Columbia, KY

Census Place

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2021 Population

4,936

3.96% 1-year growth

US Senator

Mitch McConnell

Republican Party

US Senator

Rand Paul

Republican Party

2021 Median Age

25.3

8.66% 1-year decrease

2021 Poverty Rate

17.6%

4.27% 1-year decrease

2021 Median Household Income

$45,480

8.75% 1-year growth

2021 Median Property Value

$116,500

5.05% 1-year growth

2021 Employed Population

1,846

5.73% 1-year growth

About

In 2021, Columbia, KY had a population of 4.94k people with a median age of 25.3 and a median household income of $45,480. Between 2020 and 2021 the population of Columbia, KY grew from 4,748 to 4,936, a 3.96% increase and its median household income grew from $41,821 to $45,480, a 8.75% increase.

The 5 largest ethnic groups in Columbia, KY are White (Non-Hispanic) (86.4%), Black or African American (Non-Hispanic) (4.29%), Two+ (Non-Hispanic) (3.02%), Two+ (Hispanic) (2.9%), and White (Hispanic) (1.99%).

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.

95% of the residents in Columbia, KY are U.S. citizens.

The largest universities in Columbia, KY are Lindsey Wilson College (687 degrees awarded in 2021).

In 2021, the median property value in Columbia, KY was $116,500, and the homeownership rate was 45.3%.

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 States Kentucky Adair County, KY Lake Cumberland Area Development District (West) PUMA, KY

Population & Diversity

Columbia, KY is home to a population of 4.94k people, from which 95% are citizens. As of 2021, 6.58% of Columbia, KY residents were born outside of the country (325 people).

In 2021, there were 20.1 times more White (Non-Hispanic) residents (4.26k people) in Columbia, KY than any other race or ethnicity. There were 212 Black or African American (Non-Hispanic) and 149 Two+ (Non-Hispanic) residents, the second and third most common ethnic groups.

Population & Diversity

Citizenship

95%

2021 Citizenship

96.3%

2020 Citizenship

As of 2021, 95% of Columbia, KY residents were US citizens, which is higher than the national average of 93.4%. In 2020, the percentage of US citizens in Columbia, KY was 96.3%, meaning that the rate of citizenship has been decreasing.

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

Diversity

Race and Ethnicity

The 3 largest ethnic groups in Columbia, KY

White (Non-Hispanic)
4.26k ± 208
Black or African American (Non-Hispanic)
212 ± 114
Two+ (Non-Hispanic)
149 ± 126

5.47%

Hispanic Population

270 people

5.47% of the people in Columbia, KY are hispanic (270 people).

The following chart shows the 7 races represented in Columbia, KY as a share of the total population.

Global Diversity

The PUMS dataset is not available at the Place level, so we are showing data for Kentucky.

Most Common Origin

Mexico
29,505 ± 4,203 people
Cuba
14,201 ± 2,921 people
India
12,469 ± 2,738 people

In 2021, the most common birthplace for the foreign-born residents of Kentucky was Mexico, the natal country of 29,505 Kentucky residents, followed by Cuba with 14,201 and India with 12,469.

Foreign-Born Population

6.58%

2021 Foreign-Born Population

325 people

5.33%

2020 Foreign-Born Population

253 people

As of 2021, 6.58% of Columbia, KY residents (325 people) were born outside of the United States, which is lower than the national average of 13.6%. In 2020, the percentage of foreign-born citizens in Columbia, KY was 5.33%, 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.

Military

Veterans

Most Common Service Period

Gulf War (2001-)
68 ± 50
Vietnam
35 ± 39
Gulf War (1990s)
33 ± 42

Columbia, KY has a large population of military personnel who served in Gulf War (2001-), 1.94 times greater than any other conflict.

Economy

The economy of Columbia, KY employs 1.85k people. The largest industries in Columbia, KY are Retail Trade (381 people), Educational Services (320 people), and Health Care & Social Assistance (295 people), and the highest paying industries are Transportation & Warehousing ($48,158), Transportation & Warehousing, & Utilities ($47,125), and Professional, Scientific, & Management, & Administrative & Waste Management Services ($46,667).

Males in Kentucky have an average income that is 1.33 times higher than the average income of females, which is $48,114. The income inequality in Kentucky (measured using the Gini index) is 0.453, which is lower than than the national average.

Employment

Occupations

1.85k

2021 Value

± 302

5.73%

1 Year growth

± 22.4%

From 2020 to 2021, employment in Columbia, KY grew at a rate of 5.73%, from 1.75k employees to 1.85k employees.

The most common job groups, by number of people living in Columbia, KY, are Material Moving Occupations (216 people), Sales & Related Occupations (199 people), and Production Occupations (155 people). This chart illustrates the share breakdown of the primary jobs held by residents of Columbia, KY.

Unemployment Insurance Claims

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

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

1.85k

2021 Value

± 302

5.73%

1 Year growth

± 22.4%

From 2020 to 2021, employment in Columbia, KY grew at a rate of 5.73%, from 1.75k employees to 1.85k employees.

The most common employment sectors for those who live in Columbia, KY, are Retail Trade (381 people), Educational Services (320 people), and Health Care & Social Assistance (295 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.

