Population 175,764 · Census ACS 2020–24
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Population and households in Columbus
Household size in Columbus
| Period | Columbus | Georgia | U.S. |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2006–10 | 2.36 | 2.70 | 2.68 |
| 2010–14 | 2.54 | 2.77 | 2.73 |
| 2015–19 | 2.57 | 2.75 | 2.71 |
| 2020–24 | 2.43 | 2.73 | 2.65 |
| Change | +0.07 | +0.03 | −0.03 |
The average household in Columbus has 2.43 people, under the U.S. average of 2.65. Household size has crept up from 2.36 in 2006–10, even as the national average fell. Households are largest in the southeast and smallest in the west.
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 Columbus
| Period | Columbus | Georgia | U.S. |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2006–10 | 36.6 | 36.0 | 37.7 |
| 2010–14 | 35.6 | 36.9 | 38.6 |
| 2015–19 | 36.0 | 38.1 | 39.6 |
| 2020–24 | 37.2 | 38.6 | 40.1 |
| Change | +0.5 | +2.6 | +2.3 |
Columbus is younger than the country as a whole: its median age is 37.2, against 40.1 nationally. That is in line with the rest of Georgia. The median age has crept up from 36.6 in 2006–10, a smaller shift than nationally.
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 Columbus
| Period | Columbus | Georgia | U.S. |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2006–10 | 18.9% | 13.8% | 12.3% |
| 2010–14 | 18.2% | 13.8% | 12.3% |
| 2015–19 | 16.4% | 13.0% | 11.6% |
| 2020–24 | 17.0% | 13.4% | 11.6% |
| Change | −1.9 pts | −0.4 pts | −0.6 pts |
Single-parent households are common in Columbus: 17.0% of all households, against 11.6% nationally. The single-parent share is down 1.9 points from 2006–10, a much bigger shift than nationally.
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 Columbus
Renters in Columbus
| Period | Columbus | Georgia | U.S. |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2006–10 | 44.3% | 32.8% | 33.3% |
| 2010–14 | 49.5% | 35.8% | 35.6% |
| 2015–19 | 52.8% | 36.7% | 36.0% |
| 2020–24 | 50.4% | 34.3% | 34.8% |
| Change | +6.1 pts | +1.5 pts | +1.5 pts |
Renters far outnumber owners in Columbus: 50.4% of households rent their homes, against 34.8% nationally. Among homeowners, 43.3% have no mortgage at all, above the national share of 39.8%. The renter share has risen 6.1 points since 2006–10, a much bigger shift than nationally. Only 24 of the 282 Georgia cities with 5,000+ people have a higher 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 Columbus
| Period | Columbus | Georgia | U.S. |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2006–10 | 11.4% | 13.1% | 11.4% |
| 2010–14 | 12.9% | 13.2% | 11.4% |
| 2015–19 | 14.8% | 11.6% | 11.1% |
| 2020–24 | 12.5% | 10.3% | 9.6% |
| Change | +1.1 pts | −2.8 pts | −1.8 pts |
More homes sit empty in Columbus than nationally: 12.5%, against 9.6%. The count includes vacation homes and homes between owners or tenants, not just abandoned ones. Vacancy has edged up 1.1 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 Columbus
| Period | Columbus | Georgia | U.S. |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2006–10 | 1973 | 1985 | 1974 |
| 2010–14 | 1975 | 1987 | 1975 |
| 2015–19 | 1976 | 1987 | 1977 |
| 2020–24 | 1975 | 1991 | 1980 |
| Change | +2 | +6 | +6 |
Housing in Columbus leans a little older: the median home dates to 1975, against 1980 nationally. The newest homes are mostly in the northeast, the oldest in the west. Only 20 of the 282 Georgia cities with 5,000+ people have older homes.
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 Columbus
| Period | Columbus | Georgia | U.S. |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2006–10 | $825 | $910 | $965 |
| 2010–14 | $888 | $977 | $1,040 |
| 2015–19 | $967 | $1,112 | $1,213 |
| 2020–24 | $1,174 | $1,520 | $1,571 |
| Change | +$348 | +$609 | +$606 |
A typical rental in Columbus costs $1,174 a month with utilities, well below the national median of $1,571. Rent has climbed $348 a month since 2006–10, up 42%, a slower climb than the nation's. The typical renter here spends 32.9% of household income on rent, just over the 30% mark often used to define affordable rent.
