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Bloomsburg is a small borough in Columbia County, Pennsylvania, set along the north branch of the Susquehanna River about 50 miles southwest of Wilkes-Barre. Its identity is almost entirely shaped by Bloomsburg University, which brings several thousand students into a town of roughly 12,000 year-round residents. The commercial center along Market Street and East Main Street is compact and walkable, with locally owned restaurants, a few bars, and retail businesses catering heavily to the student population. The surrounding landscape is rolling and wooded, with the Susquehanna River providing a natural backdrop to the south side of town. Housing stock is dominated by older single-family homes and converted houses that landlords have divided into student apartments over the decades. Rents are low by Pennsylvania standards, reflecting both the small market and the limited income of a largely student population. The borough shrinks noticeably in summer when students leave.
The East Main Street corridor closest to the academic buildings is the heart of the Bloomsburg student rental market. Students here walk to class and are steps from the most popular dining and social venues in the borough.
The quieter residential blocks west of the academic core offer a mix of houses and duplexes with more space than typical downtown apartments. It is an easy walk or bike ride to campus, and the neighborhood is popular with upperclassmen and graduate students.
Market Street's small commercial district anchors the downtown experience in Bloomsburg. A handful of apartments and lofts above storefronts give residents walkable access to local restaurants, the Columbia County Courthouse area, and the Susquehanna River waterfront just south of the borough.
Students who prioritize lower rent sometimes choose apartments strung along Route 11 east and west of the borough center. A car is necessary for this area, but the tradeoff in monthly cost can be meaningful for budget-conscious renters.
Here's what you need to know about getting around Bloomsburg.
Bloomsburg is served by the Bloomsburg Area Shared Transit system, which operates fixed-route service within the borough and connects to Columbia County destinations. Service is limited in frequency and does not run late at night, which affects students relying on it for evening errands or off-campus social activity. The university also operates a free campus shuttle during the academic year that loops between residence halls, the student union, and nearby commercial areas. Students without cars who live within the core campus neighborhood generally manage well between transit and walking.
The compact geography of Bloomsburg makes walking the primary mode of transportation for most on- and off-campus students. East Main Street, which connects the academic core to downtown, is walkable and has sidewalks on both sides for most of its length. Biking is practical on flat streets near campus, though some surrounding roads lack dedicated bike lanes and carry faster traffic. The Bloomsburg Fairgrounds trail and riverside paths along Fishing Creek provide pleasant routes for recreation, not just commuting.
On-street parking in residential neighborhoods near campus is generally free and widely available, a significant difference from larger university towns. The university charges for campus parking permits, which encourages many students to park in surrounding neighborhoods and walk. Downtown Bloomsburg has surface lots near Market Street that are free or low-cost during evenings and weekends. Students with cars find the overall parking situation low-stress compared to bigger college cities.
Common questions from students searching for housing.
Bloomsburg is one of the more affordable college towns in Pennsylvania. Shared houses near campus typically cost $400-$650 per person per month when split among two to four students. One-bedroom apartments run roughly $600-$900 per month depending on proximity to campus and the condition of the unit. Many properties do not include utilities, so students should budget an additional $80-$150 per month for gas and electric.
Browse student housing near each Bloomsburg-area university.