Columbia, KY

Census Place

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    2024 Population
    4,808
    US Senator
    Mitch McConnell
    Republican Party
    US Senator
    Rand Paul
    Republican Party
    2024 Median Age
    28.2
    1.08% 1-year increase
    2024 Poverty Rate
    18.3%
    18.5% 1-year decrease
    2024 Median Household Income
    $47,299
    4.6% 1-year growth
    2024 Median Property Value
    $143,600
    16.3% 1-year growth
    2024 Employed Population
    2,082
    8.83% 1-year growth

    About

    None of the households in Columbia, KY reported speaking a non-English language at home as their primary shared language. This does not consider the potential multi-lingual nature of households, but only the primary self-reported language spoken by all members of the household.

    93% of the residents in Columbia, KY are U.S. citizens.

    The largest universities in Columbia, KY are Lindsey Wilson College (1,288 degrees awarded in 2024).

    In 2024, the median property value in Columbia, KY was $143,600, and the homeownership rate was 48.6%.

    Most people in Columbia, KY drove alone to work, and the average commute time was 15.3 minutes. The average car ownership in Columbia, KY was 2 cars per household.

    United StatesKentuckyAdair County, KYLake Cumberland Area Development District (West) PUMA, KY

    Population & Diversity

    Columbia, KY is home to a population of 4.81k people, from which 93% are citizens. As of 2024, 9.38% of Columbia, KY residents were born outside of the country (451 people).

    In 2024, there were 15.3 times more White (Non-Hispanic) residents (4.01k people) in Columbia, KY than any other race or ethnicity. There were 263 Two Races Including Other (Hispanic) and 184 Black or African American (Non-Hispanic) residents, the second and third most common ethnic groups.

    Population & Diversity

    Citizenship

    93%
    2024 Citizenship
    92.6%
    2023 Citizenship

    As of 2024, 93% of Columbia, KY residents were US citizens, which is lower than the national average of 93.2%. In 2023, the percentage of US citizens in Columbia, KY was 92.6%, meaning that the rate of citizenship has been increasing.

    The following chart shows US citizenship percentages in Columbia, KY compared to that of it's neighboring and parent geographies.

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    Diversity

    Race and Ethnicity

    The 3 largest ethnic groups in Columbia, KY
    1. White (Non-Hispanic)
      4.01k ± 240
    2. Two Races Including Other (Hispanic)
      263 ± 200
    3. Black or African American (Non-Hispanic)
      184 ± 82
    8.17%
    Hispanic Population
    393 people

    In 2024, there were 15.3 times more White (Non-Hispanic) residents (4.01k people) in Columbia, KY than any other race or ethnicity. There were 263 Two Races Including Other (Hispanic) and 184 Black or African American (Non-Hispanic) residents, the second and third most common ethnic groups.

    8.17% of the people in Columbia, KY are hispanic (393 people).

    The following chart shows the 8 races represented in Columbia, KY as a share of the total population.

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    Global Diversity

    The PUMS dataset is not available at the Place level, so we are showing data for Kentucky.
    Most Common Origin
    1. Mexico
      34,417 ± 4,537 people
    2. Cuba
      21,613 ± 3,601 people
    3. India
      11,987 ± 2,684 people

    In 2024, the most common birthplace for the foreign-born residents of Kentucky was Mexico, the natal country of 34,417 Kentucky residents, followed by Cuba with 21,613 and India with 11,987.

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    Foreign-Born Population

    9.38%
    2024 Foreign-Born Population
    451 people
    9.29%
    2023 Foreign-Born Population
    450 people

    As of 2024, 9.38% of Columbia, KY residents (451 people) were born outside of the United States, which is approximately the same as the national average of 14%. In 2023, the percentage of foreign-born citizens in Columbia, KY was 9.29%, meaning that the rate has been increasing.

    The following chart shows the percentage of foreign-born residents in Columbia, KY compared to that of it's neighboring and parent geographies.

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    Military

    Veterans

    Most Common Service Period
    1. Vietnam
      87 ± 55
    2. Gulf War (2001-)
      52 ± 41
    3. Gulf War (1990s)
      3 ± 14

    Columbia, KY has a large population of military personnel who served in Vietnam, 1.67 times greater than any other conflict.

    The chart shows the distribution of veterans by conflict in Columbia, KY.

