Population36,680 (July 1, 2025 Census estimate)
A New Town Chosen For County Government
Clarion County, PennsylvaniaClarion anchors its namesake county, whose seat was deliberately created instead of selecting an existing community. Callensburg, Shippenville and Strattanville belong to that debate, while the Clarion River connects the county’s name and civic story with a wider geographic setting. The U.S. Census Bureau estimated 36,680 residents in Clarion County, Pennsylvania, on July 1, 2025. The county has approximately 601 square miles of land, according to the 2020 Census Gazetteer.
Clarion County at a Glance
Population36,680 (July 1, 2025 Census estimate)
County SeatClarion
Largest Municipality (2025 estimate)Clarion borough
Established1839 (organized; NACo County Explorer)
ZIP Code LookupUSPS address lookup
Total Area, Including Water609.843 square miles, including water (2020 Census geography)
Roads & Traffic511PA travel updates
Telephone Area CodesPUC area-code map
Shop - Dine - Discover
Meet Local Businesses
Support the businesses that help make our communities thrive. From family-owned shops and restaurants to trusted local services, discover businesses worth visiting throughout the county.
Discover Clarion County
Clarion County
When Clarion County was established in 1839, several existing communities sought the seat. A new town was chosen instead, giving Clarion its civic role. The county and town were named for the river, previously known by other names, linking an administrative decision with a recognized feature of the landscape. The unsuccessful contenders remain part of this story even though government went elsewhere. Their involvement makes the county seat a result of local choices rather than an inevitable geographic center.
Use Clarion as the starting point, then explore the history of one former county-seat contender. Callensburg, Shippenville and Strattanville offer different local perspectives on the same decision. The river naming story adds another thread for understanding how county identity took shape. Compare what each community's historical resources say about the decision. A focused two-town route can reveal the local stakes of creating a civic center while keeping the river geography in view.
What Shapes Us
Local Character
Callensburg, Shippenville and Strattanville belong to that debate, while the Clarion River connects the county's name and civic story with a wider geographic setting.
Community History
When Clarion County was established in 1839, several existing communities sought the seat. A new town was chosen instead, giving Clarion its civic role.
Explore Locally
Use Clarion as the starting point, then explore the history of one former county-seat contender. Callensburg, Shippenville and Strattanville offer different local perspectives on the same decision.
Discover the community choices behind a county's new center.
A Closer Look
Clarion County
Places and perspectives from Clarion County
Clarion County Wire
Clarion County & Pennsylvania News
Includes Pennsylvania statewide reporting; stories may cover other counties.Photo CreditsSpotlight PA — Pennsylvania Statewide
Top EPA official’s visits to Pa., other swing states ahead of midterms raise ethics concerns
EPA Administrator Lee Zeldin is visiting battleground districts and states in the runup to the midterm elections. Are…
Read the Story Oct 16, 2026 • 2 min read
Around Clarion County
Stories from every corner of Clarion County.
Top EPA official’s visits to Pa., other swing states ahead of midterms raise ethics concerns
EPA Administrator Lee Zeldin is visiting battleground districts and states in the runup to the midterm elections. Are…
Oct 16, 2026 • 2 min read
Erie gunman who killed family controlled their movements, finances: police
A Pennsylvania man who fatally shot eight others, including seven family members, before killing himself had exercised strict…
Oct 16, 2026 • 2 min read
Rep. Perry’s Trump ties targeted by Dems in closely watched Pa. swing district race
The president’s declining popularity could be a liability for Republican U.S. Rep. Scott Perry, a Trump loyalist who…
Oct 16, 2026 • 2 min read
Reading could pull up to $24M from reserves to balance its next 2 budgets
Reading may use $24 million in reserves to cover budget gaps over two years, raising fears the city…
Oct 16, 2026 • 2 min read
The legislature didn’t act on skill games by the Pa. Supreme Court’s deadline. What happens now?
Top lawmakers said they wanted to act before the court-imposed deadline but didn’t, leading some members to mount…
Oct 16, 2026 • 2 min read
Shop - Dine - Discover
Meet Local Businesses
Support the businesses that help make our communities thrive. From family-owned shops and restaurants to trusted local services, discover businesses worth visiting throughout the county.
County Resources
Find the Right Local Connection
Start with the organization responsible for the service you need. Follow its official link for current requirements, office locations and availability.
Government
Pennsylvania statewide resource for residents and visitors.
Schools
Public school contacts
Selected local schools from the NCES 2024-2025 directory. Contact the school or district to confirm enrollment, attendance boundaries and current services; this is not a complete school list.
Allegheny-Clarion Valley Elem – Elementary; grades KG-06. 776 Route 58, Foxburg, PA 16036. 724-659-3555.
