City profile · Georgia · Census ACS 2023

Columbus, GA

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

204,383
Residents
$56,622
Median income
$182,300
Median home
$1,088
Median rent (state)

Columbus - the verdict

Columbus ranks in the 30th percentile for household income and the 18th percentile for safety nationally, out of every US city with at least 1,000 residents. Source: Census ACS + FBI UCR.

30th
percentile, household income
37th
percentile, home value
27th
percentile, median rent
18th
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: Columbus, GA

Columbus is a mid-sized U.S. city in Georgia, home to 204,383 residents per U.S. Census Bureau ACS 2023 estimates. The typical household in Columbus brings in $56,622 a year, below the median for U.S. cities on this measure, with a poverty rate of 15.0%. Columbus's housing stock carries a median value of $182,300, and the median resident age is 35.1 years. Educational attainment runs 29.7% of adults with a bachelor's degree or higher. Separately, 52.7% of working-age residents are in the labor force.

In 2024, 291 residential building permits were authorized in Columbus (Construction Slowdown), down 57% from five years earlier, per Census BPS data. Columbus's reported crime rate runs above the national norm: FBI UCR reporting places total crime at 2839.4 incidents per 100,000 residents, above the national average (voluntary agency reporting, reflects reporting activity, not a definitive danger score).

Living costs in Georgia run below the national norm: BEA Regional Price Parities 2024 puts Georgia at 96.3 on a 100-equals-national-average scale (Below Average). Statewide, HUD pegs Fair Market Rent for a two-bedroom unit at $1,088 monthly. EIA 2023 residential energy data puts Georgia's average monthly utility costs around $225 (state average). FEMA's National Risk Index rates natural-hazard exposure at 81.6 out of 100 (High).

Population

204,383 residents

Census ACS 2023 - Georgia

Median Household Income

$56,622 /yr

Poverty 15.0%

Cost of Living Index (state)

96.3 (US=100)

Below Average - BEA RPP 2024, Georgia average

How does Columbus compare to other US cities?

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

Household income 30% higher than other cities
Home value 37% pricier than other cities
Median rent 27% pricier than other cities
Safety 18% safer than other cities

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

National percentiles can mask local variation. Looking only at Georgia, Columbus ranks #120 of 165 Georgia cities by lowest crime rate - a narrower, more locally useful cut than the national comparison above.

How we calculate these percentiles & ranks

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

Georgia-relative analysis

Bachelor's Degree or Higher places Columbus toward the top of Georgia's cities

Among the 638 Georgia cities PlainCities tracks with reported bachelor's degree or higher data, Columbus ranks #143 - the 78th percentile within the state. This is a different, narrower cut than the nationwide percentiles above: it compares Columbus only against its own state's cities, not the full US field.

Median Household Income
#289 of 610
53rd percentile in Georgia
Median Gross Rent
#346 of 638
44th percentile in Georgia
Median Home Value
#260 of 577
55th percentile in Georgia
Poverty Rate
#263 of 637
59th percentile in Georgia
Bachelor's Degree or Higher
#143 of 638
78th percentile in Georgia

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 Georgia only, not a livability score. See the methodology for the source and calculation.

30thIncome percentile
18thSafety percentile

30th percentile nationally for median household income · 18th percentile for safety (lower crime rate). Source: Census ACS 2023 / FBI UCR 2023.

Columbus's profile vs. every US city

Income, affordability, and safety percentile

Columbus'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 39 Avg. percentile National median
Columbus'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 Columbus's home value compares nationally

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

$182,300 Among the most affordable more affordable than 63% 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%). This entry sits in this band. $200,000–$225,000: 1,035 US cities (7%). Above this entry. $225,000–$250,000: 976 US cities (6%). Above this entry. $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. Columbus $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 - Columbus, GA Columbus, GA's reported median household income shown against the U.S. national quintile-share pattern (not Columbus, GA-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 Columbus, GA median $56,622/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%
Columbus, GA'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 Columbus, GA. Diagonal = perfect equality.

Key socioeconomic indicators

Bachelor's degree or higher (adults 25+) 29.7%

Census ACS S1501, educational attainment

Poverty rate (households below FPL) 15.0%

Census ACS S1701, poverty status

Labor force participation (adults 16+) 52.7%

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

Population
204,383
Median Income
$56,622
Median Home Value
$182,300
Median Age
35.1
Poverty Rate
15.0%
Labor force participation
52.7%
Bachelor's Degree+
29.7%

Safety & Crime

Total Crime Rate
2839.4
per 100,000 residents
Violent Crime
603.8
per 100,000 residents
Property Crime
2235.6
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
49
Public schools in this city

Population Change

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

See the fastest-growing cities →
200,000 residents202,000 residents204,000 residents206,000 residents208,000 residents 202020212022202320242025 207,016 residents 202,171 residents ▼ -2.3%
Columbus's Census PEP population estimates, 2020–2025.

