City · Texas
Columbus, Texas
Columbus, city, in Colorado County, Texas. Columbus had 3,821 residents on July 1, 2025 by the Census Bureau's estimate, up 3.6% since 2020; the 2020 Census counted 3,699 and the ACS 2020-2024 5-year estimates put it at 3,860 (±29). GEOID 4816168.
Residents, July 2025 estimate
3,821
Census Bureau estimate (no margin published)
2020 Census count: 3,699 · ACS 2020-2024: 3,860 ±29
Median household income
$49,418
±$10,091 (90% margin)
Texas: $78,476
Median home value
$241,700
±$102,756 (90% margin)
Texas: $283,800
Median gross rent
$879
±$325 (90% margin)
Texas: $1,403
Where is Columbus and what county is it in?
Columbus is a city in Colorado County, Texas. It covers 3.0 square miles of land, 1,231 residents per square mile in 2020.
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 3,821 people lived in Columbus on July 1, 2025, up 3.6% since 2020, slower than Texas (+8.8%). The 2020 Census counted 3,699 residents. The 2020-2024 American Community Survey, a five-year sample, puts the population at 3,860 (±29).
| Measure | Columbus | Colorado County | Change since 2015-2019 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Total population | 3,860 ±29 | 21,006 | +243 |
| Households | 1,333 ±193 | 7,937 | no clear change |
| Average household size | 2.67 ±0.38 | 2.60 | no clear change |
| Housing units | 1,653 ±223 | 10,102 | no clear change |
Columbus's population since 2000
From 3,916 in 2000 to 3,821 in 2025: down 2.4%. 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 34.6 years old; 31.8% are under 18 and 19.5% are 65 or older. The largest group is non-Hispanic white residents at 48.2%, then Hispanic or Latino residents (of any race) at 40.5%. 12.3% of residents were born outside the United States.
| Measure | Columbus | Colorado County | Change since 2015-2019 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median age | 34.6 ±7.7 | 43.3 | no clear change |
| Under 18 years | 31.8% ±6.7 pts | 23.3% | – |
| 65 years and over | 19.5% ±5.9 pts | 23.4% | – |
| Male | 48.7% ±6.5 pts | 51.1% | – |
| Hispanic or Latino (any race) | 40.5% ±10.0 pts | 30.5% | no clear change |
| White alone, not Hispanic | 48.2% ±10.2 pts | 53.2% | no clear change |
| Black or African American alone, not Hispanic | 8.4% ±4.4 pts | 9.7% | no clear change |
| Asian alone, not Hispanic | 1.7% ±2.6 pts | 0.7% | – |
| American Indian and Alaska Native alone, not Hispanic | 0.1% ±0.3 pts | 0.1% | – |
| Native Hawaiian and Other Pacific Islander alone, not Hispanic | 0.0% ±1.3 pts | 0.0% | – |
| Two or more races, not Hispanic | 0.8% ±1.0 pts | 5.3% | – |
| Some other race alone, not Hispanic | 0.3% ±0.6 pts | 0.5% | – |
| Born outside the United States | 12.3% ±5.5 pts | 8.7% | – |
| Speak a language other than English at home (age 5+) | 31.6% ±8.8 pts | 18.3% | – |
| Civilian veterans (age 18+) | 3.9% ±2.1 pts | 5.8% | – |
| With a disability | 15.5% ±5.1 pts | 19.4% | – |
| No health insurance coverage | 13.0% ±7.3 pts | 12.6% | – |
| High school graduate or higher (age 25+) | 87.4% ±6.0 pts | 89.6% | – |
| Bachelor's degree or higher (age 25+) | 27.8% ±8.6 pts | 22.9% | no clear change |
| Graduate or professional degree (age 25+) | 13.1% ±7.1 pts | 7.2% | – |
| Lived in the same house a year earlier | 89.1% ±6.1 pts | 92.0% | – |
| Moved from another state in the past year | 1.2% ±2.0 pts | 0.8% | – |
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 1,333 households earn less than $49,418 a year (±$10,091), against $66,377 in Colorado County and $78,476 in Texas. In 2015-2019 the median was $60,980 in 2024 dollars, so it fell by $11,562 after inflation. 31.5% of residents live below the poverty line.
