Columbia, Missouri Demographics & Population 2026
During the 2020–2024 ACS period, Columbia, Missouri had a total population of 128,548, the 4th largest city in Missouri, with a median household income of $66,498, which is 6% lower than the state average. The poverty rate is 19.3%.
Data vintage: U.S. Census Bureau ACS 2020–2024 5-Year Estimates · refreshed July 2026 · Methodology & source notes
Key Takeaways
- Columbia is the 4th largest city in Missouri with a population of 128,548.
- 56.7% of adults hold a bachelor's degree or higher — top 10% in Missouri.
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 | 127,200 | 128,548 | +1.1% |
| Median household income | $64,488 | $66,498 | +3.1% |
| Median home value | $268,300 | $284,600 | +6.1% |
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
Moderate diversity with one or two groups making up the majority.
State average: 40 | National average: 61
Education
Educational Attainment (Adults 25+)
Columbia Rankings in Missouri
Explore Missouri Rankings
Other Cities in Boone County
| City | Population | Median Income | Poverty | Home Value |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Ashland | 4,914 | $93,143 | 4.1% | $258,500 |
| Centralia | 4,690 | $66,438 | 11.9% | $174,300 |
| Hallsville | 1,927 | $71,000 | 11.9% | $214,800 |
| Sturgeon | 1,035 | $76,250 | 4.1% | $146,500 |
| Harrisburg | 312 | $68,906 | 11.0% | $206,700 |
| Rocheport | 231 | $57,083 | 10.0% | $223,300 |
| Clark | 200 | $71,250 | 21.0% | $131,300 |
| Hartsburg | 109 | $46,250 | 10.1% | $168,800 |
| Pierpont | 64 | $88,750 | 3.1% | $325,000 |
| Huntsdale | 11 | N/A | 9.1% | 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 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Independence | 121,740 | $60,339 | $172,900 | 21.9% | 15.8% |
| Springfield | 169,954 | $49,311 | $177,700 | 31.4% | 18.4% |
| Lee's Summit | 103,656 | $102,531 | $340,900 | 48.8% | 5.7% |
| O'Fallon | 93,801 | $110,443 | $326,200 | 43.3% | 5.4% |
| St. Joseph | 71,236 | $57,956 | $154,200 | 23.0% | 17.7% |
Population Overview
Columbia is a major urban center located in Missouri, within Boone County. The total population is 128,548. It ranks as the 4th most populous out of 1,062 Census-designated places in Missouri.
Age Demographics
The median age in Columbia is 29.5 years. This is 24% lower than the state median of 39.0 years.
Economy, Income & Housing
The median household income in Columbia is $66,498. This is 6% lower than the state median of $70,702. It is also 18% lower than the national median of $80,734. The poverty rate stands at 19.3%. This is 53% higher than the state poverty rate of 12.6%. The unemployment rate is 4.0%. The median home value is $284,600. Housing costs are 24% higher than the state median of $230,300. The home-value-to-income ratio is 4.3x. 48.7% of occupied housing units are owner-occupied. This homeownership rate is 29% lower than the state average of 68.1%.
Race & Ethnicity
The largest racial or ethnic group in Columbia is White (non-Hispanic), making up 71.7% of the population. Black or African American residents account for 12.1%. The Asian population is significantly higher than the state average (6.3% vs 2.1%).
Education
56.7% of residents aged 25 and older hold a bachelor's degree or higher. This places Columbia in the top 10% of all cities in the state for educational attainment. This is 75% higher than the state rate of 32.4%. Nationally, 35.7% of adults hold at least a bachelor's degree. The high school graduation rate (or equivalent) is 95.7%. Notably, 26.8% of adults hold a graduate or professional degree, indicating a highly educated workforce.
Data Sources & Methodology
All demographic data for Columbia, Missouri 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 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. 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, Missouri?
Columbia, Missouri has a population of 128,548 according to the most recent U.S. Census ACS 5-Year Estimates.
What is the median household income in Columbia, MO?
The median household income in Columbia is $66,498, which is 18% lower than the national median of $80,734.
What is the poverty rate in Columbia, MO?
The poverty rate in Columbia is 19.3%. This means approximately 22,864 residents live below the federal poverty line.
What is the racial makeup of Columbia, Missouri?
Columbia's population is 71.7% White, 12.1% Black, 4.4% Hispanic/Latino, and 6.3% Asian.
What is the median home value in Columbia, MO?
The median home value in Columbia is $284,600. The home-value-to-income ratio is 4.3x.
How educated is Columbia, Missouri?
56.7% of adults (25+) in Columbia hold a bachelor's degree or higher, and 26.8% hold a graduate or professional degree.