City profile · Alabama · Census ACS 2023

Columbiana, AL

Population, income, housing, safety, climate and schools for Columbiana - drawn straight from Census ACS, FBI UCR, NOAA, NCES, HUD and FEMA, refreshed on the 2024–2025 release cycle.

4,640
Residents
$68,125
Median income
$237,800
Median home
$1,266
Median rent (state)

Columbiana - the verdict

Out of every US city with 1,000+ residents, Columbiana places in the 47th percentile for household income and the 56th percentile for safety. Source: Census ACS + FBI UCR.

47th
percentile, household income
53rd
percentile, home value
42nd
percentile, median rent
56th
percentile, safety
📝 How we sourced this

Population, income, and housing-cost figures come from the U.S. Census Bureau American Community Survey 5-year estimates (B-series tables). Crime data uses FBI UCR; climate uses NOAA Climate Normals; school counts come from NCES Common Core of Data; permits use the Census Building Permits Survey (BPS). See our methodology page for the full ETL pipeline and OMB / FIPS join keys.

Data Snapshot: Columbiana, AL

Columbiana is a small town in Alabama, home to 4,640 residents per U.S. Census Bureau ACS 2023 estimates. The typical household in Columbiana brings in $68,125 a year, below the median for U.S. cities on this measure, with a poverty rate of 10.5%. Home values in Columbiana run a median of $237,800, and the median resident age is 44.3 years. Educational attainment runs 16.1% of adults with a bachelor's degree or higher. Separately, 39.0% of working-age residents are in the labor force.

Housing supply pressure shows in Census Building Permit Survey data: 76 residential units were authorized in 2024 (Building Boom), up 100% from five years earlier. Columbiana reports a comparatively low crime rate: the FBI's Uniform Crime Reporting program logs 1180.6 total incidents per 100,000 residents here, below the national average (agency reporting is voluntary, so this measures reporting activity, not a definitive danger score).

Living costs in Alabama run below the national norm: the state registers 88.8 on a 100-equals-national-average index (Well Below Average) per BEA Regional Price Parities 2024. A typical two-bedroom carries a HUD Fair Market Rent of $1,266 per month statewide. Statewide, average monthly utility bills in Alabama run around $245, per EIA 2023 residential energy data. On FEMA's National Risk Index, this area rates 90.3 out of 100 for natural-hazard exposure (Very High).

Population

4,640 residents

Census ACS 2023 - Alabama

Median Household Income

$68,125 /yr

Poverty 10.5%

Cost of Living Index (state)

88.8 (US=100)

Well Below Average - BEA RPP 2024, Alabama average

How does Columbiana compare to other US cities?

Here's how Columbiana stacks up against the full field of US cities (population 1,000+), computed live from Census and FBI data.

Household income 47% higher than other cities
Home value 53% pricier than other cities
Median rent 42% pricier than other cities
Safety 56% safer than other cities

"Safer than" reflects total crime rate from FBI UCR; the others use Census ACS estimates.

A national percentile can hide a lot of local variation: narrowed to Alabama alone, Columbiana ranks #68 of 222 Alabama cities by lowest crime rate - a different, more locally useful comparison than stacking it against the entire country.

How we calculate these percentiles & ranks

Each percentile compares Columbiana against every qualifying US city; each in-state rank narrows that to Alabama only. Full formula and direction notes: methodology.

Alabama-relative analysis

Median Home Value places Columbiana toward the top of Alabama's cities

Among the 517 Alabama cities PlainCities tracks with reported median home value data, Columbiana ranks #62 - the 88th percentile within the state. This is a different, narrower cut than the nationwide percentiles above: it compares Columbiana only against its own state's cities, not the full US field.

Median Household Income
#141 of 530
73rd percentile in Alabama
Median Gross Rent
#39 of 556
76th percentile in Alabama
Median Home Value
#62 of 517
88th percentile in Alabama
Poverty Rate
#308 of 556
44th percentile in Alabama
Bachelor's Degree or Higher
#262 of 556
52nd percentile in Alabama

Ranked by raw value (highest first); a higher rank is not automatically "better" for every measure, see each metric's own context above. This is a comparison within Alabama only, not a livability score. See the methodology for the source and calculation.

