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CITY

Columbia

Kentucky · 4,680 residents (2025 est.) · 4.872 sq mi
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The short version

Columbia has notably lower household income than the US average, with a median household income of $47,299. Population has grown 20% since 2000. Median home value has more than doubled since 2000, reaching $143,600. At a median age of 28.2, residents skew younger than the country as a whole. Households here earn about 26% less than the Kentucky median.

At a glance
Lower income
below the US median
US median: $82,259
Younger
median age 28.2
US median: 38.9
Less educated
25% hold a bachelor's degree
US average: 36%
Less affordable
home values up 28%, inflation adjusted
US median home: $376,019
Section 01

Population & growth

Total population
4,808
+20%since 2000
from 4,014 in 2000
1990 – 2025
Population density
987 / sq mi
+20%since 2000
from 824 / sq mi in 2000
US average: 281
Median age
28.2
−22%since 2000
from 36.2 in 2000
US average: 38.9

PEP 2025 EST:4,680 residents (Census Bureau Vintage 2025, released March 2026)

Population, 1990 – 2024
4K4K4K5K5K1990201020202024Columbia
20245K
1990201020202024
Section 02

Income & economy

Median household income
$47,299
+14%inflation adjusted, since 2000
from $22,861 in 2000
US average: $82,259
1990 – 2024
Per capita income
$26,780
+50%since 2000
from $17,836 in 2000
US average: $44,673
Households earning $100K+
34.0%
+23.8 ptssince 2009
from 10.2% in 2009
US average: 53.3%
Poverty rate
18.3%
−8.3 ptssince 2000
from 26.6% in 2000
US average: 12.5%
Income inequality (Gini)
0.521
+2%since 2010
from 0.512 in 2010
US average: 0.476
Workforce by industry, 2024
Information17.9%
US avg: 10.8%
Retail trade11.7%
US avg: 9.9%
Finance & insurance2.1%
US avg: 5.9%
Transportation & warehousing1.8%
US avg: 2.2%
Professional, scientific, technical1.6%
US avg: 5.1%
Agriculture, forestry, fishing0.6%
US avg: 1.6%
Construction0.6%
US avg: 1.2%
Wholesale trade0.6%
US avg: 6.9%
Education & health services0.5%
US avg: 0.9%
Other services0.3%
US avg: 6.7%
Manufacturing0%
US avg: 0.4%
Arts, entertainment, food0%
US avg: 1.9%
Public administration0%
US avg: 4.8%
BARS: THIS PLACE · TICKS: US AVERAGE
Section 03

Housing

Median home value
$143,600
+28%inflation adjusted, since 2000
from $61,500 in 2000
US average: $376,019
1990 – 2024
Median gross rent
$757
+41%inflation adjusted, since 2000
from $295 in 2000
US average: $1,442
Owner-occupied
48.6%
−13.9 ptssince 2000
from 62.5% in 2000
51.4% rent
Vacancy rate
13.9%
−2.0 ptssince 2009
from 15.9% in 2009
US average: 10.0%
Owner cost-burdened
9.9%
−17.7 ptssince 2009
from 27.5% in 2009
US average: 22.9%
Renter cost-burdened
33.9%
+4.3 ptssince 2009
from 29.6% in 2009
US average: 47.4%
Afford Score
3.0
+13%since 2000
from 2.7 in 2000
1990 – 2024
Gentrification Score
80
RELATED:See current rent listings in Columbia on RentDataNow
Section 04

Race & ethnicity

2000
White, non-Hispanic89.6%(3,596)
Black7.4%(296)
Hispanic / Latino1%(41)
Asian0.6%(24)
Other0%
Diversity Score21%(845)
2024
White, non-Hispanic83.4%(4,012)
Black3.8%(184)
Hispanic / Latino8.2%(393)
Asian0.7%(35)
Other3.8%(184)
Diversity Score36.8%(1,767)
Diversity Score
37
+75%since 2000
from 21 in 2000
1990 – 2024
Section 05

