Columbus, MS

Census Place

Add Comparison

2020 Population

23,853

0.955% 1-year decline

US Senator

Roger Wicker

Republican Party

US Senator

Cindy Hyde-Smith

Republican Party

2020 Median Age

38.5

1.32% 1-year increase

2020 Poverty Rate

26.2%

6.72% 1-year decrease

2020 Median Household Income

$34,551

4.91% 1-year decline

2020 Median Property Value

$115,100

5.58% 1-year decline

2020 Employed Population

8,646

1.94% 1-year decline

About

In 2020, Columbus, MS had a population of 23.9k people with a median age of 38.5 and a median household income of $34,551. Between 2019 and 2020 the population of Columbus, MS declined from 24,083 to 23,853, a −0.955% decrease and its median household income declined from $36,336 to $34,551, a −4.91% decrease.

The 5 largest ethnic groups in Columbus, MS are Black or African American (Non-Hispanic) (61.6%), White (Non-Hispanic) (33.6%), Two+ (Non-Hispanic) (1.58%), Other (Non-Hispanic) (0.83%), and White (Hispanic) (0.725%).

None of the households in Columbus, MS 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.

99.6% of the residents in Columbus, MS are U.S. citizens.

The largest universities in Columbus, MS are Mississippi University for Women (919 degrees awarded in 2020).

In 2020, the median property value in Columbus, MS was $115,100, and the homeownership rate was 48.4%. Most people in Columbus, MS drove alone to work, and the average commute time was 19 minutes. The average car ownership in Columbus, MS was 2 cars per household.

United States Mississippi Lowndes County, MS Columbus, MS Starkville, Columbus & West Point Cities PUMA, MS

Diversity

Columbus, MS is home to a population of 23.9k people, from which 99.6% are citizens. As of 2020, 1.99% of Columbus, MS residents were born outside of the country (474 people).

In 2020, there were 1.83 times more Black or African American (Non-Hispanic) residents (14.7k people) in Columbus, MS than any other race or ethnicity. There were 8.01k White (Non-Hispanic) and 376 Two+ (Non-Hispanic) residents, the second and third most common ethnic groups.

Race and Ethnicity

The 3 largest ethnic groups in Columbus, MS

Black or African American (Non-Hispanic)
14.7k ± 712
White (Non-Hispanic)
8.01k ± 729
Two+ (Non-Hispanic)
376 ± 236

1.57%

Hispanic Population

375 people

1.57% of the people in Columbus, MS are hispanic (375 people).

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

Heritage

Foreign-Born Population

1.99%

2020 Foreign-Born Population

474 people

1.64%

2019 Foreign-Born Population

396 people

As of 2020, 1.99% of Columbus, MS residents (474 people) were born outside of the United States, which is lower than the national average of 13.5%. In 2019, the percentage of foreign-born citizens in Columbus, MS was 1.64%, meaning that the rate has been increasing.

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

Age by Nativity

Median Native-Born Age

± 3

Median Foreign-Born Age

± 1.9

In 2020, the median age of all people in Columbus, MS was 38.5. Native-born citizens, with a median age of 38, were generally younger than foreign-born citizens, with a median age of 46. But people in Columbus, MS are getting getting older. In 2019, the average age of all Columbus, MS residents was 38.

Global Diversity

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

Most Common Origin

Mexico
18,827 ± 3,358 people
India
5,246 ± 1,777 people
Vietnam
4,118 ± 1,574 people

In 2020, the most common birthplace for the foreign-born residents of Mississippi was Mexico, the natal country of 18,827 Mississippi residents, followed by India with 5,246 and Vietnam with 4,118.

Citizenship

99.6%

2020 Citizenship

99.5%

2019 Citizenship

As of 2020, 99.6% of Columbus, MS residents were US citizens, which is higher than the national average of 93.4%. In 2019, the percentage of US citizens in Columbus, MS was 99.5%, meaning that the rate of citizenship has been increasing.

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

Military

Veterans

Most Common Service Period

Gulf War (1990s)
452 ± 183
Vietnam
413 ± 158
Gulf War (2001-)
308 ± 161

Columbus, MS has a large population of military personnel who served in Gulf War (1990s), 1.09 times greater than any other conflict.

COVID-19

Daily New Cases by Date

Showing data at the state level for Mississippi. Hospitalization data for some states may be delayed or not reported.

Y-Axis

This chart shows the number of COVID-19 daily new cases by date in Mississippi, as a 7-day rolling average, compared with the four states with the most similar number of confirmed cases.

