City profile · South Dakota · Census ACS 2023

Columbia, SD

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

170
Residents
$59,038
Median income
$121,900
Median home
$929
Median rent (state)

Columbia - the verdict

Nationally, Columbia sits in the 34th percentile for household income among US cities with a population of 1,000 or more. Source: Census ACS.

34th
percentile, household income
18th
percentile, home value
8th
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: Columbia, SD

Columbia is a small town in South Dakota, home to 170 residents per U.S. Census Bureau ACS 2023 estimates. Columbia households earn a median of $59,038 annually, below the median for U.S. cities on this measure, with a poverty rate of 0.0%. Columbia's housing stock carries a median value of $121,900, and the median resident age is 32.0 years. About 18.6% of adults hold a bachelor's degree or higher, while 84.5% of working-age residents are in the labor force.

NOAA puts Columbia's yearly average temperature at 42.9°F with 22.5 inches of precipitation per year and 37.8 inches of snowfall.

Living costs in South Dakota run below the national norm: BEA Regional Price Parities 2024 puts South Dakota at 88.6 on a 100-equals-national-average scale (Well Below Average). A typical two-bedroom carries a HUD Fair Market Rent of $929 per month statewide. Monthly utility costs average around $200 across South Dakota, per EIA 2023 residential energy estimates. Natural-hazard exposure scores 73.5 out of 100 on FEMA's National Risk Index (High).

Population

170 residents

Census ACS 2023 - South Dakota

Median Household Income

$59,038 /yr

Poverty 0.0%

Cost of Living Index (state)

88.6 (US=100)

Well Below Average - BEA RPP 2024, South Dakota average

How does Columbia compare to other US cities?

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

Household income 34% higher than other cities
Home value 18% pricier than other cities
Median rent 8% 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 Columbia against every qualifying US city; each in-state rank narrows that to South Dakota only. Full formula and direction notes: methodology.

South Dakota-relative analysis

Median Gross Rent places Columbia near the bottom of South Dakota's cities

Among the 303 South Dakota cities PlainCities tracks with reported median gross rent data, Columbia ranks #145 - the 0th percentile within the state. This is a different, narrower cut than the nationwide percentiles above: it compares Columbia only against its own state's cities, not the full US field.

Median Household Income
#169 of 285
41st percentile in South Dakota
Median Gross Rent
#145 of 303
0th percentile in South Dakota
Median Home Value
#141 of 263
46th percentile in South Dakota
Poverty Rate
#254 of 302
0th percentile in South Dakota
Bachelor's Degree or Higher
#167 of 303
45th percentile in South Dakota

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

34thIncome percentile

34th percentile nationally for median household income. Source: Census ACS 2023 / FBI UCR 2023.

How Columbia's home value compares nationally

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

$121,900 Among the most affordable more affordable than 82% 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. Columbia $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, SD Columbia, SD's reported median household income shown against the U.S. national quintile-share pattern (not Columbia, SD-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, SD median $59,038/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, SD'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, SD. Diagonal = perfect equality.

Key socioeconomic indicators

Bachelor's degree or higher (adults 25+) 18.6%

Census ACS S1501, educational attainment

Poverty rate (households below FPL) 0.0%

Census ACS S1701, poverty status

Labor force participation (adults 16+) 84.5%

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

Population
170
Median Income
$59,038
Median Home Value
$121,900
Median Age
32.0
Poverty Rate
0.0%
Labor force participation
84.5%
Bachelor's Degree+
18.6%

Climate

Avg Temperature
42.9°F
Annual Precipitation
22.5"
Annual Snowfall
37.8"

Population Change

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

See the fastest-growing cities →
152 residents154 residents156 residents158 residents160 residents 202020212022202320242025 157 residents 155 residents ▼ -1.3%
Columbia's Census PEP population estimates, 2020–2025.

Commute Patterns

How workers travel to work, Census ACS 2023

Drive Alone
87.1%
Carpool
2.2%
Public Transit
0.0%
Walk
0.0%
Work from Home
10.8%

Based on 93 workers 16 and over.

Monthly Utility Costs

State-average estimates for South Dakota - EIA 2023 residential energy data

Electricity
$95
avg/month
Natural Gas
$65
avg/month
Water & Sewer
$40
avg/month
Total Utilities
$200
estimated/month

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

Cost of Living Index
88.6
Well Below Average
US average = 100 · BEA RPP 2024
Typical 2-BR Rent
$929/mo
HUD Fair Market Rent
County-level FMR estimate
Natural Hazard Risk
73.5 / 100
High
FEMA NRI composite score (county)

Similar Cities in South Dakota

Ashton
171 people
Richland
168 people
Nisland
167 people
Kranzburg
174 people
Roslyn
174 people
Long Hollow
165 people

Cities of a Similar Size Nationwide

Population-matched peers from other states, closest to Columbia's 170 residents (Census ACS 5-Year 2023).

Carthage, AR
170 people
Centerville CDP (Fresno County), CA
170 people
Manor, GA
170 people
Billtown, IN
170 people
Davis City, IA
170 people
Belvue, KS
170 people

Cities with a Similar Household Income Nationwide

Median-household-income-matched peers from other states, closest to Columbia's $59,038 (Census ACS 5-Year 2023, table B19013).

Fulton, AL
$59,038 median income
Borger, TX
$59,031 median income
Dinuba, CA
$59,048 median income
Cedar Point, IL
$59,028 median income
Agency, IA
$59,028 median income
Loretto, KY
$59,028 median income

Race & Ethnicity Composition

Race and ethnicity - Columbia, SD 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, SD - Census ACS, OMB race + ethnicity categories RACE, sums to 100% 99.4% ETHNICITY, Hispanic or Latino (any race) 0.0% White 99.4% Black or African American 0.0% Asian 0.0% American Indian 0.6% Native Hawaiian 0.0% Some other race 0.0% Two or more races 0.0% 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 compares to nearby South Dakota 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 (this city) 170 $59,038
Ashton 171 $63,125
Richland 168 $53,295
Nisland 167 $29,444
Census ACS 5-year FIPS SD NOAA Normals OMB Bulletin 23-01

What do people ask about Columbia, SD?

What is the population of Columbia, SD? +

Columbia, SD has a population of 170 according to U.S. Census Bureau ACS 2023 estimates.

What is the median household income in Columbia, SD? +

The median household income in Columbia is $59,038 per year, based on Census ACS 2023 data.

What is the cost of living in Columbia? +

BEA does not publish a city-level cost-of-living figure for Columbia; the closest available measure is the South Dakota state average, a cost of living index of 88.6 (U.S. average = 100), rated "Well Below Average" based on BEA Regional Price Parities 2024 data. Costs within South Dakota vary by metro area.

What is the median home value in Columbia, SD? +

A typical home in Columbia is worth $121,900, according to Census ACS 2023 estimates.

What is the climate like in Columbia? +

Climate normals put Columbia's yearly average temperature at 42.9°F, 22.5 inches of precipitation, and 37.8 inches of snowfall per year. Source: NOAA Climate Normals.

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

Verify with HUD →

Verify with FBI →

Verify with NOAA →

Verify with U.S. Census Bureau →

Verify with EPA →

Verify with FEMA →

Verify with BEA →

Verify with EIA →

Verify with NCES →

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.