South Fork ZIP Codes — Cambria County, PA

There is one unique ZIP code in South Fork, Pennsylvania and it is 15956. Area code: 814.

ZIP codes

8.23

sq mi land

0.07

sq mi water

814

area code

South Fork, PA ZIP code map

About South Fork, PA

South Fork, Pennsylvania, is a small borough located in Cambria County. Known for its charming rural atmosphere, South Fork offers a tight-knit community for its residents. The borough reflects the rich history and traditions of the region, making it a unique place to visit or call home.

Location & geography

Situated in the western part of Pennsylvania, South Fork is nestled approximately 12 miles northeast of Johnstown and around 18 miles west of Altoona. The borough spans a total area of 8.23 square miles, with a very small water area of 0.07 square miles. The terrain is characterized by picturesque landscapes typical of Pennsylvania's Appalachian region.

Community & economy

The community of South Fork embodies a blend of small-town character and a welcoming spirit. Local industries primarily revolve around agriculture and service-oriented businesses that cater to the needs of residents. Daily life in South Fork is influenced by a strong sense of community, where residents often engage in local events and support one another.

Transportation

Transportation options in South Fork include nearby access to major highways such as Route 219, which connect to other parts of Cambria County. The borough is serviced by the 814 telephone area code, covering much of the surrounding region. For air travel, the nearest commercial airport is John Murtha Johnstown-Cambria County Airport, located approximately 20 miles away.

History

Founded in the early 1900s, South Fork has a rich industrial history, particularly known for its coal mining activities. The borough gained notoriety due to the 1889 Johnstown Flood, which tragically impacted the surrounding areas, leading to heightened awareness of disaster prevention. Over the years, South Fork has evolved while retaining a strong sense of its historical roots.

Did you know?

One surprising fact about South Fork is its proximity to several historical landmarks tied to the Johnstown Flood disaster. Additionally, South Fork hosts community events that celebrate its heritage and bring residents together.

ZIP codes for South Fork, PA (1)

ZIP code	City	County	Map
15956	South Fork	Cambria	View map

Demographics & statistics

2,604

Population

43.8

Median age

$50,208

Median household income

$28,224

Per capita income

$70,000

Median home value

$677

Median monthly rent

86.2%

Home ownership

15.7%

Poverty rate

1.9%

Unemployment

1,157

Housing units

16.3%

Bachelor's or higher

Age distribution

Male Female

Under 5

105

5–9

107

10–14

15–19

20–24

168

25–34

195

126

35–44

145

171

45–54

198

55–59

108

60–64

103

156

65–74

181

75–84

85+

← Male

Female →

Age summary

Group	Count	%
Under 18	596	22.9%
18 and over	2,008	77.1%
65 and over	527	20.2%
Median age	43.8 years

Race & ethnicity

White 95.1%

Two or more races 2.8%

Hispanic or Latino 1.8%

Asian 0.3%

Group	Count	%
White	2,523	95.1%
Two or more races	74	2.8%
Hispanic or Latino	49	1.8%
Asian	7	0.3%

Household income

Under $10k 4.8%

$10k–$15k 5.1%

$15k–$25k 14.7%

$25k–$35k 18.3%

$35k–$50k 7.0%

$50k–$75k 16.5%

$75k–$100k 11.2%

$100k–$150k 19.0%

$150k–$200k 3.2%

$200k+ 0.3%

Range	% of households
Under $10k	4.8%
$10k–$15k	5.1%
$15k–$25k	14.7%
$25k–$35k	18.3%
$35k–$50k	7.0%
$50k–$75k	16.5%
$75k–$100k	11.2%
$100k–$150k	19.0%
$150k–$200k	3.2%
$200k+	0.3%
Median income	$50,208

Housing

Home values

Under $50k 26.7%

$50k–$100k 34.0%

$100k–$150k 16.8%

$150k–$200k 12.4%

$200k–$300k 6.6%

$300k–$500k 3.3%

$500k–$1M 0.2%

Housing overview

Metric	Value
Median home value	$70,000
Median rent / month	$677
Owner occupied	86.2%
Renter occupied	13.8%
Vacant	9.9%
Single-family detached	82.1%
Large apartment buildings	0.0%
Mobile homes	5.9%
Median rooms	6.3
Avg household size (owned)	2.22

Year built

Era	%
2020 or later	0.0%
2010–2019	4.9%
2000–2009	3.1%
1990–1999	2.2%
1980–1989	7.6%
1970–1979	9.5%
1960–1969	2.8%
1950–1959	6.2%
1940–1949	16.4%
1939 or earlier	47.2%

Bedrooms

Size	% of units
No bedroom (studio)	1.4%
1 bedroom	11.3%
2 bedrooms	27.6%
3 bedrooms	44.0%
4 bedrooms	12.4%
5+ bedrooms	3.4%

