Clearfield County is located in central Pennsylvania, in the Appalachian Plateau region between the Allegheny Front to the east and the upper West Branch Susquehanna River basin to the north and east. Created in 1804 from parts of Lycoming and Huntingdon counties, it developed as a resource-based county with longstanding ties to timbering and coal extraction that shaped settlement and industry across north-central Pennsylvania. Clearfield County is mid-sized in population, with communities distributed across small boroughs and extensive rural townships. The landscape is dominated by forested ridges, river valleys, and public lands, including areas of the Moshannon and Elk State Forests. The economy includes manufacturing, transportation and logistics, natural resource-related industries, and services centered in its larger towns. The county seat is Clearfield, a borough along the West Branch Susquehanna River.

Clearfield County Local Demographic Profile

Clearfield County is located in central Pennsylvania, spanning portions of the state’s Appalachian Plateau region. The county seat is Clearfield; for local government and planning resources, visit the Clearfield County official website.

Population Size

Exact current population totals and annual estimates are published by the U.S. Census Bureau. County-level population size for Clearfield County is available via the Census Bureau’s QuickFacts profile for Clearfield County, Pennsylvania and through the bureau’s population estimates program.

Age & Gender

County-level age distribution and sex composition are reported by the U.S. Census Bureau’s American Community Survey (ACS). Clearfield County’s age brackets (including median age and shares under 18, 18–64, and 65+) and the male/female distribution are published in the U.S. Census Bureau’s data.census.gov portal (ACS 5-year tables for Clearfield County) and summarized in the county’s QuickFacts profile.

Racial & Ethnic Composition

Race and Hispanic/Latino ethnicity for Clearfield County are published by the U.S. Census Bureau via QuickFacts and detailed ACS tables in data.census.gov. Standard Census categories reported include (among others) White, Black or African American, American Indian and Alaska Native, Asian, Native Hawaiian and Other Pacific Islander, two or more races, and Hispanic or Latino (of any race).

Household & Housing Data

Household counts, average household size, family/nonfamily composition, and housing characteristics (such as total housing units, occupancy/vacancy, owner-occupied vs. renter-occupied, and selected housing value/rent metrics) are available from the U.S. Census Bureau’s ACS for Clearfield County in data.census.gov and in summarized form in the county’s QuickFacts profile.

Email Usage

Clearfield County’s mountainous terrain, dispersed small boroughs, and large rural areas lower population density and can constrain last‑mile network buildout, shaping how residents access email and other digital communication. Direct county-level email usage rates are not routinely published; broadband subscription, device access, and demographics are standard proxies for likely email adoption.

Digital access indicators for Clearfield County are available via the U.S. Census Bureau data portal (ACS), including household broadband subscriptions and the presence of a computer (desktop/laptop/tablet). These measures track the practical ability to use webmail and mobile email.

Age distribution matters because older populations tend to have lower adoption of online communication tools. County age structure (including shares of seniors) can be referenced through the American Community Survey tables. Gender distribution is typically near parity and is not a primary driver of email access relative to broadband, devices, and age.

Connectivity limitations are reflected in provider-reported coverage and unserved/underserved locations. Broadband availability and infrastructure constraints for Clearfield County can be reviewed through the FCC National Broadband Map and Pennsylvania’s broadband planning resources from the Pennsylvania Department of Community and Economic Development.

Mobile Phone Usage

Clearfield County is located in central Pennsylvania within the state’s Appalachian region. The county includes small cities and boroughs (notably DuBois and Clearfield) surrounded by extensive rural areas, forested ridges, and river valleys. This rugged terrain and relatively low population density create common rural connectivity challenges: fewer cell sites per square mile, variable coverage in hollows and wooded areas, and longer backhaul distances to connect towers to fiber.

