Many of these Centre Region communities also carry a "State College, PA" address although they are not part of the borough.

[7] A referendum failed to yield a majority for any of the choices proposed as a new name, so the town remains State College.

The post office, which has since moved across an alley to the McAllister Building, is the official home of ZIP Code 16802 for University Park.

Two major sections in State College include the Downtown Improvement District and University Park.

Some residents see it as a boon to increase foot traffic downtown and reduce congestion on the arterial roads leading into the town.

Others, however, are skeptical of the developments since they replace historical buildings in the area at the expense, in their view, of the borough's character.

Notable sites include Old Main, a landmark of the Farmers' High School Historic District, Rec Hall, the Nittany Lion Shrine, the Palmer Museum of Art, Penn State Creamery, Beaver Stadium, and the Bryce Jordan Center; both Beaver Stadium and the Bryce Jordan Center are located in the university township half of University Park.

The neighborhood terminated around Irvin Avenue, but after World War II expansion was necessary to accommodate for returning soldiers.

Orchard Park houses the South Hills Business School, a YMCA, and the Cedar Heights Church, which is used as a location for voters in State College.

[15][18] Vallamont is a small neighborhood east of the Highlands, west of College Township, and north of Nittany Hills.

The surrounding mountains cause significantly lower temperatures in the winter, and make summer heat waves much rarer than in the rest of the state.

However, traditional measures of income and poverty can be very misleading when applied to a community like State College that is dominated by students.

Other industries in the area include health care, retail, hospitality services, construction, and government.

[30] Streets are closed off and lined with booths where people can buy paintings, pottery, jewelry, and other hand-made goods.

There borough hosts musical performances, plays, and food vendors selling everything from funnel cakes to Indian cuisine.

Blue-White Football Weekend occurs in April and includes a carnival, fireworks, food vendors, a student entertainment stage, live music, a parade, and more.

Other annual events in the area include "First Night State College", a New Year's Eve celebration with carved ice sculptures and musical performances that takes place in downtown State College, and "Central PA 4th Fest", a day-long event that includes Fourth of July fireworks, crafts, food vendors, and entertainers.

[34] Penn State also has Division 1 teams in basketball, ice hockey, soccer, volleyball, and wrestling.

Rec Hall has a banked indoor track of approximately 257 yards around, or roughly 6.85 laps per mile.

The facility is located on the corner of Curtin Road and University Drive near the Bryce Jordan Center.

The Nittany Mountain Biking Association (NMBA) is active at maintaining and adding trails throughout the local state forest.

At the federal level, State College is located in Pennsylvania's 15th congressional district, represented by Republican Glenn Thompson.

Higher level courts are located in Bellefonte: State College is a member of the Centre Region Council of Governments (CRCOG).

WATM-TV 23 (ABC) produces a Centre County focused newscast, anchored from a studio on West College Avenue.

WJAC-TV 6 (NBC), WTAJ-TV 10 (CBS), and WWCP-TV 8 (FOX) also maintain satellite studios and offices in State College.

[70] In 2009, the State College metropolitan statistical area (MSA) ranked as the tenth highest in the U.S. for percentage of commuters who walked to work (8 percent).

[72] The borough is served by the Centre Area Transportation Authority for local bus service and the State College Regional Airport for commercial air traffic.

Intercity bus service to New York City, Philadelphia, Pittsburgh, and other points across the state is provided by Fullington Trailways, Greyhound Lines, Megabus, and OurBus.

[79][80][81] Alpha Fire Company, a volunteer service, covers State College and surrounding townships.

[83] Penn State operates its own police agency, providing coverage to University Park as well as 21 other campuses.