Zip code 17856: New Columbia, Pennsylvania

Q: What city is zip code 17856?

17856 is assigned to New Columbia, Pennsylvania. The city name is the one the Postal Service prefers for mail addressed to this zip code.

Q: What county is 17856 in?

17856 is in Union County, Pennsylvania.

Q: What is the population of 17856?

About 3,167 people live in 17856, according to the Census Bureau's American Community Survey.

Q: What is the median household income in 17856?

The median household income in 17856 is $91,661.

Q: What zip codes are near 17856?

The closest zip codes to 17856 are 17810, 17837, 17887, 17844, 17886.

Residential delivery areaUnion CountyEastern Time

Population

3,167

Median household income

$92K

U.S. $81K

Median home value

$198K

U.S. $333K

Median rent

$900/mo

U.S. $1,413

Median age

46.4

U.S. 38.9

Land area

49 sq mi

65 people/sq mi

Boundary is the Census Bureau's ZIP Code Tabulation Area, which closely tracks the postal delivery area.

About 17856

17856 is a small-town zip code in New Columbia, Pennsylvania (Union County), covering 49 sq mi of land. About 3,167 people live here, or 65 per square mile. The median resident is 46.4 years old, compared with 38.9 nationally.

The median household earns $91,661 a year, close to the national median of $80,734. 3.7% of residents live below the poverty line (U.S.: 12.5%). A typical home is valued at $197,600, or 2.2 years of median household income (U.S.: 4.1 years), which makes homes relatively affordable for local earners. 94% of occupied homes are lived in by their owners, and renters pay a median of $900 a month.

24% of adults hold a bachelor's degree or higher (U.S.: 36%). Commuters average 18.1 minutes each way, and 3% of workers work from home. The most common jobs among working residents are in construction and repair; management; and healthcare.

How 17856 compares

Sorted from highest to lowest national percentile

Homeownership rate93.7%
99th
StrengthU.S. 65.2% · PA 69.3%163rd of 1,698 in PA
Median age46.4
90th
U.S. 38.9 · PA 40.9634th of 1,707 in PA
Self-employed workers14.1%
87th
U.S. 10% · PA 8.2%219th of 1,704 in PA
Median earnings per worker$60,437
76th
U.S. $49,666 · PA $50,599249th of 1,693 in PA
Healthcare workers10.8%
69th
U.S. 9.7% · PA 11.5%821st of 1,704 in PA
Median household income$91,661
64th
U.S. $80,734 · PA $77,971364th of 1,617 in PA
Government workers15.7%
64th
U.S. 14.5% · PA 11.5%378th of 1,704 in PA
Per capita income$42,783
57th
U.S. $44,673 · PA $44,355496th of 1,707 in PA
Residents 65 and older17.1%
54th
U.S. 17.2% · PA 19.5%1,264th of 1,707 in PA
Rent-burdened renters48.2%
40th
U.S. 51.1% · PA 48.2%586th of 1,596 in PA
Veterans4.6%
33rd
U.S. 6.2% · PA 6.1%1,301st of 1,707 in PA
Housing vacancy5%
33rd
U.S. 10.1% · PA 9.2%1,197th of 1,699 in PA
Uninsured rate4.9%
32nd
U.S. 8.4% · PA 5.6%783rd of 1,705 in PA
Bachelor's degree or higher23.5%
30th
U.S. 35.7% · PA 35.2%773rd of 1,706 in PA
Broadband access88.1%
24th
U.S. 91% · PA 89.7%861st of 1,698 in PA
Median home value$197,600
20th
U.S. $332,700 · PA $254,500824th of 1,628 in PA
Residents under 1817.8%
18th
U.S. 22% · PA 20.4%1,115th of 1,707 in PA
Median gross rent$900
13th
U.S. $1,413 · PA $1,209849th of 1,366 in PA
Population density65/sq mi
9th
U.S. 95/sq mi · PA 291/sq mi1,330th of 1,707 in PA
Unemployment rate2.4%
9th
StrengthU.S. 5.2% · PA 5.3%1,233rd of 1,704 in PA
Foreign-born residents1.4%
8th
U.S. 14.1% · PA 7.7%889th of 1,707 in PA
Average commute18.1 min
6th
StrengthU.S. 26.4 min · PA 26.3 min1,510th of 1,596 in PA
Population3,167
5th
U.S. 334,922,499 · PA 13,018,639790th of 1,707 in PA
Poverty rate3.7%
5th
StrengthU.S. 12.5% · PA 11.7%1,472nd of 1,699 in PA
Tech workers0.4%
5th
U.S. 3.8% · PA 3.6%1,215th of 1,704 in PA
Work from home3.4%
3rd
U.S. 15.1% · PA 15.6%1,465th of 1,704 in PA
Diversity index3.8
1st
U.S. 61.4 · PA 44.61,485th of 1,707 in PA
Income inequality (Gini)0.332
1st
StrengthU.S. 0.483 · PA 0.4741,488th of 1,697 in PA

