Columbus City, Iowa Demographics & Population 2026
During the 2020–2024 ACS period, Columbus City, Iowa had a total population of 323, the 584th largest city in Iowa, with a median household income of $89,875, which is 20% higher than the state average. The poverty rate is 5.9%.
Data vintage: U.S. Census Bureau ACS 2020–2024 5-Year Estimates · refreshed July 2026 · Methodology & source notes
Key Takeaways
- Only 4.8% of adults have a bachelor's degree, well below the national average of 35.7%.
- Housing is very affordable with a home-value-to-income ratio of just 1.2x.
Columbus City Quick Facts
How Columbus 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 | 306 | 323 | +5.6% |
| Median household income | $82,500 | $89,875 | +8.9% |
| Median home value | $104,400 | $111,600 | +6.9% |
How Columbus 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
Moderate diversity with one or two groups making up the majority.
State average: 31 | National average: 61
Education
Educational Attainment (Adults 25+)
Columbus City Rankings in Iowa
Explore Iowa Rankings
Other Cities in Louisa County
| City | Population | Median Income | Poverty | Home Value |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Columbus Junction | 2,110 | $63,828 | 10.3% | $125,800 |
| Wapello | 1,765 | $72,708 | 6.4% | $143,900 |
| Morning Sun | 802 | $56,350 | 11.3% | $102,200 |
| Grandview | 449 | $57,625 | 9.6% | $142,400 |
| Letts | 361 | $76,538 | 3.3% | $122,400 |
| Fredonia | 240 | $85,625 | 32.5% | $71,700 |
| Oakville | 204 | $63,750 | 22.1% | $77,500 |
| Cotter | 31 | N/A | 34.5% | $112,500 |
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 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Bronson | 312 | $86,458 | $168,800 | 22.6% | 4.8% |
| Hornick | 340 | $85,938 | $113,300 | 7.7% | 6.0% |
| Deep River | 335 | $83,125 | $95,200 | 5.5% | 3.6% |
| Westside | 308 | $83,558 | $147,200 | 24.4% | 1.0% |
| Libertyville | 324 | $76,131 | $162,500 | 13.7% | 3.1% |
A note before these figures: with a population of 323, Columbus City'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
Columbus City is a small community located in Iowa, within Louisa County. The total population is 323. It ranks as the 584th most populous out of 1,017 Census-designated places in Iowa.
Age Demographics
The median age in Columbus City is 46.8 years. This is 21% higher than the state median of 38.6 years.
Economy, Income & Housing
The median household income in Columbus City is $89,875. This is 20% higher than the state median of $75,059. It is also 11% higher than the national median of $80,734. The poverty rate stands at 5.9%. This is 47% lower than the state poverty rate of 11.1%. The unemployment rate is 6.1%. This is 70% higher than the state rate of 3.6%. The median home value is $111,600. Housing costs are 46% lower than the state median of $208,000. With a home-value-to-income ratio of just 1.2x, Columbus City is one of the most affordable housing markets in the area. 97.7% of occupied housing units are owner-occupied. This homeownership rate is 36% higher than the state average of 71.7%.
Race & Ethnicity
The largest racial or ethnic group in Columbus City is Hispanic or Latino, making up 54.2% of the population. White (non-Hispanic) residents account for 45.8%. The Hispanic or Latino population is significantly higher than the state average (54.2% vs 7.3%).
Education
4.8% of residents aged 25 and older hold a bachelor's degree or higher. This is among the lowest rates in the state, which may correlate with employment and income patterns. This is 85% lower than the state rate of 31.4%. Nationally, 35.7% of adults hold at least a bachelor's degree. The high school graduation rate (or equivalent) is 74.4%.
Data Sources & Methodology
All demographic data for Columbus City, Iowa 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 Iowa state averages and national averages calculated from the same dataset. Rankings reflect the city's position among all 1,017 Census-designated places in Iowa. Read more about how these figures are produced on our methodology page, or visit data.census.gov for official data.
Free data download: Get all Iowa city and county demographics as CSV. Download Cities CSV | Download Counties CSV
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the population of Columbus City, Iowa?
Columbus City, Iowa has a population of 323 according to the most recent U.S. Census ACS 5-Year Estimates.
What is the median household income in Columbus City, IA?
The median household income in Columbus City is $89,875, which is 11% higher than the national median of $80,734.
What is the poverty rate in Columbus City, IA?
The poverty rate in Columbus City is 5.9%. This means approximately 19 residents live below the federal poverty line.
What is the racial makeup of Columbus City, Iowa?
Columbus City's population is 45.8% White, 0.0% Black, 54.2% Hispanic/Latino, and 0.0% Asian.
What is the median home value in Columbus City, IA?
The median home value in Columbus City is $111,600. The home-value-to-income ratio is 1.2x.
How educated is Columbus City, Iowa?
4.8% of adults (25+) in Columbus City hold a bachelor's degree or higher, and 1.3% hold a graduate or professional degree.