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CITY

Columbus

Montana · 1,964 residents (2025 est.) · 1.373 sq mi
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The short version

Columbus has lower-than-average household income, with a median household income of $65,250. Population has held roughly steady since 2000. Median home value has roughly tripled since 2000, reaching $282,800. With a median age of 47.2, the population is older than the US median of 38.9.

At a glance
Lower income
below the US median
US median: $82,259
Older
median age 47.2
US median: 38.9
Less educated
24% hold a bachelor's degree
US average: 36%
Less affordable
home values up 79%, inflation adjusted
US median home: $376,019
Section 01

Population & growth

Total population
2,003
+15%since 2000
from 1,748 in 2000
1990 – 2025
Population density
1,459 / sq mi
+15%since 2000
from 1,273 / sq mi in 2000
US average: 281
Median age
47.2
+23%since 2000
from 38.3 in 2000
US average: 38.9

PEP 2025 EST:1,964 residents (Census Bureau Vintage 2025, released March 2026)

Population, 1990 – 2024
1K2K2K2K2K1990201020202024Columbus
20242K
1990201020202024
Section 02

Income & economy

Median household income
$65,250
+6%inflation adjusted, since 2000
from $33,750 in 2000
US average: $82,259
1990 – 2024
Per capita income
$43,115
+144%since 2000
from $17,689 in 2000
US average: $44,673
Households earning $100K+
46.0%
+21.0 ptssince 2009
from 25.1% in 2009
US average: 53.3%
Poverty rate
11.0%
−2.6 ptssince 2000
from 13.6% in 2000
US average: 12.5%
Income inequality (Gini)
0.458
+21%since 2010
from 0.377 in 2010
US average: 0.476
Workforce by industry, 2024
Agriculture, forestry, fishing14.5%
US avg: 1.6%
Manufacturing12.8%
US avg: 0.4%
Information11.6%
US avg: 10.8%
Other services8%
US avg: 6.7%
Public administration5.7%
US avg: 4.8%
Retail trade4.7%
US avg: 9.9%
Wholesale trade4.3%
US avg: 6.9%
Finance & insurance2.2%
US avg: 5.9%
Professional, scientific, technical2.2%
US avg: 5.1%
Construction1.7%
US avg: 1.2%
Arts, entertainment, food0.4%
US avg: 1.9%
Transportation & warehousing0.1%
US avg: 2.2%
Education & health services0%
US avg: 0.9%
BARS: THIS PLACE · TICKS: US AVERAGE
Section 03

Housing

Median home value
$282,800
+79%inflation adjusted, since 2000
from $86,600 in 2000
US average: $376,019
1990 – 2024
Median gross rent
$945
+24%inflation adjusted, since 2000
from $420 in 2000
US average: $1,442
Owner-occupied
76.7%
+6.3 ptssince 2000
from 70.4% in 2000
23.3% rent
Vacancy rate
5.3%
−8.8 ptssince 2009
from 14.1% in 2009
US average: 10.0%
Owner cost-burdened
21.2%
−0.9 ptssince 2009
from 22.1% in 2009
US average: 22.9%
Renter cost-burdened
29.8%
+4.6 ptssince 2009
from 25.2% in 2009
US average: 47.4%
Afford Score
4.3
+69%since 2000
from 2.6 in 2000
1990 – 2024
Gentrification Score
46
RELATED:See current rent listings in Columbus on RentDataNow
Section 04

Race & ethnicity

2000
White, non-Hispanic95.6%(1,671)
Black0.2%(3)
Hispanic / Latino1.6%(28)
Asian0.1%(2)
Other0%
Diversity Score4.8%(83)
2024
White, non-Hispanic90.9%(1,820)
Black0%(0)
Hispanic / Latino4.2%(85)
Asian1.1%(23)
Other3.7%(75)
Diversity Score21.4%(428)
Diversity Score
21
+349%since 2000
from 5 in 2000
1990 – 2024
Section 05

