Is Boalsburg Safe, Pros and cons of living in Boalsburg

Boalsburg, Pennsylvania, offers a unique blend of small-town charm and convenient access to larger amenities, making it an appealing place to consider for a new home. This census-designated place in Centre County provides a relatively stable environment with a strong sense of community. Its location near State College offers residents the benefits of a larger metropolitan area while maintaining a more tranquil pace of life.

The community is characterized by its predominantly White population, with a significant portion of residents being homeowners. Boalsburg’s cost of living is generally lower than the national average, though it can be higher than the state average, primarily driven by housing costs. The area boasts a healthy job market with a low unemployment rate, supported by major employers in education, healthcare, and technology.

Is it Safe to Live in Boalsburg?

Boalsburg is considered a very safe place to live, with crime rates significantly below the national average. The overall crime rate is approximately 49% lower than the national average, and violent crime rates are even lower, at 36% below the national average (as reported by DoorProfit). This safety is reflected in its crime grade of A+ (as reported by AreaVibes and DoorProfit).

Property crime rates are also considerably lower than the national average, with a rate 71% below the national average (as reported by DoorProfit). Residents generally consider the northeast part of the city to be the safest (as reported by Crime Maps and Statistics). The cost of crime per resident is also lower than both the national and state averages, further underscoring the community’s safety (as reported by Crime Maps and Statistics).

Housing Costs and Market Trends

The housing market in Boalsburg presents a mixed picture regarding affordability. The median home price in Boalsburg is approximately $398,000 (as reported by Redfin), which is higher than the Pennsylvania state average (as reported by OurStates.org and Redfin). However, the home price-to-income ratio is 3.9, which is slightly higher than the Pennsylvania average (as reported by AreaVibes).

Rental prices in Boalsburg are competitive, with the average rent for all bedrooms and property types standing at $1,695 per month (as reported by Zillow). This average rent is 15% lower than the national average (as reported by Zillow). The rental market is described as “cool,” indicating steady demand without rapid price increases (as reported by Zillow).

Job Market and Major Employers

Boalsburg benefits from a robust job market, with a low unemployment rate. The employment rate is approximately 95.2% (as reported by Point2Homes), and the unemployment rate is around 4.8% (as reported by Point2Homes). Major employment sectors for residents include educational services, healthcare, and retail trade (as reported by Data USA).

Key employers in the region include educational institutions like Penn State University, which is a significant driver of employment in the State College area. Healthcare is another major sector, with Mount Nittany Health employing over 2,400 team members (as reported by Mount Nittany Health). Other notable employers in the broader region include General Motors and L3Harris (as reported by Indeed.com).

Climate and Weather Patterns

Boalsburg experiences distinct seasons, with warm summers and cold, snowy winters. Throughout the year, temperatures typically range from 17°F to 82°F (as reported by myPerfectWeather). The average annual precipitation is around 42 inches, with approximately 41 inches of snowfall (as reported by myPerfectWeather).

Summers are generally warm, with July being the hottest month, featuring average highs of 82°F and lows of 61°F (as reported by myPerfectWeather). Winters are cold, with January seeing average highs of 34°F and lows of 18°F (as reported by myPerfectWeather). The humidity levels remain comfortable during the summer months (as reported by myPerfectWeather).

Education and School Ratings

Boalsburg is primarily served by the State College Area School District, which is highly regarded. State College Area High School has a graduation rate of 94% (as reported by OurStates.org). The district as a whole receives strong ratings, with Niche ranking it as the best school district in Boalsburg for 2026, giving it an overall grade of A+ (as reported by Niche).

For younger students, Mount Nittany Elementary School is rated 5 out of 5 by Niche and is considered one of the best public elementary schools in Pennsylvania (as reported by Niche). While there are public options, a private school, Saint Joseph’s Catholic Academy, also serves students in grades 9-12 and holds a rating of 3.88 out of 5 (as reported by Niche).

Demographics and Community Profile

Boalsburg has a population of approximately 4,582 residents (as reported by Data USA). The community is predominantly White, making up about 95.3% of the population (as reported by Point2Homes). The median age in Boalsburg is around 43 years (as reported by Point2Homes).

The majority of households are owner-occupied, with a homeownership rate around 78.7% (as reported by Data USA). The median household income in Boalsburg is approximately $100,958 (as reported by Point2Homes), which is higher than both the Pennsylvania state average and the national average (as reported by Census Reporter).

Cost of Living Overview

The cost of living in Boalsburg is generally favorable, being 8% lower than the U.S. national average (as reported by Salary.com). However, it is 52% higher than Pennsylvania’s state average, largely due to housing costs (as reported by Salary.com).

Monthly expenses for a single person are estimated at $2,287, and for a family of four, they are around $5,036 (as reported by Salary.com). These figures reflect a slight increase from the previous year, with primary drivers being housing, transportation, and food prices (as reported by Salary.com).