Wikipedia

Columbia County, Pennsylvania

Columbia County is a county in the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania, United States. As of the 2020 census, the population was 64,727.[3] Its county seat is Bloomsburg.[4] 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 region of the commonwealth.[a]

Columbia County, Pennsylvania
County
The Columbia County courthouse in Bloomsburg
The Columbia County courthouse in Bloomsburg
Map of Pennsylvania highlighting Columbia County
Location within the U.S. state of Pennsylvania
Coordinates: 41°03′N 76°24′W / 41.05°N 76.4°W / 41.05; -76.4
Country United States
State Pennsylvania
FoundedMarch 22, 1813
Named afterColumbia
SeatBloomsburg
Largest townBloomsburg
Area
 • Total
490 sq mi (1,300 km2)
 • Land483 sq mi (1,250 km2)
 • Water7.1 sq mi (18 km2)  1.4%
Population
 (2020)
 • Total
64,727
 • Estimate 
(2025)[1]
66,193 Increase
 • Density134/sq mi (51.7/km2)
Time zoneUTC−5 (Eastern)
 • Summer (DST)UTC−4 (EDT)
Congressional district9th
Websitewww.columbiapa.org
DesignatedJuly 11, 1983[2]

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

Geography

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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.[5] 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.[6]

The major streams in Columbia County are the Susquehanna River, Fishing Creek, Briar Creek, Catawissa Creek, and Roaring Creek.[6]

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.[7]

Mountains

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

Name Height Image
Red Rock Mountain2,365 feet (721 m)
Central Mountain2,247 feet (685 m)
Chimneystack Rock2,244 feet (684 m)
Buck Mountain1,942 feet (592 m)
Catawissa Mountain1,873 feet (571 m)
Big Mountain1,811 feet (552 m)
Knob Mountain1,752 feet (534 m)
Nescopeck Mountain1,604 feet (489 m)
Lee Mountain1,594 feet (486 m)
McCauley Mountain1,571 feet (479 m)

Source:[8][9]

Major highways

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Adjacent counties

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State park

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Part of Ricketts Glen State Park is in the northern portion of Columbia County.[10]

Demographics

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Historical population
CensusPop.Note%±
182017,621—
183020,05913.8%
184024,26721.0%
185017,710−27.0%
186025,06541.5%
187028,76614.8%
188032,40912.7%
189036,83213.6%
190039,8968.3%
191048,46721.5%
192048,349−0.2%
193048,8030.9%
194051,4135.3%
195053,4604.0%
196053,4890.1%
197055,1143.0%
198061,96712.4%
199063,2022.0%
200064,1511.5%
201067,2954.9%
202064,727−3.8%
2025 (est.)66,193[11] Increase2.3%
[12]

Racial and ethnic composition

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Columbia County, Pennsylvania – Racial and ethnic composition
Note: the US Census treats Hispanic/Latino as an ethnic category. This table excludes Latinos from the racial categories and assigns them to a separate category. Hispanics/Latinos may be of any race.
Race / Ethnicity (NH = Non-Hispanic) Pop 1980[13] Pop 1990[14] Pop 2000[15] Pop 2010[16] Pop 2020[17] % 1980 % 1990 % 2000 % 2010 % 2020
White alone (NH) 61,325 62,317 62,269 63,500 58,831 98.96% 98.60% 97.07% 94.36% 90.89%
Black or African American alone (NH) 197 265 481 1,190 867 0.32% 0.42% 0.75% 1.77% 1.34%
Native American or Alaska Native alone (NH) 21 37 85 57 71 0.03% 0.06% 0.13% 0.08% 0.11%
Asian alone (NH) 185 223 332 547 748 0.30% 0.35% 0.52% 0.81% 1.16%
Native Hawaiian or Pacific Islander alone (NH) x [18] x [19] 13 14 17 x x 0.02% 0.02% 0.03%
Other race alone (NH) 41 19 32 38 159 0.07% 0.03% 0.05% 0.06% 0.25%
Mixed race or Multiracial (NH) x [20] x [21] 330 600 1,894 x x 0.51% 0.89% 2.93%
Hispanic or Latino (any race) 198 341 609 1,349 2,140 0.32% 0.54% 0.95% 2.00% 3.31%
Total 61,967 63,202 64,151 67,295 64,727 100.00% 100.00% 100.00% 100.00% 100.00%

