Columbia
Pennsylvania

What stands out

What stands out about Columbia County: the school test score is in the top 7% of American counties (3.42 where 3.0 is grade level) and the uninsured rate is in the bottom 15% of American counties (6.5%). Within Pennsylvania it ranks 11th of 67 counties for the school test score.

Where you are

You live in Columbia County, Pennsylvania. 64,924 people live here with you. The population held steady at 0.2% last year, and more Americans moved in than out (net +403).

Pennsylvania has a flat 3.07% income tax and exempts all retirement income, including Social Security, pensions and 401(k) and IRA withdrawals after age 59½. It is one of six states with an inheritance tax, which applies even to children at 4.5%. Local earned-income taxes of 1% to nearly 4% apply in most municipalities, and Philadelphia's wage tax is the highest of any city in the country.

Money

The typical household here brings in $59,457 a year, lower than 53% of American counties. Employers pay an average wage of $50,569. Unemployment runs 4.5%, higher than 81% of American counties. 9% of workers work from home; for the rest the average commute is 20 minutes each way.

Pennsylvania takes 3.1% of that median income in state income tax, about $1,825 a year.

Home

The median home costs $245K, pricier than 54% of American counties, about 2.4 years of the median household's income. A two-bedroom rents for around $874 a month. Property tax is 1.21% of home value, roughly $2,212 a year on that median home, higher than 73% of American counties. 71% of households own rather than rent.

Safety and health

Violent crime here is 3.9 per 1,000 residents, higher than 54% of American counties. Drug overdoses killed 12 people per 100,000 in 2024.

A child born here can expect to live 77.5 years, longer than 69% of American counties. There are 138 active physicians in the county, about 21.3 per 10,000 people. Medicare rates the local hospitals 4.0 of 5 stars. 6.5% of people under 65 have no health insurance.

School

Local students test at grade level 3.33 where 3.0 is national grade level, higher than 93% of American counties. 92% of adults finished high school.

Neighbors and politics

In 2024 your neighbors voted Republican by 30 points. 58% of eligible voters turned out. Under Pennsylvania law you can get a concealed-carry permit on request, abortion is protected by state law, and marijuana is medical only.

Weather and risk

The year averages 49°F, highs near 59 and lows near 39, colder than 77% of American counties. About 39 inches of rain and snow fall a year. FEMA puts natural-hazard risk at 36 out of 100, safer than 64% of American counties; the county has had 20 federal disaster declarations since 1953.

Getting around, going out

Home internet averages 177 Mbps down, slower than 60% of American counties. There are 5 airports in the county, counting general aviation. For a night or a weekend out: 0.9 full-service restaurants per 1,000 people, 2 breweries.