Columbia, MD

Census Place

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2021 Population
105,086
0.309% 1-year decline
US Senator
Ben Cardin
Democratic Party
US Senator
Chris Van Hollen
Democratic Party
2021 Median Age
38.9
0.517% 1-year increase
2021 Poverty Rate
8.26%
8.19% 1-year increase
2021 Median Household Income
$113,592
2.08% 1-year growth
2021 Median Property Value
$399,000
3.39% 1-year growth
2021 Employed Population
56,943
0.81% 1-year decline

About

In 2021, Columbia, MD had a population of 105k people with a median age of 38.9 and a median household income of $113,592. Between 2020 and 2021 the population of Columbia, MD declined from 105,412 to 105,086, a −0.309% decrease and its median household income grew from $111,278 to $113,592, a 2.08% increase.

The 5 largest ethnic groups in Columbia, MD are White (Non-Hispanic) (44.8%), Black or African American (Non-Hispanic) (27.2%), Asian (Non-Hispanic) (13.3%), Two+ (Non-Hispanic) (5%), and White (Hispanic) (4.03%).

None of the households in Columbia, MD 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.

91.6% of the residents in Columbia, MD are U.S. citizens.

The largest universities in Columbia, MD are Howard Community College (1,436 degrees awarded in 2021) and Lincoln College of Technology-Columbia (386 degrees).

In 2021, the median property value in Columbia, MD was $399,000, and the homeownership rate was 65.3%.

Most people in Columbia, MD drove alone to work, and the average commute time was 30.6 minutes. The average car ownership in Columbia, MD was 2 cars per household.

geosearchPopulation & Diversity

Columbia, MD is home to a population of 105k people, from which 91.6% are citizens. As of 2021, 21.2% of Columbia, MD residents were born outside of the country (22.2k people).

In 2021, there were 1.65 times more White (Non-Hispanic) residents (47.1k people) in Columbia, MD than any other race or ethnicity. There were 28.6k Black or African American (Non-Hispanic) and 14k Asian (Non-Hispanic) residents, the second and third most common ethnic groups.

Citizenship

91.6%
2021 Citizenship
91.5%
2020 Citizenship

As of 2021, 91.6% of Columbia, MD residents were US citizens, which is lower than the national average of 93.4%. In 2020, the percentage of US citizens in Columbia, MD was 91.5%, meaning that the rate of citizenship has been increasing.

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

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Race and Ethnicity

The 3 largest ethnic groups in Columbia, MD
  1. White (Non-Hispanic)
    47.1k ± 1.68k
  2. Black or African American (Non-Hispanic)
    28.6k ± 1.49k
  3. Asian (Non-Hispanic)
    14k ± 1.25k
8.64%
Hispanic Population
9.08k people

In 2021, there were 1.65 times more White (Non-Hispanic) residents (47.1k people) in Columbia, MD than any other race or ethnicity. There were 28.6k Black or African American (Non-Hispanic) and 14k Asian (Non-Hispanic) residents, the second and third most common ethnic groups.

8.64% of the people in Columbia, MD are hispanic (9.08k people).

The following chart shows the 7 races represented in Columbia, MD 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 Maryland.
Most Common Origin
  1. El Salvador
    110,106 ± 8,073 people
  2. India
    60,915 ± 6,029 people
  3. China
    44,188 ± 5,142 people

In 2021, the most common birthplace for the foreign-born residents of Maryland was El Salvador, the natal country of 110,106 Maryland residents, followed by India with 60,915 and China with 44,188.

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Foreign-Born Population

21.2%
2021 Foreign-Born Population
22.2k people
20.8%
2020 Foreign-Born Population
21.9k people

As of 2021, 21.2% of Columbia, MD residents (22.2k people) were born outside of the United States, which is higher than the national average of 13.6%. In 2020, the percentage of foreign-born citizens in Columbia, MD was 20.8%, 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.

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Veterans

Most Common Service Period
  1. Gulf War (2001-)
    1,572 ± 298
  2. Vietnam
    1,493 ± 243
  3. Gulf War (1990s)
    1,377 ± 396

Columbia, MD has a large population of military personnel who served in Gulf War (2001-), 1.05 times greater than any other conflict.

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briefcaseEconomy

The economy of Columbia, MD employs 56.9k people. The largest industries in Columbia, MD are Professional, Scientific, & Technical Services (9,178 people), Health Care & Social Assistance (8,505 people), and Educational Services (7,367 people), and the highest paying industries are Utilities ($123,333), Public Administration ($105,025), and Management of Companies & Enterprises ($98,983).

Males in Maryland have an average income that is 1.24 times higher than the average income of females, which is $71,677. The income inequality in Maryland (measured using the Gini index) is 0.456, which is lower than than the national average.