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Unemployment Insurance Claims

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

This chart shows weekly unemployment insurance claims in Mississippi (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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Employment by Industry Sector

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

Y-Axis

8.45%

Year-over-year growth

Employment change between May 2020 and May 2021

As of May 2021, there are 145M people employed in Mississippi. This represents a 8.45% increase in employment when compared to May 2020.

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

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Community Mobility

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

This chart presents movement trends over time in the state of Mississippi across different categories of places such as retail and recreation, groceries and pharmacies, parks, transit stations, workplaces, and residential.

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Economy

Median household income in Columbus, MS is $34,551. In 2020, the place with the highest median household income in Columbus, MS was Census Tract 4.03 with a value of $57,837, followed by Census Tract 10 and Census Tract 5, with respective values of $51,136 and $42,974.

Males in Mississippi have an average income that is 1.41 times higher than the average income of females, which is $40,621. The income inequality in Mississippi (measured using the Gini index) is 0.45, which is lower than than the national average.

The economy of Columbus, MS employs 8.65k people. The largest industries in Columbus, MS are Retail Trade (1,594 people), Health Care & Social Assistance (1,365 people), and Manufacturing (994 people), and the highest paying industries are Wholesale Trade ($62,813), Public Administration ($56,014), and Utilities ($54,313).

Wages

Median Household Income

$34,551

2020 value

± $5,495

−4.91%

1 Year Growth

± 19.5%

Households in Columbus, MS have a median annual income of $34,551, which is less than the median annual income of $64,994 across the entire United States. This is in comparison to a median income of $36,336 in 2019, which represents a −4.91% annual growth.

The following chart shows how the median household income in Columbus, MS compares to that of its neighboring and parent geographies.

Wage by Sex in Common Jobs

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

$57,157

Average Male Salary in Mississippi

± $1,903

$40,621

Average Female Salary in Mississippi

± $1,341

In 2020, full-time male employees in Mississippi made 1.41 times more than female employees.

This chart shows the sex-based wage disparity in the 5 most common occupations in Mississippi by number of full-time employees.

Wage by Race and Ethnicity in Common Jobs

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

Highest Average Salaries by Race & Ethnicity in Mississippi

Asian
$52,156 ± $14,671
White
$50,023 ± $1,531
Native Hawaiian and Other Pacific Islander
$49,296 ± $37,976

In 2020 the highest paid race/ethnicity of Mississippi workers was Asian. These workers were paid 1.04 times more than White workers, who made the second highest salary of any race/ethnicity in Mississippi.

This chart shows the race- and ethnicity-based wage disparities in the 5 most common occupations in Mississippi by number of full-time employees.

Wage Distribution

The closest comparable wage GINI for Columbus, MS is from Mississippi.

0.45

2020 Wage GINI in Mississippi

0.445

2019 Wage GINI in Mississippi

In 2020, the income inequality in Mississippi was 0.45 according to the GINI calculation of the wage distribution. Income inequality had a 1.17% growth from 2019 to 2020, which means that wage distribution grew somewhat less even. The GINI for Mississippi was lower than than the national average of 0.478. In other words, wages are distributed more evenly in Mississippi in comparison to the national average.

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

Income by Location

Use the dropdown to filter by race/ethnicity.

Race/Ethnicity

Highest Median Household Income (Total)

Census Tract 4.03
Census Tract 10
Census Tract 5

In 2020, the place with the highest Median Household Income (Total) in Columbus, MS was Census Tract 4.03 with a value of $57,837, followed by Census Tract 10 and Census Tract 5, with respective values of $51,136 and $42,974.

The following map shows all of the places in Columbus, MS colored by their Median Household Income (Total).

Poverty by Age and Sex

Females 25 - 34

Largest Demographic Living in Poverty

26.2% of the population for whom poverty status is determined in Columbus, MS (5.81k out of 22.2k people) live below the poverty line, a number that is higher than the national average of 12.8%. The largest demographic living in poverty are Females 25 - 34, followed by Females 18 - 24 and then Females 45 - 54.

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.

Poverty by Race and Ethnicity

Largest Race or Ethnicity Living in Poverty

Black
5,103 ± 623
White
557 ± 194
Two Or More
91 ± 150

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

Occupations

Employment by Occupations

8.65k

2020 Value

± 788

−1.94%

1 Year decline

± 12.9%

From 2019 to 2020, employment in Columbus, MS declined at a rate of −1.94%, from 8.82k employees to 8.65k employees.