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    Health

    95.3% of the population of Columbia, KY has health coverage, with 44.1% on employee plans, 25% on Medicaid, 10.6% on Medicare, 13.3% on non-group plans, and 2.33% on military or VA plans.

    Primary care physicians in Kentucky see 1,601 patients per year on average, which represents a 0% change from the previous year (1,601 patients). Compare this to dentists who see 1502 patients per year, and mental health providers who see 320 patients per year.

    By gender, of the total number of insured persons, 48.8% were men and 51.2% were women.

    Coverage

    Health Care Diversity

    In 2024, insured persons according to age ranges were distributed in 18.1% under 18 years, 40.2% between 18 and 34 years, 25.8% between 35 and 64 years, and 15.9% over 64 years.

    By gender, of the total number of insured persons, 48.8% were men and 51.2% were women.

    The following chart shows the number of people with health coverage by gender.

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    Uninsured People

    4.68%
    Uninsured
    44.1%
    Employer Coverage
    25%
    Medicaid
    10.6%
    Medicare
    13.3%
    Non-Group
    2.33%
    Military or VA

    Between 2023 and 2024, the percent of uninsured citizens in Columbia, KY declined by 5.29% from 4.94% to 4.68%.

    The following chart shows how the percent of uninsured individuals in Columbia, KY changed over time compared with the percent of individuals enrolled in various types of health insurance.

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    Economy

    The economy of Columbia, KY employs 2.08k people. In 2024, the largest industries in Columbia, KY were Educational Services (413 people), Retail Trade (372 people), and Health Care & Social Assistance (360 people), and the highest paying industries were Transportation & Warehousing ($98,977), Transportation & Warehousing, & Utilities ($97,841), and Wholesale Trade ($67,102).

    Employment

    Occupations

    2.08k
    2024 Value
    ± 321
    8.83%
    1 Year growth
    ± 21.5%

    From 2023 to 2024, employment in Columbia, KY grew at a rate of 8.83%, from 1.91k employees to 2.08k employees.

    The most common job groups, by number of people living in Columbia, KY, are Office & Administrative Support Occupations (281 people), Sales & Related Occupations (259 people), and Education Instruction, & Library Occupations (187 people). This chart illustrates the share breakdown of the primary jobs held by residents of Columbia, KY.

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    Unemployment Insurance Claims

    Data is only available at the state level. Showing data for Kentucky.

    This chart shows weekly unemployment insurance claims in Kentucky (not-seasonally adjusted) compared with the four states with the most similar impact.

    The most recent data point uses Advance State Claims data, which can be revised in subsequent weeks.

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    Industries

    Employment by Industries

    2.08k
    2024 Value
    ± 321
    8.83%
    1 Year growth
    ± 21.5%

    From 2023 to 2024, employment in Columbia, KY grew at a rate of 8.83%, from 1.91k employees to 2.08k employees.

    The most common employment sectors for those who live in Columbia, KY, are Educational Services (413 people), Retail Trade (372 people), and Health Care & Social Assistance (360 people). This chart shows the share breakdown of the primary industries for residents of Columbia, KY, though some of these residents may live in Columbia, KY and work somewhere else. Census data is tagged to a residential address, not a work address.

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    Median Earnings by Industry

    $22,019
    Median earning men ± $4,989
    $25,530
    Median earning women ± $10,356

    The industries with the best median earnings for men in 2024 are Transportation & Warehousing, & Utilities ($97,841), Other Services Except Public Administration ($75,183), and Manufacturing ($35,998).

    The industries with the best median earnings for women in 2024 are Other Services Except Public Administration ($62,917), Public Administration ($43,258), and Professional, Scientific, & Management, & Administrative & Waste Management Services ($35,863).

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    Employment by Industry Sector

    Data is only available at the state level. Showing data for Kentucky.
    Y-Axis
    2.51%
    Year-over-year growth
    Employment change between February 2022 and February 2023

    As of February 2023, there are 1.98M people employed in Kentucky. This represents a 2.51% increase in employment when compared to February 2022.

    Right after the beginning of the COVID-19 pandemic, during April 2020, a general dip can be seen across industry sectors, resulting in an overall decline in employment by 14.4%.

    The following chart shows monthly employment numbers for each industry sector in Kentucky.

