A crystal clear lake reflects surrounding trees and hills as boats drift across its surface. Campers awaken to the sound of bluebirds singing from nearby nesting boxes made by park volunteers. Bleary-eyed campers grab their binoculars and wonder what wildlife they will encounter during the day. Scenic views and the sights and sounds of nature are an everyday occurrence for residents of Howard Township, 24 miles from State College, Pennsylvania. The township and its borough occupy part of the nearly 6,000-acre Bald Eagle State Park. In the center of the township is the gleaming Foster Joseph Sayers Reservoir. “A lot of people live out there for the lake and living on larger parcels in the country,” says Marc McMaster, associate broker with RE/MAX Centre Realty. The CAP Index crime score is 1 out of 10, which is below the national average of 4.
Howard Township sits next to the 6,000 acre Bald Eagle State Park.
The Foster Joseph Sayers Reservoir is the center of activity in Bald Eagle State Park in Howard.
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Birdwatching, fishing and boating at Bald Eagle State Park
The Foster Joseph Sayers Reservoir is the center of activity in Bald Eagle State Park. Spanning 1,730 acres, the reservoir offers a place to swim, boat, and laze around on innertubes. Sailers may rent and store boats in Bald Eagle or bring their own. There are six boat launches throughout the park, where watercraft have a 45-mile speed limit. Fishing is also popular, and the lake is stocked with catfish, bass, crappie and other species. Anglers should be aware that there are fishing regulations regarding black and white crappies. Catches are limited to 10 per day; five under 9 inches and five over 9 inches. Many waterfowl, such as herons and geese, may be spotted near the beach, while migrating birds and songbirds can be seen within the park and on Bald Eagle Mountain. However, the reservoir is not just for recreation; it’s a big part of flood mitigation for the West Branch Susquehanna River Basin, spanning Northern Cambria County to Union County. The Foster Joseph Sayers Dam helps to control and store water. The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers monitors the dam and lake levels. Although flooding may still happen, it is not a common occurrence. “It’s the exception, not the rule," says McMaster. "There’s potential to flood, but it’s not something that happens regularly.”
The lake at Bald Eagle State Park is stocked with catfish, bass, crappie and other species.
The 6,000 acre Bald Eagle State Park sits at the heart of Howard Township.
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Single-family homes on large lots starting at $200,000
Scattered along roadways branching off state Route 150, homes are built on large lots, averaging around an acre. Housing close to Howard Borough, a collection of homes and businesses on a peninsula, has smaller lots and is organized in a grid. Minimal traditionals, Arts and Crafts and bungalows with muted colors are common and range from $200,000 to $460,000. Compared to some rural townships, Howard is not experiencing a growth spurt. “As far as I know, there’s no major development plan for that area,” says McMaster.
Houses in Howard have scenic viewes of the surrounding mountains.
Bungalows can be found on secluded mountainside streets in Howard.
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Launch pumpkins at the Punkin’ Chunkin’ Fall Festival
In August, a small village of tents and camper vans forms in Centre Hall, 21 miles from Howard, marking the start of Centre County Grange Fair, a 150-year-old nine-day fair. This is the only remaining tenting fair in America, and every day marks a new opportunity to catch a free concert, sit in on an equestrian show, try a new dish from a local vendor or participate in an activity. For events closer to home, Bald Eagle hosts many educational and recreational programs throughout the year. The Punkin’ Chunkin’ Fall Festival in October is the most popular event, hosted by the Bald Eagle State Park and the Howard Volunteer Fire Company 14. The event lasts one day and is entirely free. Participants utilize air cannons, catapults and other contraptions to send pumpkins flying into the lake. Park rangers set out old canoes and other targets for the pumpkin launchers, though these are half-hearted marks, rarely aimed for and never hit. Attendees not launching gourds into the reservoir may peruse the local artisan vendors, participate in a pumpkin eating contest, visit the farmers market or enjoy the other festival activities. Religious services are held at Mt. Eagle Church, Howard United Methodist Church and Howard Christian Church.
Several houses of worship can be found in the Howard Township.
Several denominations are found in Howard.