47thIncome percentile
56thSafety percentile

47th percentile nationally for median household income · 56th percentile for safety (lower crime rate). Source: Census ACS 2023 / FBI UCR 2023.

Columbiana's profile vs. every US city

Income, affordability, and safety percentile

Columbiana's percentile rank on 3 favorable-direction measures (income, affordability, safety) vs. every tracked US city -- higher on every axis is more favorable. Not a composite quality score, just the arithmetic mean of the axes shown. 3-axis radar comparing 1 series across Income, Affordability, Safety. IncomeAffordabilitySafety 52 Avg. percentile National median
Columbiana's percentile rank on 3 favorable-direction measures (income, affordability, safety) vs. every tracked US city -- higher on every axis is more favorable. Not a composite quality score, just the arithmetic mean of the axes shown.

How Columbiana's home value compares nationally

Median home value vs. every US city (population 1,000+)

$237,800 47th percentile more affordable than 47% of 15,600 US cities

$0–$25,000: 5 US cities (0%). Below this entry. $25,000–$50,000: 54 US cities (0%). Below this entry. $50,000–$75,000: 352 US cities (2%). Below this entry. $75,000–$100,000: 1,086 US cities (7%). Below this entry. $100,000–$125,000: 1,516 US cities (10%). Below this entry. $125,000–$150,000: 1,170 US cities (8%). Below this entry. $150,000–$175,000: 1,278 US cities (8%). Below this entry. $175,000–$200,000: 1,229 US cities (8%). Below this entry. $200,000–$225,000: 1,035 US cities (7%). Below this entry. $225,000–$250,000: 976 US cities (6%). This entry sits in this band. $250,000–$275,000: 754 US cities (5%). Above this entry. $275,000–$300,000: 712 US cities (5%). Above this entry. $300,000–$325,000: 521 US cities (3%). Above this entry. $325,000–$350,000: 526 US cities (3%). Above this entry. $350,000–$375,000: 465 US cities (3%). Above this entry. $375,000–$400,000: 393 US cities (3%). Above this entry. $400,000–$425,000: 317 US cities (2%). Above this entry. $425,000–$450,000: 300 US cities (2%). Above this entry. $450,000–$475,000: 307 US cities (2%). Above this entry. $475,000–$500,000: 250 US cities (2%). Above this entry. $500,000–$525,000: 160 US cities (1%). Above this entry. $525,000–$550,000: 156 US cities (1%). Above this entry. $550,000–$575,000: 172 US cities (1%). Above this entry. $575,000–$600,000: 172 US cities (1%). Above this entry. $600,000–$625,000: 163 US cities (1%). Above this entry. $625,000–$650,000: 167 US cities (1%). Above this entry. $650,000–$675,000: 135 US cities (1%). Above this entry. $675,000–$700,000: 101 US cities (1%). Above this entry. $700,000–$725,000: 95 US cities (1%). Above this entry. $725,000–$750,000: 71 US cities (0%). Above this entry. $750,000–$775,000: 65 US cities (0%). Above this entry. $775,000–$800,000: 70 US cities (0%). Above this entry. $800,000–$825,000: 57 US cities (0%). Above this entry. $825,000–$850,000: 67 US cities (0%). Above this entry. $850,000–$875,000: 60 US cities (0%). Above this entry. $875,000–$900,000: 58 US cities (0%). Above this entry. $900,000–$925,000: 47 US cities (0%). Above this entry. $925,000–$950,000: 37 US cities (0%). Above this entry. $950,000–$975,000: 31 US cities (0%). Above this entry. $975,000–$1,000,000: 470 US cities (3%). Above this entry. $1,000,000–$1,025,000: 0 US cities (0%). Above this entry. Columbiana $0 $1,025,000 every US city, bucketed by value

Each bar is a $25K-wide band; taller bars hold more US cities. The dashed line + filled bar mark this entry. Hover or tap any bar for its full count, share, and where it sits relative to this entry.

