Columbia County, Pennsylvania

Columbia County is a county in the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania. 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.

Not to be confused with Columbia, Lancaster County, Pennsylvania.

Columbia County
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
Map of the United States highlighting Pennsylvania
Pennsylvania's location within the U.S.
Coordinates: 41°03′N 76°24′W
Country United States
State Pennsylvania
FoundedMarch 22, 1813
Named forChristopher Columbus
SeatBloomsburg
Largest townBloomsburg
Area
 • Total490 sq mi (1,300 km2)
 • Land483 sq mi (1,250 km2)
 • Water7.1 sq mi (18 km2)  1.4%
Population
 (2020)
 • Total64,727
 • Density130/sq mi (51/km2)
Time zoneUTC−5 (Eastern)
 • Summer (DST)UTC−4 (EDT)
Congressional district9th
Websitewww.columbiapa.org
DesignatedJuly 11, 1983[1]

Columbia County is part of the Bloomsburg-Berwick, PA Metropolitan Statistical 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 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:[7][8]

Major highways

Adjacent counties

State park

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

Demographics
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%
200064,1481.5%
201067,2954.9%
202064,727−3.8%
[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
No. %No. %No. %
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%

As of July 17, 2023, there were 38,632 registered voters in Columbia County.[16]

Chart of Voter Registration

  Republican (53.08%)
  Democratic (31.89%)
  Independent (10.89%)
  Other Parties (4.14%)

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
CommissionersParty
David KovachDemocratic
Rich RidgwayRepublican
Chris YoungRepublican

Other county officials
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
DistrictSenatorParty
27John GordnerRepublican

State House of Representatives
DistrictRepresentativeParty
107Kurt MasserRepublican
109David R. MillardRepublican
117Karen BobackRepublican

United States House of Representatives
DistrictRepresentativeParty
9Dan MeuserRepublican

United States Senate
SenatorParty
Bob CaseyDemocrat
John FettermanDemocrat

Education
Map of Columbia County, Pennsylvania School Districts

Colleges and universities

Public school districts

Technical school

Charter school

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

Boroughs

Townships

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.

Unincorporated communities

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

References
Wikimedia Commons has media related to Columbia County, Pennsylvania.
  1. "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.
  2. "Explore Census Data". data.census.gov. Retrieved December 11, 2021.
  3. "Find a County". National Association of Counties. Archived from the original on May 31, 2011. Retrieved June 7, 2010.
  4. "2010 Census Gazetteer Files". United States Census Bureau. August 22, 2012. Retrieved March 6, 2015.
  5. maps.google.com
  6. "PRISM Climate Group at Oregon State". Northwest Alliance for Computational Science and Engineering.
  7. Topographic Map Summit Features in Columbia County, Pennsylvania, archived from the original on July 6, 2013, retrieved June 26, 2014
  8. Topographic Map Ridge Features in Columbia County, Pennsylvania, archived from the original on July 7, 2013, retrieved December 14, 2014
  9. "Google Maps". Google Maps. Retrieved November 22, 2018.
  10. "Census 2020".
  11. "U.S. Census website". United States Census Bureau. Retrieved January 31, 2008.
  12. "P2 HISPANIC OR LATINO, AND NOT HISPANIC OR LATINO BY RACE – 2020: DEC Redistricting Data (PL 94-171) – Columbia County, Pennsylvania".
  13. "Office of Management and Budget - The White House". Retrieved November 22, 2018.
  14. "2010 U.S. Census website". United States Census Bureau. Retrieved December 29, 2015.
  15. Leip, David. "Dave Leip's Atlas of U.S. Presidential Elections". uselectionatlas.org. Retrieved November 22, 2018.
  16. Pennsylvania Department of State (July 17, 2023). "Voter registration statistics by county". dos.pa.gov. Retrieved July 20, 2023.

41.05°N 76.40°W / 41.05; -76.40

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