Sunbury, PA
- Elevation
- 446 ft USGS GNIS community points and 3DEP elevation · GNIS 2026-07-06; USGS 3DEP sampled 2026-07-23
- General Quality Overall rating out of 100
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About Sunbury
Located in central Pennsylvania where the North and West branches of the Susquehanna River meet, Sunbury is a historic river town of about 9,600 residents. Serving as the seat of Northumberland County, its roots date back to the 1770s, when the community grew around the frontier post of Fort Augusta. Sunbury is also well known for its connection to Thomas Edison, who debuted one of the world's earliest commercial electric lighting systems here in 1883 at the historic Hotel Edison.
Today, the riverfront and a walkable downtown define the local pace. Just across the water, Shikellamy State Park provides scenic hiking trails, boat launches, and cliffside overlooks of the valley. In town, preserved nineteenth-century buildings house local shops and county offices, with neighborhood schools and community parks anchoring everyday routines. It offers quiet, affordable living with rich heritage and easy access to outdoor recreation throughout the Susquehanna Valley.
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