Housing Supply

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

📉 Construction Slowdown
Total Permits (2024)
291
housing units authorized
Single-Family
261
detached homes
Multifamily
30
apartments & condos
Supply Intensity
1.4
permits per 1,000 residents

5-Year Permit Trend (2019–2024)

Year Total
2019 681
2020 1,342
2021 675
2022 1,054
2023 266
2024 291

Permit volume decreased 57% from 2019 to 2024.

Commute Patterns

How workers travel to work, Census ACS 2023

Drive Alone
76.6%
Carpool
8.9%
Public Transit
0.8%
Walk
2.0%
Work from Home
9.4%
Other
2.3%

Based on 88,331 workers 16 and over.

Monthly Utility Costs

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

Electricity
$125
avg/month
Natural Gas
$55
avg/month
Water & Sewer
$45
avg/month
Total Utilities
$225
estimated/month

Estimates reflect Georgia 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 Georgia state average from BEA; rent and hazard risk are county-level figures from HUD and FEMA for the county Columbus sits in

Cost of Living Index
96.3
Below Average
US average = 100 · BEA RPP 2024
Typical 2-BR Rent
$1,088/mo
HUD Fair Market Rent
County-level FMR estimate
Natural Hazard Risk
81.6 / 100
High
FEMA NRI composite score (county)

Similar Cities in Georgia

Augusta-Richmond County consolidated government (balance)
201,504 people
Macon-Bibb County
156,543 people
Savannah
147,546 people
Athens-Clarke County unified government (balance)
126,987 people
South Fulton
109,157 people
Sandy Springs
107,198 people

Cities of a Similar Size Nationwide

Population-matched peers from other states, closest to Columbus's 204,383 residents (Census ACS 5-Year 2023).

Salt Lake City, UT
203,888 people
Worcester, MA
205,501 people
Little Rock, AR
202,739 people
Cape Coral, FL
206,387 people
McKinney, TX
202,314 people
Oxnard, CA
201,014 people

Cities with a Similar Household Income Nationwide

Median-household-income-matched peers from other states, closest to Columbus's $56,622 (Census ACS 5-Year 2023, table B19013).

Iron Mountain, MI
$56,622 median income
East Lake-Orient Park, FL
$56,623 median income
Fulton, MS
$56,620 median income
Larksville, PA
$56,620 median income
Overton, NE
$56,625 median income
Rockford, OH
$56,625 median income

Race & Ethnicity Composition

Race and ethnicity - Columbus, GA 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 Columbus, GA - Census ACS, OMB race + ethnicity categories RACE, sums to 100% 39.3% 46.7% 7.5% ETHNICITY, Hispanic or Latino (any race) 8.3% White 39.3% Black or African American 46.7% Asian 2.6% American Indian 0.2% Native Hawaiian 0.2% Some other race 3.5% Two or more races 7.5% 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 Columbus compares to nearby Georgia cities

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

City Population Median Household Income
Columbus (this city) 204,383 $56,622
Augusta-Richmond County consolidated government (balance) 201,504 $53,134
Macon-Bibb County 156,543 $50,747
Savannah 147,546 $56,782
Census ACS 5-year FIPS GA FBI UCR NCES CCD Census BPS 2024 OMB Bulletin 23-01

What do people ask about Columbus, GA?

What is the population of Columbus, GA? +

Columbus, GA counts 204,383 residents according to U.S. Census Bureau ACS 2023 estimates.

What is the median household income in Columbus, GA? +

Columbus households earn a median of $56,622 annually, based on Census ACS 2023 data.

What is the cost of living in Columbus? +

BEA does not publish a city-level cost-of-living figure for Columbus; the closest available measure is the Georgia state average, a cost of living index of 96.3 (U.S. average = 100), rated "Below Average" based on BEA Regional Price Parities 2024 data. Costs within Georgia vary by metro area.

Is Columbus, GA safe? +

Columbus has a total crime rate of 2839.4 per 100,000 residents, which is above 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 Columbus, GA? +

Columbus's median home value sits at $182,300, 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.