Population 22,349 · Census ACS 2020–24
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Population and households in Columbia County
Household size in Columbia County
| Period | Columbia County | Arkansas | U.S. |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2006–10 | 2.35 | 2.54 | 2.68 |
| 2010–14 | 2.41 | 2.57 | 2.73 |
| 2015–19 | 2.58 | 2.55 | 2.71 |
| 2020–24 | 2.49 | 2.53 | 2.65 |
| Change | +0.13 | −0.00 | −0.03 |
The average household in Columbia County has 2.49 people, under the U.S. average of 2.65. Since 2006–10, household size has climbed from 2.35, even as the national average fell. The biggest households, usually families with children, are concentrated in the east.
Household size: the average number of people living in each occupied home. Source: BestNeighborhood calculations from U.S. Census Bureau ACS 5-year block-group estimates (table B25010).
Median age in Columbia County
| Period | Columbia County | Arkansas | U.S. |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2006–10 | 36.7 | 37.9 | 37.7 |
| 2010–14 | 36.7 | 38.7 | 38.6 |
| 2015–19 | 36.8 | 39.5 | 39.6 |
| 2020–24 | 36.7 | 39.6 | 40.1 |
| Change | +0.0 | +1.7 | +2.3 |
The median resident of Columbia County is 36.7 years old, a few years younger than the national median of 40.1. The youngest areas are in the center, the oldest in the northeast. Only four of Arkansas' 75 counties are younger.
Median age: the age that splits residents into two equal halves. Source: BestNeighborhood calculations from U.S. Census Bureau ACS 5-year block-group estimates (table B01002).
Single-parent households in Columbia County
| Period | Columbia County | Arkansas | U.S. |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2006–10 | 12.4% | 12.5% | 12.3% |
| 2010–14 | 14.0% | 12.5% | 12.3% |
| 2015–19 | 18.6% | 12.3% | 11.6% |
| 2020–24 | 13.6% | 12.3% | 11.6% |
| Change | +1.2 pts | −0.2 pts | −0.6 pts |
Single parents head nearly one in seven households in Columbia County (13.6%), a bit above the national share of 11.6%. Since 2006–10, the single-parent share has edged up 1.2 points, even as the national share fell.
Single-parent households: households where one adult with no spouse present lives with children under 18. Source: BestNeighborhood calculations from U.S. Census Bureau ACS 5-year block-group estimates (table B11003).
Housing in Columbia County
Renters in Columbia County
| Period | Columbia County | Arkansas | U.S. |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2006–10 | 30.2% | 32.3% | 33.3% |
| 2010–14 | 31.9% | 33.5% | 35.6% |
| 2015–19 | 29.6% | 34.4% | 36.0% |
| 2020–24 | 29.3% | 33.6% | 34.8% |
| Change | −1.0 pts | +1.3 pts | +1.5 pts |
Most households in Columbia County own their homes; 29.3% rent, a little below the national share of 34.8%. More than half of owners (55.2%) have paid off their mortgages, well above the national share of 39.8%. Rentals cluster in the center; owners are most common in the southwest. The renter share has edged down 1.0 points since 2006–10, even as the national share rose.
Renters: occupied homes that are rented rather than owned. Source: BestNeighborhood calculations from U.S. Census Bureau ACS 5-year block-group estimates (table B25003).
Vacant homes in Columbia County
| Period | Columbia County | Arkansas | U.S. |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2006–10 | 14.0% | 13.4% | 11.4% |
| 2010–14 | 17.4% | 13.9% | 11.4% |
| 2015–19 | 24.4% | 14.4% | 11.1% |
| 2020–24 | 22.9% | 13.1% | 9.6% |
| Change | +8.9 pts | −0.3 pts | −1.8 pts |
Vacant homes make up 22.9% of the housing in Columbia County, far above the national rate of 9.6%. In resort and lake areas that usually means seasonal and vacation homes; elsewhere it can point to weak demand. Vacancy has risen 8.9 points since 2006–10, even as the national rate fell.
Vacant homes: homes with no one living in them, including vacation homes and homes for sale or rent. Source: BestNeighborhood calculations from U.S. Census Bureau ACS 5-year block-group estimates (table B25002).
Age of homes in Columbia County
| Period | Columbia County | Arkansas | U.S. |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2006–10 | 1977 | 1981 | 1974 |
| 2010–14 | 1976 | 1983 | 1975 |
| 2015–19 | 1976 | 1985 | 1977 |
| 2020–24 | 1981 | 1988 | 1980 |
| Change | +3 | +6 | +6 |
Homes in Columbia County are about the same age as the nation's housing: the median home was built in 1981, versus 1980 nationally. Homes here are older than in Arkansas overall, where the median home dates to 1988. The median year built has moved up from 1977 in 2006–10, a sign of steady new building. Newer construction is concentrated in the east, while the center has the oldest housing.
Age of homes: the year that splits the housing stock into older and newer halves. Source: BestNeighborhood calculations from U.S. Census Bureau ACS 5-year block-group estimates (table B25035).
Rent in Columbia County
| Period | Columbia County | Arkansas | U.S. |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2006–10 | $519 | $660 | $965 |
| 2010–14 | $584 | $718 | $1,040 |
| 2015–19 | $651 | $785 | $1,213 |
| 2020–24 | $755 | $1,007 | $1,571 |
| Change | +$235 | +$346 | +$606 |
A typical rental in Columbia County costs $755 a month with utilities, well below the national median of $1,571. Rents are up $235 a month from 2006–10, a 45% rise, a slower climb than the nation's. The typical renter here spends 26.8% of household income on rent, comfortably under the 30% mark often used to define affordable rent, and a smaller share than renters pay nationally. Renters on a budget will find the lowest rents in the northeast; the highest are in the southwest.
