Columbia, MD

Census Place

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2024 Population
104,338
US Senator
Chris Van Hollen
Democratic Party
US Senator
Angela Alsobrooks
Democratic Party
2024 Median Age
39.4
0.767% 1-year increase
2024 Poverty Rate
7.52%
0.982% 1-year increase
2024 Median Household Income
$131,490
1.79% 1-year growth
2024 Median Property Value
$497,400
3.56% 1-year growth
2024 Employed Population
56,223
1.58% 1-year decline

About

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.

92.7% of the residents in Columbia, MD are U.S. citizens.

The largest universities in Columbia, MD are Howard Community College (1,243 degrees awarded in 2023) and Lincoln College of Technology-Columbia (611 degrees).

In 2024, the median property value in Columbia, MD was $497,400, and the homeownership rate was 64.8%.

Most people in Columbia, MD drove alone to work, and the average commute time was 27.9 minutes. The average car ownership in Columbia, MD was 2 cars per household.

United StatesMarylandHoward County, MDBaltimore-Columbia-Towson, MDWest Howard County--Ellicott City (North & West), Fulton & Highland PUMA, MDCentral Howard County--Columbia PUMA, MDEast Howard County--Ellicott City (Southeast), North Laurel & Elkridge PUMA, MD

Population & Diversity

Columbia, MD is home to a population of 104k people, from which 92.7% are citizens. As of 2024, 20.7% of Columbia, MD residents were born outside of the country (21.6k people).

In 2024, there were 1.51 times more White (Non-Hispanic) residents (44.2k people) in Columbia, MD than any other race or ethnicity. There were 29.3k Black or African American (Non-Hispanic) and 12.3k Asian (Non-Hispanic) residents, the second and third most common ethnic groups.

Population & Diversity

Citizenship

92.7%
2024 Citizenship
92.3%
2023 Citizenship

As of 2024, 92.7% of Columbia, MD residents were US citizens, which is lower than the national average of 93.2%. In 2023, the percentage of US citizens in Columbia, MD was 92.3%, 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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Diversity

Race and Ethnicity

The 3 largest ethnic groups in Columbia, MD
  1. White (Non-Hispanic)
    44.2k ± 1.55k
  2. Black or African American (Non-Hispanic)
    29.3k ± 1.59k
  3. Asian (Non-Hispanic)
    12.3k ± 1.3k
10.1%
Hispanic Population
10.5k people

In 2024, there were 1.51 times more White (Non-Hispanic) residents (44.2k people) in Columbia, MD than any other race or ethnicity. There were 29.3k Black or African American (Non-Hispanic) and 12.3k Asian (Non-Hispanic) residents, the second and third most common ethnic groups.

10.1% of the people in Columbia, MD are hispanic (10.5k people).

The following chart shows the 8 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
    130,412 ± 8,772 people
  2. India
    62,394 ± 6,102 people
  3. Nigeria
    47,653 ± 5,339 people

In 2023, the most common birthplace for the foreign-born residents of Maryland was El Salvador, the natal country of 130,412 Maryland residents, followed by India with 62,394 and Nigeria with 47,653.

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Foreign-Born Population

20.7%
2024 Foreign-Born Population
21.6k people
20.7%
2023 Foreign-Born Population
21.9k people

As of 2024, 20.7% of Columbia, MD residents (21.6k 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, MD was 20.7%, 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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Military

Veterans

Most Common Service Period
  1. Gulf War (2001-)
    1,975 ± 396
  2. Gulf War (1990s)
    1,267 ± 366
  3. Vietnam
    1,264 ± 214

Columbia, MD has a large population of military personnel who served in Gulf War (2001-), 1.56 times greater than any other conflict.

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

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Economy

The economy of Columbia, MD employs 56.2k people. In 2024, the largest industries in Columbia, MD were Professional, Scientific, & Technical Services (9,876 people), Health Care & Social Assistance (8,227 people), and Educational Services (7,862 people), and the highest paying industries were Utilities ($132,781), Public Administration ($120,355), and Professional, Scientific, & Technical Services ($113,095).

