Columbus town, North Carolina Demographics & Population 2026

Population Overview

Columbus town is a small community located in North Carolina, within Polk County. The total population is 1,166. It ranks as the 426th most populous out of 774 cities and towns in North Carolina.

Age Demographics

The median age in Columbus town is 50.9 years. This is 30% higher than the state median of 39.1 years. Only 14.7% of residents are under 18, indicating fewer families with children. 13.8% of residents are 75 or older, suggesting a significant retirement-age population with implications for healthcare services and senior housing.

Economy, Income & Housing

The median household income in Columbus town is $56,083. This is 20% lower than the state median of $69,904. Compared to the national median of $78,538, household income here is 29% lower. The poverty rate stands at 15.2%. This is 15% higher than the state poverty rate of 13.2%. The unemployment rate is 4.7%. This is 3% lower than the state rate of 4.8%. The median home value is $210,100. Housing costs are 19% lower than the state median of $259,400. The home-value-to-income ratio is 3.7x. 59.8% of occupied housing units are owner-occupied. This homeownership rate is 10% lower than the state average of 66.4%.

Race & Ethnicity

The largest racial or ethnic group in Columbus town is White (non-Hispanic), making up 70.0% of the population. Hispanic or Latino residents account for 18.9%. The Black or African American population (4.3%) is well below the state average of 20.3%. The Hispanic or Latino population is significantly higher than the state average (18.9% vs 10.9%).

Education

22.7% of residents aged 25 and older hold a bachelor's degree or higher. This is 35% lower than the state rate of 34.7%. Nationally, 35.0% of adults hold at least a bachelor's degree. The high school graduation rate (or equivalent) is 84.9%.

Data Sources & Methodology

All demographic data for Columbus town, North Carolina 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 North Carolina state averages and national averages calculated from the same dataset. Rankings reflect the city's position among all 774 Census-designated places in North Carolina. For official data, visit data.census.gov.