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Bear Lake, PA

Pennsylvania

Bear Lake is a small town in Pennsylvania with a population of 132. Residents earn $33,125 per year, which is 56% below the national average.

3.0 /5.0
B Good
132 Population 191/sq mi density
$33,125 Median Income $18,417 per capita
$64,000 Home Value
$863 Median Rent 51.0% income on rent
47°F Avg Temperature 275 sunny days/yr
B
Overall
3.0 / 5.0
Good overall score based on economy, affordability, safety and education
C
Economy
2.1 / 5.0
$33,125 median income, 10.3% unemployment
A+
Affordability
5.0 / 5.0
$64,000 home value, $863/mo rent
D
Education
1.8 / 5.0
10.4% bachelor's degree or higher
Median Income $33,125
56% lower than US avg
Home Value $64,000
77% lower than US avg
Bachelor's+ 10.4%
69% lower than US avg
Median Rent $863
26% lower than US avg
Unemployment 10.3%
186% higher than US avg
Poverty Rate 12.1%
2% lower than US avg

How Bear Lake Compares to the U.S. Average (100% = U.S. avg)

People

Population132
Median Age47.0 yrs
Density191/mi²
Male / Female53% / 47%
Largest GroupWhite 86%
Veterans8.3%

Economy

C
Median Income$33,125
Per Capita$18,417
Unemployment10.3%
Poverty12.1%
County GDP$1,726M
Commute26 min

Housing

A+
Home Value$64,000
Rent$863
OwnershipN/A
Housing Units77
Rent Burden51.0%

Climate

Avg Temp47°F (8°C)
AQI40 (Good)
Rain49.0 in/yr
Sunny Days275/yr
Elevation1,554 ft (474 m)

Education

D
Bachelor's+10.4%
High School+81.3%
Graduate+0.0%
School Score5.95

Community

2024 VoteR 69% / D 30%
Commute26 min
Broadband52.0%
Libraries5

Is Bear Lake a Good Place to Live?

Based on current data, Bear Lake receives an overall livability score of 3.0 out of 5.0, earning a grade of B. Key strengths include affordable housing, abundant sunshine, high health insurance coverage. Areas to be aware of include above-average unemployment, below-average incomes. Bear Lake offers a solid quality of life with a good balance of affordability, safety, and opportunity.

Economy & Jobs

The median household income in Bear Lake is $33,125, 56% below the national average of $75,149. At 10.3%, unemployment is notably high. 12.1% of residents live in poverty, near the national average of 12.4%. Workers commute an average of 26 minutes.

Cost of Living & Housing

The median home value in Bear Lake is $64,000, 77% below the national median — offering relatively affordable homeownership. Renters pay a median of $863 per month, below the national average — a plus for affordability. At just 1.9x median income, home prices are very affordable relative to local earnings.

Education

10.4% of residents hold a bachelor's degree, below the national average of 33.7%. 81.3% have completed high school. Area schools have an average test score of 5.9/10.

Climate & Weather

Bear Lake experiences four distinct seasons with an average temperature of 47°F. Winters average 24°F in January while summers reach 69°F in July. With 275 sunny days per year, residents enjoy well above the national average of sunshine. Annual precipitation totals 49.0 inches, including 114.2 inches of snow. Air quality is rated Good with a median AQI of 40.

Bear Lake has a population of 132 with a density of 191 people per square mile. The median age is 47.0 years, 21% older than the national median of 38.9. The city is predominantly White (86.4%), with 1.5% Hispanic.

Population

132
Total Population
191
People / sq mi
47.0yrs
Median Age
21% above US avg
0.7mi²
Land Area

Gender Distribution

Male 53%
Female 47%

Race & Ethnicity

Bear Lake vs U.S. Average

Language Spoken at Home

English Only100.0%
27% above US avg
Spanish0.0%
100% below US avg

Social Characteristics

Bear Lake vs U.S. Average

The median household income in Bear Lake is $33,125, which is 56% below the national average of $75,149. The unemployment rate is 10.3% (above the 3.6% US average). 12.1% of residents live below the poverty line. Workers commute an average of 26 minutes.

Income: Bear Lake vs U.S.