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 Columbus
Bachelor's degrees in Columbus
| Period | Columbus | Georgia | U.S. |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2006–10 | 21.1% | 28.1% | 28.4% |
| 2010–14 | 23.3% | 28.9% | 29.6% |
| 2015–19 | 23.8% | 31.4% | 32.1% |
| 2020–24 | 27.1% | 35.1% | 35.6% |
| Change | +6.1 pts | +7.0 pts | +7.2 pts |
College degrees are less common in Columbus than nationally: 27.1% of adults 25 and older have a bachelor's or higher, against 35.6%. Since 2006–10, the share with a degree has risen 6.1 points, mirroring the country. College graduates are most concentrated in the center and least in the south.
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 Columbus
| Period | Columbus | Georgia | U.S. |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2006–10 | 83.8% | 84.1% | 84.9% |
| 2010–14 | 85.2% | 85.4% | 86.1% |
| 2015–19 | 86.7% | 87.2% | 87.7% |
| 2020–24 | 87.8% | 89.2% | 89.3% |
| Change | +4.1 pts | +5.0 pts | +4.3 pts |
About as many adults in Columbus have finished high school as nationally: 87.8%, against 89.3%. The share with a diploma is up 4.1 points from 2006–10, mirroring the country.
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 Columbus
| Period | Columbus | Georgia | U.S. |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2006–10 | 9.5% | 8.8% | 8.1% |
| 2010–14 | 11.5% | 10.7% | 9.4% |
| 2015–19 | 10.0% | 5.8% | 5.6% |
| 2020–24 | 6.6% | 5.2% | 5.4% |
| Change | −2.8 pts | −3.6 pts | −2.7 pts |
Unemployment runs a little high in Columbus: 6.6% of the labor force was out of work and looking, against 5.4% nationally. Unemployment has fallen 2.8 points since 2006–10, mirroring the country. Because the Census pools five years of responses (2020–24), these rates smooth over short swings and lag the current 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).
Columbus compared with nearby cities
| City | Household size | Median age | Single parents | Renters | Vacant homes | Median year built | Median rent | Bachelor's degree | High school diploma | Unemployment |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Columbus | 2.43 | 37.2 | 17.0% | 50.4% | 12.5% | 1975 | $1,174 | 27.1% | 87.8% | 6.6% |
| Fort Benning | 3.76 | 22.1 | 6.0% | 99.1% | 6.9% | 2006 | $1,742 | 41.2% | 95.9% | 12.8% |
| Phenix City | 2.54 | 38.0 | 14.3% | 37.8% | 11.2% | 1988 | $1,101 | 21.6% | 89.4% | 4.9% |
| Midland | 2.79 | 38.4 | 13.2% | 20.1% | 4.9% | 2002 | $1,688 | 50.9% | 96.2% | 3.3% |
| Smiths Station | 2.81 | 41.6 | 12.1% | 21.9% | 9.7% | 1995 | $900 | 22.3% | 87.4% | 3.7% |
| Smiths | 2.77 | 40.4 | 8.7% | 20.4% | 7.8% | 2000 | $1,056 | 31.3% | 87.8% | 4.2% |
| Fort Benning South | 2.55 | 23.0 | 23.2% | 100.0% | 21.3% | 1973 | $1,442 | 33.9% | 98.1% | 4.8% |
| Cusseta | 2.45 | 30.5 | 14.1% | 58.8% | 37.8% | 1972 | $1,312 | 31.5% | 97.3% | 7.9% |
| Nuckols | 2.57 | 40.7 | 13.6% | 34.9% | 11.0% | 2001 | $1,116 | 16.3% | 81.7% | 1.1% |
| Upatoi | 2.98 | 41.5 | 4.3% | 7.2% | 10.6% | 1996 | $1,952 | 56.5% | 97.5% | 3.0% |
| Fort Mitchell | 2.95 | 38.7 | 9.9% | 17.8% | 8.9% | 2003 | $1,758 | 23.1% | 86.2% | 7.1% |
All figures 2020–24.
Cities with similar populations: Katy, TX · Joliet, IL · Knoxville, TN · Jackson, TN · Independence, MO · Kenosha, WI · Hartford, CT · Harlingen, TX · Hendersonville, TN · High Point, NC
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 Columbus. 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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