Clarion Area El Sch – Elementary; grades KG-05. 800 Boundary St, Clarion, PA 16214. 814-226-8118.
Clarion-Limestone El Sch – Elementary; grades PK-06. 4091 C-L School Road, Strattanville, PA 16258. 814-764-6006.
Keystone El Sch – Elementary; grades KG-06. 451 Huston Avenue, Knox, PA 16232. 814-797-1251.
North Clarion Co El Sch – Elementary; grades PK-06. 10439 Route 36, Tionesta, PA 16353. 814-744-8541.
Redbank Valley Intrmd Sch – Elementary; grades 03-05. 1306 Truittsburg Rd, Hawthorn, PA 16230. 814-365-5141.
Union HS – High; grades 06-12. 354 Baker Street Suite 1, Rimersburg, PA 16248. 814-473-3121.
Hospitals
Local hospital contacts
Facility contacts from the CMS Hospital General Information directory, updated July 22, 2026. Contact the facility directly to confirm current services and appointment arrangements.
Independence Health System Clarion Hospital – Acute Care Hospitals. One Hospital Drive, Clarion, PA 16214. 814-226-9500.
Clarion Psychiatric Center – Psychiatric. Two Hospital Dr Rd#3 Box 188, Clarion, PA 16214. 814-226-9545.
Public Safety
Pennsylvania statewide resource for residents and visitors.
Emergency Services
Pennsylvania statewide resource for residents and visitors.
State Parks
Pennsylvania statewide resource for residents and visitors.
Trails
Pennsylvania statewide resource for residents and visitors.
Utilities
Pennsylvania statewide resource for residents and visitors.
Libraries
Local library contacts
Locations and public phone numbers are from the IMLS FY2024 Public Libraries Survey. Call the branch to confirm current hours and services before visiting.
Clarion Free Library – 644 Main St., Clarion, PA 16214. 814-226-7172.
Foxburg Free Library Association – 31 Main Street, Foxburg, PA 16036. 724-659-3431.
Knox Public Library – 305 North Main St, Knox, PA 16232. 814-797-1054.
Redbank Valley Public Library – 720 Broad St, New Bethlehem, PA 16242. 814-275-2870.
Eccles Lesher Memorial Library – 673 Main St., Rimersburg, PA 16248. 814-473-3800.
Courts
Pennsylvania statewide resource for residents and visitors.
DMV
Pennsylvania — Find a Location
Pennsylvania — Title and Registration
Pennsylvania — Licenses & Photo IDs
Transportation
Pennsylvania statewide resource for residents and visitors.
Postal Services
USPS location finder — Search by street address, city or ZIP Code for nearby post offices, collection boxes and available services.
USPS ZIP Code lookup — Find the mailing ZIP Code for a specific street address.
USPS Hold Mail — Arrange a temporary mail hold and review identity-verification requirements.
USPS change of address and forwarding — Review forwarding options and submit an address-change request through USPS.
USPS package pickup — Check pickup availability for your address and schedule eligible shipments.
Veterans
National services available to local residents
VA accredited representatives — Find help with VA claims and benefit applications.
VA health care applications — Review application options and supporting information.
VA disability claims — Find the official steps for submitting a disability claim.
GI Bill and education benefits — Review how to apply for VA education benefits.
Veteran career and employment support — Explore VA employment, training and career assistance.
Employment
National services available to local residents
USAJOBS federal employment — Search federal openings by location and occupation.
Apprenticeship Finder — Search apprenticeship opportunities by location and occupation.
My Next Move career exploration — Explore occupations, industries and career interests.
Government job-training resources — Find routes to state training programs and support for different job seekers.
Unemployment benefit guidance — Find your state program and its application and eligibility information.
Plan Your Clarion County Visit
Find places to go, compare activities and make the most of your time here.
Local Questions
Clarion County: Places, Plans & Practical Answers
Start with these 11 answers, then find 5 more planning questions below the discovery lists.
No. Deja-Me lists its Main Street consignment shop separately from its formalwear location. Check the shop's current contact page before traveling, particularly if you need a fitting or a special-occasion dress.
Clarion Free Library: Look for children's programs and a quieter indoor stop in Clarion; event schedules vary. Clarion County Park: Plan a picnic and outdoor family time at the county park near Shippenville.
Clarion County Park: Plan a picnic and outdoor family time at the county park near Shippenville. Cook Forest State Park: Explore the old-growth forest region; the park crosses county boundaries, so use its map to choose your route.
Clarion County Park: Plan a picnic and outdoor family time at the county park near Shippenville. Cook Forest State Park: Explore the old-growth forest region; the park crosses county boundaries, so use its map to choose your route. Free access does not include purchases, rentals or separately ticketed activities.
