Columbus, GA-AL

Metropolitan Statistical Area (MSA)

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2021 Population

325,657

1.88% 1-year growth

2021 Median Age

35.7

0.281% 1-year increase

2021 Poverty Rate

18.4%

1.21% 1-year decrease

2021 Median Household Income

$51,694

5.71% 1-year growth

2021 Median Property Value

$150,200

2.67% 1-year growth

2021 Employed Population

129,540

1.85% 1-year growth

About

In 2021, Columbus, GA-AL had a population of 326k people with a median age of 35.7 and a median household income of $51,694. Between 2020 and 2021 the population of Columbus, GA-AL grew from 319,643 to 325,657, a 1.88% increase and its median household income grew from $48,903 to $51,694, a 5.71% increase.

The 5 largest ethnic groups in Columbus, GA-AL are White (Non-Hispanic) (44.7%), Black or African American (Non-Hispanic) (41.4%), Two+ (Non-Hispanic) (3.77%), Other (Hispanic) (2.66%), and White (Hispanic) (2.58%).

None of the households in Columbus, GA-AL 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.

97.7% of the residents in Columbus, GA-AL are U.S. citizens.

The largest universities in Columbus, GA-AL are Columbus Technical College (2,213 degrees awarded in 2021), Columbus State University (1,712 degrees), and Chattahoochee Valley Community College (615 degrees).

In 2021, the median property value in Columbus, GA-AL was $150,200, and the homeownership rate was 56.1%.

Most people in Columbus, GA-AL drove alone to work, and the average commute time was 22.2 minutes. The average car ownership in Columbus, GA-AL was 2 cars per household.

Columbus, GA-AL borders Americus, GA, Atlanta-Sandy Springs-Roswell, GA, Auburn-Opelika, AL, Eufaula, AL-GA, LaGrange, GA, and Valley, AL.

About the photo: River Walk, Columbus, GA

Photo by Visit Columbus GA

United States Alabama Georgia

Population & Diversity

Columbus, GA-AL is home to a population of 326k people, from which 97.7% are citizens. As of 2021, 4.77% of Columbus, GA-AL residents were born outside of the country (15.5k people).

In 2021, there were 1.08 times more White (Non-Hispanic) residents (145k people) in Columbus, GA-AL than any other race or ethnicity. There were 135k Black or African American (Non-Hispanic) and 12.3k Two+ (Non-Hispanic) residents, the second and third most common ethnic groups.

Population & Diversity

Citizenship

97.7%

2021 Citizenship

97.6%

2020 Citizenship

As of 2021, 97.7% of Columbus, GA-AL residents were US citizens, which is higher than the national average of 93.4%. In 2020, the percentage of US citizens in Columbus, GA-AL was 97.6%, meaning that the rate of citizenship has been increasing.

The following chart shows US citizenship percentages in Columbus, GA-AL compared to that of it's neighboring and parent geographies.

Diversity

Race and Ethnicity

The 3 largest ethnic groups in Columbus, GA-AL

White (Non-Hispanic)
145k ± 666
Black or African American (Non-Hispanic)
135k ± 1.01k
Two+ (Non-Hispanic)
12.3k ± 1.23k

7.34%

Hispanic Population

23.9k people

7.34% of the people in Columbus, GA-AL are hispanic (23.9k people).

The following chart shows the 7 races represented in Columbus, GA-AL as a share of the total population.

Global Diversity

The PUMS dataset is not available at the MSA level, so we are showing data for Georgia and Alabama.

Most Common Origin

Mexico
273,775 ± 16,875 people
India
110,451 ± 10,161 people
Guatemala
54,953 ± 7,891 people

In 2021, the most common birthplace for the foreign-born residents of Georgia and Alabama was Mexico, the natal country of 273,775 Georgia and Alabama residents, followed by India with 110,451 and Guatemala with 54,953.

