1st Advantage MortgageIn Potter County, Pennsylvania, the typical household earns $59,020 a year and the typical rent is $809. For a Potter County borrower, the useful steps are the same anywhere: price the need, gather three written offers, and check the Pennsylvania license.
On this page
- Potter County in brief
- What Potter County households earn
- The Potter County housing market in figures
- Where Potter County differs from the rest of Pennsylvania
- The Potter County job picture
- Potter County next to its neighbors
- Potter County towns compared
- Borrowing situations common in Potter County
- Who lives in Potter County, in numbers
- $4,918 a month: the Potter County median budget
- Checking a lender's license in Pennsylvania
- Four steps for Potter County borrowers
- Related local guides
- Frequently asked questions
Potter County in brief
The latest five-year Census estimate puts Potter County's population at 16,188; only 62 of Pennsylvania's 67 county-level areas are larger. Spread over 1,081 square miles, that works out to roughly 15.0 residents per square mile. Potter County is classed as nonmetropolitan in the OMB's July 2023 list. The Census Bureau counts 8 places in the county (6 incorporated, 2 census-designated); the largest is Coudersport, with about 2,174 residents, or 13% of the county.
What Potter County households earn
Half of Potter County households take in less than $59,020 a year and half take in more, 24% below the Pennsylvania median of $77,971. Only 61 Pennsylvania counties post a higher median.
| Income band | Share in Potter County | Difference from Pennsylvania |
|---|---|---|
| Under $35,000 | 28.3% | +6.3 pts |
| $35,000 to $99,999 | 46.5% | +7.4 pts |
| $100,000 to $199,999 | 21.4% | -5.6 pts |
| $200,000 or more | 3.8% | -8.1 pts |
The spread is wide: 25% of Potter County households make $100,000 or more, and 28% make less than $35,000. Poverty rate, Potter County: 13.0%; Pennsylvania: 11.7%. Gini index for Potter County: 0.416. Income from any regular source can count, including Social Security, pensions and disability benefits, as long as you can document it.
The Potter County housing market in figures
Renters in Potter County pay a median of $809 a month, 33% below the Pennsylvania figure of $1,209. 41% of renting households spend 30% or more of income on rent, and 16% spend half or more. Median value $153,100; median income $59,020; ratio 2.6. In Potter County, 80% of occupied homes are owned by the people living in them. Median construction year: 1969.
| Potter County | Pennsylvania | Difference | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median gross rent | $809/mo | $1,209/mo | 33% lower |
| Median home value | $153,100 | $254,500 | 40% lower |
| Owners | 80% | 69% | +10.3 pts |
| Rent-burdened renters | 41% | 48% | -7.2 pts |
| Burdened owners | 26% | 24% | +2.0 pts |
| Vacant units | 44% | 9% | +34.4 pts |
Because most Potter County households own, home repairs are a frequent reason to borrow. An unsecured personal loan leaves the house out of the deal, while a HELOC uses it as collateral.
Where Potter County differs from the rest of Pennsylvania
Ranked against the other 66 county-level areas in Pennsylvania, these are the Potter County figures furthest from the middle.
- Few Pennsylvania counties match Potter County on the housing vacancy rate: 44% here, 9% for the state, ranking 3rd highest of 67. High vacancy often reflects seasonal or second homes.
- Few Pennsylvania counties match Potter County on population: 16,188 here, 13,018,639 for the state, ranking 5th lowest of 67. With few local branches, online lenders and statewide credit unions widen the choice.
- Few Pennsylvania counties match Potter County on the share of households earning $100,000 or more: 25% here, 39% for the state, ranking 6th lowest of 67. Most budgets here are modest, so keep payments small.
- Potter County ranks 7th highest of 67 Pennsylvania counties for homeownership: 80%, against 69% statewide. An owner-heavy county means repairs are a common reason to borrow.
The Potter County job picture
The biggest employer of Potter County residents, by industry, is education and health care at 24% of workers, followed by manufacturing (15%). Agriculture, forestry and mining stands out: 6% of workers here, versus 1% statewide. 3.8% of Potter County's labor force reported being unemployed, averaged across 2020 to 2024. Commutes of 45 minutes-plus: 15%; under 15 minutes: 42%.
| Where residents work | Potter County | Difference from Pennsylvania |
|---|---|---|
| Education and health care | 23.5% | -3.2 pts |
| Manufacturing | 14.6% | +3.2 pts |
| Retail trade | 11.4% | +0.4 pts |
| Transportation, warehousing and utilities | 7.4% | +1.3 pts |
| Construction | 6.6% | +0.6 pts |
| Professional and administrative services | 6.4% | -5.0 pts |
Where long drives are the norm, a car repair is one of the most common surprise bills. A small repair fund can keep a breakdown from turning into a loan.