Commute Mode

Income

Median HH Income$33,125
56% below US avg
Per Capita Income$18,417
Avg Weekly Wage$1,000
IRS Avg AGI$60,871

Employment & Poverty

Unemployment10.3%
186% above US avg
Poverty Rate12.1%
2% below US avg
Establishments (County)910
County GDP$1,726M

Business (County)

Restaurants71
Healthcare111
Retail107
Manufacturing48

Tax & Cost of Living

Property Tax (IRS)$4,496
28% above US avg
Cost of Living97.60 (100=avg)
Effective Tax Rate7.03%

Commute & Transportation

Commute Time25.5 min
Drive Alone72.1%
Public Transit0.0%
Work from Home0.0%

Walkability

The median home value in Bear Lake is $64,000, 77% below the national average. Monthly rent averages $863 (26% below US avg).

Home Value Sources

Ownership Split

Home Values

Census Median$64,000
77% below US avg

Real Estate Market (Redfin)

Rental Costs

Census Median Rent$863
26% below US avg
Rent Burden51.0%

HUD Fair Market Rent

Studio$900
1 Bedroom$996
2 Bedrooms$1,225
3 Bedrooms$1,570
4 Bedrooms$1,744

Ownership & Property

Owner-Occupied76.9%
Housing Units77
Median Year Built1973

Property Tax

Avg Tax (IRS)$4,496
28% above US avg
Effective Rate7.03%
Bear Lake has an average annual temperature of 47°F (8°C). Winters average 24°F in January while summers reach 69°F in July. Annual precipitation is 49.0 inches. The area enjoys 275 sunny days per year. Air quality is rated Good with a median AQI of 40.

Temperature

24°F Jan (-4°C) 69°F Jul (21°C)
Annual Average47.1°F
13% below US avg
January Average24°F (-4°C)
July Average69°F (21°C)
Sunny Days275 days/yr

Precipitation & Snow

Annual Rainfall49.0 inches
29% above US avg
Snowfall114.2 inches/yr

Air Quality

AQI Median40.0
RatingGood

Geography

Elevation1,554 ft (474 m)
Area0.7 sq mi (1.8 km²)
Population Density191/sq mi
Coordinates41.9934°N, 79.5013°W
TimezoneAmerica/New_York
County FIPS42123
It is classified as Nonmetro — Urban 2.5K–20K, adjacent. 10.4% of residents hold a bachelor's degree or higher (69% below US avg). In the 2024 election, the county voted Republican by a 39.2-point margin. 52.0% of households have broadband internet.

2024 Presidential Election (County)

R 69.2%
D 30%

Winner: Republican by 39.2 points

Education

Bachelor's Degree+10.4%
69% below US avg
High School+81.3%
Graduate Degree+0.0%
School Test Score5.95
D Education Grade (1.8/5.0)

Urban-Rural Classification

RUCC Code 6Nonmetro — Urban 2.5K–20K, adjacent
Population Density191/sq mi
Total Area0.7 sq mi

Infrastructure & Services

Broadband Access52.0%
Public Libraries5
Healthcare Facilities111
Restaurants71
Retail Stores107

Safety & Disasters

Fatal Crashes (County/yr)7

Commute & Transportation

Avg Commute25.5 min
Drive Alone72.1%
Public Transit0.0%
Work from Home0.0%

Nearby Cities

Corry, PA 6,162 pop · 8.1 mi Lakewood, NY 2,975 pop · 11.8 mi Jamestown West, NY 2,398 pop · 13.1 mi Youngsville, PA 1,669 pop · 13.6 mi Celoron, NY 1,412 pop · 13.8 mi Jamestown, NY 28,401 pop · 15.4 mi Falconer, NY 2,103 pop · 17.9 mi Mayville, NY 1,272 pop · 17.9 mi Union City, PA 2,911 pop · 18.8 mi North Warren, PA 2,074 pop · 18.8 mi Russell, PA 1,300 pop · 18.9 mi Frewsburg, NY 2,083 pop · 19.4 mi Warren, PA 9,273 pop · 21.1 mi North East, PA 4,069 pop · 22.8 mi
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