CountyScore

Columbia County

Pennsylvania · PA

#21 in Pennsylvania
67.5
County Score

County Report Card

About Columbia County, Pennsylvania

Columbia performs well nationally

Columbia County's score of 68.9 significantly exceeds the national median of 50.0, placing it among the nation's more livable counties. The county's appeal rests on affordable housing, reasonable taxes, and solid middle-class incomes.

Pennsylvania's balanced performer

Columbia County scores 68.9, exceeding Pennsylvania's average of 66.0 by a meaningful margin. The county represents a well-rounded option within the state for those balancing cost and income considerations.

Balanced affordability and income

Columbia County combines a Cost Score of 79.1 with a relatively strong Income Score of 23.9 and median household income of $61,992. The Tax Score of 70.3 paired with a 1.14% effective tax rate rounds out a fiscally competitive profile.

Higher housing costs than peer counties

While competitive, Columbia's median home value of $199,200 and median rent of $904 exceed several nearby alternatives, reflecting slightly higher cost pressure. Critical data on safety, health, schools, and environmental factors remain absent from the current measurement.

Best for balanced small-town living

Columbia County suits families seeking a middle ground between affordability and income potential in a small-town environment. It appeals to those who value reasonable property taxes, modest housing costs, and community-oriented rural life over maximum cost savings.

Score breakdown

5 dimensions have live data. 3 more coming as vertical sites launch.

Tax70.3Cost79.1SafetyComing SoonHealth73.6SchoolsComing SoonIncome23.9Risk38WaterComing Soon
🏛70.3
Property Tax
Effective property tax rate vs national benchmarks
TaxByCounty →
🏠79.1
Cost of Living
Median rent, home values, and housing affordability
CostByCounty →
💼23.9
Income & Jobs
Median household income and per capita earnings
IncomeByCounty →
🛡Coming Soon
Safety
Violent and property crime rates per 100K residents
❤73.6
Health
Life expectancy, uninsured rates, and health access
HealthByCounty →
🎓Coming Soon
Schools
Graduation rates, per-pupil spending, and attainment
⚡38
Disaster Risk
FEMA National Risk Index — flood, fire, tornado, and more
RiskByCounty →
💧Coming Soon
Water Quality
EPA drinking water health violations and safety grades

Explore this county

Property Taxtaxbycounty.comCost of Livingcostbycounty.comIncomeincomebycounty.com
Compare Columbia County with another county →

Counties with similar scores

Shelby County
Alabama
67.5
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Kusilvak Census Area
Alaska
67.5
Median income: $48,233
Suwannee County
Florida
67.5
Median income: $55,479
Appling County
Georgia
67.5
Median income: $43,728
Baldwin County
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67.5
Median income: $55,413

Deep Dives

Columbia County across the ByCounty Network

Detailed analysis from 5 data dimensions — each powered by a dedicated ByCounty site.

Property Tax in Columbia County

via TaxByCounty

Columbia stays competitive nationally

Columbia County's 1.138% effective tax rate ranks below Pennsylvania's state average of 1.317% and the national median of 1.58%, placing it among the more affordable counties nationally. The median property tax of $2,266 is 84% of the national median, reflecting lower home values.

Columbia ranks among lowest-tax counties

At $2,266 in median annual property taxes, Columbia County sits in Pennsylvania's lower tier, paying 15% less than the state average of $2,657. With a 1.138% effective rate, Columbia offers relief to homeowners across the state.

Columbia competes favorably with neighbors

Columbia County's $2,266 median tax closely aligns with nearby Clearfield ($1,488) and Clinton ($2,047), all maintaining rates below 1.2%. This tri-county corridor offers some of Pennsylvania's most affordable property taxation in the state's central region.

Median homeowner pays $2,266 annually

On a median home value of $199,200, Columbia County homeowners pay approximately $2,266 in annual property taxes at the county's 1.138% effective rate. With a mortgage, estimates reach $2,326; without one, taxes drop to $2,201.

Challenge your assessment if overvalued

Property assessments in Columbia County may overestimate your home's true value, potentially costing you hundreds in unnecessary annual taxes. Homeowners can file an appeal with the county assessment office to verify their valuation and seek a reduction if warranted.

Full property tax analysis on TaxByCounty

Cost of Living in Columbia County

via CostByCounty

Columbia rents squeeze harder than U.S. norm

Columbia County's rent-to-income ratio of 17.5% exceeds both the national average and Pennsylvania's state average of 16.5%, signaling tighter housing affordability for renters. At $904 per month, median rent is nearly $130 above the state average, while household income at $61,992 remains below the national figure of $74,755.

Among Pennsylvania's pricier rental markets

Columbia County ranks among the less affordable counties statewide, with a rent-to-income ratio of 17.5% that noticeably exceeds the state average of 16.5%. This gap reflects both above-average rents and below-average incomes, compressing household budgets more than most Pennsylvania counties.

Highest rents in the north-central region

At $904 monthly, Columbia's rent significantly outpaces all nearby counties: Clearfield ($788), Clinton ($815), Crawford ($800), and especially Elk ($720). This premium reflects Columbia's positioning as a more developed corridor, but renters here should budget accordingly versus rural alternatives.

Rent demands growing share of income

Renters dedicate nearly 18% of the $61,992 median household income to the $904 monthly rent, while homeowners spend about 16% on mortgages averaging $852 on homes valued at $199,200. For renters especially, housing consumes a noticeably larger portion of the budget.