County context relevant to mobile connectivity

  • Rural character and terrain: Clearfield County’s topography (ridge-and-valley / plateau landscapes) can obstruct radio propagation, producing localized coverage gaps even where a carrier’s broader “coverage area” appears continuous.
  • Population distribution: Population is concentrated in and around boroughs and along major corridors (e.g., I‑80 near DuBois), with large low-density areas elsewhere. Lower density generally reduces commercial incentives for dense small-cell deployment.
  • Baseline demographic statistics: Use official geography and population profiles from the U.S. Census Bureau for county-level context, including density and settlement patterns (see Census.gov QuickFacts for Clearfield County).

Clear distinction: network availability vs. household adoption

Network availability refers to whether mobile operators report providing service (voice/LTE/5G) in a given area.
Household adoption refers to whether residents subscribe to mobile service and use mobile broadband-capable devices, and whether mobile service is used as a primary internet connection.

These metrics are produced by different data systems and are not interchangeable. Carrier coverage can exceed adoption in low-income or aging areas, while adoption can exceed high-quality availability where residents must rely on weaker signals or limited plan options.

Mobile penetration or access indicators (adoption)

County-specific “mobile penetration” is not typically published as a single official rate, but several widely used indicators exist:

  • Cellular-only households (phone access indicator): The National Center for Health Statistics (NHIS) publishes estimates on wireless-only vs. landline usage, generally at national and state levels rather than county level. County-level estimates are usually unavailable from this source, so Clearfield-specific cellular-only rates are a limitation (see CDC/NCHS NHIS program information).

  • Internet subscription and device access (county-level): The U.S. Census Bureau’s American Community Survey (ACS) provides county-level estimates for:

    • Households with an internet subscription
    • Types of internet subscription (including cellular data plan, where reported in ACS tables)
    • Device availability (smartphone, computer, etc.)

    The most direct county-level adoption indicators come from ACS “Computer and Internet Use” tables (access via data.census.gov). These figures reflect reported household adoption, not network coverage quality.

  • Broadband planning datasets (state-oriented, may summarize local adoption): Pennsylvania broadband planning materials may include modeled adoption and digital equity indicators, typically not as authoritative as ACS for adoption but useful for contextual mapping. Reference: Pennsylvania Department of Community and Economic Development (DCED).

Limitation: Without citing a specific ACS table extract for Clearfield County in this overview, numeric adoption rates are not stated here. The authoritative county-level source for household adoption and device access remains ACS via data.census.gov.

Mobile internet usage patterns and technology availability (4G/5G)

Reported 4G LTE and 5G availability (network availability)

  • FCC Broadband Data Collection (BDC): The primary federal source for reported mobile broadband availability is the FCC’s BDC. It includes carrier-submitted coverage for mobile broadband and voice, typically presented as map layers and downloadable datasets. This is the most authoritative nationwide source for “availability,” with known limitations (carrier-reported, model-based, and may overstate performance at the margins).

Within Clearfield County, the most consistent higher-quality mobile availability is generally expected near population centers and major highways (notably the I‑80 corridor), while coverage variability is more common in heavily forested, mountainous, and sparsely populated areas. This statement reflects typical radio-network behavior in rural Appalachian counties; precise coverage must be validated on the FCC map and carrier maps for specific locations.

Actual usage patterns (adoption/behavior)

County-level, technology-specific usage breakdowns such as “share of residents primarily using 4G vs. 5G” are not typically published as official statistics. Common proxies include:

  • Smartphone and cellular data plan subscription (ACS): Indicates household adoption of mobile internet access.
  • Speed test aggregates (third-party): Some commercial platforms publish county or ZIP-level performance metrics (download speed distributions, latency), but these are not official and are affected by sampling bias (device mix, plan tiers, where tests are taken). This overview does not rely on third-party speed-test statistics for definitive county characterization.

Limitation: Clearfield County–specific “mobile internet usage patterns” by generation (4G vs 5G) are not available as an official county statistic. Availability by technology is best represented by FCC BDC mapping; adoption and device access are best represented by ACS.

