Columbia, South Dakota Demographics & Population 2026
During the 2020–2024 ACS period, Columbia, South Dakota had a total population of 161, the 255th largest city in South Dakota, with a median household income of $58,295, which is 22% lower than the state average. The poverty rate is 4.3%.
Data vintage: U.S. Census Bureau ACS 2020–2024 5-Year Estimates · refreshed July 2026 · Methodology & source notes
Key Takeaways
- An exceptionally low poverty rate of 4.3% — among the lowest in South Dakota.
- Housing is very affordable with a home-value-to-income ratio of just 1.7x.
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 | 170 | 161 | -5.3% |
| Median household income | $59,038 | $58,295 | -1.3% |
| Median home value | $121,900 | $96,500 | -20.8% |
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
A less diverse community where one racial or ethnic group represents a large majority.
State average: 35 | National average: 61
Education
Educational Attainment (Adults 25+)
Columbia Rankings in South Dakota
Explore South Dakota Rankings
Other Cities in Brown County
| City | Population | Median Income | Poverty | Home Value |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Aberdeen | 28,189 | $64,405 | 13.8% | $217,300 |
| Groton | 1,691 | $89,861 | 4.3% | $190,600 |
| Warner | 512 | $113,750 | 0.4% | $268,100 |
| Prairiewood Village | 474 | $160,625 | 0.0% | $476,700 |
| Hecla | 182 | N/A | 2.8% | $47,100 |
| Frederick | 160 | $76,667 | 11.3% | $85,000 |
| Claremont | 106 | $46,250 | 9.4% | N/A |
| Westport | 93 | $58,942 | 0.0% | $101,700 |
| Bath | 91 | $33,750 | 48.4% | N/A |
| Bath Corner | 72 | N/A | 0.0% | N/A |
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 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Horse Creek | 162 | N/A | N/A | 0.0% | 96.9% |
| Whitehorse | 162 | $59,250 | N/A | 0.0% | 32.1% |
| Geddes | 158 | $60,000 | $88,100 | 21.0% | 3.8% |
| Canova | 159 | $63,125 | N/A | 18.5% | 21.4% |
| Badger | 162 | $65,000 | $70,000 | 8.6% | 3.7% |
A note before these figures: with a population of 161, Columbia's ACS estimates come from a small number of survey responses and carry wide margins of error. Individual percentages below — particularly rates that round to 0% or 100% — are approximations, not precise measurements. See data.census.gov for the published margins of error.
Population Overview
Columbia is a small community located in South Dakota, within Brown County. The total population is 161. It ranks as the 255th most populous out of 439 Census-designated places in South Dakota.
Age Demographics
The median age in Columbia is 39.2 years. This is 3% higher than the state median of 38.0 years.
Economy, Income & Housing
The median household income in Columbia is $58,295. This is 22% lower than the state median of $75,081. It is also 28% lower than the national median of $80,734. The poverty rate stands at 4.3%. This is 64% lower than the state poverty rate of 11.9%. This exceptionally low poverty rate indicates strong economic prosperity across the community. The unemployment rate is 5.0%. This is 69% higher than the state rate of 2.9%. The median home value is $96,500. Housing costs are 63% lower than the state median of $257,400. With a home-value-to-income ratio of just 1.7x, Columbia is one of the most affordable housing markets in the area. 97.6% of occupied housing units are owner-occupied. This homeownership rate is 42% higher than the state average of 68.6%.
Race & Ethnicity
Every resident counted in Columbia was recorded as White (non-Hispanic). A figure of exactly 100.0% reflects a survey sample too small to capture the community's full composition rather than a precise measurement.
Education
32.2% of residents aged 25 and older hold a bachelor's degree or higher. This is about the same as the state rate of 31.9%. Nationally, 35.7% of adults hold at least a bachelor's degree. The high school graduation rate (or equivalent) is 92.4%.
Data Sources & Methodology
All demographic data for Columbia, South Dakota 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 South Dakota state averages and national averages calculated from the same dataset. Rankings reflect the city's position among all 439 Census-designated places in South Dakota. 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, South Dakota?
Columbia, South Dakota has a population of 161 according to the most recent U.S. Census ACS 5-Year Estimates.
What is the median household income in Columbia, SD?
The median household income in Columbia is $58,295, which is 28% lower than the national median of $80,734.
What is the poverty rate in Columbia, SD?
The poverty rate in Columbia is 4.3%. This means approximately 7 residents live below the federal poverty line.
What is the racial makeup of Columbia, South Dakota?
Columbia's population is 100.0% White, 0.0% Black, 0.0% Hispanic/Latino, and 0.0% Asian.
What is the median home value in Columbia, SD?
The median home value in Columbia is $96,500. The home-value-to-income ratio is 1.7x.
How educated is Columbia, South Dakota?
32.2% of adults (25+) in Columbia hold a bachelor's degree or higher, and 11.9% hold a graduate or professional degree.