State College
Borough in Centre County, Pennsylvania
State College is a borough in Centre County, Pennsylvania, with 40,501 residents (2020 Census). It sits at 1,155 ft (352 m) above sea level. The nearest town is Lemont, 2.6 miles NE.
- 40,501residents (2020 Census)
- 1,155 ftelevation · 352 m
- 4.6 sq miland area · 11.9 km²
- 8,846 / sq mipopulation density
- 16802main ZIP code (2 in total)
About State College
State College is a borough and the largest settlement in Centre County, Pennsylvania, United States. Home to the main campus of Pennsylvania State University, it is the largest borough in Pennsylvania, with a population of 40,501 as of the 2020 census. State College and the surrounding townships are collectively known as Happy Valley, which is part of the larger Nittany Valley. State College and the nearby city of DuBois anchor the State College–DuBois combined statistical area which includes all of Centre and Clearfield counties.
Several indigenous groups inhabited the State College area prior to European colonization. In 1855, ironmaster James Irvin offered 200 acres of land around the Centre Furnace for the construction of an agricultural school. Despite its isolation, the Nittany Valley was chosen to be the home of the Farmers' High School of Pennsylvania in part due to its soil fertility. State College would officially become a borough in 1896, and would continue to grow alongside the university throughout the 20th century. The area was nicknamed "Happy Valley" for its economic resilience during the Great Depression. State College was also largely unaffected by the Great Recession, leading to a construction boom in the 21st century.
Major cultural institutions include the Palmer Museum of Art, the State Theatre, Schlow Library, and the Bryce Jordan Center. State College is home to University Park, which hosts Beaver Stadium, the second-largest stadium in the Western Hemisphere. The State College Spikes play for the MLB Draft League at Medlar Field. Public transport in the borough is operated by the Centre Area Transportation Authority. The State College Regional Airport connects the area to larger international airline hubs.
Governed by a home rule charter, State College largely votes for the Democratic Party, with Ezra Nanes serving as mayor since 2021.
Text: Wikipedia · CC BY-SA 4.0
State College weather: 7-day forecast
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Living in State College
- Median household income
- $45,424
- Median home value
- $437,800
- Median rent
- $1,273/mo
- Median age
- 21.2
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Map of State College
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Open in Google Maps ›State College, PA population
State College had 40,501 residents in the 2020 Census.
| 2020 Census | 40,501 |
|---|---|
| Density | 8,846 per sq mi (3,416 per km²) |
Source: U.S. Census Bureau, Decennial Census.
State College at a glance
| State | Pennsylvania (PA) |
|---|---|
| County | Centre County |
| Type | Borough |
| Population | 40,501 (2020) |
| Land area | 4.58 sq mi (11.9 km²) |
| Elevation | 1,155 ft (352 m) |
| Coordinates | 40.7910° N, 77.8568° W |
| ZIP codes | 16802, 16801 |
| Official website | statecollegepa.us |
| Census code (GEOID) | 4273808 |
Sources: U.S. Census Bureau (Gazetteer, ZCTA), USGS GNIS, Wikidata.
Towns near State College
- Lemont2.6 mi NE
- College2.6 mi NE
- Toftrees2.8 mi NW
- Park Forest Village2.8 mi W
- Houserville3.0 mi NE
- Patton4.1 mi NW
- Boalsburg4.4 mi E
- Pine Grove Mills4.4 mi S
- Harris4.7 mi E
- Continental Courts5.5 mi N
- Ferguson5.5 mi SW
- Benner5.9 mi N
Straight-line distance between town centers.
Frequently asked questions about State College
What county is State College in?
State College is in Centre County, Pennsylvania.
What is the population of State College, PA?
40,501 people lived in State College at the 2020 Census.
What is the ZIP code of State College, PA?
The main ZIP code is 16802. Other ZIP codes: 16801.
What is the elevation of State College?
1,155 feet (352 m) above sea level.
What towns are near State College?
Lemont (2.6 mi), College (2.6 mi), Toftrees (2.8 mi), Park Forest Village (2.8 mi), Houserville (3.0 mi).
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