Columbia County, Pennsylvania

File:View of northern Columbia County, Pennsylvania from Kramer Hill Road 3.JPG

According to the U.S. Census Bureau, the county has a total area of {{convert|490|sqmi}}, of which {{convert|483|sqmi}} is land and {{convert|7.1|sqmi}} (1.4%) is water.{{cite web|url=http://www2.census.gov/geo/docs/maps-data/data/gazetteer/counties_list_42.txt|publisher=United States Census Bureau|access-date=March 6, 2015|date=August 22, 2012|title=2010 Census Gazetteer Files}} 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.maps.google.com

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

The county has a humid continental climate (Dfa/Dfb) and average monthly temperatures in Bloomsburg average from {{convert|26.9|°F|°C|1|disp=or}} in January to {{convert|72.4|°F|°C|1|disp=or}} in July.{{cite web|url=http://prism.oregonstate.edu/explorer/|publisher=Northwest Alliance for Computational Science and Engineering|title=PRISM Climate Group at Oregon State}}

Note: Only mountains higher than {{convert|1500|ft|m}} are listed

Source:{{Citation|url=http://www.topozone.com/states/Pennsylvania.asp?county=Columbia&feature=Summit |title=Topographic Map Summit Features in Columbia County, Pennsylvania |access-date=June 26, 2014 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130706190549/http://www.topozone.com/states/pennsylvania.asp?county=Columbia&feature=Summit |archive-date=July 6, 2013 }}{{Citation|url=http://www.topozone.com/states/pennsylvania.asp?county=Columbia&feature=Ridge |title=Topographic Map Ridge Features in Columbia County, Pennsylvania |access-date=December 14, 2014 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130707022815/http://www.topozone.com/states/pennsylvania.asp?county=Columbia&feature=Ridge |archive-date=July 7, 2013 }}

• {{jct|state=PA|I|80}}
• {{jct|state=PA|US|11}}
• {{jct|state=PA|PA|42}}
• {{jct|state=PA|PA|44}}
• {{jct|state=PA|PA|54}}
• {{jct|state=PA|PA|61}}
• {{jct|state=PA|PA|93}}
• {{jct|state=PA|PA|118}}
• {{jct|state=PA|PA|239}}
• {{jct|state=PA|PA|254}}
• {{jct|state=PA|PA|339}}
• {{jct|state=PA|PA|442}}
• {{jct|state=PA|PA|487}}
• {{jct|state=PA|PA|642}}

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

Part of Ricketts Glen State Park is in the northern portion of Columbia County.{{cite web|url=https://maps.google.com/maps?f=d&source=s_d&saddr=Columbia+County,PA|title=Google Maps|website=Google Maps|access-date=November 22, 2018}}

{{US Census population

|1820= 17621

|1830= 20059

|1840= 24267

|1850= 17710

|1860= 25065

|1870= 28766

|1880= 32409

|1890= 36832

|1900= 39896

|1910= 48467

|1920= 48349

|1930= 48803

|1940= 51413

|1950= 53460

|1960= 53489

|1970= 55114

|1980= 61967

|1990= 63202

|2000= 64148

|2010= 67295

|2020= 64727

|footnote={{cite web |title=Census 2020 |url=https://www.census.gov/quickfacts/fact/table/columbiacountypennsylvania/PST045219}}

}}

As of the census{{cite web|url=https://www.census.gov|publisher=United States Census Bureau|access-date=January 31, 2008|title=U.S. Census website}} of 2000, there were 64,151 people, 24,915 households, and 16,568 families residing in the county. The population density was {{convert|132|PD/sqmi|PD/km2|sp=us|adj=off}}. There were 27,733 housing units at an average density of {{convert|57|/mi2|/km2|adj=pre|units }}. 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.

The United States Office of Management and Budget{{cite web|url=https://www.whitehouse.gov/omb|title=Office of Management and Budget - The White House|access-date=November 22, 2018}} has designated Columbia County as the Bloomsburg-Berwick, PA Metropolitan Statistical Area (MSA). As of the 2010 census{{cite web|url=https://www.census.gov/programs-surveys/decennial-census/decade.2010.html|publisher=United States Census Bureau|title=2010 U.S. Census website|access-date=December 29, 2015}} 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.

{{PresHead|place=Columbia County, Pennsylvania|source={{cite web|url=http://uselectionatlas.org/RESULTS|title=Dave Leip's Atlas of U.S. Presidential Elections|first=David|last=Leip|website=uselectionatlas.org|access-date=November 22, 2018}}}}