Vehicles per household

Vehicles	% of households
No vehicle	9.2%
1 vehicle	36.8%
2 vehicles	40.3%
3 or more	13.7%

Heating fuel

Fuel type	%
Utility gas	0.2%
Electricity	9.9%
Propane / LP gas	0.2%
Fuel oil	74.1%
Wood	4.0%

Households & families

Household type	Count	%
Married-couple family	544	45.7%
Cohabiting couple	95	8.0%
Male householder, no spouse	153	12.9%
Female householder, no spouse	398	33.4%
Households with children under 18	348	29.2%
Households with seniors (65+)	409	34.4%
Average household size	2.19

Marital status

Status	Male	Female
Never married	30.0%	19.0%
Married	55.3%	48.4%
Separated	2.9%	2.9%
Widowed	3.4%	11.5%
Divorced	8.3%	18.2%

Education

Less than 9th grade 1.8%

Some HS, no diploma 4.9%

HS graduate 52.2%

Some college, no degree 14.0%

Associate's degree 10.8%

Bachelor's degree 14.1%

Graduate / professional 2.2%

Metric	%
HS diploma or higher	93.3%
Bachelor's or higher	16.3%

School enrollment (ages 3–17)

Type	Count	%
Nursery / preschool	39	8.7%
Kindergarten	17	3.8%
Elementary school	281	62.4%
High school	94	20.9%
College / grad school	19	4.2%

Employment

Industry of employment

Education & healthcare 28.2%

Manufacturing 15.8%

Arts, food & hospitality 15.8%

Transportation & utilities 8.9%

Professional & management 7.4%

Public administration 6.6%

Retail trade 6.0%

Finance & real estate 6.0%

Other services 1.7%

Construction 1.6%

Wholesale trade 1.1%

Information 0.7%

Agriculture & mining 0.2%

Occupation

Category	%
Management, business & arts	30.4%
Service	18.4%
Sales & office	19.2%
Natural resources & construction	4.1%
Production & transportation	27.9%

Employment type

Type	%
Private sector	78.3%
Government	18.9%
Self-employed	2.8%
Unpaid family workers	0.0%

Commute

Method	%
Drive alone	89.2%
Carpool	5.2%
Public transit	0.0%
Walk	1.9%
Other means	0.0%
Avg commute (minutes)	19.4

Poverty

All people 15.7%

Under 18 years 23.3%

18 and over 13.5%

Married-couple families 8.3%

Female-led households 29.1%

Income support

Source	% of households
Social Security	47.9%
Retirement income	31.7%
Supplemental Security	6.1%
Cash public assistance	4.6%
Food stamps / SNAP	26.6%

Health indicators

Condition	%
High blood pressure	34.5%
High cholesterol	33.2%
Heart disease	7.8%
Stroke	3.4%
Asthma	10.0%
Arthritis	30.7%
Kidney disease	3.1%
Pulmonary disease	8.5%
Cancer	7.7%

Behavior / access	%
Binge drinking	18.5%
No physical activity	25.0%
Less than 7 hrs sleep	36.7%
Fair or poor health	15.6%
Poor mental health	15.7%
Poor physical health	11.6%
No health insurance	10.5%
Visited doctor (checkup)	76.2%
Visited dentist	63.1%
Cholesterol screening	89.5%
Teeth loss	15.8%

Veterans & disability

Veterans	Count	%
Civilian veterans	135	6.7%

Disability	%
Any disability	16.1%
Under 18	9.4%
18–64 years	16.3%
65 and over	23.0%

Health insurance coverage

Type	%
Private insurance	65.2%
Public insurance	55.3%
Uninsured under 19	0.0%

Language & origin

Language spoken at home (age 5+)

Language	Count	%
English only	2,409	92.5%
Spanish	4	0.2%
Other Indo-European	0	0.0%
Asian & Pacific Islander	0	0.0%
Other languages	4	0.2%

Place of birth & citizenship

Origin	Count	%
Native born (US)	2,597	99.7%
Born in same state	2,597	99.7%
Born in different state	2,434	93.5%
Foreign born	0	0.0%
Naturalized citizen	7	0.3%
Not a US citizen	7	100.0%

Ancestry

Ancestry	Count	%
Italian	296	11.4%
Arab	210	8.1%
French	190	7.3%

Ancestry	Count	%
English	131	5%
Irish	65	2.5%
Norwegian	16	0.6%

Technology access

Metric	% of households
Computer access	45.7%
Internet access	89.9%

Source: U.S. Census Bureau, American Community Survey 2025 estimates.

Frequently asked questions

What ZIP codes does South Fork, PA have?

South Fork, PA has one ZIP code: 15956. Each ZIP code serves a distinct delivery area within the city and surrounding region.