Potter
Pennsylvania

What stands out

Three things set Potter County apart from the other 3,142 counties: winter sunshine is in the bottom 3% of American counties (-1.8 on the USDA scale), unemployment is in the top 4% of American counties (5.9%), and natural-hazard risk is in the bottom 4% of American counties (4 of 100). Within Pennsylvania it ranks 10th of 67 counties for winter sunshine, counting from the bottom.

Where you are

You live in Potter County, Pennsylvania. 16,390 people live here with you. The population shrank 1.3% last year, and more Americans moved out than in (net -83).

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 $56,491 a year, lower than 63% of American counties. Employers pay an average wage of $51,050. Unemployment runs 5.9%, higher than 96% of American counties. 8% of workers work from home.

Pennsylvania takes 3.1% of that median income in state income tax, about $1,734 a year.

Home

The median home costs $162K, cheaper than 79% of American counties, about 1.9 years of the median household's income. A two-bedroom rents for around $736 a month. Property tax is 1.35% of home value, roughly $1,821 a year on that median home, higher than 79% of American counties. 80% of households own rather than rent.

Safety and health

Violent crime here is 4.1 per 1,000 residents, higher than 61% of American counties. Drug overdoses killed 16 people per 100,000 in 2024.

A child born here can expect to live 77.1 years, longer than 65% of American counties. There are 15 active physicians in the county, about 9.2 per 10,000 people. Medicare rates the local hospitals 4.0 of 5 stars. 8.5% of people under 65 have no health insurance.

School

Local students test at grade level 3.06 where 3.0 is national grade level, higher than 50% of American counties. 90% of adults finished high school.

Neighbors and politics

In 2024 your neighbors voted Republican by 60 points, among the most lopsided counties in the country. 69% 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 46°F, highs near 57 and lows near 35, colder than 87% of American counties. About 38 inches of rain and snow fall a year. FEMA puts natural-hazard risk at 4 out of 100, safer than 96% of American counties; the county has had 14 federal disaster declarations since 1953.

Getting around, going out

Home internet averages 247 Mbps down, faster than 73% of American counties. There are 3 airports in the county, counting general aviation. For a night or a weekend out: 1.0 full-service restaurants per 1,000 people.