Centre County’s population fell in the last 5 years. One group is particularly shrinking
Centre County’s population fell by about 3,000 residents over the past five years or so and is aging much quicker than the state overall.
That is according to the U.S. Census Bureau, which released the results of the 2024 American Community Survey last week. The survey captures data from 2020 to 2024, meaning it is less a crystal ball and more a highlight reel. There is also room for error, especially in more local data.
While the county shrank and is losing young people despite its outsized student population, bucking statewide trends, not every municipality is created equal.
Centre County’s population has fallen over the past roughly five years
The borough of Millheim, for example, is growing, with a population increase of 208 residents — 37% — since the 2019 American Community Survey. That is the third-highest population increase of the county’s 35 municipalities, and it is only outpaced by the much-larger College and Spring townships.
State College, the most populous of the municipalities, lost about 1,200 people. That is the most of any municipality, but is a small fraction of its population. The sparsely-populated rural townships of Miles, Marion and Worth each lost more than 20% of their population.
Halfmoon, Potter, Patton, Walker, Ferguson and Snow Show townships, as well as the boroughs of Philipsburg and Unionville, are largely stagnant, having not gained nor lost more than 2% of their populations.
Centre County is losing young people
Centre County’s decrease in population is in part driven by a loss of roughly 5,000 young people. Ferguson Township, Patton Township and State College account for more than half of Centre County’s drop in people ages 29 and younger, but it’s the rural areas hit hardest.
Worth Township went from 202 to 99 people 29 and younger since the 2019 American Community survey, and Miles and Howard townships, proportionally, aren’t far behind.
On the flip side, Millheim saw a nearly 100% increase that demographic, adding 129 to its ranks and Philipsburg came in second with a 33% jump, or about 200 people ages 29 or younger. Harris Township, whose population dwarves both municipalities, was the only other one to see its under-30 population increase by more than 200.
Pennsylvania’s under-30 population decreased by 0.76%.
Centre County is getting older
A loss of young people has helped boost Centre County’s median age from 32.3 to 34.2 over the past five or so years. Statewide, the median age increased from 40.8 to 40.9.
Gregg Township had the highest jump in median age, rising from 44.3 to 53.5, making it the fourth-oldest of Centre County’s municipalities. Neighboring Potter Township is the oldest, with a median age of 57.2.
A dozen municipalities got younger, including more urban areas like State College and Bellefonte, and rural areas like Huston Township. Unionville saw a nearly 11-year drop in its median age, though with only 238 people, its numbers could be skewed with few newborns.
State College, perhaps unsurprisingly, remained Centre County’s youngest municipality, with a median age of 21.2, seven years younger than the next.
Centre County has become slightly more racially diverse
While the age of Centre County has changed, the look of it hasn’t much.
The county remains overwhelmingly white, with non-Hispanic white people making up 82.8% of the population, down from 85.4% five years prior. Pennsylvania’s non-Hispanic white population is 73%.
Two-thirds of the county’s municipalities are more than 90% non-Hispanic white, and all but six got whiter over the past five or so years. Marion Township is the county’s least racially and ethnically diverse municipality, with 99.6% of its 1,200 residents being non-Hispanic white. Centre County saw a small drop in its Black and Asian populations, which together account for fewer than 15,000 people.
But Centre County is relatively diverse compared to its North Central Pennsylvania neighbors, mostly due to the State College area — Patton and Benner townships are the only county municipalities that outpace the commonwealth in percentage of racial and ethnic minorities. All of Centre County’s neighbors, except Union County, are over 89% white.
Centre County’s small Black and Asian populations remained level
Centre County’s Black population numbers about 5,200 residents. It is anchored in Benner Township, which is 21.7% Black. Second place is Philipsburg, with 5% of residents identifying as Black.
The county’s largest racial minority is Asian, with 9,200 people — or 5.8% — identifying as such. The Asian population is situated around State College and its suburbs. Patton Township is 14% Asian.
No racial minority besides “other” or “two or more” cracks 0% in most municipalities, though 6.9% of Port Matilda’s population identifies as American Indian or Alaska Native. Hispanic residents make up between 5% and 7% of the State College area, but “Hispanic” is not considered a race by the Census Bureau.
This story was originally published February 10, 2026 at 5:00 AM.
