Columbus city, Indiana Demographics & Population 2026
As of 2026, Columbus city, Indiana has a total population of 51,104, the 19th largest city in Indiana, with a median household income of $76,856, which is 10% higher than the state average. The poverty rate is 12.8%.
Key Takeaways
- 41.3% of adults hold a bachelor's degree or higher — top 10% in Indiana.
Columbus city Quick Facts
How Columbus city Compares
Median Household Income
Median Home Value
Economy & Housing
Household Income Distribution
Employment
Housing Overview
People & Demographics
Age Distribution
Race & Ethnicity
Diversity Index
Moderate diversity with one or two groups making up the majority.
State average: 40 | National average: 60
Education
Educational Attainment (Adults 25+)
Columbus city Rankings in Indiana
Explore Indiana Rankings
Cities Similar to Columbus city
These cities in the same state have comparable population and economic profiles.
| City | Population | Median Income | Home Value | Bachelor's+ | Poverty |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Lawrence city | 49,284 | $73,455 | $220,400 | 35.4% | 8.4% |
| Jeffersonville city | 50,176 | $70,157 | $208,500 | 25.5% | 11.0% |
| Mishawaka city | 50,907 | $53,120 | $140,600 | 27.9% | 16.3% |
| Westfield city | 51,109 | $119,598 | $391,900 | 60.3% | 3.9% |
| Greenwood city | 64,237 | $78,765 | $248,700 | 31.0% | 7.1% |
Population Overview
Columbus city is a mid-sized community located in Indiana. The total population is 51,104. It ranks as the 19th most populous out of 967 cities and towns in Indiana.
Age Demographics
The median age in Columbus city is 36.0 years. This is 5% lower than the state median of 38.0 years.
Economy, Income & Housing
The median household income in Columbus city is $76,856. This is 10% higher than the state median of $70,051. Compared to the national median of $78,538, household income here is 2% lower. The poverty rate stands at 12.8%. This is 5% higher than the state poverty rate of 12.2%. The unemployment rate is 4.3%. The median home value is $231,000. Housing costs are 15% higher than the state median of $201,600. The home-value-to-income ratio is 3.0x. 61.2% of occupied housing units are owner-occupied. This homeownership rate is 13% lower than the state average of 70.3%.
Race & Ethnicity
The largest racial or ethnic group in Columbus city is White (non-Hispanic), making up 71.6% of the population. Asian residents account for 11.8%. The Black or African American population (2.4%) is well below the state average of 9.1%. The Asian population is significantly higher than the state average (11.8% vs 2.5%).
Education
41.3% of residents aged 25 and older hold a bachelor's degree or higher. This places Columbus city in the top 10% of all cities in the state for educational attainment. This is 43% higher than the state rate of 28.8%. Nationally, 35.0% of adults hold at least a bachelor's degree. The high school graduation rate (or equivalent) is 92.6%. Notably, 19.4% of adults hold a graduate or professional degree, indicating a highly educated workforce.
Data Sources & Methodology
All demographic data for Columbus city, Indiana is sourced from the U.S. Census Bureau's American Community Survey (ACS) 5-Year Estimates (2019-2023). The ACS collects data from approximately 3.5 million households annually, providing reliable estimates for communities of all sizes. 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. For official data, visit data.census.gov.
Free data download: Get all Indiana city and county demographics as CSV. Download Cities CSV | Download Counties CSV
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the population of Columbus city, Indiana?
Columbus city, Indiana has a population of 51,104 according to the most recent U.S. Census ACS 5-Year Estimates.
What is the median household income in Columbus city, IN?
The median household income in Columbus city is $76,856, which is 2% lower the national median of $78,538.
What is the poverty rate in Columbus city, IN?
The poverty rate in Columbus city is 12.8%. This means approximately 6,438 residents live below the federal poverty line.
What is the racial makeup of Columbus city, Indiana?
Columbus city's population is 71.6% White, 2.4% Black, 10.0% Hispanic/Latino, and 11.8% Asian.
What is the median home value in Columbus city, IN?
The median home value in Columbus city is $231,000. The home-value-to-income ratio is 3.0x.
How educated is Columbus city, Indiana?
41.3% of adults (25+) in Columbus city hold a bachelor's degree or higher, and 19.4% hold a graduate or professional degree.