Columbia, North Carolina Demographics & Population 2026
During the 2020–2024 ACS period, Columbia, North Carolina had a total population of 759, the 512th largest town in North Carolina, with a median household income of $25,893, which is 64% lower than the state average. The poverty rate is 27.0%.
Data vintage: U.S. Census Bureau ACS 2020–2024 5-Year Estimates · refreshed July 2026 · Methodology & source notes
Key Takeaways
- Household income is 64% below the state average, indicating significant economic challenges.
- More than 1 in 4 residents live below the poverty line (27.0%), well above the national average of 12.4%.
- One of the most racially diverse communities in North Carolina (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 | 674 | 759 | +12.6% |
| Median household income | $21,118 | $25,893 | +22.6% |
| Median home value | $120,700 | $120,000 | -0.6% |
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: 58 | National average: 61
Education
Educational Attainment (Adults 25+)
Columbia Rankings in North Carolina
Explore North Carolina Rankings
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 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Rodanthe | 781 | N/A | N/A | 28.2% | 2.3% |
| Gibson | 745 | $25,000 | $80,800 | 7.6% | 51.5% |
| Clarkton | 740 | $27,292 | $140,100 | 11.2% | 50.1% |
| Hoffman | 821 | N/A | $72,900 | 7.0% | 58.2% |
| McLeansville | 688 | $27,161 | $207,400 | 25.2% | 24.2% |
A note before these figures: with a population of 759, Columbia'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
Columbia is a small community located in North Carolina, within Tyrrell County. The total population is 759. It ranks as the 512th most populous out of 772 Census-designated places in North Carolina.
Age Demographics
The median age in Columbia is 38.7 years. This is 1% lower than the state median of 39.1 years.
Economy, Income & Housing
The median household income in Columbia is $25,893. This is 64% lower than the state median of $72,388. It is also 68% lower than the national median of $80,734. The poverty rate stands at 27.0%. This is 107% higher than the state poverty rate of 13.0%. 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 6.0%. This is 28% higher than the state rate of 4.7%. The median home value is $120,000. Housing costs are 58% lower than the state median of $288,900. The home-value-to-income ratio is 4.6x. 49.3% of occupied housing units are owner-occupied. This homeownership rate is 26% lower than the state average of 66.6%.
Race & Ethnicity
Columbia is a highly diverse community where no single racial or ethnic group constitutes a majority of the population. Hispanic or Latino residents account for 30.8%. The White (non-Hispanic) population (29.1%) is well below the state average of 60.0%. The Black or African American population is significantly higher than the state average (32.7% vs 20.0%). The Hispanic or Latino population is significantly higher than the state average (30.8% vs 11.3%).
Education
14.4% of residents aged 25 and older hold a bachelor's degree or higher. This is 60% lower than the state rate of 35.6%. Nationally, 35.7% of adults hold at least a bachelor's degree. The high school graduation rate (or equivalent) is 76.4%.
Data Sources & Methodology
All demographic data for Columbia, North Carolina 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 North Carolina state averages and national averages calculated from the same dataset. Rankings reflect the city's position among all 772 Census-designated places in North Carolina. 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 North Carolina city and county demographics as CSV. Download Cities CSV | Download Counties CSV
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the population of Columbia, North Carolina?
Columbia, North Carolina has a population of 759 according to the most recent U.S. Census ACS 5-Year Estimates.
What is the median household income in Columbia, NC?
The median household income in Columbia is $25,893, which is 68% lower than the national median of $80,734.
What is the poverty rate in Columbia, NC?
The poverty rate in Columbia is 27.0%. This means approximately 205 residents live below the federal poverty line.
What is the racial makeup of Columbia, North Carolina?
Columbia's population is 29.1% White, 32.7% Black, 30.8% Hispanic/Latino, and 0.0% Asian.
What is the median home value in Columbia, NC?
The median home value in Columbia is $120,000. The home-value-to-income ratio is 4.6x.
How educated is Columbia, North Carolina?
14.4% of adults (25+) in Columbia hold a bachelor's degree or higher, and 4.2% hold a graduate or professional degree.