Columbus, Texas Demographics & Population 2026
During the 2020–2024 ACS period, Columbus, Texas had a total population of 3,860, the 502nd largest city in Texas, with a median household income of $49,418, which is 37% lower than the state average. The poverty rate is 31.5%.
Data vintage: U.S. Census Bureau ACS 2020–2024 5-Year Estimates · refreshed July 2026 · Methodology & source notes
Key Takeaways
- Household income is 37% below the state average, indicating significant economic challenges.
- More than 1 in 4 residents live below the poverty line (31.5%), well above the national average of 12.4%.
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 | 3,718 | 3,860 | +3.8% |
| Median household income | $57,214 | $49,418 | -13.6% |
| Median home value | $219,300 | $241,700 | +10.2% |
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: 67 | National average: 61
Education
Educational Attainment (Adults 25+)
Columbus Rankings in Texas
Explore Texas Rankings
Other Cities in Colorado County
| City | Population | Median Income | Poverty | Home Value |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Eagle Lake | 3,485 | $69,205 | 14.1% | $137,900 |
| Weimar | 2,928 | $47,548 | 8.1% | $165,300 |
| Glidden | 1,071 | $99,276 | 2.4% | $233,800 |
| Rock Island | 414 | $43,149 | 8.9% | $122,800 |
| Garwood | 386 | $62,024 | 0.0% | $231,300 |
| Sheridan | 208 | $61,492 | 5.8% | $132,800 |
| Nada | 177 | N/A | 17.0% | $161,700 |
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 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| San Carlos | 3,678 | $49,132 | $75,600 | 9.9% | 23.1% |
| Nash | 4,032 | $50,592 | $156,200 | 19.3% | 13.8% |
| Howe | 3,689 | $51,108 | $201,300 | 10.9% | 24.3% |
| Sullivan City | 3,902 | $44,464 | $94,600 | 12.7% | 32.1% |
| Eastland | 3,704 | $51,776 | $174,900 | 26.2% | 24.9% |
Population Overview
Columbus is a small community located in Texas, within Colorado County. The total population is 3,860. It ranks as the 502nd most populous out of 1,795 Census-designated places in Texas.
Age Demographics
The median age in Columbus is 34.6 years. This is 3% lower than the state median of 35.6 years. With 31.8% of the population under 18, Columbus has a notably young demographic profile, suggesting a family-oriented community.
Economy, Income & Housing
The median household income in Columbus is $49,418. This is 37% lower than the state median of $78,476. It is also 39% lower than the national median of $80,734. The poverty rate stands at 31.5%. This is 128% higher than the state poverty rate of 13.8%. 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 3.2%. This is 40% lower than the state rate of 5.3%. The median home value is $241,700. Housing costs are 15% lower than the state median of $283,800. The home-value-to-income ratio is 4.9x. 68.8% of occupied housing units are owner-occupied. This homeownership rate is 10% higher than the state average of 62.6%.
Race & Ethnicity
The largest racial or ethnic group in Columbus is White (non-Hispanic), making up 48.2% of the population. Hispanic or Latino residents account for 40.5%. The Asian population (1.7%) is well below the state average of 5.5%.
Education
27.8% of residents aged 25 and older hold a bachelor's degree or higher. This is 18% lower than the state rate of 33.8%. Nationally, 35.7% of adults hold at least a bachelor's degree. The high school graduation rate (or equivalent) is 87.3%.
Data Sources & Methodology
All demographic data for Columbus, Texas 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 Texas state averages and national averages calculated from the same dataset. Rankings reflect the city's position among all 1,795 Census-designated places in Texas. 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, Texas?
Columbus, Texas has a population of 3,860 according to the most recent U.S. Census ACS 5-Year Estimates.
What is the median household income in Columbus, TX?
The median household income in Columbus is $49,418, which is 39% lower than the national median of $80,734.
What is the poverty rate in Columbus, TX?
The poverty rate in Columbus is 31.5%. This means approximately 1,123 residents live below the federal poverty line.
What is the racial makeup of Columbus, Texas?
Columbus's population is 48.2% White, 8.5% Black, 40.5% Hispanic/Latino, and 1.7% Asian.
What is the median home value in Columbus, TX?
The median home value in Columbus is $241,700. The home-value-to-income ratio is 4.9x.
How educated is Columbus, Texas?
27.8% of adults (25+) in Columbus hold a bachelor's degree or higher, and 13.1% hold a graduate or professional degree.