Population43,255 (July 1, 2025 Census estimate)
Forest Landscapes and a Famous Seasonal Tradition
Jefferson County, PennsylvaniaBrookville and Punxsutawney offer two distinct reference points for Jefferson County. Punxsutawney’s Groundhog Day tradition is widely recognized, while Clear Creek State Park and part of Cook Forest provide a different perspective on the area. The county’s creation and later governmental organization occurred in separate decades. The U.S. Census Bureau estimated 43,255 residents in Jefferson County, Pennsylvania, on July 1, 2025.
Jefferson County at a Glance
Population43,255 (July 1, 2025 Census estimate)
County SeatBrookville
Largest Municipality (2025 estimate)Punxsutawney borough
Established1830
ZIP Code LookupUSPS address lookup
Total Area, Including Water656.800 square miles, including water (2020 Census geography)
Major RoutesI-80; US 119; US 219; US 322
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 Jefferson County
Jefferson County
Jefferson County was created from part of Lycoming County in 1804 and organized in 1830. Its name honors President Thomas Jefferson, and Brookville serves as the county seat. The gap between creation and organization matters when interpreting early records. Punxsutawney later gained a distinct public identity through its Groundhog Day tradition. Together, these civic and cultural histories show why the county has more than one recognizable center, each associated with different aspects of local life.
Brookville, Punxsutawney, and the county’s forest areas provide different ways to begin a visit. Clear Creek State Park lies within the county, while Cook Forest State Park extends across county boundaries. The famous seasonal tradition in Punxsutawney is only one part of the area’s identity. Combining a community stop with a carefully chosen forest destination provides a broader picture without assuming that all of the county’s places are close together.
What Shapes Us
Local Character
Brookville and Punxsutawney offer two distinct reference points for Jefferson County. Punxsutawney’s Groundhog Day tradition is widely recognized, while Clear Creek State Park and part of Cook Forest provide a different perspective on the area.
Community History
Jefferson County was created from part of Lycoming County in 1804 and organized in 1830. Its name honors President Thomas Jefferson, and Brookville serves as the county seat.
Around the County
Brookville, Punxsutawney, and the county’s forest areas provide different ways to begin a visit. Clear Creek State Park lies within the county, while Cook Forest State Park extends across county boundaries.
Familiar traditions share the county with forest landscapes.
A Closer Look
Jefferson County
Places and perspectives from Jefferson County
Jefferson County Wire
Jefferson County & Pennsylvania News
Includes Pennsylvania statewide reporting; stories may cover other counties.Photo CreditsJefferson County Government
Board of Commissioners Meeting
Board of Commissioners Meeting October 27th, 2026 @ 6PM Jefferson Place, Floor 1, Large Conference Room
Read the Story Oct 15, 2026 • 2 min read
Around Jefferson County
Stories from every corner of Jefferson County.
Board of Commissioners Meeting
Board of Commissioners Meeting October 27th, 2026 @ 6PM Jefferson Place, Floor 1, Large Conference Room
Oct 15, 2026 • 2 min read
Board of Election, October 13th, 2026
Board of Election October 13th, 2026 @ 11:00am Jefferson Place, Floor 2, Large Conference Room
Oct 8, 2026 • 2 min read
Commissioners Meeting Agenda, October 13th, 2026
Commissioners Meeting October 13th, 2026 @ 10:30am Jefferson Place, Floor 2, Large Conference Room
Oct 8, 2026 • 2 min read
Commissioners Meeting Agenda, September 22nd, 2026
Commissioners Meeting September 22nd, 2026 @ 10:30am Jefferson Place, Floor 2, Large Conference Room
Sep 18, 2026 • 2 min read
Jail Board Meeting Agenda, September 22nd, 2026
Jail Board Meeting September 22nd, 2026 @ 11:00am Jefferson Place, Floor 2, Large Conference Room
Sep 18, 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
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.
Brockway Area Elementary Sch – Elementary; grades KG-06. 40 North St, Brockway, PA 15824. 814-265-8417.
Hickory Grove El Sch – Elementary; grades 03-06. Hickory Grove Elementary, Brookville, PA 15825. 814-849-1112.
C G Johnson El Sch – Elementary; grades KG-04. 923 Jackson St, Reynoldsville, PA 15851. 814-299-4880.
Punxsutawney Area HS – High; grades 07-12. 500 N Findley Street, Punxsutawney, PA 15767. 814-938-5151.
Punxsutawney Area El Sch – Elementary; grades KG-06. 465 Beyer Ave, Punxutawney, PA 15767. 814-938-5151.
Brockway Area JSHS – High; grades 07-12. 100 Alexander St, Brockway, PA 15824. 814-265-8414.
Northside El Sch – Elementary; grades KG-KG. Northside Elementary School, Brookville, PA 15825. 814-849-1118.
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.
Penn Highlands Brookville – Critical Access Hospitals. 100 Hospital Road, Brookville, PA 15825. 814-849-2312.
Punxsutawney Area Hospital – Acute Care Hospitals. 81 Hillcrest Drive, Punxsutawney, PA 15767. 814-938-1800.
Public Safety
Emergency Services
State Parks
Pennsylvania statewide resource for residents and visitors.
Trails
Pennsylvania statewide resource for residents and visitors.
Utilities
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.
