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CITY · 2020 ACS

Columbia

Pennsylvania · 10,207 residents · 2.414 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 $41,607. Population has held roughly steady since 2000. 16% of adults hold a bachelor's degree or higher, below the national rate of 33%. Median home value has risen by half since 2000, reaching $125,300. The poverty rate of 20.7% is well above the national figure. Households here earn about 35% less than the Pennsylvania median.

At a glance
Lower income
below the US median
US median: $66,278
Older
median age 41.0
US median: 38.8
Less educated
16% 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
10,207
−1%since 2000
from 10,311 in 2000
1990 – 2025
Population density
4,228 / sq mi
−1%since 2000
from 4,271 / sq mi in 2000
US average: 280
Median age
41.0
+11%since 2000
from 36.8 in 2000
US average: 38.8
Population, 1990 – 2024
10K10K10K11K11K1990201020202024Columbia
202410K
1990201020202024
Section 02

Income & economy

Median household income
$41,607
−15%inflation adjusted, since 2000
from $32,385 in 2000
US average: $66,278
1990 – 2024
Per capita income
$25,571
+54%since 2000
from $16,626 in 2000
US average: $35,364
Households earning $100K+
25.6%
+8.9 ptssince 2009
from 16.7% in 2009
US average: 43.9%
Poverty rate
20.7%
+9.4 ptssince 2000
from 11.3% in 2000
US average: 12.8%
Workforce by industry, 2020
Retail trade20.7%
US avg: 10%
Information10.7%
US avg: 11.1%
Finance & insurance7.5%
US avg: 5.5%
Professional, scientific, technical7.3%
US avg: 4.7%
Other services7.3%
US avg: 6.6%
Public administration6.2%
US avg: 4.7%
Wholesale trade5.3%
US avg: 6.7%
Transportation & warehousing3.9%
US avg: 2.5%
Arts, entertainment, food1.9%
US avg: 2%
Education & health services0.2%
US avg: 0.8%
Agriculture, forestry, fishing0%
US avg: 1.7%
Construction0%
US avg: 1.2%
Manufacturing0%
US avg: 0.5%
BARS: THIS PLACE · TICKS: US AVERAGE
Section 03

Housing

Median home value
$125,300
+12%inflation adjusted, since 2000
from $74,500 in 2000
US average: $265,253
1990 – 2024
Median gross rent
$888
+25%inflation adjusted, since 2000
from $473 in 2000
US average: $1,124
Owner-occupied
52.8%
−7.8 ptssince 2000
from 60.6% in 2000
47.2% rent
Afford Score
3.0
+31%since 2000
from 2.3 in 2000
1990 – 2024
RELATED:See current rent listings in Columbia on RentDataNow
Section 04

Race & ethnicity

2000
White, non-Hispanic89.5%(9,225)
Black4%(414)
Hispanic / Latino4.5%(463)
Asian0.4%(42)
Other0%
Diversity Score21.2%(2,181)
2020
White, non-Hispanic71.4%(7,285)
Black5.9%(599)
Hispanic / Latino17.6%(1,798)
Asian0.7%(75)
Other1.6%(165)
Diversity Score53%(5,411)
Diversity Score
53
+151%since 2000
from 21 in 2000
1990 – 2024
Section 05

Education

Bachelor's degree or higher
15.8%
+7.4 ptssince 2000
from 8.4% in 2000
US average: 32.9%
High school or higher
80.6%
+10.4 ptssince 2000
from 70.2% in 2000
US average: 88.5%
Graduate degree
4.0%
+0.8 ptssince 2000
from 3.1% in 2000
US average: 12.7%
Section 06

Commute & transportation

Average commute
24.1 min
+99%since 2000
from 12.1 min in 2000
US average: 26.9
Drive alone to work
79.9%
+1.8 ptssince 2009
from 78.2% in 2009
US average: 75.1%
No vehicle available
17.2%
+1.9 ptssince 2009
from 15.3% in 2009
US average: 8.4%
Section 07

Work & employment

Unemployment rate
5.4%
−2.8 ptssince 2011
from 8.2% in 2011
US average: 5.4%
Labor force participation
58.6%
−8.9 ptssince 2011
from 67.5% in 2011
US average: 63.4%
Management & professional
22.3%
−33.7 ptssince 2009
from 56.0% in 2009
US average: 39.3%
Section 08

People & community

Male
51.1%
+3.3 ptssince 2009
from 47.9% in 2009
Female
48.9%
−3.3 ptssince 2009
from 52.1% in 2009
Foreign born
3.0%
−0.6 ptssince 2009
from 3.6% in 2009
US average: 13.5%
Uninsured
4.2%
−82.1 ptssince 2013
from 86.3% in 2013
US average: 8.8%
Drill deeper

Places similar to Columbia

Brooksville
Pop 10,145
Seaford
Pop 9,165
Pine Castle
Pop 10,371
Hudson
Pop 11,254
Places similar to Columbia
Head to head

Compare Columbia to nearby cities

COLUMBIA VS
Mount Joy
Income$90,061+116%
Home value$266,500+113%
Population8,319−19%
SEE FULL COMPARISON →
COLUMBIA VS
Millersville
Income$67,866+63%
Home value$277,600+122%
Population9,280−10%
SEE FULL COMPARISON →
COLUMBIA VS
Elizabethtown
Income$76,105+83%
Home value$238,700+91%
Population11,961+16%
SEE FULL COMPARISON →
COLUMBIA VS
Lancaster
Income$63,690+53%
Home value$219,500+75%
Population58,366+466%
SEE FULL COMPARISON →
Frequently asked

How many people live in Columbia, Pennsylvania?

Columbia, Pennsylvania has about 10,207 residents according to the 2020 American Community Survey.

What is the median household income in Columbia, Pennsylvania?

The typical household in Columbia, Pennsylvania earns about $41,607 a year. Half of households make more than that, and half make less.

Is Columbia, Pennsylvania expensive?

In Columbia, Pennsylvania, the median home is worth about $125,300, and the typical rent is about $888 a month.

How educated are people in Columbia, Pennsylvania?

About 15.8% of adults age 25 and over in Columbia, Pennsylvania hold a bachelor's degree or higher.

What is the poverty rate in Columbia, Pennsylvania?

About 20.7% of people in Columbia, Pennsylvania live below the federal poverty line.

Has Columbia, Pennsylvania grown since 1990?

Yes, Columbia, Pennsylvania has shrunk since 1990. The population has lost about 494 residents, a change of about -5 percent over that period.

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

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