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CITY

Columbus

Kansas · 2,866 residents (2025 est.) · 2.433 sq mi
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The short version

Columbus has notably lower household income than the US average, with a median household income of $37,961. Population has fallen 15% since 2000, a loss of 515 residents. Median home value has more than doubled since 2000, reaching $94,100. The poverty rate of 21.3% is well above the national figure. Households here earn about 49% less than the Kansas median.

At a glance
Lower income
below the US median
US median: $82,259
Mid-age
median age 38.5
US median: 38.9
Less educated
24% hold a bachelor's degree
US average: 36%
Stable housing
home values roughly flat, inflation adjusted
US median home: $376,019
Section 01

Population & growth

Total population
2,881
−15%since 2000
from 3,396 in 2000
1990 – 2025
Population density
1,184 / sq mi
−15%since 2000
from 1,396 / sq mi in 2000
US average: 281
Median age
38.5
+2%since 2000
from 37.7 in 2000
US average: 38.9

PEP 2025 EST:2,866 residents (Census Bureau Vintage 2025, released March 2026)

Population, 1990 – 2024
3K3K3K3K3K1990201020202024Columbus
20243K
1990201020202024
Section 02

Income & economy

Median household income
$37,961
−24%inflation adjusted, since 2000
from $27,530 in 2000
US average: $82,259
1990 – 2024
Per capita income
$27,763
+86%since 2000
from $14,937 in 2000
US average: $44,673
Households earning $100K+
27.3%
+17.9 ptssince 2009
from 9.4% in 2009
US average: 53.3%
Poverty rate
21.3%
+5.2 ptssince 2000
from 16.2% in 2000
US average: 12.5%
Income inequality (Gini)
0.516
+5%since 2010
from 0.492 in 2010
US average: 0.476
Workforce by industry, 2024
Retail trade16.4%
US avg: 9.9%
Finance & insurance10.1%
US avg: 5.9%
Information9.2%
US avg: 10.8%
Wholesale trade8.5%
US avg: 6.9%
Professional, scientific, technical8.2%
US avg: 5.1%
Transportation & warehousing3.4%
US avg: 2.2%
Arts, entertainment, food2.7%
US avg: 1.9%
Agriculture, forestry, fishing1.9%
US avg: 1.6%
Construction1.9%
US avg: 1.2%
Education & health services1.8%
US avg: 0.9%
Other services0.6%
US avg: 6.7%
Manufacturing0%
US avg: 0.4%
Public administration0%
US avg: 4.8%
BARS: THIS PLACE · TICKS: US AVERAGE
Section 03

Housing

Median home value
$94,100
+15%inflation adjusted, since 2000
from $45,100 in 2000
US average: $376,019
1990 – 2024
Median gross rent
$774
+24%inflation adjusted, since 2000
from $343 in 2000
US average: $1,442
Owner-occupied
67.0%
−2.5 ptssince 2000
from 69.5% in 2000
33.0% rent
Vacancy rate
5.4%
−11.4 ptssince 2009
from 16.8% in 2009
US average: 10.0%
Owner cost-burdened
25.4%
+4.0 ptssince 2009
from 21.4% in 2009
US average: 22.9%
Renter cost-burdened
56.7%
+17.2 ptssince 2009
from 39.5% in 2009
US average: 47.4%
Afford Score
2.5
+51%since 2000
from 1.6 in 2000
1990 – 2024
Gentrification Score
43
RELATED:See current rent listings in Columbus on RentDataNow
Section 04

Race & ethnicity

2000
White, non-Hispanic93.6%(3,177)
Black0.3%(11)
Hispanic / Latino2%(69)
Asian0.4%(14)
Other0%
Diversity Score7%(238)
2024
White, non-Hispanic81.6%(2,350)
Black3.7%(106)
Hispanic / Latino2.5%(73)
Asian0%(0)
Other12.2%(352)
Diversity Score39.7%(1,144)
Diversity Score
40
+466%since 2000
from 7 in 2000
1990 – 2024
Section 05