Foreign-Born Population

4.77%

2021 Foreign-Born Population

15.5k people

4.75%

2020 Foreign-Born Population

15.2k people

As of 2021, 4.77% of Columbus, GA-AL residents (15.5k 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 Columbus, GA-AL was 4.75%, meaning that the rate has been increasing.

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

Military

Veterans

Most Common Service Period

Gulf War (2001-)
11,007 ± 1,039
Vietnam
8,329 ± 633
Gulf War (1990s)
6,343 ± 664

Columbus, GA-AL has a large population of military personnel who served in Gulf War (2001-), 1.32 times greater than any other conflict.

Economy

The economy of Columbus, GA-AL employs 130k people. The largest industries in Columbus, GA-AL are Health Care & Social Assistance (17,613 people), Retail Trade (15,362 people), and Manufacturing (14,263 people), and the highest paying industries are Wholesale Trade ($59,536), Mining, Quarrying, & Oil & Gas Extraction ($57,375), and Finance & Insurance ($54,026).

Males in Georgia have an average income that is 1.35 times higher than the average income of females, which is $54,211. The income inequality in Georgia (measured using the Gini index) is 0.475, which is lower than than the national average.

Employment

Occupations

130k

2021 Value

± 3,312

1.85%

1 Year growth

± 3.4%

From 2020 to 2021, employment in Columbus, GA-AL grew at a rate of 1.85%, from 127k employees to 130k employees.

The most common job groups, by number of people living in Columbus, GA-AL, are Office & Administrative Support Occupations (16,958 people), Sales & Related Occupations (14,204 people), and Management Occupations (10,802 people). This chart illustrates the share breakdown of the primary jobs held by residents of Columbus, GA-AL.

Unemployment Insurance Claims

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

This chart shows weekly unemployment insurance claims in Georgia and Alabama (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

130k

2021 Value

± 3,312

1.85%

1 Year growth

± 3.4%

From 2020 to 2021, employment in Columbus, GA-AL grew at a rate of 1.85%, from 127k employees to 130k employees.

The most common employment sectors for those who live in Columbus, GA-AL, are Health Care & Social Assistance (17,613 people), Retail Trade (15,362 people), and Manufacturing (14,263 people). This chart shows the share breakdown of the primary industries for residents of Columbus, GA-AL, though some of these residents may live in Columbus, GA-AL and work somewhere else. Census data is tagged to a residential address, not a work address.

Median Earnings by Industry

$40,635

Median earning men ± $1,314

$29,557

Median earning women ± $969

The industries with the best median earnings for men in 2021 are Finance & Insurance, & Real Estate & Rental & Leasing ($68,652), Wholesale Trade ($66,356), and Information ($52,401).

The industries with the best median earnings for women in 2021 are Finance & Insurance, & Real Estate & Rental & Leasing ($45,477), Construction ($45,067), and Public Administration ($37,663).

Establishments by Size

The industries with the most establishments

2,701
Educational Services, Health Care & Social Assistance
1,700
Finance & Insurance, and Real Estate, Rental & Leasing
1,270
Retail Trade

The visualization shows the distribution of establishments by industry and by size according to the number of employees.

Payroll by Industry Sector

The industries with the highest total annual payroll

$3.16M
Finance & Insurance, and Real Estate, Rental & Leasing
$1.86M
Educational Services, Health Care & Social Assistance
$1.62M
Manufacturing

The chart shows the total annual payroll and the average annual payroll by industry.

Domestic Trade

Domestic Production & Consumption

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

Top Domestic Production in Dollars

In 2020, the top outbound Georgia and Alabama product (by dollars) was Motorized vehicles with $122B, followed by Mixed freight ($87.4B) and Pharmaceuticals ($67.3B).

The following chart shows the share of these products in relation to all outbound Georgia and Alabama products.

Domestic Trade Growth

Showing data for Georgia and Alabama.

$267B

2020 Value in Alabama

$540B

Projected 2050 Value in Alabama

102% growth

$625B

2020 Value in Georgia

$1.3T

Projected 2050 Value in Georgia

109% growth

In 2020, total outbound Alabama trade was $267B. This is expected to increase 102% to $540B by 2050.