The most common job groups, by number of people living in Columbus, MS, are Sales & Related Occupations (1,073 people), Food Preparation & Serving Related Occupations (827 people), and Management Occupations (661 people). This chart illustrates the share breakdown of the primary jobs held by residents of Columbus, MS.

Most Common

The most common jobs held by residents of Columbus, MS, by number of employees, are Sales & Related Occupations (1,073 people), Food Preparation & Serving Related Occupations (827 people), and Management Occupations (661 people).

Most Specialized

Compared to other places, Columbus, MS has an unusually high number of residents working as Transportation Occupations (2.01 times higher than expected), Material Moving Occupations (1.88 times), and Food Preparation & Serving Related Occupations (1.72 times).

Highest Paid

The highest paid jobs held by residents of Columbus, MS, by median earnings, are Legal Occupations ($106,141), Business & Financial Operations Occupations ($69,479), and Installation, Maintenance, & Repair Occupations ($64,659).

Industries

Employment by Industries

8.65k

2020 Value

± 788

−1.94%

1 Year decline

± 12.9%

From 2019 to 2020, employment in Columbus, MS declined at a rate of −1.94%, from 8.82k employees to 8.65k employees.

The most common employment sectors for those who live in Columbus, MS, are Retail Trade (1,594 people), Health Care & Social Assistance (1,365 people), and Manufacturing (994 people). This chart shows the share breakdown of the primary industries for residents of Columbus, MS, though some of these residents may live in Columbus, MS and work somewhere else. Census data is tagged to a residential address, not a work address.

Most Common

The most common industries in Columbus, MS, by number of employees, are Retail Trade (1,594 people), Health Care & Social Assistance (1,365 people), and Manufacturing (994 people).

Most Specialized

Compared to other places, Columbus, MS has an unusually high number of Retail Trade (1.67 times higher than expected), Transportation & Warehousing (1.57 times), and Accommodation & Food Services (1.53 times) industries.

Highest Paying

The highest paying industries in Columbus, MS, by median earnings, are Wholesale Trade ($62,813), Public Administration ($56,014), and Utilities ($54,313).

Domestic Trade

Domestic Production & Consumption

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

Top Domestic Production in Dollars

In 2020, the top outbound Mississippi product (by dollars) was Pharmaceuticals with $30.5B, followed by Coal-n.e.c. ($25.1B) and Motorized vehicles ($12.3B).

The following chart shows the share of these products in relation to all outbound Mississippi products.

Domestic Trade Growth

Showing data for Mississippi.

$182B

2020 Value in Mississippi

$374B

Projected 2050 Value in Mississippi

105% growth

In 2020, total outbound Mississippi trade was $182B. This is expected to increase 105% to $374B by 2050.

The following chart shows how the domestic outbound Mississippi trade is projected to change in comparison to its neighboring states.

Interstate Trade

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

Most Common Trade Partners

Alabama
$21.9B
Louisiana
$11.4B
Tennessee
$10.5B

In 2020, the top outbound Mississippi domestic partner for goods and services (by dollars) was Alabama with $21.9B, followed by Louisiana with $11.4B and Tennessee and $10.5B.

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

Civics

In the 2020 presidential election, the popular vote in Mississippi went to Donald J. Trump with 57.6% of the vote. The runner-up was Joseph R Biden Jr. (41.1%), followed by Jo Jorgensen (0.611%). The most partisan county was George County, MS with 87.9% of the vote going to Donald J. Trump running for the Republican Party.

Roger Wicker and Cindy Hyde-Smith are the senators currently representing the state of Mississippi. In the United States, senators are elected to 6-year terms with the terms for individual senators staggered.

Mississippi is currently represented by 4 members in the U.S. house, and members of the House of Representives are elected to 2-year terms.

Presidential Popular Vote Over Time

Voting results are not available for Columbus, MS. Showing the available data for Mississippi.

2020 Election Results

Donald J. Trump (57.6%)
Republican Party
Joseph R Biden Jr. (41.1%)
Democratic Party
Jo Jorgensen (0.611%)
Libertarian Party

In the 2020 presidential election, the popular vote in Mississippi went to Donald J. Trump with 57.6% of the vote. The runner-up was Joseph R Biden Jr. (41.1%), followed by Jo Jorgensen (0.611%).

