CensusEasy
CITY

Columbus

North Carolina · 1,042 residents (2025 est.) · 3.757 sq mi
Time machine
COMPARE TO
Compare
The short version

Columbus has notably lower household income than the US average, with a median household income of $60,169. Population has held roughly steady since 2000. Median home value has roughly tripled since 2000, reaching $265,700. With a median age of 54.4, 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 54.4
US median: 38.9
Less educated
25% hold a bachelor's degree
US average: 36%
Less affordable
home values up 55%, inflation adjusted
US median home: $376,019
Section 01

Population & growth

Total population
1,071
+8%since 2000
from 992 in 2000
1990 – 2025
Population density
285 / sq mi
+8%since 2000
from 264 / sq mi in 2000
US average: 281
Median age
54.4
+4%since 2000
from 52.5 in 2000
US average: 38.9

PEP 2025 EST:1,042 residents (Census Bureau Vintage 2025, released March 2026)

Population, 1990 – 2024
7349471K1K2K1990201020202024Columbus
20241K
1990201020202024
Section 02

Income & economy

Median household income
$60,169
+30%inflation adjusted, since 2000
from $25,469 in 2000
US average: $82,259
1990 – 2024
Per capita income
$31,357
+101%since 2000
from $15,587 in 2000
US average: $44,673
Households earning $100K+
31.0%
+18.7 ptssince 2009
from 12.3% in 2009
US average: 53.3%
Poverty rate
13.2%
−2.5 ptssince 2000
from 15.8% in 2000
US average: 12.5%
Income inequality (Gini)
0.446
+18%since 2010
from 0.377 in 2010
US average: 0.476
Workforce by industry, 2024
Information24.2%
US avg: 10.8%
Finance & insurance10.2%
US avg: 5.9%
Professional, scientific, technical10.2%
US avg: 5.1%
Retail trade6.5%
US avg: 9.9%
Agriculture, forestry, fishing3.8%
US avg: 1.6%
Construction3.8%
US avg: 1.2%
Other services2.9%
US avg: 6.7%
Public administration2.9%
US avg: 4.8%
Wholesale trade2.7%
US avg: 6.9%
Arts, entertainment, food1.5%
US avg: 1.9%
Transportation & warehousing0.2%
US avg: 2.2%
Manufacturing0%
US avg: 0.4%
Education & health services0%
US avg: 0.9%
BARS: THIS PLACE · TICKS: US AVERAGE
Section 03

Housing

Median home value
$265,700
+55%inflation adjusted, since 2000
from $94,400 in 2000
US average: $376,019
1990 – 2024
Median gross rent
$788
+19%inflation adjusted, since 2000
from $365 in 2000
US average: $1,442
Owner-occupied
63.4%
−3.3 ptssince 2000
from 66.7% in 2000
36.6% rent
Vacancy rate
8.4%
−7.8 ptssince 2009
from 16.2% in 2009
US average: 10.0%
Owner cost-burdened
14.1%
−9.0 ptssince 2009
from 23.1% in 2009
US average: 22.9%
Renter cost-burdened
35.2%
−13.5 ptssince 2009
from 48.8% in 2009
US average: 47.4%
Afford Score
4.4
+19%since 2000
from 3.7 in 2000
1990 – 2024
Gentrification Score
66
RELATED:See current rent listings in Columbus on RentDataNow
Section 04

Race & ethnicity

2000
White, non-Hispanic86.2%(855)
Black5.9%(59)
Hispanic / Latino7.6%(75)
Asian0%(0)
Other0%
Diversity Score30.4%(302)
2024
White, non-Hispanic71.3%(764)
Black6.3%(67)
Hispanic / Latino16.7%(179)
Asian0%(0)
Other5.7%(61)
Diversity Score57%(611)
Diversity Score
57
+87%since 2000
from 30 in 2000
1990 – 2024
Section 05

Education

Bachelor's degree or higher
25.1%
+9.0 ptssince 2000
from 16.1% in 2000
US average: 35.6%
High school or higher
86.6%
+21.4 ptssince 2000
from 65.2% in 2000
US average: 89.6%
Graduate degree
9.3%
+3.4 ptssince 2000
from 5.9% in 2000
US average: 14.0%
Section 06