Common device types (smartphones vs. other devices)

County-level device-type adoption is most reliably sourced from the ACS “Computer and Internet Use” questions, which track household access to:

  • Smartphones
  • Computers (desktop/laptop)
  • Tablets/other devices (in relevant ACS groupings)
  • Internet subscription types, including cellular data plans in the ACS subscription categories

Authoritative access point for Clearfield County device-type distributions:

Interpretation guidance:

  • Smartphone access is a device-availability indicator, not a measure of signal quality or plan adequacy.
  • Cellular data plan subscription indicates household adoption of mobile broadband as an internet connection, but does not indicate whether mobile is the only available option or chosen over wired service.

Demographic and geographic factors influencing mobile usage in Clearfield County

Geography and infrastructure

  • Terrain and foliage: Hills, ridgelines, and dense forest cover can attenuate signals and create shadowing, especially away from macro towers.
  • Distance between towers: Rural spacing can reduce capacity and increase reliance on lower-frequency bands, which improve reach but may limit throughput where spectrum is constrained.
  • Backhaul availability: Areas lacking nearby fiber routes can face constraints on tower backhaul, affecting realized mobile broadband performance even where radio coverage exists.

Settlement patterns and travel corridors

  • Population clusters: Boroughs and small cities typically see stronger network investment (more sites, sector upgrades) than dispersed townships.
  • Highways: Coverage is commonly prioritized along interstates and state routes for continuity of service, which can create a “corridor effect” where coverage is notably better near major roads than deeper rural areas.

Demographics and affordability (adoption)

  • Income and age composition: These factors influence smartphone ownership, plan affordability, and whether mobile service substitutes for wired broadband. County-level demographic baselines are available from the Census Bureau:
  • Broadband alternatives: Areas lacking cable/fiber availability sometimes show higher reliance on mobile or fixed wireless. This is an adoption/usage dynamic that requires combining ACS adoption indicators with availability mapping rather than inferring from coverage alone.

Practical mapping sources for Clearfield County (availability vs. adoption)

Data limitations and what can be stated definitively

  • Definitive at county level:
    • Demographic and household technology adoption indicators can be sourced from ACS via data.census.gov.
    • Reported mobile broadband availability by carrier/technology can be sourced from the FCC BDC map and datasets.
  • Not definitive at county level (commonly unavailable as official statistics):
    • A single “mobile penetration rate” analogous to national mobile-subscriber statistics.
    • Countywide breakdown of actual user share on 4G vs 5G (as usage, not availability).
    • Objective “typical” mobile speeds countywide without methodological caveats (crowdsourced tests are not representative by design).

This separation—FCC for reported availability and ACS for household adoption—is the most reliable framework for describing mobile phone usage and connectivity in Clearfield County without overstating county-level precision.

Social Media Trends

Clearfield County is located in central Pennsylvania in the state’s “Wilds”/Allegheny Plateau region, with Clearfield and DuBois as key population and employment centers. The county’s mix of small cities, rural townships, and legacy manufacturing/natural-resource industries tends to align with statewide rural broadband constraints and an older age profile, both of which commonly correspond to somewhat lower social-media adoption than large-metro counties.

User statistics (penetration/active use)

  • County-specific social media penetration: No widely cited, regularly updated public dataset reports social-media-active-user penetration at the county level for Clearfield County in a way that is comparable to national survey estimates.
  • Best-available reference benchmarks (U.S. adults):
    • About 69% of U.S. adults use at least one social media site, per the Pew Research Center social media fact sheet. This is the most commonly referenced baseline for local-context estimates when county-level survey data are unavailable.
  • Local access context (important driver of usage):
    • Rural counties in Pennsylvania often show lower broadband availability and adoption than metro counties, which can reduce video-heavy platform use and overall time spent online. County-level broadband indicators are available via the FCC National Broadband Map and the U.S. Census American Community Survey (ACS) (internet subscription tables).

Age group trends

National survey patterns consistently show that social media use is highest among younger adults and declines with age:

  • 18–29: Highest overall usage across major platforms (near-universal use on at least one platform in many survey waves).
  • 30–49: High usage, typically second-highest cohort.
  • 50–64: Moderate usage; platform choice tilts toward Facebook and YouTube.
  • 65+: Lowest overall usage, with Facebook and YouTube the most common platforms among users.
    Source baseline: Pew Research Center (platform-by-age tables).

