Columbia, MD

Census Place

Add Comparison

Population

103,663

0.478% 1-year growth

US Senator

Ben Cardin

Democratic Party

US Senator

Chris Van Hollen

Democratic Party

Median Age

37.9

Poverty Rate

7.35%

Median Household Income

$105,815

2.03% 1-year growth

Median Property Value

$372,000

1.2% 1-year growth

Number of Employees

57,426

0.337% 1-year growth

About

In 2018, Columbia, MD had a population of 104k people with a median age of 37.9 and a median household income of $105,815. Between 2017 and 2018 the population of Columbia, MD grew from 103,170 to 103,663, a 0.478% increase and its median household income grew from $103,707 to $105,815, a 2.03% increase.

The 5 largest ethnic groups in Columbia, MD are White (Non-Hispanic) (47.3%), Black or African American (Non-Hispanic) (25.7%), Asian (Non-Hispanic) (12.6%), White (Hispanic) (7.29%), and Two+ (Non-Hispanic) (4.13%). NaNk% of the people in Columbia, MD speak a non-English language, and 91.1% are U.S. citizens.

The largest universities in Columbia, MD are Howard Community College (1,306 degrees awarded in 2017), Lincoln College of Technology-Columbia (351 degrees), and University of Phoenix-Maryland (79 degrees).

The median property value in Columbia, MD is $372,000, and the homeownership rate is 65.8%. Most people in Columbia, MD commute by Drove Alone, and the average commute time is 29.3 minutes. The average car ownership in Columbia, MD is 2 cars per household.

United States Maryland Howard County, MD Baltimore-Columbia-Towson, MD Columbia (West) & Ellicott City (Northwest) PUMA, MD Columbia (East), Ellicott City (Southeast) & Elkridge PUMA, MD

COVID-19

Daily New Cases by Date

Showing data at the state level for Maryland. Hospitalization data for some states may be delayed or not reported.

This chart shows the number of COVID-19 daily new cases by date in Maryland, as a 7-day rolling average, compared with the four states with the most similar number of confirmed cases.

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Impact on Employment

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

This chart shows weekly unemployment insurance claims in Maryland (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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Community Mobility

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

This chart presents movement trends over time in the state of Maryland across different categories of places such as retail and recreation, groceries and pharmacies, parks, transit stations, workplaces, and residential.

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Civics

In the 2016 presidential election, the popular vote in Howard County, MD went to Hillary Rodham Clinton with 63.3% of the vote. The runner-up was Donald J. Trump (29.3%), followed by Other (7.47%). The most partisan county was Prince George's County, MD with 88.1% of the vote going to Hillary Rodham Clinton running for the Democratic Party.

Ben Cardin and Chris Van Hollen are the senators currently representing the state of Maryland. In the United States, senators are elected to 6-year terms with the terms for individual senators staggered.

Maryland is currently represented by 8 members in the U.S. house, and members of the House of Representives are elected to 2-year terms.

Presidential Popular Vote Over Time

Voting results are not available for Columbia, MD. Showing the available data for Howard County, MD.

Showing data up to the 2016 election. Updated election results are currently being processed, and will be released in the coming months.

2016 Election Results

Hillary Rodham Clinton (63.3%)
Democratic Party
Donald J. Trump (29.3%)
Republican Party
Other (7.47%)
Other Party

In the 2016 presidential election, the popular vote in Maryland went to Hillary Rodham Clinton with 63.3% of the vote. The runner-up was Donald J. Trump (29.3%), followed by Other (7.47%).

The following chart shows the popular vote results in Maryland for each registered party from 1976 to 2016.

Presidential Popular Vote by County

Presidential voting results are only available at the county level. Showing data for the counties inside of Maryland.

Showing data up to the 2016 election. Updated election results are currently being processed, and will be released in the coming months.

Hillary Rodham Clinton

Popular Vote for Howard County, MD

63.3% for the Democratic Party

Most Partisan Counties in Maryland

Prince George's County, MD
88.1% for Hillary Rodham Clinton (Democratic Party)
Baltimore city, MD
84.7% for Hillary Rodham Clinton (Democratic Party)
Garrett County, MD
76.9% for Donald J. Trump (Republican Party)

In the 2016 presidential election, the most partisan county in Maryland was Prince George's County, MD with 88.1% of the vote going to Hillary Rodham Clinton running for the Democratic Party.

The following map shows the counties in Maryland colored by their party leaning.

