State College, Pennsylvania

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"State College" redirects here. For other uses, see State College (disambiguation).

State College, Pennsylvania, is a borough -- and more generally used, the borough and surrounding townships -- in Centre County in the U.S. state of Pennsylvania. It is the principal city of the State College, Pennsylvania Metropolitan Statistical Area which encompasses all of Centre county. As of the 2000 census, the borough population was 38,420, (estimated 38,720 in 2007) and roughly double that total lived in the borough plus the surrounding townships. Of that population, 20,011 or 52.1% are males and 18,409 or 47.9% are females. (Source: City Data retrieved 2006 from http://www.city-data.com/city/State-College-Pennsylvania.html).

The town is dominated economically and demographically by the presence of the main campus of the Pennsylvania State University, more often referred to as Penn State. Happy Valley is an often-used term to refer to the State College area, including the borough and the townships of College, Harris, Patton, and Ferguson.

The area is served by University Park Airport.

Contents 1 History 2 Geography 3 Demographics 3.1 ZIP codes 3.2 Area code 4 Culture 4.1 Happy Valley 4.2 Famous people from State College 4.3 Notable visitors to State College 4.4 Points of interest 4.5 Media 4.5.1 Newspapers / Magazines / Print / Web Media 4.5.2 Television 4.5.3 Radio 4.6 Sports 4.6.1 Collegiate Sports/NCAA 4.6.2 Minor League Baseball 4.6.3 Rivalries 5 Correctional facility 6 Economy 6.1 Major Employers 6.2 Shopping 6.2.1 Retail 6.2.2 Supermarkets 7 Government and Politics 8 Education 8.1 Public Schools 8.2 Private Schools 8.3 Higher Education 8.3.1 Other Colleges Near State College 8.4 Libraries 9 Hospitals 10 Infrastructure 10.1 Roads 10.2 Airport 10.3 Mass Transportation 10.4 Long Distance Bus Lines 11 See also 12 External links

[edit] History

State College evolved from village to town to serve the needs of the fledgling Pennsylvania State College, founded as the Farmers' High School of Pennsylvania in 1855. Since then, the school has grown into a major university, renamed in 1953 The Pennsylvania State University, also known as Penn State. State College was incorporated as a borough on August 29, 1896 and has since grown with the university. Both borough and university share a symbiotic relationship. In 1973 State College adopted a home rule charter which took effect in 1976. The areas outside of State College are filled with historic towns and villages, immense tracts of farmland, and an expanse of mountains and forests.

The university has a post office address of University Park, PA, which is sometimes a cause for confusion. When Penn State changed its name from College to University in 1953, its president, Milton S. Eisenhower, sought to persuade the town to change its name as well. A referendum failed to yield a majority for any of the choices for a new name, and so the town remains State College. After this, Penn State requested a new name for its on-campus post office in the Hetzel Union Building from the U.S. Post Office Department. The post office, which has since moved across a street to the McAllister Building, is the official home of zip code 16802 (University Park). The new zip code was granted directly by President Dwight D. Eisenhower at the request of his younger brother Milton S. Eisenhower .

[edit] Geography

State College is located at 40°47′29″N, 77°51′31″W (40.791261, -77.858740). The elevation is approximately 1200 feet above sea level.^GR1.

According to the United States Census Bureau, the borough has a total area of 11.8 km² (4.5 mi²), all land.

[edit] Demographics

As of the census^GR2 of 2000, there were 38,420 people, 12,024 households, and 3,306 families residing in the borough. The population density was 3,267.4/km² (8,459.3/mi²). There were 12,488 housing units at an average density of 1,062.0/km² (2,749.6/mi²). The racial makeup of the borough was 84.31% White, 3.69% African American, 0.15% Native American, 8.77% Asian, 0.13% Pacific Islander, 1.38% from other races, and 1.58% from two or more races. Hispanic or Latino of any race were 3.02% of the population.

There were 12,024 households out of which 10.5% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 22.4% were married couples living together, 3.4% had a female householder with no husband present, and 72.5% were non-families. 33.5% of all households were made up of individuals and 5.9% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.30 and the average family size was 2.69.

The age distribution of State College, which is overwhelmingly influenced by Penn State, is: 5.8% under the age of 18, 65.5% from 18 to 24, 16.2% from 25 to 44, 6.7% from 45 to 64, and 5.8% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 22 years. For every 100 females there were 108.7 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 109.1 males.

