Columbia County, Pennsylvania is located in the northeast corner of the state, bordered to the north by Sullivan County, to the east by Luzerne County, to the south by Montour and Northumberland Counties, and to the west by Schuylkill and Berks Counties. The county seat is Bloomsburg. According to the 2019 census, Columbia County has a population of 67,061 people.
According to definitionexplorer.com, the county was established in 1813 from a portion of Northumberland County. It was named after Christopher Columbus who discovered America in 1492. The county has a rich history with many attractions for visitors including several museums and historic sites such as Bloomsburg University’s Old Main Building and Berwick’s Indian Steps Museum. There are also several state parks located here including Hickory Run State Park, Ricketts Glen State Park, and World’s End State Park.
Columbia County is home to many famous people such as composer Stephen Foster who wrote many songs about this area including “Oh. Susanna” and “Camptown Races”; actor Jack Palance; author John O’Hara; actress/singer Vanessa Williams; actor/director Rob Reiner; singer/songwriter Taylor Swift; football player Joe Montana; basketball player Kobe Bryant; politician Tom Ridge; entrepreneur Bill Gates; novelist John Steinbeck; astronaut Neil Armstrong; musician Bruce Springsteen; comedian Steve Martin and many others.
The county offers plenty of attractions for visitors such as shopping at local boutiques or exploring its many historical sites like Pioneer Cemetery or Fort Jenkins. There are also plenty of outdoor activities available such as hiking trails at Ricketts Glen State Park or fishing on one of its several lakes or rivers. For those looking for a more relaxing experience there are spas and wineries located throughout the area offering visitors an opportunity to unwind away from it all.
Columbia County offers something for everyone. Whether you’re looking for adventure outdoors or simply want to explore its rich history there is something here that will appeal to everyone. With so much culture and beauty packed into one small area, it’s no wonder why this place has been home to so many famous people over time.
Climate and weather in Columbia County, Pennsylvania
According to liuxers.com, the climate in Columbia County, Pennsylvania is classified as a humid continental climate. This means that the area experiences four distinct seasons with hot summers and cold winters. The average summer temperature ranges from the high 50s to the mid 80s while winter temperatures range from the low 20s to the mid 40s. The average annual precipitation is around 44 inches, with most of the rain falling in spring and summer months. Snowfall ranges from 20-30 inches annually, with most of it occurring during late fall and early winter months.
The weather in Columbia County can be quite varied throughout the year, with temperatures ranging from below freezing to over 90 degrees Fahrenheit. In summer, temperatures often reach into the 90s with high humidity making it feel even hotter. Thunderstorms are also common during this time of year as warm air rises off of Lake Erie and Lake Ontario creating an unstable atmosphere which leads to thunderstorms and heavy rains.
Fall brings cooler temperatures with lows dropping into the 30s overnight while daytime highs remain in the 60s or 70s. Rainfall also decreases significantly during this time as air circulation patterns switch from warm humid air to cooler dry air coming down from Canada.
Winter brings cold temperatures and snowfall across Columbia County as lake effect snow bands move in off Lake Erie and Lake Ontario bringing several inches of snow throughout December, January, and February. During these months temperatures can drop well below freezing at night while remaining above freezing during daytime hours leading to an average winter temperature of around 30 degrees Fahrenheit or lower depending on location within the county.
Finally, spring brings warmer temperatures back to Columbia County as cold air masses move out allowing for warmer air masses to move back in off of nearby lakes bringing higher humidity levels along with them creating a comfortable environment for outdoor activities such as hiking, biking, fishing, etc.. Average springtime temperatures range from 40-60 degrees Fahrenheit depending on location within the county while rainfall increases significantly due to higher humidity levels leading to wetter conditions overall than those experienced during fall months.
Transportation in Columbia County, Pennsylvania
Columbia County, Pennsylvania is served by a variety of transportation options for both residents and visitors. Located in the northeastern corner of the state, Columbia County is accessible via Interstate 80, US Route 11, and several state highways. The county also has access to public transportation options such as bus services and Amtrak rail service that connects to larger cities in Pennsylvania and beyond.
