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CITY

Columbus

Mississippi · 22,792 residents (2025 est.) · 25.049 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 $42,235. Population has declined 10% since 2000. Median home value has more than doubled since 2000, reaching $125,700. The poverty rate of 21.3% is well above the national figure. Households here earn about 25% less than the Mississippi median.

At a glance
Lower income
below the US median
US median: $82,259
Older
median age 41.1
US median: 38.9
Less educated
26% 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
23,348
−10%since 2000
from 25,944 in 2000
1990 – 2025
Population density
932 / sq mi
−10%since 2000
from 1,036 / sq mi in 2000
US average: 281
Median age
41.1
+22%since 2000
from 33.8 in 2000
US average: 38.9

PEP 2025 EST:22,792 residents (Census Bureau Vintage 2025, released March 2026)

Population, 1990 – 2024
23K24K25K25K26K1990201020202024Columbus
202423K
1990201020202024
Section 02

Income & economy

Median household income
$42,235
−15%inflation adjusted, since 2000
from $27,393 in 2000
US average: $82,259
1990 – 2024
Per capita income
$28,243
+68%since 2000
from $16,848 in 2000
US average: $44,673
Households earning $100K+
23.2%
+9.2 ptssince 2009
from 14.1% in 2009
US average: 53.3%
Poverty rate
21.3%
−4.5 ptssince 2000
from 25.7% in 2000
US average: 12.5%
Income inequality (Gini)
0.509
−7%since 2010
from 0.547 in 2010
US average: 0.476
Workforce by industry, 2024
Information17.3%
US avg: 10.8%
Retail trade14.4%
US avg: 9.9%
Finance & insurance8.4%
US avg: 5.9%
Professional, scientific, technical7.7%
US avg: 5.1%
Other services5.1%
US avg: 6.7%
Wholesale trade3%
US avg: 6.9%
Public administration2.6%
US avg: 4.8%
Arts, entertainment, food2%
US avg: 1.9%
Transportation & warehousing0.8%
US avg: 2.2%
Education & health services0.8%
US avg: 0.9%
Agriculture, forestry, fishing0.5%
US avg: 1.6%
Construction0.4%
US avg: 1.2%
Manufacturing0.1%
US avg: 0.4%
BARS: THIS PLACE · TICKS: US AVERAGE
Section 03

Housing

Median home value
$125,700
+2%inflation adjusted, since 2000
from $67,900 in 2000
US average: $376,019
1990 – 2024
Median gross rent
$897
+16%inflation adjusted, since 2000
from $424 in 2000
US average: $1,442
Owner-occupied
47.8%
−6.5 ptssince 2000
from 54.3% in 2000
52.2% rent
Vacancy rate
15.6%
−0.3 ptssince 2009
from 15.8% in 2009
US average: 10.0%
Owner cost-burdened
18.6%
−16.6 ptssince 2009
from 35.1% in 2009
US average: 22.9%
Renter cost-burdened
43.6%
−4.0 ptssince 2009
from 47.6% in 2009
US average: 47.4%
Afford Score
3.0
+20%since 2000
from 2.5 in 2000
1990 – 2024
Gentrification Score
34
RELATED:See current rent listings in Columbus on RentDataNow
Section 04

Race & ethnicity

2000
White, non-Hispanic43.3%(11,224)
Black54.3%(14,075)
Hispanic / Latino1.1%(292)
Asian0.5%(142)
Other0%
Diversity Score63.8%(16,553)
2024
White, non-Hispanic29.7%(6,927)
Black64.4%(15,029)
Hispanic / Latino2%(470)
Asian1.6%(374)
Other2.3%(548)
Diversity Score62.1%(14,488)
Diversity Score
62
−3%since 2000
from 64 in 2000
1990 – 2024
Section 05

