CountyScore

Centre County

Pennsylvania · PA

#35 in Pennsylvania
65.4
County Score

County Report Card

About Centre County, Pennsylvania

Consistently Livable Above National Norms

Centre County's composite score of 64.8 exceeds the national median of 50.0 by nearly 15 percentile points, demonstrating above-average livability compared to American counties nationwide. This reflects particularly strong tax efficiency balanced against moderate affordability challenges.

Slightly Below State Average

At 64.8, Centre County falls 1.2 points short of Pennsylvania's 66.0 state average, placing it just below the midline among the eight profiled counties. It's a borderline performer in the competitive state rankings.

Excellent Tax Efficiency and Fiscal Management

Centre County's tax score of 72.3 and effective tax rate of just 1.065% are among the state's best, complemented by a cost score of 67.6. This tax advantage makes the county particularly attractive to wealth-conscious households.

Income Growth Opportunities Are Limited

The county's income score of 30.9 and median household income of $72,748 reflect modest earning potential relative to state benchmarks. For career-focused professionals, local wage growth may require regional commuting.

For Tax-Conscious Professionals with Flexibility

Centre County suits professionals and executives seeking exceptional tax efficiency and moderate housing costs, particularly those with remote work options or regional job mobility. It's less ideal for families entirely dependent on local employment.

Score breakdown

5 dimensions have live data. 3 more coming as vertical sites launch.

Tax72.3Cost67.6SafetyComing SoonHealth78.2SchoolsComing SoonIncome30.9Risk32WaterComing Soon
🏛72.3
Property Tax
Effective property tax rate vs national benchmarks
TaxByCounty →
🏠67.6
Cost of Living
Median rent, home values, and housing affordability
CostByCounty →
💼30.9
Income & Jobs
Median household income and per capita earnings
IncomeByCounty →
🛡Coming Soon
Safety
Violent and property crime rates per 100K residents
❤78.2
Health
Life expectancy, uninsured rates, and health access
HealthByCounty →
🎓Coming Soon
Schools
Graduation rates, per-pupil spending, and attainment
⚡32
Disaster Risk
FEMA National Risk Index — flood, fire, tornado, and more
RiskByCounty →
💧Coming Soon
Water Quality
EPA drinking water health violations and safety grades

Explore this county

Property Taxtaxbycounty.comCost of Livingcostbycounty.comIncomeincomebycounty.com
Compare Centre County with another county →

Counties with similar scores

Barrow County
Georgia
65.4
Median income: $77,477
Grady County
Georgia
65.4
Median income: $54,312
Tattnall County
Georgia
65.4
Median income: $52,351
Vanderburgh County
Indiana
65.4
Median income: $60,938
Barber County
Kansas
65.4
Median income: $57,615

Deep Dives

Centre County across the ByCounty Network

Detailed analysis from 5 data dimensions — each powered by a dedicated ByCounty site.

Property Tax in Centre County

via TaxByCounty

Centre County taxes close to the national norm

Centre County's effective tax rate of 1.065% sits just slightly below the national median of 1.09%, landing in roughly the 48th percentile. The median property tax of $3,282 exceeds the national median of $2,690, though Centre homes are also worth more than average—$308,100 versus $281,900 nationally.

Well below Pennsylvania's average rate

Centre County ranks in the lower quarter of Pennsylvania counties by effective tax rate, meaningfully below the state average of 1.317%. Its median tax of $3,282 exceeds the state median of $2,657, but the county's moderate rate makes it relatively tax-friendly for a prosperous region.

Centre lighter than Cambria and Carbon

Centre's 1.065% rate is among the lowest in central Pennsylvania, beating Cambria (1.283%), Carbon (1.504%), and Cameron (1.667%). For a college-town county with higher property values, Centre offers competitive tax relief compared to nearby regions.

Median bill approximately $3,282 yearly

On Centre County's median home value of $308,100, the 1.065% effective rate yields an estimated annual property tax of $3,282. This represents a reasonable burden for a county with above-average property values and a thriving State College economy.

Even modest assessment errors cost money

Though Centre County offers a favorable tax rate, overassessments still occur and can cost hundreds annually on higher-value properties. A free appeal is worth filing if you suspect your assessment doesn't match recent market comparables.

Full property tax analysis on TaxByCounty

Cost of Living in Centre County

via CostByCounty

Centre struggles with college town premium

Centre County renters spend 19.5% of income on housing—the highest ratio in Pennsylvania and well above the 16.5% national benchmark. The median income of $72,748 nearly matches the national average, but housing costs reflect the State College college-town premium that inflates local rents.

Pennsylvania's most strained housing market

Centre's 19.5% rent-to-income ratio ranks worst among Pennsylvania counties, driven by a median rent of $1,181 that outpaces the state average of $960 by 23%. The county's university anchor (Penn State) creates concentrated demand that lifts prices beyond income growth.