2020 census

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As of the 2020 census, the county had a population of 64,727. The median age was 41.6 years. 18.0% of residents were under the age of 18 and 20.4% of residents were 65 years of age or older. For every 100 females there were 94.1 males, and for every 100 females age 18 and over there were 92.1 males age 18 and over.[22]

The racial makeup of the county was 92.0% White, 1.4% Black or African American, 0.2% American Indian and Alaska Native, 1.2% Asian, <0.1% Native Hawaiian and Pacific Islander, 1.3% from some other race, and 3.9% from two or more races. Hispanic or Latino residents of any race comprised 3.3% of the population.[23]

55.3% of residents lived in urban areas, while 44.7% lived in rural areas.[24]

There were 26,386 households in the county, of which 24.3% had children under the age of 18 living in them. Of all households, 45.7% were married-couple households, 19.5% were households with a male householder and no spouse or partner present, and 26.4% were households with a female householder and no spouse or partner present. About 30.2% of all households were made up of individuals and 13.7% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older.[22]

There were 29,654 housing units, of which 11.0% were vacant. Among occupied housing units, 68.9% were owner-occupied and 31.1% were renter-occupied. The homeowner vacancy rate was 1.6% and the rental vacancy rate was 7.8%.[22]

2000 census

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As of the 2000 census, 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.[25]

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.[25]

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.[25]

Metropolitan Statistical Area

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The United States Office of Management and Budget[26] has designated Columbia County as the Bloomsburg-Berwick, PA Metropolitan Statistical Area (MSA). As of the 2010 census[27] 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

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United States presidential election results for Columbia County, Pennsylvania[28]
Year Republican Democratic Third party(ies)
No. %No. %No. %
1888 2,484 33.38% 4,676 62.84% 281 3.78%
1892 2,336 30.56% 4,929 64.47% 380 4.97%
1896 3,280 37.77% 4,904 56.47% 500 5.76%
1900 2,954 35.21% 4,982 59.38% 454 5.41%
1904 3,635 44.08% 4,196 50.89% 415 5.03%
1908 3,718 39.17% 5,373 56.60% 402 4.23%
1912 889 9.98% 4,905 55.05% 3,116 34.97%
1916 3,013 32.80% 5,785 62.97% 389 4.23%
1920 6,238 45.65% 6,965 50.97% 462 3.38%
1924 7,336 47.42% 7,390 47.77% 743 4.80%
1928 14,362 72.61% 5,304 26.81% 115 0.58%
1932 8,791 44.43% 10,640 53.77% 356 1.80%
1936 9,674 40.13% 14,141 58.66% 293 1.22%
1940 9,518 43.05% 12,523 56.65% 66 0.30%
1944 9,336 49.00% 9,647 50.63% 70 0.37%
1948 9,417 50.13% 9,367 49.87% 0 0.00%
1952 13,008 57.67% 9,467 41.97% 79 0.35%
1956 13,382 59.69% 9,024 40.25% 15 0.07%
1960 15,310 62.11% 9,322 37.82% 19 0.08%
1964 8,982 39.22% 13,885 60.63% 36 0.16%
1968 12,202 54.89% 8,187 36.83% 1,840 8.28%
1972 14,187 63.59% 7,222 32.37% 900 4.03%
1976 11,508 48.10% 12,051 50.37% 366 1.53%
1980 12,426 53.30% 9,449 40.53% 1,438 6.17%
1984 14,402 63.39% 8,254 36.33% 62 0.27%
1988 12,114 60.51% 7,767 38.79% 140 0.70%
1992 9,742 41.04% 8,261 34.80% 5,736 24.16%
1996 8,234 40.42% 8,379 41.13% 3,759 18.45%
2000 12,095 55.20% 8,975 40.96% 841 3.84%
2004 16,052 59.74% 10,679 39.74% 138 0.51%
2008 14,477 51.20% 13,230 46.79% 571 2.02%
2012 14,236 55.30% 10,937 42.48% 571 2.22%
2016 18,004 63.16% 8,934 31.34% 1,568 5.50%
2020 20,098 64.25% 10,532 33.67% 650 2.08%
2024 21,190 64.78% 11,083 33.88% 436 1.33%
United States Senate election results for Columbia County, Pennsylvania1[29][30][31]
Year Republican Democratic Third party(ies)
No. %No. %No. %
1994 8,419 51.12% 7,177 43.58% 873 5.30%
2000 13,405 62.61% 7,337 34.27% 668 3.12%
2006 8,970 49.02% 9,327 50.98% 0 0.00%
2012 13,509 53.11% 11,336 44.57% 592 2.33%
2018 13,437 59.36% 8,837 39.04% 364 1.61%
2024 14,830 55.72% 10,969 41.22% 814 3.06%
United States Senate election results for Columbia County, Pennsylvania3[32][33]
Year Republican Democratic Third party(ies)
No. %No. %No. %
1992 11,512 48.87% 10,814 45.90% 1,232 5.23%
1998 9,003 63.34% 4,662 32.80% 548 3.86%
2004 16,522 63.14% 8,214 31.39% 1,430 5.47%
2010 11,287 62.17% 6,868 37.83% 0 0.00%
2016 16,292 57.97% 9,819 34.94% 1,991 7.08%
2022 14,830 59.93% 9,023 36.46% 892 3.60%
Pennsylvania Gubernatorial election results for Columbia County[34]
Year Republican Democratic Third party(ies)
No. %No. %No. %
1970 8,976 48.63% 7,983 43.25% 1,498 8.12%
1974 8,615 48.36% 8,846 49.65% 355 1.99%
1978 10,907 56.99% 8,122 42.43% 111 0.58%
1982 9,108 47.17% 10,164 52.64% 38 0.20%
1986 7,709 45.69% 9,069 53.75% 95 0.56%
1990 4,436 31.91% 9,449 67.98% 15 0.11%
1994 8,274 50.17% 5,980 36.26% 2,239 13.58%
1998 8,720 60.58% 4,175 29.00% 1,500 10.42%
2002 9,304 55.65% 7,004 41.89% 410 2.45%
2006 9,078 49.45% 9,281 50.55% 0 0.00%
2010 12,151 66.45% 6,136 33.55% 0 0.00%
2014 8,585 56.64% 6,572 43.36% 0 0.00%
2018 12,424 54.88% 9,822 43.39% 392 1.73%
2022 13,959 56.51% 10,148 41.08% 596 2.41%

