Population 156,909 · Census ACS 2020–24
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Median age by neighborhoodHistory and comparison ↓︎
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Population and households in Columbia
Household size in Columbia
| Period | Columbia | Missouri | U.S. |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2006–10 | 2.32 | 2.49 | 2.68 |
| 2010–14 | 2.42 | 2.52 | 2.73 |
| 2015–19 | 2.39 | 2.50 | 2.71 |
| 2020–24 | 2.36 | 2.49 | 2.65 |
| Change | +0.04 | −0.00 | −0.03 |
Columbia is a place of small households, averaging 2.36 people against 2.65 for the U.S., which points to many singles, couples and roommates and relatively few children. Household size has crept up from 2.32 in 2006–10, even as the national average fell. The biggest households, usually families with children, are concentrated in the southwest.
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
| Period | Columbia | Missouri | U.S. |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2006–10 | 31.2 | 38.4 | 37.7 |
| 2010–14 | 31.6 | 39.2 | 38.6 |
| 2015–19 | 33.3 | 40.0 | 39.6 |
| 2020–24 | 34.3 | 40.1 | 40.1 |
| Change | +3.1 | +1.7 | +2.3 |
With a median age of just 34.3, Columbia is far younger than the country as a whole (40.1), a population that tilts toward young adults, many of them living alone or as couples. Since 2006–10, the median age has climbed from 31.2, mirroring the country. Only ten of the 191 Missouri cities with 5,000+ people 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
| Period | Columbia | Missouri | U.S. |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2006–10 | 9.8% | 11.3% | 12.3% |
| 2010–14 | 10.1% | 11.4% | 12.3% |
| 2015–19 | 9.5% | 10.9% | 11.6% |
| 2020–24 | 9.6% | 11.0% | 11.6% |
| Change | −0.1 pts | −0.3 pts | −0.6 pts |
Single parents head about one in ten households in Columbia (9.6%), a little below the national share of 11.6%. The single-parent share is little changed from 2006–10, while 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
Renters in Columbia
| Period | Columbia | Missouri | U.S. |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2006–10 | 46.6% | 30.0% | 33.3% |
| 2010–14 | 47.4% | 32.1% | 35.6% |
| 2015–19 | 48.5% | 33.2% | 36.0% |
| 2020–24 | 47.0% | 31.9% | 34.8% |
| Change | +0.4 pts | +1.9 pts | +1.5 pts |
Renting is far more common in Columbia than nationally: 47.0% of households rent their homes, against 34.8%. Nearly four in ten owners (38.0%) have paid off their mortgages, about the same as nationally. Renting is most common in the center and least common in the southwest. Of the 191 Missouri cities with 5,000+ people, only 11 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 Columbia
| Period | Columbia | Missouri | U.S. |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2006–10 | 9.1% | 11.6% | 11.4% |
| 2010–14 | 8.3% | 12.0% | 11.4% |
| 2015–19 | 9.6% | 12.2% | 11.1% |
| 2020–24 | 6.8% | 10.5% | 9.6% |
| Change | −2.2 pts | −1.1 pts | −1.8 pts |
Fewer homes sit empty in Columbia than nationally: 6.8%, against 9.6% for the U.S. Vacancy has fallen 2.2 points since 2006–10, mirroring the country.
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
| Period | Columbia | Missouri | U.S. |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2006–10 | 1984 | 1974 | 1974 |
| 2010–14 | 1985 | 1975 | 1975 |
| 2015–19 | 1989 | 1976 | 1977 |
| 2020–24 | 1991 | 1978 | 1980 |
| Change | +7 | +4 | +6 |
Columbia has newer housing than the country as a whole: the median home was built in 1991, versus 1980 nationally. The median year built has moved up from 1984 in 2006–10, a sign of steady new building. Newer construction is concentrated in the southwest, 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
| Period | Columbia | Missouri | U.S. |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2006–10 | $778 | $740 | $965 |
| 2010–14 | $851 | $816 | $1,040 |
| 2015–19 | $924 | $899 | $1,213 |
| 2020–24 | $1,143 | $1,122 | $1,571 |
| Change | +$366 | +$383 | +$606 |
Rent in Columbia runs $1,143 a month at the median, utilities included, well below the U.S. median of $1,571. Rents are up $366 a month from 2006–10, a 47% rise, a slower climb than the nation's. The typical renter here spends 30.1% of household income on rent, just over the 30% mark often used to define affordable rent. Rents run highest in the southeast and lowest in the center.