Occupations

56.9k
2021 Value
± 1,931
−0.81%
1 Year decline
± 4.89%

From 2020 to 2021, employment in Columbia, MD declined at a rate of −0.81%, from 57.4k employees to 56.9k employees.

The most common job groups, by number of people living in Columbia, MD, are Management Occupations (7,860 people), Computer & Mathematical Occupations (5,930 people), and Office & Administrative Support Occupations (5,272 people). This chart illustrates the share breakdown of the primary jobs held by residents of Columbia, MD.

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Unemployment Insurance Claims

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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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Employment by Industries

56.9k
2021 Value
± 1,931
−0.81%
1 Year decline
± 4.89%

From 2020 to 2021, employment in Columbia, MD declined at a rate of −0.81%, from 57.4k employees to 56.9k employees.

The most common employment sectors for those who live in Columbia, MD, are Professional, Scientific, & Technical Services (9,178 people), Health Care & Social Assistance (8,505 people), and Educational Services (7,367 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.

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Median Earnings by Industry

$74,627
Median earning men ± $5,247
$55,803
Median earning women ± $3,041

The industries with the best median earnings for men in 2021 are Manufacturing ($108,726), Public Administration ($104,893), and Professional, Scientific, & Management, & Administrative & Waste Management Services ($91,235).

The industries with the best median earnings for women in 2021 are Public Administration ($106,583), Professional, Scientific, & Management, & Administrative & Waste Management Services ($78,516), and Finance & Insurance, & Real Estate & Rental & Leasing ($78,497).

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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 Maryland. 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 Maryland.

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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
  1. $28.8B
  2. $23.9B
  3. $20B

In 2020, the top outbound Maryland product (by dollars) was Motorized vehicles with $28.8B, followed by Mixed freight ($23.9B) and Electronics ($20B).

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

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Domestic Trade Growth

Showing data for Maryland.
$216B
2020 Value in Maryland
$445B
Projected 2050 Value in Maryland
106% growth

In 2020, total outbound Maryland trade was $216B. This is expected to increase 106% to $445B by 2050.

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

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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
  1. $23.2B
  2. $18.3B
  3. $9.44B

In 2020, the top outbound Maryland domestic partner for goods and services (by dollars) was Virginia with $23.2B, followed by Pennsylvania with $18.3B and New York and $9.44B.

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

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flagCivics

In the 2020 presidential election, the popular vote in Maryland went to Joseph R Biden Jr. with 65.4% of the vote. The runner-up was Donald J. Trump (32.2%), followed by Jo Jorgensen (1.1%).

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.

US Senators from Maryland

Senatorial voting results are only available at the state level. Showing data for Maryland.
Ben Cardin
Senator from Maryland1
Assumed office on January 3, 2007
Chris Van Hollen
Senator from Maryland3
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.

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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.

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learningEducation

In 2021, universities in Columbia, MD awarded 1,822 degrees. The student population of Columbia, MD in 2021 is skewed towards women, with 4,233 male students and 4,956 female students.

Most students graduating from Universities in Columbia, MD are White (588 and 34.1%), followed by Black or African American (561 and 32.6%), Hispanic or Latino (218 and 12.7%), and Asian (197 and 11.4%).

The largest universities in Columbia, MD by number of degrees awarded are Howard Community College (1,436 and 78.8%) and Lincoln College of Technology-Columbia (386 and 21.2%).

The most popular majors in Columbia, MD are General Studies (581 and 31.9%), Liberal Arts & Sciences (203 and 11.1%), and Registered Nursing (167 and 9.17%).

Enrollments by Gender and Races

In 2021 there were 9,189 students enrolled in Columbia, MD, 46.1% men and 53.9% women.

By race, the largest number of students enrolled was concentrated in Black or African American with 2,907 records, of which 56.2% were women and 43.8% men.

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Concentrations

Most Common
  1. 581 degrees awarded
  2. 203 degrees awarded
  3. 167 degrees awarded

In 2021, the most common concentation for Associates Degree recipients in Columbia, MD was General Studies with 581 degrees awarded.

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

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Universities

Gender
Race
Largest Universities by degrees awarded
  1. 1,436 degrees awarded
  2. 386 degrees awarded

In 2021, the institution with the largest number of graduating students was Howard Community College with 1,436 degrees awarded.

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Student Diversity

In 2021, 924 men were awarded degrees from institutions in Columbia, MD, which is 1.03 times more than the 898 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 588 degrees mean that there were 1.05 times more degrees awarded to White students then the next closest race/ethnicity group, Black or African American, with 561 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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Average Net Price by Sector

Public, 2-year ($6,615) is the sector with the highest median state tuition in 2021.

Public, 2-year ($765) is the sector with the highest median state fee in 2021.

Public, 2-year ($2,400) 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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Educational Pyramid

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

In 2021, 1.02% of men over 25 years of age had not completed any academic degree (no schooling), while 0.962% of women were in the same situation.