Education

Bachelor's degree or higher
25.3%
+8.9 ptssince 2000
from 16.4% in 2000
US average: 35.6%
High school or higher
80.7%
+15.3 ptssince 2000
from 65.4% in 2000
US average: 89.6%
Graduate degree
17.4%
+8.5 ptssince 2000
from 9.0% in 2000
US average: 14.0%
Section 06

Commute & transportation

Average commute
15.3 min
−8%since 2000
from 16.7 min in 2000
US average: 26.5
Drive alone to work
62.8%
−18.3 ptssince 2009
from 81.1% in 2009
US average: 68.9%
Carpooled to work
15.3%
+8.6 ptssince 2009
from 6.7% in 2009
US average: 8.5%
Public transit
0.0%
Unchangedsince 2009
from 0.0% in 2009
US average: 3.2%
Worked from home
16.8%
+14.1 ptssince 2009
from 2.7% in 2009
US average: 15.0%
Walked to work
5.2%
−2.4 ptssince 2009
from 7.5% 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
12.4%
−10.4 ptssince 2009
from 22.8% in 2009
US average: 8.3%
Section 07

Work & employment

Unemployment rate
4.4%
−17.7 ptssince 2011
from 22.1% in 2011
US average: 5.2%
Labor force participation
51.3%
+12.7 ptssince 2011
from 38.6% in 2011
US average: 63.5%
Self-employed
21.3%
+6.9 ptssince 2009
from 14.3% in 2009
US average: 13.1%
Management & professional
31.3%
−21.3 ptssince 2009
from 52.7% in 2009
US average: 42.5%
Section 08

People & community

Male
49.6%
−5.7 ptssince 2009
from 55.3% in 2009
Female
50.4%
+5.7 ptssince 2009
from 44.7% in 2009
Foreign born
9.4%
+8.0 ptssince 2009
from 1.4% in 2009
US average: 14.1%
Veterans
3.7%
−50.1 ptssince 2009
from 53.8% in 2009
US average: 6.2%
With a disability
26.1%
+1.4 ptssince 2012
from 24.7% in 2012
US average: 13.3%
Uninsured
4.7%
−81.5 ptssince 2013
from 86.2% in 2013
US average: 8.4%
Broadband at home
87.8%
+25.3 ptssince 2017
from 62.5% in 2017
US average: 91.0%
English only at home
95.3%
−3.1 ptssince 2016
from 98.4% in 2016
US average: 77.7%
Spanish at home
2.1%
+1.6 ptssince 2016
from 0.4% in 2016
US average: 13.6%
Drill deeper

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Compare Columbia to nearby cities

COLUMBIA VS
Campbellsville
Income$49,644+5%
Home value$164,600+15%
Population11,783+152%
SEE FULL COMPARISON →
COLUMBIA VS
Glasgow
Income$43,074−9%
Home value$173,900+21%
Population15,302+227%
SEE FULL COMPARISON →
COLUMBIA VS
Somerset
Income$34,704−27%
Home value$144,000same
Population12,695+171%
SEE FULL COMPARISON →
COLUMBIA VS
Danville
Income$52,646+11%
Home value$207,600+45%
Population17,736+279%
SEE FULL COMPARISON →
Frequently asked

How many people live in Columbia, Kentucky?

Columbia, Kentucky has about 4,808 residents according to the 2024 American Community Survey.

What is the median household income in Columbia, Kentucky?

The typical household in Columbia, Kentucky earns about $47,299 a year. Half of households make more than that, and half make less.

Is Columbia, Kentucky expensive?

In Columbia, Kentucky, the median home is worth about $143,600, and the typical rent is about $757 a month.

How educated are people in Columbia, Kentucky?

About 25.3% of adults age 25 and over in Columbia, Kentucky hold a bachelor's degree or higher.

What is the poverty rate in Columbia, Kentucky?

About 18.3% of people in Columbia, Kentucky live below the federal poverty line.

Has Columbia, Kentucky grown since 1990?

Yes, Columbia, Kentucky has grown since 1990. The population has added about 963 residents, a change of about 25 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 →

Columbia, Kentucky: demographics, income & housing data · CensusEasy