Centre Hall is a borough in Centre County, Pennsylvania, United States. It is located in Penns Valley and is part of the State College, Pennsylvania Metropolitan Statistical Area. As of the 2020 census, Centre Hall had a population of 1,268.

Centre Hall was so named on account of its location near the geographical center of Penns Valley.

Geography

Centre Hall is located at (40.844287, -77.684615), surrounded by Potter Township.

According to the United States Census Bureau, the borough has a total area of , all land.

Events

thumb|left|upright=1.1|Centre Hall Reformed Church

Centre Hall hosts the Centre County Grange Encampment and Fair, known to most as the "Grange Fair". The Fair attracts tens of thousands of people during its run, and takes place during the last full Thursday-to-Thursday week in August annually. It is one of the few remaining tenting fairs in the United States, with nearly a thousand "army-style" tents laid in rows throughout the grounds. In 1874, Leonard Rhone, a local farmer and activist, urged that members of the local Granges that he had founded to invite their neighbors to a one-day Pic-Nic to introduce the Patrons of Husbandry organization for farm and rural families. With the exception of 1943, the Fair has been held every year since.

Demographics

At the 2010 census there were 1,265 people, 548 households, and 372 families residing in the borough. The population density was . There were 574 housing units at an average density of . The racial makeup of the borough was 99.0% White, 0.1% Black or African American, 0.1% Native American, 0.2% Asian, 0.1% other, and 0.5% from two or more races. Rail service ended due to damage from Hurricane Agnes in June 1972, and the line was formally abandoned by the Penn Central in May 1973.

Roads

Highways include:

  • Pennsylvania Route 144
  • Pennsylvania Route 192

Air

Centre Airpark is a small airport with a 3100 ft grass runway just southeast of Centre Hall. Its use includes ultralight aircraft.

Education

Centre Hall is in the Penns Valley Area School District.

References

  • Borough Web site
  • Grange Fair - Centre County Grange Encampment and Fair, Centre Hall, PA