Columbia, Maryland Demographics & Population 2026
During the 2020–2024 ACS period, Columbia, Maryland had a total population of 104,338, the 2nd largest community in Maryland, with a median household income of $131,490, which is 27% higher than the state average. The poverty rate is 7.5%.
Data vintage: U.S. Census Bureau ACS 2020–2024 5-Year Estimates · refreshed July 2026 · Methodology & source notes
Key Takeaways
- Columbia is the 2nd largest city in Maryland with a population of 104,338.
- One of the most racially diverse communities in Maryland (diversity index: 71/100).
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 | 105,871 | 104,338 | -1.4% |
| Median household income | $129,173 | $131,490 | +1.8% |
| Median home value | $480,300 | $497,400 | +3.6% |
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
This community is exceptionally diverse, with no single racial or ethnic group dominating the population.
State average: 68 | National average: 61
Education
Educational Attainment (Adults 25+)
Columbia Rankings in Maryland
Explore Maryland Rankings
Other Cities in Howard County
| City | Population | Median Income | Poverty | Home Value |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Ellicott City | 75,257 | $156,964 | 3.8% | $661,700 |
| Ilchester | 28,364 | $152,103 | 5.1% | $532,400 |
| Elkridge | 26,283 | $139,913 | 7.6% | $454,200 |
| North Laurel | 25,563 | $122,949 | 4.7% | $450,100 |
| Scaggsville | 10,564 | $207,220 | 2.9% | $668,500 |
| Savage | 8,239 | $116,895 | 5.5% | $424,300 |
| Fulton | 5,677 | $222,039 | 0.7% | $913,100 |
| Highland | 972 | $250,000+ | 3.4% | $914,000 |
| Lisbon | 126 | N/A | 0.0% | N/A |
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 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Germantown | 90,719 | $117,546 | $422,400 | 50.4% | 8.8% |
| Waldorf | 82,943 | $116,089 | $407,600 | 34.8% | 7.7% |
| Frederick | 83,395 | $97,069 | $401,500 | 43.2% | 9.2% |
| Silver Spring | 81,462 | $99,860 | $643,300 | 60.6% | 10.6% |
| Ellicott City | 75,257 | $156,964 | $661,700 | 68.8% | 3.8% |
Population Overview
Columbia is a major urban center located in Maryland, within Howard County. The total population is 104,338. It ranks as the 2nd most populous out of 527 Census-designated places in Maryland.
Age Demographics
The median age in Columbia is 39.4 years. This is about the same as the state median of 39.4 years.
Economy, Income & Housing
The median household income in Columbia is $131,490. This is 27% higher than the state median of $103,678. It is also 63% higher than the national median of $80,734. The poverty rate stands at 7.5%. This is 20% lower than the state poverty rate of 9.4%. The unemployment rate is 4.2%. This is 15% lower than the state rate of 4.9%. The median home value is $497,400. Housing costs are 18% higher than the state median of $419,900. The home-value-to-income ratio is 3.8x. 64.8% of occupied housing units are owner-occupied. This homeownership rate is 4% lower than the state average of 67.6%.
Race & Ethnicity
Columbia is a highly diverse community where no single racial or ethnic group constitutes a majority of the population. Black or African American residents account for 28.0%. The Asian population is significantly higher than the state average (11.8% vs 6.5%).
Education
63.6% of residents aged 25 and older hold a bachelor's degree or higher. This is 46% higher than the state rate of 43.5%. Nationally, 35.7% of adults hold at least a bachelor's degree. The high school graduation rate (or equivalent) is 95.6%. Notably, 34.9% of adults hold a graduate or professional degree, indicating a highly educated workforce.
Data Sources & Methodology
All demographic data for Columbia, Maryland 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 Maryland state averages and national averages calculated from the same dataset. Rankings reflect the city's position among all 527 Census-designated places in Maryland. 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, Maryland?
Columbia, Maryland has a population of 104,338 according to the most recent U.S. Census ACS 5-Year Estimates.
What is the median household income in Columbia, MD?
The median household income in Columbia is $131,490, which is 63% higher than the national median of $80,734.
What is the poverty rate in Columbia, MD?
The poverty rate in Columbia is 7.5%. This means approximately 7,796 residents live below the federal poverty line.
What is the racial makeup of Columbia, Maryland?
Columbia's population is 42.3% White, 28.0% Black, 10.1% Hispanic/Latino, and 11.8% Asian.
What is the median home value in Columbia, MD?
The median home value in Columbia is $497,400. The home-value-to-income ratio is 3.8x.
How educated is Columbia, Maryland?
63.6% of adults (25+) in Columbia hold a bachelor's degree or higher, and 34.9% hold a graduate or professional degree.