Columbia County, Pennsylvania

Columbia County is a county in the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania, United States. It is located in Northeastern Pennsylvania. As of the 2020 census, the population was 64,727.^[2] Its county seat is Bloomsburg.^[3] The county was created on March 22, 1813, from part of Northumberland County. It was named Columbia, alluding to the United States and Christopher Columbus. The county is part of the Central Pennsylvania region of the state.^[a]

Columbia County
County
The Columbia County courthouse in Bloomsburg
Location within the U.S. state of Pennsylvania
Pennsylvania's location within the U.S.
Coordinates: 41°03′N 76°24′W
Country	United States
State	Pennsylvania
Founded	March 22, 1813
Named after	Christopher Columbus
Seat	Bloomsburg
Largest town	Bloomsburg
Area
• Total	490 sq mi (1,300 km2)
• Land	483 sq mi (1,250 km2)
• Water	7.1 sq mi (18 km2)  1.4%
Population  (2020)
• Total	64,727
• Density	130/sq mi (51/km2)
Time zone	UTC−5 (Eastern)
• Summer (DST)	UTC−4 (EDT)
Congressional district	9th
Website	www.columbiapa.org
Pennsylvania Historical Marker
Designated	July 11, 1983[1]

Columbia County is part of the Bloomsburg–Berwick metropolitan area.

Geography

View of northern Columbia County, Pennsylvania from Kramer Hill Road in Fishing Creek Township. On the horizon (about 8-10 miles away) is North Mountain. The borough of Benton is in the center of the picture.

According to the U.S. Census Bureau, the county has a total area of 490 square miles (1,300 km²), of which 483 square miles (1,250 km²) is land and 7.1 square miles (18 km²) (1.4%) is water.^[4] The southern tip of Columbia County is part of the Coal Region. The area of the county from the Susquehanna River south to several miles south of Numidia consists mostly of farmland and state game lands. Several communities developed along the Susquehanna River, such as Bloomsburg and Catawissa. From the Susquehanna River north as far as Waller, the county is mostly farmland with several patches of forest. North of Waller, the county is mostly state game lands and mountains.^[5]

The major streams in Columbia County are the Susquehanna River, Fishing Creek, Briar Creek, Catawissa Creek, and Roaring Creek.^[5]

The county has a humid continental climate (Dfa/Dfb) and average monthly temperatures in Bloomsburg average from 26.9 °F or −2.8 °C in January to 72.4 °F or 22.4 °C in July.^[6]

Mountains

Note: Only mountains higher than 1,500 feet (460 m) are listed

Name	Height	Image
Red Rock Mountain	2,365 feet (721 m)
Central Mountain	2,247 feet (685 m)
Chimneystack Rock	2,244 feet (684 m)
Buck Mountain	1,942 feet (592 m)
Catawissa Mountain	1,873 feet (571 m)
Big Mountain	1,811 feet (552 m)
Knob Mountain	1,752 feet (534 m)
Nescopeck Mountain	1,604 feet (489 m)
Lee Mountain	1,594 feet (486 m)
McCauley Mountain	1,571 feet (479 m)

Source:^[7][8]

Major highways

• I-80
• US 11
• PA 42
• PA 44
• PA 54
• PA 61
• PA 93
• PA 118
• PA 239
• PA 254
• PA 339
• PA 442
• PA 487
• PA 642

Adjacent counties

• Sullivan County (north)
• Luzerne County (east)
• Schuylkill County (southeast)
• Northumberland County (southwest)
• Montour County (west)
• Lycoming County (northwest)

State park

Part of Ricketts Glen State Park is in the northern portion of Columbia County.^[9]

Demographics

Historical population

Census	Pop.	Note	%±
1820	17,621		—
1830	20,059		13.8%
1840	24,267		21.0%
1850	17,710		−27.0%
1860	25,065		41.5%
1870	28,766		14.8%
1880	32,409		12.7%
1890	36,832		13.6%
1900	39,896		8.3%
1910	48,467		21.5%
1920	48,349		−0.2%
1930	48,803		0.9%
1940	51,413		5.3%
1950	53,460		4.0%
1960	53,489		0.1%
1970	55,114		3.0%
1980	61,967		12.4%
1990	63,202		2.0%
2000	64,148		1.5%
2010	67,295		4.9%
2020	64,727		−3.8%
[10]