Gender breakdown

  • Overall pattern (U.S. adults): Gender differences are generally platform-specific rather than universal; women are more likely to use some social platforms, while men may be more represented on others.
  • Typical platform-skew examples from large surveys:

Most-used platforms (percent using each; U.S. adult benchmarks)

County-level platform shares are not consistently published; the most defensible percentages come from national surveys:

  • YouTube: ~83% of U.S. adults
  • Facebook: ~68%
  • Instagram: ~47%
  • Pinterest: ~35%
  • TikTok: ~33%
  • LinkedIn: ~30%
  • WhatsApp: ~29%
  • Snapchat: ~27%
  • X (Twitter): ~22%
  • Reddit: ~22%
    Source: Pew Research Center social media fact sheet (latest reported platform-use percentages).

Behavioral trends (engagement patterns and preferences)

  • Video as a primary engagement format: YouTube’s high reach indicates strong demand for how-to content, entertainment, local news clips, and short/long-form video; this is consistent with national patterns reported by Pew (platform reach and demographics).
  • Facebook as the default “local community” network: In non-metro areas, Facebook commonly functions as an all-in-one channel for community groups, school/sports updates, local events, and marketplace activity, reflecting its broad adoption across age groups (Pew platform-by-age tables: Pew Research Center).
  • Younger-user concentration on visual/short-form platforms: TikTok, Instagram, and Snapchat skew strongly toward younger adults; engagement tends to be higher-frequency and more creator/content-feed driven than connection-driven (Pew demographics: Pew Research Center).
  • Interest- and forum-based usage: Reddit’s user base is smaller than Facebook/YouTube but typically shows heavier usage among users; participation is organized around topics rather than local identity (Pew: platform profiles).
  • Employment/networking is concentrated among college-educated and higher-income users: LinkedIn usage rises with education and income, which can be unevenly distributed between the county’s urban centers (DuBois/Clearfield) and more rural townships (Pew: LinkedIn demographics).
  • Messaging and private sharing: Nationally, a substantial share of social interaction occurs via private channels and group messaging rather than public posting; WhatsApp/Messenger-style behaviors are common complements to public platforms (Pew and related internet research: Pew Research Center Internet & Technology).

Note on locality: The figures above are the most credible, regularly updated benchmarks available from large-scale surveys; county-level social-platform penetration and platform shares for Clearfield County are not routinely published with comparable methodology.

Family & Associates Records

Clearfield County family and associate-related public records include vital records, court records, and property filings. Pennsylvania maintains birth and death certificates at the state level through the Pennsylvania Department of Health’s Division of Vital Records; county offices generally do not issue certified birth/death certificates. Marriage licenses and marriage records are filed with the county’s Register of Wills/Clerk of Orphans’ Court, accessible through the Clearfield County government site. Divorce decrees are held by the Court of Common Pleas (Prothonotary). Adoption and other Orphans’ Court matters are maintained by the Clerk of Orphans’ Court and are typically restricted.

Public-access databases commonly include county dockets and recorded documents. Clearfield County provides court-related access through the county departments directory, while statewide court dockets are available via the Pennsylvania Unified Judicial System Web Portal. Property and deed records are maintained by the Recorder of Deeds; access methods are posted through county offices listed on the county site.

Access occurs online through linked portals where available, and in person at the Clearfield County Courthouse records offices during business hours. Privacy restrictions apply to sealed adoption files, many juvenile matters, and certain confidential personal identifiers; certified vital records are limited under Pennsylvania Department of Health rules.

Marriage & Divorce Records

Types of records available

Marriage records (licenses and returns)

  • Marriage license applications and licenses are issued at the county level.
  • Marriage returns/certificates (the completed proof of marriage returned by the officiant) are typically filed with the issuing county office and become part of the county marriage record.