Commute & transportation

Average commute
21.4 min
+47%since 2000
from 14.6 min in 2000
US average: 26.5
Drive alone to work
75.6%
−0.7 ptssince 2009
from 76.3% in 2009
US average: 68.9%
Carpooled to work
13.6%
Unchangedsince 2009
from 13.5% in 2009
US average: 8.5%
Public transit
0.0%
−4.7 ptssince 2009
from 4.7% in 2009
US average: 3.2%
Worked from home
10.8%
+7.0 ptssince 2009
from 3.8% in 2009
US average: 15.0%
Walked to work
0.0%
−1.7 ptssince 2009
from 1.7% 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
8.3%
−2.3 ptssince 2009
from 10.6% in 2009
US average: 8.3%
Section 07

Work & employment

Unemployment rate
4.2%
−15.0 ptssince 2011
from 19.1% in 2011
US average: 5.2%
Labor force participation
51.9%
−4.4 ptssince 2011
from 56.3% in 2011
US average: 63.5%
Self-employed
6.5%
−7.4 ptssince 2009
from 13.9% in 2009
US average: 13.1%
Management & professional
26.3%
−27.0 ptssince 2009
from 53.3% in 2009
US average: 42.5%
Section 08

People & community

Male
44.7%
−5.1 ptssince 2009
from 49.8% in 2009
Female
55.3%
+5.1 ptssince 2009
from 50.2% in 2009
Foreign born
9.7%
−2.0 ptssince 2009
from 11.8% in 2009
US average: 14.1%
Veterans
3.7%
−43.3 ptssince 2009
from 47.0% in 2009
US average: 6.2%
With a disability
19.5%
+4.1 ptssince 2012
from 15.4% in 2012
US average: 13.3%
Uninsured
16.2%
−55.3 ptssince 2013
from 71.5% in 2013
US average: 8.4%
Broadband at home
74.0%
+6.3 ptssince 2017
from 67.7% in 2017
US average: 91.0%
English only at home
85.4%
+0.1 ptssince 2016
from 85.3% in 2016
US average: 77.7%
Spanish at home
13.9%
+0.5 ptssince 2016
from 13.4% in 2016
US average: 13.6%
Drill deeper

Places similar to Columbus

Dagsboro
Pop 983
Weeki Wachee Gardens
Pop 1,068
Five Points
Pop 1,097
Newport
Pop 906
Places similar to Columbus
Head to head

Compare Columbus to nearby cities

COLUMBUS VS
Hendersonville
Income$53,449−11%
Home value$317,000+19%
Population15,867+1423%
SEE FULL COMPARISON →
COLUMBUS VS
Boiling Springs
Income$72,068+20%
Home value$244,400−8%
Population12,936+1141%
SEE FULL COMPARISON →
COLUMBUS VS
Fletcher
Income$75,272+25%
Home value$331,100+25%
Population8,373+704%
SEE FULL COMPARISON →
COLUMBUS VS
Valley Falls
Income$55,661−7%
Home value$256,600−3%
Population8,239+691%
SEE FULL COMPARISON →
Frequently asked

How many people live in Columbus, North Carolina?

Columbus, North Carolina has about 1,071 residents according to the 2024 American Community Survey.

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

The typical household in Columbus, North Carolina earns about $60,169 a year. Half of households make more than that, and half make less.

Is Columbus, North Carolina expensive?

In Columbus, North Carolina, the median home is worth about $265,700, and the typical rent is about $788 a month.

How educated are people in Columbus, North Carolina?

About 25.1% of adults age 25 and over in Columbus, North Carolina hold a bachelor's degree or higher.

What is the poverty rate in Columbus, North Carolina?

About 13.2% of people in Columbus, North Carolina live below the federal poverty line.

Has Columbus, North Carolina grown since 1990?

Yes, Columbus, North Carolina has grown since 1990. The population has added about 266 residents, a change of about 33 percent over that period.

Keep going

Explore from here

Up the hierarchy
North Carolina
Rankings
Highest income citiesFastest growing citiesMost educated cities
Compare
Compare Columbus with another place

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

How we source and harmonize this data →