Oil City, Pennsylvania

Oil City, Pennsylvania
Motto: 
"A Special Blend of People"
Location in Venango County, Pennsylvania
Oil City
Oil City
Coordinates: 41°25′42″N 79°42′26″W / 41.42833°N 79.70722°W / 41.42833; -79.70722
CountryUnited States
StatePennsylvania
CountyVenango
Settled1824
Incorporated (Borough)1862
Incorporated (City)1871
Government
 • TypeCouncil/Manager
 • MayorJohn Kluck
 • City ManagerMichelle Hoovler
Area
 • Total
4.84 sq mi (12.53 km2)
 • Land4.49 sq mi (11.64 km2)
 • Water0.34 sq mi (0.89 km2)
Population
 (2020)
 • Total
9,613
 • Density2,139.8/sq mi (826.17/km2)
Time zoneUTC-5 (Eastern (EST))
 • Summer (DST)UTC-4 (EDT)
ZIP Code
16301
Area codes582; 814
FIPS code42-56456
Websitewww.oilcity.org

Oil City is the largest city in Venango County, Pennsylvania, United States. Known for its prominence in the initial exploration and development of the petroleum industry, it is located at a bend in the Allegheny River at the mouth of Oil Creek. The population was 9,608 at the 2020 census, and it is the principal city of the Oil City micropolitan area.

Initial settlement of Oil City was sporadic, and tied to the iron industry. After the first oil wells were drilled in 1861, it became central to the petroleum industry while hosting headquarters for the Pennzoil, Quaker State, and Wolf's Head motor oil companies. Tourism plays a prominent role in the region by promoting oil heritage sites, nature trails, and Victorian architecture.