US Senators from Maryland

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

Ben Cardin

Senator from Maryland

Assumed office on January 3, 2007

Chris Van Hollen

Senator from Maryland

Assumed office on January 3, 2017

Ben Cardin and Chris Van Hollen are the senators currently representing Maryland.

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 Maryland over time, excluding special elections, colored by their political party.

US Representatives from Maryland

Maryland is currently represented by 8 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 Maryland have changed over time starting in 2008.

Diversity

Columbia, MD is home to a population of 104k people, from which 91.1% are citizens. As of 2018, 21.1% of Columbia, MD residents were born outside of the country (21.9k people).

In 2018, there were 1.84 times more White (Non-Hispanic) residents (49k people) in Columbia, MD than any other race or ethnicity. There were 26.7k Black or African American (Non-Hispanic) and 13.1k Asian (Non-Hispanic) residents, the second and third most common ethnic groups.

Race and Ethnicity

The 3 largest ethnic groups in Columbia, MD

White (Non-Hispanic)
49k ± 933
Black or African American (Non-Hispanic)
26.7k ± 1.09k
Asian (Non-Hispanic)
13.1k ± 848

9.31%

Hispanic Population

9.65k people

9.31% of the people in Columbia, MD are hispanic (9.65k people).

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

Heritage

Foreign-Born Population

21.1%

2018 Foreign-Born Population

21.9k people

20.1%

2017 Foreign-Born Population

20.7k people

As of 2018, 21.1% of Columbia, MD residents (21.9k people) were born outside of the United States, which is higher than the national average of 13.7%. In 2017, the percentage of foreign-born citizens in Columbia, MD was 20.1%, meaning that the rate has been increasing.

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

Age by Nativity

Median Native-Born Age

± 0.6

Median Foreign-Born Age

± 0.9

In 2018, the median age of all people in Columbia, MD was 37.9. Native-born citizens, with a median age of 35, were generally younger than than foreign-born citizens, with a median age of 44. But people in Columbia, MD are getting getting older. In 2017, the average age of all Columbia, MD residents was 38.

Global Diversity

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

Most Common Origin

El Salvador
107,722 ± 7,985 people
India
58,285 ± 5,898 people
China
42,414 ± 5,038 people

In 2017, the most common birthplace for the foreign-born residents of Maryland was El Salvador, the natal country of 107,722 Maryland residents, followed by India with 58,285 and China with 42,414.

Citizenship

91.1%

2018 Citizenship

91.4%

2017 Citizenship

As of 2018, 91.1% of Columbia, MD residents were US citizens, which is lower than the national average of 93.2%. In 2017, the percentage of US citizens in Columbia, MD was 91.4%, meaning that the rate of citizenship has been decreasing.

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

Military

Veterans

Most Common Service Period

Vietnam
1,712 ± 275
Gulf War (2001-)
1,634 ± 275
Gulf War (1990s)
1,048 ± 228

Columbia, MD has a large population of military personnel who served in Vietnam, 1.05 times greater than any other conflict.

Economy

Median household income in Columbia, MD is $105,815. In 2018, the place with the highest Median Household Income in Columbia, MD was Census Tract 6051.04 with a value of $211,652, followed by Census Tract 6055.04 and Census Tract 6055.05, with respective values of $211,458 and $191,184.

Males in Maryland have an average income that is 1.26 times higher than the average income of females, which is $61,332. The income inequality in Maryland (measured using the Gini index) is 0.461, which is lower than than the national average.

The economy of Columbia, MD employs 57.4k people. The largest industries in Columbia, MD are Professional, Scientific, & Technical Services (9,804 people), Health Care & Social Assistance (7,704 people), and Educational Services (7,174 people), and the highest paying industries are Utilities ($110,909), Public Administration ($105,870), and Management of Companies & Enterprises ($92,356).

Wages

Median Household Income

$105,815

2018 value

± $2,041

2.03%

1 Year Growth

± 2.6%

Households in Columbia, MD have a median annual income of $105,815, which is more than the median annual income of $61,937 across the entire United States. This is in comparison to a median income of $103,707 in 2017, which represents a 2.03% annual growth.

The following chart shows how the median household income in Columbia, MD compares to that of its neighboring and parent geographies.

Wage by Gender in Common Jobs

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

$77,536

Average Male Salary in Maryland

± $1,629

$61,332

Average Female Salary in Maryland

± $1,200

In 2017, full-time male employees in Maryland made 1.26 times more than female employees.

This chart shows the gender-based wage disparity in the 5 most common occupations in Maryland by number of full-time employees.

