City profile · Indiana · Census ACS 2023

Columbia City, IN

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

9,975
Residents
$65,000
Median income
$184,300
Median home
$1,113
Median rent (state)

Columbia City - the verdict

Measured against every US city with at least 1,000 residents, Columbia City lands in the 43rd percentile for household income and the 64th percentile for safety. Source: Census ACS + FBI UCR.

43rd
percentile, household income
38th
percentile, home value
30th
percentile, median rent
64th
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: Columbia City, IN

Columbia City is a small town in Indiana, home to 9,975 residents per U.S. Census Bureau ACS 2023 estimates. Median household income here is $65,000 per year, below the median for U.S. cities on this measure, with a poverty rate of 12.9%. Home values in Columbia City run a median of $184,300, and the median resident age is 36.4 years. About 24.9% of adults hold a bachelor's degree or higher, while 61.2% of working-age residents are in the labor force.

The Census Building Permit Survey recorded 49 residential units authorized here in 2024 (Slowing), down 23% from five years earlier. Columbia City reports a comparatively low crime rate: FBI UCR reporting places total crime at 991.5 incidents per 100,000 residents, below the national average (voluntary agency reporting, reflects reporting activity, not a definitive danger score). NOAA climate normals record an annual average temperature of 49.5°F with 39.1 inches of precipitation per year and 21.4 inches of snowfall.

Living costs in Indiana run below the national norm: BEA Regional Price Parities 2024 puts Indiana at 93.3 on a 100-equals-national-average scale (Below Average). Statewide, HUD pegs Fair Market Rent for a two-bedroom unit at $1,113 monthly. Statewide, average monthly utility bills in Indiana run around $235, per EIA 2023 residential energy data. Natural-hazard exposure scores 24.6 out of 100 on FEMA's National Risk Index (Very Low).

Population

9,975 residents

Census ACS 2023 - Indiana

Median Household Income

$65,000 /yr

Poverty 12.9%

Cost of Living Index (state)

93.3 (US=100)

Below Average - BEA RPP 2024, Indiana average

How does Columbia City compare to other US cities?

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

Household income 43% higher than other cities
Home value 38% pricier than other cities
Median rent 30% pricier than other cities
Safety 64% safer than other cities

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

Zoom in to just Indiana and the picture shifts: Columbia City ranks #52 of 109 Indiana cities by lowest crime rate, a different read than the national percentile above.

How we calculate these percentiles & ranks

For each metric we count every US city with population 1,000+ and a non-null value, then compute what share of them fall below Columbia City's value: round(cities-below ÷ total × 100). Safety is inverted (percentile = share of cities with a higher crime rate) so a higher number always means safer. The in-state rank narrows that same crime-rate comparison to only the cities PlainCities tracks in Indiana, breaking ties alphabetically. See the methodology page for the full source-to-figure lineage.

43rdIncome percentile
64thSafety percentile

43rd percentile nationally for median household income · 64th percentile for safety (lower crime rate). Source: Census ACS 2023 / FBI UCR 2023.

Columbia City's profile vs. every US city

Income, affordability, and safety percentile

Columbia City'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 58 Avg. percentile National median
Columbia City'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 Columbia City's home value compares nationally

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

$184,300 Among the most affordable more affordable than 62% 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. Columbia City $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 - Columbia City, IN Columbia City, IN's reported median household income shown against the U.S. national quintile-share pattern (not Columbia City, IN-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 Columbia City, IN median $65,000/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%
Columbia City, IN'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 Columbia City, IN. Diagonal = perfect equality.

Key socioeconomic indicators

Bachelor's degree or higher (adults 25+) 24.9%

Census ACS S1501, educational attainment

Poverty rate (households below FPL) 12.9%

Census ACS S1701, poverty status

Labor force participation (adults 16+) 61.2%

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

Population
9,975
Median Income
$65,000
Median Home Value
$184,300
Median Age
36.4
Poverty Rate
12.9%
Labor force participation
61.2%
Bachelor's Degree+
24.9%

Safety & Crime

Total Crime Rate
991.5
per 100,000 residents
Violent Crime
127.6
per 100,000 residents
Property Crime
863.9
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.

