Columbia City, Indiana Demographics & Population 2026
During the 2020–2024 ACS period, Columbia City, Indiana had a total population of 9,897, the 87th largest city in Indiana, with a median household income of $68,089, which is 5% lower than the state average. The poverty rate is 13.6%.
Data vintage: U.S. Census Bureau ACS 2020–2024 5-Year Estimates · refreshed July 2026 · Methodology & source notes
Columbia City Quick Facts
How Columbia City 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 | 9,975 | 9,897 | -0.8% |
| Median household income | $65,000 | $68,089 | +4.8% |
| Median home value | $184,300 | $189,100 | +2.6% |
How Columbia City 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 less diverse community where one racial or ethnic group represents a large majority.
State average: 41 | National average: 61
Education
Educational Attainment (Adults 25+)
Columbia City Rankings in Indiana
Explore Indiana Rankings
Other Cities in Whitley County
| City | Population | Median Income | Poverty | Home Value |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Churubusco | 1,757 | $65,086 | 9.2% | $152,300 |
| South Whitley | 1,660 | $58,068 | 13.9% | $134,100 |
| Tri-Lakes | 1,025 | $115,250 | 4.7% | $323,500 |
| Larwill | 425 | $56,528 | 15.6% | $101,400 |
Cities Similar to Columbia City
These cities in the same state have comparable population and economic profiles.
| City | Population | Median Income | Home Value | Bachelor's+ | Poverty |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Mooresville | 9,751 | $68,983 | $206,400 | 21.7% | 13.1% |
| Sellersburg | 10,137 | $72,179 | $231,500 | 33.1% | 6.9% |
| Angola | 9,408 | $64,540 | $205,400 | 27.0% | 17.9% |
| Decatur | 9,811 | $58,646 | $142,800 | 12.3% | 11.3% |
| Greencastle | 9,864 | $55,565 | $169,200 | 22.5% | 12.2% |
Population Overview
Columbia City is a small city located in Indiana, within Whitley County. The total population is 9,897. It ranks as the 87th most populous out of 967 Census-designated places in Indiana.
Age Demographics
The median age in Columbia City is 37.3 years. This is 2% lower than the state median of 38.1 years.
Economy, Income & Housing
The median household income in Columbia City is $68,089. This is 5% lower than the state median of $71,957. It is also 16% lower than the national median of $80,734. The poverty rate stands at 13.6%. This is 10% higher than the state poverty rate of 12.3%. The unemployment rate is 3.7%. This is 14% lower than the state rate of 4.3%. The median home value is $189,100. Housing costs are 13% lower than the state median of $218,200. With a home-value-to-income ratio of just 2.8x, Columbia City is one of the most affordable housing markets in the area. 65.0% of occupied housing units are owner-occupied. This homeownership rate is 8% lower than the state average of 70.5%.
Race & Ethnicity
Columbia City has a predominantly White (non-Hispanic) population, comprising 88.3% of all residents. Hispanic or Latino residents account for 6.7%. The Black or African American population (0.3%) is well below the state average of 9.1%. The Asian population (0.2%) is well below the state average of 2.6%.
Education
23.7% of residents aged 25 and older hold a bachelor's degree or higher. This is 19% lower than the state rate of 29.5%. Nationally, 35.7% of adults hold at least a bachelor's degree. The high school graduation rate (or equivalent) is 92.5%.
Data Sources & Methodology
All demographic data for Columbia City, Indiana 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 Indiana state averages and national averages calculated from the same dataset. Rankings reflect the city's position among all 967 Census-designated places in Indiana. 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 City, Indiana?
Columbia City, Indiana has a population of 9,897 according to the most recent U.S. Census ACS 5-Year Estimates.
What is the median household income in Columbia City, IN?
The median household income in Columbia City is $68,089, which is 16% lower than the national median of $80,734.
What is the poverty rate in Columbia City, IN?
The poverty rate in Columbia City is 13.6%. This means approximately 1,309 residents live below the federal poverty line.
What is the racial makeup of Columbia City, Indiana?
Columbia City's population is 88.3% White, 0.3% Black, 6.7% Hispanic/Latino, and 0.2% Asian.
What is the median home value in Columbia City, IN?
The median home value in Columbia City is $189,100. The home-value-to-income ratio is 2.8x.
How educated is Columbia City, Indiana?
23.7% of adults (25+) in Columbia City hold a bachelor's degree or higher, and 4.5% hold a graduate or professional degree.