Population 63,766 · Census ACS 2020–24
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Population and households in State College
Household size in State College
| Period | State College | Pennsylvania | U.S. |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2006–10 | 2.51 | 2.51 | 2.68 |
| 2010–14 | 2.58 | 2.53 | 2.73 |
| 2015–19 | 2.74 | 2.50 | 2.71 |
| 2020–24 | 2.33 | 2.46 | 2.65 |
| Change | −0.19 | −0.05 | −0.03 |
Households in State College are small: just 2.33 people on average, compared with 2.65 nationally. That is typical of places where many people live alone or as couples, and fewer have children at home. Since 2006–10, household size has dropped from 2.51, a much bigger shift than nationally.
Household size: the average number of people living in each occupied home. Source: BestNeighborhood calculations from U.S. Census Bureau ACS 5-year block-group estimates (table B25010).
Median age in State College
| Period | State College | Pennsylvania | U.S. |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2006–10 | 30.5 | 40.3 | 37.7 |
| 2010–14 | 30.3 | 41.0 | 38.6 |
| 2015–19 | 31.5 | 41.8 | 39.6 |
| 2020–24 | 31.6 | 42.0 | 40.1 |
| Change | +1.1 | +1.7 | +2.3 |
With a median age of just 31.6, State College is far younger than the country as a whole (40.1), a population that tilts toward young adults, many of them living alone or as couples. Since 2006–10, the median age has climbed from 30.5, as it has nationally. Of the 496 Pennsylvania cities with 5,000+ people, only five are younger.
Median age: the age that splits residents into two equal halves. Source: BestNeighborhood calculations from U.S. Census Bureau ACS 5-year block-group estimates (table B01002).
Single-parent households in State College
| Period | State College | Pennsylvania | U.S. |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2006–10 | 4.8% | 10.5% | 12.3% |
| 2010–14 | 5.0% | 10.6% | 12.3% |
| 2015–19 | 4.4% | 10.5% | 11.6% |
| 2020–24 | 4.0% | 10.7% | 11.6% |
| Change | −0.7 pts | +0.2 pts | −0.6 pts |
Single parents head only 4.0% of households in State College, well below the national share of 11.6%. The single-parent share is down 0.7 points from 2006–10, as it has nationally. Of the 496 Pennsylvania cities with 5,000+ people, only 25 have a lower share of single-parent households.
Single-parent households: households where one adult with no spouse present lives with children under 18. Source: BestNeighborhood calculations from U.S. Census Bureau ACS 5-year block-group estimates (table B11003).
Housing in State College
Renters in State College
| Period | State College | Pennsylvania | U.S. |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2006–10 | 62.8% | 29.0% | 33.3% |
| 2010–14 | 61.7% | 30.5% | 35.6% |
| 2015–19 | 59.6% | 31.1% | 36.0% |
| 2020–24 | 58.4% | 30.7% | 34.8% |
| Change | −4.5 pts | +1.7 pts | +1.5 pts |
Renters far outnumber owners in State College: 58.4% of households rent their homes, against 34.8% nationally. Among homeowners, 45.6% have no mortgage at all, above the national share of 39.8%. Since 2006–10, the renter share has fallen 4.5 points, even as the national share rose. Only three of the 496 Pennsylvania cities with 5,000+ people have a higher share of renters.
Renters: occupied homes that are rented rather than owned. Source: BestNeighborhood calculations from U.S. Census Bureau ACS 5-year block-group estimates (table B25003).
Vacant homes in State College
| Period | State College | Pennsylvania | U.S. |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2006–10 | 11.8% | 10.3% | 11.4% |
| 2010–14 | 9.3% | 10.5% | 11.4% |
| 2015–19 | 12.3% | 10.7% | 11.1% |
| 2020–24 | 13.8% | 9.1% | 9.6% |
| Change | +2.0 pts | −1.2 pts | −1.8 pts |
Vacancy is high in State College: 13.8% of homes are empty, far above the national rate of 9.6%. In resort and lake areas that usually means seasonal and vacation homes; elsewhere it can point to weak demand. Since 2006–10, vacancy has risen 2.0 points, even as the national rate fell.
Vacant homes: homes with no one living in them, including vacation homes and homes for sale or rent. Source: BestNeighborhood calculations from U.S. Census Bureau ACS 5-year block-group estimates (table B25002).
Age of homes in State College
| Period | State College | Pennsylvania | U.S. |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2006–10 | 1978 | 1963 | 1974 |
| 2010–14 | 1978 | 1964 | 1975 |
| 2015–19 | 1980 | 1965 | 1977 |
| 2020–24 | 1982 | 1967 | 1980 |
| Change | +4 | +4 | +6 |
The typical home in State College was built around 1982, about the same vintage as the country's housing overall (1980). Homes here are newer than in Pennsylvania overall, where the median home dates to 1967. The median year built has moved up from 1978 in 2006–10, a sign of steady new building. Newer construction is concentrated in the southwest, while the center has the oldest housing.
Age of homes: the year that splits the housing stock into older and newer halves. Source: BestNeighborhood calculations from U.S. Census Bureau ACS 5-year block-group estimates (table B25035).
Rent in State College
| Period | State College | Pennsylvania | U.S. |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2006–10 | $865 | $829 | $965 |
| 2010–14 | $1,013 | $923 | $1,040 |
| 2015–19 | $1,112 | $1,039 | $1,213 |
| 2020–24 | $1,365 | $1,323 | $1,571 |
| Change | +$500 | +$494 | +$606 |
The median renter in State College pays $1,365 a month for rent and utilities, below the national median of $1,571. Rents are up $500 a month from 2006–10, a 58% rise, a slower climb than the nation's. The typical renter here spends 36.2% of household income on rent, well over the 30% mark often used to define affordable rent, so many renters here are stretched.