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

Presidential Popular Vote by County

Presidential voting results are only available at the county level. Showing data for the counties inside of Mississippi.

Donald J. Trump

Popular Vote for Mississippi

57.6% for the Republican Party

Most Partisan Counties in Mississippi

George County, MS
87.9% for Donald J. Trump (Republican Party)
Itawamba County, MS
87.2% for Donald J. Trump (Republican Party)
Tishomingo County, MS
86.8% for Donald J. Trump (Republican Party)

In the 2020 presidential election, the most partisan county in Mississippi was George County, MS with 87.9% of the vote going to Donald J. Trump running for the Republican Party.

The following map shows the counties in Mississippi colored by their party leaning.

US Senators from Mississippi

Senatorial voting results are only available at the state level. Showing data for Mississippi.

Roger Wicker

Senator from Mississippi

Assumed office on December 31, 2007
Appointed to the seat following the resignation of Trent Lott.

Cindy Hyde-Smith

Senator from Mississippi

Assumed office on April 9, 2018
Appointed to the seat following the resignation of Thad Cochran.

Roger Wicker and Cindy Hyde-Smith are the senators currently representing Mississippi.

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 Mississippi over time, excluding special elections, colored by their political party.

US Representatives from Mississippi

Mississippi is currently represented by 4 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 Mississippi have changed over time starting in 2008.

Education

In 2020, universities in Columbus, MS awarded 919 degrees. The student population of Columbus, MS is skewed towards women, with 532 male students and 2,172 female students.

Most students graduating from Universities in Columbus, MS are White (573 and 64.7%), followed by Black or African American (298 and 33.6%), Asian (9 and 1.02%), and American Indian or Alaska Native (5 and 0.564%).

The largest universities in Columbus, MS by number of degrees awarded are Mississippi University for Women (919 and 100%).

The most popular majors in Columbus, MS are Registered Nursing (418 and 45.5%), General Business Administration & Management (119 and 12.9%), and Speech-Language Pathology (39 and 4.24%).

The median tuition cost in Columbus, MS for a public four year colleges is $7,425 for in-state students and $7,425 for out-of-state students.

Concentrations

Most Common

General Business Administration & Management
113 degree-majorss awarded
Public Health Education & Promotion
38 degree-majorss awarded
Registered Nursing
371 degree-majorss awarded

In 2020, the most common concentation for Bachelors Degree recipients in Columbus, MS was General Business Administration & Management with 113 degrees awarded.

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

Universities

Mississippi University for Women

Largest Universities by degrees awarded

919 degrees awarded

$7,425

Median In-State Public

In 2020, the Columbus, MS institution with the largest number of graduating students was Mississippi University for Women with 919 degrees awarded.

Student Sex for Common Institutions

122

Degrees Awarded to Men

797

Degrees Awarded to Women

In 2020, 122 men were awarded degrees from institutions in Columbus, MS, which is 0.153 times less than the 797 female students who received degrees in the same year.

This chart displays the sex disparity between the institutions in Columbus, MS by degrees awarded.

Student Race and Ethnicity

Most Common Student Race or Ethnicity

White
573 degrees awarded
Black or African American
298 degrees awarded
Asian
9 degrees awarded

In 2020 the most common race/ethnicity group awarded degrees at institutions in Columbus, MS was White students. These 573 degrees mean that there were 1.92 times more degrees awarded to White students then the next closest race/ethnicity group, Black or African American, with 298 degrees awarded.

Housing & Living

The median property value in Columbus, MS was $115,100 in 2020, which is 0.501 times smaller than the national average of $229,800. Between 2019 and 2020 the median property value increased from $121,900 to $115,100, a 5.58% decrease. The homeownership rate in Columbus, MS is 48.4%, which is lower than the national average of 64.4%. People in Columbus, MS have an average commute time of 19 minutes, and they drove alone to work. Car ownership in Columbus, MS is approximately the same as the national average, with an average of 2 cars per household.

Housing

Property Value

$115,100

2020 Median

± $14,004

$121,900

2019 Median

± $11,001

In 2020, the median property value in Columbus, MS declined from to $115,100 from the previous year's value of $121,900.

The following charts display, first, the property values in Columbus, MS compared to it's parent and neighbor geographies and, second, owner-occupied housing units distributed between a series of property value buckets compared to the national averages for each bucket. In Columbus, MS the largest share of households have a property value in the $200k - $250k range.

Household Income

Please note that the buckets used in this visualization were not evenly distributed by ACS when publishing the data.

