Centre
Pennsylvania

What stands out

If you had to describe Centre County in numbers, start here: life expectancy is in the top 3% of American counties (81.6 years), the school test score is in the top 6% of American counties (3.46 where 3.0 is grade level), and high-school completion is in the top 7% of American counties (95%). Within Pennsylvania it ranks 1st of 67 counties for life expectancy.

Where you are

You live in Centre County, Pennsylvania. 158,665 people live here with you. The population held steady at 0.2% last year, and more Americans moved out than in (net -528).

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 $70,087 a year, higher than 74% of American counties. Employers pay an average wage of $62,822. Unemployment runs 3.6%, higher than 58% of American counties. 12% of workers work from home.

Pennsylvania takes 3.1% of that median income in state income tax, about $2,152 a year.

Home

The median home costs $354K, pricier than 79% of American counties, about 2.8 years of the median household's income. A two-bedroom rents for around $1,160 a month. Property tax is 1.12% of home value, roughly $3,243 a year on that median home, higher than 68% of American counties. 63% of households own rather than rent.

Safety and health

Violent crime here is 3.4 per 1,000 residents, lower than 74% of American counties. Drug overdoses killed 10 people per 100,000 in 2024.

A child born here can expect to live 81.6 years, longer than 97% of American counties. There are 455 active physicians in the county, about 28.7 per 10,000 people. Medicare rates the local hospitals 5.0 of 5 stars. 7.7% of people under 65 have no health insurance.

School

Local students test at grade level 3.44 where 3.0 is national grade level, higher than 94% of American counties. 95% of adults finished high school.

Neighbors and politics

In 2024 your neighbors voted almost evenly. 60% 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 49°F, highs near 59 and lows near 39, colder than 78% of American counties. About 40 inches of rain and snow fall a year. FEMA puts natural-hazard risk at 37 out of 100, safer than 63% of American counties; the county has had 15 federal disaster declarations since 1953.

Getting around, going out

Home internet averages 231 Mbps down, faster than 64% of American counties. There are 8 airports in the county, counting general aviation. For a night or a weekend out: 0.7 full-service restaurants per 1,000 people, 2 breweries, 8 museums.