City · Indiana
Columbus, Indiana
Columbus, city, in Bartholomew County, Indiana. Columbus had 52,655 residents on July 1, 2025 by the Census Bureau's estimate, up 4.2% since 2020; the 2020 Census counted 50,474 and the ACS 2020-2024 5-year estimates put it at 51,824 (±661). GEOID 1814734.
Residents, July 2025 estimate
52,655
Census Bureau estimate (no margin published)
2020 Census count: 50,474 · ACS 2020-2024: 51,824 ±661
Median household income
$77,456
±$4,545 (90% margin)
Indiana: $71,957
Median home value
$244,200
±$7,471 (90% margin)
Indiana: $218,200
Median gross rent
$1,157
±$43 (90% margin)
Indiana: $1,062
Where is Columbus and what county is it in?
Columbus is a city in Bartholomew County, Indiana. It covers 28.7 square miles of land, 1,761 residents per square mile in 2020.
Columbus is in the Columbus, IN metropolitan statistical area (Census Bureau delineation, July 2023).
Columbus lies mostly within Columbus Township and reaches into Harrison Township (Bartholomew County), Wayne Township (Bartholomew County) and Clay Township (Bartholomew County), towns or townships with their own local government (2020 census blocks).
Source: 2024 Gazetteer and 2020 place-by-county files, U.S. Census Bureau · Census reference files
How many people live in Columbus, and is it growing?
The Census Bureau estimates that 52,655 people lived in Columbus on July 1, 2025, up 4.2% since 2020, faster than Indiana (+2.8%). The 2020 Census counted 50,474 residents. The 2020-2024 American Community Survey, a five-year sample, puts the population at 51,824 (±661).
| Measure | Columbus | Bartholomew County | Change since 2015-2019 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Total population | 51,824 ±661 | 83,536 | +3,674 |
| Households | 21,726 ±590 | 33,359 | +2,894 |
| Average household size | 2.34 ±0.06 | 2.47 | −0.17 |
| Housing units | 23,035 ±498 | 35,668 | +2,683 |
Columbus's population since 2000
From 39,059 in 2000 to 52,655 in 2025: up 34.8%. The 2000, 2010 and 2020 figures are census counts, each for Columbus as it was drawn that year: a place that annexed land, or a community that has since incorporated, covered a different area then. The 2005 figure is the Census Bureau's intercensal estimate, revised to fit the 2000 and 2010 counts and drawn on 2010 boundaries; 2015 and 2025 are July 1 estimates made from the census before them.
Source: The 2000, 2010 and 2020 Census counts and the Census Bureau's population estimates (intercensal 2000-2010, Vintage 2020, Vintage 2025) · Census population estimates
Source: American Community Survey 2020-2024 5-year estimates, U.S. Census Bureau (released January 2026); Census PEP Vintage 2025 (SUB-EST2025, CO-EST2025); 2020 Census P.L. 94-171 · Check it at data.census.gov
Who lives in Columbus?
The median resident of Columbus is 36.5 years old; 23.8% are under 18 and 16.0% are 65 or older. The largest group is non-Hispanic white residents at 71.9%, then non-Hispanic Asian residents at 11.5%. 15.9% of residents were born outside the United States.
| Measure | Columbus | Bartholomew County | Change since 2015-2019 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median age | 36.5 ±0.5 | 37.5 | +1.2 |
| Under 18 years | 23.8% ±1.0 pts | 24.1% | – |
| 65 years and over | 16.0% ±0.7 pts | 16.7% | – |
| Male | 50.6% ±0.9 pts | 50.6% | – |
| Hispanic or Latino (any race) | 10.7% ±1.0 pts | 9.2% | +4.3 pts |
| White alone, not Hispanic | 71.9% ±1.1 pts | 77.7% | −4.0 pts |
| Black or African American alone, not Hispanic | 2.5% ±0.5 pts | 1.8% | no clear change |
| Asian alone, not Hispanic | 11.5% ±0.7 pts | 7.4% | no clear change |
| American Indian and Alaska Native alone, not Hispanic | 0.1% ±0.1 pts | 0.1% | – |
| Native Hawaiian and Other Pacific Islander alone, not Hispanic | 0.0% ±0.1 pts | 0.0% | – |
| Two or more races, not Hispanic | 2.9% ±0.8 pts | 3.4% | – |
| Some other race alone, not Hispanic | 0.4% ±0.4 pts | 0.4% | – |
| Born outside the United States | 15.9% ±1.2 pts | 11.2% | no clear change |
| Speak a language other than English at home (age 5+) | 19.1% ±1.3 pts | 14.6% | – |
| Civilian veterans (age 18+) | 5.4% ±0.8 pts | 5.7% | – |
| With a disability | 13.6% ±1.5 pts | 13.5% | – |
| No health insurance coverage | 5.7% ±1.1 pts | 5.5% | −2.3 pts |
| High school graduate or higher (age 25+) | 92.2% ±1.3 pts | 92.0% | – |
| Bachelor's degree or higher (age 25+) | 40.0% ±2.2 pts | 34.1% | no clear change |
| Graduate or professional degree (age 25+) | 18.4% ±1.8 pts | 14.4% | – |
| Lived in the same house a year earlier | 83.2% ±2.4 pts | 85.7% | – |
| Moved from another state in the past year | 2.4% ±0.9 pts | 1.9% | – |
Source: American Community Survey 2020-2024 5-year estimates, U.S. Census Bureau (released January 2026) (Data Profiles DP02, DP05) · Check it at data.census.gov
What do households in Columbus earn?