The median income for a household in the borough was $21,186, and the median income for a family was $54,949. Males had a median income of $34,388 versus $27,219 for females. The per capita income for the borough was $12,155. 9.7% of families were below the poverty line. 10.6% of those under the age of 18 and 2.2% of those 65 and older were living below the poverty line. 46.9% of the entire population lives below the poverty line, but this particular measure of poverty can be very misleading when applied to a community like State College which is dominated by students. The previous measures of those under 18, over 65, and families are much less affected by the Penn State student population.

The State College area is one of the fastest growing Metropolitan Statistical Areas nationwide due to rapid growth in business spinoffs from the University, and general quality of life rankings success.

[edit] ZIP codes

The ZIP codes used in the State College area are: 16801-16805 and 16827 (Harris Township), with 16802 reserved for the University Park, Pennsylvania.

[edit] Area code

State College uses the Area code 814 and is served mainly by Verizon Communications, the local telephone provider.

[edit] Culture

[edit] Happy Valley

"Happy Valley" is sometimes used as shorthand for State College, Pennsylvania, where the Pennsylvania State University is located.

In a survey conducted in the late 1980s by Psychology Today, State College was ranked as one of the least stressful places in the United States.

Commentators referring to Penn State athletic events often give the location as "Happy Valley" rather than mentioning State College or the specific campus facility.

In the August issue of Rolling Stone Magazine, State College received honorable mention in best music scenes throughout the country. Bands formed in State College include The Bullet Parade[1], Katsu, Emily's Toybox, and Axum.

Otto's Pub & Brewery, located in State College, was voted #37 on the "Top 50 Places to Have A Pint" in the United States in 2003 by BeerAdvocate.com.[2] In addition to this, the 2006 survey listed Zeno's Pub in the top 50 as well. Ye Olde College Diner, located in State College, was voted #3 on the "Best Places to Eat a Sticky Bun" in the United States in 2005 by Pastrypoll.com.

Other great restaurants in the area that are unique to State College include:

• Allen Street Grill
• Baby's Burgers & Shakes: This place was once mentioned in a Visa commercial, saying that they don't accept American Express. (There is no mention of whether this is true today on their official website).
• Beulah's BBQ and Bar Bleu
• CC Pepper's
• Cafe 210
• Herwig's
• Hi-Way Pizza
• Nittany Lion Inn
• Pancake Cottage
• Tavern Restaurant
• The Sports Cafe
• The Waffle Shop

[edit] Famous people from State College

• Francis Fukuyama - public intellectual
• Larry Johnson - NFL running back for the Kansas City Chiefs
• Joe Paterno - legendary college football coach; born in Brooklyn, New York
• Rene Portland - longtime women's basketball coach
• Ben Mitchell - Television Host / Broadcaster
• James Morrow - science-fiction author; wrote 'City of Truth'
• Joel N. Myers - Founder of AccuWeather.com
• Eric Milton- baseball player for the Cincinnati Reds
• Jamie Houck- legendary stone cutter
• Kerry Collins - NFL quarterback who played for the Carolina Panthers, played in Super Bowl XXXV for the New York Giants, also played for the Oakland Raiders and New Orleans Saints, and now plays for the Tennessee Titans; born in Lebanon, Pennsylvania.
• Matt Suhey- Won a super bowl with the Chicago Bears
• Chris Fowler ^{[citation needed]} - ESPN and College Gameday Analyst
• Harry Groves - legendary and oft-quoted track and field coach

[edit] Notable visitors to State College

• George H. W. Bush visited Penn State to campaign for re-election in 1991. Due to logistical issues with flying into the University Park Airport, Bush's campaign was forced to fly into Harrisburg International Airport and then drive a convoy up U.S. 322 into State College. Metal detectors were installed at checkpoints across the campus, causing damage to the Old Main lawn. The checkpoints impeded the flow of pedestrian traffic.

• William Jefferson Clinton visited as well and is the only person to be allowed to mix flavors at the famous Penn State Creamery.

[edit] Points of interest

• The HUB
• Old Main
• The Arboretum at Penn State
• American Philatelic Society
• Pennsylvania State University
• The Creamery
• Beaver Stadium - football venue
• Bryce Jordan Center - basketball and other indoor sports venue
• Downtown State College
• Schlow Centre Region Library
• Nittany Mall
• Medlar Field at Lubrano Park, home of the State College Spikes baseball
• Mount Nittany - skiing and hiking
• Mount Nittany Medical Center
• Friday Farmers' Market (During summer and fall only)

[edit] Media

[edit] Newspapers / Magazines / Print / Web Media

• The Centre Daily Times
• The Daily Collegian (Pennsylvania) (PSU student run)
• Phroth
• StateCollege.com

[edit] Television

State College is part of the Johnstown/Altoona/State College television market, which is currently ranked #98 in the nation.