As of the census^[11] of 2000, there were 64,151 people, 24,915 households, and 16,568 families residing in the county. The population density was 132 inhabitants per square mile (51/km²). There were 27,733 housing units at an average density of 57 units per square mile (22/km²). The racial makeup of the county was 97.59% White, 0.80% Black or African-American, 0.15% Native American, 0.52% Asian, 0.03% Pacific Islander, 0.33% from other races, and 0.58% from two or more races. 0.95% of the population were Hispanic or Latino of any race. 33.2% were of German, 10.0% American, 9.4% Irish, 8.1% Italian, 6.7% Polish and 6.2% English ancestry.

There were 24,915 households, out of which 27.70% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 53.80% were married couples living together, 8.70% had a female householder with no husband present, and 33.50% were non-families. 26.60% of all households were made up of individuals, and 11.80% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.42 and the average family size was 2.90.

In the county, the population was spread out, with 20.80% under the age of 18, 14.30% from 18 to 24, 25.90% from 25 to 44, 23.10% from 45 to 64, and 15.90% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 38 years. For every 100 females, there were 90.80 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 87.80 males.

2020 census

Columbia County Racial Composition^[12]

Race	Num.	Perc.
White (NH)	58,831	91%
Black or African American (NH)	867	1.34%
Native American (NH)	71	0.11%
Asian (NH)	748	1.15%
Pacific Islander (NH)	17	0.03%
Other/Mixed (NH)	2,053	3.17%
Hispanic or Latino	2,140	3.31%

Metropolitan Statistical Area

The United States Office of Management and Budget^[13] has designated Columbia County as the Bloomsburg-Berwick, PA Metropolitan Statistical Area (MSA). As of the 2010 census^[14] the metropolitan area ranked 20th most populous in the State of Pennsylvania and the 368th most populous in the United States with a population of 82,562. Columbia County is also a part of the larger Bloomsburg-Berwick-Sunbury, PA Combined Statistical Area (CSA), which combines the populations of Columbia County as well as Montour, Northumberland, Snyder and Union Counties in Pennsylvania. The Combined Statistical Area ranked 8th in the State of Pennsylvania and 115th most populous in the United States with a population of 264,739.

Politics and government

United States presidential election results for Columbia County, Pennsylvania^[15]

Year	Republican		Democratic		Third party(ies)
	No.	%	No.	%	No.	%
2024	21,190	64.78%	11,083	33.88%	436	1.33%
2020	20,098	64.25%	10,532	33.67%	650	2.08%
2016	18,004	63.16%	8,934	31.34%	1,568	5.50%
2012	14,236	55.30%	10,937	42.48%	571	2.22%
2008	14,477	51.20%	13,230	46.79%	571	2.02%
2004	16,052	59.74%	10,679	39.74%	138	0.51%
2000	12,095	55.20%	8,975	40.96%	841	3.84%
1996	8,234	40.42%	8,379	41.13%	3,759	18.45%
1992	9,742	41.04%	8,261	34.80%	5,736	24.16%
1988	12,114	60.51%	7,767	38.79%	140	0.70%
1984	14,402	63.39%	8,254	36.33%	62	0.27%
1980	12,426	53.30%	9,449	40.53%	1,438	6.17%
1976	11,508	48.10%	12,051	50.37%	366	1.53%
1972	14,187	63.59%	7,222	32.37%	900	4.03%
1968	12,202	54.89%	8,187	36.83%	1,840	8.28%
1964	8,982	39.22%	13,885	60.63%	36	0.16%
1960	15,310	62.11%	9,322	37.82%	19	0.08%
1956	13,382	59.69%	9,024	40.25%	15	0.07%
1952	13,008	57.67%	9,467	41.97%	79	0.35%
1948	9,417	50.13%	9,367	49.87%	0	0.00%
1944	9,336	49.00%	9,647	50.63%	70	0.37%
1940	9,518	43.05%	12,523	56.65%	66	0.30%
1936	9,674	40.13%	14,141	58.66%	293	1.22%
1932	8,791	44.43%	10,640	53.77%	356	1.80%
1928	14,362	72.61%	5,304	26.81%	115	0.58%
1924	7,336	47.42%	7,390	47.77%	743	4.80%
1920	6,238	45.65%	6,965	50.97%	462	3.38%
1916	3,013	32.80%	5,785	62.97%	389	4.23%
1912	889	9.98%	4,905	55.05%	3,116	34.97%
1908	3,718	39.17%	5,373	56.60%	402	4.23%
1904	3,635	44.08%	4,196	50.89%	415	5.03%
1900	2,954	35.21%	4,982	59.38%	454	5.41%
1896	3,280	37.77%	4,904	56.47%	500	5.76%
1892	2,336	30.56%	4,929	64.47%	380	4.97%
1888	2,484	33.38%	4,676	62.84%	281	3.78%