Half of Columbus's 21,726 households earn less than $77,456 a year (±$4,545), against $79,901 in Bartholomew County and $71,957 in Indiana. In 2015-2019 it was $78,032 in 2024 dollars; the margins of error cannot tell the two periods apart. 11.3% of residents live below the poverty line.
| Measure | Columbus | Bartholomew County | Change since 2015-2019 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median household income | $77,456 ±$4,545 | $79,901 | no clear change |
| Mean household income | $103,353 ±$5,187 | $102,124 | – |
| Per capita income | $43,783 ±$2,177 | $41,608 | +$2,749 |
| People below the poverty line | 11.3% ±1.5 pts | 10.5% | no clear change |
| Children under 18 below the poverty line | 11.1% ±2.9 pts | 11.3% | −11.0 pts |
| Households receiving SNAP | 7.5% ±1.5 pts | 7.4% | – |
| Households with a computer | 96.0% ±1.0 pts | 95.8% | – |
| Households with a broadband subscription | 94.3% ±1.1 pts | 92.9% | – |
Source: American Community Survey 2020-2024 5-year estimates, U.S. Census Bureau (released January 2026) (Data Profile DP03) · Check it at data.census.gov
What does housing cost in Columbus?
Owners occupy 60.8% of Columbus's occupied homes and renters 39.2%. The median owner-occupied home is valued at $244,200 by its owner (±$7,471). The median renter pays $1,157 a month including utilities, and 32.4% of renters pay 35% or more of their income on rent.
| Measure | Columbus | Bartholomew County | Change since 2015-2019 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median home value (owner-occupied) | $244,200 ±$7,471 | $232,800 | +$39,659 |
| Median gross rent | $1,157 ±$43 | $1,127 | no clear change |
| Renters paying 35% or more of income on rent | 32.4% ±5.2 pts | 33.6% | no clear change |
| Median monthly owner costs, with a mortgage | $1,475 ±$50 | $1,433 | – |
| Owner-occupied homes | 60.8% ±2.2 pts | 69.3% | no clear change |
| Renter-occupied homes | 39.2% ±2.2 pts | 30.7% | – |
| Housing units | 23,035 ±498 | 35,668 | +2,683 |
| Homeowner vacancy rate | 1.0% ±0.8 pts | 1.1% | – |
| Rental vacancy rate | 3.0% ±2.1 pts | 2.5% | – |
| Single-family detached homes | 68.2% ±2.2 pts | 75.0% | – |
| Mobile homes | 1.6% ±0.7 pts | 4.7% | – |
| Built 2020 or later | 1.3% ±0.6 pts | 1.4% | – |
| Built 2010 to 2019 | 16.6% ±2.0 pts | 12.6% | – |
| Built 1939 or earlier | 9.3% ±1.6 pts | 9.8% | – |
| Households with no vehicle | 6.0% ±1.2 pts | 5.2% | – |
Source: American Community Survey 2020-2024 5-year estimates, U.S. Census Bureau (released January 2026) (Data Profile DP04) · Check it at data.census.gov
How do people in Columbus work and get to work?
