Population66,193 (July 1, 2025 Census estimate)
River Towns Between Farmland and Coal Country
Columbia County, PennsylvaniaBloomsburg and Catawissa connect Columbia County with the Susquehanna River, while farmland and state game lands extend southward toward Numidia. The county’s southern tip reaches Pennsylvania’s Coal Region. That changing landscape makes the county more varied than a map centered only on its principal towns would suggest. The U.S. Census Bureau estimated 66,193 residents in Columbia County, Pennsylvania, on July 1, 2025.
Columbia County at a Glance
Population66,193 (July 1, 2025 Census estimate)
County SeatBloomsburg
Largest Municipality (2025 estimate)Bloomsburg town
Established1813
ZIP Code LookupUSPS address lookup
Total Area, Including Water490.394 square miles, including water (2020 Census geography)
Major RoutesI-80; US 11
Telephone Area CodesPUC area-code map
Shop - Dine - Discover
Meet Local Businesses
Support the businesses that help make our communities thrive. From family-owned shops and restaurants to trusted local services, discover businesses worth visiting throughout the county.
Discover Columbia County
Columbia County
Columbia County was created in 1813 from part of Northumberland County, with Bloomsburg serving as its county seat. Its name uses Columbia as a reference to the United States. Communities such as Bloomsburg and Catawissa developed along the Susquehanna River, while the southern tip of the county reaches the Coal Region. This changing geography helps explain why the county’s identity includes river towns, agricultural land, and connections with the industrial history of neighboring areas.
Bloomsburg and Catawissa provide two useful reference points along the Susquehanna, while smaller communities and townships extend north and south of the river. Farmland and state game lands characterize much of the area toward Numidia. A county visit can therefore follow a river-town theme or focus on a different part of the surrounding landscape. Naming a specific community makes local planning more useful than treating the whole county as one destination.
What Shapes Us
Local Character
Bloomsburg and Catawissa connect Columbia County with the Susquehanna River, while farmland and state game lands extend southward toward Numidia.
Community History
Columbia County was created in 1813 from part of Northumberland County, with Bloomsburg serving as its county seat. Its name uses Columbia as a reference to the United States.
Around the County
Bloomsburg and Catawissa provide two useful reference points along the Susquehanna, while smaller communities and townships extend north and south of the river.
The river connects towns with a changing surrounding landscape.
A Closer Look
Columbia County
Places and perspectives from Columbia County
Columbia County Wire
Columbia County & Pennsylvania News
Includes Pennsylvania statewide reporting; stories may cover other counties.Photo CreditsSpotlight PA — Pennsylvania Statewide
Top EPA official’s visits to Pa., other swing states ahead of midterms raise ethics concerns
EPA Administrator Lee Zeldin is visiting battleground districts and states in the runup to the midterm elections. Are…
Read the Story Oct 16, 2026 • 2 min read
Around Columbia County
Stories from every corner of Columbia County.
Top EPA official’s visits to Pa., other swing states ahead of midterms raise ethics concerns
EPA Administrator Lee Zeldin is visiting battleground districts and states in the runup to the midterm elections. Are…
Oct 16, 2026 • 2 min read
Erie gunman who killed family controlled their movements, finances: police
A Pennsylvania man who fatally shot eight others, including seven family members, before killing himself had exercised strict…
Oct 16, 2026 • 2 min read
Rep. Perry’s Trump ties targeted by Dems in closely watched Pa. swing district race
The president’s declining popularity could be a liability for Republican U.S. Rep. Scott Perry, a Trump loyalist who…
Oct 16, 2026 • 2 min read
Reading could pull up to $24M from reserves to balance its next 2 budgets
Reading may use $24 million in reserves to cover budget gaps over two years, raising fears the city…
Oct 16, 2026 • 2 min read
The legislature didn’t act on skill games by the Pa. Supreme Court’s deadline. What happens now?
Top lawmakers said they wanted to act before the court-imposed deadline but didn’t, leading some members to mount…
Oct 16, 2026 • 2 min read
Shop - Dine - Discover
Meet Local Businesses
Support the businesses that help make our communities thrive. From family-owned shops and restaurants to trusted local services, discover businesses worth visiting throughout the county.
County Resources
Find the Right Local Connection
Start with the organization responsible for the service you need. Follow its official link for current requirements, office locations and availability.
Government
Pennsylvania statewide resource for residents and visitors.
Schools
Public school contacts
Selected local schools from the NCES 2024-2025 directory. Contact the school or district to confirm enrollment, attendance boundaries and current services; this is not a complete school list.
