West Columbia, Texas Demographics & Population 2026
During the 2020–2024 ACS period, West Columbia, Texas had a total population of 3,621, the 519th largest city in Texas, with a median household income of $43,490, which is 45% lower than the state average. The poverty rate is 14.6%.
Data vintage: U.S. Census Bureau ACS 2020–2024 5-Year Estimates · refreshed July 2026 · Methodology & source notes
Key Takeaways
- Household income is 45% below the state average, indicating significant economic challenges.
West Columbia Quick Facts
How West 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 | 3,631 | 3,621 | -0.3% |
| Median household income | $41,985 | $43,490 | +3.6% |
| Median home value | $138,200 | $140,800 | +1.9% |
How West 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 diverse community with significant representation from multiple racial and ethnic groups.
State average: 67 | National average: 61
Education
Educational Attainment (Adults 25+)
West Columbia Rankings in Texas
Explore Texas Rankings
Other Cities in Brazoria County
| City | Population | Median Income | Poverty | Home Value |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Alvin | 28,333 | $71,477 | 9.2% | $228,700 |
| Lake Jackson | 27,974 | $90,938 | 11.8% | $250,100 |
| Angleton | 19,972 | $86,712 | 10.4% | $212,900 |
| Manvel | 14,758 | $118,808 | 5.7% | $338,700 |
| Iowa Colony | 12,891 | $144,092 | 4.3% | $405,700 |
| Clute | 10,715 | $70,208 | 10.4% | $271,700 |
| Freeport | 10,621 | $61,134 | 13.7% | $135,900 |
| Richwood | 4,791 | $88,380 | 3.4% | $249,600 |
| Sweeny | 3,591 | $73,457 | 3.3% | $199,100 |
| Brazoria | 2,880 | $79,635 | 11.8% | $162,400 |
Cities Similar to West Columbia
These cities in the same state have comparable population and economic profiles.
| City | Population | Median Income | Home Value | Bachelor's+ | Poverty |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Westway | 3,484 | $44,852 | $106,000 | 8.3% | 22.9% |
| San Carlos | 3,678 | $49,132 | $75,600 | 9.9% | 23.1% |
| Sullivan City | 3,902 | $44,464 | $94,600 | 12.7% | 32.1% |
| Llano | 3,494 | $48,309 | $234,100 | 26.5% | 14.8% |
| Chandler | 3,518 | $49,573 | $246,300 | 24.4% | 14.0% |
Population Overview
West Columbia is a small community located in Texas, within Brazoria County. The total population is 3,621. It ranks as the 519th most populous out of 1,795 Census-designated places in Texas.
Age Demographics
The median age in West Columbia is 39.2 years. This is 10% higher than the state median of 35.6 years.
Economy, Income & Housing
The median household income in West Columbia is $43,490. This is 45% lower than the state median of $78,476. It is also 46% lower than the national median of $80,734. The poverty rate stands at 14.6%. This is 6% higher than the state poverty rate of 13.8%. The unemployment rate is 3.8%. This is 27% lower than the state rate of 5.3%. The median home value is $140,800. Housing costs are 50% lower than the state median of $283,800. The home-value-to-income ratio is 3.2x. 60.7% of occupied housing units are owner-occupied. This homeownership rate is 3% lower than the state average of 62.6%.
Race & Ethnicity
West Columbia is a highly diverse community where no single racial or ethnic group constitutes a majority of the population. Hispanic or Latino residents account for 30.8%. The Black or African American population is significantly higher than the state average (21.8% vs 11.9%). The Asian population (1.1%) is well below the state average of 5.5%.
Education
17.6% of residents aged 25 and older hold a bachelor's degree or higher. This is 48% 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 83.3%.
Data Sources & Methodology
All demographic data for West Columbia, 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 West Columbia, Texas?
West Columbia, Texas has a population of 3,621 according to the most recent U.S. Census ACS 5-Year Estimates.
What is the median household income in West Columbia, TX?
The median household income in West Columbia is $43,490, which is 46% lower than the national median of $80,734.
What is the poverty rate in West Columbia, TX?
The poverty rate in West Columbia is 14.6%. This means approximately 528 residents live below the federal poverty line.
What is the racial makeup of West Columbia, Texas?
West Columbia's population is 42.2% White, 21.8% Black, 30.8% Hispanic/Latino, and 1.1% Asian.
What is the median home value in West Columbia, TX?
The median home value in West Columbia is $140,800. The home-value-to-income ratio is 3.2x.
How educated is West Columbia, Texas?
17.6% of adults (25+) in West Columbia hold a bachelor's degree or higher, and 5.2% hold a graduate or professional degree.