{{PresRow|2024|Republican|21,190|11,083|436|Pennsylvania}}

{{PresRow|2020|Republican|20,098|10,532|650|Pennsylvania}}

{{PresRow|2016|Republican|18,004|8,934|1,568|Pennsylvania}}

{{PresRow|2012|Republican|14,236|10,937|571|Pennsylvania}}

{{PresRow|2008|Republican|14,477|13,230|571|Pennsylvania}}

{{PresRow|2004|Republican|16,052|10,679|138|Pennsylvania}}

{{PresRow|2000|Republican|12,095|8,975|841|Pennsylvania}}

{{PresRow|1996|Democratic|8,234|8,379|3,759|Pennsylvania}}

{{PresRow|1992|Republican|9,742|8,261|5,736|Pennsylvania}}

{{PresRow|1988|Republican|12,114|7,767|140|Pennsylvania}}

{{PresRow|1984|Republican|14,402|8,254|62|Pennsylvania}}

{{PresRow|1980|Republican|12,426|9,449|1,438|Pennsylvania}}

{{PresRow|1976|Democratic|11,508|12,051|366|Pennsylvania}}

{{PresRow|1972|Republican|14,187|7,222|900|Pennsylvania}}

{{PresRow|1968|Republican|12,202|8,187|1,840|Pennsylvania}}

{{PresRow|1964|Democratic|8,982|13,885|36|Pennsylvania}}

{{PresRow|1960|Republican|15,310|9,322|19|Pennsylvania}}

{{PresRow|1956|Republican|13,382|9,024|15|Pennsylvania}}

{{PresRow|1952|Republican|13,008|9,467|79|Pennsylvania}}

{{PresRow|1948|Republican|9,417|9,367|0|Pennsylvania}}

{{PresRow|1944|Democratic|9,336|9,647|70|Pennsylvania}}

{{PresRow|1940|Democratic|9,518|12,523|66|Pennsylvania}}

{{PresRow|1936|Democratic|9,674|14,141|293|Pennsylvania}}

{{PresRow|1932|Democratic|8,791|10,640|356|Pennsylvania}}

{{PresRow|1928|Republican|14,362|5,304|115|Pennsylvania}}

{{PresRow|1924|Democratic|7,336|7,390|743|Pennsylvania}}

{{PresRow|1920|Democratic|6,238|6,965|462|Pennsylvania}}

{{PresRow|1916|Democratic|3,013|5,785|389|Pennsylvania}}

{{PresRow|1912|Democratic|889|4,905|3,116|Pennsylvania}}

{{PresRow|1908|Democratic|3,718|5,373|402|Pennsylvania}}

{{PresRow|1904|Democratic|3,635|4,196|415|Pennsylvania}}

{{PresRow|1900|Democratic|2,954|4,982|454|Pennsylvania}}

{{PresRow|1896|Democratic|3,280|4,904|500|Pennsylvania}}

{{PresRow|1892|Democratic|2,336|4,929|380|Pennsylvania}}

{{PresRow|1888|Democratic|2,484|4,676|281|Pennsylvania}}

|}

{{U.S. SenHead|place=Columbia County, Pennsylvania|Seat=1|source={{cite news |title=2024 Senate Election (Official Returns) |website=Commonwealth of Pennsylvania by county |date=November 5, 2024 |access-date=December 5, 2024 |url=https://www.nbcnews.com/politics/2024-elections/pennsylvania-senate-results}}}}

{{U.S. SenRow|2024|Republican|20,617|10,969|814|Pennsylvania}}

|}

As of February 6, 2024, there were 39,054 registered voters in Columbia County.{{cite web |last=Pennsylvania Department of State |date=February 5, 2024 |title=Voter registration statistics by county |url=https://www.dos.pa.gov/VotingElections/OtherServicesEvents/VotingElectionStatistics/Pages/VotingElectionStatistics.aspx |access-date=February 6, 2024 |website=dos.pa.gov}}

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

{{Pie chart|thumb=left|color1={{party color|Republican Party (United States)}}|color2={{party color|Democratic Party (United States)}}|color3={{party color|Independent (United States)}}|color4={{party color|Green Party (United States)}}|caption=Chart of Voter Registration|label1=Republican|label2=Democratic|label3=Independent|label4=Other Parties|value4=4.11|value3=11.16|value2=31.41|value1=53.31}}

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.

Image:Map of Columbia County Pennsylvania School Districts.png

• Bloomsburg University of Pennsylvania

School districts include:{{cite web|url=https://www2.census.gov/geo/maps/DC2020/PL20/st42_pa/schooldistrict_maps/c42037_columbia/DC20SD_C42037.pdf|title=2020 CENSUS - SCHOOL DISTRICT REFERENCE MAP: Columbia County, PA|publisher=U.S. Census Bureau|access-date=2024-12-13}} - [https://www2.census.gov/geo/maps/DC2020/PL20/st42_pa/schooldistrict_maps/c42037_columbia/DC20SD_C42037_SD2MS.txt Text list]

• 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)

• Columbia-Montour Area Vocational-Technical School

• SusQ Cyber Charter School - Bloomsburg

• 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

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

Image:Map of Columbia County Pennsylvania With Municipal and Township Labels.png

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:

• Bloomsburg (county seat)

{{div col}}

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

{{div col end}}

{{div col|colwidth=12em}}

• 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

{{div col end}}

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.

{{div col|colwidth=12em}}

• 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

{{div col end}}

• Central
• Elk Grove
• Mifflin Cross Roads

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

† county seat

{{portal|Pennsylvania}}

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

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{{Columbia County, Pennsylvania}}

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{{coord|41.05|-76.40|display=title|type:adm2nd_region:US-PA_source:UScensus1990}}

Category:1813 establishments in Pennsylvania

Category:Anthracite Coal Region of Pennsylvania

Category:Bloomsburg–Berwick metropolitan area

Category:Northeastern Pennsylvania

Category:Populated places established in 1813