[edit] Radio

The State College, PA radio market is ranked #254 in the nation. The following box contains a list of public radio stations in State College.

[edit] Sports

[edit] Collegiate Sports/NCAA

• See Pennsylvania State University Athletics and Penn State Nittany Lions football.

[edit] Minor League Baseball

• State College Spikes
  • Besides Penn State sports, State College has a Minor League Baseball team named the State College Spikes, a short season class A affiliate of the St. Louis Cardinals in the New York Penn League.

[edit] Rivalries

Because the demographics of State College is overwhelmingly influenced by Penn State, mainly from the Philadelphia, Pennsylvania and Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania areas, the following rivalries are usually only found in State College and in no other part of the state or in the nation. The events can become something similar to the Subway Series in New York.

• Philadelphia Flyers vs. Pittsburgh Penguins - This rivalry usually occurs during the NHL Eastern Conference playoffs (formerly the Patrick Division playoffs) that occur sometime during Penn State's spring semester. However, only one of the teams can become the Eastern Conference winner. Dormitories and bars are filled with people from either side, where you can hear "yeah" and "boo" at the same time for every play.
• Philadelphia Eagles vs. Pittsburgh Steelers - This rivalry came close to happening in 2003 and 2004. In 2003, both teams were eliminated, one by the Carolina Panthers and the other by the New England Patriots. In 2004, The Philadelphia Eagles made it to the Super Bowl, but the Pittsburgh Steelers were eliminated by the New England Patriots. Since then the Pittsburgh Steelers have won a 5th Super Bowl in 2005 while the Eagles still do not have one. [3]
• Philadelphia Phillies vs. Pittsburgh Pirates was a rivalry that lasted until about 1975. Today, this rivalry does not exist.[4]

Since 1906, there was an old rivalry between Penn State and Pittsburgh in NCAA football, which has come to an end as of 2005.

During the past, when Syracuse University Orangemen would come to Penn State, their fans would paint the Nittany Lion shrine orange, before Penn State joined the Big Ten Conference.

Even further back in time, there once was a rivalry between Penn and Penn State. At least in football, that rivalry is defunct. However, in recent times, there have been talk about a Penn-Penn State rivalry in men's basketball. However, since Penn has had a better basketball team in recent years, there has not been much in rivalry lately.

[edit] Correctional facility

State College is located not far from the State Correctional Institution - Rockview, which is known as the state penitentiary, or the "state pen" (Source: [5], reference to "state pen" being near Penn State).

[edit] Economy

[edit] Major Employers

• The Pennsylvania State University
• State College Area School District
• Mount Nittany Medical Center
• AccuWeather- the world's largest private weather forecasting service, originated and based in State College, PA
• Raytheon Intelligence and Information Systems - formerly E-Systems and HRB Singer
• Jostens Printing and Publishing
• Wegmans
• Brookline Village
• Hotel State College & Co.
• SRI International
• Minitab
• General Dynamics
• Centre Area Transportation Authority
• Walmart

[edit] Shopping

[edit] Retail

State College has many shopping areas which include:

• Downtown State College
• Nittany Mall
• Walmart Shopping Plazas

[edit] Supermarkets

State College is served by:

• Weis Markets
• Giant
• Wegman's

[edit] Government and Politics

At the state and national levels, State College is served by Pennsylvania's 5th congressional district. The current incumbent is John E. Peterson.

At the county level, Centre County, Pennsylvania's county seat is in Bellefonte, Pennsylvania.

At the local level, the Borough of State College Government is currently run by the following elected officials:

• Mayor: Bill Welch
• President of Council: Catherine G. Dauler
• Council Members:
  • Thomas E. Daubert
  • Ronald Filippelli
  • Elizabeth A. Goreham
  • Donald M. Hahn
  • Craig R. Humphrey
  • Jeffrey R. Kern

(Source: http://www.statecollegepa.us/)

(Source: http://www.statecollegepa.us/index.asp?NID=31)

The law enforcement arm of the Borough of State College is the State College Police Department, served by Chief Thomas R. King.

[edit] Education

[edit] Public Schools

State College is served by the State College Area School District. [6]

[edit] Private Schools

There are also a variety of private schools, including the State College Friends School[7], Nittany Christian School[8], and Our Lady of Victory Catholic school.

[edit] Higher Education

See Penn State University.

