As of the census of 2000, there were 1,589 people, 710 households, and 428 families residing in the borough. The population density was . There were 762 housing units at an average density of . The racial makeup of the borough was 97.48% White, 0.69% African American, 0.19% Asian, 0.31% from other races, and 1.32% from two or more races. Hispanic or Latino of any race were 0.44% of the population.
There were 710 households, out of which 27.3% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 42.5% were married couples living together, 14.1% had a female householder with no husband present, and 39.7% were non-families. 35.4% of all households were made up of individuals, and 20.3% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.23 and the average family size was 2.89.
In the borough the population was spread out, with 24.2% under the age of 18, 8.1% from 18 to 24, 26.9% from 25 to 44, 20.4% from 45 to 64, and 20.5% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 38 years. For every 100 females, there were 78.7 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 75.7 males.
The median income for a household in the borough was $30,262, and the median income for a family was $37,292. Males had a median income of $30,987 versus $21,210 for females. The per capita income for the borough was $16,154. About 11.8% of families and 15.9% of the population were below the poverty line, including 25.1% of those under age 18 and 13.1% of those age 65 or over.
Climate
The average high temperature in July in Catawissa is 84 °F and the average low during this month is 62 °F. The average high temperature in January is 35 °F and the average low temperature is 19 °F. The highest recorded temperature in Catawissa is 105 °F, which occurred in July 1988, August 1930, and September 1953. The lowest recorded temperature is -26°F, which occurred in January 1994. The driest month in Catawissa is February, which receives an average of 2.37 inches of precipitation. The wettest month is June, which receives an average of 4.5 inches of precipitation.
According to the Köppen climate classification Catawissa has a hot-summer humid continental climate (Dfa). The hardiness zone is 6b bordering 7a. [https://planthardiness.ars.usda.gov/]
Notable people
- Samuel Lount, a leader of the Upper Canada Rebellion, and one of several men hanged for his participation.
- Owen D. Leib, congressman for Pennsylvania's District 11.
- Bobby Rhawn, a Major League Baseball infielder of the 1940s.
- Harold L. Ervin, a judge on the Superior Court of Pennsylvania.
- Paul K. Walp, political scientist
Education
Catawissa is in the Southern Columbia Area School District.<!--UNI 22260-->
Bloomsburg University of Pennsylvania, with over 9,400 students, is the nearest university.