The main highway running through Columbia County is Interstate 80 which runs east-west from New York City to San Francisco. This highway provides easy access to major cities such as Philadelphia, Pittsburgh, Allentown, and Harrisburg. US Route 11 runs north-south through the county connecting it with other cities in Pennsylvania including Scranton/Wilkes-Barre and Williamsport. In addition to these two major highways there are several state highways that provide access to smaller towns within Columbia County such as Bloomsburg, Berwick, Danville, Millville, Catawissa, Montourville and more.
Public transportation options in Columbia County include bus services run by Schuylkill Transportation System (STS) which connects the county with Wilkes-Barre/Scranton International Airport as well as other nearby cities such as Harrisburg and Philadelphia. STS also operates local buses throughout the county that provide service to smaller towns like Bloomsburg and Berwick. In addition to STS buses there is also Greyhound bus service located in Berwick which provides connections to other nearby cities like Philadelphia and New York City.
Amtrak rail service is available at two stations located in Bloomsburg and Danville providing connections with cities around Pennsylvania including Pittsburgh, Harrisburg/Hershey, Lancaster/York/Harrisburg International Airport (MDT), Philadelphia 30th Street Station (PHL) and Washington D.C.’s Union Station (WAS). Amtrak’s Keystone Service line stops at both stations providing direct connections to Pittsburgh or Harrisburg while its Pennsylvanian line stops at Danville station only providing direct connections between Pittsburgh or Harrisburg with Philadelphia or New York City’s Penn Station (NYP).
For those who prefer air travel Wilkes-Barre/Scranton International Airport (AVP) provides commercial air service for residents of Columbia County as well as visitors from out of town. The airport offers flights on American Airlines from AVP directly into Charlotte Douglas International Airport (CLT), Dallas Fort Worth International Airport (DFW), LaGuardia Airport (LGA), Newark Liberty International Airport (EWR), Chicago O’Hare International Airport(ORD) among others with additional flights on Delta Air Lines that connect AVP directly into Detroit Metro Wayne County Airport(DTW). In addition to commercial air travel there are several general aviation airports located throughout the county offering private aircraft services for those who prefer this mode of transport over commercial airlines or other forms of transport like train or bus services.
Cities and towns in Columbia County, Pennsylvania
Columbia County, Pennsylvania is a small county located in the northeast region of the state. The county is home to a population of approximately 64,000 people and is home to several small towns and cities. See popular cities in Pennsylvania. The main city in Columbia County is Bloomsburg which serves as the county seat and has a population of over 14,000 people. This city is home to Bloomsburg University of Pennsylvania and offers residents a variety of entertainment options including shopping, dining, and outdoor activities.
Berwick is another town located in Columbia County with a population of over 10,000 people. This town is known for its historic downtown area which features many unique shops and restaurants as well as historic buildings like the Berwick Armory and Berwick Academy. Other attractions in Berwick include the Susquehanna River Walk which provides visitors with stunning views of the river as well as access to fishing spots and boat launches for those looking for outdoor activities.
Danville is another small town located in Columbia County with a population of over 4,500 people. This town has become known for its vibrant art scene with many galleries showcasing local artwork throughout the year. Danville also offers residents access to outdoor activities such as golf courses, hiking trails, riverside parks, fishing spots, and more.
The other towns located in Columbia County include Benton (population 1,600), Catawissa (population 1,200), Centralia (population 800), Espy (population 300), Lightstreet (population 260), Mifflinville (population 2,000) Nescopeck (population 1,300) Orangeville (population 500) Stillwater (population 900) Washingtonville (population 300). All these towns provide their own unique charm to Columbia County making it an attractive destination for visitors from out-of-town who are looking for something different from their everyday lives.
Columbia County offers visitors an array of different activities ranging from outdoor recreation like fishing or camping to cultural experiences like visiting galleries or live music venues. Whether you’re looking for relaxation or adventure Columbia County has something for everyone making it an ideal destination for anyone looking to get away from it all.