Columbus, Georgia Demographics & Population 2026
During the 2020–2024 ACS period, Columbus, Georgia had a total population of 203,711, the 2nd largest city in Georgia, with a median household income of $58,073, which is 25% lower than the state average. The poverty rate is 19.1%.
Data vintage: U.S. Census Bureau ACS 2020–2024 5-Year Estimates · refreshed July 2026 · Methodology & source notes
Key Takeaways
- Columbus is the 2nd largest city in Georgia with a population of 203,711.
Columbus Quick Facts
How Columbus Changed
Change from the 2019–2023 ACS period to 2020–2024. These are rolling five-year estimates, not year-over-year measurements.
| Metric | 2019–2023 | 2020–2024 | Change |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 204,383 | 203,711 | -0.3% |
| Median household income | $56,622 | $58,073 | +2.6% |
| Median home value | $182,300 | $193,900 | +6.4% |
How Columbus Compares
Median Household Income
Median Home Value
Economy & Housing
Household Income Distribution
Detailed income brackets
Employment
Housing Overview
People & Demographics
Age Distribution
Race & Ethnicity
Diversity Index
A diverse community with significant representation from multiple racial and ethnic groups.
State average: 65 | National average: 61
Education
Educational Attainment (Adults 25+)
Columbus Rankings in Georgia
Explore Georgia Rankings
Cities Similar to Columbus
These cities in the same state have comparable population and economic profiles.
| City | Population | Median Income | Home Value | Bachelor's+ | Poverty |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Augusta-Richmond County | 201,528 | $55,485 | $178,400 | 24.7% | 20.1% |
| Macon-Bibb County | 156,578 | $51,234 | $174,500 | 26.3% | 24.7% |
| Savannah | 147,898 | $57,137 | $248,900 | 33.3% | 19.7% |
| Athens-Clarke County | 127,345 | $52,974 | $299,200 | 47.3% | 26.5% |
| South Fulton | 110,471 | $82,324 | $309,800 | 39.0% | 9.1% |
Population Overview
Columbus is a major urban center located in Georgia, within Muscogee County. The total population is 203,711. It ranks as the 2nd most populous out of 669 Census-designated places in Georgia.
Age Demographics
The median age in Columbus is 35.4 years. This is 6% lower than the state median of 37.6 years.
Economy, Income & Housing
The median household income in Columbus is $58,073. This is 25% lower than the state median of $77,353. It is also 28% lower than the national median of $80,734. The poverty rate stands at 19.1%. This is 42% higher than the state poverty rate of 13.4%. The unemployment rate is 6.3%. This is 22% higher than the state rate of 5.1%. The median home value is $193,900. Housing costs are 36% lower than the state median of $303,300. The home-value-to-income ratio is 3.3x. 50.8% of occupied housing units are owner-occupied. This homeownership rate is 23% lower than the state average of 65.7%.
Race & Ethnicity
The largest racial or ethnic group in Columbus is Black or African American, making up 46.1% of the population. White (non-Hispanic) residents account for 36.7%. The Black or African American population is significantly higher than the state average (46.1% vs 30.7%).
Education
30.5% of residents aged 25 and older hold a bachelor's degree or higher. This is 13% lower than the state rate of 34.9%. Nationally, 35.7% of adults hold at least a bachelor's degree. The high school graduation rate (or equivalent) is 89.5%.
Data Sources & Methodology
All demographic data for Columbus, Georgia 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 Georgia state averages and national averages calculated from the same dataset. Rankings reflect the city's position among all 669 Census-designated places in Georgia. 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 Columbus, Georgia?
Columbus, Georgia has a population of 203,711 according to the most recent U.S. Census ACS 5-Year Estimates.
What is the median household income in Columbus, GA?
The median household income in Columbus is $58,073, which is 28% lower than the national median of $80,734.
What is the poverty rate in Columbus, GA?
The poverty rate in Columbus is 19.1%. This means approximately 37,734 residents live below the federal poverty line.
What is the racial makeup of Columbus, Georgia?
Columbus's population is 36.7% White, 46.1% Black, 8.5% Hispanic/Latino, and 2.6% Asian.
What is the median home value in Columbus, GA?
The median home value in Columbus is $193,900. The home-value-to-income ratio is 3.3x.
How educated is Columbus, Georgia?
30.5% of adults (25+) in Columbus hold a bachelor's degree or higher, and 12.3% hold a graduate or professional degree.