Population 8,085 · Census ACS 2020–24
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Population and households in Downtown Columbus
Household size in Downtown Columbus
| Period | Downtown Columbus | Columbus area | Ohio | U.S. |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2006–10 | 1.36 | 2.56 | 2.51 | 2.68 |
| 2010–14 | 1.39 | 2.59 | 2.51 | 2.73 |
| 2015–19 | 1.37 | 2.60 | 2.47 | 2.71 |
| 2020–24 | 1.32 | 2.56 | 2.46 | 2.65 |
| Change | −0.04 | +0.00 | −0.05 | −0.03 |
Downtown Columbus is a place of small households, averaging 1.32 people against 2.65 for the U.S., which points to many singles, couples and roommates and relatively few children. Since 2006–10, household size has edged down from 1.36, as it has nationally. No other Columbus neighborhood has smaller households.
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 Downtown Columbus
| Period | Downtown Columbus | Columbus area | Ohio | U.S. |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2006–10 | 42.7 | 36.2 | 39.0 | 37.7 |
| 2010–14 | 42.0 | 37.0 | 40.0 | 38.6 |
| 2015–19 | 37.1 | 37.6 | 40.7 | 39.6 |
| 2020–24 | 36.9 | 37.9 | 40.8 | 40.1 |
| Change | −5.9 | +1.7 | +1.8 | +2.3 |
Downtown Columbus is younger than the country as a whole: its median age is 36.9, against 40.1 nationally. That is in line with the rest of the Columbus area. Since 2006–10, the median age has dropped from 42.7, even as the national median rose.
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 Downtown Columbus
| Period | Downtown Columbus | Columbus area | Ohio | U.S. |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2006–10 | 9.1% | 12.0% | 11.7% | 12.3% |
| 2010–14 | 4.3% | 12.1% | 11.9% | 12.3% |
| 2015–19 | 1.8% | 12.3% | 11.7% | 11.6% |
| 2020–24 | 1.9% | 12.7% | 11.7% | 11.6% |
| Change | −7.2 pts | +0.7 pts | −0.0 pts | −0.6 pts |
Single-parent households are relatively rare in Downtown Columbus: 1.9% of households, against 11.6% nationally. The single-parent share is down 7.2 points from 2006–10, a much bigger shift than nationally. Only two of Columbus' 46 neighborhoods have a lower share of single-parent households.
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 Downtown Columbus
Renters in Downtown Columbus
| Period | Downtown Columbus | Columbus area | Ohio | U.S. |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2006–10 | 77.9% | 35.4% | 30.8% | 33.3% |
| 2010–14 | 77.2% | 37.9% | 33.1% | 35.6% |
| 2015–19 | 79.3% | 38.5% | 33.9% | 36.0% |
| 2020–24 | 79.4% | 38.7% | 32.8% | 34.8% |
| Change | +1.5 pts | +3.3 pts | +2.0 pts | +1.5 pts |
Most households in Downtown Columbus rent: 79.4% of occupied homes are rented, far above the national share of 34.8%. Expect more apartments, and more turnover, than in owner-heavy areas. Just over half of owners (52.5%) have paid off their mortgages, well above the national share of 39.8%. The renter share is up 1.5 points from 2006–10, in line with the national trend.
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 Downtown Columbus
| Period | Downtown Columbus | Columbus area | Ohio | U.S. |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2006–10 | 13.8% | 10.9% | 10.8% | 11.4% |
| 2010–14 | 14.5% | 10.0% | 10.8% | 11.4% |
| 2015–19 | 12.5% | 8.8% | 10.2% | 11.1% |
| 2020–24 | 14.8% | 7.9% | 8.7% | 9.6% |
| Change | +1.0 pts | −2.9 pts | −2.2 pts | −1.8 pts |
Vacancy is high in Downtown Columbus: 14.8% of homes are empty, 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. Since 2006–10, vacancy has edged up 1.0 points, 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 Downtown Columbus
| Period | Downtown Columbus | Columbus area | Ohio | U.S. |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2006–10 | 1963 | 1976 | 1968 | 1974 |
| 2010–14 | 1970 | 1977 | 1969 | 1975 |
| 2015–19 | 1979 | 1979 | 1970 | 1977 |
| 2020–24 | 2001 | 1982 | 1972 | 1980 |
| Change | +38 | +6 | +4 | +6 |
Much of the housing in Downtown Columbus is relatively new: half of its homes were built after 2001, compared with 1980 for the U.S. as a whole. The median year built has moved up from 1963 in 2006–10, a sign of steady new building. Newer construction is concentrated in the northwest, while the southeast has the oldest housing. Downtown Columbus has the newest homes of any Columbus neighborhood.
