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CITY · 2020 ACS

Columbia

Illinois · 10,999 residents · 10.55 sq mi
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The short version

Columbia is significantly wealthier than the US average, with a median household income of $107,500. Population has grown 39% since 2000. 52% of adults hold a bachelor's degree or higher, well above the national rate of 33%. Median home value has more than doubled since 2000, reaching $228,300. Poverty is rare here, at 4.6% of residents. Households here earn about 57% more than the Illinois median.

At a glance
Wealthier
above the US median
US median: $66,278
Mid-age
median age 40.5
US median: 38.8
More educated
52% hold a bachelor's degree
US average: 33%
Stable housing
home values roughly flat, inflation adjusted
US median home: $265,253
Section 01

Population & growth

Total population
10,999
+39%since 2000
from 7,922 in 2000
1990 – 2025
Population density
1,043 / sq mi
+39%since 2000
from 751 / sq mi in 2000
US average: 280
Median age
40.5
+8%since 2000
from 37.6 in 2000
US average: 38.8
Population, 1990 – 2024
5K7K8K10K12K1990201020202024Columbia
202411K
1990201020202024
Section 02

Income & economy

Median household income
$107,500
+23%inflation adjusted, since 2000
from $58,003 in 2000
US average: $66,278
1990 – 2024
Per capita income
$50,876
+90%since 2000
from $26,767 in 2000
US average: $35,364
Households earning $100K+
64.6%
+18.9 ptssince 2009
from 45.7% in 2009
US average: 43.9%
Poverty rate
4.6%
+2.1 ptssince 2000
from 2.5% in 2000
US average: 12.8%
Workforce by industry, 2020
Retail trade7.7%
US avg: 10%
Information7.5%
US avg: 11.1%
Other services6.7%
US avg: 6.6%
Wholesale trade6.1%
US avg: 6.7%
Public administration6%
US avg: 4.7%
Transportation & warehousing3.9%
US avg: 2.5%
Finance & insurance3.7%
US avg: 5.5%
Professional, scientific, technical3.3%
US avg: 4.7%
Arts, entertainment, food1.6%
US avg: 2%
Agriculture, forestry, fishing0.7%
US avg: 1.7%
Education & health services0.4%
US avg: 0.8%
Construction0.4%
US avg: 1.2%
Manufacturing0.3%
US avg: 0.5%
BARS: THIS PLACE · TICKS: US AVERAGE
Section 03

Housing

Median home value
$228,300
+21%inflation adjusted, since 2000
from $126,000 in 2000
US average: $265,253
1990 – 2024
Median gross rent
$912
Unchangedinflation adjusted, since 2000
from $609 in 2000
US average: $1,124
Owner-occupied
79.7%
+3.1 ptssince 2000
from 76.6% in 2000
20.3% rent
Afford Score
2.1
−2%since 2000
from 2.2 in 2000
1990 – 2024
RELATED:See current rent listings in Columbia on RentDataNow
Section 04

Race & ethnicity

2000
White, non-Hispanic97.9%(7,755)
Black0.1%(8)
Hispanic / Latino1%(76)
Asian0.3%(27)
Other0%
Diversity Score3.5%(276)
2020
White, non-Hispanic92.8%(10,210)
Black0.5%(59)
Hispanic / Latino2.3%(254)
Asian0.6%(67)
Other1.3%(146)
Diversity Score11.8%(1,303)
Diversity Score
12
+240%since 2000
from 3 in 2000
1990 – 2024
Section 05

Education

Bachelor's degree or higher
51.7%
+23.2 ptssince 2000
from 28.5% in 2000
US average: 32.9%
High school or higher
97.1%
+7.2 ptssince 2000
from 89.9% in 2000
US average: 88.5%
Graduate degree
22.0%
+12.1 ptssince 2000
from 9.9% in 2000
US average: 12.7%
Section 06

Commute & transportation

Average commute
26.4 min
+61%since 2000
from 16.4 min in 2000
US average: 26.9
Drive alone to work
87.7%
+0.2 ptssince 2009
from 87.5% in 2009
US average: 75.1%
No vehicle available
1.5%
−0.1 ptssince 2009
from 1.6% in 2009
US average: 8.4%
Section 07

Work & employment

Unemployment rate
2.2%
−4.5 ptssince 2011
from 6.7% in 2011
US average: 5.4%
Labor force participation
75.9%
+8.6 ptssince 2011
from 67.3% in 2011
US average: 63.4%
Management & professional
55.1%
−7.0 ptssince 2009
from 62.2% in 2009
US average: 39.3%
Section 08

People & community

Male
49.4%
+0.7 ptssince 2009
from 48.7% in 2009
Female
50.6%
−0.7 ptssince 2009
from 51.3% in 2009
Foreign born
1.5%
+0.5 ptssince 2009
from 1.0% in 2009
US average: 13.5%
Uninsured
1.8%
−94.2 ptssince 2013
from 96.0% in 2013
US average: 8.8%
Drill deeper

Places similar to Columbia

Gateway
Pop 11,176
Pebble Creek
Pop 10,447
Lakeland Highlands
Pop 12,102
Olympia Heights
Pop 12,399
Places similar to Columbia
Head to head

Compare Columbia to nearby cities

COLUMBIA VS
Oakville
Income$106,362−1%
Home value$318,600+40%
Population35,333+225%
SEE FULL COMPARISON →
COLUMBIA VS
Mehlville
Income$67,071−38%
Home value$218,400−4%
Population29,805+174%
SEE FULL COMPARISON →
COLUMBIA VS
Lemay
Income$60,399−44%
Home value$152,200−33%
Population16,228+49%
SEE FULL COMPARISON →
COLUMBIA VS
Concord
Income$89,038−17%
Home value$303,600+33%
Population18,368+69%
SEE FULL COMPARISON →
Frequently asked

How many people live in Columbia, Illinois?

Columbia, Illinois has about 10,999 residents according to the 2020 American Community Survey.

What is the median household income in Columbia, Illinois?

The typical household in Columbia, Illinois earns about $107,500 a year. Half of households make more than that, and half make less.

Is Columbia, Illinois expensive?

In Columbia, Illinois, the median home is worth about $228,300, and the typical rent is about $912 a month.

How educated are people in Columbia, Illinois?

About 51.7% of adults age 25 and over in Columbia, Illinois hold a bachelor's degree or higher.

What is the poverty rate in Columbia, Illinois?

About 4.6% of people in Columbia, Illinois live below the federal poverty line.

Has Columbia, Illinois grown since 1990?

Yes, Columbia, Illinois has grown since 1990. The population has added about 5,475 residents, a change of about 99 percent over that period.

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DATA: US CENSUS BUREAU ACS 5-YEAR + DECENNIAL CENSUS · UPDATED 2024

How we source and harmonize this data →