Bellefonte, Pennsylvania
Bellefonte | |
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Downtown Bellefonte | |
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Seal Logo | |
Location of Bellefonte in Centre County, Pennsylvania | |
Location of Centre County in Pennsylvania | |
Bellefonte Location within the U.S. state of Pennsylvania Bellefonte Bellefonte (the United States) | |
| Coordinates: 40°54′53″N 77°46′29″W / 40.91472°N 77.77472°W | |
| Country | United States |
| State | Pennsylvania |
| County | Centre |
| Settled | 1795 |
| Incorporated (borough) | 1806 |
| Government | |
| • Mayor | Gene Johnson |
| Area | |
• Total | 1.85 sq mi (4.78 km2) |
| • Land | 1.85 sq mi (4.78 km2) |
| • Water | 0 sq mi (0.00 km2) |
| Elevation | 919 ft (280 m) |
| Population (2020) | |
• Total | 6,105 |
| • Density | 3,310.2/sq mi (1,278.08/km2) |
| Demonyms |
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| Time zone | Eastern (EST) |
| • Summer (DST) | EDT |
| ZIP Code | 16823 |
| Area code | 814 |
| FIPS code | 42-05256 |
| Website | bellefonte |
| Designated | May 08, 1947 |
Bellefonte is a borough in and the county seat of Centre County, Pennsylvania, United States. It is approximately 12 miles northeast of State College and is part of the State College, Pennsylvania metropolitan statistical area. As of the 2020 census, Bellefonte had a population of 6,105. It houses the Centre County Courthouse, located downtown on the diamond. Bellefonte has also been home to five of Pennsylvania's governors, as well as two other governors. All seven are commemorated in a monument located at Talleyrand Park.
The town features many examples of Victorian architecture. It is also home to the natural spring, "la belle fonte", bestowed by Charles Maurice de Talleyrand-Périgord during a land-speculation visit to central Pennsylvania in 1790, from which the town derives its name. The spring, which serves as the town's water supply, has since been covered to comply with DEP water purity laws.
The early development of Bellefonte had been as a "natural town." It started with one house and a crossroad, then iron was found and the town grew.