Measure	17856	Union	PA	U.S.	National percentile	Rank in PA
Homeownership rateStrength	93.7%	72.3%	69.3%	65.2%	99th	163rd of 1,698
Median age	46.4	41	40.9	38.9	90th	634th of 1,707
Self-employed workers	14.1%	12.4%	8.2%	10%	87th	219th of 1,704
Median earnings per worker	$60,437	$42,858	$50,599	$49,666	76th	249th of 1,693
Healthcare workers	10.8%	12.6%	11.5%	9.7%	69th	821st of 1,704
Median household income	$91,661	$76,404	$77,971	$80,734	64th	364th of 1,617
Government workers	15.7%	11.6%	11.5%	14.5%	64th	378th of 1,704
Per capita income	$42,783	$37,605	$44,355	$44,673	57th	496th of 1,707
Residents 65 and older	17.1%	19.9%	19.5%	17.2%	54th	1,264th of 1,707
Rent-burdened renters	48.2%	47.5%	48.2%	51.1%	40th	586th of 1,596
Veterans	4.6%	6.4%	6.1%	6.2%	33rd	1,301st of 1,707
Housing vacancy	5%	10.2%	9.2%	10.1%	33rd	1,197th of 1,699
Uninsured rate	4.9%	10.4%	5.6%	8.4%	32nd	783rd of 1,705
Bachelor's degree or higher	23.5%	26.5%	35.2%	35.7%	30th	773rd of 1,706
Broadband access	88.1%	80.3%	89.7%	91%	24th	861st of 1,698
Median home value	$197,600	$240,100	$254,500	$332,700	20th	824th of 1,628
Residents under 18	17.8%	17.4%	20.4%	22%	18th	1,115th of 1,707
Median gross rent	$900	$974	$1,209	$1,413	13th	849th of 1,366
Population density	65/sq mi	134/sq mi	291/sq mi	95/sq mi	9th	1,330th of 1,707
Unemployment rateStrength	2.4%	2.2%	5.3%	5.2%	9th	1,233rd of 1,704
Foreign-born residents	1.4%	3.9%	7.7%	14.1%	8th	889th of 1,707
Average commuteStrength	18.1 min	17.9 min	26.3 min	26.4 min	6th	1,510th of 1,596
Population	3,167	42,456	13,018,639	334,922,499	5th	790th of 1,707
Poverty rateStrength	3.7%	9%	11.7%	12.5%	5th	1,472nd of 1,699
Tech workers	0.4%	1.4%	3.6%	3.8%	5th	1,215th of 1,704
Work from home	3.4%	9%	15.6%	15.1%	3rd	1,465th of 1,704
Diversity index	3.8	25.5	44.6	61.4	1st	1,485th of 1,707
Income inequality (Gini)Strength	0.332	0.474	0.474	0.483	1st	1,488th of 1,697

The percentile is the share of Americans who live in a zip code with a lower value, so the 50th percentile is typical. Rank 1 is the highest value in the state. Both include zip codes with at least 100 residents. Strengths and weaknesses mark measures in the best or worst fifth nationally, where higher or lower is clearly better (income, poverty, education, commute, broadband, insurance and similar). Measures like age or density are left unmarked.

People

Age

Under 5

12%

5–17

18–24

10%

25–34

14%

35–44

18%

45–54

16%

55–64

11%

65–74

75+

Median age

46.4

Under 18

17.8%

65 and over

17.1%

Race and ethnicity

White98%
Black0.2%
Hispanic0%
Asian0.5%
Native American0%
Pacific Islander0%
Other0%
Multiracial1%

Diversity index

3.8

U.S. 61.4

Foreign-born

1.4%

U.S. 14.1%

Born in state

91.6%

Language spoken at home (households)

English only

98%

Spanish

Other Indo-European

Asian / Pacific

Other

Households

Households: 1,339
Average household size: 2.4
Family households: 74%
Married couples: 63%
Living alone: 24.3%
Veterans (of adults): 4.6%
Male / female: 49% / 51%

Income and poverty

Household income distribution

<$25k

10%

$25–50k

12%

$50–75k

12%

$75–100k

23%

$100–150k

23%

$150–200k

14%

$200k+

Median household income

17856

$91,661

Union Co.

$76,404

Pennsylvania

$77,971

United States

$80,734

Per capita income

$42,783

U.S. $44,673

Poverty rate

3.7%

U.S. 12.5%

Households earning $150K+

20.4%

U.S. 23%

Income inequality (Gini)

0.332

U.S. 0.483

Housing

Median home value

17856

$197,600

Union Co.

$240,100

Pennsylvania

$254,500

United States

$332,700

Median gross rent

17856

$900

Union Co.

