Pennsylvania Route 99 passes through the borough, leading north 5 miles (8 km) to U.S. Route 19 in the outskirts of Erie and south 8 miles (13 km) to Edinboro.

Interstate 79 passes one mile (1.6 km) west of McKean, with access from Exit 174.

[7] The borough is located along Elk Creek, which flows west to Lake Erie.

The racial makeup of the borough was 99.49% White, 0.26% African American, and 0.26% from two or more races.

26.7% of all households were made up of individuals, and 12.0% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older.