$34,551

Median Household Income

± $5,495

9.74k

Number of Households

± 831

In 2020, the median household income of the 9.74k households in Columbus, MS declined from $34,551 from the previous year's value of $36,336.

The following chart displays the households in Columbus, MS 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 < $10k range.

Property Taxes

< $800

Average Range

This chart shows the households in Columbus, MS distributed between a series of property tax buckets compared to the national averages for each bucket. In Columbus, MS the largest share of households pay taxes in the < $800 range.

Rent vs Own

48.4%

2020 Homeownership

50.2%

2019 Homeownership

In 2020, 48.4% of the housing units in Columbus, MS were occupied by their owner. This percentage declined from the previous year's rate of 50.2%.

This percentage of owner-occupation is lower than the national average of 64.4%. This chart shows the ownership percentage in Columbus, MS compared it's parent and neighboring geographies.

Commute Time

19 minutes

Average Travel Time

Using averages, employees in Columbus, MS have a shorter commute time (19 minutes) than the normal US worker (26.9 minutes). Additionally, 3% of the workforce in Columbus, MS have "super commutes" in excess of 90 minutes.

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

Commuter Transportation

Most Common Commute in 2020

Drove Alone (85.5%)
Carpooled (5.55%)
Worked At Home (4.95%)

In 2020, 85.5% of workers in Columbus, MS drove alone to work, followed by those who carpooled to work (5.55%) and those who worked at home (4.95%).

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.

Transportation

Car Ownership

2 cars

Average Number

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

Health

84.4% of the population of Columbus, MS has health coverage, with 34.3% on employee plans, 22.8% on Medicaid, 12.5% on Medicare, 11.8% on non-group plans, and 3.02% on military or VA plans.

Per capita personal health care spending in Mississippi was $7,646 in 2014. This is a 3.86% increase from the previous year ($7,362).

Primary care physicians in Lowndes County, MS see 2105 patients per year on average, which represents a 13.8% increase from the previous year (1850 patients). Compare this to dentists who see 1776 patients per year, and mental health providers who see 480 patients per year.

Comparing across all counties in the state, Sunflower County has the highest prevalence of diabetes (24.6%). Additionally, Sunflower County has the highest prevalence of adult obesity (53.7%)

Patient to Clinician Ratios

Data is only available at the country level. Showing data for Lowndes County, MS.

2,105 to 1

Patient to Primary Care Physician Ratio in Lowndes County, MS

Primary care physicians in Lowndes County, MS see an average of 2,105 patients per year. This represents a 13.8% increase from the previous year (1,850 patients).

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

Behavioral Health Conditions

Data only available at the state level.

State with the Highest Prevalence

West Virginia
8.26% of the population affected
Arkansas
8.13% of the population affected
New Hampshire
7.98% of the population affected

In 2016, West Virginia had the highest prevalence of adults with major depressive episode, with 8.26% of the population affected. The second highest is Arkansas (8.13%), followed by New Hampshire (7.98%).

The following map shows the percent of individuals with major depressive episode by state over multiple years.

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.

Access and Quality

Data only available at state level.

Most prevalent states

Mississippi
19.2% of adults
Texas
17.9% of adults
Louisiana
17.6% of adults

In 2016, Mississippi had the highest prevalence of adults who haven't seen a doctor in the past 12 months due to cost, at 19.2%. It is followed by Texas (17.9%) and Louisiana (17.6%).

The following map shows the prevalence of adults who haven't seen a doctor in the past 12 months due to cost by state over multiple years.

Health Care Spending

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

$7,646

Total Per Capita Spending on Personal Health Care in Mississippi

$4,045

Per Enrollee Private Health Insurance Spending on Personal Health Care

$6,690

Per Enrollee Medicaid Spending on Personal Health Care

$11,021

Per Enrollee Medicare Spending on Personal Health Care

Between 2013 and 2014, all personal health care spending per capita in Mississippi (including private, Medicare, and Medicaid) grew 3.86%, from $7,362 to $7,646.

The following chart shows how this spending changed over time in comparison to Medicaid, Medicare, and private insurance spending, per enrollee.

Health Care Coverage

15.6%

Uninsured

34.3%

Employer Coverage

22.8%

Medicaid

12.5%

Medicare

11.8%

Non-Group

3.02%

Military or VA

Between 2019 and 2020, the percent of uninsured citizens in Columbus, MS grew by 2.4% from 15.3% to 15.6%.

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