[6] According to the United States Census Bureau, the borough has a total area of 0.4 square miles (1.0 km2), all land.

The boroughs of Hallstead and nearby Great Bend are bisected by both Interstate 81 and the Susquehanna River.

The Elementary, Middle and High Schools are all located about 9 miles (14 km) south of Hallstead.

The Elementary School consists of Kindergarten to fifth grade with approximately 488 students in attendance.

The School Board Consists of: Alan Hall (President), Christina Cosmello (Vice President), Joel Whitehead (Treasurer), Loren Small (Secretary), Christina Whitney, Harold Empett, John Ketchur, Cindy Gaughan, Shane Rumage, Laurie Brown-Bonner, and Robert McTiernan (Superintendent).

During the early 1900s, it was a manufacturer of lead crystal but after almost three decades, ownership shifted and it became a major foundry.