1st Advantage MortgageJefferson County (43,864 residents) has a $58,686 median household income and $750 median rent, by the latest Census five-year survey. Whatever your own numbers, compare written offers on APR, fees and total cost, and verify the lender is licensed in Pennsylvania before sharing details.
On this page
- Jefferson County by the numbers
- Jobs and commutes in Jefferson County
- Jefferson County at the extremes
- Income in Jefferson County compared with Pennsylvania
- What it costs to live in Jefferson County
- Punxsutawney and the rest of Jefferson County
- Neighboring counties at a glance
- More Jefferson County figures
- Debt-to-income, Jefferson County edition
- Reading the Jefferson County data as a borrower
- Checklist for Jefferson County applicants
- Verifying a lender from Jefferson County
- More guides for Jefferson County
- Frequently asked questions
Jefferson County by the numbers
Roughly 43,864 residents live in Jefferson County, Pennsylvania, 48th by population among the state's 67 counties and county equivalents. Land area is 652 square miles (2024 Gazetteer), so density runs near 67 per square mile. Metro status: none; Jefferson County sits outside the 2023 OMB metro areas. Largest place: Punxsutawney, about 5,665 residents (13% of Jefferson County); 12 Census places in all.
Jobs and commutes in Jefferson County
Education and health care (24%), manufacturing (18%) and retail trade (11%) lead Jefferson County's job mix. Jefferson County over-indexes on manufacturing: 18% versus 11% in Pennsylvania. Averaged over the five survey years, 4.2% of the labor force was out of work and looking. About 81% drive to work alone and 13% have trips of 45 minutes or more.
| Where residents work | Jefferson County | Difference from Pennsylvania |
|---|---|---|
| Education and health care | 23.7% | -2.9 pts |
| Manufacturing | 17.8% | +6.4 pts |
| Retail trade | 11.2% | +0.2 pts |
| Construction | 8.3% | +2.2 pts |
| Arts, lodging and food service | 7.2% | -0.2 pts |
| Other services | 7.0% | +2.5 pts |
A lender verifies what your own job pays. The county's industry mix tells you about the local economy, not about your application.
Jefferson County at the extremes
The 4 Jefferson County numbers that rank furthest from typical in Pennsylvania, and what each means for a borrower:
- Median gross rent: $750/mo in Jefferson County. Only 3 of 67 Pennsylvania counties are lower. Cheaper housing gives many renters more slack in a budget.
- The share of households earning $100,000 or more: 25% in Jefferson County. Only 3 of 67 Pennsylvania counties are lower. Few six-figure households means smaller loans are the norm.
- Few Pennsylvania counties match Jefferson County on the share of workers who work from home: 5.7% here, 15.6% for the state, ranking 4th lowest of 67. Most workers travel to a job here, so commuting costs are part of the budget.
- Median household income: $58,686 in Jefferson County. Only 4 of 67 Pennsylvania counties are lower. A lean local median makes the size of the loan the most important choice.
Income in Jefferson County compared with Pennsylvania
Half of Jefferson County households take in less than $58,686 a year and half take in more, 25% below the Pennsylvania median of $77,971. In the state ranking that is 63rd of 67.
| Yearly household income | Jefferson County | Gap to Pennsylvania |
|---|---|---|
| Under $35,000 | 27.9% | +5.9 pts |
| $35,000 to $99,999 | 47.3% | +8.1 pts |
| $100,000 to $199,999 | 20.7% | -6.3 pts |
| $200,000 or more | 4.1% | -7.8 pts |
The spread is wide: 25% of Jefferson County households make $100,000 or more, and 28% make less than $35,000. The poverty rate is 14.1%, 2 points higher than the state's 11.7%. Gini index for Jefferson County: 0.447. For a borrower in Jefferson County, the county median is only context: a lender looks at the income you can document, so pay stubs, benefit letters or tax returns matter more than any average.
What it costs to live in Jefferson County
Median gross rent, utilities included, comes to $750 in Jefferson County versus $1,209 statewide. Cost-burdened renters, paying 30%-plus of income: 44% in Jefferson County, 48% statewide. Jefferson County homes are worth $139,700 at the median, a 2.4-to-1 ratio to income. The ownership rate is 75%. Against the median U.S. county, Jefferson County rent is 14% below.
| Measure | Jefferson County | Pennsylvania | Gap |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median gross rent | $750/mo | $1,209/mo | 38% lower |
| Median home value | $139,700 | $254,500 | 45% lower |
| Owners | 75% | 69% | +5.6 pts |
| Rent-burdened renters | 44% | 48% | -4.3 pts |
| Burdened owners | 20% | 24% | -3.5 pts |
In an owner-heavy county like Jefferson County, many borrowers can also choose a home equity loan or line of credit. Those can price lower but put the house on the line, so compare the two in writing; our personal loan vs. HELOC guide walks through it.
