CensusEasy
COUNTY · 2020 ACS

Columbus County

North Carolina · 50,623 residents · 938.121 sq mi
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The short version

Columbus County has notably lower household income than the US average, with a median household income of $38,487. Population has declined 8% since 2000. 13% of adults hold a bachelor's degree or higher, below the national rate of 33%. Median home value is $94,800. The poverty rate of 22.1% is well above the national figure. Households here earn about 32% less than the North Carolina median.

At a glance
Lower income
below the US median
US median: $66,278
Older
median age 43.7
US median: 38.8
Less educated
13% 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
50,623
−8%since 2000
from 54,749 in 2000
1990 – 2025
Population density
54 / sq mi
−8%since 2000
from 58 / sq mi in 2000
US average: 280
Median age
43.7
+18%since 2000
from 36.9 in 2000
US average: 38.8
Population, 1990 – 2024
49K51K54K56K59K1990201020202024Columbus County
202450K
1990201020202024
Section 02

Income & economy

Median household income
$38,487
−4%inflation adjusted, since 2000
from $26,805 in 2000
US average: $66,278
1990 – 2024
Per capita income
$22,426
+56%since 2000
from $14,415 in 2000
US average: $35,364
Households earning $100K+
21.9%
+5.3 ptssince 2009
from 16.6% in 2009
US average: 43.9%
Poverty rate
22.1%
−0.6 ptssince 2000
from 22.7% in 2000
US average: 12.8%
Workforce by industry, 2020
Information12%
US avg: 11.1%
Retail trade11.4%
US avg: 10%
Wholesale trade7.3%
US avg: 6.7%
Finance & insurance6.9%
US avg: 5.5%
Other services6.7%
US avg: 6.6%
Professional, scientific, technical4.6%
US avg: 4.7%
Public administration4.4%
US avg: 4.7%
Agriculture, forestry, fishing2.7%
US avg: 1.7%
Construction2.7%
US avg: 1.2%
Education & health services2.2%
US avg: 0.8%
Transportation & warehousing1.5%
US avg: 2.5%
Arts, entertainment, food1.1%
US avg: 2%
Manufacturing0%
US avg: 0.5%
BARS: THIS PLACE · TICKS: US AVERAGE
Section 03

Housing

Median home value
$94,800
−2%inflation adjusted, since 2000
from $64,100 in 2000
US average: $265,253
1990 – 2024
Median gross rent
$642
+13%inflation adjusted, since 2000
from $379 in 2000
US average: $1,124
Owner-occupied
71.3%
−5.1 ptssince 2000
from 76.4% in 2000
28.7% rent
Afford Score
2.5
+3%since 2000
from 2.4 in 2000
1990 – 2024
RELATED:See current rent listings in Columbus County on RentDataNow
Section 04

Race & ethnicity

2000
White, non-Hispanic62.8%(34,380)
Black30.9%(16,901)
Hispanic / Latino2.3%(1,269)
Asian0.2%(118)
Other0%
Diversity Score58.8%(32,188)
Segregation Score0%
2020
White, non-Hispanic59.3%(30,019)
Black28.6%(14,503)
Hispanic / Latino5.2%(2,613)
Asian0.3%(156)
Other5.3%(2,675)
Diversity Score68.6%(34,752)
Segregation Score24.2%(12,237)
Diversity Score
69
+17%since 2000
from 59 in 2000
1990 – 2024
Segregation Score
24
Section 05

Education

Bachelor's degree or higher
12.9%
+2.8 ptssince 2000
from 10.1% in 2000
US average: 32.9%
High school or higher
84.0%
+15.4 ptssince 2000
from 68.6% in 2000
US average: 88.5%
Graduate degree
4.2%
+0.9 ptssince 2000
from 3.3% in 2000
US average: 12.7%
Section 06

Commute & transportation

Average commute
29.3 min
+50%since 2000
from 19.5 min in 2000
US average: 26.9
Drive alone to work
86.0%
+6.7 ptssince 2009
from 79.3% in 2009
US average: 75.1%
No vehicle available
6.3%
−3.2 ptssince 2009
from 9.4% in 2009
US average: 8.4%
Section 07

Work & employment

Unemployment rate
5.7%
−5.8 ptssince 2011
from 11.6% in 2011
US average: 5.4%
Labor force participation
47.2%
−6.2 ptssince 2011
from 53.4% in 2011
US average: 63.4%
Management & professional
28.3%
−29.7 ptssince 2009
from 58.1% in 2009
US average: 39.3%
Section 08

People & community

Male
49.6%
+1.7 ptssince 2009
from 47.8% in 2009
Female
50.4%
−1.7 ptssince 2009
from 52.2% in 2009
Foreign born
2.7%
+0.8 ptssince 2009
from 1.9% in 2009
US average: 13.5%
Uninsured
13.6%
−65.6 ptssince 2013
from 79.2% in 2013
US average: 8.8%
Drill deeper

Places similar to Columbus County

Jackson County
Pop 49,629
Colquitt County
Pop 47,438
Jackson County
Pop 52,501
Gadsden County
Pop 44,298
Places similar to Columbus County
Head to head

Compare Columbus County to nearby counties

COLUMBUS COUNTY VS
Bladen County
Income$42,422+10%
Home value$135,100+43%
Population30,007−41%
SEE FULL COMPARISON →
COLUMBUS COUNTY VS
Brunswick County
Income$77,024+100%
Home value$349,800+269%
Population174,702+246%
SEE FULL COMPARISON →
COLUMBUS COUNTY VS
Horry County
Income$66,880+74%
Home value$287,700+203%
Population427,551+747%
SEE FULL COMPARISON →
COLUMBUS COUNTY VS
Robeson County
Income$41,978+9%
Home value$94,500same
Population119,941+138%
SEE FULL COMPARISON →
Frequently asked

How many people live in Columbus County, North Carolina?

Columbus County, North Carolina has about 50,623 residents according to the 2020 American Community Survey.

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

The typical household in Columbus County, North Carolina earns about $38,487 a year. Half of households make more than that, and half make less.

Is Columbus County, North Carolina expensive?

In Columbus County, North Carolina, the median home is worth about $94,800, and the typical rent is about $642 a month.

How educated are people in Columbus County, North Carolina?

About 12.9% of adults age 25 and over in Columbus County, North Carolina hold a bachelor's degree or higher.

What is the poverty rate in Columbus County, North Carolina?

About 22.1% of people in Columbus County, North Carolina live below the federal poverty line.

Has Columbus County, North Carolina grown since 1990?

Yes, Columbus County, North Carolina has grown since 1990. The population has added about 1,036 residents, a change of about 2 percent over that period.

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Explore from here

15 census tracts
Census Tract 9312.01Census Tract 9310Census Tract 9301Census Tract 9309Census Tract 9305Census Tract 9308Census Tract 9304Census Tract 9307Census Tract 9311Census Tract 9306Census Tract 9313.02Census Tract 9303Census Tract 9302Census Tract 9313.01Census Tract 9312.02
14 ZIP codes
ZIP 28472ZIP 28463ZIP 28431ZIP 28456ZIP 28423ZIP 28450ZIP 28436ZIP 28442ZIP 28432ZIP 28455ZIP 28438ZIP 28430ZIP 28439ZIP 28424
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DATA: US CENSUS BUREAU ACS 5-YEAR + DECENNIAL CENSUS · UPDATED 2024

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