71.3% of Columbus's workers drive alone and 15.6% work from home. The average trip to work takes 19.4 minutes. The unemployment rate in 2020-2024 averaged 4.7%.
| Measure | Columbus | Bartholomew County | Change since 2015-2019 |
|---|---|---|---|
| In the labor force (age 16+) | 67.1% ±1.9 pts | 66.2% | – |
| Unemployment rate | 4.7% ±1.1 pts | 4.1% | no clear change |
| Drove alone to work | 71.3% ±2.5 pts | 75.6% | – |
| Carpooled | 9.6% ±1.7 pts | 7.9% | – |
| Public transportation | 1.2% ±0.7 pts | 0.8% | – |
| Walked | 1.1% ±0.6 pts | 0.9% | – |
| Worked from home | 15.6% ±2.0 pts | 13.8% | +12.1 pts |
| Mean travel time to work | 19.4 min ±1.3 | 21.5 min | +2.4 min |
Source: American Community Survey 2020-2024 5-year estimates, U.S. Census Bureau (released January 2026) (Data Profile DP03) · Check it at data.census.gov
What census tracts are in Columbus?
9 census tracts lie mostly in Columbus, and 6 more reach into it (2020 census blocks). Their median household incomes run from $49,044 (Tract 106) to $129,821 (Tract 103).
| Tract | Residents, 2020-2024 | Median household income |
|---|---|---|
| Tract 104Bartholomew County | 6,651 | $84,643 |
| Tract 109Bartholomew County | 7,378 | $127,825 |
| Tract 101Bartholomew County | 5,398 | $56,071 |
| Tract 105Bartholomew County | 5,390 | $66,540 |
| Tract 102Bartholomew County | 4,360 | $74,552 |
| Tract 106Bartholomew County | 4,559 | $49,044 |
| Tract 108Bartholomew County | 4,366 | $52,617 |
| Tract 107Bartholomew County | 3,705 | $61,923 |
| Tract 103Bartholomew County | 3,586 | $129,821 |
| Tract 115Bartholomew County | 9,773 | $108,000 |
| Tract 110Bartholomew County | 4,709 | $105,841 |
| Tract 111.01Bartholomew County | 6,111 | $73,787 |
Source: American Community Survey 2020-2024 5-year estimates, U.S. Census Bureau (released January 2026); 2020 block assignment files (tract share = share of the tract's census blocks in Columbus) · Census block assignment files
How does Columbus compare with other places in Indiana?
By the Census Bureau's July 2025 estimates, Columbus is the 779th-most populous of the 19,476 U.S. incorporated places that have one and the 20th-most populous of 566 in Indiana.
Columbus ranks 413th of 1,072 places in Indiana with 1,000 or more residents and a reliable estimate, by median household income.
| Measure | Rank | Of |
|---|---|---|
| Population, July 2025 estimate | 20th | 566 |
| Growth 2020-2025 (PEP) | 154th | 1,056 |
| Residents per square mile | 124th | 1,088 |
| Median household income | 413th | 1,072 |
| Per capita income | 186th | 1,087 |
| Median home value | 261st | 1,075 |
| Median gross rent | 150th | 904 |
| Poverty rate | 377th | 736 |
| Bachelor's degree or higher | 76th | 1,029 |
| Median age | 822nd | 1,083 |
| Owner-occupied share | 1,000th | 1,087 |
| Work from home | 82nd | 595 |
| Travel time to work | 965th | 1,088 |
Columbus's figures with every place in Indiana (CSV)
Every place in Indiana, sortable · Compare Columbus with other places
Source: PlainCities ranks computed from the American Community Survey 2020-2024 5-year estimates, U.S. Census Bureau (released January 2026) and PEP Vintage 2025 · How ranks are computed
How reliable are the figures for Columbus?
5 of the 57 figures for Columbus on this page carry a coefficient of variation over 40% and are marked with a ring: they come from a small sample, so read them as rough.
The American Community Survey samples about one household in eight over five years, so every figure is an estimate with a 90% margin of error (shown under each value). A ring marks an estimate whose coefficient of variation is over 40%. A change is called only when the gap between the two periods is larger than their combined 90% margin (the square root of the sum of the two squared margins), the Census Bureau's test. How to read a margin of error.
Source: American Community Survey 2020-2024 5-year estimates, U.S. Census Bureau (released January 2026): margins of error as published · ACS technical documentation
How these figures are made: methodology and release checks · reading a margin of error · every state · corrections
Not on this page: crime, weather and schools for Columbus are other agencies' records. Crime: the FBI's Crime Data Explorer · climate: NOAA's U.S. Climate Normals · schools: the National Center for Education Statistics' public schools in Columbus.