Columbus, Kentucky Demographics & Population 2026
During the 2020–2024 ACS period, Columbus, Kentucky had a total population of 223, the 459th largest city in Kentucky, with a median household income of $34,706, which is 46% lower than the state average. The poverty rate is 17.5%.
Data vintage: U.S. Census Bureau ACS 2020–2024 5-Year Estimates · refreshed July 2026 · Methodology & source notes
Key Takeaways
- Household income is 46% below the state average, indicating significant economic challenges.
- Only 3.6% 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 1.7x.
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 | 120 | 223 | +85.8% |
| Median household income | $31,875 | $34,706 | +8.9% |
| Median home value | $49,000 | $58,500 | +19.4% |
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: 33 | National average: 61
Education
Educational Attainment (Adults 25+)
Columbus Rankings in Kentucky
Explore Kentucky Rankings
Other Cities in Hickman County
| City | Population | Median Income | Poverty | Home Value |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Clinton | 1,165 | $34,464 | 30.0% | $67,100 |
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 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Farmers | 206 | N/A | $200,900 | 9.2% | 26.9% |
| Pryorsburg | 204 | N/A | N/A | 13.9% | 34.3% |
| Farmington | 245 | $33,636 | $86,800 | 5.7% | 60.8% |
| Smithland | 203 | $36,563 | $98,000 | 20.8% | 32.0% |
| Boston | 195 | N/A | $217,600 | 15.1% | 0.0% |
A note before these figures: with a population of 223, Columbus'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 is a small community located in Kentucky, within Hickman County. The total population is 223. It ranks as the 459th most populous out of 552 Census-designated places in Kentucky.
Age Demographics
The median age in Columbus is 36.6 years. This is 6% lower than the state median of 39.1 years.
Economy, Income & Housing
The median household income in Columbus is $34,706. This is 46% lower than the state median of $63,726. It is also 57% lower than the national median of $80,734. The poverty rate stands at 17.5%. This is 9% higher than the state poverty rate of 16.1%. The survey records no unemployed residents in Columbus, which reflects the size of the sample rather than a labor market without joblessness. The median home value is $58,500. Housing costs are 72% lower than the state median of $205,600. With a home-value-to-income ratio of just 1.7x, Columbus is one of the most affordable housing markets in the area. 74.4% of occupied housing units are owner-occupied. This homeownership rate is 9% higher than the state average of 68.3%.
Race & Ethnicity
The largest racial or ethnic group in Columbus is White (non-Hispanic), making up 64.1% of the population. Hispanic or Latino residents account for 12.1%. The Black or African American population (2.2%) is well below the state average of 7.5%. The Hispanic or Latino population is significantly higher than the state average (12.1% vs 5.0%).
Education
3.6% 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 87% 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 95.2%.
Data Sources & Methodology
All demographic data for Columbus, 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 Columbus, Kentucky?
Columbus, Kentucky has a population of 223 according to the most recent U.S. Census ACS 5-Year Estimates.
What is the median household income in Columbus, KY?
The median household income in Columbus is $34,706, which is 57% lower than the national median of $80,734.
What is the poverty rate in Columbus, KY?
The poverty rate in Columbus is 17.5%. This means approximately 39 residents live below the federal poverty line.
What is the racial makeup of Columbus, Kentucky?
Columbus's population is 64.1% White, 2.2% Black, 12.1% Hispanic/Latino, and 0.0% Asian.
What is the median home value in Columbus, KY?
The median home value in Columbus is $58,500. The home-value-to-income ratio is 1.7x.
How educated is Columbus, Kentucky?
3.6% of adults (25+) in Columbus hold a bachelor's degree or higher, and 0.0% hold a graduate or professional degree.