Venango County is known for its beautiful scenery, sense of community, and low cost of living, among many additional reasons to live here. If you’re looking to relocate, we’re here to help! Here are some more reasons why you should live here:
Demographics
According to the US Census, the total population of Venango County is 50,454. The median age is 46.9 and median household income is $49,945.
More Venango County Stats
Proximity to Larger Cities
In Venango County, you have the option to live in a rural area, but still have access to everything big cities have to offer. We are located in Northwestern Pennsylvania and are less than 3 hours from major cities, including Akron, OH; Buffalo, NY; Cleveland, OH; Erie, PA; Pittsburgh, PA; State College, PA; and Youngstown, OH.
Living in Venango County means you get a small town sense of community, without high living costs, noisy streets, a long commute, more polluted air, high crime rate, and other cons of living in a city. You can still experience the art, food, recreation, shopping, and more, though, just by traveling a short ways to a nearby city.
Human Services
Venango County has a variety of services available to community members–from basic needs, such as housing and clothing, to services such as counseling and child care.
Venango County Human Services has published a booklet with information on these services:
Human Services Booklet
A free app is also available from the Venango County Human Services with an in-depth inventory of all services available. It can be found by searching “Venango County Human Services” in the Google Play store or iTunes store on your phone.
Transportation
Public transportation is available through the Crawford Area Transportation Authority & Venango County Transit. Visit the CATA website for information about door-to-door and fixed route services.
We have also produced a County map through the Be Here initiative:
Venango County Map
Education Opportunities
Whether you’re going to school yourself or you’re looking for a place for your children to get an education, we have great schooling options!
Universities
The PennWest Clarion – Venango Campus is located in Oil City and offers two-year, stand-alone associate degrees in 11 academic disciplines, as well as select baccalaureate and master’s degrees and provides students an opportunity to begin any of Clarion University’s 90-plus programs.
If you don’t find what you want at Venango Campus, Clarion University’s Main Campus is less than one hour away from Venango County and offers more than 100 academic programs. Classes are also available through the Rural Regional College of Northwest Pennsylvania, a new college offering associate and technical degree programs.
Other nearby colleges include the Allegheny College, Grove City College, Laurel Technical Institute Meadville, Thiel College, Slippery Rock University, University of Pittsburgh at Titusville, and Westminster College.
Public Schools
There are four school districts located in Venango County: Cranberry Area School District, Franklin Area School District, Oil City Area School District, and Valley Grove School District, as well as many neighboring schools, such as Allegheny-Clarion Valley School District, Forest Area School District, Penncrest School District, and Titusville Area School District.
Private Schools
If you’re more interested in a private school, there are four located in Venango County: Christian Life Academy, Faith Christian Academy, St. Stephen School, and Venango Catholic High School.
Career and Technical Education
Local programs are available in the area to prepare students for all levels of ability to enter jobs in technical, skilled, and semi-skilled occupations. These schools provide hands-on learning that promotes core academic skills, teamwork, and professionalism.
Venango Technology Center is affiliated with Cranberry, East and West Forest, Franklin, Oil City, Titusville, and Valley Grove School Districts and the Clarion County Career Center is affiliated with Allegheny-Clarion Valley, Clarion Area, Clarion-Limestone Area, Keystone, North Clarion County, Redbank Valley, and Union School Districts.
Child Care & Preschools
Please see page 21 of the Venango County Human Services Booklet for information about child care, day care, preschool, and after school programs.
Medical Services
Venango County has a local hospital, UPMC Northwest, as well as many hospitals in the surrounding area, including the Butler Memorial Hospital, Clarion Hospital, Meadville Medical Center, and Titusville Area Hospital. Venango County also has many specialty centers and doctors offices. Find what you need in the Venango Chamber directory.
Places of Worship
Looking to get connected within the faith community? There are numerous churches in Venango County and you’re sure to find your new church family. A list of Chamber member churches can be found on the Venango Chamber website, and a list of additional churches can be found at PA-Roots.
Artist Relocation Program
ARTS Oil City, an initiative of the Oil City Main Street Program, has established an Artist Relocation Program, offering a number of incentives for artists relocating to Oil City, including residential zoning for live-work-gallery spaces, financing, and tax abatement for property rehabilitation. Commercial property grants and loans are available, as well as affordable downtown studios and exhibition spaces.
Things to Do
Please visit our Play Here page for entertainment, art, outdoor recreation, food, shopping, and other opportunities in the Venango Area.
Play Here