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
Bachelor's degrees in Columbia
| Period | Columbia | Missouri | U.S. |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2006–10 | 49.8% | 26.0% | 28.4% |
| 2010–14 | 53.2% | 27.3% | 29.6% |
| 2015–19 | 50.2% | 29.6% | 32.1% |
| 2020–24 | 54.4% | 32.6% | 35.6% |
| Change | +4.6 pts | +6.6 pts | +7.2 pts |
Columbia is highly educated: more than half of adults 25 and older (54.4%) hold at least a bachelor's degree, far above the national share of 35.6%. Since 2006–10, the share with a degree has risen 4.6 points, mirroring the country. College graduates are most concentrated in the southwest and least in the northeast.
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
| Period | Columbia | Missouri | U.S. |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2006–10 | 92.5% | 86.8% | 84.9% |
| 2010–14 | 93.4% | 88.3% | 86.1% |
| 2015–19 | 95.3% | 90.0% | 87.7% |
| 2020–24 | 95.1% | 91.8% | 89.3% |
| Change | +2.7 pts | +5.1 pts | +4.3 pts |
High school completion is high in Columbia: 95.1% 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 2.7 points, 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 Columbia
| Period | Columbia | Missouri | U.S. |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2006–10 | 6.1% | 7.4% | 8.1% |
| 2010–14 | 5.8% | 8.4% | 9.4% |
| 2015–19 | 4.3% | 4.6% | 5.6% |
| 2020–24 | 4.3% | 4.1% | 5.4% |
| Change | −1.9 pts | −3.3 pts | −2.7 pts |
Unemployment in Columbia runs below the national rate: 4.3% of the labor force was out of work and looking, against 5.4% nationally. Since 2006–10, unemployment has fallen 1.9 points, 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).
Columbia 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 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Columbia | 2.36 | 34.3 | 9.6% | 47.0% | 6.8% | 1991 | $1,143 | 54.4% | 95.1% | 4.3% |
| Pierpont | 2.77 | 39.9 | 9.6% | 17.6% | 4.8% | 2001 | $1,899 | 54.9% | 97.8% | 1.6% |
| Harg | 2.50 | 41.9 | 4.2% | 33.4% | 8.6% | 1986 | $1,362 | 40.1% | 94.1% | 3.4% |
| Rocheport | 2.45 | 48.7 | 3.9% | 8.3% | 7.8% | 1987 | $980 | 50.7% | 94.9% | 2.2% |
| Elkhurst | 2.20 | 46.1 | 4.8% | 11.8% | 6.8% | 1992 | $1,636 | 47.9% | 99.8% | 0.6% |
| Lupus | 2.51 | 44.6 | 7.5% | 16.5% | 7.0% | 1996 | $1,137 | 41.8% | 94.8% | 2.0% |
| Murry | 2.67 | 39.7 | 13.5% | 13.5% | 6.6% | 1992 | $1,217 | 42.0% | 91.9% | 1.6% |
| Millersburg | 2.12 | 57.0 | 5.6% | 10.8% | 4.0% | 1989 | $957 | 16.3% | 93.9% | 0.0% |
| Woodlandville | 2.44 | 52.7 | 4.6% | 8.4% | 14.8% | 1984 | $872 | 47.1% | 96.1% | 3.9% |
| Hallsville | 2.61 | 37.6 | 12.4% | 18.0% | 5.3% | 1995 | $1,089 | 31.2% | 93.1% | 3.3% |
| Ashland | 2.42 | 44.3 | 6.8% | 19.4% | 5.3% | 1998 | $1,268 | 46.3% | 94.1% | 1.6% |
All figures 2020–24.
Cities with similar populations: Lakewood, NJ · Layton, UT · Lees Summit, MO · Lakeland, FL · Lawton, OK · Lawrenceville, GA · Lancaster, PA · Lehigh Acres, FL · Lawrence, MA · Lawrence, KS
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. 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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