Columbia County, Pennsylvania | |
|---|---|
County | |
 The Columbia County courthouse in Bloomsburg | |
 Location within the U.S. state ofPennsylvania | |
| Coordinates:41°03′N76°24′W / 41.05°N 76.4°W /41.05; -76.4 | |
| Country |  United States |
| State |  Pennsylvania |
| Founded | March 22, 1813 |
| Named after | Columbia |
| 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 |
• Estimate (2024)[1] | 66,012 |
| • Density | 134/sq mi (51.7/km2) |
| Time zone | UTC−5 (Eastern) |
| • Summer (DST) | UTC−4 (EDT) |
| Congressional district | 9th |
| Website | www |
| Designated | July 11, 1983[2] |
Columbia County is acounty in theCommonwealth ofPennsylvania, United States. As of the2020 census, the population was 64,727.[3] Itscounty seat isBloomsburg.[4] The county was created on March 22, 1813, from part ofNorthumberland County. It was namedColumbia, alluding to the United States andChristopher Columbus. The county is part of theCentral region of the commonwealth.[a]
Columbia County is part of theBloomsburg–Berwick metropolitan area.
According to theU.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 theCoal Region. The area of the county from theSusquehanna River south to several miles south ofNumidia consists mostly of farmland and state game lands. Several communities developed along the Susquehanna River, such as Bloomsburg andCatawissa. From the Susquehanna River north as far asWaller, 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 theSusquehanna River,Fishing Creek,Briar Creek,Catawissa Creek, andRoaring Creek.[6]
The county has ahumid 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]
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) |  |
Part ofRicketts Glen State Park is in the northern portion of Columbia County.[10]
| 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% | |
| [11] | |||
As of the2020 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.[12]
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 andPacific Islander, 1.3% from some other race, and 3.9% fromtwo or more races.Hispanic or Latino residents of any race comprised 3.3% of the population.[13]
| Race / Ethnicity(NH = Non-Hispanic) | Pop 2000[14] | Pop 2010[15] | Pop 2020[16] | % 2000 | % 2010 | % 2020 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| White alone (NH) | 62,269 | 63,500 | 58,831 | 97.06% | 94.36% | 90.89% |
| Black or African American alone (NH) | 481 | 1,190 | 867 | 0.74% | 1.76% | 1.33% |
| Native American orAlaska Native alone (NH) | 85 | 57 | 71 | 0.13% | 0.08% | 0.10% |
| Asian alone (NH) | 332 | 547 | 748 | 0.51% | 0.81% | 1.15% |
| Pacific Islander alone (NH) | 13 | 14 | 17 | 0.02% | 0.02% | 0.02% |
| Other race alone (NH) | 32 | 38 | 159 | 0.04% | 0.05% | 0.24% |
| Mixed race or Multiracial (NH) | 330 | 600 | 1,894 | 0.51% | 0.89% | 2.92% |
| Hispanic or Latino (any race) | 609 | 1,349 | 2,140 | 0.94% | 2.00% | 3.30% |
| Total | 64,151 | 67,295 | 64,727 | 100.00% | 100.00% | 100.00% |
55.3% of residents lived in urban areas, while 44.7% lived in rural areas.[17]
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.[12]
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%.[12]
As of the2000 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). Theracial 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 ofGerman, 10.0%American, 9.4%Irish, 8.1%Italian, 6.7%Polish and 6.2%English ancestry.[18]
There were 24,915 households, out of which 27.70% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 53.80% weremarried 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.[18]
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.[18]
TheUnited States Office of Management and Budget[19] has designated Columbia County as theBloomsburg-Berwick, PA Metropolitan Statistical Area (MSA). As of the2010 census[20] the metropolitan area ranked 20th most populous in the State of Pennsylvania and the368th most populous in the United States with a population of 82,562. Columbia County is also a part of the largerBloomsburg-Berwick-Sunbury, PA Combined Statistical Area (CSA), which combines the populations of Columbia County as well asMontour,Northumberland,Snyder andUnion Counties in Pennsylvania. TheCombined Statistical Area ranked 8th in the State of Pennsylvania and115th most populous in the United States with a population of 264,739.
| 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% |
| Year | Republican | Democratic | Third party(ies) | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| No. | % | No. | % | No. | % | |
| 2018 | 13,437 | 59.36% | 8,837 | 39.04% | 364 | 1.61% |
| 2024 | 14,830 | 55.72% | 10,969 | 41.22% | 814 | 3.06% |
| Year | Republican | Democratic | Third party(ies) | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| No. | % | No. | % | No. | % | |
| 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% |
| Year | Republican | Democratic | Third party(ies) | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| No. | % | No. | % | No. | % | |
| 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% |
As of February 6, 2024, there were 39,054 registered voters in Columbia County.[23]
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. WhileJohn McCain received 51.6% of its vote to 47.1% forBarack Obama, this was a far-closer margin than the 20 points thatGeorge W. Bush carried it by in 2004. Each of the three row-office statewide winners carried Columbia in 2008. In 2006, DemocratBob Casey Jr. received 51% of its vote when he unseated incumbent Republican US SenatorRick Santorum andEd Rendell received 50.6% of the vote againstLynn Swann.
For many years Columbia County was represented in the State House by a conservative Democrat in the 109th district untilJohn Gordner changed parties to Republican in 2001. He was elected to the State Senate in 2003 and succeeded by RepublicanDavid R. Millard. Columbia is in the 27th Senate district and 11th Congressional district.
| Commissioners | Party |
|---|---|
| David Kovach | Democratic |
| Rich Ridgway | Republican |
| Chris Young | Republican |
| 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 |
| District | Senator | Party |
|---|---|---|
| 27 | Lynda Schlegel Culver | Republican |
| District | Representative | Party |
|---|---|---|
| 109 | Robert Leadbeter | Republican |
| District | Representative | Party |
|---|---|---|
| 9 | Dan Meuser | Republican |
| Senator | Party |
|---|---|
| Dave McCormick | Republican |
| John Fetterman | Democratic |
School districts include:[24]
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:
Census-designated places are geographical areas designated by theU.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.
The population ranking of the following table is based on the2010 census of Columbia County.[20]
†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 |
Municipalities and communities ofColumbia County, Pennsylvania,United States | ||
|---|---|---|
| Town |  | |
| Boroughs | ||
| Townships | ||
| CDPs | ||
| Unincorporated community | ||
| Ghost town | ||
| Footnotes | ‡This populated place also has portions in an adjacent county or counties | |
| International | |
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| National | |
| Geographic | |
| Other | |
