Columbus, Kansas Demographics & Population 2026
During the 2020–2024 ACS period, Columbus, Kansas had a total population of 2,881, the 92nd largest city in Kansas, with a median household income of $37,961, which is 49% lower than the state average. The poverty rate is 21.3%.
Data vintage: U.S. Census Bureau ACS 2020–2024 5-Year Estimates · refreshed July 2026 · Methodology & source notes
Key Takeaways
- Household income is 49% below the state average, indicating significant economic challenges.
- Housing is very affordable with a home-value-to-income ratio of just 2.5x.
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 | 2,902 | 2,881 | -0.7% |
| Median household income | $39,936 | $37,961 | -4.9% |
| Median home value | $85,800 | $94,100 | +9.7% |
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
A less diverse community where one racial or ethnic group represents a large majority.
State average: 45 | National average: 61
Education
Educational Attainment (Adults 25+)
Columbus Rankings in Kansas
Explore Kansas Rankings
Other Cities in Cherokee County
| City | Population | Median Income | Poverty | Home Value |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Baxter Springs | 3,855 | $51,404 | 24.3% | $92,900 |
| Galena | 2,754 | $49,006 | 13.0% | $78,500 |
| Weir | 855 | $58,828 | 9.9% | $78,300 |
| Riverton | 769 | $90,365 | 0.0% | $144,000 |
| Scammon | 371 | $55,833 | 11.1% | $69,500 |
| Lowell | 278 | $90,806 | 0.0% | $103,600 |
| West Mineral | 154 | $35,417 | 7.8% | $42,900 |
| Crestline | 139 | N/A | 0.0% | N/A |
| Roseland | 63 | $41,528 | 11.1% | N/A |
| Hallowell | 39 | N/A | 0.0% | $58,300 |
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 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Girard | 2,777 | $40,298 | $93,600 | 32.1% | 16.1% |
| Oaklawn-Sunview | 2,789 | $46,656 | $54,200 | 1.8% | 23.2% |
| Kingman | 2,957 | $48,750 | $73,800 | 22.1% | 10.4% |
| Galena | 2,754 | $49,006 | $78,500 | 19.0% | 13.0% |
| South Hutchinson | 2,751 | $50,441 | $151,000 | 14.2% | 13.7% |
Population Overview
Columbus is a small community located in Kansas, within Cherokee County. The total population is 2,881. It ranks as the 92nd most populous out of 721 Census-designated places in Kansas.
Age Demographics
The median age in Columbus is 38.5 years. This is 3% higher than the state median of 37.4 years. 12.4% of residents are 75 or older, suggesting a significant retirement-age population with implications for healthcare services and senior housing.
Economy, Income & Housing
The median household income in Columbus is $37,961. This is 49% lower than the state median of $74,275. It is also 53% lower than the national median of $80,734. The poverty rate stands at 21.3%. This is 89% higher than the state poverty rate of 11.3%. With more than one in five residents living below the poverty line, economic hardship is a significant challenge for the community. The unemployment rate is 3.0%. This is 24% lower than the state rate of 3.9%. The median home value is $94,100. Housing costs are 57% lower than the state median of $217,200. With a home-value-to-income ratio of just 2.5x, Columbus is one of the most affordable housing markets in the area. 67.0% of occupied housing units are owner-occupied.
Race & Ethnicity
The largest racial or ethnic group in Columbus is White (non-Hispanic), making up 81.6% of the population. Black or African American residents account for 3.7%. The Hispanic or Latino population (2.5%) is well below the state average of 13.6%.
Education
24.2% of residents aged 25 and older hold a bachelor's degree or higher. This is 32% lower than the state rate of 35.6%. Nationally, 35.7% of adults hold at least a bachelor's degree. The high school graduation rate (or equivalent) is 92.6%.
Data Sources & Methodology
All demographic data for Columbus, Kansas 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 Kansas state averages and national averages calculated from the same dataset. Rankings reflect the city's position among all 721 Census-designated places in Kansas. 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 Kansas city and county demographics as CSV. Download Cities CSV | Download Counties CSV
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the population of Columbus, Kansas?
Columbus, Kansas has a population of 2,881 according to the most recent U.S. Census ACS 5-Year Estimates.
What is the median household income in Columbus, KS?
The median household income in Columbus is $37,961, which is 53% lower than the national median of $80,734.
What is the poverty rate in Columbus, KS?
The poverty rate in Columbus is 21.3%. This means approximately 599 residents live below the federal poverty line.
What is the racial makeup of Columbus, Kansas?
Columbus's population is 81.6% White, 3.7% Black, 2.5% Hispanic/Latino, and 0.0% Asian.
What is the median home value in Columbus, KS?
The median home value in Columbus is $94,100. The home-value-to-income ratio is 2.5x.
How educated is Columbus, Kansas?
24.2% of adults (25+) in Columbus hold a bachelor's degree or higher, and 11.0% hold a graduate or professional degree.