Employment

Occupations

56.2k
2024 Value
± 1,990
−1.58%
1 Year decline
± 4.99%

From 2023 to 2024, employment in Columbia, MD declined at a rate of −1.58%, from 57.1k employees to 56.2k employees.

The most common job groups, by number of people living in Columbia, MD, are Management Occupations (8,296 people), Computer & Mathematical Occupations (6,504 people), and Education Instruction, & Library Occupations (5,605 people). This chart illustrates the share breakdown of the primary jobs held by residents of Columbia, MD.

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Unemployment Insurance Claims

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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Industries

Employment by Industries

56.2k
2024 Value
± 1,990
−1.58%
1 Year decline
± 4.99%

From 2023 to 2024, employment in Columbia, MD declined at a rate of −1.58%, from 57.1k employees to 56.2k employees.

The most common employment sectors for those who live in Columbia, MD, are Professional, Scientific, & Technical Services (9,876 people), Health Care & Social Assistance (8,227 people), and Educational Services (7,862 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

$87,915
Median earning men ± $5,468
$64,112
Median earning women ± $4,454

The industries with the best median earnings for men in 2024 are Public Administration ($127,798), Professional, Scientific, & Management, & Administrative & Waste Management Services ($117,105), and Information ($97,135).

The industries with the best median earnings for women in 2024 are Public Administration ($108,618), Professional, Scientific, & Management, & Administrative & Waste Management Services ($91,100), and Finance & Insurance, & Real Estate & Rental & Leasing ($86,000).

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Employment by Industry Sector

Data is only available at the state level. Showing data for Maryland.
Y-Axis
0.617%
Year-over-year growth
Employment change between February 2022 and February 2023

As of February 2023, there are 2.69M people employed in Maryland. This represents a 0.617% 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 13.9%.

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

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Civics

In the 2024 presidential election, the popular vote in Maryland went to Kamala Harris with 62.6% of the vote. The runner-up was Donald J. Trump (34.1%), followed by Jill Stein (1.09%).

Chris Van Hollen and Angela Alsobrooks 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 Elections

Voting results are not available for Columbia, MD. Showing the available data for Maryland.
2024 Election Results
  1. Kamala Harris (62.6%)
    Democratic Party
  2. Donald J. Trump (34.1%)
    Republican Party
  3. Jill Stein (1.09%)
    Green Party

In the 2024 presidential election, the popular vote in Maryland went to Kamala Harris with 62.6% of the vote. The runner-up was Donald J. Trump (34.1%), followed by Jill Stein (1.09%).

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

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Senator Elections

US Senators from Maryland

Senatorial voting results are only available at the state level. Showing data for Maryland.
Chris Van Hollen
Senator from Maryland3
Assumed office on January 3, 2017
Angela Alsobrooks
Senator from Maryland1
Assumed office on January 3, 2025

Chris Van Hollen and Angela Alsobrooks 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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Education

In 2023, universities in Columbia, MD awarded 1,854 degrees. The student population of Columbia, MD in 2023 is skewed towards women, with 4,521 male students and 5,094 female students.

Most students graduating from Universities in Columbia, MD are Black or African American (593 and 33.5%), White (493 and 27.8%), Hispanic or Latino (313 and 17.7%), and Asian (198 and 11.2%).

The largest universities in Columbia, MD by number of degrees awarded are Howard Community College (1,243 and 67%) and Lincoln College of Technology-Columbia (611 and 33%).

The most popular majors in Columbia, MD are General Studies (516 and 27.8%), Automobile Mechanics Technology (190 and 10.2%), and HVAC & Refrigeration Engineering Technology (158 and 8.52%).

Admissions & Enrollments

Enrollments by Gender and Races

In 2023 there were 9,615 students enrolled in Columbia, MD, 47% men and 53% women.

By race, the largest number of students enrolled was concentrated in Black or African American with 2,946 records, of which 55.4% were women and 44.6% men.