Wage by Race and Ethnicity in Common Jobs

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

Highest Average Salaries by Race & Ethnicity in Maryland

Alaska Native
$90,993 ± $115,433
Asian
$68,448 ± $4,004
White
$67,584 ± $1,364

In 2017 the highest paid race/ethnicity of Maryland workers was Alaska Native. These workers were paid 1.33 times more than Asian workers, who made the second highest salary of any race/ethnicity in Maryland.

This chart shows the race- and ethnicity-based wage disparities in the 5 most common occupations in Maryland by number of full-time employees.

Wage Distribution

The closest comparable wage GINI for Columbia, MD is from Maryland.

0.461

2017 Wage GINI in Maryland

0.459

2016 Wage GINI in Maryland

In 2017, the income inequality in Maryland was 0.461 according to the GINI calculation of the wage distribution. Income inequality had a 0.363% growth from 2016 to 2017, which means that wage distribution grew somewhat less even. The GINI for Maryland was lower than than the national average of 0.479. In other words, wages are distributed more evenly in Maryland in comparison to the national average.

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

Income by Location

Use the dropdown to filter by race/ethnicity.

Highest Median Household Income (Total)

Census Tract 6051.04
Census Tract 6055.04
Census Tract 6055.05

In 2018, the place with the highest Median Household Income (Total) in Columbia, MD was Census Tract 6051.04 with a value of $211,652, followed by Census Tract 6055.04 and Census Tract 6055.05, with respective values of $211,458 and $191,184.

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

Poverty by Age and Gender

Males 18 - 24

Largest Demographic Living in Poverty

7.35% of the population for whom poverty status is determined in Columbia, MD (7.57k out of 103k people) live below the poverty line, a number that is lower than the national average of 13.1%. The largest demographic living in poverty are Males 18 - 24, followed by Females 25 - 34 and then Females 35 - 44.

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.

Poverty by Race and Ethnicity

Largest Race or Ethnicity Living in Poverty

Black
3,747 ± 552
White
2,339 ± 419
Hispanic
958 ± 302

The most common racial or ethnic group living below the poverty line in Columbia, MD is Black, followed by White and Hispanic.

Occupations

Employment by Occupations

57.4k

2018 Value

± 1,750

0.337%

1 Year growth

± 4.26%

From 2017 to 2018, employment in Columbia, MD grew at a rate of 0.337%, from 57.2k employees to 57.4k employees.

The most common job groups, by number of people living in Columbia, MD, are Management Occupations (7,133 people), Computer & Mathematical Occupations (6,331 people), and Office & Administrative Support Occupations (5,478 people). This chart illustrates the share breakdown of the primary jobs held by residents of Columbia, MD.

Most Common

The most common jobs held by residents of Columbia, MD, by number of employees, are Management Occupations (7,133 people), Computer & Mathematical Occupations (6,331 people), and Office & Administrative Support Occupations (5,478 people).

Most Specialized

Compared to other places, Columbia, MD has an unusually high number of residents working as Computer & Mathematical Occupations (3.6 times higher than expected), Life, Physical, & Social Science Occupations (2.91 times), and Architecture & Engineering Occupations (2.09 times).

Highest Paid

The highest paid jobs held by residents of Columbia, MD, by median earnings, are Legal Occupations ($120,069), Computer & Mathematical Occupations ($100,703), and Computer, Engineering, & Science Occupations ($98,864).

Industries

Employment by Industries

57.4k

2018 Value

± 1,750

0.337%

1 Year growth

± 4.26%

From 2017 to 2018, employment in Columbia, MD grew at a rate of 0.337%, from 57.2k employees to 57.4k employees.

The most common employment sectors for those who live in Columbia, MD, are Professional, Scientific, & Technical Services (9,804 people), Health Care & Social Assistance (7,704 people), and Educational Services (7,174 people). This chart shows the share breakdown of the primary industries for residents of Columbia, MD, though some of these residents may live in Columbia, MD and work somewhere else. Census data is tagged to a residential address, not a work address.

Most Common

The most common industries in Columbia, MD, by number of employees, are Professional, Scientific, & Technical Services (9,804 people), Health Care & Social Assistance (7,704 people), and Educational Services (7,174 people).

Most Specialized

Compared to other places, Columbia, MD has an unusually high number of Public Administration (2.58 times higher than expected), Professional, Scientific, & Technical Services (2.4 times), and Educational Services (1.35 times) industries.