Voter registration

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As of February 6, 2024, there were 39,054 registered voters in Columbia County.[35]

Chart of Voter Registration
  1. Republican (53.3%)
  2. Democratic (31.4%)
  3. Independent (11.2%)
  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

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[36]
CommissionerParty
David KovachDemocratic
Dean BrewerRepublican
Randy KarschnerRepublican

Other county officials

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OfficeOfficialParty
Chief JudgeThomas A. JamesDemocratic
JudgeGary NortonRepublican
Chief ClerkGail KippDemocratic
CoronerJeremy ReeseRepublican
Recorder of Deeds and Register of WillsBeverly MichaelDemocratic
SheriffTim ChamberlainDemocratic
TreasurerShirley TurnerRepublican
Clerk of Courts and ProthonotaryTami B. KlineRepublican

State senate

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DistrictSenatorParty
27Lynda Schlegel CulverRepublican

State House of Representatives

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DistrictRepresentativeParty
109Robert LeadbeterRepublican

United States House of Representatives

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DistrictRepresentativeParty
9Dan MeuserRepublican

United States Senate

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SenatorParty
Dave McCormickRepublican
John FettermanDemocratic

Education

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Map of Columbia County, Pennsylvania School Districts

Colleges and universities

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Public school districts

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School districts include:[37]

Technical school

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Charter school

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Private schools

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  • 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

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

Communities

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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

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Boroughs

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Townships

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Census-designated places

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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.

Unincorporated communities

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Population ranking

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The population ranking of the following table is based on the 2010 census of Columbia County.[27]

