Columbus, North Carolina Demographics & Population 2026
During the 2020–2024 ACS period, Columbus, North Carolina had a total population of 1,071, the 444th largest town in North Carolina, with a median household income of $60,169, which is 17% lower than the state average. The poverty rate is 13.2%.
Data vintage: U.S. Census Bureau ACS 2020–2024 5-Year Estimates · refreshed July 2026 · Methodology & source notes
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 | 1,166 | 1,071 | -8.1% |
| Median household income | $56,083 | $60,169 | +7.3% |
| Median home value | $210,100 | $265,700 | +26.5% |
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: 58 | National average: 61
Education
Educational Attainment (Adults 25+)
Columbus Rankings in North Carolina
Explore North Carolina Rankings
Other Cities in Polk County
| City | Population | Median Income | Poverty | Home Value |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Tryon | 1,810 | $57,721 | 22.3% | $306,900 |
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 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Bonnetsville | 1,063 | N/A | N/A | 5.1% | 62.8% |
| Harkers Island | 1,060 | $60,000 | $313,100 | 18.3% | 10.4% |
| Cleveland | 1,080 | $58,750 | $242,600 | 24.1% | 17.2% |
| Kenansville | 1,090 | $61,364 | $127,400 | 21.1% | 28.7% |
| Germanton | 1,087 | $62,108 | $237,100 | 15.7% | 7.4% |
Population Overview
Columbus is a small community located in North Carolina, within Polk County. The total population is 1,071. It ranks as the 444th most populous out of 772 Census-designated places in North Carolina.
Age Demographics
The median age in Columbus is 54.4 years. This is 39% higher than the state median of 39.1 years. Only 13.5% of residents are under 18, indicating fewer families with children. 15.3% 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 is $60,169. This is 17% lower than the state median of $72,388. It is also 25% lower than the national median of $80,734. The poverty rate stands at 13.2%. This is 1% higher than the state poverty rate of 13.0%. The unemployment rate is 4.2%. This is 11% lower than the state rate of 4.7%. The median home value is $265,700. Housing costs are 8% lower than the state median of $288,900. The home-value-to-income ratio is 4.4x. 63.4% of occupied housing units are owner-occupied. This homeownership rate is 5% lower than the state average of 66.6%.
Race & Ethnicity
The largest racial or ethnic group in Columbus is White (non-Hispanic), making up 71.3% of the population. Hispanic or Latino residents account for 16.7%. The Black or African American population (6.3%) is well below the state average of 20.0%.
Education
25.1% of residents aged 25 and older hold a bachelor's degree or higher. This is 29% 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 86.6%.
Data Sources & Methodology
All demographic data for Columbus, 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 Columbus, North Carolina?
Columbus, North Carolina has a population of 1,071 according to the most recent U.S. Census ACS 5-Year Estimates.
What is the median household income in Columbus, NC?
The median household income in Columbus is $60,169, which is 25% lower than the national median of $80,734.
What is the poverty rate in Columbus, NC?
The poverty rate in Columbus is 13.2%. This means approximately 134 residents live below the federal poverty line.
What is the racial makeup of Columbus, North Carolina?
Columbus's population is 71.3% White, 6.3% Black, 16.7% Hispanic/Latino, and 0.0% Asian.
What is the median home value in Columbus, NC?
The median home value in Columbus is $265,700. The home-value-to-income ratio is 4.4x.
How educated is Columbus, North Carolina?
25.1% of adults (25+) in Columbus hold a bachelor's degree or higher, and 9.3% hold a graduate or professional degree.