Median Earnings by Industry

$30,210

Median earning men ± $10,985

$22,243

Median earning women ± $7,583

The industries with the best median earnings for men in 2021 are Professional, Scientific, & Management, & Administrative & Waste Management Services ($250,001), Transportation & Warehousing, & Utilities ($48,092), and Manufacturing ($31,271).

The industries with the best median earnings for women in 2021 are Other Services Except Public Administration ($52,803), Transportation & Warehousing, & Utilities ($46,000), and Public Administration ($37,721).

Employment by Industry Sector

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

Y-Axis

2.75%

Year-over-year growth

Employment change between February 2022 and February 2023

As of February 2023, there are 155M people employed in Kentucky. This represents a 2.75% increase in employment when compared to February 2022.

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

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Domestic Trade

Domestic Production & Consumption

Domestic production and consumption consists of products and services shipped from Kentucky to other states, or from other states to Kentucky.

Top Domestic Production in Dollars

In 2020, the top outbound Kentucky product (by dollars) was Motorized vehicles with $57.5B, followed by Electronics ($36.5B) and Machinery ($28.4B).

The following chart shows the share of these products in relation to all outbound Kentucky products.

Domestic Trade Growth

Showing data for Kentucky.

$330B

2020 Value in Kentucky

$644B

Projected 2050 Value in Kentucky

95% growth

In 2020, total outbound Kentucky trade was $330B. This is expected to increase 95% to $644B by 2050.

The following chart shows how the domestic outbound Kentucky trade is projected to change in comparison to its neighboring states.

Interstate Trade

Interstate trade consists of products and services shipped from Kentucky to other states, or from other states to Kentucky.

Most Common Trade Partners

Tennessee
$27.7B
California
$19B
Ohio
$17.7B

In 2020, the top outbound Kentucky domestic partner for goods and services (by dollars) was Tennessee with $27.7B, followed by California with $19B and Ohio and $17.7B.

The following map shows the amount of trade that Kentucky shares with each state (excluding itself).

Civics

In the 2020 presidential election, the popular vote in Kentucky went to Donald J. Trump with 62.1% of the vote. The runner-up was Joseph R Biden Jr. (36.2%), followed by Jo Jorgensen (1.23%).

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

Presidential Popular Vote Over Time

Voting results are not available for Columbia, KY. Showing the available data for Kentucky.

2020 Election Results

Donald J. Trump (62.1%)
Republican Party
Joseph R Biden Jr. (36.2%)
Democratic Party
Jo Jorgensen (1.23%)
Libertarian Party

In the 2020 presidential election, the popular vote in Kentucky went to Donald J. Trump with 62.1% of the vote. The runner-up was Joseph R Biden Jr. (36.2%), followed by Jo Jorgensen (1.23%).

The following chart shows the popular vote results in Kentucky for each registered party from 1976 to 2020.

Senator Elections

US Senators from Kentucky

Senatorial voting results are only available at the state level. Showing data for Kentucky.

Mitch McConnell

Senator from Kentucky

Assumed office on January 3, 1985

Rand Paul

Senator from Kentucky

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.

US Representative Elections

US Representatives from Kentucky

Kentucky is currently represented by 6 members in the U.S. house.

Members of the House of Representives are elected to 2-year terms, and the following chart shows the how the members for Kentucky have changed over time starting in 2008.

Education

In 2021, universities in Columbia, KY awarded 687 degrees. The student population of Columbia, KY in 2021 is skewed towards women, with 1,011 male students and 1,607 female students.

Most students graduating from Universities in Columbia, KY are White (462 and 67.4%), followed by Unknown (157 and 22.9%), Black or African American (49 and 7.15%), and Two or More Races (9 and 1.31%).

The largest universities in Columbia, KY by number of degrees awarded are Lindsey Wilson College (687 and 100%).

The most popular majors in Columbia, KY are Counseling Psychology (216 and 31.4%), General Human Services (176 and 25.6%), and General Business Administration & Management (41 and 5.97%).

The median tuition cost in Columbia, KY for private four year colleges is $25,440.

Admissions & Enrollments

Enrollments by Gender and Races

In 2021 there were 2,618 students enrolled in Columbia, KY, 38.6% men and 61.4% women.

By race, the largest number of students enrolled was concentrated in White with 1,702 records, of which 69.8% were women and 30.2% men.

Completions

Concentrations

Most Common

General Business Administration & Management
32 degree-majors awarded
Registered Nursing
28 degree-majors awarded
General Human Services
176 degree-majors awarded

In 2021, the most common concentation for Bachelors Degree recipients in Columbia, KY was General Business Administration & Management with 32 degrees awarded.

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

Universities

Gender

Race

Lindsey Wilson College

Largest Universities by degrees awarded

687 degrees awarded

In 2021, the institution with the largest number of graduating students was Lindsey Wilson College with 687 degrees awarded.

Student Diversity

In 2021, 172 men were awarded degrees from institutions in Columbia, KY, which is 0.334 times less than the 515 female students who received degrees in the same year.

