City profile · Iowa · Census ACS 2023

Columbus Junction, IA

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

2,129
Residents
$76,518
Median income
$114,200
Median home
$919
Median rent (state)

Columbus Junction - the verdict

Out of every US city with 1,000+ residents, Columbus Junction places in the 58th percentile for household income. Source: Census ACS.

58th
percentile, household income
15th
percentile, home value
6th
percentile, median rent
📝 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 Junction, IA

Columbus Junction is a small town in Iowa, home to 2,129 residents per U.S. Census Bureau ACS 2023 estimates. Median household income here is $76,518 per year, above the median for U.S. cities on this measure, with a poverty rate of 6.6%. Home values in Columbus Junction run a median of $114,200, and the median resident age is 34.4 years. 17.1% of adults here have a bachelor's degree or higher; 62.7% of working-age residents are in the labor force.

Housing supply pressure shows in Census Building Permit Survey data: 3 residential units were authorized in 2024 (Building Boom), up 50% from five years earlier. NOAA climate normals record an annual average temperature of 48.8°F with 38.8 inches of precipitation per year and 31.3 inches of snowfall.

Living costs in Iowa run below the national norm: the state registers 87.8 on a 100-equals-national-average index (Well Below Average) per BEA Regional Price Parities 2024. Statewide, HUD pegs Fair Market Rent for a two-bedroom unit at $919 monthly. EIA 2023 residential energy data puts Iowa's average monthly utility costs around $212 (state average). Commute times here average 24.2 minutes, with 75.2% driving alone and 4.4% working from home, per Census ACS commuting data. On FEMA's National Risk Index, this area rates 17.5 out of 100 for natural-hazard exposure (Very Low).

Population

2,129 residents

Census ACS 2023 - Iowa

Median Household Income

$76,518 /yr

Poverty 6.6%

Cost of Living Index (state)

87.8 (US=100)

Well Below Average - BEA RPP 2024, Iowa average

How does Columbus Junction compare to other US cities?

Columbus Junction measured against every US city with 1,000+ residents, computed live from the same Census and FBI data shown throughout this page.

Household income 58% higher than other cities
Home value 15% pricier than other cities
Median rent 6% pricier than other cities

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

How we calculate these percentiles & ranks

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

Iowa-relative analysis

Median Gross Rent places Columbus Junction near the bottom of Iowa's cities

Among the 858 Iowa cities PlainCities tracks with reported median gross rent data, Columbus Junction ranks #450 - the 0th percentile within the state. This is a different, narrower cut than the nationwide percentiles above: it compares Columbus Junction only against its own state's cities, not the full US field.

Median Household Income
#219 of 845
74th percentile in Iowa
Median Gross Rent
#450 of 858
0th percentile in Iowa
Median Home Value
#447 of 849
47th percentile in Iowa
Poverty Rate
#385 of 858
54th percentile in Iowa
Bachelor's Degree or Higher
#462 of 858
46th percentile in Iowa

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

58thIncome percentile

58th percentile nationally for median household income. Source: Census ACS 2023 / FBI UCR 2023.

How Columbus Junction's home value compares nationally

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

$114,200 Among the most affordable more affordable than 85% 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%). This entry sits in this band. $125,000–$150,000: 1,170 US cities (8%). Above this entry. $150,000–$175,000: 1,278 US cities (8%). Above this entry. $175,000–$200,000: 1,229 US cities (8%). Above this entry. $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 Junction $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 Junction, IA Columbus Junction, IA's reported median household income shown against the U.S. national quintile-share pattern (not Columbus Junction, IA-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 Junction, IA median $76,518/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 Junction, IA'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 Junction, IA. Diagonal = perfect equality.

Key socioeconomic indicators

Bachelor's degree or higher (adults 25+) 17.1%

Census ACS S1501, educational attainment

Poverty rate (households below FPL) 6.6%

Census ACS S1701, poverty status

Labor force participation (adults 16+) 62.7%

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

Population
2,129
Median Income
$76,518
Median Home Value
$114,200
Median Age
34.4
Poverty Rate
6.6%
Labor force participation
62.7%
Bachelor's Degree+
17.1%

Climate

Avg Temperature
48.8°F
Annual Precipitation
38.8"
Annual Snowfall
31.3"

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 →
1,750 residents1,800 residents1,850 residents1,900 residents 202020212022202320242025 1,849 residents 1,772 residents ▼ -4.2%
Columbus Junction's Census PEP population estimates, 2020–2025.