† 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

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References

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  1. ↑ Includes Centre, Lycoming, Northumberland, Columbia, Mifflin, Union, Snyder, Clinton, Juniata and Montour Counties
  1. ↑ "Columbia County, Pennsylvania". Census.gov.
  2. ↑ "PHMC Historical Markers Search". Pennsylvania Historical and Museum Commission. Commonwealth of Pennsylvania. Archived from the original (Searchable database) on March 21, 2016. Retrieved January 25, 2014.
  3. ↑ "Explore Census Data". data.census.gov. Retrieved December 11, 2021.
  4. ↑ "Find a County". National Association of Counties. Archived from the original on May 31, 2011. Retrieved June 7, 2010.
  5. ↑ "2010 Census Gazetteer Files". United States Census Bureau. August 22, 2012. Retrieved March 6, 2015.
  6. 1 2 maps.google.com
  7. ↑ "PRISM Climate Group at Oregon State". Northwest Alliance for Computational Science and Engineering.
  8. ↑ Topographic Map Summit Features in Columbia County, Pennsylvania, archived from the original on July 6, 2013, retrieved June 26, 2014
  9. ↑ Topographic Map Ridge Features in Columbia County, Pennsylvania, archived from the original on July 7, 2013, retrieved December 14, 2014
  10. ↑ "Google Maps". Google Maps. Retrieved November 22, 2018.
  11. ↑ "County Population Totals and Components of Change: 2020-2025". United States Census Bureau. Retrieved April 6, 2026.
  12. ↑ "Census 2020".
  13. ↑ "1980 Census of Population - General Social and Economic Characteristics - Pennsylvania - Table 58 - Race by Sex: 1980 and Table 59 - Persons by Spanish Origin, Race, and Sex: 1980" (PDF). United States Census Bureau. p. 45-122. Archived from the original (PDF) on February 23, 2026 – via WayBack Machine.
  14. ↑ "1990 Census of Population - General Population Characteristics - Pennsylvania: Table 6 - Race and Hispanic Origin" (PDF). United States Census Bureau. p. 51-173. Archived from the original (PDF) on December 19, 2025 – via WayBack Machine.
  15. ↑ "P004: Hispanic or Latino, and Not Hispanic or Latino by Race – 2000: DEC Summary File 1 – Columbia County, Pennsylvania". United States Census Bureau.
  16. ↑ "P2: Hispanic or Latino, and Not Hispanic or Latino by Race – 2010: DEC Redistricting Data (PL 94-171) – Columbia County, Pennsylvania". United States Census Bureau.
  17. ↑ "P2: Hispanic or Latino, and Not Hispanic or Latino by Race – 2020: DEC Redistricting Data (PL 94-171) – Columbia County, Pennsylvania". United States Census Bureau.
  18. ↑ included in the Asian category in the 1980 Census
  19. ↑ included in the Asian category in the 1990 Census
  20. ↑ not an option in the 1980 Census
  21. ↑ not an option in the 1990 Census
  22. 1 2 3 "2020 Decennial Census Demographic Profile (DP1)". United States Census Bureau. 2021. Retrieved December 26, 2025.
  23. ↑ "2020 Decennial Census Redistricting Data (Public Law 94-171)". United States Census Bureau. 2021. Retrieved December 26, 2025.
  24. ↑ "2020 Decennial Census Demographic and Housing Characteristics (DHC)". United States Census Bureau. 2023. Retrieved December 26, 2025.
  25. 1 2 3 "U.S. Census website". United States Census Bureau. Retrieved January 31, 2008.
  26. ↑ "Office of Management and Budget - The White House". Retrieved November 22, 2018.
  27. 1 2 "2010 U.S. Census website". United States Census Bureau. Retrieved December 29, 2015.
  28. ↑ Leip, David. "Dave Leip's Atlas of U.S. Presidential Elections". uselectionatlas.org. Retrieved November 22, 2018.
  29. ↑ "2024 Senate Election (Official Returns)". Commonwealth of Pennsylvania by county. November 5, 2024. Retrieved December 5, 2024.
  30. ↑ "Pennsylvania Senatorial Election Returns". Wilkes University Election Statistics Project. Retrieved June 21, 2026.
  31. ↑ "2006 General Election (Official Returns)". Commonwealth of Pennsylvania. Retrieved June 21, 2026.
  32. ↑ "Pennsylvania Senatorial Election Returns". Wilkes University Election Statistics Project. Retrieved June 21, 2026.
  33. ↑ "2010 General Election (Official Returns)". Commonwealth of Pennsylvania. Retrieved June 21, 2026.
  34. ↑ "Pennsylvania Gubernatorial Election Returns". Wilkes University Election Statistics Project. Retrieved June 21, 2026.
  35. ↑ Pennsylvania Department of State (February 5, 2024). "Voter registration statistics by county". dos.pa.gov. Retrieved February 6, 2024.
  36. ↑ "Commissioners' Office". Columbia County, PA. Retrieved June 16, 2026.
  37. ↑ Geography Division (January 14, 2021). 2020 Census - School District Reference Map: Columbia County, PA (PDF) (Map). Suitland, Maryland: U.S. Census Bureau. Retrieved December 13, 2024. - Text list

41°03′N 76°24′W / 41.05°N 76.40°W / 41.05; -76.40

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