Mengle Memorial Library – 324 Main Street, Brockway, PA 15824. 814-265-8245.
Rebecca M Arthurs Memorial Library – 223 Valley St, Brookville, PA 15825. 814-849-5512.
Punxsutawney Memorial Library – 301 East Mahoning St., Suite 4, Punxsutawney, PA 15767. 814-938-5020.
Reynoldsville Public Library – 460 E. Main St., Reynoldsville, PA 15851. 814-653-9471.
Sykesville Public Library – 21 East Main St, Sykesville, PA 15865. 814-894-5243.
Summerville Public Library – 114 Second Avenue, Summerville, PA 15864. 814-856-3169.
Courts
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 Jefferson County Visit
Find places to go, compare activities and make the most of your time here.
Local Questions
Jefferson County: Places, Plans & Practical Answers
Start with these 11 answers, then find 5 more planning questions below the discovery lists.
Yes, the town promotes Phil's Burrow, Gobbler's Knob and other attractions as year-round destinations. That does not guarantee Phil will be visible or that every building is open. February 2 has separate crowd, transport and event arrangements.
Punxsutawney Weather Discovery Center: Explore weather through hands-on exhibits; check admission and program schedules. Phil's Burrow: Look for Punxsutawney Phil at his downtown home; animal visibility varies.
Mahoning Shadow Trail: Walk or cycle a rail-trail section around Punxsutawney. Gobbler's Knob: Visit the grounds associated with Groundhog Day outside the event; event arrangements and access can differ.
Phil's Burrow: Look for Punxsutawney Phil at his downtown home; animal visibility varies. Mahoning Shadow Trail: Walk or cycle a rail-trail section around Punxsutawney. Free access does not include purchases, rentals or separately ticketed activities.
Angelo's Pizza: Choose pizza, stromboli or pasta on Main Street in Brookville. Courthouse Grille & Pub: Consider Greek, Italian and American dishes on Main Street in Brookville.
Nicolai & Co.: Browse clothing, art and gifts on Main Street in Brookville. Pink Flamingos Vintage: Look for vintage clothing and accessories in downtown Brookville.
Nicolai & Co.: Browse clothing, art and gifts on Main Street in Brookville. Pink Flamingos Vintage: Look for vintage clothing and accessories in downtown Brookville.
Brookville and Punxsutawney offer two distinct reference points for Jefferson County. Punxsutawney’s Groundhog Day tradition is widely recognized, while Clear Creek State Park and part of Cook Forest provide a different perspective on the area. Use the local museums and historic sites above to explore that story in more detail.
Mengle Memorial Library – 324 Main Street, Brockway, PA 15824. 814-265-8245. Rebecca M Arthurs Memorial Library – 223 Valley St, Brookville, PA 15825. 814-849-5512. These contacts come from the supplied local-library directory; call for current opening hours, children’s programs and visitor services.
Brockway Area Elementary Sch – Elementary; grades KG-06. 40 North St, Brockway, PA 15824. 814-265-8417. Hickory Grove El Sch – Elementary; grades 03-06. Hickory Grove Elementary, Brookville, PA 15825. 814-849-1112. 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.
Brookville is the county seat recorded in the supplied Jefferson 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 Jefferson County, Pennsylvania. Follow each link for current visiting details.
Kids’ Fun
- Punxsutawney Weather Discovery Center — Explore weather through hands-on exhibits; check admission and program schedules.
- Phil's Burrow — Look for Punxsutawney Phil at his downtown home; animal visibility varies.
Restaurants
- Angelo's Pizza — Choose pizza, stromboli or pasta on Main Street in Brookville.
- Courthouse Grille & Pub — Consider Greek, Italian and American dishes on Main Street in Brookville.
Shopping & Retail
- Nicolai & Co. — Browse clothing, art and gifts on Main Street in Brookville.
- Pink Flamingos Vintage — Look for vintage clothing and accessories in downtown Brookville.
Clothing & Boutiques
- Nicolai & Co. — Browse clothing, art and gifts on Main Street in Brookville.
- Pink Flamingos Vintage — Look for vintage clothing and accessories in downtown Brookville.
Outdoor Fun
- Mahoning Shadow Trail — Walk or cycle a rail-trail section around Punxsutawney.
- Gobbler's Knob — Visit the grounds associated with Groundhog Day outside the event; event arrangements and access can differ.
Free Things to Do
- Phil's Burrow — Look for Punxsutawney Phil at his downtown home; animal visibility varies.
- Mahoning Shadow Trail — Walk or cycle a rail-trail section around Punxsutawney.
- Gobbler's Knob — Visit the grounds associated with Groundhog Day outside the event; event arrangements and access can differ.
Businesses in This County Guide
More Jefferson County Questions
How could I build a short Jefferson County outing from these places?
One possible plan is Punxsutawney Weather Discovery Center, a meal at Angelo's Pizza, and a browse at Nicolai & 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 Jefferson County day trip inexpensive?
Start with Phil's Burrow and Mahoning Shadow Trail 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 Mahoning Shadow Trail?
Use the county weather section above for the forecast. For Mahoning Shadow Trail, 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 Nicolai & Co.?
Use Nicolai & 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 Jefferson County guide?
The “Businesses in This County Guide” section links to Wise Cattle Company. 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.