L R Appleman El Sch – Elementary; grades KG-06. 525 Park Street, Benton, PA 17814. 570-925-6971.
West Berwick El Sch – Elementary; grades KG-04. 809 Sycamore St, Berwick, PA 18603. 570-759-6400.
Beaver-Main El Sch – Elementary; grades KG-05. 245 Beaver Valley Road, Bloomsburg, PA 17815. 570-784-0309.
Central Columbia El Sch – Elementary; grades KG-04. 4777 Old Berwick Rd, Bloomsburg, PA 17815. 570-784-2850.
Millville Area Elementary School – Elementary; grades KG-06. 370 Batten Lane, Millville, PA 17846. 570-458-5538.
Hartman El Ctr – Elementary; grades KG-04. 802 Southern Drive, Catawissa, PA 17820. 570-356-3250.
Benton Area HS – High; grades 09-12. 400 Park St, Benton, PA 17814. 570-925-6651.
Hospitals
Local hospital contacts
Facility contacts from the CMS Hospital General Information directory, updated July 22, 2026. Contact the facility directly to confirm current services and appointment arrangements.
Geisinger-Bloomsburg Hospital – Acute Care Hospitals. 549 East Fair Street, Bloomsburg, PA 17815. 570-387-2118.
Berwick Hospital Center – Psychiatric. 701 East 16Th Street, Berwick, PA 18603. 570-759-5000.
Public Safety
Pennsylvania statewide resource for residents and visitors.
Emergency Services
Pennsylvania statewide resource for residents and visitors.
State Parks
Pennsylvania statewide resource for residents and visitors.
Trails
Pennsylvania statewide resource for residents and visitors.
Utilities
Pennsylvania statewide resource for residents and visitors.
Libraries
Local library contacts
Locations and public phone numbers are from the IMLS FY2024 Public Libraries Survey. Call the branch to confirm current hours and services before visiting.
Mcbride Memorial Library – 500 Market Street, Berwick, PA 18603. 570-752-2241.
Bloomsburg Public Library – 225 Market St, Bloomsburg, PA 17815. 570-784-0883.
Courts
Pennsylvania statewide resource for residents and visitors.
DMV
Pennsylvania — Find a Location
Pennsylvania — Title and Registration
Pennsylvania — Licenses & Photo IDs
Transportation
Pennsylvania statewide resource for residents and visitors.
Postal Services
USPS location finder — Search by street address, city or ZIP Code for nearby post offices, collection boxes and available services.
USPS ZIP Code lookup — Find the mailing ZIP Code for a specific street address.
USPS Hold Mail — Arrange a temporary mail hold and review identity-verification requirements.
USPS change of address and forwarding — Review forwarding options and submit an address-change request through USPS.
USPS package pickup — Check pickup availability for your address and schedule eligible shipments.
Veterans
National services available to local residents
VA accredited representatives — Find help with VA claims and benefit applications.
VA health care applications — Review application options and supporting information.
VA disability claims — Find the official steps for submitting a disability claim.
GI Bill and education benefits — Review how to apply for VA education benefits.
Veteran career and employment support — Explore VA employment, training and career assistance.
Employment
National services available to local residents
USAJOBS federal employment — Search federal openings by location and occupation.
Apprenticeship Finder — Search apprenticeship opportunities by location and occupation.
My Next Move career exploration — Explore occupations, industries and career interests.
Government job-training resources — Find routes to state training programs and support for different job seekers.
Unemployment benefit guidance — Find your state program and its application and eligibility information.
Plan Your Columbia County Visit
Find places to go, compare activities and make the most of your time here.
Local Questions
Columbia County: Places, Plans & Practical Answers
Start with these 11 answers, then find 5 more planning questions below the discovery lists.
No. General entry and parking are free, but rides and some other activities require payment. Set a separate ride budget and check the operating calendar. The resort straddles Columbia and Northumberland counties near Elysburg.
Bloomsburg Children's Museum: Choose hands-on exhibits and children's learning programs in Bloomsburg. Knoebels Amusement Resort: Plan a seasonal amusement-park trip near Elysburg; entry is free but rides and some attractions cost extra. The resort straddles Columbia and Northumberland counties.
Bloomsburg Town Park: Use the town's park for a picnic and a walk; check town notices after high water. Columbia County covered-bridge routes: Plan a self-guided drive to public covered-bridge viewpoints; respect private land and active roadways.
Bloomsburg Town Park: Use the town's park for a picnic and a walk; check town notices after high water. Columbia County covered-bridge routes: Plan a self-guided drive to public covered-bridge viewpoints; respect private land and active roadways. Free access does not include purchases, rentals or separately ticketed activities.