Source U.S. Census Bureau ACS 5-Year Estimates · 2023

Income distribution context

Household income distribution - Columbiana, AL Columbiana, AL's reported median household income shown against the U.S. national quintile-share pattern (not Columbiana, AL-specific quintile data). The Lorenz curve traces the national cumulative income share against cumulative population share, perfect equality is the diagonal; observed inequality bows below. $ Household Income Distribution Columbiana, AL median $68,125/yr, vs. U.S. national quintile pattern QUINTILE SHARE OF AGGREGATE INCOME Lowest 20% 3.4% Second 20% 9.2% Middle 20% 15.1% Fourth 20% 23.2% Top 20% 49.1% LORENZ CURVE cumulative income vs. population 100% 0% 100% pop. 0%
Columbiana, AL's median household income (Census ACS 5-year estimate) plotted against the U.S. national income-quintile distribution pattern for context; the quintile shares and Lorenz curve are national figures, not computed specifically for Columbiana, AL. Diagonal = perfect equality.

Key socioeconomic indicators

Bachelor's degree or higher (adults 25+) 16.1%

Census ACS S1501, educational attainment

Poverty rate (households below FPL) 10.5%

Census ACS S1701, poverty status

Labor force participation (adults 16+) 39.0%

Census ACS S2301, share of working-age residents in the labor force

Population
4,640
Median Income
$68,125
Median Home Value
$237,800
Median Age
44.3
Poverty Rate
10.5%
Labor force participation
39.0%
Bachelor's Degree+
16.1%

Safety & Crime

Total Crime Rate
1180.6
per 100,000 residents
Violent Crime
142.5
per 100,000 residents
Property Crime
1038.1
per 100,000 residents

Reflects incidents reported to the FBI's Uniform Crime Reporting program — agency participation is voluntary and reporting completeness varies by jurisdiction and year, so this reflects reporting activity, not a definitive danger score. Not adjusted for tourism, commuter, or daytime population.

Schools

Total Schools
3
Public schools in this city

Population Change

Annual U.S. Census Bureau Population Estimates Program (PEP) estimates, 2020–2025

See the fastest-growing cities →
4,400 residents4,600 residents4,800 residents5,000 residents5,200 residents 202020212022202320242025 4,537 residents 5,106 residents ▲ +12.5%
Columbiana's Census PEP population estimates, 2020–2025.

Housing Supply

Census Bureau Building Permits Survey (BPS) - annual residential permits authorized

📈 Building Boom
Total Permits (2024)
76
housing units authorized
Single-Family
76
detached homes
Multifamily
0
apartments & condos
Supply Intensity
16.4
permits per 1,000 residents

5-Year Permit Trend (2019–2024)

Year Total
2019 38
2020 41
2021 47
2022 39
2023 64
2024 76

Permit volume increased 100% from 2019 to 2024.

Commute Patterns

How workers travel to work, Census ACS 2023

Drive Alone
86.2%
Carpool
9.3%
Public Transit
0.4%
Walk
1.4%
Work from Home
2.7%

Based on 1,565 workers 16 and over.

Monthly Utility Costs

State-average estimates for Alabama - EIA 2023 residential energy data

Electricity
$138
avg/month
Natural Gas
$62
avg/month
Water & Sewer
$45
avg/month
Total Utilities
$245
estimated/month

Estimates reflect Alabama state averages. Actual costs vary by home size, usage, and local rates. Source: U.S. Energy Information Administration (EIA) 2023.

Living Costs & Risk

Cost of living is a Alabama state average from BEA; rent and hazard risk are county-level figures from HUD and FEMA for the county Columbiana sits in

Cost of Living Index
88.8
Well Below Average
US average = 100 · BEA RPP 2024
Typical 2-BR Rent
$1,266/mo
HUD Fair Market Rent
County-level FMR estimate
Natural Hazard Risk
90.3 / 100
Very High
FEMA NRI composite score (county)

Similar Cities in Alabama

Jackson
4,654 people
Childersburg
4,694 people
Piedmont
4,749 people
Hokes Bluff
4,493 people
Argo
4,456 people
Daleville
4,891 people

Cities of a Similar Size Nationwide

Population-matched peers from other states, closest to Columbiana's 4,640 residents (Census ACS 5-Year 2023).