County Seat Restaurant: Choose a meal in downtown Clarion. Toby Hill Bar & Grill: Consider another downtown Clarion dining stop.
F.L. Crooks & Co.: Browse men's and women's clothing at the Main Street store in Clarion. Deja-Me on Main: Shop consignment clothing on Main Street; the formalwear location is separate, so check which store you need.
F.L. Crooks & Co.: Browse men's and women's clothing at the Main Street store in Clarion. Deja-Me on Main: Shop consignment clothing on Main Street; the formalwear location is separate, so check which store you need.
Callensburg, Shippenville and Strattanville belong to that debate, while the Clarion River connects the county's name and civic story with a wider geographic setting. Use the local museums and historic sites above to explore that story in more detail.
Clarion Free Library – 644 Main St., Clarion, PA 16214. 814-226-7172. Foxburg Free Library Association – 31 Main Street, Foxburg, PA 16036. 724-659-3431. These contacts come from the supplied local-library directory; call for current opening hours, children’s programs and visitor services.
Allegheny-Clarion Valley Elem – Elementary; grades KG-06. 776 Route 58, Foxburg, PA 16036. 724-659-3555. Clarion Area El Sch – Elementary; grades KG-05. 800 Boundary St, Clarion, PA 16214. 814-226-8118. These are selected contacts from the supplied school directory. Contact the school or district to confirm attendance boundaries and enrollment; a nearby school is not necessarily the assigned school.
Clarion is the county seat recorded in the supplied Clarion County information. Use the Government tab in local resources to locate the department you need; offices may have different addresses and appointment arrangements.
Shop - Dine - Discover
Meet Local Businesses
Support the businesses that help make our communities thrive. From family-owned shops and restaurants to trusted local services, discover businesses worth visiting throughout the county.
My Local Guide
Find Something Fun
Make Time for a Local DiscoveryExplore places to eat, shop and spend time in Clarion County, Pennsylvania. Follow each link for current visiting details.
Kids’ Fun
- Clarion Free Library — Look for children's programs and a quieter indoor stop in Clarion; event schedules vary.
- Clarion County Park — Plan a picnic and outdoor family time at the county park near Shippenville.
Restaurants
- County Seat Restaurant — Choose a meal in downtown Clarion.
- Toby Hill Bar & Grill — Consider another downtown Clarion dining stop.
Shopping & Retail
- F.L. Crooks & Co. — Browse men's and women's clothing at the Main Street store in Clarion.
- Deja-Me on Main — Shop consignment clothing on Main Street; the formalwear location is separate, so check which store you need.
Clothing & Boutiques
- F.L. Crooks & Co. — Browse men's and women's clothing at the Main Street store in Clarion.
- Deja-Me on Main — Shop consignment clothing on Main Street; the formalwear location is separate, so check which store you need.
Outdoor Fun
- Clarion County Park — Plan a picnic and outdoor family time at the county park near Shippenville.
- Cook Forest State Park — Explore the old-growth forest region; the park crosses county boundaries, so use its map to choose your route.
Free Things to Do
- Clarion County Park — Plan a picnic and outdoor family time at the county park near Shippenville.
- Cook Forest State Park — Explore the old-growth forest region; the park crosses county boundaries, so use its map to choose your route.
Businesses in This County Guide
More Clarion County Questions
How could I build a short Clarion County outing from these places?
One possible plan is Clarion Free Library, a meal at County Seat Restaurant, and a browse at F.L. Crooks & Co.. These are separate stops; map their addresses and check opening times before deciding whether all three fit your day.
How can I keep a Clarion County day trip inexpensive?
Start with Clarion County Park and Cook Forest State Park and bring a picnic where permitted. Budget separately for museum or amusement tickets, restaurant meals, parking where charged, rentals and purchases. Check the linked destination’s current fees instead of assuming every activity on its grounds is free.
Where should I check the forecast before visiting Clarion County Park?
Use the county weather section above for the forecast. For Clarion County Park, also open the destination’s notices for trail, road or facility closures. A county forecast does not confirm that an individual trail or activity is operating.
What should I confirm before making a special trip to F.L. Crooks & Co.?
Use F.L. Crooks & Co. to confirm the physical-store address, current opening days and whether the item or fitting you need is available. Some shops list online stock, multiple locations or appointment services, so contact the store about a specific visit.
Where can I find the businesses featured in this Clarion County guide?
The “Businesses in This County Guide” section links to API Auto Body Products Inc, D&L Enos, Gates & Burns Realty Inc, Joden. Open a business page for its contact details. A business featured in this guide may serve the county from another location; confirm its address and service area directly.
Every place has a story.Find Your Next Favorite.