Education

Bachelor's degree or higher
24.2%
+10.1 ptssince 2000
from 14.1% in 2000
US average: 35.6%
High school or higher
92.6%
+12.3 ptssince 2000
from 80.3% in 2000
US average: 89.6%
Graduate degree
11.0%
+5.0 ptssince 2000
from 6.0% in 2000
US average: 14.0%
Section 06

Commute & transportation

Average commute
17.4 min
+12%since 2000
from 15.6 min in 2000
US average: 26.5
Drive alone to work
87.1%
+6.4 ptssince 2009
from 80.8% in 2009
US average: 68.9%
Carpooled to work
10.9%
+0.4 ptssince 2009
from 10.5% in 2009
US average: 8.5%
Public transit
0.0%
Unchangedsince 2009
from 0.0% in 2009
US average: 3.2%
Worked from home
1.6%
−1.1 ptssince 2009
from 2.8% in 2009
US average: 15.0%
Walked to work
0.3%
−5.6 ptssince 2009
from 6.0% in 2009
US average: 2.4%
Biked to work
0.0%
Unchangedsince 2009
from 0.0% in 2009
US average: 0.4%
No vehicle available
4.1%
−4.0 ptssince 2009
from 8.1% in 2009
US average: 8.3%
Section 07

Work & employment

Unemployment rate
3.0%
−3.1 ptssince 2011
from 6.1% in 2011
US average: 5.2%
Labor force participation
55.9%
−4.7 ptssince 2011
from 60.5% in 2011
US average: 63.5%
Self-employed
11.0%
−8.1 ptssince 2009
from 19.1% in 2009
US average: 13.1%
Management & professional
22.8%
−42.9 ptssince 2009
from 65.8% in 2009
US average: 42.5%
Section 08

People & community

Male
40.0%
−3.8 ptssince 2009
from 43.9% in 2009
Female
60.0%
+3.8 ptssince 2009
from 56.1% in 2009
Foreign born
0.8%
+0.6 ptssince 2009
from 0.2% in 2009
US average: 14.1%
Veterans
5.8%
−35.6 ptssince 2009
from 41.3% in 2009
US average: 6.2%
With a disability
28.8%
+10.1 ptssince 2012
from 18.7% in 2012
US average: 13.3%
Uninsured
12.5%
−72.4 ptssince 2013
from 84.9% in 2013
US average: 8.4%
Broadband at home
88.0%
+20.1 ptssince 2017
from 67.9% in 2017
US average: 91.0%
English only at home
98.2%
+3.0 ptssince 2016
from 95.2% in 2016
US average: 77.7%
Spanish at home
1.8%
−2.0 ptssince 2016
from 3.9% in 2016
US average: 13.6%
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Compare Columbus to nearby cities

COLUMBUS VS
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Home value$218,300+132%
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COLUMBUS VS
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COLUMBUS VS
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COLUMBUS VS
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Home value$168,300+79%
Population53,930+1782%
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Frequently asked

How many people live in Columbus, Kansas?

Columbus, Kansas has about 2,881 residents according to the 2024 American Community Survey.

What is the median household income in Columbus, Kansas?

The typical household in Columbus, Kansas earns about $37,961 a year. Half of households make more than that, and half make less.

Is Columbus, Kansas expensive?

In Columbus, Kansas, the median home is worth about $94,100, and the typical rent is about $774 a month.

How educated are people in Columbus, Kansas?

About 24.2% of adults age 25 and over in Columbus, Kansas hold a bachelor's degree or higher.

What is the poverty rate in Columbus, Kansas?

About 21.3% of people in Columbus, Kansas live below the federal poverty line.

Has Columbus, Kansas grown since 1990?

Yes, Columbus, Kansas has shrunk since 1990. The population has lost about 387 residents, a change of about -12 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 →

Columbus, Kansas: demographics, income & housing data · CensusEasy