United States Senate election results for Columbia County, Pennsylvania1^[16]

Year	Republican		Democratic		Third party(ies)
	No.	%	No.	%	No.	%
2024	20,617	63.63%	10,969	33.85%	814	2.51%

Voter registration

As of February 6, 2024, there were 39,054 registered voters in Columbia County.^[17]

• Republican: 20,820 (53.31%)
• Democratic: 12,268 (31.41%)
• Independent: 4,360 (11.16%)
• Third Party: 1,606 (4.11%)

Chart of Voter Registration

1. Republican (53.31%)
2. Democratic (31.41%)
3. Independent (11.16%)
4. Other Parties (4.11%)

While the county registration tends to be evenly matched between Democrats and Republicans, the county trends Republican in statewide elections. Donald Trump carried the county by more than 30 points in both 2016 and 2020. While John McCain received 51.6% of its vote to 47.1% for Barack Obama, this was a far-closer margin than the 20 points that George W. Bush carried it by in 2004. Each of the three row-office statewide winners carried Columbia in 2008. In 2006, Democrat Bob Casey Jr. received 51% of its vote when he unseated incumbent Republican US Senator Rick Santorum and Ed Rendell received 50.6% of the vote against Lynn Swann.

For many years Columbia County was represented in the State House by a conservative Democrat in the 109th district until John Gordner changed parties to Republican in 2001. He was elected to the State Senate in 2003 and succeeded by Republican David R. Millard. Columbia is in the 27th Senate district and 11th Congressional district.

County commissioners

Commissioners	Party
David Kovach	Democratic
Rich Ridgway	Republican
Chris Young	Republican

Other county officials

Office	Official	Party
Chief Judge	Thomas A. James	Democratic
Judge	Gary Norton	Republican
Chief Clerk	Gail Kipp	Democratic
Coroner	Jeremy Reese	Republican
Recorder of Deeds and Register of Wills	Beverly Michael	Democratic
Sheriff	Tim Chamberlain	Democratic
Treasurer	Shirley Turner	Republican
Clerk of Courts and Prothonotary	Tami B. Kline	Republican

State senate

District	Senator	Party
27	John Gordner	Republican

State House of Representatives

District	Representative	Party
109	Robert Leadbeter	Republican

United States House of Representatives

District	Representative	Party
9	Dan Meuser	Republican

United States Senate

Senator	Party
Dave McCormick	Republican
John Fetterman	Democratic

Education

Map of Columbia County, Pennsylvania School Districts

Colleges and universities

• Bloomsburg University of Pennsylvania

Public school districts

School districts include:^[18]

• Benton Area School District
• Berwick Area School District (also in Luzerne County)
• Bloomsburg Area School District
• Central Columbia School District
• Millville Area School District
• Mount Carmel Area School District (also in Northumberland County)
• North Schuylkill School District (also in Schuylkill County)
• Southern Columbia Area School District (also in Northumberland County)

