Columbia city, Missouri Demographics & Population 2026
As of 2026, Columbia city, Missouri has a total population of 127,200, the 4th largest city in Missouri, with a median household income of $64,488, which is 6% lower than the state average. The poverty rate is 20.0%.
Key Takeaways
- Columbia city is the 4th largest city in Missouri with a population of 127,200.
- 56.5% of adults hold a bachelor's degree or higher — top 10% in Missouri.
Columbia city Quick Facts
How Columbia city Compares
Median Household Income
Median Home Value
Economy & Housing
Household Income Distribution
Employment
Housing Overview
People & Demographics
Age Distribution
Race & Ethnicity
Diversity Index
Moderate diversity with one or two groups making up the majority.
State average: 39 | National average: 60
Education
Educational Attainment (Adults 25+)
Columbia city Rankings in Missouri
Explore Missouri Rankings
Cities Similar to Columbia city
These cities in the same state have comparable population and economic profiles.
| City | Population | Median Income | Home Value | Bachelor's+ | Poverty |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Independence city | 121,944 | $59,480 | $166,400 | 20.9% | 15.3% |
| Springfield city | 169,432 | $45,984 | $165,200 | 30.3% | 19.4% |
| Lee's Summit city | 102,583 | $104,989 | $313,200 | 48.7% | 5.5% |
| O'Fallon city | 92,697 | $107,203 | $305,100 | 42.4% | 4.7% |
| St. Joseph city | 71,542 | $55,578 | $144,200 | 22.7% | 18.7% |
Population Overview
Columbia city is a major urban center located in Missouri. The total population is 127,200. It ranks as the 4th most populous out of 1,062 cities and towns in Missouri.
Age Demographics
The median age in Columbia city is 29.2 years. This is 25% lower than the state median of 38.9 years.
Economy, Income & Housing
The median household income in Columbia city is $64,488. This is 6% lower than the state median of $68,920. Compared to the national median of $78,538, household income here is 18% lower. The poverty rate stands at 20.0%. This is 58% higher than the state poverty rate of 12.6%. The unemployment rate is 3.9%. This is 5% lower than the state rate of 4.1%. The median home value is $268,300. Housing costs are 24% higher than the state median of $215,600. The home-value-to-income ratio is 4.2x. 49.4% of occupied housing units are owner-occupied. This homeownership rate is 27% lower than the state average of 67.9%.
Race & Ethnicity
The largest racial or ethnic group in Columbia city is White (non-Hispanic), making up 72.5% of the population. Black or African American residents account for 12.0%. The Asian population is significantly higher than the state average (6.0% vs 2.1%).
Education
56.5% of residents aged 25 and older hold a bachelor's degree or higher. This places Columbia city in the top 10% of all cities in the state for educational attainment. This is 77% higher than the state rate of 31.9%. Nationally, 35.0% of adults hold at least a bachelor's degree. The high school graduation rate (or equivalent) is 95.3%. Notably, 26.4% of adults hold a graduate or professional degree, indicating a highly educated workforce.
Data Sources & Methodology
All demographic data for Columbia city, Missouri is sourced from the U.S. Census Bureau's American Community Survey (ACS) 5-Year Estimates (2019-2023). The ACS collects data from approximately 3.5 million households annually, providing reliable estimates for communities of all sizes. Comparisons are made against Missouri state averages and national averages calculated from the same dataset. Rankings reflect the city's position among all 1,062 Census-designated places in Missouri. For official data, visit data.census.gov.
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Frequently Asked Questions
What is the population of Columbia city, Missouri?
Columbia city, Missouri has a population of 127,200 according to the most recent U.S. Census ACS 5-Year Estimates.
What is the median household income in Columbia city, MO?
The median household income in Columbia city is $64,488, which is 18% lower the national median of $78,538.
What is the poverty rate in Columbia city, MO?
The poverty rate in Columbia city is 20.0%. This means approximately 23,516 residents live below the federal poverty line.
What is the racial makeup of Columbia city, Missouri?
Columbia city's population is 72.5% White, 12.0% Black, 4.3% Hispanic/Latino, and 6.0% Asian.
What is the median home value in Columbia city, MO?
The median home value in Columbia city is $268,300. The home-value-to-income ratio is 4.2x.
How educated is Columbia city, Missouri?
56.5% of adults (25+) in Columbia city hold a bachelor's degree or higher, and 26.4% hold a graduate or professional degree.