Columbus, Indiana Demographics & Population 2026
During the 2020–2024 ACS period, Columbus, Indiana had a total population of 51,824, the 19th largest city in Indiana, with a median household income of $77,456, which is 8% higher than the state average. The poverty rate is 11.3%.
Data vintage: U.S. Census Bureau ACS 2020–2024 5-Year Estimates · refreshed July 2026 · Methodology & source notes
Key Takeaways
- 40.0% of adults hold a bachelor's degree or higher — top 10% in Indiana.
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 | 51,104 | 51,824 | +1.4% |
| Median household income | $76,856 | $77,456 | +0.8% |
| Median home value | $231,000 | $244,200 | +5.7% |
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
Moderate diversity with one or two groups making up the majority.
State average: 41 | National average: 61
Education
Educational Attainment (Adults 25+)
Columbus Rankings in Indiana
Explore Indiana Rankings
Other Cities in Bartholomew County
| City | Population | Median Income | Poverty | Home Value |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Hope | 2,029 | $76,188 | 8.9% | $148,600 |
| Taylorsville | 1,248 | N/A | 33.9% | $169,100 |
| Elizabethtown | 372 | $53,750 | 15.0% | $153,000 |
| Hartsville | 277 | $64,375 | 7.2% | $147,300 |
| Clifford | 165 | $58,750 | 14.5% | $125,900 |
| Jonesville | 129 | $55,179 | 8.5% | $123,400 |
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 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Jeffersonville | 51,043 | $70,930 | $216,800 | 28.2% | 11.2% |
| Lawrence | 49,517 | $74,022 | $230,100 | 35.6% | 8.7% |
| Mishawaka | 51,021 | $54,291 | $155,500 | 29.2% | 16.4% |
| Elkhart | 53,733 | $51,028 | $139,500 | 17.7% | 18.2% |
| Greenwood | 66,029 | $83,608 | $276,100 | 33.4% | 7.4% |
Population Overview
Columbus is a mid-sized community located in Indiana, within Bartholomew County. The total population is 51,824. It ranks as the 19th most populous out of 967 Census-designated places in Indiana.
Age Demographics
The median age in Columbus is 36.5 years. This is 4% lower than the state median of 38.1 years.
Economy, Income & Housing
The median household income in Columbus is $77,456. This is 8% higher than the state median of $71,957. It is also 4% lower than the national median of $80,734. The poverty rate stands at 11.3%. This is 9% lower than the state poverty rate of 12.3%. The unemployment rate is 4.7%. This is 9% higher than the state rate of 4.3%. The median home value is $244,200. Housing costs are 12% higher than the state median of $218,200. The home-value-to-income ratio is 3.2x. 60.8% of occupied housing units are owner-occupied. This homeownership rate is 14% lower than the state average of 70.5%.
Race & Ethnicity
The largest racial or ethnic group in Columbus is White (non-Hispanic), making up 71.9% of the population. Asian residents account for 11.5%. The Black or African American population (2.5%) is well below the state average of 9.1%. The Asian population is significantly higher than the state average (11.5% vs 2.6%).
Education
40.0% of residents aged 25 and older hold a bachelor's degree or higher. This places Columbus in the top 10% of all cities in the state for educational attainment. This is 36% higher 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 92.2%. Notably, 18.4% of adults hold a graduate or professional degree, indicating a highly educated workforce.
Data Sources & Methodology
All demographic data for Columbus, 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 Columbus, Indiana?
Columbus, Indiana has a population of 51,824 according to the most recent U.S. Census ACS 5-Year Estimates.
What is the median household income in Columbus, IN?
The median household income in Columbus is $77,456, which is 4% lower than the national median of $80,734.
What is the poverty rate in Columbus, IN?
The poverty rate in Columbus is 11.3%. This means approximately 5,726 residents live below the federal poverty line.
What is the racial makeup of Columbus, Indiana?
Columbus's population is 71.9% White, 2.5% Black, 10.7% Hispanic/Latino, and 11.5% Asian.
What is the median home value in Columbus, IN?
The median home value in Columbus is $244,200. The home-value-to-income ratio is 3.2x.
How educated is Columbus, Indiana?
40.0% of adults (25+) in Columbus hold a bachelor's degree or higher, and 18.4% hold a graduate or professional degree.