Columbia, Pennsylvania Demographics & Population 2026
During the 2020–2024 ACS period, Columbia, Pennsylvania had a total population of 10,278, the 85th largest borough in Pennsylvania, with a median household income of $54,437, which is 30% lower than the state average. The poverty rate is 21.4%.
Data vintage: U.S. Census Bureau ACS 2020–2024 5-Year Estimates · refreshed July 2026 · Methodology & source notes
Key Takeaways
- Household income is 30% below the state average, indicating significant economic challenges.
Columbia Quick Facts
How Columbia 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 | 10,217 | 10,278 | +0.6% |
| Median household income | $52,271 | $54,437 | +4.1% |
| Median home value | $174,200 | $196,500 | +12.8% |
How Columbia 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: 45 | National average: 61
Education
Educational Attainment (Adults 25+)
Columbia Rankings in Pennsylvania
Explore Pennsylvania Rankings
Other Cities in Lancaster County
| City | Population | Median Income | Poverty | Home Value |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Lancaster | 57,719 | $63,690 | 20.3% | $219,500 |
| Ephrata | 13,772 | $69,735 | 7.9% | $224,400 |
| Elizabethtown | 11,925 | $76,105 | 7.6% | $238,700 |
| Willow Street | 9,647 | $109,675 | 3.3% | $314,700 |
| Lititz | 9,619 | $88,576 | 4.1% | $299,900 |
| Millersville | 8,982 | $67,866 | 23.1% | $277,600 |
| Mount Joy | 8,344 | $90,061 | 9.1% | $266,500 |
| Leola | 7,448 | $91,154 | 4.8% | $339,200 |
| New Holland | 5,780 | $63,182 | 10.7% | $238,100 |
| Manheim | 5,027 | $81,273 | 16.2% | $246,400 |
Cities Similar to Columbia
These cities in the same state have comparable population and economic profiles.
| City | Population | Median Income | Home Value | Bachelor's+ | Poverty |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Munhall | 10,548 | $52,517 | $132,100 | 30.9% | 13.9% |
| Berwick | 10,317 | $49,800 | $156,500 | 21.3% | 16.5% |
| Nanticoke | 10,653 | $57,462 | $108,100 | 18.6% | 19.4% |
| Middletown | 9,632 | $55,765 | $161,600 | 24.9% | 12.4% |
| Sunbury | 9,617 | $51,028 | $107,200 | 11.6% | 18.7% |
Population Overview
Columbia is a small city located in Pennsylvania, within Lancaster County. The total population is 10,278. It ranks as the 85th most populous out of 1,991 Census-designated places in Pennsylvania.
Age Demographics
The median age in Columbia is 41.8 years. This is 2% higher than the state median of 40.9 years.
Economy, Income & Housing
The median household income in Columbia is $54,437. This is 30% lower than the state median of $77,971. It is also 33% lower than the national median of $80,734. The poverty rate stands at 21.4%. This is 83% higher than the state poverty rate of 11.7%. With more than one in five residents living below the poverty line, economic hardship is a significant challenge for the community. The unemployment rate is 3.1%. This is 40% lower than the state rate of 5.3%. The median home value is $196,500. Housing costs are 23% lower than the state median of $254,500. The home-value-to-income ratio is 3.6x. 52.8% of occupied housing units are owner-occupied. This homeownership rate is 24% lower than the state average of 69.3%.
Race & Ethnicity
The largest racial or ethnic group in Columbia is White (non-Hispanic), making up 66.0% of the population. Hispanic or Latino residents account for 22.9%. The Hispanic or Latino population is significantly higher than the state average (22.9% vs 8.7%).
Education
17.4% of residents aged 25 and older hold a bachelor's degree or higher. This is 51% lower than the state rate of 35.2%. Nationally, 35.7% of adults hold at least a bachelor's degree. The high school graduation rate (or equivalent) is 82.4%.
Data Sources & Methodology
All demographic data for Columbia, Pennsylvania 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 Pennsylvania state averages and national averages calculated from the same dataset. Rankings reflect the city's position among all 1,991 Census-designated places in Pennsylvania. 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 Columbia, Pennsylvania?
Columbia, Pennsylvania has a population of 10,278 according to the most recent U.S. Census ACS 5-Year Estimates.
What is the median household income in Columbia, PA?
The median household income in Columbia is $54,437, which is 33% lower than the national median of $80,734.
What is the poverty rate in Columbia, PA?
The poverty rate in Columbia is 21.4%. This means approximately 2,135 residents live below the federal poverty line.
What is the racial makeup of Columbia, Pennsylvania?
Columbia's population is 66.0% White, 7.7% Black, 22.9% Hispanic/Latino, and 0.0% Asian.
What is the median home value in Columbia, PA?
The median home value in Columbia is $196,500. The home-value-to-income ratio is 3.6x.
How educated is Columbia, Pennsylvania?
17.4% of adults (25+) in Columbia hold a bachelor's degree or higher, and 5.4% hold a graduate or professional degree.