College premium over regional peers

Centre's $1,181 median rent exceeds all rural neighboring counties substantially—Carbon ($975), Cambria ($733), Clarion ($785)—while charging less than affluent suburban Bucks ($1,537) and Chester ($1,691). The pricing reflects Centre's unique college-town economics.

State College's expensive equation

Renters dedicate $1,181 monthly (19.5%) and homeowners $1,265 (20.9%) to housing against the $72,748 income, making Centre the state's most cost-burdened county. This leaves Centre households with less discretionary income than peers despite solid median earnings.

Centre County demands above-market income

Move to Centre if your salary or household income substantially exceeds the $72,748 median or if you value Penn State's cultural amenities enough to absorb the 19.5% housing cost. Job seekers should negotiate aggressively—local employers know they must pay premiums to offset the county's highest affordability burden.

Full cost of living analysis on CostByCounty

Income & Jobs in Centre County

via IncomeByCounty

Centre slightly above national middle

Centre County's median household income of $72,748 falls nearly even with the national median of $74,755, placing the county right at middle-income status nationwide. Home to Penn State University, the county's diverse economy supports the national-average income despite pockets of student-based housing poverty.

Close to Pennsylvania's average

Centre County ranks near the midpoint of Pennsylvania's 67 counties with a median household income of $72,748—a marginal $3,134 above the state average of $69,614. The presence of Penn State and a robust college-town services sector sustain slightly above-average household earnings.

University drives income above peers

Centre County's $72,748 median income edges above Carbon County ($67,877) and significantly outpaces Cambria ($56,292), reflecting Penn State's outsized economic influence on regional wages. The university effect lifts professional and administrative employment above what rural Appalachian peers experience.

High housing burden despite moderate income

Centre County's 19.5% rent-to-income ratio is the highest among these eight counties, signaling housing cost pressure despite a median home value of $308,100. The university town's popularity has driven home values and rents upward faster than median household incomes, squeezing housing affordability.

Navigate student debt and build savings

Centre County's $72,748 median income supports modest wealth-building, though elevated housing costs (19.5% burden) limit savings capacity compared to other counties. Prioritize eliminating high-interest debt, explore employer retirement benefits, and establish automated savings transfers to overcome the housing affordability challenge.

Full income & jobs analysis on IncomeByCounty

Health in Centre County

via HealthByCounty

Centre leads Pennsylvania in longevity

Centre County residents live 81.3 years on average—nearly 5 years longer than the U.S. average of 76.4 years. With only 17.0% reporting poor or fair health, the county shows strong underlying health despite some chronic disease burden.

State's longest life expectancy

Centre County's 81.3-year life expectancy ranks it at the very top of Pennsylvania, exceeding the state average of 76.4 years by 4.9 years. The county is a model for health and longevity across the commonwealth.

Regional longevity leader

Centre County's 81.3-year life expectancy slightly edges Chester County (81.0 years) for regional leadership. Both counties tower over Cambria, Carbon, and Clarion counties, each at roughly 74.5-74.9 years—a stark 6+ year gap.

Excellent provider access, solid coverage

Centre County's 6.2% uninsured rate exceeds the state average by just 0.8 percentage points—room for improvement but manageable. With 83 primary care providers and 256 mental health providers per 100,000 residents, healthcare access is strong and supports prevention-focused care.

Maintain momentum on coverage

Centre County's 6.2% uninsured rate is lower than most state peers, but every uninsured resident risks a health crisis. Check www.healthcare.gov annually and explore employer plans and public options to sustain this county's exemplary health outcomes.

Full health analysis on HealthByCounty

Disaster Risk in Centre County

via RiskByCounty

Centre County's risk slightly exceeds state average

Centre County's composite risk score of 67.97 ranks it as relatively low, nearly matching Pennsylvania's state average of 67.45. This positions the county at the threshold between lower and moderate risk zones.

Mid-range risk for Pennsylvania

Centre County ranks in the middle band of Pennsylvania's 67 counties for overall natural disaster risk. It sits among the more average counties statewide in terms of hazard exposure.

Similar risk to surrounding counties

Centre County's 67.97 score closely mirrors Cambria (76.43) and Carbon (59.41) in the surrounding region. Butler County (79.26) to the northwest shows somewhat higher exposure.

Flooding and hurricanes are top threats

Centre County's flood risk of 81.23 and hurricane risk of 77.47 are its two most significant hazard exposures. Tornado risk (42.84) and earthquake risk (58.17) remain moderate but secondary to water-related threats.

Secure flood and wind protection

Centre County's flood risk score of 81.23 makes standalone flood insurance a strong recommendation for all property owners. Ensure your homeowners policy covers wind damage and develop a family emergency communication plan.

Full disaster risk analysis on RiskByCounty

ByCounty Network

🏛Property Tax🏠Cost of Living💼Income & Jobs🛡Safety❤Health🎓Schools⚡Disaster Risk💧Water Quality

Data from U.S. Census Bureau ACS, FBI UCR, CDC, FEMA NRI, NCES, EPA SDWIS — informational only.