Columbus, GA-AL

Metropolitan Statistical Area (MSA)

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2024 Population
325,615
2024 Median Age
36.5
1.11% 1-year increase
2024 Poverty Rate
18.7%
2.16% 1-year increase
2024 Median Household Income
$59,336
2.72% 1-year growth
2024 Median Property Value
$197,300
6.71% 1-year growth
2024 Employed Population
130,834
0.804% 1-year growth

About

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.

98.2% of the residents in Columbus, GA-AL are U.S. citizens.

The largest universities in Columbus, GA-AL are Columbus State University (1,669 degrees awarded in 2023), Columbus Technical College (1,668 degrees), and Chattahoochee Valley Community College (561 degrees).

In 2024, the median property value in Columbus, GA-AL was $197,300, and the homeownership rate was 57.8%.

Most people in Columbus, GA-AL drove alone to work, and the average commute time was 22.6 minutes. The average car ownership in Columbus, GA-AL was 2 cars per household.

About the photo: River Walk, Columbus, GA
Photo by Visit Columbus GA
United StatesAlabamaGeorgia

Population & Diversity

Columbus, GA-AL is home to a population of 326k people, from which 98.2% are citizens. As of 2024, 4.28% of Columbus, GA-AL residents were born outside of the country (13.9k people).

In 2024, there were 1.03 times more White (Non-Hispanic) residents (140k people) in Columbus, GA-AL than any other race or ethnicity. There were 136k Black or African American (Non-Hispanic) and 12.8k Two Races Excluding Other, & Three or More Races (Non-Hispanic) residents, the second and third most common ethnic groups.

Population & Diversity

Citizenship

98.2%
2024 Citizenship
98%
2023 Citizenship

As of 2024, 98.2% of Columbus, GA-AL residents were US citizens, which is higher than the national average of 93.2%. In 2023, the percentage of US citizens in Columbus, GA-AL was 98%, 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.

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Diversity

Race and Ethnicity

The 3 largest ethnic groups in Columbus, GA-AL
  1. White (Non-Hispanic)
    140k ± 769
  2. Black or African American (Non-Hispanic)
    136k ± 1.24k
  3. Two Races Excluding Other, & Three or More Races (Non-Hispanic)
    12.8k ± 1.2k
7.71%
Hispanic Population
25.1k people

In 2024, there were 1.03 times more White (Non-Hispanic) residents (140k people) in Columbus, GA-AL than any other race or ethnicity. There were 136k Black or African American (Non-Hispanic) and 12.8k Two Races Excluding Other, & Three or More Races (Non-Hispanic) residents, the second and third most common ethnic groups.

7.71% of the people in Columbus, GA-AL are hispanic (25.1k people).

The following chart shows the 8 races represented in Columbus, GA-AL as a share of the total population.

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Global Diversity

The PUMS dataset is not available at the MSA level, so we are showing data for Alabama.
Most Common Origin
  1. Mexico
    281,817 ± 12,917 people
  2. India
    117,338 ± 8,379 people
  3. Guatemala
    65,008 ± 6,247 people

In 2023, the most common birthplace for the foreign-born residents of Alabama was Mexico, the natal country of 281,817 Alabama residents, followed by India with 117,338 and Guatemala with 65,008.

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Foreign-Born Population

4.28%
2024 Foreign-Born Population
13.9k people
4.49%
2023 Foreign-Born Population
14.7k people

As of 2024, 4.28% of Columbus, GA-AL residents (13.9k 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 Columbus, GA-AL was 4.49%, meaning that the rate has been decreasing.

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

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Military

Veterans

Most Common Service Period
  1. Gulf War (2001-)
    12,785 ± 983
  2. Vietnam
    6,304 ± 593
  3. Gulf War (1990s)
    5,861 ± 588

Columbus, GA-AL has a large population of military personnel who served in Gulf War (2001-), 2.03 times greater than any other conflict.

The chart shows the distribution of veterans by conflict in Columbus, GA-AL.

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Economy

The economy of Columbus, GA-AL employs 131k people. In 2024, the largest industries in Columbus, GA-AL were Health Care & Social Assistance (18,490 people), Manufacturing (13,895 people), and Retail Trade (13,298 people), and the highest paying industries were Wholesale Trade ($59,278), Professional, Scientific, & Technical Services ($58,241), and Agriculture, Forestry, Fishing & Hunting ($52,752).

Employment

Occupations

131k
2024 Value
± 3,464
0.804%
1 Year growth
± 3.67%

From 2023 to 2024, employment in Columbus, GA-AL grew at a rate of 0.804%, from 130k employees to 131k employees.

The most common job groups, by number of people living in Columbus, GA-AL, are Office & Administrative Support Occupations (17,964 people), Sales & Related Occupations (12,220 people), and Management Occupations (12,063 people). This chart illustrates the share breakdown of the primary jobs held by residents of Columbus, GA-AL.

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Unemployment Insurance Claims

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

This chart shows weekly unemployment insurance claims in 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

131k
2024 Value
± 3,464
0.804%
1 Year growth
± 3.67%

From 2023 to 2024, employment in Columbus, GA-AL grew at a rate of 0.804%, from 130k employees to 131k employees.

The most common employment sectors for those who live in Columbus, GA-AL, are Health Care & Social Assistance (18,490 people), Manufacturing (13,895 people), and Retail Trade (13,298 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.

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Median Earnings by Industry

$46,334
Median earning men ± $1,655
$34,832
Median earning women ± $1,092

The industries with the best median earnings for men in 2024 are Finance & Insurance, & Real Estate & Rental & Leasing ($83,873), Wholesale Trade ($65,595), and Information ($57,477).

The industries with the best median earnings for women in 2024 are Public Administration ($47,041), Finance & Insurance, & Real Estate & Rental & Leasing ($43,681), and Manufacturing ($40,971).

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Establishments by Size

The industries with the most establishments
  1. 511
    Retail Trade
  2. 448
    Other Services (except Public Administration)
  3. 381
    Health Care and Social Assistance

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

The visualization shows the number of establishments and its share across establishment sizes.

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Payroll by Industry Sector

The industries with the highest total annual payroll
  1. $1.07M
    Finance and Insurance
  2. $924k
    Health Care and Social Assistance
  3. $573k
    Manufacturing

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

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Civics

In the 2024 presidential election, the popular vote in Alabama and Georgia went to Donald J. Trump with 54.9% of the vote. The runner-up was Kamala Harris (44.2%), followed by Chase Oliver (0.341%).

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

Voting results are not available for Columbus, GA-AL. Showing the available data for Alabama and Georgia.
2024 Election Results
  1. Donald J. Trump (54.9%)
    Republican Party
  2. Kamala Harris (44.2%)
    Democratic Party
  3. Chase Oliver (0.341%)
    Libertarian Party

In the 2024 presidential election, the popular vote in Alabama and Georgia went to Donald J. Trump with 54.9% of the vote. The runner-up was Kamala Harris (44.2%), followed by Chase Oliver (0.341%).

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

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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 Georgia2
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 runoff election.
Raphael Warnock
Senator from Georgia3
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 Alabama2
Assumed office on January 3, 2021
Katie Britt
Senator from Alabama3
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.

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Education

In 2023, universities in Columbus, GA-AL awarded 4,069 degrees. The student population of Columbus, GA-AL in 2023 is skewed towards women, with 4,714 male students and 8,155 female students.

Most students graduating from Universities in Columbus, GA-AL are White (1,699 and 42.4%), Black or African American (1,627 and 40.6%), Hispanic or Latino (311 and 7.75%), and Two or More Races (169 and 4.21%).

The largest universities in Columbus, GA-AL by number of degrees awarded are Columbus State University (1,669 and 41%), Columbus Technical College (1,668 and 41%), and Chattahoochee Valley Community College (561 and 13.8%).

The most popular majors in Columbus, GA-AL are Other Mechanic & Repair Technologies (248 and 6.09%), Registered Nursing (237 and 5.82%), and General Business Administration & Management (220 and 5.41%).

The median tuition cost in Columbus, GA-AL for a public four year colleges is $4,371 for in-state students and $15,424 for out-of-state students.

Admissions & Enrollments

Applicants, Admissions & Enrolled

University
Measure

In 2023 in Columbus, GA-AL, the percentage of applicants admitted was 99.2%, while the percentage of admitted who enrolled was 30.7%. The number of students enrolled in 2023 was 12,869 (36.6% men and 63.4% 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.

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Enrollments by Gender and Races

Universities

In 2023 there were 12,869 students enrolled in Columbus, GA-AL, 36.6% men and 63.4% women.

By race, the largest number of students enrolled was concentrated in Black or African American with 5,492 records, of which 70.4% were women and 29.6% men.

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Completions

Concentrations

Most Common
  1. General Health Services
    138 degrees awarded
  2. General Studies
    124 degrees awarded
  3. General Business Administration & Management
    94 degrees awarded

In 2023, the most common concentation for Certificate of at least 1 but less than 2 academic years recipients in Columbus, GA-AL was General Health Services with 138 degrees awarded.

This visualization illustrates the percentage of students graduating with a Certificate of at least 1 but less than 2 academic years from schools in Columbus, GA-AL according to their major.

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Universities

Gender
Race
Largest Universities by degrees awarded
  1. Columbus State University
    1,669 degrees awarded
  2. Columbus Technical College
    1,668 degrees awarded
  3. Chattahoochee Valley Community College
    561 degrees awarded

In 2023, the institution with the largest number of graduating students was Columbus State University with 1,669 degrees awarded.

