Population89,920 (July 1, 2025 Census estimate)
A River Confluence And A Far-Reaching Past
Northumberland County, PennsylvaniaSunbury anchors Northumberland County near the meeting of the Susquehanna’s branches. The county’s original territory was far larger than its present boundaries, while the Packer’s Island portion of Shikellamy State Park connects that river setting with a recognizable public destination. The U.S. Census Bureau estimated 89,920 residents in Northumberland County, Pennsylvania, on July 1, 2025. The county has approximately 458 square miles of land, according to the 2020 Census Gazetteer.
Northumberland County at a Glance
Population89,920 (July 1, 2025 Census estimate)
County SeatSunbury
Largest Municipality (2025 estimate)Coal township
Established1772 (organized; NACo County Explorer)
ZIP Code LookupUSPS address lookup
Total Area, Including Water477.230 square miles, including water (2020 Census geography)
Roads & Traffic511PA travel updates
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 Northumberland County
Northumberland County
Northumberland County was established in 1772 and later supplied territory for many other Pennsylvania counties. Distance from Sunbury and the difficulty of crossing the Susquehanna contributed to demands for new administrative centers. The river therefore shaped both local travel and the changing county map, not simply the landscape around the seat. The county's changing size makes historical maps especially useful. They reveal why records from places outside today's boundary can still belong to the earlier jurisdiction centered on Sunbury.
Pair Sunbury's civic history with the Packer's Island area at the river confluence. Shikellamy State Park spans county boundaries, so confirm the particular destination when planning. The meeting of the river branches provides a clear geographic thread for understanding the area. Use a current park map to distinguish the island destination from other sections. That practical step also reinforces how rivers and administrative lines create overlapping but different local geographies.
What Shapes Us
Local Character
The county's original territory was far larger than its present boundaries, while the Packer's Island portion of Shikellamy State Park connects that river setting with a recognizable public destination.
Community History
Northumberland County was established in 1772 and later supplied territory for many other Pennsylvania counties. Distance from Sunbury and the difficulty of crossing the Susquehanna contributed to demands for new administrative centers.
Explore Locally
Pair Sunbury's civic history with the Packer's Island area at the river confluence. Shikellamy State Park spans county boundaries, so confirm the particular destination when planning.
Follow the river meeting into a county's broader history.
A Closer Look
Northumberland County
Places and perspectives from Northumberland County
Northumberland County Wire
Northumberland County & Pennsylvania News
Includes Pennsylvania statewide reporting; stories may cover other counties.Photo CreditsNorthumberland County Government
CANCELED | October 20, 2026 | Industrial Development Authority
CANCELED | October 20, 2026 | Industrial Development Authority The Northumberland County Industrial Development Authority Meeting scheduled for…
Read the Story Oct 15, 2026 • 2 min read
Around Northumberland County
Stories from every corner of Northumberland County.
CANCELED | October 20, 2026 | Industrial Development Authority
CANCELED | October 20, 2026 | Industrial Development Authority The Northumberland County Industrial Development Authority Meeting scheduled for…
Oct 15, 2026 • 2 min read
October 14, 2026 | Redevelopment Authority Agenda
October 14, 2026 | Redevelopment Authority Agenda Redevelopment Authority Agenda Prior Meeting Minutes
Oct 13, 2026 • 2 min read
October 7, 2026 | Prison Board
October 7, 2026 | Prison Board Prison Board Agenda
Oct 6, 2026 • 2 min read
October 6, 2026 | Commissioner’s Public Meeting
October 6, 2026 | Commissioner’s Public Meeting Public Meeting Agenda
Oct 5, 2026 • 2 min read
September 30, 2026 | Blighted Property Reinvestment Board Agenda
September 30, 2026 | Blighted Property Reinvestment Board Agenda Blighted Property Reinvestment Board Agenda Prior Meeting Minutes
Sep 28, 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
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.
Line Mountain HS – High; grades 09-12. 187 Line Mountain Road, Herndon, PA 17830. 570-758-2011.
James F Baugher El Sch – Elementary; grades KG-03. 60 Brenda Rovenolt Circle, Milton, PA 17847. 570-742-7614.
Mount Carmel Area El Sch – Elementary; grades PK-06. 630 W 5th St, Mount Carmel, PA 17851. 570-339-1500.
Shamokin Area El Sch – Elementary; grades PK-04. 3000 W State St, Coal Township, PA 17866. 570-648-5721.
Priestley Sch – Elementary; grades KG-02. 423 Cannery Rd, Northumberland, PA 17857. 570-473-3261.
Warrior Run El Sch – Elementary; grades KG-06. 244 Warrior Run Blvd, Turbotville, PA 17772. 570-649-5138.
Line Mountain MS – Middle; grades 05-08. 187 Line Mountain Rd, Herndon, PA 17830. 570-758-2011.
Hospitals
Pennsylvania statewide resource for residents and visitors.
Public Safety
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
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.
Ralpho Township Public Library – 206 S. Market St. Suite 6, Elysburg, PA 17824. 570-672-9449.
