Columbia, Alabama Demographics & Population 2026
Demographic data: ACS 2020–2024 five-year estimates. Sources and methodology
During the 2020–2024 ACS period, Columbia, Alabama had a total population of 785, the 362nd largest town in Alabama, with a median household income of $62,000, which is 3% lower than the state average. The poverty rate is 11.8%.
Key Takeaways
- Only 6.2% of adults have a bachelor's degree, well below the national average of 35.7%.
- Unemployment rate of 8.2% is notably above the national average.
Columbia Quick Facts
How Columbia Changed
Change from the non-overlapping 2015–2019 ACS period to 2020–2024. Earlier dollar figures are adjusted to 2024 dollars; changes marked “no clear change” are within the combined 90% margins of error.
| Metric | 2015–2019 | 2020–2024 | Change |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 678 | 785 | No clear change (+15.8%) |
| Median household income | $43,588 | $62,000 | No clear change (+42.2%) |
| Median home value¹ | $82,088 | $156,800 | +91.0% |
| Median gross rent | $945 | $760 | -19.6% |
How Columbia Compares
Median Household Income
Median Home Value
Economy & Housing
Household Income Distribution
Detailed income brackets
Employment
Housing Overview
People & Demographics
Age Distribution
Race & Ethnicity
- White: 84.3%
- Black: 10.4%
- Hispanic: 2.2%
- Asian: 0.0%
- Other: 0.0%
Diversity Index
A less diverse community where one racial or ethnic group represents a large majority.
State average: 53 | National average: 61
Education
Educational Attainment (Adults 25+)
- < High School: 13.3%
- HS Diploma: 55.3%
- Some College: 16.0%
- Associate's: 9.2%
- Bachelor's: 3.1%
- Graduate+: 3.1%
Columbia Rankings in Alabama
Explore Alabama Rankings
Other Cities in Houston County
| City | Population | Median Income | Poverty | Home Value |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Dothan | 71,514 | $55,792 | 19.3% | $194,000 |
| Taylor | 3,063 | $67,464 | 16.0% | $134,200 |
| Ashford | 2,447 | $65,341 | 15.0% | $180,100 |
| Cowarts | 2,204 | $64,118 | 18.5% | $177,700 |
| Kinsey | 2,195 | $55,500 | 8.5% | $132,000 |
| Rehobeth | 1,887 | $80,972 | 11.3% | $242,900 |
| Webb | 1,475 | $54,792 | 7.9% | $113,800 |
| Cottonwood | 971 | $34,468 | 27.6% | $111,500 |
| Avon | 378 | $39,375 | 22.2% | $122,500 |
| Gordon | 323 | N/A | 31.6% | $86,700 |
Cities Similar to Columbia
These cities in the same state have comparable population and economic profiles.
| City | Population | Median Income | Home Value | Bachelor's+ | Poverty |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Hollis Crossroads | 785 | N/A | $120,600 | 1.2% | 13.4% |
| Rosa | 777 | N/A | N/A | 5.5% | 6.3% |
| Babbie | 790 | $63,611 | $181,300 | 10.8% | 8.0% |
| Shelby | 809 | N/A | $158,200 | 20.0% | 21.4% |
| Reece City | 784 | $66,705 | $153,800 | 24.4% | 6.1% |
A note before these figures: with a population of 785, Columbia's ACS estimates come from a small number of survey responses and carry wide margins of error. Individual percentages below — particularly rates that round to 0% or 100% — are approximations, not precise measurements. See data.census.gov for the published margins of error.
Population Overview
Columbia is a small community located in Alabama, within Houston County. The total population is 785. It ranks as the 362nd most populous out of 592 Census-designated places in Alabama.
Age Demographics
The median age in Columbia is 32.1 years. This is 18% lower than the state median of 39.3 years. With 34.4% of the population under 18, Columbia has a notably young demographic profile, suggesting a family-oriented community.
Economy, Income & Housing
The median household income in Columbia is $62,000. This is 3% lower than the state median of $63,999. It is also 23% lower than the national median of $80,734. The poverty rate stands at 11.8%. This is 24% lower than the state poverty rate of 15.6%. The unemployment rate is 8.2%. This is 75% higher than the state rate of 4.7%. The median home value is $156,800. Housing costs are 25% lower than the state median of $209,900. With a home-value-to-income ratio of just 2.5x, Columbia is one of the most affordable housing markets in the area. 77.8% of occupied housing units are owner-occupied. This homeownership rate is 11% higher than the state average of 70.2%.
Race & Ethnicity
The largest racial or ethnic group in Columbia is White (non-Hispanic), making up 84.3% of the population. Black or African American residents account for 10.4%. The Black or African American population (10.4%) is well below the state average of 25.6%. The Hispanic or Latino population (2.2%) is well below the state average of 5.6%.
Education
6.2% of residents aged 25 and older hold a bachelor's degree or higher. This is 78% lower than the state rate of 28.4%. Nationally, 35.7% of adults hold at least a bachelor's degree. The high school graduation rate (or equivalent) is 86.7%.
Data Sources & Methodology
All demographic data for Columbia, Alabama is sourced from the U.S. Census Bureau's American Community Survey (ACS) 2020–2024 5-Year Estimates. The ACS collects data from approximately 3.5 million households annually and pools five years of responses so that even small communities can be measured, though the margin of error widens as the population falls. Comparisons are made against Alabama state averages and national averages calculated from the same dataset. Rankings reflect the city's position among all 592 Census-designated places in Alabama. Read more about how these figures are produced on our methodology page, or visit data.census.gov for official data.
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Frequently Asked Questions
What is the population of Columbia, Alabama?
Columbia, Alabama has a population of 785 according to the most recent U.S. Census ACS 5-Year Estimates.
What is the median household income in Columbia, AL?
The median household income in Columbia is $62,000, which is 23% lower than the national median of $80,734.
What is the poverty rate in Columbia, AL?
The poverty rate in Columbia is 11.8%. This means approximately 93 residents live below the federal poverty line.
What is the racial makeup of Columbia, Alabama?
Columbia's population is 84.3% White, 10.4% Black, 2.2% Hispanic/Latino, and 0.0% Asian.
What is the median home value in Columbia, AL?
The median home value in Columbia is $156,800. The home-value-to-income ratio is 2.5x.
How educated is Columbia, Alabama?
6.2% of adults (25+) in Columbia hold a bachelor's degree or higher, and 3.1% hold a graduate or professional degree.