Oil City, Pennsylvania
Oil City, Pennsylvania | |
|---|---|
| Motto: "A Special Blend of People" | |
Location of Oil City in Venango County, Pennsylvania (left) and of Venango County in Pennsylvania (right) | |
| Coordinates: 41°25′42″N 79°42′26″W / 41.42833°N 79.70722°W | |
| Country | United States |
| State | Pennsylvania |
| County | Venango |
| Settled | 1824 |
| Incorporated (Borough) | 1862 |
| Incorporated (City) | 1871 |
| Government | |
| • Type | Council/Manager |
| • Mayor | John Kluck |
| • City Manager | Mark G. Schroyer |
| Area | |
• Total | 4.84 sq mi (12.53 km2) |
| • Land | 4.49 sq mi (11.64 km2) |
| • Water | 0.34 sq mi (0.89 km2) |
| Population (2020) | |
• Total | 9,613 |
| • Density | 2,139.55/sq mi (826.17/km2) |
| Time zone | UTC-5 (Eastern (EST)) |
| • Summer (DST) | UTC-4 (EDT) |
| ZIP Code | 16301 |
| Area code(s) | 582; 814 |
| FIPS code | 42-56456 |
| Website | www.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.