| Measure | Columbus | Colorado County | Change since 2015-2019 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median household income | $49,418 ±$10,091 | $66,377 | −$11,562 |
| Mean household income | $83,862 ±$21,831 | $94,694 | – |
| Per capita income | $30,453 ±$8,830 | $36,990 | no clear change |
| People below the poverty line | 31.5% ±10.8 pts | 10.7% | – |
| Children under 18 below the poverty line | 52.6% ±19.2 pts | 16.6% | – |
| Households receiving SNAP | 12.4% ±9.6 pts | 9.5% | – |
| Households with a computer | 84.5% ±7.3 pts | 89.5% | – |
| Households with a broadband subscription | 82.4% ±9.2 pts | 81.9% | – |
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 68.8% of Columbus's occupied homes and renters 31.2%. The median owner-occupied home is valued at $241,700 by its owner (±$102,756). The median renter pays $879 a month including utilities.
| Measure | Columbus | Colorado County | Change since 2015-2019 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median home value (owner-occupied) | $241,700 ±$102,756 | $209,800 | no clear change |
| Median gross rent | $879 ±$325 | $926 | no clear change |
| Renters paying 35% or more of income on rent | 30.6% ±21.2 pts | 17.5% | – |
| Median monthly owner costs, with a mortgage | $1,925 ±$540 | $1,689 | – |
| Owner-occupied homes | 68.8% ±11.8 pts | 79.5% | no clear change |
| Renter-occupied homes | 31.2% ±11.8 pts | 20.5% | – |
| Housing units | 1,653 ±223 | 10,102 | no clear change |
| Homeowner vacancy rate | 5.3% ±8.0 pts | 1.6% | – |
| Rental vacancy rate | 1.9% ±3.9 pts | 4.1% | – |
| Single-family detached homes | 75.6% ±7.8 pts | 77.5% | – |
| Mobile homes | 10.0% ±7.6 pts | 15.9% | – |
| Built 2020 or later | 0.0% ±3.0 pts | 1.7% | – |
| Built 2010 to 2019 | 8.3% ±7.8 pts | 10.1% | – |
| Built 1939 or earlier | 23.4% ±11.8 pts | 11.4% | – |
| Households with no vehicle | 8.6% ±6.2 pts | 4.7% | – |
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 many new homes is Columbus building?
Builders took permits for 9 new housing units in Columbus in 2025 (9 in single-family houses), 2.4 per 1,000 residents against 6.6 across Texas.
Counts of units in permits a local office issued; not every permitted unit is built. A year marked with months was reported for part of the year.
Source: Building Permits Survey, annual place files 2019-2025, U.S. Census Bureau · Census Building Permits Survey
How do people in Columbus work and get to work?
80.9% of Columbus's workers drive alone. The average trip to work takes 21.3 minutes.
| Measure | Columbus | Colorado County | Change since 2015-2019 |
|---|---|---|---|
| In the labor force (age 16+) | 51.4% ±9.6 pts | 56.6% | – |
| Unemployment rate | 3.2% ±3.5 pts | 2.9% | – |
| Drove alone to work | 80.9% ±11.0 pts | 83.2% | – |
| Carpooled | 1.0% ±1.7 pts | 7.8% | – |
| Public transportation | 0.0% ±3.6 pts | 0.0% | – |
| Walked | 8.3% ±8.9 pts | 3.4% | – |
| Worked from home | 9.3% ±10.2 pts | 5.1% | – |
| Mean travel time to work | 21.3 min ±7.8 | 25.7 min | no clear change |
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?
No census tract lies mostly in Columbus; 2 tracts reach into it (2020 census blocks).
| Tract | Residents, 2020-2024 | Median household income |
|---|---|---|
| Tract 7505Colorado County | 4,693 | $51,587 |
| Tract 7504Colorado County | 4,900 | $103,125 |
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 Texas?
By the Census Bureau's July 2025 estimates, Columbus is the 5,627th-most populous of the 19,476 U.S. incorporated places that have one and the 440th-most populous of 1,224 in Texas.
Columbus ranks 763rd of 933 places in Texas with 1,000 or more residents and a reliable estimate, by median household income.
| Measure | Rank | Of |
|---|---|---|
| Population, July 2025 estimate | 440th | 1,224 |
| Growth 2020-2025 (PEP) | 405th | 784 |
| Residents per square mile | 421st | 979 |
| Median household income | 763rd | 933 |
| Per capita income | 531st | 978 |
| Median home value | 369th | 950 |
| Median gross rent | 665th | 852 |
| Poverty rate | 55th | 716 |
| Bachelor's degree or higher | 316th | 877 |
| Median age | 624th | 973 |
| Owner-occupied share | 550th | 973 |
| Travel time to work | 722nd | 976 |
Columbus's figures with every place in Texas (CSV)
Every place in Texas, 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?
19 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.