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CITY · 2020 ACS

Columbia

Maryland · 104,681 residents · 31.934 sq mi
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The short version

Columbia is significantly wealthier than the US average, with a median household income of $111,278. Population has grown 19% since 2000. 62% 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 $385,900. Households here earn about 28% more than the Maryland median.

At a glance
Wealthier
above the US median
US median: $66,278
Mid-age
median age 38.5
US median: 38.8
More educated
62% hold a bachelor's degree
US average: 33%
Less affordable
home values up 49%, inflation adjusted
US median home: $265,253
Section 01

Population & growth

Total population
104,681
+19%since 2000
from 88,254 in 2000
1990 – 2024
Population density
3,278 / sq mi
+19%since 2000
from 2,764 / sq mi in 2000
US average: 280
Median age
38.5
+8%since 2000
from 35.5 in 2000
US average: 38.8
Population, 1990 – 2024
73K82K91K100K110K1990201020202024Columbia
2024104K
1990201020202024
Section 02

Income & economy

Median household income
$111,278
+4%inflation adjusted, since 2000
from $71,524 in 2000
US average: $66,278
1990 – 2024
Per capita income
$52,834
+61%since 2000
from $32,833 in 2000
US average: $35,364
Households earning $100K+
70.3%
+10.0 ptssince 2009
from 60.3% in 2009
US average: 43.9%
Poverty rate
7.6%
+2.2 ptssince 2000
from 5.4% in 2000
US average: 12.8%
Workforce by industry, 2020
Information7.7%
US avg: 11.1%
Other services6.3%
US avg: 6.6%
Public administration4.2%
US avg: 4.7%
Retail trade4%
US avg: 10%
Wholesale trade3.8%
US avg: 6.7%
Finance & insurance3.6%
US avg: 5.5%
Professional, scientific, technical3.2%
US avg: 4.7%
Arts, entertainment, food2.4%
US avg: 2%
Transportation & warehousing1.4%
US avg: 2.5%
Education & health services0.3%
US avg: 0.8%
Agriculture, forestry, fishing0.2%
US avg: 1.7%
Construction0.2%
US avg: 1.2%
Manufacturing0%
US avg: 0.5%
BARS: THIS PLACE · TICKS: US AVERAGE
Section 03

Housing

Median home value
$385,900
+49%inflation adjusted, since 2000
from $172,700 in 2000
US average: $265,253
1990 – 2024
Median gross rent
$1,733
+25%inflation adjusted, since 2000
from $922 in 2000
US average: $1,124
Owner-occupied
62.8%
−3.4 ptssince 2000
from 66.2% in 2000
37.2% rent
Afford Score
3.5
+44%since 2000
from 2.4 in 2000
1990 – 2024
RELATED:See current rent listings in Columbia on RentDataNow
Section 04

Race & ethnicity

2000
White, non-Hispanic64.4%(56,794)
Black21.2%(18,721)
Hispanic / Latino4.1%(3,636)
Asian7.3%(6,422)
Other0%
Diversity Score63%(55,624)
2020
White, non-Hispanic43.2%(45,228)
Black27%(28,293)
Hispanic / Latino10.2%(10,709)
Asian12.8%(13,369)
Other5.8%(6,086)
Diversity Score88.1%(92,188)
Diversity Score
88
+40%since 2000
from 63 in 2000
1990 – 2024
Section 05

Education

Bachelor's degree or higher
62.1%
+3.1 ptssince 2000
from 59.0% in 2000
US average: 32.9%
High school or higher
95.3%
+0.9 ptssince 2000
from 94.3% in 2000
US average: 88.5%
Graduate degree
32.6%
+3.9 ptssince 2000
from 28.7% in 2000
US average: 12.7%
Section 06

Commute & transportation

Average commute
30.6 min
+37%since 2000
from 22.4 min in 2000
US average: 26.9
Drive alone to work
76.0%
−2.8 ptssince 2009
from 78.8% in 2009
US average: 75.1%
No vehicle available
5.8%
+0.7 ptssince 2009
from 5.1% in 2009
US average: 8.4%
Section 07

Work & employment

Unemployment rate
4.1%
−2.1 ptssince 2011
from 6.2% in 2011
US average: 5.4%
Labor force participation
70.4%
−4.3 ptssince 2011
from 74.7% in 2011
US average: 63.4%
Management & professional
62.6%
−15.7 ptssince 2009
from 78.4% in 2009
US average: 39.3%
Section 08

People & community

Male
48.4%
−0.7 ptssince 2009
from 49.2% in 2009
Female
51.6%
+0.7 ptssince 2009
from 50.8% in 2009
Foreign born
20.8%
+4.2 ptssince 2009
from 16.6% in 2009
US average: 13.5%
Uninsured
4.6%
−87.7 ptssince 2013
from 92.3% in 2013
US average: 8.8%
Drill deeper

Places similar to Columbia

Fishers
Pop 104,812
Carmel
Pop 105,634
Roswell
Pop 91,505
Mansfield
Pop 84,444
Places similar to Columbia
Head to head

Compare Columbia to nearby cities

COLUMBIA VS
Savage
Income$116,895+5%
Home value$424,300+10%
Population8,239−92%
SEE FULL COMPARISON →
COLUMBIA VS
Scaggsville
Income$207,220+86%
Home value$668,500+73%
Population10,564−90%
SEE FULL COMPARISON →
COLUMBIA VS
North Laurel
Income$122,949+10%
Home value$450,100+17%
Population25,563−75%
SEE FULL COMPARISON →
COLUMBIA VS
Ilchester
Income$152,103+37%
Home value$532,400+38%
Population28,364−73%
SEE FULL COMPARISON →
Frequently asked

How many people live in Columbia, Maryland?

Columbia, Maryland has about 104,681 residents according to the 2020 American Community Survey.

What is the median household income in Columbia, Maryland?

The typical household in Columbia, Maryland earns about $111,278 a year. Half of households make more than that, and half make less.

Is Columbia, Maryland expensive?

In Columbia, Maryland, the median home is worth about $385,900, and the typical rent is about $1,733 a month.

How educated are people in Columbia, Maryland?

About 62.1% of adults age 25 and over in Columbia, Maryland hold a bachelor's degree or higher.

What is the poverty rate in Columbia, Maryland?

About 7.6% of people in Columbia, Maryland live below the federal poverty line.

Has Columbia, Maryland grown since 1990?

Yes, Columbia, Maryland has grown since 1990. The population has added about 28,798 residents, a change of about 38 percent over that period.

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

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