Bloomsburg, PA — Community Overview
Bloomsburg is Pennsylvania’s only incorporated town, located in Columbia County along the North Branch of the Susquehanna River. The designation dates to 1870 and reflects the town’s independent governance and distinct community character.
Population is approximately approximately 13,000. The economy is anchored by Commonwealth University (192-acre campus in the borough), Geisinger Health System in Danville (12 miles), and PPL Corporation. The university creates consistent housing demand year-round, including from faculty, staff, graduate students, and visiting researchers.
Housing: median sold price $258,500 as of June 4, 2026 (FlexMLS, ZIP 17815). The borough core offers older Victorian and early 20th century homes. Surrounding Scott and Montour townships offer newer construction on larger lots. Current homes for sale in Bloomsburg.
Bloomsburg PA Neighborhoods and Housing Areas
Bloomsburg’s residential character varies significantly by neighborhood and surrounding township. MLS subdivision fields are not always accurate — boundary verification against Columbia County GIS records is recommended before purchase. Mid Penn Realty verifies neighborhood boundaries against county GIS and recorded subdivision plans.
Borough Core / Downtown (1880s to 1940s)
Walking distance to Main Street shops, the university campus, and the Bloomsburg Fair grounds. Older two-story and Victorian homes on smaller lots. Strong rental demand due to university proximity. A good fit for investors and buyers who want to be within walking distance of downtown and the campus. Typical price range: $150,000 to $280,000.
West Side / Catherine Street Area (1950s to 1970s)
Established residential neighborhoods on the west side of the borough. Mix of single-story ranches and two-story homes on quarter-acre to half-acre lots. Popular with families and buyers seeking a quieter setting while staying within the borough. Typical price range: $170,000 to $300,000.
Scott Township / Hunter’s Chase Area (1980s to 2000s)
Scott Township surrounds Bloomsburg Borough and offers newer homes on larger lots with the same Columbia County tax base and Bloomsburg Area school access. More space, more parking, and newer mechanical systems than the borough core. Hunter’s Chase subdivision is the most recognized planned development in this area. Boundary note: confirm subdivision assignment against county GIS before purchase. Typical price range: $220,000 to $400,000.
Montour Township / Ridge Road Corridor (Mixed — 1960s through current)
Montour Township offers rural character with quick access to I-80 and downtown Bloomsburg. Buyers seeking acreage, privacy, and lower density typically look here. Mix of older farmhouses, newer homes on 1+ acre lots, and vacant land. Served by Central Columbia School District in some areas — verify school district assignment for any specific address. Typical price range: $200,000 to $500,000+.
Schools in Bloomsburg, PA
Bloomsburg Area School District (bloomsd.org) serves most of Bloomsburg Borough. Verify district assignment for your specific address before purchase — some surrounding township addresses fall within Central Columbia School District.
Columbia-Montour Area Vocational-Technical (CMVT) provides trades education and dual-enrollment options for students in both districts.
Commonwealth University — Bloomsburg (commonwealthu.edu) is a four-year state university on a 192-acre campus in the borough. University proximity is a consistent buyer draw for faculty, staff, and investors.
Restaurants, Shops, Events, and Recreation
Bloomsburg has more community infrastructure than most towns its size. Verified independent businesses in Bloomsburg Borough (ZIP 17815):
- New Bloomsburg Diner (161 E Main St) — Family diner, breakfast and lunch, cash only
- La Malbec Bar & Restaurant (Downtown — former Hotel Magee) — Upscale Spanish/French, Sunday brunch
- Nap’s Pizza (319 East St) — Pizza, wings, subs, delivery
- Bloomsburg Theatre Ensemble (226 Center St) — Professional theatre, education programs
- Bloomsburg Children’s Museum (2 W 7th St) — 50+ exhibits, family programs
- Bloomsburg Public Library (225 Market St) — Programs, community events
- Bloomsburg Town Park (Market St / McClure Blvd) — Ball fields, pool, skatepark, disc golf, bandshell concerts, fishing lagoon
- Bloomsburg Fair (620 W 3rd St) — Pennsylvania’s largest fair, 9 days in September
- The Outpost on Market Street (601 Market St) — 100+ local artisan vendors, home decor, gifts
- Phillips Emporium (12 E Main St) — Gifts, books, specialty retail, family-owned since 1886
- Bloom Naturally (1233 Columbia Blvd) — Organic bulk foods, supplements, herbs, local goods
The Bloomsburg Fair (bloomsburgfair.com, 620 W 3rd St) is Pennsylvania’s largest fair, running nine days each September. Bloomsburg Town Park (Market St) hosts Wednesday bandshell concerts through the summer. Verify dates and hours before visiting.
