Columbia ZIP Code List — Lancaster County, PA

There is one unique ZIP code in Columbia, Pennsylvania and it is 17512. Area code: 717/223.

ZIP codes

16.01

sq mi land

4.86

sq mi water

717/223

area code

Columbia, PA ZIP code map

About Columbia, PA

Columbia, Pennsylvania, is a charming borough located in Lancaster County. It is renowned for its rich history and picturesque views along the Susquehanna River. With a small-town feel and a close-knit community, Columbia offers a unique blend of traditional values and modern amenities.

Location & geography

Columbia is situated in south-central Pennsylvania, bordered by the Susquehanna River to the west. The borough lies approximately 30 miles southeast of Harrisburg and about 60 miles north of Baltimore, Maryland, making it accessible to larger metropolitan areas. Covering a total land area of 16.01 square miles and a water area of 4.86 square miles, Columbia features a mix of urban and scenic landscapes.

Community & economy

The character of Columbia is defined by its historical architecture and the strong sense of community among its residents. Local industries include small manufacturing and services, which contribute to the town's economy while maintaining its historical charm. Daily life in Columbia is characterized by community events, local shops, and recreational activities along the riverfront.

Transportation

Columbia is easily accessible via U.S. Route 30, which provides connections to surrounding cities and regions. The nearest major airport is Harrisburg International Airport, located approximately 25 miles to the northwest. Public transportation options are somewhat limited, but regional bus services do operate in the area.

History

Columbia was founded in the early 18th century and is known for its significant role in transportation due to its location along the Susquehanna River and the construction of the Columbia and Philadelphia Railroad. Historically, the borough was a shipping point for goods heading to major cities, which fostered local industries such as textiles and manufacturing. Notable events include the creation of the iconic Columbia-Wrightsville Bridge in the 19th century, which was an important link across the river.

Did you know?

One surprising fact about Columbia is that it was once the site of the Columbia Shipbuilding Company, known for producing riverboats. Additionally, the town has a vibrant arts scene, with various annual events celebrating local artists and culture.

ZIP codes for Columbia, PA (1)

ZIP code	City	County	Map
17512	Columbia	Lancaster	View map

Demographics & statistics

18,044

Population

43.0

Median age

$59,496

Median household income

$33,830

Per capita income

$202,100

Median home value

$1,037

Median monthly rent

63.0%

Home ownership

11.5%

Poverty rate

2.6%

Unemployment

5,187

Housing units

22.2%

Bachelor's or higher

Age distribution

Male Female

393

Under 5

419

469

5–9

500

465

10–14

496

609

15–19

649

325

20–24

347

1,093

25–34

1,164

1,206

35–44

1,285

912

45–54

972

427

55–59

455

785

60–64

835

1,155

65–74

1,230

474

75–84

504

424

85+

451

← Male

Female →

Age summary

Group	Count	%
Under 18	3,449	19.1%
18 and over	14,595	80.9%
65 and over	4,238	23.5%
Median age	43.0 years

Race & ethnicity

White 82.5%

Hispanic or Latino 5.3%

Black or African American 4.5%

Two or more races 3.7%

Other race 3.2%

Asian 0.4%

American Indian / Alaska Native 0.4%

Group	Count	%
White	15,723	82.5%
Hispanic or Latino	1,011	5.3%
Black or African American	857	4.5%
Two or more races	705	3.7%
Other race	601	3.2%
Asian	79	0.4%
American Indian / Alaska Native	79	0.4%

Household income

Under $10k 3.1%

$10k–$15k 4.7%

$15k–$25k 8.7%

$25k–$35k 9.9%

$35k–$50k 16.4%

$50k–$75k 16.8%

$75k–$100k 14.2%

$100k–$150k 14.2%

$150k–$200k 8.3%

$200k+ 3.6%

Range	% of households
Under $10k	3.1%
$10k–$15k	4.7%
$15k–$25k	8.7%
$25k–$35k	9.9%
$35k–$50k	16.4%
$50k–$75k	16.8%
$75k–$100k	14.2%
$100k–$150k	14.2%
$150k–$200k	8.3%
$200k+	3.6%
Median income	$59,496

Housing

Home values

Under $50k 1.4%

$50k–$100k 13.8%

$100k–$150k 14.1%

$150k–$200k 20.1%

$200k–$300k 26.2%

$300k–$500k 17.7%

$500k–$1M 5.7%

$1M+ 0.9%

Housing overview

Metric	Value
Median home value	$202,100
Median rent / month	$1,037
Owner occupied	63.0%
Renter occupied	37.0%
Vacant	5.7%
Single-family detached	45.3%
Large apartment buildings	8.7%
Mobile homes	0.4%
Median rooms	6.1
Avg household size (owned)	2.49

Year built

Era	%
2020 or later	0.0%
2010–2019	3.6%
2000–2009	5.5%
1990–1999	8.6%
1980–1989	10.9%
1970–1979	11.5%
1960–1969	7.2%
1950–1959	8.5%
1940–1949	5.6%
1939 or earlier	38.5%

Bedrooms

Size	% of units
No bedroom (studio)	1.0%
1 bedroom	16.0%
2 bedrooms	22.7%
3 bedrooms	35.0%
4 bedrooms	19.1%
5+ bedrooms	6.2%

Vehicles per household

Vehicles	% of households
No vehicle	12.8%
1 vehicle	33.9%
2 vehicles	36.3%
3 or more	17.0%