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    Civics

    In the 2024 presidential election, the popular vote in Kentucky went to Donald J. Trump with 64.5% of the vote. The runner-up was Kamala Harris (33.9%), followed by Robert Kennedy (0.808%).

    Mitch McConnell and Rand Paul are the senators currently representing the state of Kentucky. In the United States, senators are elected to 6-year terms with the terms for individual senators staggered.

    Kentucky is currently represented by 6 members in the U.S. house, and members of the House of Representives are elected to 2-year terms.

    Presidential Elections

    Voting results are not available for Columbia, KY. Showing the available data for Kentucky.
    2024 Election Results
    1. Donald J. Trump (64.5%)
      Republican Party
    2. Kamala Harris (33.9%)
      Democratic Party
    3. Robert Kennedy (0.808%)
      Independent Party

    In the 2024 presidential election, the popular vote in Kentucky went to Donald J. Trump with 64.5% of the vote. The runner-up was Kamala Harris (33.9%), followed by Robert Kennedy (0.808%).

    The following chart shows the popular vote results in Kentucky for each registered party from 1976 to 2024.

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    Senator Elections

    US Senators from Kentucky

    Senatorial voting results are only available at the state level. Showing data for Kentucky.
    Mitch McConnell
    Senator from Kentucky2
    Assumed office on January 3, 1985
    Rand Paul
    Senator from Kentucky3
    Assumed office on January 3, 2011

    Mitch McConnell and Rand Paul are the senators currently representing Kentucky.

    In the United States, senators are elected to 6-year terms with the terms for individual senators staggered.

    The following chart shows elected senators in Kentucky over time, excluding special elections, colored by their political party.

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    Education

    In 2024, universities in Columbia, KY awarded 1,288 degrees. The student population of Columbia, KY in 2024 is skewed towards men, with 2,294 male students and 1,899 female students.

    Most students graduating from Universities in Columbia, KY are White (514 and 68.4%), Asian (91 and 12.1%), Unknown (72 and 9.59%), and Black or African American (52 and 6.92%).

    The largest universities in Columbia, KY by number of degrees awarded are Lindsey Wilson College (1,288 and 100%).

    The most popular majors in Columbia, KY are Other Computer & Information Technology Services Management (622 and 48.3%), Counseling Psychology (218 and 16.9%), and General Human Services (114 and 8.85%).

    The median tuition cost for private four year colleges is $27,504.

    Admissions & Enrollments

    Enrollments by Gender and Races

    In 2024 there were 4,193 students enrolled in Columbia, KY, 54.7% men and 45.3% women.

    By race, the largest number of students enrolled was concentrated in Non-resident Alien with 2,027 records, of which 25.9% were women and 74.1% men.

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    Completions

    Concentrations

    Most Common
    1. Other Computer & Information Technology Services Management
      622 degrees awarded
    2. Counseling Psychology
      218 degrees awarded
    3. General Business Administration & Management
      28 degrees awarded

    In 2024, the most common concentation for Masters Degree recipients in Columbia, KY was Other Computer & Information Technology Services Management with 622 degrees awarded.

    This visualization illustrates the percentage of students graduating with a Masters Degree from schools in Columbia, KY according to their major.

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    Universities

    Gender
    Race
    Lindsey Wilson College
    Largest Universities by degrees awarded
    1,288 degrees awarded

    In 2024, the institution with the largest number of graduating students was Lindsey Wilson College with 1,288 degrees awarded.

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    Student Diversity

    In 2024, 714 men were awarded degrees from institutions in Columbia, KY, which is 1.24 times more than the 574 female students who received degrees in the same year.

    In 2024, the most common race/ethnicity group awarded degrees at institutions was White students. These 514 degrees mean that there were 5.65 times more degrees awarded to White students then the next closest race/ethnicity group, Asian, with 91 degrees awarded.

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    Awarded Degrees over Time

    The graph shows the evolution of awarded degrees by degrees. Under the paragraphs, the average number of awarded degrees by university in each degree is shown.

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    Tuition

    Average Net Price by Sector

    Private not-for-profit, 4-year or above ($27,504) is the sector with the highest median state tuition in 2024.

    Private not-for-profit, 4-year or above ($304) is the sector with the highest median state fee in 2024.

