When Mayor Justin Hummel describes Bloomsburg as the best town in Pennsylvania, he’s not exaggerating — that’s because Bloomsburg is famously the only incorporated town in the state. “We like to joke about it, but I do think it’s a great little town,” he says. “People really appreciate the low cost of living. My wife and I run a business downtown, and we ride our bikes everywhere. There are so many community organizations to get involved with, so it’s easy for people to find their place.” Bloomsburg has a population of roughly 12,000 people and is home to Bloomsburg University, which lends the town an energetic, youthful feel despite its small size. Although it might be best known for the University and the popular Bloomsburg Fair, Hummel says he loves the town’s connection to the outdoors and its small, tight-knit community.
While some might characterize Bloomsburg as a college town, its leading industry is actually healthcare. “Geisinger Health System is a big employer headquartered a town over in Danville. There’s a large teaching hospital over there, and then Geisinger-Bloomsburg Hospital in Bloomsburg,” says Samantha Capita, a Bloomsburg resident and Realtor with Century 21 Covered Bridges Realty Inc. “Amazon has also been building data centers in Berwick, which isn’t far.” Manufacturing and distribution are also major industries in Columbia County, alongside education.
Healthcare is Bloomsburg's leading industry, with a large teaching hospital and Geisinger-Bloomsburg Hospital in town.
Bloomsburg University is a sprawling 366-acre campus that offers a rich student experience with robust academic programs.
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Competitive home prices and a variety of home styles
Many of Bloomsburg’s homes were built in the 19th and 20th centuries, in styles ranging from simple two-story cottages to stately brick duplexes. “The houses here are incredibly affordable. There’s Victorians and Sears homes and everything in between,” Hummel says. Some homes from the mid- to late-1900s, such as ranch-style and split-level homes, are farther out from Downtown Bloomsburg, while some New Traditional houses can be found on the town outskirts. The median home price is $235,000, lower than the state median of $315,000. Homes sell after an average of 27 days on the market, faster than the national average of 44 days.
Many of Bloomsburg’s homes were built in the 19th and 20th centuries, like brick duplexes.
Houses in Bloomsburg are incredibly affordable, with a median price of $235,000.
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From Bloomsburg Area Schools to Bloomsburg University
The Bloomsburg Area School District serves about 1,500 students and earns an overall B grade from Niche. It operates three elementary schools, plus Bloomsburg Area Middle and Bloomsburg Area High. The town is also home to Bloomsburg University of Pennsylvania, a campus of the Commonwealth University of Pennsylvania. About 7,000 undergraduate and graduate students attend annually, increasing the town’s population by over 50% during the school year. “Sometimes it almost feels like the beach or a tourist town. It’s nice to have the students here, but there’s way less traffic in the summer when most of them are gone,” Capita says.
About 7,000 undergraduate and graduate students attend Bloomsburg University.
The Bloomsburg Area School District serves about 1,500 students and earns an overall B grade from Niche.
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Entertainment, shopping and dining on Main Street
Along Main Street, locally owned shops and restaurants occupy brick storefronts in mixed-use buildings. The town’s dining options are surprisingly diverse, spanning cafes, diners, Thai eateries and taquerias. “I could eat out every night for a week in Bloomsburg and never go to the same place twice,” Capita says. Downtown is also home to the Alvina Krause Theatre, where the Bloomsburg Theatre Ensemble performs and hosts theater education workshops throughout the year. Big-box shopping, including a Walmart Supercenter, is located just outside of town near Interstate 80. Grocery stores such as Weis Markets and Giant, plus the town’s AMC movie theater, are to the east along U.S. Route 11.
Downtown Bloomsburg is home to the Alvina Krause Theatre, where the Bloomsburg Theatre Ensemble performs and hosts theater education workshops throughout the year.
Along Bloomsburg's Main Street, locally owned shops and restaurants occupy brick storefronts in mixed-use buildings.
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Fishing in the Susquehanna River, with golf courses and hunting lands nearby
Bloomsburg Town Park is located along the Susquehanna River, providing a scenic, wooded setting for families to enjoy its sports facilities and disc golf course. Two playgrounds cater to kids of different age groups, while the pool and the skate park are especially popular during the summer. There are a couple of spots along the Susquehanna River to fish or launch a watercraft, but the aptly named Fishing Creek is known for its trout streams. Numerous State Game Lands can be found in the rural mountains surrounding Bloomsburg, while the Links at Hemlock Creek utilizes the region’s hilly terrain in its 18-hole golf course. Around 15 miles southwest, Knoebels Amusement Resort is a popular destination for families thanks to its free parking and admission with pay-as-you-go rides.
Bloomsburg Town Park is located along the Susquehanna River, providing a scenic, wooded setting for families to enjoy.
The Links at Hemlock Creek is an 18 hole course located on the edge of Bloomsburg.
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The Bloomsburg Fair is a century-old tradition
Downtown Bloomsburg is home to year-round events, including holiday celebrations such as Winterfest. “There’s enough going on to feel every weekend of your calendar,” Capita says. However, some of the town’s best-attended festivities occur at the local fairgrounds. “A lot of people know Bloomsburg for the Bloomsburg Fair, which is the biggest fair in Pennsylvania,” Hummel says. The agricultural fair has been ongoing since 1855 and includes carnival rides, farm exhibitions and live music.
The Bloomsburg Fairgrounds cover more than 227 acres.
The Bloomsburg Fair has been ongoing since 1855 and includes carnival rides, farm exhibitions and live music.
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Walkable downtown and Interstate 80 access
U.S. Route 11 runs straight through the heart of Bloomsburg, turning into Main Street around the center of town. “Downtown is gridded out like an urban center, so you kind of get the walkability of a city in a more rural, small-town setting,” Hummel says. “I’d say about 95% of the population lives within a mile of downtown.” This major thoroughfare connects to Pennsylvania highways 42 and 487, which provide access to Interstate 80 at the north end of town. The nearest commercial flights depart from Wilkes-Barre Scranton International Airport, located 50 miles north. Both Harrisburg and Allentown are about 80 miles away, while New York City and Philadelphia are both within 150 miles. While the town does not have its own public transportation, Stop Hopper shuttles are available on weekdays on-demand through RabbitTransit.
Steadily declining crime rates and river flood risks
FBI statistics show that violent crime in Bloomsburg decreased by 14% between 2018 and 2023. Property crime fell by 32% over the same time period.
The town experiences four seasons, with summer highs around 80°F and winter lows of 15°F. Some of the town is at risk of flooding, particularly around the Susquehanna River and Fishing Creek.
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