RANK #250 / 996 · POP 60,159 · PA
PROJECTED GROWTH: +1.8%
Bradford County, Pennsylvania, is often first recognized by locals for its connection to Stephen Foster, the "father of American music," who penned "Camptown Races" after the area's historic horse races. Located in northern Pennsylvania, bordering New York, the county is part of the scenic Endless Mountains region. Its rural character means commutes are primarily by car, though public transit options exist within and between its towns like Towanda, Sayre, and Athens. The Susquehanna River winds through the county, offering extensive opportunities for fishing, boating, and other water activities, complemented by over 54,000 acres of state game land and parks like Mount Pisgah State Park.
Life in Bradford County is characterized by a strong sense of community and a lower cost of living compared to national averages. The area attracts families and retirees, with a high homeownership rate. Education is served by seven public school districts, some noted for engineering and arts programs. The economy, historically rooted in agriculture with numerous family dairy farms, has seen growth in manufacturing and the energy sector, particularly with natural gas development. These industries, alongside healthcare providers like Guthrie, contribute to the local job market.
Moderate climate & terrain
Above national median (13x)
Housing looks undervalued at 1.9x — home prices are low relative to local economic output. The typical U.S. county is 4–6x.
Source: Redfin · Census BPS — Browse sales on Redfin →
| PROJECT | AMOUNT | STATUS |
|---|---|---|
|
Wyalusing Energy Center (Klondike Data Center Project)
KDI Wyalusing Power LLC (affiliate of New Fortress Energy Inc.)
|
$500M | Proposed |
|
Armenia Mountain Wind Energy Project
TRC Companies (originally developed by AES Wind Generation)
|
$180M | Operating |
|
Bradford Solar
Vesper Energy
|
$100M | Planned |
Source: public records, news, corporate announcements. Amounts are estimates where noted.
Bars show percentile rank among all 996 counties.
Bradford County has a Boom Town Index score of 75/100, ranking #250 among 996 U.S. counties. With job growth at -0.7% and a median household income of $60,650, it's an above-average county on economic indicators.
The median home value in Bradford County is $169,700 with median rent at $824/month. The income-to-home-value ratio is 0.3574, which is more affordable than the national average.
Population growth: -0.1% year-over-year. Job growth: -0.7%. Home values changed +2.6% in the past 12 months.