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Completions

Concentrations

Most Common
  1. General Studies
    516 degrees awarded
  2. Registered Nursing
    151 degrees awarded
  3. Liberal Arts & Sciences
    149 degrees awarded

In 2023, the most common concentation for Associates Degree recipients in Columbia, MD was General Studies with 516 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. Howard Community College
    1,243 degrees awarded
  2. Lincoln College of Technology-Columbia
    611 degrees awarded

In 2023, the institution with the largest number of graduating students was Howard Community College with 1,243 degrees awarded.

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Student Diversity

In 2023, 1,014 men were awarded degrees from institutions in Columbia, MD, which is 1.21 times more than the 840 female students who received degrees in the same year.

In 2023, the most common race/ethnicity group awarded degrees at institutions was Black or African American students. These 593 degrees mean that there were 1.2 times more degrees awarded to Black or African American students then the next closest race/ethnicity group, White, with 493 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

Public, 2-year ($7,155) is the sector with the highest median state tuition in 2023.

Public, 2-year ($765) is the sector with the highest median state fee in 2023.

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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Housing & Living

The median property value in Columbia, MD was $497,400 in 2024, which is 1.5 times larger than the national average of $332,700. Between 2023 and 2024 the median property value increased from $480,300 to $497,400, a 3.56% increase. The homeownership rate in Columbia, MD is 64.8%, which is lower than the national average of 65.2%.

People in Columbia, MD have an average commute time of 27.9 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.

Housing

Property

$497,400
Median Property Value 2024
±$10,302
$26,665
Median Property Taxes
±$1,067

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

64.8%
Homeownership
2024
69%
Homeowners with Mortgage
2024

In 2024, 64.8% of the housing units in Columbia, MD were occupied by their owner. This percentage declined from the previous year's rate of 64.9%.

This chart shows the percentage of owner in Columbia, MD 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.
$131,490
Median Household Income
± $5,734
41.1k
Number of Households
± 1,697

In 2024, the median household income of the 41.1k households in Columbia, MD grew to $131,490 from the previous year's value of $129,173.

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.
0.451
2023 Wage GINI in Maryland
0.454
2022 Wage GINI in Maryland

In 2023, the income inequality in Maryland was 0.451 according to the GINI calculation of the wage distribution. Income inequality had a 0.683% decline from 2022 to 2023, which means that wage distribution grew somewhat more even. The GINI for Maryland was lower than than the national average of 0.476. 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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Transportation

Commuter Transportation

Most Common Commute in 2024
  1. Drove Alone (65.5%)
  2. Worked At Home (24.8%)
  3. Carpooled (5.15%)

In 2024, 65.5% of workers in Columbia, MD drove alone to work, followed by those who worked at home (24.8%) and those who carpooled to work (5.15%).

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

27.9 minutes
Average Travel Time

Using averages, employees in Columbia, MD have a longer commute time (27.9 minutes) than the normal US worker (26.4 minutes). Additionally, 2.35% 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

Poverty & Diversity

7.52% of the population for whom poverty status is determined in Columbia, MD (7.8k out of 104k people) live below the poverty line, a number that is lower than the national average of 12.5%. The largest demographic living in poverty are Males 18 - 24, 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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Health

95.4% of the population of Columbia, MD has health coverage, with 58.5% on employee plans, 11.6% on Medicaid, 11.3% on Medicare, 13% on non-group plans, and 1.13% on military or VA plans.

Primary care physicians in Maryland see 1,179 patients per year on average, which represents a 0% change from the previous year (1,179 patients). Compare this to dentists who see 1238 patients per year, and mental health providers who see 273 patients per year.

By gender, of the total number of insured persons, 48.2% were men and 51.8% were women.

Coverage

Health Care Diversity

In 2024, insured persons according to age ranges were distributed in 22.7% under 18 years, 20.9% between 18 and 34 years, 39.2% between 35 and 64 years, and 17.2% over 64 years.

By gender, of the total number of insured persons, 48.2% were men and 51.8% were women.

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

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Uninsured People

4.57%
Uninsured
58.5%
Employer Coverage
11.6%
Medicaid
11.3%
Medicare
13%
Non-Group
1.13%
Military or VA

Between 2023 and 2024, the percent of uninsured citizens in Columbia, MD declined by 1.13% from 4.62% to 4.57%.

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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