CensusEasy
CITY · 2020 ACS

Columbus

North Carolina · 1,060 residents · 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 $43,125. Population has held roughly steady since 2000. Median home value has risen by half since 2000, reaching $165,000. With a median age of 51.3, the population is older than the US median of 38.8. The poverty rate of 26.3% is well above the national figure.

At a glance
Lower income
below the US median
US median: $66,278
Older
median age 51.3
US median: 38.8
Less educated
22% hold a bachelor's degree
US average: 33%
Stable housing
home values roughly flat, inflation adjusted
US median home: $265,253
Section 01

Population & growth

Total population
1,060
+7%since 2000
from 992 in 2000
1990 – 2025
Population density
282 / sq mi
+7%since 2000
from 264 / sq mi in 2000
US average: 280
Median age
51.3
−2%since 2000
from 52.5 in 2000
US average: 38.8
Population, 1990 – 2024
7349471K1K2K1990201020202024Columbus
20241K
1990201020202024
Section 02

Income & economy

Median household income
$43,125
+13%inflation adjusted, since 2000
from $25,469 in 2000
US average: $66,278
1990 – 2024
Per capita income
$23,912
+53%since 2000
from $15,587 in 2000
US average: $35,364
Households earning $100K+
14.9%
+2.6 ptssince 2009
from 12.3% in 2009
US average: 43.9%
Poverty rate
26.3%
+10.6 ptssince 2000
from 15.8% in 2000
US average: 12.8%
Workforce by industry, 2020
Information20.9%
US avg: 11.1%
Retail trade8%
US avg: 10%
Finance & insurance7.6%
US avg: 5.5%
Professional, scientific, technical7.6%
US avg: 4.7%
Other services7.6%
US avg: 6.6%
Wholesale trade6.9%
US avg: 6.7%
Public administration6%
US avg: 4.7%
Transportation & warehousing0.7%
US avg: 2.5%
Agriculture, forestry, fishing0.5%
US avg: 1.7%
Construction0.5%
US avg: 1.2%
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
$165,000
+16%inflation adjusted, since 2000
from $94,400 in 2000
US average: $265,253
1990 – 2024
Median gross rent
$617
+12%inflation adjusted, since 2000
from $365 in 2000
US average: $1,124
Owner-occupied
61.3%
−5.4 ptssince 2000
from 66.7% in 2000
38.7% rent
Afford Score
3.8
+3%since 2000
from 3.7 in 2000
1990 – 2024
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)
2020
White, non-Hispanic79.4%(842)
Black1.9%(20)
Hispanic / Latino12.4%(131)
Asian0.3%(3)
Other7.3%(77)
Diversity Score45.5%(482)
Diversity Score
45
+49%since 2000
from 30 in 2000
1990 – 2024
Section 05

Education

Bachelor's degree or higher
21.6%
+5.5 ptssince 2000
from 16.1% in 2000
US average: 32.9%
High school or higher
84.7%
+19.5 ptssince 2000
from 65.2% in 2000
US average: 88.5%
Graduate degree
5.4%
−0.5 ptssince 2000
from 5.9% in 2000
US average: 12.7%
Section 06

Commute & transportation

Average commute
18.4 min
+26%since 2000
from 14.6 min in 2000
US average: 26.9
Drive alone to work
80.0%
+3.7 ptssince 2009
from 76.3% in 2009
US average: 75.1%
No vehicle available
10.1%
−0.5 ptssince 2009
from 10.6% in 2009
US average: 8.4%
Section 07

Work & employment

Unemployment rate
1.7%
−17.4 ptssince 2011
from 19.1% in 2011
US average: 5.4%
Labor force participation
58.2%
+1.9 ptssince 2011
from 56.3% in 2011
US average: 63.4%
Management & professional
30.5%
−22.8 ptssince 2009
from 53.3% in 2009
US average: 39.3%
Section 08

People & community

Male
42.8%
−7.0 ptssince 2009
from 49.8% in 2009
Female
57.2%
+7.0 ptssince 2009
from 50.2% in 2009
Foreign born
9.0%
−2.7 ptssince 2009
from 11.8% in 2009
US average: 13.5%
Uninsured
12.1%
−59.4 ptssince 2013
from 71.5% in 2013
US average: 8.8%
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+24%
Home value$317,000+92%
Population15,867+1423%
SEE FULL COMPARISON →
COLUMBUS VS
Boiling Springs
Income$72,068+67%
Home value$244,400+48%
Population12,936+1141%
SEE FULL COMPARISON →
COLUMBUS VS
Fletcher
Income$75,272+75%
Home value$331,100+101%
Population8,373+704%
SEE FULL COMPARISON →
COLUMBUS VS
Valley Falls
Income$55,661+29%
Home value$256,600+56%
Population8,239+691%
SEE FULL COMPARISON →
Frequently asked

How many people live in Columbus, North Carolina?

Columbus, North Carolina has about 1,060 residents according to the 2020 American Community Survey.

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

The typical household in Columbus, North Carolina earns about $43,125 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 $165,000, and the typical rent is about $617 a month.

How educated are people in Columbus, North Carolina?

About 21.6% 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 26.3% 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 255 residents, a change of about 32 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 →