Divorce records (decrees and case files)

  • Divorce decrees (final orders dissolving a marriage) are issued by the Court of Common Pleas and are part of the civil case record.
  • Divorce case dockets and filings may include complaints, affidavits, notices, agreements, and court orders, depending on the case.

Annulment records

  • Annulments are handled through the Court of Common Pleas. Records are maintained as civil court case records and may include petitions, findings, and final orders declaring a marriage void or voidable under Pennsylvania law.

Where records are filed and how they can be accessed

Marriage records

  • Filed/maintained by: Clearfield County Register of Wills / Clerk of Orphans’ Court (the county office that issues marriage licenses in Pennsylvania counties).
  • Access methods:
    • In-person request at the issuing office for certified and non-certified copies, subject to county procedures and identification requirements for certified copies.
    • Mail requests are commonly available for certified copies using county-provided forms and fees.
    • Genealogical/historical access: older marriage license records may also be available via county archives or microfilm/digital collections where applicable.

Divorce and annulment records

  • Filed/maintained by: Clearfield County Court of Common Pleas (civil/divorce docket), generally through the Prothonotary/Clerk of Courts functions for civil filings and recordkeeping.
  • Access methods:
    • In-person access to public dockets and case files at the courthouse records office, subject to redactions and sealed-record rules.
    • Certified copies of divorce decrees or annulment orders are requested through the court records office; fees and identification requirements apply.
    • Online docket access: Pennsylvania’s Unified Judicial System provides docket access for many counties; availability and document image access vary by case type and county configuration. See the statewide portal: https://ujsportal.pacourts.us/.

Typical information included in these records

Marriage license records

Common data elements include:

  • Full names of the parties (including maiden name where applicable)
  • Dates of birth/ages and places of birth
  • Current residences/addresses at time of application
  • Marital status and prior marriage information as reported on the application
  • Parents’ names (often included on Pennsylvania marriage license applications)
  • Occupations (often included historically and sometimes in modern applications)
  • Date of application, date of issuance, and date/place of ceremony (from the return)
  • Officiant’s name and authority, and witnesses (depending on the form used)

Divorce records (decree and docket/case file)

Common data elements include:

  • Names of the parties and caption (plaintiff/defendant)
  • Case/docket number and filing date
  • Grounds/statutory basis for divorce and procedural posture (as reflected on the docket)
  • Key orders (e.g., divorce decree date and entry)
  • Related filings that may address ancillary issues such as property distribution, custody, support, counsel fees, and name change (often handled through associated petitions/orders)

Annulment records

Common data elements include:

  • Names of the parties, docket number, filing date
  • Alleged basis for annulment under Pennsylvania law
  • Findings/orders and date of final order
  • Related motions and supporting affidavits (where present)

Privacy and legal restrictions

Public access and certified copies

  • Marriage license records are generally treated as public records at the county level, with certified copies issued by the custodian office according to statutory fees and office procedures.
  • Divorce dockets and decrees are generally public court records, but not all filings are fully accessible due to confidential information rules, protective orders, and sealing.

Sealing, redaction, and confidential information

  • Pennsylvania courts apply statewide policies and rules that restrict public display of certain personal information (for example, Social Security numbers, minors’ identifying information in sensitive contexts, financial account numbers, and other protected data). Public-facing copies may be redacted.
  • Sealed records (by court order) are not available to the public. Sealing may occur in matters involving protected parties, safety concerns, or other legally recognized grounds.
  • Custody-related filings connected to divorce proceedings may have additional confidentiality protections and may be maintained or accessed under different rules than general civil filings.

Vital records distinction

  • In Pennsylvania, county marriage license records are distinct from state vital records systems. Divorce records are maintained as court records; the Pennsylvania Department of Health does not serve as the primary issuer of county divorce decrees.

