Main is a rural community across the Susquehanna River from Bloomsburg
Main is a rural area just across the Susquehanna River from Bloomsburg, known for being home to Commonwealth University – Bloomsburg, or Bloomsburg University. Homes in Main sit along hillsides and creeks, offering scenic views of the region’s mountainous terrain. It’s a quiet area without any commercial development, offering those who want to live near Bloomsburg a quiet oasis to settle in. “The whole Columbia County area has a small-town feel,” says Realtor Angela Young with Century 21 Covered Bridges Realty, Inc. “A lot of people come and go to the university here and decide to stay and raise their families here because it does have that small-town feel.”
1950s through 1970s homes on half-acre plots of land
Main has entirely single-family homes, with about 90% of residents owning their properties. Most homes sit on at least half an acre of land. Ranch-style, bi-level and Cape Cod homes are common, and there isn’t much new construction in the community: most homes were built between the 1950s and 1970s. Most recent sales prices in Main range from around $115,000 to $320,000.
A highly rated school district and the nearby Bloomsburg University
Students in Main can attend schools in Central Columbia School District, which gets an overall A grade from Niche. They can start at the A-minus-rated Central Columbia Elementary School before continuing to the A-rated Central Columbia Middle School and the A-minus-rated Central Columbia High School. Five miles north, “Bloomsburg is home to Bloomsburg University, which is a good-sized school,” Young says. “It’s part of the Commonwealth education system, so it is a state university.” In 2022, Bloomsburg University joined Lock Haven University and Mansfield University to form Commonwealth University of Pennsylvania, a combined university with three campuses across Pennsylvania. In the 2022-2023 school year, Bloomsburg University enrolled about 6,800 undergraduates and about 640 graduate students.
Hunting, hiking and a waterfront park in Bloomsburg
Main is home to State Game Lands Number 58, an over 12,000-acre green space popular for hunting, hiking alongside streams and birding. Mainville Sportsmen’s Club, an outdoor shooting range, is also located in Main. The Susquehanna River borders Main to the north, and the closest riverfront park is Bloomsburg Town Park, 5 miles away in Bloomsburg. This park offers recreation amenities, including sports fields, tennis and basketball courts, disc golf and a fishing pond alongside scenic views of the Susquehanna River.
A local hoagie shop and additional dining options in Bloomsburg
Main has one restaurant, Old Mill Hoagie, a casual local joint serving hot and cold hoagies, burgers and sandwiches. Additional dining options are available 5 miles north in Bloomsburg, which has a mix of local and chain restaurants, big-box retail stores, an AMC movie theater, a large antique marketplace and grocery options, including Walmart, Weis Markets and GIANT.
Getting around Columbia County
Main is located 5 miles southeast of Bloomsburg, and residents rely on cars to get around. The nearest medical center is Geisinger Bloomsburg Hospital, 6 miles northwest. When traveling out of town, residents can fly out of Lehigh Valley International Airport, 84 miles southeast, or Harrisburg International Airport, 87 miles southwest.