Buckhead, GA
4,640 people
Pittsboro, NC
4,640 people
Forsyth, GA
4,641 people
Negaunee, MI
4,641 people
Los Chaves, NM
4,641 people
Clarkdale, AZ
4,642 people

Cities with a Similar Household Income Nationwide

Median-household-income-matched peers from other states, closest to Columbiana's $68,125 (Census ACS 5-Year 2023, table B19013).

Redfield, AR
$68,125 median income
Morganton, GA
$68,125 median income
New Berlin, IL
$68,125 median income
Needmore, IN
$68,125 median income
Steep Falls, ME
$68,125 median income
Meire Grove, MN
$68,125 median income

Race & Ethnicity Composition

Race and ethnicity - Columbiana, AL Race categories sum to one hundred percent per Census methodology. Hispanic or Latino is shown separately as an ethnicity overlay; it cuts across all race categories per OMB Directive 15. Race & Ethnicity Composition Columbiana, AL - Census ACS, OMB race + ethnicity categories RACE, sums to 100% 66.8% 24.2% 8.2% ETHNICITY, Hispanic or Latino (any race) 5.4% White 66.8% Black or African American 24.2% Asian 0.0% American Indian 0.8% Native Hawaiian 0.0% Some other race 0.0% Two or more races 8.2% Per OMB Directive 15: Hispanic/Latino ethnicity is reported separately from the race categories.
Race categories sum to 100%. Hispanic or Latino ethnicity is reported separately and cuts across race per Census/OMB methodology.

City-level race and ethnicity, Census ACS 5-year 2023 (tables B02001, B03001), OMB Directive 15 categories.

How Columbiana compares to nearby Alabama cities

Population + median household income, sourced from Census Bureau ACS 5-year B01001 (population) and B19013 (median household income).

City Population Median Household Income
Columbiana (this city) 4,640 $68,125
Jackson 4,654 $46,250
Childersburg 4,694 $49,178
Piedmont 4,749 $41,964
Census ACS 5-year FIPS AL FBI UCR NCES CCD Census BPS 2024 OMB Bulletin 23-01

What do people ask about Columbiana, AL?

What is the population of Columbiana, AL? +

The population of Columbiana, AL stands at 4,640 according to U.S. Census Bureau ACS 2023 estimates.

What is the median household income in Columbiana, AL? +

The median household income in Columbiana is $68,125 per year, based on Census ACS 2023 data.

What is the cost of living in Columbiana? +

BEA does not publish a city-level cost-of-living figure for Columbiana; the closest available measure is the Alabama state average, a cost of living index of 88.8 (U.S. average = 100), rated "Well Below Average" based on BEA Regional Price Parities 2024 data. Costs within Alabama vary by metro area.

Is Columbiana, AL safe? +

Columbiana has a total crime rate of 1180.6 per 100,000 residents, which is below the national average. This reflects incidents reported to the FBI UCR program, not a definitive safety score -- agency reporting is voluntary and completeness varies by jurisdiction.

What is the median home value in Columbiana, AL? +

The median home value in Columbiana is $237,800, according to Census ACS 2023 estimates.

Source: U.S. Census Bureau ACS 5-Year 2023, FBI UCR, NCES CCD, Census BPS 2024, Census ACS B08301/B08136, U.S. Energy Information Administration (EIA) 2023, BEA Regional Price Parities 2024, HUD Fair Market Rents 2026, FEMA National Risk Index.

Read our methodology - how this data is sourced, computed, and verified.

Primary sources: Census ACS, FBI UCR, NOAA Climate Normals, NCES.

Citation & verification links Data sourced from the U.S. Census Bureau. See our methodology for details. Retrieved and formatted by PlainCities

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Every figure on PlainCities is rendered directly from Census ACS source data, no number is typed in by an editor. This page draws directly on Census ACS source data, no figure is typed in by an editor. See our editorial standards & corrections policy, the methodology behind these numbers, or report a data error.