Centre County, Pennsylvania
Centre County | |
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UTC−4 (EDT) | |
Congressional district | 15th |
Website | www |
Designated | May 10, 1982[1] |
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 county is part of the Central Pennsylvania region of the state.[a]
History
The lands of the future Centre County were first recorded by
Geography
According to the
Centre County has a humid continental climate (Dfb/Dfa at lower elevations).
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Features
Adjacent counties
- Clinton County (north)
- Union County (east)
- Mifflin County (southeast)
- Huntingdon County (south)
- Blair County (south)
- Clearfield County (west)
Demographics
Census | Pop. | Note | %± |
---|---|---|---|
1810 | 10,681 | — | |
1820 | 13,796 | 29.2% | |
1830 | 18,879 | 36.8% | |
1840 | 20,492 | 8.5% | |
1850 | 23,355 | 14.0% | |
1860 | 27,000 | 15.6% | |
1870 | 34,418 | 27.5% | |
1880 | 37,922 | 10.2% | |
1890 | 43,269 | 14.1% | |
1900 | 42,894 | −0.9% | |
1910 | 43,424 | 1.2% | |
1920 | 44,304 | 2.0% | |
1930 | 46,294 | 4.5% | |
1940 | 52,608 | 13.6% | |
1950 | 65,922 | 25.3% | |
1960 | 78,580 | 19.2% | |
1970 | 99,267 | 26.3% | |
1980 | 112,760 | 13.6% | |
1990 | 123,786 | 9.8% | |
2000 | 135,760 | 9.7% | |
2010 | 153,990 | 13.4% | |
2020 | 158,172 | 2.7% | |
[7] |
As of the 2010 census,
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
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% |
Latino
|
5,651 | 3.6% |
Metropolitan Statistical Area
The
Law and government
County commissioners
- Mark Higgins, Chairman (Democrat)
- Amber Concepcion, Vice-chair (Democrat)
- Steven G. Dershem, Commissioner (Republican) [12]
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
- Pennsylvania's 34th Senatorial District
State House of Representatives
- Pennsylvania's 77th Representative District
- Pennsylvania's 82nd Representative District
- Pennsylvania's 171st Representative District[13]
United States House of Representatives
United States Senate
- Bob Casey, Jr., Democrat
- John Fetterman, Democrat
Politics
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% |
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
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.[15] In 2016, Democrat Hillary Clinton beat Republican nominee Donald Trump 47.76% to 45.86%.[16] In that same election, incumbent Republican Senator Pat Toomey beat Democratic opponent Katie McGinty 47.91% to 46.2% in the county.[16]
Voter registration
As of February 7, 2024, there were 100,829 registered voters in Centre County.[17]
- Democratic: 42,280 (41.93%)
- Republican: 40,918 (40.58%)
- Non-affiliated: 13,839 (13.73%)
- Third Parties: 3,792 (3.76%)
Education
Colleges and universities
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
- 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
- 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
Major highways
Recreation
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 (2,400-hectare). 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 extreme eastern tip of the county.
- segregated CCCcamp 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
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
Under Pennsylvania law, there are five types of incorporated municipalities:
. The following municipalities, boroughs and townships are in Centre County:Home rule municipalities
Boroughs
- Bellefonte (county seat)
- Centre Hall
- Howard
- Milesburg
- Millheim
- Philipsburg
- Port Matilda
- Snow Shoe
- Unionville
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.
- 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
- Colyer
- Graysdale
- Gum Stump
- Ingleby (ghost town)
- Martha Furnace
- Struble
- Tusseyville
- University Park
- Waddle
- Wingate
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
- ^ Includes Centre, Lycoming, Northumberland, Columbia, Mifflin, Union, Snyder, Clinton, Juniata and Montour Counties
- ^ "PHMC Historical Markers Search". Pennsylvania Historical and Museum Commission. Commonwealth of Pennsylvania. Archived from the original (Searchable database) on March 21, 2016. Retrieved January 25, 2014.
- ^ "Census - Geography Profile: Centre County, Pennsylvania". United States Census Bureau. Retrieved June 26, 2022.
- ^ "Find a County". National Association of Counties. Archived from the original on May 31, 2011. Retrieved June 7, 2011.
- ^ "Centre County Pennsylvania: 15 Historical Sketches of Our 200 Years". Retrieved June 18, 2012.
- ^ "2010 Census Gazetteer Files". United States Census Bureau. August 22, 2012. Retrieved March 6, 2015.
- ^ "Pennsylvania State Climatologist – State College Extremes". Pennsylvania State Climatologist. Retrieved April 28, 2013.
- ^ "Census 2020".
- ^ "U.S. Census website". United States Census Bureau. Retrieved January 31, 2008.
- ^ "P2 HISPANIC OR LATINO, AND NOT HISPANIC OR LATINO BY RACE – 2020: DEC Redistricting Data (PL 94-171) – Centre County, Pennsylvania".
- ^ "Office of Management and Budget". whitehouse.gov. Retrieved March 31, 2018.
- ^ a b "2010 U.S. Census website". United States Census Bureau. Retrieved February 10, 2013.
- ^ "Centre County Government - Welcome Page". Centre County Government. Retrieved November 21, 2015.
- ^ Center, Legislativate Data Processing. "Find Your Legislator". The official website for the Pennsylvania General Assembly. Retrieved April 18, 2023.
- ^ Leip, David. "Dave Leip's Atlas of U.S. Presidential Elections". uselectionatlas.org. Retrieved March 31, 2018.
- ^ "2012 Presidential General Election Results - Pennsylvania".
- ^ a b "Centre County, PA - Official Website - Election Results". centrecountypa.gov. Retrieved March 31, 2018.
- ^ Pennsylvania Department of State (February 5, 2024). "Voter registration statistics by county". dos.pa.gov. Retrieved February 7, 2024.
- ^ "Pennsylvania Newspapers". NewsLink. Retrieved March 20, 2011.
- ^ Town & Gown Magazine Town & Gown Magazine
- ^ State College Magazine, Pennsylvania Archived January 2, 2016, at the Wayback Machine. State College Magazine (March 1, 2011). Retrieved on 2011-03-30.
- ^ Good Life in Happy Valley | Centre Daily Times – State College, PA | Penn State, Nittany Lions, weather, news, jobs, homes, apartments, real estate Archived May 31, 2012, at the Wayback Machine. Centredaily.com (June 19, 2009). Retrieved on 2011-03-30.
- ^ "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.
External links
- Official website
- Centre Daily Times Local Newspaper
- Interactive Web Mapping Application for Centre County
- Pennsylvania Historical and Museum Commission (PHMC) Historical Marker Search
- Open Access edition of The History of Centre and Clinton counties, Pennsylvania (1883) by John Blair Linn at the Penn State University Library website