Living in Bloomsburg: Utilities and Infrastructure
The following information covers utility services available in Bloomsburg Borough and immediately surrounding areas. Properties in Scott Township, Montour Township, or other outlying areas may differ. Verify all utility availability for a specific address before purchase.
Water: Public — Bloomsburg Municipal Authority
Sewer: Public — Bloomsburg Municipal Authority
Natural Gas: Available — UGI Utilities
Electric: PPL Electric Utilities
Internet/Cable: Fiber and cable available — Comcast/Xfinity, Breezeline in parts of borough
Trash/Recycling: Municipal collection
Flood Zones: Some low-lying areas near Fishing Creek and the Susquehanna River are in FEMA flood zones. Verify flood zone status for any specific property on FEMA Flood Map Service Center (msc.fema.gov).
Commute Times from Bloomsburg, PA
Bloomsburg sits at the intersection of I-80 and Route 11 in Columbia County, providing quick highway access in all directions. Many buyers choose Bloomsburg specifically for its I-80 access and proximity to Geisinger Medical Center in Danville.
| Destination | Distance | Drive Time |
|---|---|---|
| Danville (Geisinger Medical Center) | 12 mi | 18 min |
| Interstate 80 (Buckhorn interchange) | 3 mi | 7 min |
| Berwick | 12 mi | 20 min |
| Bloomsburg University (campus) | 0.5 mi | 3 min |
| Lewisburg | 35 mi | 45 min |
| Williamsport | 48 mi | 55 min |
| Harrisburg | 97 mi | 1 hr 40 min |
| Philadelphia | 163 mi | 2 hr 45 min |
Drive times are approximate. Verify current times in Google Maps.
More Bloomsburg Information
Homes for sale in Bloomsburg, PA — current MLS listings.
Bloomsburg real estate market data — monthly MLS stats.
What is my Bloomsburg home worth? — free CMA.
Moving to Bloomsburg — relocation checklist and local guide.
Bloomsburg real estate agents — Mid Penn Realty.
Frequently Asked Questions
Bloomsburg is Pennsylvania’s only incorporated town — a legal designation it has held since 1870. It is home to Commonwealth University, has a walkable downtown with independent shops and restaurants, hosts Pennsylvania’s largest fair (the Bloomsburg Fair, nine days in September), and sits along the Susquehanna River with access to outdoor recreation.
The Borough Core has walkable Victorian and early 20th century homes near Main Street and the university. The West Side offers ranches and split-levels from the 1950s to 1970s on established streets. Scott Township surrounds the borough with newer construction including the Hunter’s Chase area. Montour Township offers rural character and acreage with quick I-80 access. Each area has a different buyer profile and school district assignment.
Independent highlights: New Bloomsburg Diner (161 E Main St, breakfast and lunch), La Malbec Bar & Restaurant (downtown, upscale Spanish/French, Sunday brunch), Nap’s Pizza (319 East St, delivery available), Cafe Martha (downtown coffee). Retail: Phillips Emporium (12 E Main St, gifts and books since 1886), The Outpost on Market Street (601 Market St, 100+ local artisan vendors), Bloom Naturally (1233 Columbia Blvd, organic and natural). Verify current hours before visiting — contact information and hours change.
The Bloomsburg Fair (bloomsburgfair.com) is Pennsylvania’s largest fair, running nine days in September. Bloomsburg Town Park (Market St / McClure Blvd) hosts Wednesday bandshell concerts in summer. Bloomsburg Theatre Ensemble (bte.org, 226 Center St) runs a full performance season. Downtown Bloomsburg, Inc. (downtownbloomsburg.org) organizes Renaissance Jamboree and other Main Street events. Verify current dates yearly.
Bloomsburg Town Park offers ball fields, a pool, skatepark, disc golf, bandshell concerts, and a fishing lagoon. Columbia Park provides river access and a boat launch to the Susquehanna. The Susquehanna River was designated a 2023 River of the Year. PA State Game Lands #226 (Ridge Rd access) provides hunting and public land access within Bloomsburg’s address range. The Columbia-Montour Outdoor Recreation Map (itourcolumbiamontour.com) documents trails, parks, boat launches, and game lands across the region.
Crime rates in Bloomsburg and Columbia County are generally below state and national averages. For current data by municipality, the Pennsylvania State Police maintains publicly available crime statistics at ucr.pa.gov. Mid Penn Realty does not make safety claims for specific streets or neighborhoods — review current data and visit the area before purchase.