Rent: monthly rent plus the utilities renters pay themselves. Source: BestNeighborhood calculations from U.S. Census Bureau ACS 5-year block-group estimates (table B25064).
Education in State College
Bachelor's degrees in State College
| Period | State College | Pennsylvania | U.S. |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2006–10 | 60.4% | 27.2% | 28.4% |
| 2010–14 | 55.4% | 28.7% | 29.6% |
| 2015–19 | 65.1% | 31.8% | 32.1% |
| 2020–24 | 67.3% | 35.6% | 35.6% |
| Change | +6.9 pts | +8.3 pts | +7.2 pts |
College graduates are unusually common in State College: 67.3% of adults 25 and older have a bachelor's degree or higher, against 35.6% nationally. Education tends to track local incomes and the kinds of jobs nearby. The share with a degree has risen 6.9 points since 2006–10, mirroring the country. Of the 496 Pennsylvania cities with 5,000+ people, only 31 have a higher share of college graduates.
Bachelor's degrees: adults 25 and older with a bachelor's degree or higher. Source: BestNeighborhood calculations from U.S. Census Bureau ACS 5-year block-group estimates (table B15003).
High school graduates in State College
| Period | State College | Pennsylvania | U.S. |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2006–10 | 90.8% | 87.3% | 84.9% |
| 2010–14 | 95.2% | 88.8% | 86.1% |
| 2015–19 | 96.4% | 90.3% | 87.7% |
| 2020–24 | 96.6% | 91.8% | 89.3% |
| Change | +5.8 pts | +4.5 pts | +4.3 pts |
High school completion is high in State College: 96.6% of adults 25 and older have a diploma or equivalent, well above the national rate of 89.3%. Since 2006–10, the share with a diploma has risen 5.8 points, mirroring the country. State College has a higher share of high school graduates than at least four in five Pennsylvania cities.
High school graduates: adults 25 and older with a high school diploma, GED or more. Source: BestNeighborhood calculations from U.S. Census Bureau ACS 5-year block-group estimates (table B15003).
Jobs in State College
| Period | State College | Pennsylvania | U.S. |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2006–10 | 7.6% | 7.5% | 8.1% |
| 2010–14 | 7.2% | 8.8% | 9.4% |
| 2015–19 | 6.2% | 5.5% | 5.6% |
| 2020–24 | 6.0% | 5.4% | 5.4% |
| Change | −1.6 pts | −2.1 pts | −2.7 pts |
At 6.0%, unemployment in State College is close to the national rate of 5.4%. Unemployment is down 1.6 points from 2006–10, as it has nationally. Because the Census pools five years of responses (2020–24), these rates smooth over short swings and lag the current job market.
Unemployment: people looking for work as a share of everyone working or looking. Source: BestNeighborhood calculations from U.S. Census Bureau ACS 5-year block-group estimates (table B23025).
State College compared with nearby cities
| City | Household size | Median age | Single parents | Renters | Vacant homes | Median year built | Median rent | Bachelor's degree | High school diploma | Unemployment |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| State College | 2.33 | 31.6 | 4.0% | 58.4% | 13.8% | 1982 | $1,365 | 67.3% | 96.6% | 6.0% |
| University Park | 1.47 | 19.2 | 6.0% | 29.0% | 11.4% | 1977 | $1,163 | 95.3% | 100.0% | 10.0% |
| Park Forest Village | 2.32 | 38.7 | 3.2% | 44.2% | 14.2% | 1984 | $1,256 | 76.4% | 99.2% | 2.2% |
| Houserville | 2.12 | 33.5 | 8.5% | 22.2% | 14.4% | 1977 | $1,321 | 76.7% | 100.0% | 8.5% |
| Lemont | 2.50 | 39.8 | 10.6% | 28.4% | 11.9% | 1985 | $1,347 | 60.8% | 98.7% | 5.3% |
| Boalsburg | 2.39 | 44.4 | 8.8% | 20.9% | 4.0% | 1982 | $1,335 | 70.4% | 98.9% | 4.1% |
| Pine Grove Mills | 2.57 | 38.6 | 2.4% | 10.7% | 11.0% | 1968 | $1,356 | 57.8% | 97.0% | 0.0% |
| Coburn | 2.89 | 41.1 | 6.3% | 11.1% | 17.9% | 1980 | $1,187 | 20.7% | 85.5% | 3.4% |
| Dale Summit | 2.22 | 39.3 | 6.4% | 9.9% | 5.8% | 1979 | $1,057 | 4.4% | 77.4% | 3.3% |
| Linden Hall | 2.65 | 35.8 | 11.7% | 22.8% | 1.8% | 1985 | $1,400 | 75.4% | 99.7% | 1.6% |
| Pleasant Gap | 2.21 | 39.2 | 6.3% | 29.6% | 6.1% | 1978 | $1,096 | 5.5% | 78.2% | 3.4% |
All figures 2020–24.
Cities with similar populations: Lake Forest, CA · Wylie, TX · West Bloomfield, MI · Martinsburg, WV · Laguna Niguel, CA · La Habra, CA · Joplin, MO · Jefferson City, MO · Hickory, NC · Hanford, CA
About these numbers
Every figure on this page is a BestNeighborhood calculation from the Census Bureau's American Community Survey (ACS), built up from the Census block groups that make up State College. Each ACS 5-year release pools five years of responses; this page shows the last 15 releases, 2006–10 through 2020–24. Neighboring releases share four of their five years, so they move gradually and small changes between them are within the survey's margin of error; in small places the lines can jump from one release to the next for the same reason. The maps show the same measures for each neighborhood, ranked against the whole country.
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