Blair
Pennsylvania

What stands out

Three things set Blair County apart from the other 3,142 counties: winter sunshine is in the bottom 8% of American counties (-1.2 on the USDA scale) and the overdose death rate is in the top 15% of American counties (29 per 100,000). Within Pennsylvania it ranks 26th of 67 counties for winter sunshine, counting from the bottom.

Where you are

You live in Blair County, Pennsylvania. 122,640 people live here with you. The population shrank 0.4% last year, and more Americans moved in than out (net +46).

Pennsylvania has a flat 3.07% income tax and exempts all retirement income, including Social Security, pensions and 401(k) and IRA withdrawals after age 59½. It is one of six states with an inheritance tax, which applies even to children at 4.5%. Local earned-income taxes of 1% to nearly 4% apply in most municipalities, and Philadelphia's wage tax is the highest of any city in the country.

Money

The typical household here brings in $59,386 a year, lower than 54% of American counties. Employers pay an average wage of $53,266. Unemployment runs 4.5%, higher than 81% of American counties. 5% of workers work from home; for the rest the average commute is 19 minutes each way.

Pennsylvania takes 3.1% of that median income in state income tax, about $1,823 a year.

Home

The median home costs $178K, cheaper than 72% of American counties, about 1.9 years of the median household's income. A two-bedroom rents for around $847 a month. Property tax is 1.13% of home value, roughly $1,687 a year on that median home, higher than 69% of American counties. 72% of households own rather than rent.

Safety and health

Violent crime here is 3.9 per 1,000 residents, lower than 51% of American counties. Drug overdoses killed 29 people per 100,000 in 2024, one of the harder-hit counties in the country.

A child born here can expect to live 75.4 years, shorter than 54% of American counties. There are 374 active physicians in the county, about 30.5 per 10,000 people. Medicare rates the local hospitals 4.3 of 5 stars. 7.3% of people under 65 have no health insurance.

School

Local students test at grade level 3.01 where 3.0 is national grade level, higher than 52% of American counties. 93% of adults finished high school.

Neighbors and politics

In 2024 your neighbors voted Republican by 41 points, among the most lopsided counties in the country. 66% of eligible voters turned out. Under Pennsylvania law you can get a concealed-carry permit on request, abortion is protected by state law, and marijuana is medical only.

Weather and risk

The year averages 50°F, highs near 60 and lows near 39, colder than 75% of American counties. About 39 inches of rain and snow fall a year. FEMA puts natural-hazard risk at 52 out of 100, riskier than 53% of American counties; the county has had 18 federal disaster declarations since 1953.

Getting around, going out

Home internet averages 228 Mbps down, faster than 63% of American counties. There are 4 airports in the county, counting general aviation. For a night or a weekend out: 0.7 full-service restaurants per 1,000 people, 7 museums.