Education

Bachelor's degree or higher
24.0%
+8.2 ptssince 2000
from 15.7% in 2000
US average: 35.6%
High school or higher
94.4%
+7.4 ptssince 2000
from 87.0% in 2000
US average: 89.6%
Graduate degree
7.5%
+2.8 ptssince 2000
from 4.6% in 2000
US average: 14.0%
Section 06

Commute & transportation

Average commute
27.0 min
+37%since 2000
from 19.7 min in 2000
US average: 26.5
Drive alone to work
80.1%
+16.1 ptssince 2009
from 64.0% in 2009
US average: 68.9%
Carpooled to work
7.2%
−5.5 ptssince 2009
from 12.8% in 2009
US average: 8.5%
Public transit
4.6%
−4.3 ptssince 2009
from 8.9% in 2009
US average: 3.2%
Worked from home
5.4%
−1.1 ptssince 2009
from 6.6% in 2009
US average: 15.0%
Walked to work
2.3%
−3.3 ptssince 2009
from 5.6% in 2009
US average: 2.4%
Biked to work
0.3%
+0.3 ptssince 2009
from 0.0% in 2009
US average: 0.4%
No vehicle available
6.6%
+4.9 ptssince 2009
from 1.7% in 2009
US average: 8.3%
Section 07

Work & employment

Unemployment rate
3.1%
−3.4 ptssince 2011
from 6.5% in 2011
US average: 5.2%
Labor force participation
61.4%
−9.7 ptssince 2011
from 71.1% in 2011
US average: 63.5%
Self-employed
20.9%
+7.2 ptssince 2009
from 13.7% in 2009
US average: 13.1%
Management & professional
24.9%
−28.9 ptssince 2009
from 53.8% in 2009
US average: 42.5%
Section 08

People & community

Male
47.6%
−6.9 ptssince 2009
from 54.4% in 2009
Female
52.4%
+6.9 ptssince 2009
from 45.6% in 2009
Foreign born
2.9%
+1.1 ptssince 2009
from 1.8% in 2009
US average: 14.1%
Veterans
13.1%
−41.9 ptssince 2009
from 55.0% in 2009
US average: 6.2%
With a disability
20.9%
+8.6 ptssince 2012
from 12.3% in 2012
US average: 13.3%
Uninsured
5.7%
−86.4 ptssince 2013
from 92.1% in 2013
US average: 8.4%
Broadband at home
84.7%
+4.1 ptssince 2017
from 80.6% in 2017
US average: 91.0%
English only at home
98.5%
+4.3 ptssince 2016
from 94.2% in 2016
US average: 77.7%
Spanish at home
0.0%
−5.6 ptssince 2016
from 5.6% in 2016
US average: 13.6%
Drill deeper

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Compare Columbus to nearby cities

COLUMBUS VS
Billings
Income$73,712+13%
Home value$343,400+21%
Population121,239+6073%
SEE FULL COMPARISON →
COLUMBUS VS
Livingston
Income$65,861+1%
Home value$392,400+39%
Population9,290+373%
SEE FULL COMPARISON →
COLUMBUS VS
Cody
Income$72,570+11%
Home value$378,500+34%
Population10,377+428%
SEE FULL COMPARISON →
COLUMBUS VS
Bozeman
Income$85,747+31%
Home value$687,900+143%
Population58,814+2895%
SEE FULL COMPARISON →
Frequently asked

How many people live in Columbus, Montana?

Columbus, Montana has about 2,003 residents according to the 2024 American Community Survey.

What is the median household income in Columbus, Montana?

The typical household in Columbus, Montana earns about $65,250 a year. Half of households make more than that, and half make less.

Is Columbus, Montana expensive?

In Columbus, Montana, the median home is worth about $282,800, and the typical rent is about $945 a month.

How educated are people in Columbus, Montana?

About 24.0% of adults age 25 and over in Columbus, Montana hold a bachelor's degree or higher.

What is the poverty rate in Columbus, Montana?

About 11.0% of people in Columbus, Montana live below the federal poverty line.

Has Columbus, Montana grown since 1990?

Yes, Columbus, Montana has grown since 1990. The population has added about 430 residents, a change of about 27 percent over that period.

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

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