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 Downtown Columbus
| Period | Downtown Columbus | Columbus area | Ohio | U.S. |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2006–10 | $631 | $852 | $765 | $965 |
| 2010–14 | $575 | $924 | $814 | $1,040 |
| 2015–19 | $1,056 | $1,051 | $901 | $1,213 |
| 2020–24 | $1,513 | $1,378 | $1,142 | $1,571 |
| Change | +$882 | +$526 | +$377 | +$606 |
Rent in Downtown Columbus runs $1,513 a month at the median, utilities included, close to the U.S. median of $1,571. Rents here are higher than in the Columbus area overall ($1,378). Rents are up $882 a month from 2006–10, a 140% jump, faster than rents rose nationally. Rent takes 28.7% of the typical renter's income, just under 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 Downtown Columbus
Bachelor's degrees in Downtown Columbus
| Period | Downtown Columbus | Columbus area | Ohio | U.S. |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2006–10 | 41.6% | 33.3% | 25.4% | 28.4% |
| 2010–14 | 49.3% | 34.4% | 26.5% | 29.6% |
| 2015–19 | 63.4% | 37.6% | 28.9% | 32.1% |
| 2020–24 | 62.6% | 40.2% | 31.9% | 35.6% |
| Change | +21.0 pts | +6.9 pts | +6.5 pts | +7.2 pts |
Downtown Columbus is highly educated: just over six in ten adults 25 and older (62.6%) hold at least a bachelor's degree, far above the national share of 35.6%. The share with a degree is up 21.0 points from 2006–10, as it has nationally. College graduates are most concentrated in the northwest and least in the southeast.
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 Downtown Columbus
| Period | Downtown Columbus | Columbus area | Ohio | U.S. |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2006–10 | 85.5% | 89.6% | 87.7% | 84.9% |
| 2010–14 | 92.6% | 90.2% | 88.9% | 86.1% |
| 2015–19 | 92.5% | 91.6% | 90.4% | 87.7% |
| 2020–24 | 96.0% | 92.2% | 91.7% | 89.3% |
| Change | +10.5 pts | +2.6 pts | +4.0 pts | +4.3 pts |
High school completion is high in Downtown Columbus: 96.0% of adults 25 and older have a diploma or equivalent, well above the national rate of 89.3%. Since 2006–10, the share with a diploma has risen 10.5 points, as it has 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 Downtown Columbus
| Period | Downtown Columbus | Columbus area | Ohio | U.S. |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2006–10 | 6.8% | 7.6% | 8.7% | 8.1% |
| 2010–14 | 6.3% | 7.8% | 9.4% | 9.4% |
| 2015–19 | 2.6% | 4.6% | 5.5% | 5.6% |
| 2020–24 | 3.3% | 4.3% | 4.9% | 5.4% |
| Change | −3.5 pts | −3.4 pts | −3.8 pts | −2.7 pts |
Unemployment in Downtown Columbus has been low: just 3.3% of the labor force was out of work and looking, well below the national rate of 5.4%. Unemployment is down 3.5 points from 2006–10, in line with the national trend. 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).
Downtown Columbus compared with nearby neighborhoods
| Neighborhood | Household size | Median age | Single parents | Renters | Vacant homes | Median year built | Median rent | Bachelor's degree | High school diploma | Unemployment |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Downtown Columbus | 1.32 | 36.9 | 1.9% | 79.4% | 14.8% | 2001 | $1,513 | 62.6% | 96.0% | 3.3% |
| Southside Columbus | 1.71 | 36.3 | 5.4% | 48.3% | 9.5% | 1940 | $1,695 | 80.5% | 98.8% | 1.9% |
| Italian Village | 1.51 | 29.6 | 1.6% | 73.6% | 14.4% | 1992 | $1,727 | 84.1% | 99.4% | 2.4% |
| Victorian Village | 1.54 | 30.8 | 3.5% | 76.1% | 11.9% | 1970 | $1,480 | 80.1% | 97.9% | 2.8% |
| Harrison West | 1.70 | 36.7 | 1.7% | 68.1% | 10.2% | 1985 | $1,619 | 73.6% | 96.1% | 2.5% |
| Franklinton | 2.50 | 31.0 | 20.0% | 74.8% | 22.9% | 1967 | $1,112 | 25.0% | 77.2% | 6.7% |
| Southern Orchards | 2.31 | 31.3 | 20.4% | 56.3% | 18.8% | 1939 | $1,171 | 33.1% | 89.3% | 3.2% |
| Near East | 2.07 | 34.5 | 16.0% | 61.0% | 20.2% | 1950 | $1,086 | 42.5% | 89.1% | 6.5% |
| Near Southside | 2.28 | 38.8 | 21.7% | 51.3% | 20.6% | 1949 | $1,073 | 24.7% | 89.7% | 8.0% |
| Weinland Park | 2.25 | 23.8 | 10.3% | 89.6% | 13.5% | 1995 | $1,380 | 47.1% | 94.2% | 8.6% |
| South Side | 2.28 | 36.1 | 17.7% | 50.5% | 17.6% | 1947 | $1,084 | 22.2% | 85.4% | 6.8% |
All figures 2020–24.
Neighborhoods with similar populations: Beaverdale, Des Moines, IA · State College Area, Long Beach, CA · Donelson, Nashville, TN · Hatchville, East Falmouth, MA · Lakeside, San Antonio, TX · Zilker, Austin, TX · Turner, Kansas City, KS · Sherman Heights, San Diego, CA · Riviera, Coral Gables, FL · Port Gardner, Everett, WA
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 Downtown 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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