Population 53,493 · Census ACS 2020–24
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Population and households in Columbia County
Household size in Columbia County
| Period | Columbia County | Portland area | Oregon | U.S. |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2006–10 | 2.57 | 2.57 | 2.50 | 2.68 |
| 2010–14 | 2.61 | 2.63 | 2.55 | 2.73 |
| 2015–19 | 2.61 | 2.63 | 2.56 | 2.71 |
| 2020–24 | 2.56 | 2.51 | 2.50 | 2.65 |
| Change | −0.01 | −0.06 | +0.00 | −0.03 |
The average household in Columbia County has 2.56 people, a bit under the U.S. average of 2.65. The picture is much the same across the Portland area. Compared with other Oregon counties, though, Columbia County has larger households than most.
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 | Portland area | Oregon | U.S. |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2006–10 | 40.7 | 37.3 | 39.0 | 37.7 |
| 2010–14 | 42.4 | 38.3 | 40.0 | 38.6 |
| 2015–19 | 43.9 | 39.3 | 40.9 | 39.6 |
| 2020–24 | 43.5 | 41.0 | 41.6 | 40.1 |
| Change | +2.8 | +3.7 | +2.5 | +2.3 |
Columbia County skews older than the country: its median age is 43.5, against 40.1 nationally. Since 2006–10, the median age has climbed from 40.7, in line with the national trend.
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 | Portland area | Oregon | U.S. |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2006–10 | 10.4% | 10.5% | 10.5% | 12.3% |
| 2010–14 | 10.5% | 10.3% | 10.8% | 12.3% |
| 2015–19 | 10.1% | 9.4% | 9.9% | 11.6% |
| 2020–24 | 12.2% | 9.5% | 10.4% | 11.6% |
| Change | +1.9 pts | −1.0 pts | −0.1 pts | −0.6 pts |
Single parents head about one in eight households in Columbia County (12.2%), close to the national share of 11.6%. Single parents are more common here than in the Portland area overall (9.5%). The single-parent share has risen 1.9 points since 2006–10, 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 | Portland area | Oregon | U.S. |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2006–10 | 23.2% | 36.6% | 36.2% | 33.3% |
| 2010–14 | 26.8% | 39.1% | 38.5% | 35.6% |
| 2015–19 | 24.6% | 37.6% | 37.6% | 36.0% |
| 2020–24 | 23.9% | 38.3% | 36.7% | 34.8% |
| Change | +0.7 pts | +1.7 pts | +0.5 pts | +1.5 pts |
Only 23.9% of households in Columbia County rent their homes, far below the national share of 34.8%, so most residents are owners who tend to stay put. Just over three in ten owners (31.3%) have paid off their mortgages, below the national share of 39.8%. Since 2006–10, the renter share has edged up 0.7 points, as it has nationally. Only one other Oregon county has a lower share of renters.
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 | Portland area | Oregon | U.S. |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2006–10 | 7.2% | 7.4% | 8.9% | 11.4% |
| 2010–14 | 9.7% | 6.8% | 9.1% | 11.4% |
| 2015–19 | 8.6% | 6.1% | 8.3% | 11.1% |
| 2020–24 | 6.3% | 7.1% | 7.4% | 9.6% |
| Change | −0.9 pts | −0.3 pts | −1.5 pts | −1.8 pts |
Vacancy is on the low side in Columbia County: 6.3% of homes sit empty, against 9.6% nationally, which points to steady demand for housing. Since 2006–10, vacancy has edged down 0.9 points, as it has nationally. Columbia County has a lower vacancy rate than at least four in five Oregon counties.
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 | Portland area | Oregon | U.S. |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2006–10 | 1977 | 1977 | 1976 | 1974 |
| 2010–14 | 1980 | 1978 | 1977 | 1975 |
| 2015–19 | 1978 | 1980 | 1978 | 1977 |
| 2020–24 | 1982 | 1981 | 1981 | 1980 |
| Change | +6 | +4 | +5 | +6 |
The typical home in Columbia County was built around 1982, about the same vintage as the country's housing overall (1980). The median year built has moved up from 1977 in 2006–10, a sign of steady new building.
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 | Portland area | Oregon | U.S. |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2006–10 | $799 | $961 | $870 | $965 |
| 2010–14 | $896 | $1,105 | $982 | $1,040 |
| 2015–19 | $1,035 | $1,374 | $1,183 | $1,213 |
| 2020–24 | $1,433 | $1,794 | $1,601 | $1,571 |
| Change | +$634 | +$833 | +$731 | +$606 |
A typical rental in Columbia County costs $1,433 a month with utilities, below the national median of $1,571. Rent has climbed $634 a month since 2006–10, up 79%, faster than rents rose nationally. The typical renter here spends 32.7% of household income on rent, just over the 30% mark often used to define affordable rent. Rents run highest in the south and lowest in the northwest.
