Columbus, Mississippi Demographics & Population 2026
During the 2020–2024 ACS period, Columbus, Mississippi had a total population of 23,348, the 18th largest city in Mississippi, with a median household income of $42,235, which is 25% 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
- Unemployment rate of 8.7% is notably above the national average.
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 | 23,616 | 23,348 | -1.1% |
| Median household income | $40,588 | $42,235 | +4.1% |
| Median home value | $121,200 | $125,700 | +3.7% |
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
Moderate diversity with one or two groups making up the majority.
State average: 56 | National average: 61
Education
Educational Attainment (Adults 25+)
Columbus Rankings in Mississippi
Explore Mississippi Rankings
Other Cities in Lowndes County
| City | Population | Median Income | Poverty | Home Value |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| New Hope | 3,952 | $79,577 | 2.9% | $238,200 |
| Caledonia | 1,414 | $82,806 | 10.2% | $203,300 |
| Columbus AFB | 1,293 | $69,539 | 6.3% | N/A |
| Artesia | 361 | $19,620 | 36.8% | $101,800 |
| Crawford | 255 | $39,286 | 8.6% | $45,700 |
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 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Starkville | 25,721 | $42,125 | $299,900 | 50.5% | 30.7% |
| Vicksburg | 20,589 | $45,781 | $125,900 | 27.1% | 26.8% |
| Pascagoula | 21,710 | $52,222 | $144,700 | 21.8% | 24.4% |
| Greenville | 28,166 | $40,083 | $103,800 | 22.0% | 28.0% |
| Horn Lake | 26,647 | $53,311 | $171,400 | 16.5% | 19.0% |
Population Overview
Columbus is a small city located in Mississippi, within Lowndes County. The total population is 23,348. It ranks as the 18th most populous out of 420 Census-designated places in Mississippi.
Age Demographics
The median age in Columbus is 41.1 years. This is 6% higher than the state median of 38.6 years.
Economy, Income & Housing
The median household income in Columbus is $42,235. This is 25% lower than the state median of $56,447. It is also 48% lower than the national median of $80,734. The poverty rate stands at 21.3%. This is 13% higher than the state poverty rate of 18.9%. 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 8.7%. This is 51% higher than the state rate of 5.8%. The median home value is $125,700. Housing costs are 26% lower than the state median of $169,800. The home-value-to-income ratio is 3.0x. 47.8% of occupied housing units are owner-occupied. This homeownership rate is 32% lower than the state average of 70.0%.
Race & Ethnicity
The largest racial or ethnic group in Columbus is Black or African American, making up 64.4% of the population. White (non-Hispanic) residents account for 29.7%. The Black or African American population is significantly higher than the state average (64.4% vs 36.3%). The Asian population is significantly higher than the state average (1.6% vs 1.0%).
Education
26.2% of residents aged 25 and older hold a bachelor's degree or higher. This is 4% higher than the state rate of 25.1%. Nationally, 35.7% of adults hold at least a bachelor's degree. The high school graduation rate (or equivalent) is 88.5%.
Data Sources & Methodology
All demographic data for Columbus, Mississippi 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 Mississippi state averages and national averages calculated from the same dataset. Rankings reflect the city's position among all 420 Census-designated places in Mississippi. 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 Mississippi city and county demographics as CSV. Download Cities CSV | Download Counties CSV
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the population of Columbus, Mississippi?
Columbus, Mississippi has a population of 23,348 according to the most recent U.S. Census ACS 5-Year Estimates.
What is the median household income in Columbus, MS?
The median household income in Columbus is $42,235, which is 48% lower than the national median of $80,734.
What is the poverty rate in Columbus, MS?
The poverty rate in Columbus is 21.3%. This means approximately 4,698 residents live below the federal poverty line.
What is the racial makeup of Columbus, Mississippi?
Columbus's population is 29.7% White, 64.4% Black, 2.0% Hispanic/Latino, and 1.6% Asian.
What is the median home value in Columbus, MS?
The median home value in Columbus is $125,700. The home-value-to-income ratio is 3.0x.
How educated is Columbus, Mississippi?
26.2% of adults (25+) in Columbus hold a bachelor's degree or higher, and 9.9% hold a graduate or professional degree.