County · Arkansas
Columbia County, Arkansas
Columbia County, Arkansas. Columbia County had 21,894 residents in 2025 by the Census Bureau's estimate, down 4.0% since 2020, while Arkansas grew 3.4%. It holds 5 places (5 cities, villages and boroughs) and 7 census tracts. GEOID 05027.
Columbia County is the county of the Magnolia, AR micropolitan statistical area (the Census Bureau's July 2023 delineation).
Residents, July 2025 estimate
21,894
Census Bureau estimate (no margin published)
2020 Census count: 22,801 · ACS 2020-2024: 22,349
Median household income
$55,334
±$6,938 (90% margin)
Arkansas: $60,773
Median home value
$152,100
±$20,215 (90% margin)
Arkansas: $188,000
Median gross rent
$649
±$67 (90% margin)
Arkansas: $947
How many people live in Columbia County, and is it growing?
The 2020 Census counted 22,801 residents in Columbia County. The Census Bureau estimates 21,894 for July 1, 2025, down 4.0% since 2020, while Arkansas grew 3.4%. The 2020-2024 American Community Survey puts the population at 22,349 over 766 square miles of land.
| Measure | Columbia County | Arkansas | Change since 2015-2019 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Total population | 22,349 | 3,049,391 | −1,427 |
| Households | 8,409±330 | 1,205,987 | no clear change |
| Average household size | 2.41±0.09 | 2.46 | −0.16 |
| Housing units | 11,030±53 | 1,394,673 | −636 |
Columbia County's population since 2000
From 25,603 in 2000 to 21,894 in 2025: down 14.5%. The 2000, 2010 and 2020 figures are census counts. 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); PEP Vintage 2025 (CO-EST2025); 2020 Census · Check it at data.census.gov
What cities and towns are in Columbia County?
Columbia County holds 5 places: 5 cities, villages and boroughs (incorporated places). The largest is Magnolia with 10,660 residents (2025 estimate). Places that cross a county line are listed with the share of their 2020 residents who live in this county.
Source: American Community Survey 2020-2024 5-year estimates, U.S. Census Bureau (released January 2026); 2020 place-by-county parts · Check it at data.census.gov
Who lives in Columbia County?
The median resident of Columbia County is 34.2 years old; 21.5% are under 18 and 17.5% are 65 or older. The largest group is non-Hispanic white residents at 58.2%, then non-Hispanic Black residents at 34.4%. 1.6% of residents were born outside the United States.
| Measure | Columbia County | Arkansas | Change since 2015-2019 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median age | 34.2±0.7 | 38.5 | −1.5 |
| Under 18 years | 21.5%±0.4 pts | 23.1% | – |
| 65 years and over | 17.5%±0.2 pts | 17.6% | – |
| Hispanic or Latino (any race) | 3.5% | 9.0% | +0.8 pts |
| White alone, not Hispanic | 58.2%±0.3 pts | 67.4% | −1.1 pts |
| Black or African American alone, not Hispanic | 34.4%±0.9 pts | 14.6% | −1.5 pts |
| Asian alone, not Hispanic | 0.4%±0.3 pts | 1.6% | – |
| American Indian and Alaska Native alone, not Hispanic | 0.1%±0.1 pts | 0.3% | – |
| Native Hawaiian and Other Pacific Islander alone, not Hispanic | 0.0%±0.1 pts | 0.4% | – |
| Two or more races, not Hispanic | 3.4%±1.1 pts | 6.3% | – |
| Some other race alone, not Hispanic | 0.0%±0.1 pts | 0.3% | – |
| Born outside the United States | 1.6%±0.8 pts | 5.4% | no clear change |
| Speak a language other than English at home (age 5+) | 3.4%±0.8 pts | 8.3% | – |
| Civilian veterans (age 18+) | 5.2%±1.2 pts | 7.4% | – |
| With a disability | 20.2%±2.1 pts | 18.0% | – |
| No health insurance coverage | 7.5%±1.3 pts | 9.0% | no clear change |
| High school graduate or higher (age 25+) | 88.7%±2.1 pts | 88.7% | – |
| Bachelor's degree or higher (age 25+) | 21.9%±3.2 pts | 25.7% | no clear change |
| Graduate or professional degree (age 25+) | 7.4%±1.9 pts | 9.5% | – |
| Moved from another state in the past year | 3.4%±1.2 pts | 2.4% | – |
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 Columbia County earn?