Education, Employment and Housing

Clearfield County is a predominantly rural county in north-central Pennsylvania anchored by communities such as Clearfield, DuBois, Curwensville, and Houtzdale. The county has a dispersed settlement pattern, a larger share of older adults than many Pennsylvania metro counties, and an economy historically tied to manufacturing, natural resources, and regional service centers. Recent population estimates and core community characteristics are summarized by the U.S. Census Bureau in the county’s QuickFacts profile.

Education Indicators

Public schools (counts and names)

Clearfield County’s public K–12 education is primarily delivered through multiple independent public school districts (with named elementary/middle/high schools within each). A consolidated, authoritative list of districts and schools is maintained by the Pennsylvania Department of Education (PDE) in the PDE school and district data and the federal NCES School Locator.
Countywide totals for “number of public schools” and a complete school-name roster are not consistently published as a single, county-level table; the most reliable approach is to filter the PDE/NCES directories to Clearfield County and export the resulting school list.

Student–teacher ratios and graduation rates

  • Student–teacher ratio: Typically reported at the district or school level (not as a single countywide figure). PDE and NCES provide staff and enrollment data that can be used to compute school/district ratios (directory and data access via PDE school data and NCES).
  • Graduation rates: Pennsylvania’s official high school graduation rate is also reported by district and high school. The most current “cohort graduation rate” results are posted through PDE’s public reporting tools and files (see PDE data and reporting).
    Clearfield County countywide graduation-rate aggregation is not consistently published as a single headline statistic; district rates are the definitive source.

Adult educational attainment

Adult educational attainment is available as county-level estimates from the U.S. Census Bureau’s American Community Survey (ACS). The most recent ACS 5-year release provides:

  • High school graduate or higher (age 25+): County-level percent reported in ACS (see the county profile in data.census.gov or the county summary in QuickFacts).
  • Bachelor’s degree or higher (age 25+): County-level percent reported in ACS (same sources).

(These are definitive ACS estimates; exact values vary slightly by ACS release year. QuickFacts and data.census.gov display the current published percentages.)

Notable programs (STEM, CTE, AP)

  • Career and Technical Education (CTE): CTE participation and program approvals are tracked through PDE and typically delivered through district programs and/or regional career-technical centers. Program availability is most accurately described at the district/CTC level via PDE’s CTE information and local school district program pages (starting point: PDE CTE).
  • Advanced Placement (AP) / dual enrollment: AP course offerings and exam participation are school-specific; districts commonly report AP and college-credit opportunities in their curriculum guides. PDE and federal report cards provide supplementary course and outcome context but do not standardize a single countywide “AP availability” metric (see PDE reporting).
  • STEM: STEM programming is generally embedded within district curricula and regional partnerships; documentation is primarily local (district pages) rather than a countywide dataset.

School safety measures and counseling resources

Pennsylvania school safety and student support services are governed through state requirements and district implementation:

  • Safety planning and reporting: Schools operate under mandated safety planning frameworks, and many districts publish safety procedures and coordination information (district websites are definitive; statewide context via PDE Safe Schools).
  • Counseling and student supports: School counseling, psychological services, and student assistance programs are typically provided at the district level; Pennsylvania’s Student Assistance Program (SAP) is a widely used framework for addressing barriers to learning, including behavioral health and substance use concerns (state overview: PDE Student Assistance Program).
    Counts of counselors per student are not consistently summarized at the county level in a single public table; district staffing reports are the authoritative source.

Employment and Economic Conditions

Unemployment rate (most recent available)

The most current official local unemployment rates are produced monthly by the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) Local Area Unemployment Statistics (LAUS) program and published by county. Clearfield County’s latest monthly rate and annual averages are available through:

(These sources are definitive; the unemployment rate changes monthly and is best cited with the specific month/year from LAUS.)

Major industries and employment sectors

County-level industry composition is most consistently measured using ACS “industry of employment” tables and regional employer patterns. Clearfield County’s employment base is typically concentrated in:

  • Health care and social assistance
  • Retail trade
  • Manufacturing
  • Educational services
  • Construction
  • Accommodation and food services
  • Transportation and warehousing (including distribution tied to regional corridors)

Industry shares can be cited directly from ACS county tables on data.census.gov (e.g., “Industry by Occupation” / “Industry by Sex” tables) and from BLS/PA LMI regional summaries.

