Home Insurance in Centre County, Pennsylvania
Homes in Centre County carry a median value of $323,500 - 27% higher than the Pennsylvania median.
The typical home in Centre County was built around 1980. About 26% of homes were built before 1960, about 18 points below Pennsylvania's 45%. Because older housing stock often has aging wiring, roofing or plumbing, it can cost more to insure or rebuild.
In Centre County, the housing stock is 64% single-family homes, 24% apartments in buildings with 5+ units and 5% mobile or manufactured homes. Mobile and manufactured homes typically need a manufactured-home (HO-7) policy rather than a standard homeowners policy.
In Centre County, about 59% of owner-occupied homes have a mortgage - lenders require hazard insurance on every mortgaged home.
About 62% of occupied homes in Centre County are owner-occupied. The vacancy rate is 11%; vacant or unoccupied homes typically need a different coverage form than an owner-occupied policy.
45% of homes in Centre County are primarily heated with electricity. Homes heated with fuel oil can carry added fire risk. Fuel-tank leaks and spills are often excluded from standard homeowners policies.
Per FEMA's National Risk Index, Centre County's top hazards are winter weather (Relatively High), inland flooding (Relatively Moderate) and hurricane (Relatively Low).
As of September 2026, Centre County has 312 active NFIP flood insurance policies. Standard homeowners insurance does not cover flood damage, so flood coverage needs a separate NFIP or private flood policy.
In Pennsylvania, the statewide average premium for a standard HO-3 homeowners policy is $1,217 per year (NAIC, 2023 data).
Key figures
| Median home value | $323,500 |
|---|---|
| Median year built | 1980 |
| Owner-occupied share | 62% |
| Share of owner-occupied homes with a mortgage | 59% |
| Top hazards (FEMA National Risk Index) | Winter Weather (Relatively High), Inland Flooding (Relatively Moderate), Hurricane (Relatively Low) |
| Active NFIP flood policies (county) | 312 |
| Home insurance premium | $1,217 - statewide average (NAIC, 2023 data) |
Towns and cities
- Bellefonte
- Centre Hall
- Howard
- Milesburg
- Millheim
- Philipsburg
- Port Matilda
- Snow Shoe
- State College
- Unionville
Sources
- U.S. Census Bureau Gazetteer Files (2024)
- U.S. Census Bureau, American Community Survey 2020-2024 5-Year Estimates (2024)
- FEMA National Risk Index (December 2025)
- FEMA OpenFEMA NFIP Redacted Policies v3 (2026)
- NAIC Dwelling Fire, Homeowners Owner-Occupied, and Homeowners Tenant and Condominium/Cooperative Unit Owners Insurance: Data for 2023 (published 2026) (2023)