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CITY

West Columbia

Texas · 3,636 residents (2025 est.) · 2.608 sq mi
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The short version

West Columbia has notably lower household income than the US average, with a median household income of $43,490. Population has declined 15% since 2000. 18% of adults hold a bachelor's degree or higher, below the national rate of 36%. Median home value has more than doubled since 2000, reaching $140,800. Households here earn about 45% less than the Texas median.

At a glance
Lower income
below the US median
US median: $82,259
Mid-age
median age 39.2
US median: 38.9
Less educated
18% hold a bachelor's degree
US average: 36%
Less affordable
home values up 47%, inflation adjusted
US median home: $376,019
Section 01

Population & growth

Total population
3,621
−15%since 2000
from 4,255 in 2000
1990 – 2025
Population density
1,388 / sq mi
−15%since 2000
from 1,632 / sq mi in 2000
US average: 281
Median age
39.2
+12%since 2000
from 34.9 in 2000
US average: 38.9

PEP 2025 EST:3,636 residents (Census Bureau Vintage 2025, released March 2026)

Population, 1990 – 2024
4K4K4K4K4K1990201020202024West Columbia
20244K
1990201020202024
Section 02

Income & economy

Median household income
$43,490
−23%inflation adjusted, since 2000
from $31,115 in 2000
US average: $82,259
1990 – 2024
Per capita income
$26,456
+69%since 2000
from $15,647 in 2000
US average: $44,673
Households earning $100K+
34.1%
+7.8 ptssince 2009
from 26.3% in 2009
US average: 53.3%
Poverty rate
14.6%
−5.3 ptssince 2000
from 20.0% in 2000
US average: 12.5%
Income inequality (Gini)
0.430
−7%since 2010
from 0.464 in 2010
US average: 0.476
Workforce by industry, 2024
Retail trade20.1%
US avg: 9.9%
Information7.2%
US avg: 10.8%
Finance & insurance2%
US avg: 5.9%
Wholesale trade1.6%
US avg: 6.9%
Other services1.6%
US avg: 6.7%
Education & health services1.3%
US avg: 0.9%
Agriculture, forestry, fishing1%
US avg: 1.6%
Professional, scientific, technical0.7%
US avg: 5.1%
Construction0.5%
US avg: 1.2%
Manufacturing0.5%
US avg: 0.4%
Public administration0.4%
US avg: 4.8%
Transportation & warehousing0%
US avg: 2.2%
Arts, entertainment, food0%
US avg: 1.9%
BARS: THIS PLACE · TICKS: US AVERAGE
Section 03

Housing

Median home value
$140,800
+47%inflation adjusted, since 2000
from $52,500 in 2000
US average: $376,019
1990 – 2024
Median gross rent
$964
+31%inflation adjusted, since 2000
from $403 in 2000
US average: $1,442
Owner-occupied
60.7%
−0.7 ptssince 2000
from 61.4% in 2000
39.3% rent
Vacancy rate
5.7%
−5.5 ptssince 2009
from 11.1% in 2009
US average: 10.0%
Owner cost-burdened
22.6%
+1.3 ptssince 2009
from 21.3% in 2009
US average: 22.9%
Renter cost-burdened
48.6%
+4.6 ptssince 2009
from 44.0% in 2009
US average: 47.4%
Afford Score
3.2
+92%since 2000
from 1.7 in 2000
1990 – 2024
Gentrification Score
43
RELATED:See current rent listings in West Columbia on RentDataNow
Section 04

Race & ethnicity

2000
White, non-Hispanic60.6%(2,578)
Black19.3%(823)
Hispanic / Latino18%(768)
Asian0.4%(15)
Other0%
Diversity Score68.5%(2,914)
2024
White, non-Hispanic42.2%(1,527)
Black21.8%(791)
Hispanic / Latino30.8%(1,115)
Asian1.1%(39)
Other4.1%(149)
Diversity Score84.7%(3,068)
Diversity Score
85
+24%since 2000
from 68 in 2000
1990 – 2024
Section 05

Education

Bachelor's degree or higher
17.6%
+6.2 ptssince 2000
from 11.4% in 2000
US average: 35.6%
High school or higher
83.3%
+10.2 ptssince 2000
from 73.1% in 2000
US average: 89.6%
Graduate degree
5.2%
+1.9 ptssince 2000
from 3.3% in 2000
US average: 14.0%
Section 06

Commute & transportation

Average commute
25.9 min
+54%since 2000
from 16.8 min in 2000
US average: 26.5
Drive alone to work
86.1%
+3.7 ptssince 2009
from 82.4% in 2009
US average: 68.9%
Carpooled to work
4.9%
−6.0 ptssince 2009
from 10.9% in 2009
US average: 8.5%
Public transit
0.0%
Unchangedsince 2009
from 0.0% in 2009
US average: 3.2%
Worked from home
6.9%
+5.3 ptssince 2009
from 1.6% in 2009
US average: 15.0%
Walked to work
0.0%
−5.1 ptssince 2009
from 5.1% 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
3.8%
−1.5 ptssince 2009
from 5.2% in 2009
US average: 8.3%
Section 07

Work & employment

Unemployment rate
3.8%
+1.6 ptssince 2011
from 2.2% in 2011
US average: 5.2%
Labor force participation
66.6%
+10.2 ptssince 2011
from 56.4% in 2011
US average: 63.5%
Self-employed
10.7%
+1.4 ptssince 2009
from 9.4% in 2009
US average: 13.1%
Management & professional
23.2%
−33.8 ptssince 2009
from 57.0% in 2009
US average: 42.5%
Section 08

People & community

Male
42.4%
−5.5 ptssince 2009
from 48.0% in 2009
Female
57.6%
+5.5 ptssince 2009
from 52.0% in 2009
Foreign born
5.4%
+0.1 ptssince 2009
from 5.3% in 2009
US average: 14.1%
Veterans
4.9%
−42.4 ptssince 2009
from 47.2% in 2009
US average: 6.2%
With a disability
35.9%
+17.1 ptssince 2012
from 18.8% in 2012
US average: 13.3%
Uninsured
13.2%
−66.6 ptssince 2013
from 79.8% in 2013
US average: 8.4%
Broadband at home
89.4%
+24.3 ptssince 2017
from 65.1% in 2017
US average: 91.0%
English only at home
80.8%
+6.6 ptssince 2016
from 74.2% in 2016
US average: 77.7%
Spanish at home
19.0%
−6.6 ptssince 2016
from 25.6% in 2016
US average: 13.6%
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Compare West Columbia to nearby cities

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WEST COLUMBIA VS
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WEST COLUMBIA VS
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WEST COLUMBIA VS
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Population17,488+381%
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Frequently asked

How many people live in West Columbia, Texas?

West Columbia, Texas has about 3,621 residents according to the 2024 American Community Survey.

What is the median household income in West Columbia, Texas?

The typical household in West Columbia, Texas earns about $43,490 a year. Half of households make more than that, and half make less.

Is West Columbia, Texas expensive?

In West Columbia, Texas, the median home is worth about $140,800, and the typical rent is about $964 a month.

How educated are people in West Columbia, Texas?

About 17.6% of adults age 25 and over in West Columbia, Texas hold a bachelor's degree or higher.

What is the poverty rate in West Columbia, Texas?

About 14.6% of people in West Columbia, Texas live below the federal poverty line.

Has West Columbia, Texas grown since 1990?

Yes, West Columbia, Texas has shrunk since 1990. The population has lost about 751 residents, a change of about -17 percent over that period.

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

How we source and harmonize this data →