Scott Township offers a slower pace outside bustling Bloomsburg
In the center of Columbia County, Scott Township is a family-friendly community along the Susquehanna River. The enclave, with river views, rolling countryside and hilltop neighborhoods, is home to around 5,500 people. “The school district is one of the biggest draws,” says Brittany Bacon, who’s served as the township’s secretary and treasurer for the last decade. “It’s a very good district, one of the most sought-after in the county for its teachers and how well it performs,” Bacon adds that the township offers a slower lifestyle and the convenience of being next to a lively town. “You have the entertainment of Bloomsburg, but without the fair traffic,” says Bacon, referencing the annual Bloomsburg Fair that draws hundreds of thousands of visitors to the area for a week each September.
Known for its fertile lands, Scott Township’s initial industries included agriculture and iron ore mining. Fisheries popped up along the Susquehanna River in the late 1700s through the first half of the 19th century. Today, the economy remains diverse with several manufacturers around the township, including 84 Lumber, and a commercial corridor along U.S. Route 11.
A range of single-family homes from the Victorian era to today
Scott Township’s single-family homes come in a variety of architectural styles. The gridded streets of the Espy area feature historic Victorians, Craftsman bungalows and English-style cottages that rest blocks from the Susquehanna River. Split-levels, Colonial Revivals and New Traditional homes are perched on the hills north of U.S. Route 11. Pastures surround the ranch-style homes, farmhouses and custom builds in the township’s rural east side. The median price for a single-family home is around $275,000, well below the national median. Prices for traditional single-family homes range from $165,000 to around $500,000. Manufactured homes are also available and cost between $16,000 and $190,000. The market in Scott Township tends to move faster than the national average, with properties selling after about 27 days.
Scott Township’s education options from prekindergarten to university
The Central Columbia School District serves Scott Township and earns an A rating from Niche. The district has about 1,900 students across three schools, which sit in a row next to the district office along Blue Jay Drive. Central Columbia Elementary receives an A-minus, while Central Columbia Middle gets an A. Central Columbia High earns an A-minus. In 2022, the district installed thousands of solar panels on the ground and on the roofs of the middle school, the high school and the district office. According to the company that installed the panels, Solar Renewable Energy, the project is being used as an educational tool and offsets about 90% of the school system’s annual power consumption.
High school students interested in trade work can apply to attend the C-plus-rated Columbia-Montour Area Vocational-Technical School. The C-rated Bloomsburg Christian School is a nearby private option offering prekindergarten through 12th grade.
Bloomsburg is home to a Commonwealth University of Pennsylvania campus. The public university offers over 80 undergraduate and graduate programs, as well as workforce development certificates and job training.
National chains and local eats line the U.S. Route 11 corridor
Most shopping in Scott Township takes place along the U.S. Route 11 commercial corridor. The highway features a mix of national brands and familiar pharmacy chains, as well as an AMC movie theater. A few local restaurants join a list of fast-food joints. Marley's Brewery & Grille pairs classic pub fare with its craft beers that are brewed in-house. A few doors down, Root 11 Bistro offers a relaxed vibe for salads and sandwiches. Bacon says residents head into Bloomsburg for boutique shopping and more dining options, “We have the commercial and the fast food, but we don’t have the little brick-and-mortars.” Bloomsburg also has the closest hospital: Geisinger Bloomsburg Hospital. Other national retailers are clustered around the recently revived Columbia Colonnade, formerly known as the Columbia Mall, about 6 miles away in Hemlock.
Exploring the outdoors in Columbia County and beyond
Small parks dot Scott Township, two of which were upgraded in recent years. Scott Township School Park now has three asphalt pickleball courts, and Espy Park has a new basketball court and walking paths. Fishing and kayaking are popular pastimes on the Susquehanna River, but for swimming, Bacon says residents head to Kocher Park, which rests along the banks of Fishing Creek. Central Columbia Little League teams play at Lightstreet Little League Field, while Scott Little League teams play at Hoffman Field. East of the township, equestrian events draw horse lovers to Keystone Horse Center. The surrounding area features several forested state game lands offering opportunities for hunting, as well as challenging mountain biking trails. Road cyclists can ride through historic covered bridges on the county’s various country roads. Of the region’s state parks, Ricketts Glen State Park is a destination for waterfall lovers, with over 20 falls linked by trails that lead to a camping area and swimming beach on Lake Jean.
Scott Township’s new annual festival and the Bloomsburg Fair
In May 2025, Scott Township celebrated its first annual Thin Blue Line Spirits, Brew & Wine Festival. Held at the Lightstreet Community Fire Co. carnival grounds on Monroe Avenue, the one-day event featured tastings from area wineries, distilleries and breweries, as well as food and craft vendors. The festival supports the Scott Township Police Department.
Scott Township residents are only a few miles away from Pennsylvania’s largest agricultural fair, the Bloomsburg Fair. Dating to 1855, the week-long event each September features classic fair activities from rodeos and livestock exhibitions to concerts and harness racing. Tens of thousands of people attend the fair each day, with Saturdays typically bringing in over 60,000 visitors.
Commuters have nearby access to Interstate 80 and other highways
Several highways cross Scott Township. U.S. Route 11 and state Route 487 connect the township to neighboring communities like Bloomsburg and Berwick. Interstate 80 connects with other major interstates to reach destinations across Pennsylvania. The capital city of Harrisburg is a little over 80 miles south of the township and offers commercial flights out of Harrisburg International Airport. Lehigh Valley International Airport is another option, less than 90 miles away. Philadelphia is around 135 miles southeast.
Living along the Susquehanna River comes with a flood risk
The Susquehanna River and Fishing Creek pose a flood danger to many properties within Scott Township, particularly during heavy rain events. According to FEMA flood maps, many properties near these waterways rest in flood hazard areas. In 2011, Tropical Storm Lee led to historic flooding in Columbia County; in Scott’s Township, many homes in Espy were damaged by floodwaters.