Highest Paying

The highest paying industries in Columbia, MD, by median earnings, are Utilities ($110,909), Public Administration ($105,870), and Management of Companies & Enterprises ($92,356).

Domestic Trade

Domestic Production & Consumption

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

Top Domestic Production in Dollars

In 2015, the top outbound Maryland product (by dollars) was Textiles/leather with $24.1B, followed by Mixed freight ($17.7B) and Electronics ($14.2B).

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

Domestic Trade Growth

Showing data for Maryland.

$180B

2015 Value in Maryland

$243B

Projected 2045 Value in Maryland

35.1% growth

In 2015, total outbound Maryland trade was $180B. This is expected to increase 35.1% to $243B by 2045.

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

Interstate Trade

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

Most Common Trade Partners

Virginia
$24B
Pennsylvania
$18.2B
New York
$6.71B

In 2015, the top outbound Maryland domestic partner for goods and services (by dollars) was Virginia with $24B, followed by Pennsylvania with $18.2B and New York and $6.71B.

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

Education

In 2017, universities in Columbia, MD awarded 1,736 degrees. The student population of Columbia, MD is skewed towards women, with 4,750 male students and 5,327 female students.

Most students graduating from Universities in Columbia, MD are White (650 and 39.3%), followed by Black or African American (487 and 29.4%), Hispanic or Latino (187 and 11.3%), and Asian (175 and 10.6%).

The largest universities in Columbia, MD by number of degrees awarded are Howard Community College (1,306 and 75.2%), Lincoln College of Technology-Columbia (351 and 20.2%), and University of Phoenix-Maryland (79 and 4.55%).

The most popular majors in Columbia, MD are General Studies (533 and 30.7%), Liberal Arts & Sciences (232 and 13.4%), and Automobile Mechanics Technology (153 and 8.81%).

The median tuition costs in Columbia, MD are $N/A for private four year colleges, and $N/A and $N/A respectively, for public four year colleges for in-state students and out-of-state students.

Concentrations

Most Common

Liberal Arts & Sciences
232 degree-majorss awarded
Registered Nursing
136 degree-majorss awarded
General Studies
533 degree-majorss awarded

In 2015, the most common concentation for Associates Degree recipients in Columbia, MD was Liberal Arts & Sciences with 232 degree-majorss awarded.

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

Universities

Largest Universities by degrees awarded

Howard Community College
1,306 degrees awarded
Lincoln College of Technology-Columbia
351 degrees awarded
University of Phoenix-Maryland
79 degrees awarded

$N/A

Median In-State Public

$N/A

Median Private

In 2017, the Columbia, MD institution with the largest number of graduating students was Howard Community College with 1,306 degrees awarded.

Student Gender for Common Institutions

918

Degrees Awarded to Men

818

Degrees Awarded to Women

In 2017, 918 men were awarded degrees from institutions in Columbia, MD, which is 1.12 times more than the 818 female students who received degrees in the same year.

This chart displays the gender disparity between the institutions in Columbia, MD by degrees awarded.

Student Race and Ethnicity

Most Common Student Race or Ethnicity

White
650 degrees awarded
Black or African American
487 degrees awarded
Hispanic or Latino
187 degrees awarded

In 2017 the majority of degrees awarded at institutions in Columbia, MD were to White students. These 650 degrees mean that there were 1.33 times more White students then the next closest race/ethnicity group, Black or African American, with 487 degrees awarded.

Housing & Living

The median property value in Columbia, MD was $372,000 in 2018, which is 1.62 times larger than the national average of $229,700. Between 2017 and 2018 the median property value increased from $367,600 to $372,000, a 1.2% increase. The homeownership rate in Columbia, MD is 65.8%, which is higher than the national average of 63.9%. People in Columbia, MD have an average commute time of 29.3 minutes, and they commute by Drove Alone. Car ownership in Columbia, MD is approximately the same as the national average, with an average of 2 cars per household.

Housing

Property Value

$372,000

2018 Median

± $5,677

$367,600

2017 Median

± $4,418

In 2018, the median property value in Columbia, MD grew to to $372,000 from the previous year's value of $367,600.

The following charts display, first, the property values in Columbia, MD compared to it's parent and neighbor geographies and, second, owner-occupied housing units distributed between a series of property value buckets compared to the national averages for each bucket. In Columbia, MD the largest share of households have a property value in the N/A range.

Household Income

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

$105,815

Median Household Income

± $2,041

40.3k

Number of Households

± 1,406

In 2018, the median household income of the 40.3k households in Columbia, MD grew to $105,815 from the previous year's value of $103,707.

