Rural landscapes, accessibility and industry define South Centre
South Centre is a small township that fills some of the quiet space between Bloomsburg, Pennsylvania’s only incorporated town, and the bustling historic borough of Berwick. “Buyers love the balance here: you get room to breathe, a peaceful rural setting, and you're still just minutes from schools, shopping and Route 11 or I-80 for an easy commute," says Amanda Orzolek , a Realtor with The Land and Residential Connection in Bloomsburg. "It’s the kind of place where your backyard might back up to woods, your weekends start on a trail, and you still make it to town in 10 minutes," Orzolek adds that South Centre’s home prices are also a draw. Fewer than 2,000 people live in this enclave, where agriculture and manufacturing are large industries. Farms dot the township’s hilly northern half, while plants and warehouses line U.S. Route 11.
South Centre offers a variety of single-family homes near Bloomsburg
The median price for a single-family home in South Centre is around $275,000, significantly below the national median. Prices range from $160,000 to $360,000. Ranch-style homes can be found throughout the township. Bi-level homes sit atop steep, wooded hills, while two-story traditional homes, bungalows and Cape Cods rest on gridded streets in the lower-lying Lime Ridge community next to the Susquehanna River. There are also manufactured homes, as well as custom farmhouses surrounded by pastures.
Exploring the great outdoors in Columbia County
With several mountains and the Susquehanna River close by, South Centre can serve as a home base for the outdoorsy. “From fishing and kayaking to weekend walks and wildlife watching, this is a community where outdoor living is a way of life,” Orzolek says. The riverside Columbia Park has a boat launch for hand-carry-only vessels. The 18-acre park also features a playground, picnic shelter, tennis courts and a baseball field that hosts games and practices for Central Columbia Little League’s Lime Ridge teams. Briar Creek Lake Park offers more fishing and boating, less than 7 miles from the township. Several state game lands are within driving distance for challenging hikes and hunting. Equestrian events, from mounted shooting and barrel racing to cutting, are held at Keystone Horse Center.
Central Columbia School District offers a career-focused education
Central Columbia School District earns an A overall rating from Niche and is based in South Centre, where its district office and all three of its schools sit in a row along Blue Jay Drive. Central Columbia Elementary receives an A-minus rating, and Central Columbia Middle gets an A. Central Columbia High earns an A-minus. The district has a career development program called Pathways, which introduces students to various career options in elementary and middle school before they select a course pathway to pursue in high school. Pathways include Agri-Science, Health & Science and Arts & Communication.
Alternatively, rising ninth-grade students can transfer to the C-plus-rated Columbia-Montour Area Vocational Technical School, which is also in South Centre. Several private schools are in the surrounding area, including the C-rated Bloomsburg Christian School. Commonwealth University of Pennsylvania has a campus in Bloomsburg, about 7 miles away.
Shops, restaurants and healthcare in South Centre and beyond
A few small businesses and restaurants are sprinkled throughout South Centre. Brenda's Country Décor features a rotating selection of antiques, while Bill’s Old Bike Barn draws in motorcycle enthusiasts for its massive collection of vintage bikes and memorabilia. Mabel’s Small Town Café serves homestyle meals in its retro digs that transport diners to the 1950s. A Taste of Italy offers an elevated atmosphere for Italian cuisine. National retailers and chain grocers such as Big Lots, Tractor Supply Co. and Giant are along U.S. Route 11 in neighboring Scott Township Columbia . Bloomsburg and Berwick offer more shopping and dining options, from boutique stores to familiar brands. Bloomsburg also hosts one of the biggest annual events for the area, the week-long Bloomsburg Fair, which draws tens of thousands of visitors each September. Geisinger Bloomsburg Hospital is the nearest full-service hospital, but Susquehanna Valley Medical Specialties is in South Centre. The healthcare complex has specialists and a surgery center.
Commuters have close access to U.S. Route 11 and Interstate 80
U.S. Route 11 is the main road through South Centre, connecting the township to neighboring communities such as Bloomsburg, less than 7 miles away. Route 11 links up with Interstate 80, which can be used to reach destinations across Pennsylvania. The closest commercial flights take off from Wilkes-Barre Scranton International Airport, less than 50 miles from the township.
Important to know
FEMA flood maps show properties along the Susquehanna River and the township’s various creeks rest within or near flood hazard areas. Tropical Storm Lee caused historic flooding in Columbia County in 2011, when the river crested at more than 32 feet.