consumption consists of products and services shipped from Pennsylvania to other states, or from other states to Pennsylvania.

Top Domestic Production in Dollars

In 2020, the top outbound Pennsylvania product (by dollars) was Pharmaceuticals with $110B, followed by Mixed freight ($76.1B) and Electronics ($43.9B).

The following chart shows the share of these products in relation to all outbound Pennsylvania products.

Domestic Trade Growth

Showing data for Pennsylvania.

$722B

2020 Value in Pennsylvania

$1.46T

Projected 2050 Value in Pennsylvania

103% growth

In 2020, total outbound Pennsylvania trade was $722B. This is expected to increase 103% to $1.46T by 2050.

The following chart shows how the domestic outbound Pennsylvania trade is projected to change in comparison to its neighboring states.

Interstate Trade

Interstate trade consists of products and services shipped from Pennsylvania to other states, or from other states to Pennsylvania.

Most Common Trade Partners

New Jersey
$73.7B
New York
$72.6B
Ohio
$36B

In 2020, the top outbound Pennsylvania domestic partner for goods and services (by dollars) was New Jersey with $73.7B, followed by New York with $72.6B and Ohio and $36B.

The following map shows the amount of trade that Pennsylvania shares with each state (excluding itself).

Civics

In the 2020 presidential election, the popular vote in Centre County, PA went to Joseph R Biden Jr. with 51.7% of the vote. The runner-up was Donald J. Trump (46.9%), followed by Jo Jorgensen (1.38%).

Bob Casey Jr. and John Fetterman are the senators currently representing the state of Pennsylvania. In the United States, senators are elected to 6-year terms with the terms for individual senators staggered.

Pennsylvania is currently represented by 17 members in the U.S. house, and members of the House of Representives are elected to 2-year terms.

Presidential Elections

Presidential Popular Vote Over Time

2020 Election Results

Joseph R Biden Jr. (51.7%)
Democratic Party
Donald J. Trump (46.9%)
Republican Party
Jo Jorgensen (1.38%)
Libertarian Party

The following chart shows the popular vote results in Centre County, PA for each registered party from 1976 to 2020.

Senator Elections

US Senators from Pennsylvania

Senatorial voting results are only available at the state level. Showing data for Pennsylvania.

Bob Casey Jr.

Senator from Pennsylvania

Assumed office on January 3, 2007

John Fetterman

Senator from Pennsylvania

Assumed office on January 3, 2023

Bob Casey Jr. and John Fetterman are the senators currently representing Pennsylvania.

In the United States, senators are elected to 6-year terms with the terms for individual senators staggered.

The following chart shows elected senators in Pennsylvania over time, excluding special elections, colored by their political party.

US Representative Elections

US Representatives from Pennsylvania

Pennsylvania is currently represented by 17 members in the U.S. house.

Members of the House of Representives are elected to 2-year terms, and the following chart shows the how the members for Pennsylvania have changed over time starting in 2008.

Education

In 2021, universities in Centre County, PA awarded 24,738 degrees. The student population of Centre County, PA in 2021 is skewed towards men, with 47,637 male students and 41,719 female students.

Most students graduating from Universities in Centre County, PA are White (15,998 and 72.9%), followed by Hispanic or Latino (1,681 and 7.66%), Asian (1,563 and 7.12%), and Black or African American (1,159 and 5.28%).

The largest universities in Centre County, PA by number of degrees awarded are The Pennsylvania State University (24,399 and 98.6%), South Hills School of Business & Technology (234 and 0.946%), and Central Pennsylvania Institute of Science and Technology (369668) (105 and 0.424%).

The most popular majors in Centre County, PA are Information Science (1,067 and 4.31%), General Psychology (811 and 3.28%), and General Business (760 and 3.07%).

The median tuition cost in Centre County, PA for a public four year colleges is $15,400 for in-state students and $25,084 for out-of-state students.

Admissions & Enrollments

Applicants, Admissions & Enrolled

University

Measure

In 2021 in Centre County, PA, the percentage of applicants admitted was 92.3%, while the percentage of admitted who enrolled was 18.2%. The number of students enrolled in 2021 was 89,356 (53.3% men and 46.7% women).

The line chart shows the evolution of the percentage of applicants admitted, admitted who enrolled or the number of students enrolled according to the option selected in the upper button.

Enrollments by Gender and Races

Universities

In 2021 there were 89,356 students enrolled in Centre County, PA, 53.3% men and 46.7% women.

By race, the largest number of students enrolled was concentrated in White with 56,230 records, of which 46.8% were women and 53.2% men.

Completions

Concentrations

Most Common

Information Science
867 degree-majors awarded
General Psychology
807 degree-majors awarded
General Finance
607 degree-majors awarded

In 2021, the most common concentation for Bachelors Degree recipients in Centre County, PA was Information Science with 867 degrees awarded.

This visualization illustrates the percentage of students graduating with a Bachelors Degree from schools in Centre County, PA according to their major.