Punxsutawney and the rest of Jefferson County
Places, by size: the top 12 of 12. Roughly 59% of Jefferson County lives outside all of them, in open country or unnamed settlements. Among places of 500 or more people, median income runs from $42,183 in Punxsutawney to $60,625 in Big Run. Median rent ranges from $633 in Reynoldsville to $938 in Falls Creek. Punxsutawney and every other Jefferson County community use this county guide.
| Town or CDP | Type | People | Median household income | Median gross rent | Miles from center |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Punxsutawney | borough | 5,665 | $42,183 | $775 | 14 mi |
| Brookville | borough | 3,946 | $60,214 | $679 | 4 mi |
| Reynoldsville | borough | 2,431 | $52,917 | $633 | 7 mi |
| Brockway | borough | 2,191 | $56,563 | $737 | 14 mi |
| Falls Creek | borough | 1,220 | $50,536 | $938 | 11 mi |
| Sykesville | borough | 895 | $45,208 | $674 | 12 mi |
| Big Run | borough | 505 | $60,625 | $825 | 14 mi |
| Summerville | borough | 436 | $61,875 | $883 | 9 mi |
| Corsica | borough | 378 | $50,972 | $745 | 10 mi |
| Crenshaw | CDP | 280 | $76,000 | $931 | 16 mi |
| Timblin | borough | 185 | $57,500 | n/a | 15 mi |
| Worthville | borough | 49 | $82,500 | n/a | 10 mi |
A CDP is a named community without its own municipal government.
Neighboring counties at a glance
Clarion County is closest, 22 miles from center to center; the sixth, Indiana County, is 34 miles off. Income ranges from $52,191 in Forest County to $66,380 in Elk County; 5 of these neighbors top Jefferson County's median.
| Adjacent area | How far | HH income (median) | Rent (median) | Owner share |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Jefferson County | - | $58,686 | $750/mo | 75% |
| Clarion County, PA | 22 mi | $62,649 | $798/mo | 72% |
| Elk County, PA | 27 mi | $66,380 | $719/mo | 80% |
| Forest County, PA | 29 mi | $52,191 | $817/mo | 78% |
| Clearfield County, PA | 29 mi | $62,152 | $791/mo | 79% |
| Armstrong County, PA | 33 mi | $65,008 | $785/mo | 79% |
| Indiana County, PA | 34 mi | $60,208 | $800/mo | 72% |
More Jefferson County figures
18% of Jefferson County adults 25 and older hold a bachelor's degree or more. Health coverage gaps: 8.5% of Jefferson County residents are uninsured.
| Residents | Jefferson County | Difference from Pennsylvania | Difference from middle U.S. county |
|---|---|---|---|
| Bachelor's or higher | 18.4% | -16.8 pts | -3.8 pts |
| Work from home | 5.7% | -9.9 pts | -3.0 pts |
| Median age | 44.0 | +3.1 yrs | +2.5 yrs |
| No health insurance | 8.5% | +2.9 pts | +0.7 pts |
| Poverty rate | 14.1% | +2.4 pts | +1.0 pts |
| No vehicle | 8.3% | -2.1 pts | +2.8 pts |
| Unemployment (ACS) | 4.2% | -1.1 pts | -0.2 pts |
| No high school diploma | 7.8% | -0.1 pts | n/a |
| Travel time to work | Workers |
|---|---|
| Under 15 min | 36.0% |
| 15 to 29 min | 35.2% |
| 30 to 44 min | 15.7% |
| 45 to 59 min | 5.9% |
| 60+ min | 7.2% |
Debt-to-income, Jefferson County edition
Jefferson County at the medians, through a lender's eyes (what DTI means):
- $58,686 a year is $4,890 of gross monthly income
- Less median rent of $750, which is 15% of it
- $1,206: what a 40% ratio leaves once rent is paid
Subtract what you already pay on other debts. A new payment should fit in what remains, with some to spare.
Reading the Jefferson County data as a borrower
The county's numbers point to a few situations that come up often for Jefferson County borrowers.
- Debt consolidation. One fixed payment can save money only if the written APR and fees beat what you pay now (guide).
- Requirements. Lenders weigh credit history, documented income and existing debt (what to gather).
- Fraud. Gift cards, wire transfers or fees to unlock a loan mean walk away (report it).
Checklist for Jefferson County applicants
Before you apply, wherever you live in Jefferson County:
- Size the loan to the bill, not to the most a lender offers.
- Line up offers side by side: APR, fees in dollars, total cost.
- Confirm the lender is licensed in Pennsylvania.
- Keep a small cushion so one surprise bill does not mean another loan.
Verifying a lender from Jefferson County
Jefferson County borrowers fall under statewide rules, enforced by the Pennsylvania Department of Banking and Securities. Nationally, Jefferson County residents can file with the CFPB. State-level detail for Jefferson County borrowers is in the Pennsylvania guide.
More guides for Jefferson County
Statewide:
Frequently asked questions
What does a typical Jefferson County household make?
About $58,686 a year at the median (ACS 2020-24), 25% below the Pennsylvania median.
What is the median rent in Jefferson County, PA?
$750 a month, utilities included, or $9,000 a year.
Does this page cover Punxsutawney?
Yes, along with the other 11 Census places in Jefferson County, such as Brookville, Reynoldsville, Brockway.
Are Jefferson County applicants treated differently?
No. Everyone answers the same questions and is screened on the same objective points; lending partners set their own criteria under fair-lending laws.
Where can someone in Jefferson County check a lender's license?
With the Pennsylvania Department of Banking and Securities. If a lender is unlicensed or asks for a fee before funding, walk away.