In 2021 the most common race/ethnicity group awarded degrees at institutions was White students. These 462 degrees mean that there were 2.94 times more degrees awarded to White students then the next closest race/ethnicity group, Unknown, with 157 degrees awarded.

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.

Tuition

Average Net Price by Sector

Private not-for-profit, 4-year or above ($25,440) is the sector with the highest median state tuition in 2021.

Private not-for-profit, 4-year or above ($278) is the sector with the highest median state fee in 2021.

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.

Working Population

Educational Pyramid

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

Measure

In 2021, 0.789% of men over 25 years of age had not completed any academic degree (no schooling), while 0.712% of women were in the same situation.

This visualization shows the gender distribution of the population according to the academic level reached.

Educational Attainment

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

Race

The most common educational levels obtained by the working population in 2021 were High School or Equivalent (1.17M), Some college (777k), and Secondary Education (561k).

This visualization illustrates the percentage distribution of the population according to the highest educational level reached. You can filter the data by race by using the selector above.

Housing & Living

The median property value in Columbia, KY was $116,500 in 2021, which is 0.476 times smaller than the national average of $244,900. Between 2020 and 2021 the median property value increased from $110,900 to $116,500, a 5.05% increase. The homeownership rate in Columbia, KY is 45.3%, which is approximately the same as the national average of 64.6%.

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

$116,500

Median Property Value 2021

±$13,495

$716

Median Property Taxes

±$184

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.

Rent vs Own

45.3%

Homeownership

2021

67.2%

Homeowners with Mortgage

2021

In 2021, 45.3% of the housing units in Columbia, KY were occupied by their owner. This percentage grew from the previous year's rate of 41.8%.

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

Equity

Income by Location

Use the dropdown to filter by race/ethnicity.

Race/Ethnicity

Highest Median Household Income (Total)

Census Tract 9704.02
Census Tract 9704.01

The following map shows all of the places in Columbia, KY colored by their Median Household Income (Total).

Household Income

Please note that the buckets used in this visualization were not evenly distributed by ACS when publishing the data.

$45,480

Median Household Income

± $4,673

1.58k

Number of Households

± 287

In 2021, the median household income of the 1.58k households in Columbia, KY grew to $45,480 from the previous year's value of $41,821.

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 range.

Wage Distribution

The closest comparable wage GINI for Columbia, KY is from Kentucky.

0.453

2021 Wage GINI in Kentucky

0.454

2020 Wage GINI in Kentucky

In 2021, the income inequality in Kentucky was 0.453 according to the GINI calculation of the wage distribution. Income inequality had a 0.236% decline from 2020 to 2021, which means that wage distribution grew somewhat more even. The GINI for Kentucky was lower than than the national average of 0.478. 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.

Transportation

Commuter Transportation

Most Common Commute in 2021

Drove Alone (73.2%)
Worked At Home (9.78%)
Walked (9.04%)

In 2021, 73.2% of workers in Columbia, KY drove alone to work, followed by those who worked at home (9.78%) and those who walked to work (9.04%).

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.

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 (26.8 minutes). Additionally, 1.13% 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.

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.

Poverty

Poverty & Diversity

17.6% of the population for whom poverty status is determined in Columbia, KY (641 out of 3.64k people) live below the poverty line, a number that is higher than the national average of 12.6%. 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.

Social Needs

Data only available at the state level.

Most prevalent states

California
35,798 individuals
New York
5,087 individuals
Florida
4,915 individuals

In 2017, California had the highest estimated number of chronically homeless individuals in the nation, at 35,798. New York has the second highest (5,087), followed by Florida (4,915).

The following map shows the estimated number of chronically homeless individuals by state over multiple years.

Health

94.5% of the population of Columbia, KY has health coverage, with 43.5% on employee plans, 27.5% on Medicaid, 8.92% on Medicare, 12.5% on non-group plans, and 2.04% on military or VA plans.

Primary care physicians in Adair County, KY see 2743 patients per year on average, which represents a 0.0729% decrease from the previous year (2745 patients). Compare this to dentists who see 6518 patients per year, and mental health providers who see 435 patients per year.

Coverage

Patient to Clinician Ratios

Data is only available at the country level. Showing data for Adair County, KY.

2,743 to 1

Patient to Primary Care Physician Ratio in Adair County, KY

Primary care physicians in Adair County, KY see an average of 2,743 patients per year. This represents a 0.0729% decrease from the previous year (2,745 patients).

The following chart shows how the number of patients seen by primary care physicians has been changing over time in Adair County, KY in comparison to its neighboring geographies.

Health Care Diversity

In 2021, insured persons according to age ranges were distributed in 26.8% under 18 years, 32.6% between 18 and 34 years, 27.7% between 35 and 64 years, and 12.9% over 64 years.

By gender, of the total number of insured persons, 49.3% were men and 50.7% were women.

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

Uninsured People

5.5%

Uninsured

43.5%

Employer Coverage

27.5%

Medicaid

8.92%

Medicare

12.5%

Non-Group

2.04%

Military or VA

Between 2020 and 2021, the percent of uninsured citizens in Columbia, KY grew by 28.3% from 4.29% to 5.5%.

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.