Potter County next to its neighbors
The six counties whose centers lie closest to Potter County's, from 27 to 44 miles away. Income ranges from $50,573 in Cameron County to $65,887 in Steuben County; 5 of these neighbors top Potter County's median. Some neighbors are in New York. Lender licensing is state by state, so a loan for a Potter County resident follows Pennsylvania rules.
| Nearby county | Center to center | Household income | Gross rent | Owner-occupied |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Potter County | - | $59,020 | $809/mo | 80% |
| Cameron County, PA | 27 mi | $50,573 | $689/mo | 72% |
| Tioga County, PA | 33 mi | $64,899 | $863/mo | 77% |
| Allegany County, NY | 35 mi | $62,869 | $763/mo | 79% |
| McKean County, PA | 35 mi | $62,905 | $809/mo | 78% |
| Clinton County, PA | 38 mi | $60,816 | $820/mo | 72% |
| Steuben County, NY | 44 mi | $65,887 | $894/mo | 73% |
Potter County towns compared
Here are the 8 most populous of the county's 8 Census places, with income and rent from the same 2020 to 2024 survey. About 38% of Potter County residents live in one of the 8. Gap between richest and poorest larger place: $36,235, Galeton over Ulysses. No Potter County place has a separate guide yet; this county page serves all 8.
| Place in county | Status | Population (ACS) | Median HH income | Monthly rent | Distance from center |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Coudersport | borough | 2,174 | $51,989 | $937 | 7 mi |
| Shinglehouse | borough | 1,076 | $47,315 | $701 | 21 mi |
| Galeton | borough | 789 | $70,298 | $930 | 13 mi |
| Roulette | CDP | 635 | $41,034 | $673 | 14 mi |
| Austin | borough | 606 | $43,594 | $900 | 13 mi |
| Ulysses | borough | 532 | $34,063 | $800 | 13 mi |
| Sweden Valley | CDP | 166 | $52,083 | $963 | 3 mi |
| Oswayo | borough | 121 | $54,219 | n/a | 14 mi |
CDPs are unincorporated communities the Census Bureau defines for counting.
Borrowing situations common in Potter County
A few patterns in the Potter County data, and the practical point behind each:
- Manufactured housing (13%). Potter County owners should get two written repair quotes before borrowing.
- Fixed incomes. Potter County's median age is 48.4. Social Security and pensions count as income when documented.
- Combining balances. It helps when total cost falls and the cards stay paid down (consolidation).
Who lives in Potter County, in numbers
In Potter County, 18% of adults have at least a four-year degree (35% in Pennsylvania). Uninsured, Potter County: 6.6%; Pennsylvania: 5.6%.
| People and households | Potter County | Compared with Pennsylvania | Compared with median county |
|---|---|---|---|
| Bachelor's or higher | 18.2% | -17.0 pts | -4.0 pts |
| Median age | 48.4 | +7.5 yrs | +6.9 yrs |
| Work from home | 10.7% | -4.9 pts | +2.0 pts |
| No vehicle | 6.1% | -4.3 pts | +0.7 pts |
| Unemployment (ACS) | 3.8% | -1.4 pts | -0.6 pts |
| Poverty rate | 13.0% | +1.3 pts | -0.2 pts |
| No health insurance | 6.6% | +1.0 pts | -1.2 pts |
| No high school diploma | 8.3% | +0.4 pts | n/a |
| One-way commute | Share of Potter County workers |
|---|---|
| Under 15 min | 41.8% |
| 15 to 29 min | 26.6% |
| 30 to 44 min | 16.2% |
| 45 to 59 min | 7.5% |
| 60+ min | 7.8% |
$4,918 a month: the Potter County median budget
Potter County at the medians, through a lender's eyes (what DTI means):
- Start: $4,918 gross per month ($59,020 / 12)
- 16% goes to median rent ($809)
- Under a 40% cap, $1,967 total minus rent leaves $1,158
Car, student loan and card payments come out of that room first. Try your own numbers in the calculator.
Checking a lender's license in Pennsylvania
Licensing happens at the state level, so a lender working with Potter County borrowers answers to the Pennsylvania Department of Banking and Securities. Federal complaints: consumerfinance.gov. The Pennsylvania guide covers state rules in more detail.
Four steps for Potter County borrowers
Quick steps for Potter County:
- Size the loan to the bill, not to the most a lender offers.
- Prequalify with soft pulls where offered, then compare in writing.
- Confirm the lender is licensed in Pennsylvania.
- Confirm the first due date before setting up autopay.
Related local guides
The Pennsylvania guide covers the whole state.
Frequently asked questions
Is Potter County a high-income county?
Its $59,020 median ranks 62nd of 67 Pennsylvania counties and compares with $65,681 for the median U.S. county.
Can a Potter County renter afford a loan payment?
At the $809 median rent and $4,918 median monthly income, rent alone uses 16%; add other debts before a new payment.
I live in a small Potter County town. Is this my guide?
Yes. If your town has no city guide, this county page is the local one; it covers Coudersport, Shinglehouse, Galeton, Roulette, Austin and 3 more.
Can Potter County residents use the questionnaire?
Yes. It asks the same questions in every Pennsylvania county, lists every requirement up front and does not affect your credit score.
How do I know a lender is legitimate in Potter County?
Look it up with the Pennsylvania Department of Banking and Securities, read the written offer, and refuse any fee before funding.