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

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Educational Attainment

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

The most common educational levels obtained by the working population in 2021 were High School or Equivalent (1.19M), Bachelors Degree (1.01M), and Some college (978k).

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.

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homeHousing & Living

The median property value in Columbia, MD was $399,000 in 2021, which is 1.63 times larger than the national average of $244,900. Between 2020 and 2021 the median property value increased from $385,900 to $399,000, a 3.39% increase. The homeownership rate in Columbia, MD is 65.3%, which is approximately the same as the national average of 64.6%.

People in Columbia, MD have an average commute time of 30.6 minutes, and they drove alone to work. Car ownership in Columbia, MD is approximately the same as the national average, with an average of 2 cars per household.

Median household income in Columbia, MD is $113,592. In 2021, the place with the highest median household income in Columbia, MD was Census Tract 6055.05 with a value of $239,173, followed by Census Tract 6055.04 and Census Tract 6051.04, with respective values of $233,750 and $186,667.

Property

$399,000
Median Property Value 2021
±$7,797
$26,715
Median Property Taxes
±$1,013

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, MD the largest share of households pay taxes in the $3k+ range.

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

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Rent vs Own

65.3%
Homeownership
2021
69.1%
Homeowners with Mortgage
2021

In 2021, 65.3% of the housing units in Columbia, MD were occupied by their owner. This percentage declined from the previous year's rate of 65.6%.

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

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Income by Location

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Race/Ethnicity
Highest Median Household Income (Total)
  1. Census Tract 6055.05
  2. Census Tract 6055.04
  3. Census Tract 6051.04

In 2021, the place with the highest Median Household Income (Total) in Columbia, MD was Census Tract 6055.05 with a value of $239,173, followed by Census Tract 6055.04 and Census Tract 6051.04, with respective values of $233,750 and $186,667.

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

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Household Income

Please note that the buckets used in this visualization were not evenly distributed by ACS when publishing the data.
$113,592
Median Household Income
± $3,502
40.9k
Number of Households
± 1,588

In 2021, the median household income of the 40.9k households in Columbia, MD grew to $113,592 from the previous year's value of $111,278.

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.

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Wage Distribution

The closest comparable wage GINI for Columbia, MD is from Maryland.
0.456
2021 Wage GINI in Maryland
0.457
2020 Wage GINI in Maryland

In 2021, the income inequality in Maryland was 0.456 according to the GINI calculation of the wage distribution. Income inequality had a 0.194% decline from 2020 to 2021, which means that wage distribution grew somewhat more even. The GINI for Maryland was lower than than the national average of 0.478. 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.

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Commuter Transportation

Most Common Commute in 2021
  1. Drove Alone (72.2%)
  2. Worked At Home (15.2%)
  3. Carpooled (6.14%)

In 2021, 72.2% of workers in Columbia, MD drove alone to work, followed by those who worked at home (15.2%) and those who carpooled to work (6.14%).

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

30.6 minutes
Average Travel Time

Using averages, employees in Columbia, MD have a longer commute time (30.6 minutes) than the normal US worker (26.8 minutes). Additionally, 3.76% 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.

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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.

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Poverty & Diversity

8.26% of the population for whom poverty status is determined in Columbia, MD (8.65k out of 105k people) live below the poverty line, a number that is lower than the national average of 12.6%. The largest demographic living in poverty are Females 25 - 34, followed by Females 18 - 24 and then Females 35 - 44.

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

95% of the population of Columbia, MD has health coverage, with 58.9% on employee plans, 13% on Medicaid, 10.4% on Medicare, 11.5% on non-group plans, and 1.16% on military or VA plans.

Primary care physicians in Howard County, MD see 515 patients per year on average, which represents a 1.15% decrease from the previous year (521 patients). Compare this to dentists who see 1181 patients per year, and mental health providers who see 297 patients per year.

Patient to Clinician Ratios

Data is only available at the country level. Showing data for Howard County, MD.
515 to 1
Patient to Primary Care Physician Ratio in Howard County, MD

Primary care physicians in Howard County, MD see an average of 515 patients per year. This represents a 1.15% decrease from the previous year (521 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.

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Health Care Diversity

In 2021, insured persons according to age ranges were distributed in 22.8% under 18 years, 21.6% between 18 and 34 years, 40.1% between 35 and 64 years, and 15.5% over 64 years.

By gender, of the total number of insured persons, 48% were men and 52% were women.

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

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Uninsured People

4.98%
Uninsured
58.9%
Employer Coverage
13%
Medicaid
10.4%
Medicare
11.5%
Non-Group
1.16%
Military or VA

Between 2020 and 2021, the percent of uninsured citizens in Columbia, MD grew by 7.85% from 4.62% to 4.98%.

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.

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