Climate

Avg Temperature
49.5°F
Annual Precipitation
39.1"
Annual Snowfall
21.4"

Schools

Total Schools
6
Public schools in this city

Population Change

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

See the fastest-growing cities →
9,900 residents10,000 residents10,100 residents10,200 residents10,300 residents 202020212022202320242025 9,968 residents 10,256 residents ▲ +2.9%
Columbia City's Census PEP population estimates, 2020–2025.

Housing Supply

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

🏗️ Slowing
Total Permits (2024)
49
housing units authorized
Single-Family
25
detached homes
Multifamily
24
apartments & condos
Supply Intensity
4.9
permits per 1,000 residents

5-Year Permit Trend (2019–2024)

Year Total
2019 64
2020 30
2021 57
2022 29
2023 31
2024 49

Permit volume decreased 23% from 2019 to 2024.

Commute Patterns

How workers travel to work, Census ACS 2023

Drive Alone
87.5%
Carpool
4.4%
Public Transit
0.1%
Walk
1.0%
Work from Home
5.6%
Other
1.4%

Based on 4,766 workers 16 and over.

Monthly Utility Costs

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

Electricity
$110
avg/month
Natural Gas
$80
avg/month
Water & Sewer
$45
avg/month
Total Utilities
$235
estimated/month

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

Cost of Living Index
93.3
Below Average
US average = 100 · BEA RPP 2024
Typical 2-BR Rent
$1,113/mo
HUD Fair Market Rent
County-level FMR estimate
Natural Hazard Risk
24.6 / 100
Very Low
FEMA NRI composite score (county)

Similar Cities in Indiana

Greencastle
9,863 people
Kendallville
10,094 people
Bargersville
10,163 people
Decatur
9,769 people
Sellersburg
10,215 people
McCordsville
9,700 people

Cities of a Similar Size Nationwide

Population-matched peers from other states, closest to Columbia City's 9,975 residents (Census ACS 5-Year 2023).

Cape Canaveral, FL
9,976 people
Fort Stewart, GA
9,976 people
Sweet Home, OR
9,977 people
Bay St. Louis, MS
9,971 people
Kinnelon, NJ
9,971 people
Willoughby Hills, OH
9,979 people

Cities with a Similar Household Income Nationwide

Median-household-income-matched peers from other states, closest to Columbia City's $65,000 (Census ACS 5-Year 2023, table B19013).

Athens, AL
$65,000 median income
Sweet Water, AL
$65,000 median income
Graeagle, CA
$65,000 median income
Pensacola Station, FL
$65,000 median income
Carnesville, GA
$65,000 median income
Honalo, HI
$65,000 median income

Race & Ethnicity Composition

Race and ethnicity - Columbia City, IN 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 Columbia City, IN - Census ACS, OMB race + ethnicity categories RACE, sums to 100% 90.3% 7.0% ETHNICITY, Hispanic or Latino (any race) 4.9% White 90.3% Black or African American 0.3% Asian 0.1% American Indian 0.1% Native Hawaiian 0.0% Some other race 2.3% Two or more races 7.0% 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 Columbia City compares to nearby Indiana cities

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

City Population Median Household Income
Columbia City (this city) 9,975 $65,000
Greencastle 9,863 $54,217
Kendallville 10,094 $60,909
Bargersville 10,163 $104,160
Census ACS 5-year FIPS IN FBI UCR NOAA Normals NCES CCD Census BPS 2024 OMB Bulletin 23-01

What do people ask about Columbia City, IN?

What is the population of Columbia City, IN? +

Columbia City, IN has a population of 9,975 according to U.S. Census Bureau ACS 2023 estimates.

What is the median household income in Columbia City, IN? +

Median annual household income in Columbia City runs $65,000, based on Census ACS 2023 data.

What is the cost of living in Columbia City? +

BEA does not publish a city-level cost-of-living figure for Columbia City; the closest available measure is the Indiana state average, a cost of living index of 93.3 (U.S. average = 100), rated "Below Average" based on BEA Regional Price Parities 2024 data. Costs within Indiana vary by metro area.

Is Columbia City, IN safe? +

Columbia City has a total crime rate of 991.5 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 Columbia City, IN? +

The median home value in Columbia City is $184,300, according to Census ACS 2023 estimates.

What is the climate like in Columbia City? +

Columbia City has an average annual temperature of 49.5°F, 39.1 inches of precipitation, and 21.4 inches of snowfall per year. Source: NOAA Climate Normals.

Source: U.S. Census Bureau ACS 5-Year 2023, FBI UCR, 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 Editorial

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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.