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Halloween year-round at Kitchen Witch
Many residents head to nearby municipalities for shopping and dining, such as State College, Bellefonte and Lock Haven. Bellefonte is 10 miles away, and Lock Haven is 18 miles away. For restaurants close to home, the Kitchen Witch is a homestyle breakfast place decorated for Halloween year-round. The rustic industrial Brothers Pizza of Howard offers pies along with other Italian specialties and burgers for lunch and dinner. During the holidays, patrons may admire a ceramic Santa village. Howard Unimart is available for quick grocery runs, but residents head to the Save A Lot and Weis Markets in Lock Haven for a larger selection.
Kitchen Witch Cafe is a cozy eatery nestled in Howard and offers a unique dining experience.
Fresh local ingredients and friendly service are found at Kitchen Witch Cafe in Howard.
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Environmental education through Bald Eagle Area schools
The Bald Eagle Area School District, which receives a B-minus from Niche, serves Howard Township. Children may attend Howard Elementary School, which receives an A-minus for kindergarten through fifth grade and Bald Eagle Area Middle and High School, which receives a C-plus for sixth through 12th grade. Local schools may use the hands-on environmental education programs offered at Bald Eagle State Park.
Commuters use state Route 26 and Interstate 80
Although the state park has over 14 miles of hiking trails, residents are primarily car-dependent. Several state routes pass through the area, including Pennsylvania 26 and 150. Interstates 80 and 99 are also nearby. State College Regional Airport is 18 miles away.
GreatSchools:
The GreatSchools Rating helps parents compare schools within a state based on a variety of school quality indicators and provides a helpful picture of how effectively each school serves all of its students. Ratings are on a scale of 1 (below average) to 10 (above average) and can include test scores, college readiness, academic progress, advanced courses, equity, discipline and attendance data. We also advise parents to visit schools, consider other information on school performance and programs, and consider family needs as part of the school selection process.
View GreatSchools Rating Methodology
Interested in learning more about homes in this area?
Reach out to
Lindsey Byers,
an experienced agent in this neighborhood.
Parks in this Area
Bald Eagle State Park
Camping
Fishing
Picnic Area
West End Park
Howard Community Park
Transit
Airport
State College Regional
31 min drive
Crime and Safety
1 - Low Crime, 10 - High Crime
Howard
US
Homicide
2
4
Sexual Assault
1
4
Assault with Weapon
1
4
Robbery
1
4
Burglary
1
4
Motor Vehicle Theft
1
4
Larceny
1
4
Crime Score
1
4
Source: WhatIsMyCrimeRisk.com
Demographics and Home Trends
On average, homes in Howard, Howard township sell after 94 days on the market compared to the national average of 48 days. The average sale price for homes in Howard, Howard township over the last 12 months is $394,769, up 36% from the average home sale price over the previous 12 months.
Interested in learning more about homes in this area?
Reach out to
Lindsey Byers,
an experienced agent in this neighborhood.
Average Home Value
Source: Public Records
Property Mix - Square Feet
This Neighborhood Has More Owners
Demographics
Total Population
931
Median Age
48
Population under 18
22.4%
On par with the national average
23.8%
Population over 65
25.9%
Above the national average
19.1%
Finances
Median Household Income
$64,062
Below the national average
$71,702
Average Household Income
$88,234
Education and Workforce
High School Graduates
92.2%
College Graduates
20.3%
Below the national average
34.1%
Advanced Degrees
7.7%
Below the national average
13.3%
% Population in Labor Force
66.5%
Weather
Annual Precipitation
41''
Average Winter Low Temperature
21°F
Average Summer High Temperature
81°F
Annual Snowfall
11''
Area Factors
Somewhat Bikeable
Bike Score®
10/ 100
Car-Dependent
Walk Score®
0/ 100
Source: Walk Score
Source: Walk Score
Sound Score® measures the noise level of any address. Transit Score® measures access to public transit. Bike Score® measures the bikeability of any address.
Disclaimer: Certain information contained herein is derived from information provided by parties other than Homes.com. Our sources include: Accuweather, Public Records and Neustar. All information provided is deemed reliable, but is not guaranteed to be accurate and should be independently verified.