$974

Pennsylvania

$1,209

United States

$1,413

Types of housing

Single-family

80%

2–4 units

5–19 units

20+ units

Mobile home

17%

Boat, RV, van

Housing units: 1,409
Owner-occupied: 93.7%
Vacant: 5%
Median year built: 1981
Median rooms: 6
Renters paying 30%+ of income: 48.2%
Renters paying 50%+ of income: 30.4%
Home value to income: 2.2× (U.S. 4.1×)

Work and commute

How people get to work

Drove alone

88%

Carpooled

Transit

Walked

Bicycle

0.7%

Worked from home

Other

Commute time (one way)

<10 min

10–19

55%

20–29

27%

30–44

45–59

60+

Average commute

18.1 min

U.S. 26.4 min

Unemployment

2.4%

U.S. 5.2%

In labor force

71.3%

U.S. 63.5%

Jobs and careers

What employed residents do, wherever they work

Occupations

Construction and repair

20%

Management

12%

Healthcare

11%

Transportation and moving

10%

Food service

Police and fire

Office and admin

Legal and social services

Business and finance

Sales

Production

Cleaning and personal care

Education

Farming, fishing and forestry

Computer and math

0.4%

Engineering and science

0.4%

Arts, media and sports

Industries

Health care and social assistance

14%

Other services

11%

Restaurants and hotels

11%

Education

11%

Manufacturing

10%

Public administration

Construction

Transportation, warehousing and utilities

Retail

Arts and recreation

Wholesale

Professional and technical services

Finance, insurance and real estate

Information

Agriculture and mining

0.9%

Admin, support and management

0.7%

Median earnings per worker

$60,437

U.S. $49,666

Self-employed

14.1%

U.S. 10%

Government workers

15.7%

U.S. 14.5%

Nonprofit workers

19.5%

U.S. 8.8%

Median earnings by type of work

Type of work	17856	U.S.
Management, business, science and arts	$64,816	$74,888
Service	$31,417	$26,804
Sales and office	$33,542	$40,476
Construction and maintenance	$83,417	$49,199
Production and transportation	$40,096	$39,989

Education, internet and health coverage

Highest education (adults 25+)

No diploma

14%

High school

47%

Some college

Associate's

Bachelor's

20%

Graduate

High school graduate or higher: 86.2%
Bachelor's degree or higher: 23.5%
Graduate or professional degree: 3.2%
Households with broadband: 88.1%
Cable, fiber or DSL: 70.4%
No internet access: 3.4%
Without health insurance: 4.9%
Limited-English households: 0%

Geography

City (USPS): New Columbia
State: Pennsylvania
County: Union County
Center point: 41.0450° N, 77.0081° W
Land area: 49 sq mi
Water area: 0.2 sq mi
Time zone: Eastern Time (UTC-5, UTC-4 in summer)
Zip type: Residential delivery area

Cities and towns within this zip

New Columbia (unincorporated)4% of zip

Census places overlapping the zip's area. Mail may use a different city name than the municipality.

Zip codes near 17856

Search by radius

Zip	City	Distance	Population	IncomeMedian income	Home value
17810	Allenwood, PA	4.2 mi	5,309	$77,232	$222,100
17837	Lewisburg, PA	5.8 mi	18,403	$88,975	$288,100
17887	White Deer, PA	6.2 mi	591	—	$160,400
17844	Mifflinburg, PA	7.1 mi	10,291	$68,314	$235,000
17886	West Milton, PA	7.1 mi	804	$47,574	$174,200
17883	Vicksburg, PA · PO box	7.4 mi	—	—	—
17730	Dewart, PA	8.1 mi	11	—	—
17850	Montandon, PA	9.5 mi	576	$51,429	$84,600
17702	Williamsport, PA	10 mi	10,488	$70,210	$196,900
17749	Mc Ewensville, PA	10 mi	234	$74,500	$196,900
17752	Montgomery, PA	11 mi	4,975	$71,118	$186,700
17777	Watsontown, PA	11 mi	7,030	$67,188	$216,800

Zip codes like 17856 elsewhere

Matched on income, home values, age, density, education, housing and commuting

Questions about 17856

What city is zip code 17856?

17856 is assigned to New Columbia, Pennsylvania. The city name is the one the Postal Service prefers for mail addressed to this zip code.

What county is 17856 in?

17856 is in Union County, Pennsylvania.

What is the population of 17856?

About 3,167 people live in 17856, according to the Census Bureau's American Community Survey.

What time zone is 17856 in?

17856 is in Eastern Time.

What is the median household income in 17856?

The median household income in 17856 is $91,661.

What zip codes are near 17856?

The closest zip codes to 17856 are 17810, 17837, 17887, 17844, 17886.

Demographic figures are 2020–2024 American Community Survey 5-year estimates for ZIP Code Tabulation Area 17856, from the U.S. Census Bureau. Small areas have wide margins of error. How we build these numbers.