Oil City - ACRE

Why Oil City?

Oil City’s welcoming artist community anchors a growing culture of creativity and connection. Downtown is home to studios, galleries, shops, and restaurants, while concerts and festivals fill Towne Square and Justus Park throughout the year, reinforcing a strong sense of community. With Victorian-era homes, walkable neighborhoods, and an atmosphere that encourages collaboration, Oil City offers an inspiring quality of life in the heart of northwestern Pennsylvania.

Situated along the Allegheny River at the mouth of Oil Creek, the city blends small-town charm with remarkable natural surroundings. Residents enjoy easy access to kayaking, hiking, biking, and fishing, with nearby destinations like Cook Forest and the Allegheny National Forest, which boasts some of the darkest skies in the eastern United States.

Reasons To Be Here

2025 Townie Award Winner
for the Oil City Main Street Program

Cost of living:

19% lower than

the national average

Median Housing Cost:

$129,000

A Low Cost of Living

7% less than

Pittsburgh, PA

24% less than

Philadelphia, PA

37% less than

Washington, DC

75% less than

New York, NY

Within 500 miles of 50% of the
US population and 20% of
Canada’s population

Pittsburgh, PA – 1h 35m

Philadelphia, PA – 5h 35m

Washington, DC – 5h 30m

New York, NY – 5h 45m

Cleveland, OH – 2h 30m

Columbus, OH – 3h 45m

Niagara Falls, ON – 2h 55m

Toronto, ON – 4h 10m

ACRE Oil City Partners

Oil Region Alliance manages the Oil Region National Heritage Area, honoring northwest Pennsylvania’s legacy as the birthplace of the modern oil industry. Through historic preservation, tourism, and economic development, the Alliance strengthens communities across Venango County—linking local heritage, outdoor recreation, and small-business growth to build a vibrant regional future.

ARTS Oil City is a city initiative that fuels community revitalization through the arts. Since 2006, its artist relocation program has attracted over 60 artists, transforming the National Transit Building into a creative hub and inspiring new galleries, shops, and cultural spaces that continue to shape downtown Oil City’s growth.

ACRE Oil City Creatives

Past & Future

Once the center of America’s oil boom, Oil City has evolved into a close-knit community that celebrates its industrial heritage while embracing creativity and new enterprise. Its historic downtown, riverside setting, and expanding network of artists and entrepreneurs continue to draw residents and visitors seeking connection, inspiration, and opportunity.

Why Oil City?

2025 Townie Award Winner for the Oil City Main Street Program

A Low Cost of Living

Within 500 miles of 50% of the US population and 20% of Canada’s population

Century Arts Design and Fine Art Studio

The Craft Cottage by Kate

Diaoptics

The Fallen Shoppe

Glass Carousel Press

Hollow Oak Press

Jae Austen Art

John Manders Illustration

The Melting EmPOURium

The Rhoads Gone Rogue

Ryan W. Beichner

Scott McCray Studio

Querida Designs

Past & Future

Resources for Creatives

2025 Townie Award Winner
for the Oil City Main Street Program

Within 500 miles of 50% of the
US population and 20% of
Canada’s population