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Oil City, PA


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Oil City, Pennsylvania

Introduction to Oil City, Pennsylvania

Oil City, Pennsylvania, in Venango county, is 51 miles SE of Erie, Pennsylvania (center to center) and 70 miles N of Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. The city has a population of 11,504.

Oil City History

The area was settled by the Seneca Nation of Indians in the early 17th century, and Chief Cornplanter was given a land grant by the State of Pennsylvania in the late 1700s. A blast furnace was built in 1818, but it was closed in the 1850s, resulting in a population decline. On August 28, 1859, the area's first commercial oil well was drilled by Colonel Edwin L. Drake, which is the reason why the community was named "Oil City". It was officially founded in 1860, and incorporated as a borough in 1868. A charter for the city was passed in 1871, and Oil City received formal city status in 1871. The oil wells played a major role in the city's economy, and Oil City developed into a prosperous community by the late 19th century.

Oil City and Nearby Attractions

  • Drake Well Museum
  • Old Economy Historical Site
  • Wilder Museum
  • Erie Zoo
  • Waldameer Park & Water World
  • Oil Creek State Park

Things To Do In Oil City

The Wilder Museum features exhibits on 20 local themes including the one-handed clock, and the Seneca Indians. Drake Well Museum marks the area where the world's first oil well was drilled by Edwin L. Drake in 1859. Old Economy Historical Site, and National McKinley Birthplace Memorial are places of historic interest in the region. The 7,075-acre Oil Creek State Park, which preserves the history of the oil boom in Pennsylvania, offers facilities for fishing, hiking, biking, and picnicking. Opportunities to play golf are available at the Lucky Hills Golf Course & Driving Range, and Whitetail Run Golf Course. Waldameer Park & Water World, and Erie Zoo are other popular attractions in the area.

Oil City Transportation

Erie International Airport is the closest major airport.

Oil City Higher Education

Oil City is home to the Clarion University of Pennsylvania-Venango Campus. Other colleges nearby include the Grove City College, and University of Pittsburgh – Titusville.

High Points

Oil City strengths, compared to Peers (similar size places nationally) or State (other places in Pennsylvania):

CategoryTrophy
Affordability of Rents
(vs. Peers)		Top 9%Oil City Affordability of Rents
Short Commute Times
(vs. State)		Top 10%Oil City Short Commute Times

Comparative Profile of Oil City, PA

Comparing Oil City to similar size places nationwide (Peers) and to other places in Pennsylvania (State):

Ratings range from 1 (lowest) to 10 (highest).


The People

CharacteristicCompared
to Peers		Compared
to State
Senior Citizens85
Female Share of the Population75
Age of the Population74
Children Under 5 Years Old58
Male Share of the Population46
Well-Paid Single Men34
Racial Diversity15

Families

CharacteristicCompared
to Peers		Compared
to State
Average Household Size46
Portion of People Married34

Wealth

CharacteristicCompared
to Peers		Compared
to State
College Educated Adults36
People in Middle Class or Better22
People Above Poverty22
Median Family Income23

Commute & Sprawl

CharacteristicCompared
to Peers		Compared
to State
Short Commute Times910
Public Transportation Use77
Working at Home56
Walking and Biking to Work11

Housing

CharacteristicCompared
to Peers		Compared
to State
Affordability of Rents109
People Living Alone87
Seasonal and Vacation Housing88
Affordability of Property Taxes78
Studio & One-Bedroom Rentals77
Housing Recently Built11

Crime

CharacteristicCompared
to Peers		Compared
to State
Low Property Crime86
Low Violent Crime77

Detailed pages on related topics: Oil City colleges • Oil City travel.

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Additional Details

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Oil City colleges and trade schools.
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