Comparatively, total outbound Georgia trade was $625B. This is expected to increase 109% to $1.3T by 2050.

Interstate Trade

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

Most Common Trade Partners

Florida
$79.8B
Tennessee
$49.9B
North Carolina
$36.7B

In 2020, the top outbound Georgia and Alabama domestic partner for goods and services (by dollars) was Florida with $79.8B, followed by Tennessee with $49.9B and North Carolina and $36.7B.

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

Civics

In the 2020 presidential election, the popular vote in Alabama and Georgia went to Donald J. Trump with 53.3% of the vote. The runner-up was Joseph R Biden Jr. (45.4%), followed by Jo Jorgensen (1.19%).

Jon Ossoff, Raphael Warnock, Tommy Tuberville, and Katie Britt are the senators currently representing the state of Georgia and Alabama. In the United States, senators are elected to 6-year terms with the terms for individual senators staggered.

Georgia and Alabama is currently represented by 21 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 Columbus, GA-AL. Showing the available data for Alabama and Georgia.

2020 Election Results

Donald J. Trump (53.3%)
Republican Party
Joseph R Biden Jr. (45.4%)
Democratic Party
Jo Jorgensen (1.19%)
Libertarian Party

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

Senator Elections

US Senators from Georgia and Alabama

Senatorial voting results are only available at the state level. Showing data for Georgia and Alabama.

Jon Ossoff

Senator from Georgia

Assumed office on January 20, 2021
Inauguration delayed as incumbent senator David Perdue's term expired on January 3, 2021, two days prior to the 2020–21 United States Senate election in Georgia|runoff election.

Raphael Warnock

Senator from Georgia

Assumed office on January 20, 2021
Elected to the seat to succeed Kelly Loeffler, who had been appointed to the seat following the resignation of Johnny Isakson.

Tommy Tuberville

Senator from Alabama

Assumed office on January 3, 2021

Katie Britt

Senator from Alabama

Assumed office on January 3, 2023

Jon Ossoff, Raphael Warnock, Tommy Tuberville, and Katie Britt are the senators currently representing Georgia and Alabama.

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 Georgia and Alabama over time, excluding special elections, colored by their political party.

US Representative Elections

US Representatives from Georgia and Alabama

Georgia and Alabama is currently represented by 21 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 Georgia and Alabama have changed over time starting in 2008.

Education

In 2021, universities in Columbus, GA-AL awarded 4,768 degrees. The student population of Columbus, GA-AL in 2021 is skewed towards women, with 4,443 male students and 8,220 female students.

Most students graduating from Universities in Columbus, GA-AL are White (2,048 and 43.4%), followed by Black or African American (2,006 and 42.5%), Hispanic or Latino (337 and 7.14%), and Two or More Races (142 and 3.01%).

The largest universities in Columbus, GA-AL by number of degrees awarded are Columbus Technical College (2,213 and 46.4%), Columbus State University (1,712 and 35.9%), and Chattahoochee Valley Community College (615 and 12.9%).

The most popular majors in Columbus, GA-AL are General Studies (358 and 7.51%), Registered Nursing (315 and 6.61%), and Criminal Justice - Safety Studies (307 and 6.44%).

The median tuition cost in Columbus, GA-AL for a public four year colleges is $4,371 for in-state students and $15,425 for out-of-state students.

Admissions & Enrollments

Applicants, Admissions & Enrolled

University

Measure

In 2021 in Columbus, GA-AL, the percentage of applicants admitted was 78.5%, while the percentage of admitted who enrolled was 29.1%. The number of students enrolled in 2021 was 12,663 (35.1% men and 64.9% women).

The line chart shows the evolution of the percentage of applicants admitted, admitted who enrolled or the number of students enrolled according to the option selected in the upper button.

Enrollments by Gender and Races

Universities

In 2021 there were 12,663 students enrolled in Columbus, GA-AL, 35.1% men and 64.9% women.

