Your Venango County, PA personal loan guide

49,801 residents: Venango County basics

Venango County is home to about 49,801 people, according to the Census Bureau's 2020 to 2024 American Community Survey, which makes it the 44th most populous of 67 county-level areas in Pennsylvania. Land area is 674 square miles (2024 Gazetteer), so density runs near 74 per square mile. Venango County is classed as nonmetropolitan in the OMB's July 2023 list. The Census Bureau counts 16 places in the county (11 incorporated, 5 census-designated); the largest is Oil City, with about 9,468 residents, or 19% of the county.

The Venango County housing market in figures

Half of Venango County renters pay more than $795 a month and half pay less; the Pennsylvania midpoint is $1,209. Cost-burdened renters, paying 30%-plus of income: 48% in Venango County, 48% statewide. The median owner-occupied home is valued at $119,800, about 1.9 times the median household income. Owners occupy 75% of homes. Half the housing stock was built before 1959. Against the median U.S. county, Venango County rent is 9% below.

With 75% of Venango County homes owner-occupied, equity is a real alternative for many readers; just remember a missed HELOC payment puts the home at risk.

Jobs and commutes in Venango County

Top Venango County industry by residents employed: education and health care, 25%; second, manufacturing, 16%. Venango County over-indexes on manufacturing: 16% versus 11% in Pennsylvania. Unemployment in Venango County, ACS five-year: 5.6%; Pennsylvania: 5.3%. 36% of Venango County workers get to work in under 15 minutes, while 12% need 45 or more.

If your hours swing with the season or with overtime, size a loan payment against your base pay, not your best month.

How much Venango County households make

The median household income in Venango County is $61,522; statewide it is $77,971, so Venango County runs 21% below Pennsylvania as a whole. Only 52 Pennsylvania counties post a higher median.

Some 28% of households here live on less than $35,000 a year; 26% have six-figure incomes. 13.2% of residents fall below the federal poverty line (statewide: 11.7%). A household earning below the $61,522 median should test any payment carefully; one earning above it should still pick the shortest term it can manage.

Where Venango County differs from the rest of Pennsylvania

• Median home value: $119,800 in Venango County. Only 3 of 67 Pennsylvania counties are lower. Lower values mean less equity to tap, so unsecured loans are the usual route.
• Few Pennsylvania counties match Venango County on median age: 47.6 here, 40.9 for the state, ranking 9th highest of 67. Retirement income counts when documented; favor loans with no prepayment penalty.
• Few Pennsylvania counties match Venango County on the share of adults with a bachelor's degree: 19% here, 35% for the state, ranking 11th lowest of 67. Lenders weigh income and credit, not schooling.
• Venango County ranks 13th lowest of 67 Pennsylvania counties for the share of households earning $100,000 or more: 26%, against 39% statewide. Most budgets here are modest, so keep payments small.

The communities that make up Venango County

16 Census places fall mainly inside Venango County; the 14 biggest are below. They account for 28,681 residents, leaving about 42% of the county in unincorporated, unnamed areas. Hasson Heights has the highest median household income on the list ($74,489) and Polk the lowest ($36,786), counting places with at least 500 residents. Live in one of these Venango County communities, or between them? This is your local guide.

Neighboring counties at a glance

Clarion County is closest, 23 miles from center to center; the sixth, Warren County, is 38 miles off. Butler County leads the group on income ($89,843), Forest County trails ($52,191), and Venango County out-earns 4 of the six.

Debt-to-income at Venango County's medians

How much room does a median Venango County budget have? Take median income, subtract median rent, and check what is left under a few common debt-to-income limits.

• Start: $5,127 gross per month ($61,522 / 12)
• Less median rent of $795, which is 16% of it
• Under a 36% cap, $1,846 total minus rent leaves $1,051
• With a 43% ceiling, about $1,410 remains for car, card, student and any new loan payments

If your rent is above $795, the room shrinks dollar for dollar.

Before borrowing in Venango County

Based on the Venango County data above, these borrowing questions are most likely to matter locally.

• Older households. A 47.6 median age means fixed-income borrowing is common; a fixed payment and short term limit risk.
• Rent at $795. With 48% burdened, a short term and small amount keep risk down.
• Debt consolidation. One fixed payment can save money only if the written APR and fees beat what you pay now (guide).

People and households in Venango County

Bachelor's degree or higher: 19% of Venango County adults. About 4% go without health insurance.

Before you sign

Before you apply, wherever you live in Venango County:

• Know the exact dollar figure you need before talking to a lender.
• Collect three written offers and compare APR and total repaid.
• Only work with lenders licensed for Pennsylvania borrowers.
• Confirm the first due date before setting up autopay.

Who licenses lenders for Venango County residents

Before sharing details with a lender, a Venango County resident can confirm its license with the Pennsylvania Department of Banking and Securities. The Consumer Financial Protection Bureau accepts complaints nationwide. Statewide data and rules: Pennsylvania guide.

Nearby and statewide guides

Statewide:

• Pennsylvania state guide