Common occupations and workforce breakdown

Occupational mix (ACS) generally reflects:

  • Office and administrative support
  • Sales and related
  • Production
  • Transportation and material moving
  • Healthcare practitioners and support
  • Construction and extraction
  • Education, training, and library
  • Management and business operations (smaller share than large metro areas)

Definitive occupational percentages are published in ACS “Occupation” tables for Clearfield County on data.census.gov.

Commuting patterns and mean commute time

  • Mean travel time to work: Reported by ACS for Clearfield County (minutes) in commuting tables on data.census.gov. Rural county means commonly fall in the mid‑20s to around 30 minutes; the definitive figure is the current ACS estimate for the county.
  • Commuting mode: The county is predominantly drive-alone commuting, with smaller shares for carpool, limited public transit, and a modest work-from-home share (all quantified in ACS commuting tables).

Local employment versus out-of-county work

ACS “Place of Work” and commuting-flow tables quantify the share working:

  • Within Clearfield County
  • Outside the county (out‑commuting)

Clearfield County’s pattern is typically a mix of local employment in DuBois/Clearfield-area hubs and out‑commuting to nearby regional job centers. The definitive breakdown is available in ACS “county-to-county commuting” and “place of work” tables via data.census.gov.

Housing and Real Estate

Homeownership and rental share

The most recent ACS 5-year estimates provide:

  • Homeownership rate (owner-occupied share)
  • Renter-occupied share

These are published for Clearfield County in ACS housing occupancy tables on data.census.gov and summarized in QuickFacts. The county typically has a majority owner-occupied housing stock consistent with rural Pennsylvania.

Median property values and recent trends

  • Median value of owner-occupied housing units: Available as an ACS median for Clearfield County (current published 5-year estimate) via data.census.gov.
  • Recent trends: Year-to-year home price trends are not best represented by ACS (which is multi-year). For market-trend context, county-level Zillow Home Value Index (ZHVI) series provide a consistent time trend for typical home values (see Zillow Research data).
    ACS medians are definitive for “median value” as a statistical estimate; Zillow is a widely used market index proxy for trend direction and timing.

Typical rent prices

  • Median gross rent: Available as an ACS median for Clearfield County via data.census.gov.
    ACS also provides rent distribution brackets that describe the spread of rents across units.

Types of housing

Clearfield County’s housing stock is characterized by:

  • Single-family detached homes as the predominant type
  • Manufactured housing/mobile homes present in rural areas
  • Small multifamily buildings and apartments concentrated in boroughs and larger towns (e.g., DuBois-area and other borough centers)
  • Rural lots and low-density residential parcels outside boroughs

Housing-type shares are quantified in ACS “Units in Structure” tables for the county (data.census.gov).

Neighborhood characteristics (proximity to schools/amenities)

  • Town/borough neighborhoods: Higher proximity to schools, clinics, grocery retail, and municipal services; more rental options and smaller-lot housing.
  • Rural townships: Greater distance to schools and services; higher reliance on personal vehicles; larger parcels and more single-family and manufactured housing.

These characteristics align with the county’s settlement pattern and are consistent with ACS commuting and housing-structure profiles (primary sources: data.census.gov and QuickFacts).

Property tax overview (rates and typical costs)

  • Property tax levels vary substantially by municipality and school district because Pennsylvania property taxation is split among county, municipal, and school district levies.
  • County-level “average effective property tax rate” and typical tax payment proxies are available from ACS (selected housing cost tables) and from modeled datasets such as the Tax Foundation county property tax estimates, which compile and standardize cross-county comparisons.
    A single, definitive countywide millage rate does not exist because rates differ across taxing jurisdictions; the most accurate homeowner cost is the actual tax bill for the parcel’s municipality and school district, while countywide comparisons are best represented by effective-rate estimates from standardized datasets.

Table of Contents

Other Counties in Pennsylvania