Columbia, Kentucky Demographics & Population 2026
During the 2020–2024 ACS period, Columbia, Kentucky had a total population of 4,808, the 88th largest city in Kentucky, with a median household income of $47,299, which is 26% lower than the state average. The poverty rate is 18.3%.
Data vintage: U.S. Census Bureau ACS 2020–2024 5-Year Estimates · refreshed July 2026 · Methodology & source notes
Columbia Quick Facts
How Columbia 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 | 4,842 | 4,808 | -0.7% |
| Median household income | $45,221 | $47,299 | +4.6% |
| Median home value | $123,500 | $143,600 | +16.3% |
How Columbia 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: 33 | National average: 61
Education
Educational Attainment (Adults 25+)
Columbia Rankings in Kentucky
Explore Kentucky Rankings
Cities Similar to Columbia
These cities in the same state have comparable population and economic profiles.
| City | Population | Median Income | Home Value | Bachelor's+ | Poverty |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Farley | 4,458 | $47,292 | $86,300 | 10.9% | 30.8% |
| Hazard | 5,008 | $51,016 | $145,400 | 23.6% | 31.5% |
| Greenville | 4,410 | $46,054 | $116,400 | 26.0% | 21.3% |
| Benton | 4,748 | $66,827 | $157,000 | 20.2% | 11.4% |
| Williamsburg | 5,270 | $38,147 | $113,300 | 21.2% | 30.9% |
Population Overview
Columbia is a small community located in Kentucky, within Adair County. The total population is 4,808. It ranks as the 88th most populous out of 552 Census-designated places in Kentucky.
Age Demographics
The median age in Columbia is 28.2 years. This is 28% lower than the state median of 39.1 years. Only 14.0% of residents are under 18, indicating fewer families with children.
Economy, Income & Housing
The median household income in Columbia is $47,299. This is 26% lower than the state median of $63,726. It is also 41% lower than the national median of $80,734. The poverty rate stands at 18.3%. This is 14% higher than the state poverty rate of 16.1%. The unemployment rate is 4.4%. This is 9% lower than the state rate of 4.9%. The median home value is $143,600. Housing costs are 30% lower than the state median of $205,600. The home-value-to-income ratio is 3.0x. 48.6% of occupied housing units are owner-occupied. This homeownership rate is 29% lower than the state average of 68.3%.
Race & Ethnicity
The largest racial or ethnic group in Columbia is White (non-Hispanic), making up 83.4% of the population. Hispanic or Latino residents account for 8.2%. The Hispanic or Latino population is significantly higher than the state average (8.2% vs 5.0%). The Asian population (0.7%) is well below the state average of 1.6%.
Education
25.3% of residents aged 25 and older hold a bachelor's degree or higher. This is 8% lower than the state rate of 27.6%. Nationally, 35.7% of adults hold at least a bachelor's degree. The high school graduation rate (or equivalent) is 80.7%. Notably, 17.4% of adults hold a graduate or professional degree, indicating a highly educated workforce.
Data Sources & Methodology
All demographic data for Columbia, Kentucky 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 Kentucky state averages and national averages calculated from the same dataset. Rankings reflect the city's position among all 552 Census-designated places in Kentucky. 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, Kentucky?
Columbia, Kentucky has a population of 4,808 according to the most recent U.S. Census ACS 5-Year Estimates.
What is the median household income in Columbia, KY?
The median household income in Columbia is $47,299, which is 41% lower than the national median of $80,734.
What is the poverty rate in Columbia, KY?
The poverty rate in Columbia is 18.3%. This means approximately 668 residents live below the federal poverty line.
What is the racial makeup of Columbia, Kentucky?
Columbia's population is 83.4% White, 3.8% Black, 8.2% Hispanic/Latino, and 0.7% Asian.
What is the median home value in Columbia, KY?
The median home value in Columbia is $143,600. The home-value-to-income ratio is 3.0x.
How educated is Columbia, Kentucky?
25.3% of adults (25+) in Columbia hold a bachelor's degree or higher, and 17.4% hold a graduate or professional degree.