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CITY · 2020 ACS

Columbia

North Carolina · 610 residents · 1.228 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 $17,024. Population has fallen 26% since 2000, a loss of 209 residents. 7% of adults hold a bachelor's degree or higher, below the national rate of 33%. Median home value has more than doubled since 2000, reaching $96,300. The poverty rate of 43.2% is well above the national figure. Households here earn about 70% less than the North Carolina median.

At a glance
Lower income
below the US median
US median: $66,278
Older
median age 40.9
US median: 38.8
Less educated
7% hold a bachelor's degree
US average: 33%
Less affordable
home values up 44%, inflation adjusted
US median home: $265,253
Section 01

Population & growth

Total population
610
−26%since 2000
from 819 in 2000
1990 – 2025
Population density
497 / sq mi
−26%since 2000
from 667 / sq mi in 2000
US average: 280
Median age
40.9
+5%since 2000
from 39.1 in 2000
US average: 38.8
Population, 1990 – 2024
4416127849551K1990201020202024Columbia
2024759
1990201020202024
Section 02

Income & economy

Median household income
$17,024
−45%inflation adjusted, since 2000
from $20,588 in 2000
US average: $66,278
1990 – 2024
Per capita income
$14,658
+20%since 2000
from $12,216 in 2000
US average: $35,364
Households earning $100K+
2.0%
−5.0 ptssince 2009
from 7.0% in 2009
US average: 43.9%
Poverty rate
43.2%
+9.5 ptssince 2000
from 33.7% in 2000
US average: 12.8%
Workforce by industry, 2020
Information16.5%
US avg: 11.1%
Retail trade7.7%
US avg: 10%
Wholesale trade6.2%
US avg: 6.7%
Agriculture, forestry, fishing3.5%
US avg: 1.7%
Construction3.5%
US avg: 1.2%
Other services3.5%
US avg: 6.6%
Finance & insurance3.1%
US avg: 5.5%
Professional, scientific, technical3.1%
US avg: 4.7%
Public administration2.7%
US avg: 4.7%
Transportation & warehousing1.5%
US avg: 2.5%
Manufacturing0%
US avg: 0.5%
Education & health services0%
US avg: 0.8%
Arts, entertainment, food0%
US avg: 2%
BARS: THIS PLACE · TICKS: US AVERAGE
Section 03

Housing

Median home value
$96,300
+44%inflation adjusted, since 2000
from $44,400 in 2000
US average: $265,253
1990 – 2024
Median gross rent
$507
+14%inflation adjusted, since 2000
from $297 in 2000
US average: $1,124
Owner-occupied
54.9%
+0.7 ptssince 2000
from 54.3% in 2000
45.1% rent
Afford Score
5.7
+162%since 2000
from 2.2 in 2000
1990 – 2024
RELATED:See current rent listings in Columbia on RentDataNow
Section 04

Race & ethnicity

2000
White, non-Hispanic38.1%(312)
Black52%(426)
Hispanic / Latino7.3%(60)
Asian1.5%(12)
Other0%
Diversity Score71.2%(583)
2020
White, non-Hispanic31.5%(192)
Black40.7%(248)
Hispanic / Latino24.6%(150)
Asian0.5%(3)
Other0.9%(5)
Diversity Score82.8%(505)
Diversity Score
83
+16%since 2000
from 71 in 2000
1990 – 2024
Section 05

Education

Bachelor's degree or higher
7.3%
−4.3 ptssince 2000
from 11.6% in 2000
US average: 32.9%
High school or higher
72.5%
+15.9 ptssince 2000
from 56.7% in 2000
US average: 88.5%
Graduate degree
3.2%
−2.0 ptssince 2000
from 5.2% in 2000
US average: 12.7%
Section 06

Commute & transportation

Average commute
22.4 min
−26%since 2000
from 30.5 min in 2000
US average: 26.9
Drive alone to work
80.7%
+18.3 ptssince 2009
from 62.3% in 2009
US average: 75.1%
No vehicle available
17.8%
−7.9 ptssince 2009
from 25.7% in 2009
US average: 8.4%
Section 07

Work & employment

Unemployment rate
5.5%
−8.9 ptssince 2011
from 14.4% in 2011
US average: 5.4%
Labor force participation
53.8%
−7.5 ptssince 2011
from 61.3% in 2011
US average: 63.4%
Management & professional
22.3%
−44.6 ptssince 2009
from 66.9% in 2009
US average: 39.3%
Section 08

People & community

Male
42.2%
+0.6 ptssince 2009
from 41.6% in 2009
Female
57.8%
−0.6 ptssince 2009
from 58.4% in 2009
Foreign born
7.4%
−5.2 ptssince 2009
from 12.6% in 2009
US average: 13.5%
Uninsured
10.9%
−56.0 ptssince 2013
from 66.9% in 2013
US average: 8.8%
Drill deeper

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Compare Columbia to nearby cities

COLUMBIA VS
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Home value$187,700+95%
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COLUMBIA VS
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COLUMBIA VS
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COLUMBIA VS
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Home value$347,400+261%
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Frequently asked

How many people live in Columbia, North Carolina?

Columbia, North Carolina has about 610 residents according to the 2020 American Community Survey.

What is the median household income in Columbia, North Carolina?

The typical household in Columbia, North Carolina earns about $17,024 a year. Half of households make more than that, and half make less.

Is Columbia, North Carolina expensive?

In Columbia, North Carolina, the median home is worth about $96,300, and the typical rent is about $507 a month.

How educated are people in Columbia, North Carolina?

About 7.3% of adults age 25 and over in Columbia, North Carolina hold a bachelor's degree or higher.

What is the poverty rate in Columbia, North Carolina?

About 43.2% of people in Columbia, North Carolina live below the federal poverty line.

Has Columbia, North Carolina grown since 1990?

Yes, Columbia, North Carolina has shrunk since 1990. The population has lost about 226 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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