Columbia borough, Pennsylvania Demographics & Population 2026
As of 2026, Columbia borough, Pennsylvania has a total population of 10,217, the 85th largest city in Pennsylvania, with a median household income of $52,271, which is 31% lower than the state average. The poverty rate is 17.4%.
Key Takeaways
- Household income is 31% below the state average, indicating significant economic challenges.
Columbia borough Quick Facts
How Columbia borough Compares
Median Household Income
Median Home Value
Economy & Housing
Household Income Distribution
Employment
Housing Overview
People & Demographics
Age Distribution
Race & Ethnicity
Diversity Index
Moderate diversity with one or two groups making up the majority.
State average: 43 | National average: 60
Education
Educational Attainment (Adults 25+)
Columbia borough Rankings in Pennsylvania
Explore Pennsylvania Rankings
Other Cities in Lancaster County
| City | Population | Median Income | Poverty | Home Value |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Lancaster city | 57,683 | $63,421 | 20.7% | $203,700 |
| Ephrata borough | 13,729 | $68,117 | 9.3% | $215,100 |
| Elizabethtown borough | 11,857 | $67,770 | 7.5% | $222,600 |
| Lititz borough | 9,599 | $82,861 | 2.6% | $264,600 |
| Millersville borough | 8,711 | $65,721 | 24.5% | $265,500 |
| Mount Joy borough | 8,310 | $84,514 | 10.7% | $241,300 |
| New Holland borough | 5,743 | $57,719 | 11.2% | $225,500 |
| Manheim borough | 5,028 | $81,484 | 13.1% | $218,100 |
| Akron borough | 4,133 | $74,360 | 7.0% | $250,400 |
| Denver borough | 3,775 | $88,201 | 5.9% | $228,200 |
Cities Similar to Columbia borough
These cities in the same state have comparable population and economic profiles.
| City | Population | Median Income | Home Value | Bachelor's+ | Poverty |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Munhall borough | 10,633 | $52,037 | $118,900 | 27.8% | 13.7% |
| Oil City city | 9,517 | $52,688 | $66,600 | 17.7% | 18.0% |
| Berwick borough | 10,291 | $45,338 | $135,000 | 14.9% | 21.7% |
| Middletown borough | 9,567 | $54,778 | $159,800 | 24.9% | 14.6% |
| Sunbury city | 9,643 | $48,509 | $98,000 | 11.4% | 16.2% |
Population Overview
Columbia borough is a small city located in Pennsylvania, within Lancaster County. The total population is 10,217. It ranks as the 85th most populous out of 1,993 cities and towns in Pennsylvania.
Age Demographics
The median age in Columbia borough is 45.4 years. This is 11% higher than the state median of 40.9 years. Only 14.5% of residents are under 18, indicating fewer families with children.
Economy, Income & Housing
The median household income in Columbia borough is $52,271. This is 31% lower than the state median of $76,081. Compared to the national median of $78,538, household income here is 33% lower. The poverty rate stands at 17.4%. This is 48% higher than the state poverty rate of 11.8%. The unemployment rate is 3.9%. This is 25% lower than the state rate of 5.3%. The median home value is $174,200. Housing costs are 28% lower than the state median of $240,500. The home-value-to-income ratio is 3.3x. 52.2% of occupied housing units are owner-occupied. This homeownership rate is 25% lower than the state average of 69.3%.
Race & Ethnicity
The largest racial or ethnic group in Columbia borough is White (non-Hispanic), making up 72.2% of the population. Hispanic or Latino residents account for 19.6%. The Hispanic or Latino population is significantly higher than the state average (19.6% vs 8.4%). The Asian population (0.1%) is well below the state average of 3.7%.
Education
17.2% of residents aged 25 and older hold a bachelor's degree or higher. This is 50% lower than the state rate of 34.5%. Nationally, 35.0% of adults hold at least a bachelor's degree. The high school graduation rate (or equivalent) is 82.3%.
Data Sources & Methodology
All demographic data for Columbia borough, Pennsylvania 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 Pennsylvania state averages and national averages calculated from the same dataset. Rankings reflect the city's position among all 1,993 Census-designated places in Pennsylvania. For official data, visit data.census.gov.
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Frequently Asked Questions
What is the population of Columbia borough, Pennsylvania?
Columbia borough, Pennsylvania has a population of 10,217 according to the most recent U.S. Census ACS 5-Year Estimates.
What is the median household income in Columbia borough, PA?
The median household income in Columbia borough is $52,271, which is 33% lower the national median of $78,538.
What is the poverty rate in Columbia borough, PA?
The poverty rate in Columbia borough is 17.4%. This means approximately 1,728 residents live below the federal poverty line.
What is the racial makeup of Columbia borough, Pennsylvania?
Columbia borough's population is 72.2% White, 6.2% Black, 19.6% Hispanic/Latino, and 0.1% Asian.
What is the median home value in Columbia borough, PA?
The median home value in Columbia borough is $174,200. The home-value-to-income ratio is 3.3x.
How educated is Columbia borough, Pennsylvania?
17.2% of adults (25+) in Columbia borough hold a bachelor's degree or higher, and 4.3% hold a graduate or professional degree.