Compare Columbia to nearby rural alternatives

Columbia offers more developed infrastructure than surrounding counties but charges a rental premium for it; renters here spend roughly $100–180 more monthly than in Clearfield, Clinton, or Crawford. Weigh that cost against amenities and job opportunities before committing.

Full cost of living analysis on CostByCounty

Income & Jobs in Columbia County

via IncomeByCounty

Columbia income moderately below U.S. average

Columbia County's median household income of $61,992 sits $12,763 below the national median of $74,755, a 17.1% shortfall. While below the U.S. average, Columbia performs better than its most rural peers in this county set. The gap highlights the persistent income challenge across Pennsylvania's non-metro regions.

Below state average but competitive locally

Columbia County's $61,992 median household income trails Pennsylvania's state average of $69,614 by $7,622, but ranks in the middle tier of this eight-county comparison. Per capita income of $32,432 is similarly middle-ranked. Columbia's position reflects a regional economy stronger than the most rural counties but weaker than the state's wealthier areas.

Mid-range earner among regional peers

Columbia's $61,992 median household income ranks third among the eight-county sample, ahead of Clearfield, Clinton, and Crawford. Elk County ($64,103) and Crawford County ($60,254) bracket Columbia closely, suggesting relatively uniform economic conditions across north-central Pennsylvania. This clustering reflects shared reliance on manufacturing and agriculture.

Housing costs are rising faster than income

Columbia's 17.5% rent-to-income ratio is slightly elevated for this county set, meaning renters spend roughly $905 monthly on average. The median home value of $199,200 is higher relative to household income than in western PA counties, signaling tighter affordability. Future wage growth will be essential to maintain housing accessibility as property values continue climbing.

Act now before housing costs squeeze savings

Columbia residents should prioritize wealth-building while housing remains somewhat affordable, before prices accelerate further. Lock in favorable mortgage rates if buying soon, and maximize tax-deferred retirement contributions to reduce taxable income. Even $200–300 monthly to a diversified investment portfolio compounds significantly over 20–30 years.

Full income & jobs analysis on IncomeByCounty

Health in Columbia County

via HealthByCounty

Columbia performs well on national measures

At 76.5 years, Columbia County slightly outpaces the U.S. average of 76.4 years and boasts a relatively low poor/fair health rate of 17.9%. The county's above-average outcomes reflect stronger primary care access and lower insurance gaps compared to national norms.

Columbia stands among Pennsylvania's healthier counties

Columbia County's life expectancy of 76.5 years matches Pennsylvania's state average of 76.4 years, while its 6.0% uninsured rate beats the state average of 7.0% by a full percentage point. The county ranks in the upper half of Pennsylvania's 67 counties for overall health outcomes.

Clear advantage over nearby rural counties

Columbia's 17.9% poor/fair health rate outperforms neighboring Clearfield (19.9%) and Clinton (19.1%), reflecting better preventive care reach. With 57 primary care providers per 100,000 residents, Columbia significantly exceeds Clinton's 35 per 100K, though trails more urban counties.

Strong primary care, modest mental health resources

Columbia delivers 57 primary care providers per 100,000 residents—solid rural coverage—making routine care relatively accessible to most residents. Mental health services lag at 84 providers per 100,000, creating potential delays for residents seeking behavioral health support.

Protect your health care future

While Columbia has above-average coverage, approximately 1,500 residents still lack insurance, missing opportunities for preventive screenings and early treatment. Visit Healthcare.gov or your county health office to confirm you're enrolled in a plan that meets your family's needs.

Full health analysis on HealthByCounty

Disaster Risk in Columbia County

via RiskByCounty

Columbia ranks below national average risk

With a composite risk score of 62.05, Columbia sits comfortably below the national median, carrying a Relatively Low risk rating. The county faces moderate flooding and earthquake concerns, but wildfire and tornado threats remain substantially lower than in most U.S. counties.

Better protected than typical Pennsylvania

Columbia's score of 62.05 sits about 5 points below Pennsylvania's state average of 67.45, placing it in the lower-risk third of the state's counties. This positioning reflects the county's northeastern location, which shields it from some of the seismic and tornado vulnerabilities affecting central and southern Pennsylvania.

Safer than Clearfield, riskier than Clinton

Columbia (62.05) falls between its neighbors Clinton to the north (51.78) and Clearfield to the west (67.11), offering moderate risk mitigation benefits. The county shares flood vulnerability patterns with Clearfield but benefits from reduced earthquake and wildfire exposure compared to other regional peers.

Flooding and earthquakes warrant attention

Flood risk dominates at 78.63, making water damage the county's primary natural hazard concern alongside moderate earthquake risk of 51.62. These two hazards account for the majority of Columbia's composite risk, while tornado and wildfire threats remain relatively benign.

Prepare for water and ground movement

Flood insurance becomes essential at the 78.63 flood risk level; don't assume standard homeowners coverage will protect you when heavy rains arrive. Given the 51.62 earthquake risk, also review your home's structural integrity and consider earthquake insurance if you own an older building in a flood-prone zone.

Full disaster risk analysis on RiskByCounty

ByCounty Network

🏛Property Tax🏠Cost of Living💼Income & Jobs🛡Safety❤Health🎓Schools⚡Disaster Risk💧Water Quality

Data from U.S. Census Bureau ACS, FBI UCR, CDC, FEMA NRI, NCES, EPA SDWIS — informational only.