Universities

Gender

Race

Largest Universities by degrees awarded

The Pennsylvania State University
24,399 degrees awarded
South Hills School of Business & Technology
234 degrees awarded
Central Pennsylvania Institute of Science and Technology (369668)
105 degrees awarded

In 2021, the institution with the largest number of graduating students was The Pennsylvania State University with 24,399 degrees awarded.

Student Diversity

University

In 2021, 12,947 men were awarded degrees from institutions in Centre County, PA, which is 1.1 times more than the 11,791 female students who received degrees in the same year.

In 2021 the most common race/ethnicity group awarded degrees at institutions was White students. These 15,998 degrees mean that there were 9.52 times more degrees awarded to White students then the next closest race/ethnicity group, Hispanic or Latino, with 1,681 degrees awarded.

Awarded Degrees over Time

The graph shows the evolution of awarded degrees by degrees. Under the paragraphs, the average number of awarded degrees by university in each degree is shown.

Tuition

Average Net Price by Sector

Universities

Private for-profit, 2-year ($18,696) is the sector with the highest median state tuition in 2021.

Public, 4-year or above ($490) is the sector with the highest median state fee in 2021.

Public, 4-year or above ($1,840) is the sector with the highest average net price of books and supplies.

The graph shows the average net price by sector and year.

Working Population

Educational Pyramid

Data is only available at the state level. Showing data for Pennsylvania.

Measure

In 2021, 0.711% of men over 25 years of age had not completed any academic degree (no schooling), while 0.725% of women were in the same situation.

This visualization shows the gender distribution of the population according to the academic level reached.

Educational Attainment

Data is only available at the state level. Showing data for Pennsylvania.

Race

The most common educational levels obtained by the working population in 2021 were High School or Equivalent (3.52M), Bachelors Degree (1.95M), and Some college (1.84M).

This visualization illustrates the percentage distribution of the population according to the highest educational level reached. You can filter the data by race by using the selector above.

Housing & Living

The median property value in Centre County, PA was $254,500 in 2021, which is 1.04 times larger than the national average of $244,900. Between 2020 and 2021 the median property value increased from $242,700 to $254,500, a 4.86% increase. The homeownership rate in Centre County, PA is 63.1%, which is approximately the same as the national average of 64.6%.

People in Centre County, PA have an average commute time of 20.7 minutes, and they drove alone to work. Car ownership in Centre County, PA is approximately the same as the national average, with an average of 2 cars per household.

Median household income in Centre County, PA is $64,995. In 2021, the tract with the highest Median Household Income in Centre County, PA was Census Tract 123 with a value of $123,092, followed by Census Tract 119.01 and Census Tract 118, with respective values of $116,750 and $104,786.

In 2022, 17.7% of the population was living with severe housing problems in Centre County, PA. From 2014 to 2022, the indicator declined 1.78%.

Housing

Property

$254,500

Median Property Value 2021

±$7,802

$36,509

Median Property Taxes

±$1,255

The following chart display owner-occupied housing units distributed between a series of property tax buckets compared to the national averages for each bucket. In Centre County, PA the largest share of households pay taxes in the $3k+ range.

The chart underneath the paragraph shows the property taxes in Centre County, PA compared to it's parent and neighbor geographies.

Rent vs Own

63.1%

Homeownership

2021

65.1%

Homeowners with Mortgage

2021

In 2021, 63.1% of the housing units in Centre County, PA were occupied by their owner. This percentage grew from the previous year's rate of 62.5%.

This chart shows the percentage of owner in Centre County, PA compared it's parent and neighboring geographies.

Equity

Income by Location

Use the dropdown to filter by race/ethnicity.

Race/Ethnicity

Highest Median Household Income (Total)

Census Tract 123
Census Tract 119.01
Census Tract 118

In 2021, the tract with the highest Median Household Income (Total) in Centre County, PA was Census Tract 123 with a value of $123,092, followed by Census Tract 119.01 and Census Tract 118, with respective values of $116,750 and $104,786.

The following map shows all of the tracts in Centre County, PA colored by their Median Household Income (Total).

Household Income

Please note that the buckets used in this visualization were not evenly distributed by ACS when publishing the data.

$64,995

Median Household Income

± $2,522

57.8k

Number of Households

± 1,812

In 2021, the median household income of the 57.8k households in Centre County, PA grew to $64,995 from the previous year's value of $61,921.

The following chart displays the households in Centre County, PA distributed between a series of income buckets compared to the national averages for each bucket. The largest share of households have an income in the $75k - $100k range.

Wage Distribution

The closest comparable wage GINI for Centre County, PA is from Pennsylvania.

0.467

2021 Wage GINI in Pennsylvania

0.466

2020 Wage GINI in Pennsylvania

In 2021, the income inequality in Pennsylvania was 0.467 according to the GINI calculation of the wage distribution. Income inequality had a 0.147% growth from 2020 to 2021, which means that wage distribution grew somewhat less even. The GINI for Pennsylvania was lower than than the national average of 0.478. In other words, wages are distributed more evenly in Pennsylvania in comparison to the national average.