Montgomery House Warrior Run Area Public Library – 20 Church St, Mcewensville, PA 17749. 570-538-1381.
Milton Public Library – 541 Broadway St, Milton, PA 17847. 570-742-7111.
Mount Carmel Area Public Library – 30 South Oak St, Mount Carmel, PA 17851. 570-339-0703.
Priestley Forsyth Memorial Library – 100 King St, Northumberland, PA 17857. 570-473-8201.
Shamokin – Coal Township Public Library – 210 East Independence St, Shamokin, PA 17872. 570-648-3202.
Degenstein Community Library – 40 South Fifth Street, Sunbury, PA 17801. 570-286-2461.
Courts
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 Northumberland County Visit
Find places to go, compare activities and make the most of your time here.
Local Questions
Northumberland County: Places, Plans & Practical Answers
Start with these 11 answers, then find 5 more planning questions below the discovery lists.
The Marina section near Sunbury is the Northumberland County option. The Overlook section is across the river in Union County. Select the correct section in your navigation app, especially if you want a level riverfront walk rather than an overlook visit.
Knoebels Amusement Resort: Plan a seasonal amusement-park visit near Elysburg; admission and parking are free, while rides cost extra. The park crosses the Columbia-Northumberland line. Joseph Priestley House: Explore the scientist's home in Northumberland on its scheduled visiting days.
Shikellamy State Park, Marina section: Walk the riverfront and picnic near Sunbury; the overlook section is across the river in Union County. Milton State Park: Choose an island-park walk or picnic on the Susquehanna River near Milton.
Shikellamy State Park, Marina section: Walk the riverfront and picnic near Sunbury; the overlook section is across the river in Union County. Milton State Park: Choose an island-park walk or picnic on the Susquehanna River near Milton. Free access does not include purchases, rentals or separately ticketed activities.
Front Street Station: Have a meal in a former railroad station in Northumberland. The Squeeze-In: Choose a small hot-dog stop on Market Street in Sunbury.
Sunbury Market House: Browse market vendors and check current market days before visiting. Beiter's Furniture, Sunbury: Browse home furnishings at the North Fourth Street store.
Jasmine Aire Boutique: Look for a boutique shopping stop in downtown Sunbury.
The county's original territory was far larger than its present boundaries, while the Packer's Island portion of Shikellamy State Park connects that river setting with a recognizable public destination. Use the local museums and historic sites above to explore that story in more detail.
Ralpho Township Public Library – 206 S. Market St. Suite 6, Elysburg, PA 17824. 570-672-9449. Montgomery House Warrior Run Area Public Library – 20 Church St, Mcewensville, PA 17749. 570-538-1381. These contacts come from the supplied local-library directory; call for current opening hours, children’s programs and visitor services.
Line Mountain HS – High; grades 09-12. 187 Line Mountain Road, Herndon, PA 17830. 570-758-2011. James F Baugher El Sch – Elementary; grades KG-03. 60 Brenda Rovenolt Circle, Milton, PA 17847. 570-742-7614. 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.
Sunbury is the county seat recorded in the supplied Northumberland 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 Northumberland County, Pennsylvania. Follow each link for current visiting details.
Kids’ Fun
- Knoebels Amusement Resort — Plan a seasonal amusement-park visit near Elysburg; admission and parking are free, while rides cost extra. The park crosses the Columbia-Northumberland line.
- Joseph Priestley House — Explore the scientist's home in Northumberland on its scheduled visiting days.
Restaurants
- Front Street Station — Have a meal in a former railroad station in Northumberland.
- The Squeeze-In — Choose a small hot-dog stop on Market Street in Sunbury.
Shopping & Retail
- Sunbury Market House — Browse market vendors and check current market days before visiting.
- Beiter's Furniture, Sunbury — Browse home furnishings at the North Fourth Street store.
Clothing & Boutiques
- Jasmine Aire Boutique — Look for a boutique shopping stop in downtown Sunbury.
Outdoor Fun
- Shikellamy State Park, Marina section — Walk the riverfront and picnic near Sunbury; the overlook section is across the river in Union County.
- Milton State Park — Choose an island-park walk or picnic on the Susquehanna River near Milton.
Free Things to Do
- Shikellamy State Park, Marina section — Walk the riverfront and picnic near Sunbury; the overlook section is across the river in Union County.
- Milton State Park — Choose an island-park walk or picnic on the Susquehanna River near Milton.
Businesses in This County Guide
More Northumberland County Questions
How could I build a short Northumberland County outing from these places?
One possible plan is Knoebels Amusement Resort, a meal at Front Street Station, and a browse at Sunbury Market House. These are separate stops; map their addresses and check opening times before deciding whether all three fit your day.
How can I keep a Northumberland County day trip inexpensive?
Start with Shikellamy State Park, Marina section and Milton State Park 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 Shikellamy State Park, Marina section?
Use the county weather section above for the forecast. For Shikellamy State Park, Marina section, 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 Jasmine Aire Boutique?
Use Jasmine Aire Boutique 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 Northumberland County guide?
The “Businesses in This County Guide” section links to Reliable Metals. 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.