    Private not-for-profit, 4-year or above ($1,000) is the sector with the highest average net price of books and supplies.

    The graph shows the average net price by sector and year.

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    Housing & Living

    The median property value in Columbia, KY was $143,600 in 2024, which is 0.432 times smaller than the national average of $332,700. Between 2023 and 2024 the median property value increased from $123,500 to $143,600, a 16.3% increase. The homeownership rate in Columbia, KY is 48.6%, which is lower than the national average of 65.2%.

    People in Columbia, KY have an average commute time of 15.3 minutes, and they drove alone to work. Car ownership in Columbia, KY is approximately the same as the national average, with an average of 2 cars per household.

    Housing

    Property

    $143,600
    Median Property Value 2024
    ±$41,622
    $761
    Median Property Taxes
    ±$190

    The following chart display owner-occupied housing units distributed between a series of property tax buckets compared to the national averages for each bucket. In Columbia, KY the largest share of households pay taxes in the < $800 range.

    The chart underneath the paragraph shows the property taxes in Columbia, KY compared to it's parent and neighbor geographies.

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    Rent vs Own

    48.6%
    Homeownership
    2024
    65.8%
    Homeowners with Mortgage
    2024

    In 2024, 48.6% of the housing units in Columbia, KY were occupied by their owner. This percentage grew from the previous year's rate of 43.7%.

    This chart shows the percentage of owner in Columbia, KY compared it's parent and neighboring geographies.

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    Equity

    Household Income

    Please note that the buckets used in this visualization were not evenly distributed by ACS when publishing the data.
    $47,299
    Median Household Income
    ± $10,981
    1.57k
    Number of Households
    ± 298

    In 2024, the median household income of the 1.57k households in Columbia, KY grew to $47,299 from the previous year's value of $45,221.

    The following chart displays the households in Columbia, KY distributed between a series of income buckets compared to the national averages for each bucket. The largest share of households have an income in the $10k - $15k range.

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    Wage Distribution

    The closest comparable wage GINI for Columbia, KY is from Kentucky.
    0.446
    2024 Wage GINI in Kentucky
    0.449
    2023 Wage GINI in Kentucky

    In 2024, the income inequality in Kentucky was 0.446 according to the GINI calculation of the wage distribution. Income inequality had a 0.585% decline from 2023 to 2024, which means that wage distribution grew somewhat more even. The GINI for Kentucky was lower than than the national average of 0.474. In other words, wages are distributed more evenly in Kentucky in comparison to the national average.

    This chart shows the number of workers in Kentucky across various wage buckets compared to the national average.

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    Transportation

    Commuter Transportation

    Most Common Commute in 2024
    1. Drove Alone (62.8%)
    2. Worked At Home (16.8%)
    3. Carpooled (15.3%)

    In 2024, 62.8% of workers in Columbia, KY drove alone to work, followed by those who worked at home (16.8%) and those who carpooled to work (15.3%).

    The following chart shows the number of households using each mode of transportation over time, using a logarithmic scale on the y-axis to help better show variations in the smaller means of commuting.

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    Commute Time

    15.3 minutes
    Average Travel Time

    Using averages, employees in Columbia, KY have a shorter commute time (15.3 minutes) than the normal US worker (26.4 minutes). Additionally, 1.63% of the workforce in Columbia, KY have "super commutes" in excess of 90 minutes.

    The chart below shows how the median household income in Columbia, KY compares to that of it's neighboring and parent geographies.

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    Car Ownership

    2 cars
    Average Number

    The following chart displays the households in Columbia, KY distributed between a series of car ownership buckets compared to the national averages for each bucket. The largest share of households in Columbia, KY have 2 cars.

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    Poverty

    Poverty & Diversity

    18.3% of the population for whom poverty status is determined in Columbia, KY (668 out of 3.65k people) live below the poverty line, a number that is higher than the national average of 12.5%. The largest demographic living in poverty are Females 18 - 24, followed by Females 25 - 34 and then Females 55 - 64.

    The most common racial or ethnic group living below the poverty line in Columbia, KY is White, followed by Two Or More and Hispanic.

    The Census Bureau uses a set of money income thresholds that vary by family size and composition to determine who classifies as impoverished. If a family's total income is less than the family's threshold than that family and every individual in it is considered to be living in poverty.

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