Columbia, MD

Census Place

Add Comparison

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 (1,172 degrees awarded in 2024) and Lincoln College of Technology-Columbia (618 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 States Maryland Howard County, MD Baltimore-Columbia-Towson, MD West Howard County--Ellicott City (North & West), Fulton & Highland PUMA, MD Central Howard County--Columbia PUMA, MD East 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.

Diversity

Race and Ethnicity

The 3 largest ethnic groups in Columbia, MD

White (Non-Hispanic)
44.2k ± 1.55k
Black or African American (Non-Hispanic)
29.3k ± 1.59k
Asian (Non-Hispanic)
12.3k ± 1.3k

10.1%

Hispanic Population

10.5k people

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.

Global Diversity

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

Most Common Origin

El Salvador
133,677 ± 8,879 people
India
61,989 ± 6,082 people
Nigeria
50,832 ± 5,513 people

In 2024, the most common birthplace for the foreign-born residents of Maryland was El Salvador, the natal country of 133,677 Maryland residents, followed by India with 61,989 and Nigeria with 50,832.

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.

Military

Veterans

Most Common Service Period

Gulf War (2001-)
1,975 ± 396
Gulf War (1990s)
1,267 ± 366
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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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).

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.

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

Presidential Popular Vote Over Time

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

2024 Election Results

Kamala Harris (62.6%)
Democratic Party
Donald J. Trump (34.1%)
Republican Party
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.

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 Maryland

Assumed office on January 3, 2017

Angela Alsobrooks

Senator from Maryland

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.

Education

In 2024, universities in Columbia, MD awarded 1,790 degrees. The student population of Columbia, MD in 2024 is skewed towards women, with 4,761 male students and 5,140 female students.

Most students graduating from Universities in Columbia, MD are Black or African American (591 and 34.4%), White (459 and 26.7%), Hispanic or Latino (320 and 18.6%), and Asian (174 and 10.1%).

The largest universities in Columbia, MD by number of degrees awarded are Howard Community College (1,172 and 65.5%) and Lincoln College of Technology-Columbia (618 and 34.5%).

The most popular majors in Columbia, MD are General Studies (465 and 26%), Automobile Mechanics Technology (184 and 10.3%), and HVAC & Refrigeration Engineering Technology (177 and 9.89%).

Admissions & Enrollments

Enrollments by Gender and Races

In 2024 there were 9,901 students enrolled in Columbia, MD, 48.1% men and 51.9% women.

By race, the largest number of students enrolled was concentrated in Black or African American with 3,008 records, of which 52.4% were women and 47.6% men.

Completions

Concentrations

Most Common

General Studies
465 degrees awarded
Liberal Arts & Sciences
170 degrees awarded
Registered Nursing
160 degrees awarded

In 2024, the most common concentation for Associates Degree recipients in Columbia, MD was General Studies with 465 degrees awarded.

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

Universities

Gender

Race

Largest Universities by degrees awarded

Howard Community College
1,172 degrees awarded
Lincoln College of Technology-Columbia
618 degrees awarded

In 2024, the institution with the largest number of graduating students was Howard Community College with 1,172 degrees awarded.

Student Diversity

In 2024, 1,013 men were awarded degrees from institutions in Columbia, MD, which is 1.3 times more than the 777 female students who received degrees in the same year.

In 2024, the most common race/ethnicity group awarded degrees at institutions was Black or African American students. These 591 degrees mean that there were 1.29 times more degrees awarded to Black or African American students then the next closest race/ethnicity group, White, with 459 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

Public, 2-year ($7,371) is the sector with the highest median state tuition in 2024.

Public, 2-year ($765) is the sector with the highest median state fee in 2024.

Public, 2-year ($2,808) is the sector with the highest average net price of books and supplies.

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

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.

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.

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.

Wage Distribution

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

0.448

2024 Wage GINI in Maryland

0.451

2023 Wage GINI in Maryland

In 2024, the income inequality in Maryland was 0.448 according to the GINI calculation of the wage distribution. Income inequality had a 0.523% decline from 2023 to 2024, which means that wage distribution grew somewhat more even. The GINI for Maryland was lower than than the national average of 0.474. 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.

Transportation

Commuter Transportation

Most Common Commute in 2024

Drove Alone (65.5%)
Worked At Home (24.8%)
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.

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.

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.

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.