Columbus city, Ohio Demographics & Population 2026
As of 2026, Columbus city, Ohio has a total population of 906,480, the 1st largest city in Ohio, with a median household income of $65,327, which is 6% lower than the state average. The poverty rate is 17.8%.
Key Takeaways
- Columbus city is the 1st largest city in Ohio with a population of 906,480.
Columbus city Quick Facts
How Columbus city Compares
Median Household Income
Median Home Value
Economy & Housing
Household Income Distribution
Employment
Housing Overview
People & Demographics
Age Distribution
Race & Ethnicity
Diversity Index
A diverse community with significant representation from multiple racial and ethnic groups.
State average: 39 | National average: 60
Education
Educational Attainment (Adults 25+)
Columbus city Rankings in Ohio
Explore Ohio Rankings
Other Cities in Delaware County
| City | Population | Median Income | Poverty | Home Value |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Delaware city | 43,168 | $92,928 | 8.7% | $279,400 |
| Westerville city | 38,543 | $107,054 | 5.4% | $343,200 |
| Sunbury village | 7,335 | $103,774 | 6.2% | $337,700 |
| Ashley village | 1,455 | $54,512 | 23.4% | $154,900 |
| Shawnee Hills village | 884 | $104,583 | 5.4% | $427,200 |
Cities Similar to Columbus city
These cities in the same state have comparable population and economic profiles.
| City | Population | Median Income | Home Value | Bachelor's+ | Poverty |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Cleveland city | 367,523 | $39,187 | $94,100 | 21.3% | 30.8% |
| Cincinnati city | 309,595 | $51,707 | $215,300 | 41.3% | 24.5% |
| Toledo city | 268,461 | $47,532 | $107,000 | 21.0% | 24.5% |
| Akron city | 189,526 | $48,544 | $111,200 | 23.3% | 22.9% |
| Dayton city | 136,741 | $43,454 | $93,200 | 20.7% | 27.1% |
Population Overview
Columbus city is a major urban center located in Ohio, within Delaware County. The total population is 906,480. It ranks as the 1st most populous out of 1,264 cities and towns in Ohio.
Age Demographics
The median age in Columbus city is 33.0 years. This is 17% lower than the state median of 39.6 years.
Economy, Income & Housing
The median household income in Columbus city is $65,327. This is 6% lower than the state median of $69,680. Compared to the national median of $78,538, household income here is 17% lower. The poverty rate stands at 17.8%. This is 35% higher than the state poverty rate of 13.2%. The unemployment rate is 5.1%. This is 5% higher than the state rate of 4.9%. The median home value is $234,500. Housing costs are 18% higher than the state median of $199,200. The home-value-to-income ratio is 3.6x. 44.3% of occupied housing units are owner-occupied. This homeownership rate is 34% lower than the state average of 67.0%.
Race & Ethnicity
The largest racial or ethnic group in Columbus city is White (non-Hispanic), making up 51.7% of the population. Black or African American residents account for 28.8%. The Black or African American population is significantly higher than the state average (28.8% vs 12.1%). The Hispanic or Latino population is significantly higher than the state average (7.9% vs 4.6%). The Asian population is significantly higher than the state average (5.8% vs 2.4%).
Education
38.2% of residents aged 25 and older hold a bachelor's degree or higher. This is 23% higher than the state rate of 30.9%. Nationally, 35.0% of adults hold at least a bachelor's degree. The high school graduation rate (or equivalent) is 89.8%.
Data Sources & Methodology
All demographic data for Columbus city, Ohio 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 Ohio state averages and national averages calculated from the same dataset. Rankings reflect the city's position among all 1,264 Census-designated places in Ohio. For official data, visit data.census.gov.
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Frequently Asked Questions
What is the population of Columbus city, Ohio?
Columbus city, Ohio has a population of 906,480 according to the most recent U.S. Census ACS 5-Year Estimates.
What is the median household income in Columbus city, OH?
The median household income in Columbus city is $65,327, which is 17% lower the national median of $78,538.
What is the poverty rate in Columbus city, OH?
The poverty rate in Columbus city is 17.8%. This means approximately 157,600 residents live below the federal poverty line.
What is the racial makeup of Columbus city, Ohio?
Columbus city's population is 51.7% White, 28.8% Black, 7.9% Hispanic/Latino, and 5.8% Asian.
What is the median home value in Columbus city, OH?
The median home value in Columbus city is $234,500. The home-value-to-income ratio is 3.6x.
How educated is Columbus city, Ohio?
38.2% of adults (25+) in Columbus city hold a bachelor's degree or higher, and 14.1% hold a graduate or professional degree.