The Lightstreet Hotel: Have a restaurant meal in the village of Lightstreet near Bloomsburg. Turkey Hill Brewing Company: Choose a full-menu dining stop near Bloomsburg.
Bloom Naturally: Browse natural-food and wellness products in Bloomsburg. Incredible Popcorn: Look for a snack or edible gift in Bloomsburg.
Exclusively You: Book an appointment for bridal or formalwear shopping on West Main Street in Bloomsburg.
Bloomsburg and Catawissa connect Columbia County with the Susquehanna River, while farmland and state game lands extend southward toward Numidia. Use the local museums and historic sites above to explore that story in more detail.
Mcbride Memorial Library – 500 Market Street, Berwick, PA 18603. 570-752-2241. Bloomsburg Public Library – 225 Market St, Bloomsburg, PA 17815. 570-784-0883. These contacts come from the supplied local-library directory; call for current opening hours, children’s programs and visitor services.
L R Appleman El Sch – Elementary; grades KG-06. 525 Park Street, Benton, PA 17814. 570-925-6971. West Berwick El Sch – Elementary; grades KG-04. 809 Sycamore St, Berwick, PA 18603. 570-759-6400. These are selected contacts from the supplied school directory. Contact the school or district to confirm attendance boundaries and enrollment; a nearby school is not necessarily the assigned school.
Bloomsburg is the county seat recorded in the supplied Columbia County information. Use the Government tab in local resources to locate the department you need; offices may have different addresses and appointment arrangements.
Shop - Dine - Discover
Meet Local Businesses
Support the businesses that help make our communities thrive. From family-owned shops and restaurants to trusted local services, discover businesses worth visiting throughout the county.
My Local Guide
Find Something Fun
Make Time for a Local DiscoveryExplore places to eat, shop and spend time in Columbia County, Pennsylvania. Follow each link for current visiting details.
Kids’ Fun
- Bloomsburg Children's Museum — Choose hands-on exhibits and children's learning programs in Bloomsburg.
- Knoebels Amusement Resort — Plan a seasonal amusement-park trip near Elysburg; entry is free but rides and some attractions cost extra. The resort straddles Columbia and Northumberland counties.
Restaurants
- The Lightstreet Hotel — Have a restaurant meal in the village of Lightstreet near Bloomsburg.
- Turkey Hill Brewing Company — Choose a full-menu dining stop near Bloomsburg.
Shopping & Retail
- Bloom Naturally — Browse natural-food and wellness products in Bloomsburg.
- Incredible Popcorn — Look for a snack or edible gift in Bloomsburg.
Clothing & Boutiques
- Exclusively You — Book an appointment for bridal or formalwear shopping on West Main Street in Bloomsburg.
Outdoor Fun
- Bloomsburg Town Park — Use the town's park for a picnic and a walk; check town notices after high water.
- Columbia County covered-bridge routes — Plan a self-guided drive to public covered-bridge viewpoints; respect private land and active roadways.
Free Things to Do
- Bloomsburg Town Park — Use the town's park for a picnic and a walk; check town notices after high water.
- Columbia County covered-bridge routes — Plan a self-guided drive to public covered-bridge viewpoints; respect private land and active roadways.
Businesses in This County Guide
More Columbia County Questions
How could I build a short Columbia County outing from these places?
One possible plan is Bloomsburg Children's Museum, a meal at The Lightstreet Hotel, and a browse at Bloom Naturally. These are separate stops; map their addresses and check opening times before deciding whether all three fit your day.
How can I keep a Columbia County day trip inexpensive?
Start with Bloomsburg Town Park and Columbia County covered-bridge routes and bring a picnic where permitted. Budget separately for museum or amusement tickets, restaurant meals, parking where charged, rentals and purchases. Check the linked destination’s current fees instead of assuming every activity on its grounds is free.
Where should I check the forecast before visiting Bloomsburg Town Park?
Use the county weather section above for the forecast. For Bloomsburg Town Park, also open the destination’s notices for trail, road or facility closures. A county forecast does not confirm that an individual trail or activity is operating.
What should I confirm before making a special trip to Exclusively You?
Use Exclusively You to confirm the physical-store address, current opening days and whether the item or fitting you need is available. Some shops list online stock, multiple locations or appointment services, so contact the store about a specific visit.
Where can I find the businesses featured in this Columbia County guide?
The “Businesses in This County Guide” section links to Statewide Furniture. Open a business page for its contact details. A business featured in this guide may serve the county from another location; confirm its address and service area directly.
Every place has a story.Find Your Next Favorite.