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Columbia city, Tennessee Demographics & Population 2026

As of 2026, Columbia city, Tennessee has a total population of 43,971, the 19th largest city in Tennessee, with a median household income of $61,204, which is 9% lower than the state average. The poverty rate is 14.3%.

Columbia city Quick Facts

Population 43,971
Median Household Income $61,204
Median Home Value $261,700
Poverty Rate 14.3%
Unemployment Rate 2.9%
Median Age 35.9 years
Homeownership Rate 63.6%
Affordability Ratio 4.3x
Bachelor's Degree or Higher 23.9%
High School Graduation Rate 91.5%
Diversity Index 50/100
Population 43,971 19th of 504
Median Income $61,204 average
Poverty Rate 14.3% 15% higher national
Median Home Value $261,700 top 30%

How Columbia city Compares

Economy & Housing

Employment

2.9% Unemployment Rate State: 4.7% | National: 5.2%
64.5% Labor Force Participation

Housing Overview

Owner 63.6%
Renter 36.4%
Affordability Index Moderate
4.3x home value to income ratio

People & Demographics

Diversity Index

50out of 100
Moderate Diversity

Moderate diversity with one or two groups making up the majority.

State average: 46 | National average: 60

Education

Columbia city Rankings in Tennessee

#19 Population of 504
#189 Median Income of 504
#142 Education of 504
#104 Home Value of 504

Explore Tennessee Rankings

Cities by Population All cities ranked by size Richest Cities Ranked by median income Most Educated By bachelor's degree rate Most Affordable By housing affordability

Cities Similar to Columbia city

These cities in the same state have comparable population and economic profiles.

CityPopulationMedian IncomeHome ValueBachelor's+Poverty
Lebanon city41,951$71,320$359,30030.0%14.0%
Cleveland city48,185$55,904$241,80031.1%17.4%
Gallatin city46,667$73,589$343,70032.0%12.4%
La Vergne city38,944$80,418$273,70023.7%11.4%
Cookeville city35,544$48,501$263,80035.4%21.9%

Population Overview

Columbia city is a mid-sized community located in Tennessee. The total population is 43,971. It ranks as the 19th most populous out of 504 cities and towns in Tennessee.

Age Demographics

The median age in Columbia city is 35.9 years. This is 8% lower than the state median of 38.9 years.

Economy, Income & Housing

The median household income in Columbia city is $61,204. This is 9% lower than the state median of $67,097. Compared to the national median of $78,538, household income here is 22% lower. The poverty rate stands at 14.3%. This is 4% higher than the state poverty rate of 13.8%. The unemployment rate is 2.9%. This is 39% lower than the state rate of 4.7%. The median home value is $261,700. Housing costs are 2% higher than the state median of $256,800. The home-value-to-income ratio is 4.3x. 63.6% of occupied housing units are owner-occupied. This homeownership rate is 5% lower than the state average of 67.0%.

Race & Ethnicity

The largest racial or ethnic group in Columbia city is White (non-Hispanic), making up 67.7% of the population. Black or African American residents account for 15.6%. The Hispanic or Latino population is significantly higher than the state average (11.8% vs 7.1%). The Asian population (0.6%) is well below the state average of 1.8%.

Education

23.9% of residents aged 25 and older hold a bachelor's degree or higher. This is 21% lower than the state rate of 30.4%. Nationally, 35.0% of adults hold at least a bachelor's degree. The high school graduation rate (or equivalent) is 91.5%.

Data Sources & Methodology

All demographic data for Columbia city, Tennessee 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 Tennessee state averages and national averages calculated from the same dataset. Rankings reflect the city's position among all 504 Census-designated places in Tennessee. For official data, visit data.census.gov.

Free data download: Get all Tennessee city and county demographics as CSV. Download Cities CSV | Download Counties CSV

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the population of Columbia city, Tennessee?

Columbia city, Tennessee has a population of 43,971 according to the most recent U.S. Census ACS 5-Year Estimates.

What is the median household income in Columbia city, TN?

The median household income in Columbia city is $61,204, which is 22% lower the national median of $78,538.

What is the poverty rate in Columbia city, TN?

The poverty rate in Columbia city is 14.3%. This means approximately 6,162 residents live below the federal poverty line.

What is the racial makeup of Columbia city, Tennessee?

Columbia city's population is 67.7% White, 15.6% Black, 11.8% Hispanic/Latino, and 0.6% Asian.

What is the median home value in Columbia city, TN?

The median home value in Columbia city is $261,700. The home-value-to-income ratio is 4.3x.

How educated is Columbia city, Tennessee?

23.9% of adults (25+) in Columbia city hold a bachelor's degree or higher, and 6.7% hold a graduate or professional degree.