Education

Bachelor's degree or higher
26.2%
+3.3 ptssince 2000
from 22.9% in 2000
US average: 35.6%
High school or higher
88.6%
+16.4 ptssince 2000
from 72.1% in 2000
US average: 89.6%
Graduate degree
9.9%
+2.2 ptssince 2000
from 7.7% in 2000
US average: 14.0%
Section 06

Commute & transportation

Average commute
19.0 min
+52%since 2000
from 12.5 min in 2000
US average: 26.5
Drive alone to work
87.8%
+7.8 ptssince 2009
from 80.0% in 2009
US average: 68.9%
Carpooled to work
5.0%
−7.5 ptssince 2009
from 12.5% in 2009
US average: 8.5%
Public transit
0.0%
Unchangedsince 2009
from 0.0% in 2009
US average: 3.2%
Worked from home
5.4%
+3.8 ptssince 2009
from 1.6% in 2009
US average: 15.0%
Walked to work
1.5%
−2.9 ptssince 2009
from 4.5% 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
9.3%
−2.6 ptssince 2009
from 12.0% in 2009
US average: 8.3%
Section 07

Work & employment

Unemployment rate
8.7%
−7.4 ptssince 2011
from 16.1% in 2011
US average: 5.2%
Labor force participation
53.3%
−4.0 ptssince 2011
from 57.3% in 2011
US average: 63.5%
Self-employed
17.2%
+3.4 ptssince 2009
from 13.7% in 2009
US average: 13.1%
Management & professional
32.3%
−31.3 ptssince 2009
from 63.6% in 2009
US average: 42.5%
Section 08

People & community

Male
46.0%
−0.1 ptssince 2009
from 46.1% in 2009
Female
54.0%
+0.1 ptssince 2009
from 53.9% in 2009
Foreign born
2.6%
+1.4 ptssince 2009
from 1.3% in 2009
US average: 14.1%
Veterans
8.2%
−34.3 ptssince 2009
from 42.5% in 2009
US average: 6.2%
With a disability
13.8%
−4.3 ptssince 2012
from 18.1% in 2012
US average: 13.3%
Uninsured
11.0%
−66.7 ptssince 2013
from 77.7% in 2013
US average: 8.4%
Broadband at home
82.4%
+27.1 ptssince 2017
from 55.3% in 2017
US average: 91.0%
English only at home
96.6%
+2.6 ptssince 2016
from 93.9% in 2016
US average: 77.7%
Spanish at home
2.0%
−1.4 ptssince 2016
from 3.4% in 2016
US average: 13.6%
Drill deeper

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Compare Columbus to nearby cities

COLUMBUS VS
West Point
Income$38,064−10%
Home value$153,900+22%
Population9,743−57%
SEE FULL COMPARISON →
COLUMBUS VS
Starkville
Income$42,125same
Home value$299,900+139%
Population25,754+13%
SEE FULL COMPARISON →
COLUMBUS VS
Northport
Income$80,913+92%
Home value$282,600+125%
Population31,648+39%
SEE FULL COMPARISON →
COLUMBUS VS
Tuscaloosa
Income$51,464+22%
Home value$255,500+103%
Population114,316+402%
SEE FULL COMPARISON →
Frequently asked

How many people live in Columbus, Mississippi?

Columbus, Mississippi has about 23,348 residents according to the 2024 American Community Survey.

What is the median household income in Columbus, Mississippi?

The typical household in Columbus, Mississippi earns about $42,235 a year. Half of households make more than that, and half make less.

Is Columbus, Mississippi expensive?

In Columbus, Mississippi, the median home is worth about $125,700, and the typical rent is about $897 a month.

How educated are people in Columbus, Mississippi?

About 26.2% of adults age 25 and over in Columbus, Mississippi hold a bachelor's degree or higher.

What is the poverty rate in Columbus, Mississippi?

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

Has Columbus, Mississippi grown since 1990?

Yes, Columbus, Mississippi has shrunk since 1990. The population has lost about 454 residents, a change of about -2 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 →