Rent: monthly rent plus the utilities renters pay themselves. Source: BestNeighborhood calculations from U.S. Census Bureau ACS 5-year block-group estimates (table B25064).
Education in Columbia County
Bachelor's degrees in Columbia County
| Period | Columbia County | Arkansas | U.S. |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2006–10 | 23.1% | 20.6% | 28.4% |
| 2010–14 | 21.8% | 21.8% | 29.6% |
| 2015–19 | 21.3% | 23.8% | 32.1% |
| 2020–24 | 24.7% | 26.2% | 35.6% |
| Change | +1.5 pts | +5.6 pts | +7.2 pts |
College degrees are relatively uncommon in Columbia County: 24.7% of adults 25 and older hold a bachelor's or higher, well below the national share of 35.6%. The picture is much the same across Arkansas. The share with a degree is up 1.5 points from 2006–10, a smaller shift than nationally.
Bachelor's degrees: adults 25 and older with a bachelor's degree or higher. Source: BestNeighborhood calculations from U.S. Census Bureau ACS 5-year block-group estimates (table B15003).
High school graduates in Columbia County
| Period | Columbia County | Arkansas | U.S. |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2006–10 | 84.7% | 82.6% | 84.9% |
| 2010–14 | 84.0% | 84.6% | 86.1% |
| 2015–19 | 86.5% | 86.6% | 87.7% |
| 2020–24 | 90.1% | 88.7% | 89.3% |
| Change | +5.5 pts | +6.1 pts | +4.3 pts |
About as many adults in Columbia County have finished high school as nationally: 90.1%, against 89.3%. The share with a diploma has risen 5.5 points since 2006–10, as it has nationally. Columbia County has a higher share of high school graduates than at least four in five Arkansas counties.
High school graduates: adults 25 and older with a high school diploma, GED or more. Source: BestNeighborhood calculations from U.S. Census Bureau ACS 5-year block-group estimates (table B15003).
Jobs in Columbia County
| Period | Columbia County | Arkansas | U.S. |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2006–10 | 11.8% | 7.7% | 8.1% |
| 2010–14 | 9.7% | 8.4% | 9.4% |
| 2015–19 | 11.0% | 5.2% | 5.6% |
| 2020–24 | 3.0% | 5.1% | 5.4% |
| Change | −8.8 pts | −2.6 pts | −2.7 pts |
The job market in Columbia County has been strong: just 3.0% of the labor force was out of work and looking, well below the national rate of 5.4%. Of Arkansas' 75 counties, only three have lower unemployment. Unemployment has fallen 8.8 points since 2006–10, a much bigger shift than nationally.
Unemployment: people looking for work as a share of everyone working or looking. Source: BestNeighborhood calculations from U.S. Census Bureau ACS 5-year block-group estimates (table B23025).
Columbia County compared with nearby counties
| County | Household size | Median age | Single parents | Renters | Vacant homes | Median year built | Median rent | Bachelor's degree | High school diploma | Unemployment |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Columbia County | 2.49 | 36.7 | 13.6% | 29.3% | 22.9% | 1981 | $755 | 24.7% | 90.1% | 3.0% |
| Lafayette County | 2.34 | 48.9 | 9.4% | 20.7% | 32.3% | 1977 | $644 | 8.3% | 82.1% | 4.9% |
| Union County | 2.56 | 41.5 | 11.6% | 27.3% | 17.4% | 1981 | $850 | 19.3% | 88.0% | 5.9% |
| Ashley County | 2.54 | 42.4 | 8.0% | 29.2% | 21.7% | 1978 | $676 | 12.8% | 88.0% | 5.5% |
| Titus County | 2.86 | 36.0 | 16.1% | 29.4% | 9.2% | 1983 | $923 | 16.8% | 77.9% | 3.3% |
| Chicot County | 2.36 | 43.3 | 16.5% | 30.8% | 22.3% | 1980 | $719 | 18.8% | 83.6% | 8.0% |
| Franklin County | 2.72 | 44.0 | 7.1% | 18.0% | 21.3% | 1986 | $909 | 26.8% | 90.2% | 3.6% |
| Washington County | 2.57 | 38.3 | 21.4% | 39.8% | 16.0% | 1974 | $898 | 21.8% | 81.1% | 6.0% |
| Hopkins County | 2.67 | 40.9 | 8.3% | 28.9% | 12.0% | 1986 | $1,086 | 22.3% | 85.5% | 3.9% |
| Delta County | 2.55 | 39.7 | 10.1% | 17.2% | 11.3% | 1977 | $1,074 | 14.7% | 89.2% | 4.5% |
| Humphreys County | 2.58 | 40.6 | 23.1% | 38.3% | 17.5% | 1980 | $671 | 19.2% | 81.7% | 11.4% |
All figures 2020–24.
Counties with similar populations: Jeff Davis County, GA · Penuelas Municipio, PR · Pennington County, MN · Pendleton County, KY · Park County, WY · Johnson County, TN · Johnson County, KY · Jo Daviess County, IL · Jersey County, IL · Jerome County, ID
About these numbers
Every figure on this page is a BestNeighborhood calculation from the Census Bureau's American Community Survey (ACS), built up from the Census block groups that make up Columbia County. Each ACS 5-year release pools five years of responses; this page shows the last 15 releases, 2006–10 through 2020–24. Neighboring releases share four of their five years, so they move gradually and small changes between them are within the survey's margin of error; in small places the lines can jump from one release to the next for the same reason. The maps show the same measures for each neighborhood, ranked against the whole country.
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