This chart shows the number of workers in Pennsylvania across various wage buckets compared to the national average.

Transportation

Commuter Transportation

Most Common Commute in 2021

Drove Alone (67.6%)
Worked At Home (9.71%)
Carpooled (8.27%)

In 2021, 67.6% of workers in Centre County, PA drove alone to work, followed by those who worked at home (9.71%) and those who carpooled to work (8.27%).

The following chart shows the number of households using each mode of transportation over time, using a logarithmic scale on the y-axis to help better show variations in the smaller means of commuting.

Commute Time

20.7 minutes

Average Travel Time

Using averages, employees in Centre County, PA have a shorter commute time (20.7 minutes) than the normal US worker (26.8 minutes). Additionally, 1.42% of the workforce in Centre County, PA have "super commutes" in excess of 90 minutes.

The chart below shows how the median household income in Centre County, PA compares to that of it's neighboring and parent geographies.

Car Ownership

2 cars

Average Number

The following chart displays the households in Centre County, PA distributed between a series of car ownership buckets compared to the national averages for each bucket. The largest share of households in Centre County, PA have 2 cars.

Poverty

Severe Housing Problems

In 2022, 17.7% of the population was living with severe housing problems in Centre County, PA. From 2014 to 2022, the indicator declined 1.78%.

The graph shows the trend of the percentage of the population living with severe housing problems.

Poverty & Diversity

17.2% of the population for whom poverty status is determined in Centre County, PA (24.1k out of 140k people) live below the poverty line, a number that is higher than the national average of 12.6%. The largest demographic living in poverty are Males 18 - 24, followed by Females 18 - 24 and then Males 25 - 34.

The most common racial or ethnic group living below the poverty line in Centre County, PA is White, followed by Asian and Black.

The Census Bureau uses a set of money income thresholds that vary by family size and composition to determine who classifies as impoverished. If a family's total income is less than the family's threshold than that family and every individual in it is considered to be living in poverty.

Children in Poverty

In 2022, 9.4% of the children was living in poverty in Centre County, PA. From 2014 to 2022, the indicator declined 5.7%.

The graph shows the trend of the percentage of the children living in poverty.

Social Needs

Data only available at the state level.

Most prevalent states

California
35,798 individuals
New York
5,087 individuals
Florida
4,915 individuals

In 2017, California had the highest estimated number of chronically homeless individuals in the nation, at 35,798. New York has the second highest (5,087), followed by Florida (4,915).

The following map shows the estimated number of chronically homeless individuals by state over multiple years.

Security

Crimes & Accidents

Indicator

In 2022, the number of reported violent crimes offenses per 100,000 population was 88.6 in Centre County, PA. From 2014 to 2022, the indicator declined 24.4 per 100,000 population.

The graph shows the trend in the number of reported violent crimes offenses per 100,000 population.

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Health

94.4% of the population of Centre County, PA has health coverage, with 57.6% on employee plans, 8.16% on Medicaid, 11.5% on Medicare, 16.3% on non-group plans, and 0.927% on military or VA plans.

Primary care physicians in Centre County, PA see 1310 patients per year on average, which represents a 2.6% decrease from the previous year (1345 patients). Compare this to dentists who see 1815 patients per year, and mental health providers who see 451 patients per year.

By gender, of the total number of insured persons, 50.6% were men and 49.4% were women.

Coverage

Patient to Clinician Ratios

1,310 to 1

Patient to Primary Care Physician Ratio in Centre County, PA

Primary care physicians in Centre County, PA see an average of 1,310 patients per year. This represents a 2.6% decrease from the previous year (1,345 patients).

The following chart shows how the number of patients seen by primary care physicians has been changing over time in Centre County, PA in comparison to its neighboring geographies.

Health Care Diversity

In 2021, insured persons according to age ranges were distributed in 18.8% under 18 years, 33.5% between 18 and 34 years, 33.2% between 35 and 64 years, and 14.5% over 64 years.

By gender, of the total number of insured persons, 50.6% were men and 49.4% were women.

The following chart shows the number of people with health coverage by gender.

Uninsured People

5.62%

Uninsured

57.6%

Employer Coverage

8.16%

Medicaid

11.5%

Medicare

16.3%

Non-Group

0.927%

Military or VA

Between 2020 and 2021, the percent of uninsured citizens in Centre County, PA declined by 0.0894% from 5.62% to 5.62%.

The following chart shows how the percent of uninsured individuals in Centre County, PA changed over time compared with the percent of individuals enrolled in various types of health insurance.

Health Indicators

Health Outcomes

Indicator

In 2022, the number of deaths among residents under age 18 per 100,000 population was 31.9 in Centre County, PA.

The graphic shows the trend of the indicator in Centre County, PA.

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Health Behaviors

Indicator

In 2022, the percentage of the adult population (age 18 and older) that reports a body mass index (BMI) greater than or equal to 30 kg/m2 (age-adjusted) was 32.1% in Centre County, PA.

The graphic shows the trend of the indicator in Centre County, PA.

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