Columbia is a city of 128,548 people in Missouri. The median age is 29.5, younger than the US median of 38.9. 57% of adults hold a bachelor's degree, against 36% nationally. Since 2000 the city has risen by half, up 44,017 people. Owners hold 49% of the housing stock. People stay put here: 78% were in the same home a year ago.
At a glance
Lower income
median household income $66,498, below the US median
US median: $82,259
Younger
median age 29.5
US median: 38.9
More educated
57% hold a bachelor's degree
US average: 36%
Less affordable
home values up 41%, inflation adjusted
US median home: $376,019
Unique to this place
What stands out about Columbia
What changed most since 1990
Population69,101 → 128,548(+86%)US over the same years: +35%
Hispanic share1.3% → 4.4%(+3.1 pts)US over the same years: +9.9 pts
Shares are "alone or in combination": a person with both Medicare and Medicaid counts in each, so categories overlap and do not sum to 100%.
Section 09 · Service history
Veterans
Veterans by period of service, 2024
Gulf War (2001 or later)35.3%(1,689)
US avg: 26.4%
Gulf War (1990s)19.4%(931)
US avg: 24.3%
Vietnam era28.3%(1,356)
US avg: 33.1%
Korean War5.7%(272)
US avg: 4.5%
World War II3%(144)
US avg: 1%
Share of the 4,789 veterans here. A veteran who served across eras counts in each, so shares can total more than 100%. Peacetime-only service is included in the total but not shown as an era.
BAR + DOT: THIS PLACE · TICK: US AVERAGE
Over time
Columbia, decade by decade
Columbia population, inflation-adjusted income and home value, education, and diversity by year
Year
Population
Median household income
Median home value
Bachelor's degree+
Diversity score
1990
69,101
$52,943
$174,005
45.0%
34.5
2000
84,531
$61,443
$201,657
50.5%
42.3
2010
108,500
$59,394
$236,933
51.6%
48.7
2020
126,254
$64,780
$252,468
53.3%
58.9
2024
128,548
$66,498
$284,600
56.7%
57.9
Census years come from the decennial census and the latest year from the American Community Survey, so part of any change between those two rows can reflect the different surveys. Dollar figures are adjusted for inflation to 2024 dollars; a figure ending in "+" was at the Census Bureau's reporting cap that year. The diversity score runs from 0 to 100; see how it's calculated.
