State College, Pennsylvania is dominated both economically and demographically by the presence of

Pennsylvania State University (Penn State) since the university’s founding in 1855. State College has grown alongside the main campus of Penn State, forming a symbiotic relationship between university enrollment and borough population.

State College offers a diverse history and culture to over 39,000 citizens, the majority of whom are enrolled in the university as students. On a larger scale, over 80,000 people currently inhabit the six municipalities that together form the greater State College area; of these citizens, over half are students of Penn State.

The top employing industries in State College are higher education and hotel management. The leading employment sites are 1) nonmanufacturing sites, 2) state and local governments, and 3) trade, transportation, and utility services.

The state of Pennsylvania, as well as the borough of State College, has had unemployment rates that are below the national average. Employment trends continue to show positive growth in State College. However, there has been a decline in amount of change over the past four years. Penn State University continues to provide thousands of jobs, which spur and strengthen the local economy. As long as the university remains able to employ a majority of the local community, the employment rates are expected to remain consistent.