Half of Columbia County's 8,409 households earn less than $55,334 a year (±$6,938), against $60,773 in Arkansas. In 2015-2019 the median was $44,543 in 2024 dollars, so it rose by $10,792 after inflation. 21.1% of residents live below the poverty line.
| Measure | Columbia County | Arkansas | Change since 2015-2019 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median household income | $55,334±$6,938 | $60,773 | +$10,792 |
| Mean household income | $69,996±$6,634 | $84,759 | – |
| Per capita income | $27,130±$2,348 | $34,225 | no clear change |
| People below the poverty line | 21.1%±2.8 pts | 16.0% | no clear change |
| Children under 18 below the poverty line | 35.3%±6.9 pts | 21.1% | no clear change |
| Households receiving SNAP | 11.8%±2.3 pts | 10.2% | – |
| Households with a broadband subscription | 80.3%±2.9 pts | 86.7% | – |
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 Columbia County?
Owners occupy 70.7% of Columbia County's occupied homes and renters 29.3%. The median owner-occupied home is valued at $152,100 by its owner (±$20,215). The median renter pays $649 a month including utilities, and 23.1% of renters pay 35% or more of their income on rent.
| Measure | Columbia County | Arkansas | Change since 2015-2019 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median home value (owner-occupied) | $152,100±$20,215 | $188,000 | +$51,306 |
| Median gross rent | $649±$67 | $947 | −$168 |
| Renters paying 35% or more of income on rent | 23.1%±6.2 pts | 35.9% | −12.3 pts |
| Median monthly owner costs, with a mortgage | $1,243±$141 | $1,345 | – |
| Owner-occupied homes | 70.7%±3.4 pts | 66.4% | no clear change |
| Housing units | 11,030±53 | 1,394,673 | −636 |
| Homeowner vacancy rate | 2.0%±1.5 pts | 1.1% | – |
| Rental vacancy rate | 9.5%±4.7 pts | 6.4% | – |
| Single-family detached homes | 69.6%±3.3 pts | 70.0% | – |
| Mobile homes | 16.8%±3.1 pts | 11.0% | – |
| Built 2020 or later | 0.7%±0.5 pts | 2.1% | – |
| Built 1939 or earlier | 5.1%±1.7 pts | 4.1% | – |
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 Columbia County building?
Builders took permits for 11 new housing units across Columbia County in 2025 (7 single-family), 0.5 per 1,000 residents.
Source: Building Permits Survey, annual county files 2019-2025, U.S. Census Bureau · Census Building Permits Survey
How do people in Columbia County get to work?
80.8% of Columbia County's workers drive alone and 5.4% work from home. The average trip to work takes 22.3 minutes. The unemployment rate in 2020-2024 averaged 3.2%.
| Measure | Columbia County | Arkansas | Change since 2015-2019 |
|---|---|---|---|
| In the labor force (age 16+) | 55.6%±2.4 pts | 58.4% | – |
| Unemployment rate | 3.2%±1.5 pts | 4.9% | −7.7 pts |
| Drove alone to work | 80.8%±3.8 pts | 78.9% | – |
| Carpooled | 8.0%±2.2 pts | 9.4% | – |
| Public transportation | 0.4%±0.4 pts | 0.3% | – |
| Walked | 3.3%±1.2 pts | 1.4% | – |
| Worked from home | 5.4%±1.9 pts | 8.8% | +4.3 pts |
| Mean travel time to work | 22.3 min±2.5 | 22.5 min | +5.1 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 are Columbia County's census tracts?
Columbia County is divided into 7 census tracts. Among those with a reliable estimate, median household income runs from $31,020 (Tract 9505) to $72,054 (Tract 9504.01).
| Tract 950105027950100 | 4,452±490 | $65,028 |
|---|---|---|
| Tract 950205027950200 | 3,778±436 | $41,250 |
| Tract 9503.0105027950301 | 1,030±184 | $59,841 |
| Tract 9503.0205027950302 | 3,278±424 | $49,265 |
| Tract 9504.0105027950401 | 4,184±401 | $72,054 |
| Tract 9504.0205027950402 | 2,201±432 | $64,010 |
| Tract 950505027950500 | 3,426±459 | $31,020 |
Source: American Community Survey 2020-2024 5-year estimates, U.S. Census Bureau (released January 2026) · Check it at data.census.gov
How does Columbia County compare with Arkansas's other counties?
| Measure | Rank |
|---|---|
| Population | 28th of 75 |
| Growth 2020-2025 | 54th of 75 |
| Residents per square mile | 31st of 75 |
| Median household income | 24th of 75 |
| Median home value | 28th of 75 |
| Median gross rent | 62nd of 75 |
| Poverty rate | 18th of 75 |
| Bachelor's degree or higher | 13th of 75 |
| Median age | 72nd of 75 |
Source: PlainCities ranks 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 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 Columbia County 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' school search.