Housing Supply

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

📈 Building Boom
Total Permits (2024)
3
housing units authorized
Single-Family
1
detached homes
Multifamily
2
apartments & condos
Supply Intensity
1.4
permits per 1,000 residents

5-Year Permit Trend (2019–2024)

Year Total
2019 2
2020 0
2021 0
2022 1
2023 3
2024 3

Permit volume increased 50% from 2019 to 2024.

Commute Patterns

How workers travel to work, Census ACS 2023

Average Commute Time
24.2 minutes
Drive Alone
75.2%
Carpool
16.0%
Public Transit
0.0%
Walk
2.0%
Work from Home
4.4%
Other
2.4%

Based on 985 workers 16 and over.

Monthly Utility Costs

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

Electricity
$95
avg/month
Natural Gas
$75
avg/month
Water & Sewer
$42
avg/month
Total Utilities
$212
estimated/month

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

Cost of Living Index
87.8
Well Below Average
US average = 100 · BEA RPP 2024
Typical 2-BR Rent
$919/mo
HUD Fair Market Rent
County-level FMR estimate
Natural Hazard Risk
17.5 / 100
Very Low
FEMA NRI composite score (county)

Similar Cities in Iowa

Lamoni
2,121 people
Sumner
2,159 people
Colfax
2,089 people
La Porte City
2,170 people
Northwood
2,170 people
Toledo
2,079 people

Cities of a Similar Size Nationwide

Population-matched peers from other states, closest to Columbus Junction's 2,129 residents (Census ACS 5-Year 2023).

Bressler, PA
2,129 people
Jackson, KY
2,128 people
Odem, TX
2,128 people
Southmont, PA
2,127 people
Sullivan's Island, SC
2,127 people
Putnamville, IN
2,126 people

Cities with a Similar Household Income Nationwide

Median-household-income-matched peers from other states, closest to Columbus Junction's $76,518 (Census ACS 5-Year 2023, table B19013).

SeaTac, WA
$76,517 median income
Boulevard, CA
$76,513 median income
The Villages, FL
$76,523 median income
Castroville, TX
$76,524 median income
Mary Esther, FL
$76,510 median income
Crescent Springs, KY
$76,530 median income

Race & Ethnicity Composition

Race and ethnicity - Columbus Junction, IA 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 Junction, IA - Census ACS, OMB race + ethnicity categories RACE, sums to 100% 55.8% 9.4% 23.9% 9.5% ETHNICITY, Hispanic or Latino (any race) 43.5% White 55.8% Black or African American 1.5% Asian 9.4% American Indian 0.0% Native Hawaiian 0.0% Some other race 23.9% Two or more races 9.5% 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 Junction compares to nearby Iowa 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 Junction (this city) 2,129 $76,518
Lamoni 2,121 $52,300
Sumner 2,159 $56,174
Colfax 2,089 $82,878
Census ACS 5-year FIPS IA NOAA Normals NCES CCD Census BPS 2024 OMB Bulletin 23-01

What do people ask about Columbus Junction, IA?

What is the population of Columbus Junction, IA? +

The population of Columbus Junction, IA stands at 2,129 according to U.S. Census Bureau ACS 2023 estimates.

What is the median household income in Columbus Junction, IA? +

In Columbus Junction, the typical household earns $76,518 per year, based on Census ACS 2023 data.

What is the cost of living in Columbus Junction? +

BEA does not publish a city-level cost-of-living figure for Columbus Junction; the closest available measure is the Iowa state average, a cost of living index of 87.8 (U.S. average = 100), rated "Well Below Average" based on BEA Regional Price Parities 2024 data. Costs within Iowa vary by metro area.

What is the median home value in Columbus Junction, IA? +

Columbus Junction's median home value sits at $114,200, according to Census ACS 2023 estimates.

What is the climate like in Columbus Junction? +

Columbus Junction has an average annual temperature of 48.8°F, 38.8 inches of precipitation, and 31.3 inches of snowfall per year. Source: NOAA Climate Normals.

Source: U.S. Census Bureau ACS 5-Year 2023, NOAA Climate Normals, 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.