Centralia
Borough in Columbia County, Pennsylvania
Centralia is a borough in Columbia County, Pennsylvania, with 5 residents (2020 Census). It sits at 1,467 ft (447 m) above sea level. The nearest town is Aristes, 0.8 miles NE.
- 5residents (2020 Census)
- 1,467 ftelevation · 447 m
- 0.2 sq miland area · 0.6 km²
- 21 / sq mipopulation density
- 17920ZIP code
About Centralia
Centralia (, sen-TRAY-li-ə) is a borough and near-ghost town in Columbia County, Pennsylvania, United States, part of Northeastern Pennsylvania. Its population declined from 1,000 in 1980 to five residents in 2020 because of a coal mine fire burning beneath the borough since 1962. Centralia, part of the Bloomsburg–Berwick metropolitan area, is the least-populated municipality in Pennsylvania. It is completely surrounded by Conyngham Township.
All real estate in the borough was claimed under eminent domain in 1992 and condemned by the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania. Centralia's ZIP Code was discontinued by the Postal Service in 2002. State and local officials reached an agreement with the then seven remaining residents on October 29, 2013, allowing them to remain in Centralia until their deaths, after which the rights to their houses will be taken through eminent domain. As of 2020, only five residents remain. In the 2024 American Community Survey (ACS), only one resident remains in Centralia.
Text: Wikipedia · CC BY-SA 4.0
Centralia weather: 7-day forecast
Loading the National Weather Service forecast…
Source: National Weather Service (NOAA).
Live webcams in Centralia
Webcams: Windy.com
Do you know Centralia? Tell us about it
Help other travelers: share what makes Centralia special. We review every message before publishing it.
Map of Centralia
Tap any street on the map to see it in Street View below. Map: © OpenStreetMap contributors.
Centralia Street View
Drag the image to look around and tap the arrows on the ground to move. If it says there is no imagery, tap a nearby street on the map above.
Open in Google Maps ›Centralia, PA population
Centralia had 5 residents in the 2020 Census.
| 2020 Census | 5 |
|---|---|
| Density | 21 per sq mi (8 per km²) |
Source: U.S. Census Bureau, Decennial Census.
Centralia at a glance
| State | Pennsylvania (PA) |
|---|---|
| County | Columbia County |
| Type | Borough |
| Population | 5 (2020) |
| Land area | 0.24 sq mi (0.6 km²) |
| Water area | 0.00 sq mi (0.00 km²) |
| Elevation | 1,467 ft (447 m) |
| Coordinates | 40.8045° N, 76.3440° W |
| ZIP code | 17920 |
| Official website | centraliapa.com |
| Census code (GEOID) | 4212312 |
Sources: U.S. Census Bureau (Gazetteer, ZCTA), USGS GNIS, Wikidata.
Towns near Centralia
- Aristes0.8 mi NE
- Conyngham1.3 mi W
- Wilburton Number Two1.5 mi NW
- Ashland1.6 mi S
- Locustdale2.4 mi SW
- Fountain Springs2.4 mi S
- Wilburton Number One2.7 mi W
- Butler2.8 mi S
- Girardville3.3 mi E
- Mount Carmel3.6 mi W
- Lavelle3.7 mi SW
- Gordon3.8 mi S
Straight-line distance between town centers.
Frequently asked questions about Centralia
What county is Centralia in?
Centralia is in Columbia County, Pennsylvania.
What is the population of Centralia, PA?
5 people lived in Centralia at the 2020 Census.
What is the ZIP code of Centralia, PA?
The ZIP code of Centralia is 17920.
What is the elevation of Centralia?
1,467 feet (447 m) above sea level.
What towns are near Centralia?
Aristes (0.8 mi), Conyngham (1.3 mi), Wilburton Number Two (1.5 mi), Ashland (1.6 mi), Locustdale (2.4 mi).
Last updated: