Columbus, GA-AL

Metropolitan Statistical Area (MSA)

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2023 Population

326,136

0.00705% 1-year decline

2023 Median Age

36.1

0.557% 1-year increase

2023 Poverty Rate

18.3%

1.84% 1-year increase

2023 Median Household Income

$57,762

3.66% 1-year growth

2023 Median Property Value

$184,900

7.38% 1-year growth

2023 Employed Population

129,791

0.247% 1-year growth

About

In 2023, Columbus, GA-AL had a population of 326k people with a median age of 36.1 and a median household income of $57,762. Between 2022 and 2023 the population of Columbus, GA-AL declined from 326,159 to 326,136, a −0.00705% decrease and its median household income grew from $55,720 to $57,762, a 3.66% increase.

The 5 largest ethnic groups in Columbus, GA-AL are White (Non-Hispanic) (43.5%), Black or African American (Non-Hispanic) (41.6%), Two+ (Non-Hispanic) (4.65%), Other (Hispanic) (2.75%), and White (Hispanic) (2%).

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

The largest universities in Columbus, GA-AL are Columbus State University (1,724 degrees awarded in 2022), Columbus Technical College (1,538 degrees), and Chattahoochee Valley Community College (646 degrees).

In 2023, the median property value in Columbus, GA-AL was $184,900, and the homeownership rate was 57.2%.

Most people in Columbus, GA-AL drove alone to work, and the average commute time was 22.1 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 98% are citizens. As of 2023, 4.49% of Columbus, GA-AL residents were born outside of the country (14.7k people).

In 2023, there were 1.04 times more White (Non-Hispanic) residents (142k people) in Columbus, GA-AL than any other race or ethnicity. There were 136k Black or African American (Non-Hispanic) and 15.2k Two+ (Non-Hispanic) residents, the second and third most common ethnic groups.

Population & Diversity

Citizenship

98%

2023 Citizenship

97.8%

2022 Citizenship

As of 2023, 98% of Columbus, GA-AL residents were US citizens, which is higher than the national average of 93.4%. In 2022, the percentage of US citizens in Columbus, GA-AL was 97.8%, 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)
142k ± 821
Black or African American (Non-Hispanic)
136k ± 1.2k
Two+ (Non-Hispanic)
15.2k ± 1.37k

7.58%

Hispanic Population

24.7k people

7.58% of the people in Columbus, GA-AL are hispanic (24.7k 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
268,236 ± 16,693 people
India
113,649 ± 10,320 people
Guatemala
56,357 ± 7,987 people

In 2022, the most common birthplace for the foreign-born residents of Georgia and Alabama was Mexico, the natal country of 268,236 Georgia and Alabama residents, followed by India with 113,649 and Guatemala with 56,357.

Foreign-Born Population

4.49%

2023 Foreign-Born Population

14.7k people

4.64%

2022 Foreign-Born Population

15.1k people

As of 2023, 4.49% of Columbus, GA-AL residents (14.7k people) were born outside of the United States, which is lower than the national average of 13.8%. In 2022, the percentage of foreign-born citizens in Columbus, GA-AL was 4.64%, 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.

Military

Veterans

Most Common Service Period

Gulf War (2001-)
12,503 ± 1,027
Vietnam
7,336 ± 603
Gulf War (1990s)
6,109 ± 688

Columbus, GA-AL has a large population of military personnel who served in Gulf War (2001-), 1.7 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 (17,925 people), Manufacturing (14,001 people), and Retail Trade (12,908 people), and the highest paying industries are Management of Companies & Enterprises ($83,221), Wholesale Trade ($64,031), and Finance & Insurance ($58,231).

Males in Georgia have an average income that is 1.35 times higher than the average income of females, which is $58,988. The income inequality in Georgia (measured using the Gini index) is 0.474, which is lower than than the national average.

Employment

Occupations

130k

2023 Value

± 3,361

0.247%

1 Year growth

± 3.64%

From 2022 to 2023, employment in Columbus, GA-AL grew at a rate of 0.247%, from 129k employees to 130k employees.

The most common job groups, by number of people living in Columbus, GA-AL, are Office & Administrative Support Occupations (18,035 people), Sales & Related Occupations (12,474 people), and Management Occupations (10,985 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

2023 Value

± 3,361

0.247%

1 Year growth

± 3.64%

From 2022 to 2023, employment in Columbus, GA-AL grew at a rate of 0.247%, from 129k employees to 130k employees.

The most common employment sectors for those who live in Columbus, GA-AL, are Health Care & Social Assistance (17,925 people), Manufacturing (14,001 people), and Retail Trade (12,908 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

$44,874

Median earning men ± $1,406

$34,224

Median earning women ± $1,196

The industries with the best median earnings for men in 2023 are Finance & Insurance, & Real Estate & Rental & Leasing ($89,963), Wholesale Trade ($71,146), and Public Administration ($56,850).

The industries with the best median earnings for women in 2023 are Finance & Insurance, & Real Estate & Rental & Leasing ($47,755), Public Administration ($44,904), and Educational Services, & Health Care & Social Assistance ($39,377).

Establishments by Size

The industries with the most establishments

511
Retail Trade
448
Other Services (except Public Administration)
381
Health Care and Social Assistance

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

Depending on the option selected, the visualization shows the number of employees or number of establishments and its share across establishment sizes.

Payroll by Industry Sector

The industries with the highest total annual payroll

$1.07M
Finance and Insurance
$924k
Health Care and Social Assistance
$573k
Manufacturing

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

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

Presidential Popular Vote Over Time

Voting results are not available for Columbus, GA-AL. Showing the available data for Alabama and Georgia.

2024 Election Results

Donald J. Trump (54.9%)
Republican Party
Kamala Harris (44.2%)
Democratic Party
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.

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 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 2022, universities in Columbus, GA-AL awarded 4,127 degrees. The student population of Columbus, GA-AL in 2022 is skewed towards women, with 4,553 male students and 8,149 female students.

Most students graduating from Universities in Columbus, GA-AL are White (1,835 and 45%), followed by Black or African American (1,629 and 39.9%), Hispanic or Latino (286 and 7.01%), and Two or More Races (158 and 3.87%).

The largest universities in Columbus, GA-AL by number of degrees awarded are Columbus State University (1,724 and 41.8%), Columbus Technical College (1,538 and 37.3%), and Chattahoochee Valley Community College (646 and 15.7%).

The most popular majors in Columbus, GA-AL are General Studies (302 and 7.32%), General Health Services (280 and 6.78%), and Criminal Justice - Safety Studies (278 and 6.74%).

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 2022 in Columbus, GA-AL, the percentage of applicants admitted was 87.8%, while the percentage of admitted who enrolled was 30.4%. The number of students enrolled in 2022 was 12,702 (35.8% men and 64.2% 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 2022 there were 12,702 students enrolled in Columbus, GA-AL, 35.8% men and 64.2% women.

By race, the largest number of students enrolled was concentrated in Black or African American with 5,494 records, of which 71.2% were women and 28.8% men.

Completions

Concentrations

Most Common

General Psychology
55 degrees awarded
Registered Nursing
122 degrees awarded
General Health Services
62 degrees awarded

In 2022, the most common concentation for Bachelors Degree recipients in Columbus, GA-AL was General Psychology with 55 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 State University
1,724 degrees awarded
Columbus Technical College
1,538 degrees awarded
Chattahoochee Valley Community College
646 degrees awarded

In 2022, the institution with the largest number of graduating students was Columbus State University with 1,724 degrees awarded.

Student Diversity

University

In 2022, 1,383 men were awarded degrees from institutions in Columbus, GA-AL, which is 0.504 times less than the 2,744 female students who received degrees in the same year.

In 2022 the most common race/ethnicity group awarded degrees at institutions was White students. These 1,835 degrees mean that there were 1.13 times more degrees awarded to White students then the next closest race/ethnicity group, Black or African American, with 1,629 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 2022.

Public, 4-year or above ($1,380) is the sector with the highest median state fee in 2022.

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.

Working Population

Educational Pyramid

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

Measure

In 2022, 1.03% of men over 25 years of age had not completed any academic degree (no schooling), while 0.961% 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 2022 were High School or Equivalent (3.56M), Some college (2.69M), and Bachelors Degree (2.17M).

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 $184,900 in 2023, which is 0.609 times smaller than the national average of $303,400. Between 2022 and 2023 the median property value increased from $172,200 to $184,900, a 7.38% increase. The homeownership rate in Columbus, GA-AL is 57.2%, which is approximately the same as the national average of 65%.

People in Columbus, GA-AL have an average commute time of 22.1 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 $57,762. In 2023, the county with the highest Median Household Income in Columbus, GA-AL was Forsyth County, GA with a value of $138,000, followed by Oconee County, GA and Fayette County, GA, with respective values of $115,925 and $108,986.

Housing

Property

$184,900

Median Property Value 2023

±$4,301

$72,158

Median Property Taxes

±$2,159

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

57.2%

Homeownership

2023

65.1%

Homeowners with Mortgage

2023

In 2023, 57.2% of the housing units in Columbus, GA-AL were occupied by their owner. This percentage grew 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 2023, the county with the highest Median Household Income (Total) in Columbus, GA-AL was Forsyth County, GA with a value of $138,000, followed by Oconee County, GA and Fayette County, GA, with respective values of $115,925 and $108,986.

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.

$57,762

Median Household Income

± $1,311

126k

Number of Households

± 2,983

In 2023, the median household income of the 126k households in Columbus, GA-AL grew to $57,762 from the previous year's value of $55,720.

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.

0.474

2022 Wage GINI in Georgia

0.475

2021 Wage GINI in Georgia

0.458

2022 Wage GINI in Alabama

0.458

2021 Wage GINI in Alabama

In 2022, the income inequality in Georgia was 0.474 according to the GINI calculation of the wage distribution. Income inequality had a 0.224% decline from 2021 to 2022, 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 0.0777% growth from 2021 to 2022, 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 2023

Drove Alone (76.5%)
Carpooled (9.16%)
Worked At Home (8.79%)

In 2023, 76.5% of workers in Columbus, GA-AL drove alone to work, followed by those who carpooled to work (9.16%) and those who worked at home (8.79%).

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

22.1 minutes

Average Travel Time

Using averages, employees in Columbus, GA-AL have a shorter commute time (22.1 minutes) than the normal US worker (26.6 minutes). Additionally, 2.38% 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

18.3% of the population for whom poverty status is determined in Columbus, GA-AL (57.3k out of 314k people) live below the poverty line, a number that is higher than the national average of 12.4%. The largest demographic living in poverty are Females 35 - 44, followed by Females 25 - 34 and then Males 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.

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

89% of the population of Columbus, GA-AL has health coverage, with 35.2% on employee plans, 17.9% on Medicaid, 9.65% on Medicare, 18.1% on non-group plans, and 8.23% on military or VA plans.

Primary care physicians in Georgia see 1491 patients per year on average, which represents a 0.067% decrease from the previous year (1492 patients). Compare this to dentists who see 1882 patients per year, and mental health providers who see 596 patients per year.

Similarly, primary care physicians in Alabama see 1520 patients per year on average, which represents a 0.0658% increase from the previous year (1519 patients). Compare this to dentists who see 2054 patients per year, and mental health providers who see 797 patients per year.

Coverage

Patient to Clinician Ratios

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

1,491 to 1

Patient to Primary Care Physician Ratio in Georgia

1,520 to 1

Patient to Primary Care Physician Ratio in Alabama

Primary care physicians in Georgia see an average of 1,491 patients per year. This represents a 0.067% decrease from the previous year (1,492 patients).

Primary care physicians in Alabama see an average of 1,520 patients per year. This represents a 0.0658% increase from the previous year (1,519 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 2023, insured persons according to age ranges were distributed in 26.6% under 18 years, 20.5% between 18 and 34 years, 37.3% between 35 and 64 years, and 15.6% over 64 years.

By gender, of the total number of insured persons, 46.7% were men and 53.3% were women.

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

Uninsured People

11%

Uninsured

35.2%

Employer Coverage

17.9%

Medicaid

9.65%

Medicare

18.1%

Non-Group

8.23%

Military or VA

Between 2022 and 2023, the percent of uninsured citizens in Columbus, GA-AL declined by 3.96% from 11.5% to 11%.

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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