By race, the largest number of students enrolled was concentrated in Black or African American with 5,358 records, of which 70.9% were women and 29.1% men.

Completions

Concentrations

Most Common

General Computer & Information Sciences
59 degree-majors awarded
Registered Nursing
190 degree-majors awarded
General Health Services
63 degree-majors awarded

In 2021, the most common concentation for Bachelors Degree recipients in Columbus, GA-AL was General Computer & Information Sciences with 59 degrees awarded.

This visualization illustrates the percentage of students graduating with a Bachelors Degree from schools in Columbus, GA-AL according to their major.

Universities

Gender

Race

Largest Universities by degrees awarded

Columbus Technical College
2,213 degrees awarded
Columbus State University
1,712 degrees awarded
Chattahoochee Valley Community College
615 degrees awarded

In 2021, the institution with the largest number of graduating students was Columbus Technical College with 2,213 degrees awarded.

Student Diversity

University

In 2021, 1,696 men were awarded degrees from institutions in Columbus, GA-AL, which is 0.552 times less than the 3,072 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 2,048 degrees mean that there were 1.02 times more degrees awarded to White students then the next closest race/ethnicity group, Black or African American, with 2,006 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

Universities

Public, 4-year or above ($4,371) is the sector with the highest median state tuition in 2021.

Public, 4-year or above ($1,870) is the sector with the highest median state fee in 2021.

Public, 4-year or above ($1,440) 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 Georgia and Alabama.

Measure

In 2021, 0.977% of men over 25 years of age had not completed any academic degree (no schooling), while 0.906% 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 Georgia and Alabama.

Race

The most common educational levels obtained by the working population in 2021 were High School or Equivalent (3.51M), Some college (2.68M), and Bachelors Degree (2.11M).

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 Columbus, GA-AL was $150,200 in 2021, which is 0.613 times smaller than the national average of $244,900. Between 2020 and 2021 the median property value increased from $146,300 to $150,200, a 2.67% increase. The homeownership rate in Columbus, GA-AL is 56.1%, which is approximately the same as the national average of 64.6%.

People in Columbus, GA-AL have an average commute time of 22.2 minutes, and they drove alone to work. Car ownership in Columbus, GA-AL is approximately the same as the national average, with an average of 2 cars per household.

Median household income in Columbus, GA-AL is $51,694. In 2021, the county with the highest Median Household Income in Columbus, GA-AL was Forsyth County, GA with a value of $120,999, followed by Oconee County, GA and Fayette County, GA, with respective values of $106,165 and $96,084.

Housing

Property

$150,200

Median Property Value 2021

±$3,496

$69,185

Median Property Taxes

±$2,023

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 Columbus, GA-AL the largest share of households pay taxes in the < $800 range.

The chart underneath the paragraph shows the property taxes in Columbus, GA-AL compared to it's parent and neighbor geographies.

Rent vs Own

56.1%

Homeownership

2021

67%

Homeowners with Mortgage

2021

In 2021, 56.1% of the housing units in Columbus, GA-AL were occupied by their owner. This percentage declined from the previous year's rate of 56.7%.

This chart shows the percentage of owner in Columbus, GA-AL 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)

In 2021, the county with the highest Median Household Income (Total) in Columbus, GA-AL was Forsyth County, GA with a value of $120,999, followed by Oconee County, GA and Fayette County, GA, with respective values of $106,165 and $96,084.

The following map shows all of the counties in Columbus, GA-AL 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.

$51,694

Median Household Income

± $1,447

123k

Number of Households

± 2,931

In 2021, the median household income of the 123k households in Columbus, GA-AL grew to $51,694 from the previous year's value of $48,903.

The following chart displays the households in Columbus, GA-AL 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 $75k - $100k range.

Wage Distribution

The closest comparable wage GINI for Columbus, GA-AL is from Georgia and Alabama.