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Student Diversity

University

In 2023, 1,426 men were awarded degrees from institutions in Columbus, GA-AL, which is 0.54 times less than the 2,643 female students who received degrees in the same year.

In 2023, the most common race/ethnicity group awarded degrees at institutions was White students. These 1,699 degrees mean that there were 1.04 times more degrees awarded to White students then the next closest race/ethnicity group, Black or African American, with 1,627 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

Universities

Public, 4-year or above ($4,371) is the sector with the highest median state tuition in 2023.

Public, 4-year or above ($1,380) is the sector with the highest median state fee in 2023.

Public, 4-year or above ($1,460) 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 Columbus, GA-AL was $197,300 in 2024, which is 0.593 times smaller than the national average of $332,700. Between 2023 and 2024 the median property value increased from $184,900 to $197,300, a 6.71% increase. The homeownership rate in Columbus, GA-AL is 57.8%, which is lower than the national average of 65.2%.

People in Columbus, GA-AL have an average commute time of 22.6 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.

Housing

Property

$197,300
Median Property Value 2024
±$5,529
$73,765
Median Property Taxes
±$2,124

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.

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Rent vs Own

57.8%
Homeownership
2024
66.1%
Homeowners with Mortgage
2024

In 2024, 57.8% of the housing units in Columbus, GA-AL were occupied by their owner. This percentage grew from the previous year's rate of 57.2%.

This chart shows the percentage of owner in Columbus, GA-AL 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.
$59,336
Median Household Income
± $1,529
128k
Number of Households
± 3,161

In 2024, the median household income of the 128k households in Columbus, GA-AL grew to $59,336 from the previous year's value of $57,762.

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.

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Wage Distribution

The closest comparable wage GINI for Columbus, GA-AL is from Alabama.
0.468
2023 Wage GINI in Alabama
0.47
2022 Wage GINI in Alabama

In 2023, the income inequality in Alabama was 0.468 according to the GINI calculation of the wage distribution. Income inequality had a 0.549% decline from 2022 to 2023, which means that wage distribution grew somewhat more even. The GINI for Alabama was lower than than the national average of 0.476. In other words, wages are distributed more evenly in Alabama in comparison to the national average.

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

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Transportation

Commuter Transportation

Most Common Commute in 2024
  1. Drove Alone (74.3%)
  2. Worked At Home (11.1%)
  3. Carpooled (9.62%)

In 2024, 74.3% of workers in Columbus, GA-AL drove alone to work, followed by those who worked at home (11.1%) and those who carpooled to work (9.62%).

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

22.6 minutes
Average Travel Time

Using averages, employees in Columbus, GA-AL have a shorter commute time (22.6 minutes) than the normal US worker (26.4 minutes). Additionally, 2.42% 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.

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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.

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Poverty

Poverty & Diversity

18.7% of the population for whom poverty status is determined in Columbus, GA-AL (58.5k out of 313k people) live below the poverty line, a number that is higher than the national average of 12.5%. The largest demographic living in poverty are Females 25 - 34, followed by Females 35 - 44 and then Females 6 - 11.

The most common racial or ethnic group living below the poverty line in Columbus, GA-AL is Black, followed by White and Two Or More.

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

89.1% of the population of Columbus, GA-AL has health coverage, with 34.8% on employee plans, 18% on Medicaid, 9.68% on Medicare, 19.2% on non-group plans, and 7.46% on military or VA plans.

Primary care physicians in Alabama see 1,571 patients per year on average, which represents a 0% change from the previous year (1,571 patients). Compare this to dentists who see 2016 patients per year, and mental health providers who see 684 patients per year.

By gender, of the total number of insured persons, 46.8% were men and 53.2% were women.

Coverage

Patient to Clinician Ratios

Data is only available at the state level. Showing data for Alabama.
1,571 to 1
Patient to Primary Care Physician Ratio in Alabama

Primary care physicians in Alabama see an average of 1,571 patients per year. This represents a 0% change from the previous year (1,571 patients).

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

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Health Care Diversity

In 2024, insured persons according to age ranges were distributed in 26.5% under 18 years, 20.2% between 18 and 34 years, 37.3% between 35 and 64 years, and 16% over 64 years.

By gender, of the total number of insured persons, 46.8% were men and 53.2% were women.

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

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Uninsured People

10.9%
Uninsured
34.8%
Employer Coverage
18%
Medicaid
9.68%
Medicare
19.2%
Non-Group
7.46%
Military or VA

Between 2023 and 2024, the percent of uninsured citizens in Columbus, GA-AL declined by 1.05% from 11% to 10.9%.

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.

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