Columbus, Ohio Demographics & Population 2026
During the 2020–2024 ACS period, Columbus, Ohio had a total population of 914,802, the 1st largest city in Ohio, with a median household income of $66,082, which is 7% lower than the state average. The poverty rate is 18.1%.
Data vintage: U.S. Census Bureau ACS 2020–2024 5-Year Estimates · refreshed July 2026 · Methodology & source notes
Key Takeaways
- Columbus is the 1st largest city in Ohio with a population of 914,802.
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 | 906,480 | 914,802 | +0.9% |
| Median household income | $65,327 | $66,082 | +1.2% |
| Median home value | $234,500 | $252,900 | +7.8% |
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
A diverse community with significant representation from multiple racial and ethnic groups.
State average: 41 | National average: 61
Education
Educational Attainment (Adults 25+)
Columbus Rankings in Ohio
Explore Ohio Rankings
Other Cities in Franklin County
| City | Population | Median Income | Poverty | Home Value |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Dublin | 49,294 | $160,296 | 3.2% | $563,500 |
| Grove City | 42,517 | $93,161 | 6.4% | $310,400 |
| Reynoldsburg | 41,224 | $72,972 | 12.0% | $244,300 |
| Westerville | 38,645 | $109,404 | 5.6% | $374,500 |
| Hilliard | 38,033 | $128,189 | 5.8% | $385,100 |
| Upper Arlington | 36,293 | $155,167 | 3.3% | $595,600 |
| Gahanna | 35,486 | $109,061 | 5.6% | $350,900 |
| Pickerington | 24,477 | $111,833 | 3.6% | $339,600 |
| Whitehall | 20,019 | $51,759 | 16.4% | $159,600 |
| Worthington | 14,938 | $127,382 | 3.2% | $440,500 |
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 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Cleveland | 366,097 | $40,801 | $102,000 | 22.4% | 30.6% |
| Cincinnati | 311,224 | $52,909 | $230,900 | 41.8% | 25.5% |
| Toledo | 267,463 | $49,724 | $114,500 | 21.9% | 24.3% |
| Akron | 189,247 | $48,076 | $122,000 | 23.6% | 23.3% |
| Dayton | 136,579 | $45,247 | $100,600 | 21.6% | 26.9% |
Population Overview
Columbus is a major urban center located in Ohio, within Franklin County. The total population is 914,802. It ranks as the 1st most populous out of 1,264 Census-designated places in Ohio.
Age Demographics
The median age in Columbus is 33.2 years. This is 16% lower than the state median of 39.7 years.
Economy, Income & Housing
The median household income in Columbus is $66,082. This is 7% lower than the state median of $71,389. It is also 18% lower than the national median of $80,734. The poverty rate stands at 18.1%. This is 36% higher than the state poverty rate of 13.3%. The unemployment rate is 5.1%. This is 7% higher than the state rate of 4.8%. The median home value is $252,900. Housing costs are 18% higher than the state median of $214,800. The home-value-to-income ratio is 3.8x. 44.1% of occupied housing units are owner-occupied. This homeownership rate is 34% lower than the state average of 67.2%.
Race & Ethnicity
The largest racial or ethnic group in Columbus is White (non-Hispanic), making up 50.6% of the population. Black or African American residents account for 29.1%. The Black or African American population is significantly higher than the state average (29.1% vs 12.0%). The Hispanic or Latino population is significantly higher than the state average (8.3% vs 4.8%). The Asian population is significantly higher than the state average (5.9% vs 2.5%).
Education
38.2% of residents aged 25 and older hold a bachelor's degree or higher. This is 21% higher than the state rate of 31.5%. Nationally, 35.7% of adults hold at least a bachelor's degree. The high school graduation rate (or equivalent) is 89.7%.
Data Sources & Methodology
All demographic data for Columbus, Ohio 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 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. 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 Columbus, Ohio?
Columbus, Ohio has a population of 914,802 according to the most recent U.S. Census ACS 5-Year Estimates.
What is the median household income in Columbus, OH?
The median household income in Columbus is $66,082, which is 18% lower than the national median of $80,734.
What is the poverty rate in Columbus, OH?
The poverty rate in Columbus is 18.1%. This means approximately 161,540 residents live below the federal poverty line.
What is the racial makeup of Columbus, Ohio?
Columbus's population is 50.6% White, 29.1% Black, 8.3% Hispanic/Latino, and 5.9% Asian.
What is the median home value in Columbus, OH?
The median home value in Columbus is $252,900. The home-value-to-income ratio is 3.8x.
How educated is Columbus, Ohio?
38.2% of adults (25+) in Columbus hold a bachelor's degree or higher, and 14.1% hold a graduate or professional degree.