0.475

2021 Wage GINI in Georgia

0.476

2020 Wage GINI in Georgia

0.458

2021 Wage GINI in Alabama

0.458

2020 Wage GINI in Alabama

In 2021, the income inequality in Georgia was 0.475 according to the GINI calculation of the wage distribution. Income inequality had a 0.141% decline from 2020 to 2021, which means that wage distribution grew somewhat more even. The GINI for Georgia was lower than than the national average of 0.478. In other words, wages are distributed more evenly in Georgia in comparison to the national average.

In the same year, the income inequality in Alabama was 0.458 and income inequality had a 0.0218% growth from 2020 to 2021, which means that wage distribution grew somewhat less even. The GINI for Alabama was lower than than the national average of 0.478, meaning wages are distributed more evenly in Alabama in comparison to the national average.

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

Transportation

Commuter Transportation

Most Common Commute in 2021

Drove Alone (79.9%)
Carpooled (8.45%)
Worked At Home (6.53%)

In 2021, 79.9% of workers in Columbus, GA-AL drove alone to work, followed by those who carpooled to work (8.45%) and those who worked at home (6.53%).

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

22.2 minutes

Average Travel Time

Using averages, employees in Columbus, GA-AL have a shorter commute time (22.2 minutes) than the normal US worker (26.8 minutes). Additionally, 2.36% of the workforce in Columbus, GA-AL have "super commutes" in excess of 90 minutes.

The chart below shows how the median household income in Columbus, GA-AL compares to that of it's neighboring and parent geographies.

Car Ownership

2 cars

Average Number

The following chart displays the households in Columbus, GA-AL distributed between a series of car ownership buckets compared to the national averages for each bucket. The largest share of households in Columbus, GA-AL have 2 cars.

Poverty

Poverty & Diversity

18.4% of the population for whom poverty status is determined in Columbus, GA-AL (57.4k out of 312k 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 25 - 34, followed by Males 6 - 11 and then Females 35 - 44.

The most common racial or ethnic group living below the poverty line in Columbus, GA-AL 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.

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

88.8% of the population of Columbus, GA-AL has health coverage, with 36.1% on employee plans, 17.2% on Medicaid, 9.57% on Medicare, 17.5% on non-group plans, and 8.44% on military or VA plans.

Primary care physicians in Georgia see 1492 patients per year on average, which represents a 1.06% decrease from the previous year (1508 patients). Compare this to dentists who see 1921 patients per year, and mental health providers who see 637 patients per year.

Similarly, primary care physicians in Alabama see 1519 patients per year on average, which represents a 0.978% decrease from the previous year (1534 patients). Compare this to dentists who see 2026 patients per year, and mental health providers who see 846 patients per year.

Coverage

Patient to Clinician Ratios

Data is only available at the state level. Showing data for Georgia and Alabama.

1,492 to 1

Patient to Primary Care Physician Ratio in Georgia

1,519 to 1

Patient to Primary Care Physician Ratio in Alabama

Primary care physicians in Georgia see an average of 1,492 patients per year. This represents a 1.06% decrease from the previous year (1,508 patients).

Primary care physicians in Alabama see an average of 1,519 patients per year. This represents a 0.978% decrease from the previous year (1,534 patients).

The following chart shows how the number of patients seen by primary care physicians has been changing over time in Georgia and Alabama in comparison to its neighboring geographies.

Health Care Diversity

In 2021, insured persons according to age ranges were distributed in 26.6% under 18 years, 21.1% between 18 and 34 years, 37.5% between 35 and 64 years, and 14.8% over 64 years.

By gender, of the total number of insured persons, 46.9% were men and 53.1% were women.

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

Uninsured People

11.2%

Uninsured

36.1%

Employer Coverage

17.2%

Medicaid

9.57%

Medicare

17.5%

Non-Group

8.44%

Military or VA

Between 2020 and 2021, the percent of uninsured citizens in Columbus, GA-AL grew by 0.656% from 11.1% to 11.2%.

The following chart shows how the percent of uninsured individuals in Columbus, GA-AL changed over time compared with the percent of individuals enrolled in various types of health insurance.