[edit] Other Colleges Near State College

• Lock Haven University of Pennsylvania
• Clarion University of Pennsylvania
• Indiana University of Pennsylvania
• Bloomsburg University of Pennsylvania
• Mansfield University of Pennsylvania

[edit] Libraries

State College is served by the following libraries:

• Pennsylvania State University Libraries
  • Pattee Library (main library)
  • Hammond Library
  • Pollock Library (study library)
• Schlow Centre Region Library (http://schlowlibrary.org/)
• Aaronsburg Public Library
• American Philatelic Research Library
• Centre County Book Mobile
• Centre Hall Area Branch Library
• Holt Memorial Library
• The Centre County Library

(Source: http://www.statecollege.com/business/directory.phtml?cat_id=349&Index=L)

[edit] Hospitals

• Healthsouth
• Healthsouth Spine & Rehabilitation Center
• Mount Nittany Medical Center
• University Park Nursing Center

[edit] Infrastructure

[edit] Roads

State College is served by:

• I-80 (to the north)
• U.S. Route 220, (I-99)
• U.S. Route 322 (Atherton Street)
• PA 26 (College and Beaver Avenues)
• PA 45 (to the south, passes through Boalsburg and Pine Grove Mills)

Other roads include:

• College Avenue
• Beaver Avenue
• Atherton Street
• Park Avenue
• Garner Street
• Allen Street

Within Penn State:

• Shortlidge Road
• Pollock Road

[edit] Airport

The closest airport is the University Park Airport, which offers the following services:

• Delta Air Lines
  • Delta Connection operated by Comair (Cincinnati/Northern Kentucky)
• Northwest Airlines
  • Northwest Airlink operated by Mesaba Airlines (Detroit)
• United Airlines
  • United Express operated by Colgan Air (Washington-Dulles)
• US Airways
  • US Airways Express operated by Air Wisconsin (Philadelphia)
  • US Airways Express operated by Piedmont Airlines (Philadelphia)

[edit] Mass Transportation

The Centre Area Transportation Authority (CATA) runs the buses with the following routes:

• "Blue Loop" - Clockwise around the campus via College Avenue
• "White Loop" - Counterclockwise around the campus via Beaver Avenue
• "Red Link" - Runs from West Campus to Innovation Park via Curtin Road and Park Avenue.
• "Green Link" - Runs simultaneously with the RED LINK from the stadium parking lots to Pattee/Paterno Library
• "A" Route - Park Forest
• "B" Route - Boalsburg
• "C" Route - Houserville
• "F" Route - Pine Grove Mills
• "H" Route - Toftrees
• "K" Route - Cato Park
• "M" Route - Nittany Mall
• "N" Route - Martin St./Aaron Dr.
• "NV" Express - Peak hour route into (morning) and out of (afternoon) campus for the "N" and "V" routes
• "P" Route - Innovation Park/Scenery Park
• "R" Route - Waupelani Dr.
• "R" Express - Peak hour route into (morning) and out of (afternoon) campus and downtown for the "R" route
• "S" Route - Science Park
• "UT" Route - University Terrace
• "V" Route - Vairo Blvd.
• "W" Route - Valley Vista
• "X" Route - Bellefonte/Pleasant Gap

[edit] Long Distance Bus Lines

Also, Greyhound Lines serve students who primarily live either in Pittsburgh or Philadelphia and many other metropolitan areas in a bus terminal that was converted from an old train station near the Hammond Building.

[edit] See also

Central Pennsylvania Festival of the Arts

[edit] External links

• Borough of State College Government website
• Downtown State College Improvement District
• Chamber of Business & Industry of Centre County
• Central Pennsylvania Convention & Visitors Bureau
• City Data on State College,PA
• StateCollege.com, a community website with information on business and entertainment, movie schedules, free classified ads, news, and more
• CATABus.com, the bus company serving State College, PA.
• Nittany Mall is a major shopping mall in State College, PA.
• Maps and aerial photos Coordinates: 40.791261° -77.85874°
  • Street map from Google Maps, or Yahoo! Maps, or Windows Live Local
  • Satellite image from Google Maps, Windows Live Local, WikiMapia
  • Topographic map from TopoZone
  • Aerial image or topographic map from TerraServer-USA
• Scasd.org, the Web site of the State College Area School District Scasd
• centralPAproperties.com, this site offers State College and Centre County real estate information and abundant community links
• StateCollegeKids.com, The Original Online Family Guide for State College, PA

	Municipalities and Communities of Centre County, Pennsylvania (County Seat: Bellefonte)
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The University Park Campus of Pennsylvania State University
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