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 | Portland area | Oregon | U.S. |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2006–10 | 16.9% | 33.3% | 29.0% | 28.4% |
| 2010–14 | 17.0% | 34.5% | 30.2% | 29.6% |
| 2015–19 | 18.8% | 39.2% | 33.5% | 32.1% |
| 2020–24 | 20.0% | 42.6% | 36.4% | 35.6% |
| Change | +3.0 pts | +9.3 pts | +7.3 pts | +7.2 pts |
Fewer adults in Columbia County have a four-year degree than in the country as a whole: 20.0%, against 35.6% nationally. Since 2006–10, the share with a degree has risen 3.0 points, as it has 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 | Portland area | Oregon | U.S. |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2006–10 | 88.6% | 90.0% | 88.5% | 84.9% |
| 2010–14 | 89.6% | 90.6% | 89.4% | 86.1% |
| 2015–19 | 91.3% | 91.9% | 90.5% | 87.7% |
| 2020–24 | 89.8% | 93.2% | 91.5% | 89.3% |
| Change | +1.2 pts | +3.2 pts | +3.0 pts | +4.3 pts |
High school completion in Columbia County is close to the national rate: 89.8% of adults have a diploma or equivalent, against 89.3%. The rate is lower than in the Portland area as a whole (93.2%). Since 2006–10, the share with a diploma has edged up 1.2 points, a smaller shift than nationally.
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 | Portland area | Oregon | U.S. |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2006–10 | 12.2% | 8.6% | 8.8% | 8.1% |
| 2010–14 | 11.6% | 9.6% | 10.6% | 9.4% |
| 2015–19 | 6.3% | 4.7% | 5.6% | 5.6% |
| 2020–24 | 4.0% | 4.6% | 5.3% | 5.4% |
| Change | −8.2 pts | −4.0 pts | −3.5 pts | −2.7 pts |
Unemployment in Columbia County runs below the national rate: 4.0% of the labor force was out of work and looking, against 5.4% nationally. Since 2006–10, unemployment has fallen 8.2 points, a much bigger shift than nationally. Each figure pools five years of surveys (2020–24), so it describes that whole stretch rather than today's job market.
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 | 2.56 | 43.5 | 12.2% | 23.9% | 6.3% | 1982 | $1,433 | 20.0% | 89.8% | 4.0% |
| Cowlitz County | 2.62 | 42.2 | 11.5% | 32.0% | 6.5% | 1977 | $1,445 | 17.8% | 89.8% | 5.7% |
| Clark County | 2.69 | 39.7 | 10.5% | 33.6% | 5.3% | 1992 | $1,937 | 33.0% | 92.4% | 5.1% |
| Washington County | 2.62 | 39.2 | 9.4% | 39.2% | 4.4% | 1989 | $1,997 | 47.6% | 92.6% | 4.4% |
| Multnomah County | 2.34 | 39.4 | 10.2% | 46.6% | 6.7% | 1969 | $1,755 | 47.6% | 91.9% | 5.6% |
| Wahkiakum County | 2.23 | 54.6 | 3.1% | 16.8% | 8.3% | 1981 | $997 | 20.9% | 92.6% | 2.8% |
| Clackamas County | 2.63 | 43.0 | 8.8% | 29.3% | 6.4% | 1985 | $1,847 | 40.3% | 94.7% | 4.3% |
| Clatsop County | 2.30 | 46.1 | 9.4% | 36.8% | 17.2% | 1973 | $1,237 | 27.9% | 92.4% | 4.2% |
| Skamania County | 2.50 | 48.8 | 7.9% | 20.0% | 10.0% | 1985 | $1,067 | 29.9% | 93.6% | 5.5% |
| Tillamook County | 2.26 | 49.4 | 11.2% | 25.7% | 30.0% | 1978 | $1,263 | 26.9% | 90.5% | 4.8% |
| Hood River County | 2.65 | 41.7 | 9.7% | 30.6% | 14.8% | 1983 | $1,545 | 41.8% | 87.1% | 3.5% |
All figures 2020–24.
Counties with similar populations: Vermilion Parish, LA · Franklin County, VT · Franklin County, VA · Franklin County, TN · Tipton County, TN · Tuolumne County, CA · Tuscola County, MI · Union County, PA · Eddy County, NM · Val Verde County, TX
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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