Heating fuel

Fuel type	%
Utility gas	42.9%
Electricity	34.5%
Propane / LP gas	8.4%
Fuel oil	11.4%
Wood	1.0%
Solar	0.3%
No fuel used	0.9%

Households & families

Household type	Count	%
Married-couple family	3,569	47.5%
Cohabiting couple	494	6.6%
Male householder, no spouse	1,497	19.9%
Female householder, no spouse	1,952	26.0%
Households with children under 18	1,777	23.7%
Households with seniors (65+)	2,763	36.8%
Average household size	2.35

Marital status

Status	Male	Female
Never married	32.9%	25.6%
Married	50.9%	48.3%
Separated	1.5%	2.8%
Widowed	3.0%	12.4%
Divorced	11.7%	10.9%

Education

Less than 9th grade 4.2%

Some HS, no diploma 11.8%

HS graduate 42.1%

Some college, no degree 13.0%

Associate's degree 6.6%

Bachelor's degree 14.4%

Graduate / professional 7.8%

Metric	%
HS diploma or higher	84.0%
Bachelor's or higher	22.2%

School enrollment (ages 3–17)

Type	Count	%
Nursery / preschool	102	3.1%
Kindergarten	210	6.4%
Elementary school	1,457	44.5%
High school	995	30.4%
College / grad school	510	15.6%

Employment

Industry of employment

Education & healthcare 22.1%

Manufacturing 17.0%

Retail trade 13.6%

Professional & management 8.4%

Transportation & utilities 7.3%

Construction 7.2%

Finance & real estate 7.2%

Arts, food & hospitality 6.8%

Other services 4.0%

Public administration 2.3%

Agriculture & mining 1.8%

Wholesale trade 1.3%

Information 1.2%

Occupation

Category	%
Management, business & arts	32.6%
Service	12.6%
Sales & office	21.6%
Natural resources & construction	10.0%
Production & transportation	23.2%

Employment type

Type	%
Private sector	86.0%
Government	9.9%
Self-employed	4.0%
Unpaid family workers	0.1%

Commute

Method	%
Drive alone	79.5%
Carpool	7.1%
Public transit	1.4%
Walk	3.6%
Other means	0.9%
Avg commute (minutes)	24.1

Poverty

All people 11.5%

Under 18 years 15.4%

18 and over 10.6%

Married-couple families 2.4%

Female-led households 26.2%

Income support

Source	% of households
Social Security	40.1%
Retirement income	28.7%
Supplemental Security	7.9%
Cash public assistance	4.3%
Food stamps / SNAP	17.5%

Health indicators

Condition	%
High blood pressure	33.7%
High cholesterol	31.4%
Heart disease	7.5%
Stroke	3.5%
Asthma	10.7%
Arthritis	29.6%
Kidney disease	3.2%
Pulmonary disease	8.7%
Cancer	7.1%

Behavior / access	%
Binge drinking	17.1%
No physical activity	26.2%
Less than 7 hrs sleep	37.4%
Fair or poor health	17.0%
Poor mental health	16.5%
Poor physical health	12.2%
No health insurance	12.5%
Visited doctor (checkup)	78.6%
Visited dentist	60.4%
Cholesterol screening	88.2%
Teeth loss	18.1%

Veterans & disability

Veterans	Count	%
Civilian veterans	1,358	9.3%

Disability	%
Any disability	17.1%
Under 18	2.8%
18–64 years	14.4%
65 and over	36.4%

Health insurance coverage

Type	%
Private insurance	68.6%
Public insurance	45.6%
Uninsured under 19	4.3%

Language & origin

Language spoken at home (age 5+)

Language	Count	%
English only	17,232	95.5%
Spanish	660	3.8%
Other Indo-European	575	3.3%
Asian & Pacific Islander	7	0.0%
Other languages	0	0.0%

Place of birth & citizenship

Origin	Count	%
Native born (US)	17,330	96.0%
Born in same state	16,091	89.2%
Born in different state	13,666	75.7%
Foreign born	1,239	6.9%
Naturalized citizen	714	4.0%
Not a US citizen	384	53.8%

Ancestry

Ancestry	Count	%
Italian	2,091	11.6%
French	1,477	8.2%
Arab	1,043	5.8%
English	105	0.6%

Ancestry	Count	%
Polish	58	0.3%
German	16	0.1%
Norwegian	13	0.1%
Irish	3	0%

Technology access

Metric	% of households
Computer access	41.6%
Internet access	91.4%

Source: U.S. Census Bureau, American Community Survey 2025 estimates.

Frequently asked questions

What is the ZIP code for Columbia, PA?

Columbia, PA has one ZIP code: 17512.

What is the main ZIP code for Columbia, PA?

The primary ZIP code for Columbia, PA is 17512. The city uses area code 717 or 223 for phone service.

What county is Columbia, PA in?

Columbia is located in Lancaster County, Pennsylvania.

How many ZIP codes are in Columbia, PA?

Columbia, PA has 1 ZIP code.

What ZIP code should I use when mailing something to the Columbia Borough downtown area along Locust Street?

All addresses in Columbia Borough, including the downtown historic district along Locust Street, use the ZIP code 17512.

What is the ZIP code for properties along the Susquehanna River waterfront in Columbia, PA?

The Susquehanna River waterfront area and all residential properties in Columbia are served by ZIP code 17512.