The following chart displays the households in Columbia, MD 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 $200k+ range.

Property Taxes

$3k+

Average Range

This chart shows the households in Columbia, MD distributed between a series of property tax buckets compared to the national averages for each bucket. In Columbia, MD the largest share of households pay taxes in the $3k+ range.

Rent vs Own

65.8%

2018 Homeownership

66.8%

2017 Homeownership

In 2018, 65.8% of the housing units in Columbia, MD were occupied by their owner. This percentage declined from the previous year's rate of 66.8%.

This percentage of owner-occupation is higher than the national average of 63.9%. This chart shows the ownership percentage in Columbia, MD compared it's parent and neighboring geographies.

Commute Time

29.3 minutes

Average Travel Time

Using averages, employees in Columbia, MD have a longer commute time (29.3 minutes) than the normal US worker (25.3 minutes). Additionally, 4.11% of the workforce in Columbia, MD have "super commutes" in excess of 90 minutes.

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

Commuter Transportation

Most Common Method of Travel

Drove Alone
80.2%
Carpooled
7.41%
Public Transit
5.42%

In 2018, the most common method of travel for workers in Columbia, MD was Drove Alone (80.2%), followed by those who Carpooled (7.41%) and those who Public Transit (5.42%).

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.

Transportation

Car Ownership

2 cars

Average Number

The following chart displays the households in Columbia, MD distributed between a series of car ownership buckets compared to the national averages for each bucket. The largest share of households in Columbia, MD have 2 cars, followed by 1 car.

Health

95.6% of the population of Columbia, MD has health coverage, with 61.4% on employee plans, 11.6% on Medicaid, 9.35% on Medicare, 11.7% on non-group plans, and 1.52% on military or VA plans.

Per capita personal health care spending in Maryland was $8,602 in 2014. This is a 4.27% increase from the previous year ($8,250).

Primary care physicians in Howard County, MD see 506 patients per year on average, which represents a 0.589% decrease from the previous year (509 patients). Compare this to dentists who see 1206 patients per year, and mental health providers who see 397 patients per year.

Comparing across all counties in the state, Dorchester County has the highest prevalence of diabetes (15.8%). Additionally, Somerset County has the highest prevalence of adult obesity (44.7%)

Patient to Clinician Ratios

Data is only available at the country level. Showing data for Howard County, MD.

506 to 1

Patient to Primary Care Physician Ratio in Howard County, MD

Primary care physicians in Howard County, MD see an average of 506 patients per year. This represents a 0.589% decrease from the previous year (509 patients).

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

Behavioral Health Conditions

Data only available at the state level.

State with the Highest Prevalence

West Virginia
8.26% of the population affected
Arkansas
8.13% of the population affected
New Hampshire
7.98% of the population affected

In 2016, West Virginia had the highest prevalence of adults with major depressive episode, with 8.26% of the population affected. The second highest is Arkansas (8.13%), followed by New Hampshire (7.98%).

The following map shows the percent of individuals with major depressive episode by state over multiple years.

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.

Access and Quality

Data only available at state level.

Most prevalent states

Mississippi
19.2% of adults
Texas
17.9% of adults
Louisiana
17.6% of adults

In 2016, Mississippi had the highest prevalence of adults who haven't seen a doctor in the past 12 months due to cost, at 19.2%. It is followed by Texas (17.9%) and Louisiana (17.6%).

The following map shows the prevalence of adults who haven't seen a doctor in the past 12 months due to cost by state over multiple years.

Health Care Spending

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

$8,602

Total Per Capita Spending on Personal Health Care in Maryland

$4,343

Per Enrollee Private Health Insurance Spending on Personal Health Care

$7,677

Per Enrollee Medicaid Spending on Personal Health Care

$12,000

Per Enrollee Medicare Spending on Personal Health Care

Between 2013 and 2014, all personal health care spending per capita in Maryland (including private, Medicare, and Medicaid) grew 4.27%, from $8,250 to $8,602.

The following chart shows how this spending changed over time in comparison to Medicaid, Medicare, and private insurance spending, per enrollee.

Health Care Coverage

4.38%

Uninsured

61.4%

Employer Coverage

11.6%

Medicaid

9.35%

Medicare

11.7%

Non-Group

1.52%

Military or VA

Between 2017 and 2018, the percent of uninsured citizens in Columbia, MD declined by 6.24% from 4.67% to 4.38%.

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