Technical school

• Columbia-Montour Area Vocational-Technical School

Charter school

• SusQ Cyber Charter School - Bloomsburg

Private schools

• Bald Hill School - Millville
• Bloomsburg Christian School - Bloomsburg
• Bloomsburg University Special Education Institute
• Columbia Co Christian School - Bloomsburg
• Greenwood Friends School - Millville
• Heritage Christian Academy - Berwick
• Holy Family Consolidate - Berwick
• Keystone National High School - Bloomsburg
• New Story - Berwick
• Pennsylvania Institute For Conservation Education - Bloomsburg
• Rainbow Hill School - Benton
• St Columba School - Bloomsburg
• Saint Matthews - Bloomsburg
• Turkey Ridge School - Bloomsburg

Libraries

• Bloomsburg Public Library
• Columbia County Traveling Library
• McBride Memorial Library
• Orangeville Public Library

Communities

Map of Columbia County, Pennsylvania with Municipal Labels showing Towns and Boroughs (red), Townships (white), and Census-designated places (blue).

Under Pennsylvania law, there are four types of incorporated municipalities: cities, boroughs, townships, and, in at most two cases, towns. The following town, boroughs and townships are located in Columbia County:

Town

• Bloomsburg (county seat)

Boroughs

• Ashland (mostly in Schuylkill County)
• Benton
• Berwick
• Briar Creek
• Catawissa
• Centralia
• Millville
• Orangeville
• Stillwater

Townships

• Beaver
• Benton
• Briar Creek
• Catawissa
• Cleveland
• Conyngham
• Fishing Creek
• Franklin
• Greenwood
• Hemlock
• Jackson
• Locust
• Madison
• Main
• Mifflin
• Montour
• Mount Pleasant
• North Centre
• Orange
• Pine
• Roaring Creek
• Scott
• South Centre
• Sugarloaf

Census-designated places

Census-designated places are geographical areas designated by the U.S. Census Bureau for the purposes of compiling demographic data. They are not actual jurisdictions under Pennsylvania law. Other unincorporated communities, such as villages, may be listed here as well.

• Almedia
• Aristes
• Buckhorn
• Espy
• Eyers Grove
• Fernville
• Foundryville
• Iola
• Jamison City
• Jerseytown
• Jonestown
• Lightstreet
• Lime Ridge
• Locustdale (partially in Schuylkill County)
• Mainville
• Mifflinville
• Numidia
• Rohrsburg
• Rupert
• Slabtown
• Waller
• Wilburton Number One
• Wilburton Number Two

Unincorporated communities

• Central
• Elk Grove
• Mifflin Cross Roads

Population ranking

The population ranking of the following table is based on the 2010 census of Columbia County.^[14]

† county seat

Rank	City/Town/etc.	Municipal type	Population (2010 Census)
1	† Bloomsburg	Town	14,855
2	Berwick	Borough	10,477
3	Ashland (mostly in Schuylkill County)	Borough	2,817
4	Espy	CDP	1,642
5	Catawissa	Borough	1,552
6	Mifflinville	CDP	1,253
7	Lightstreet	CDP	1,093
8	Almedia	CDP	1,078
9	Millville	Borough	948
10	Lime Ridge	CDP	890
11	Benton	Borough	824
12	Briar Creek	Borough	660
13	Fernville	CDP	556
14	Orangeville	Borough	508
15	Buckhorn	CDP	318
16	Aristes	CDP	311
17	Foundryville	CDP	256
18	Numidia	CDP	244
19	Stillwater	Borough	209
20	Wilburton Number One	CDP	196
21	Jerseytown	CDP	184
22	Rupert	CDP	183
23	Locustdale (partially in Schuylkill County)	CDP	177
24	Slabtown	CDP	156
25	Rohrsburg	CDP	145
26	Iola	CDP	144
27	Jamison City	CDP	134
28	Mainville	CDP	132
29	Eyers Grove	CDP	105
30	Wilburton Number Two	CDP	96
31	Jonestown	CDP	64
32	Waller	CDP	48
33	Centralia	Borough	10

See also

• Pennsylvania portal

• National Register of Historic Places listings in Columbia County, Pennsylvania