County · Florida
Columbia County, Florida
Columbia County, Florida. Columbia County had 74,094 residents in 2025 by the Census Bureau's estimate, up 6.3% since 2020, slower than Florida (+8.9%). It holds 4 places (2 cities, villages and boroughs and 2 census-designated) and 13 census tracts. GEOID 12023.
Columbia County is the county of the Lake City, FL micropolitan statistical area (the Census Bureau's July 2023 delineation).
Residents, July 2025 estimate
74,094
Census Bureau estimate (no margin published)
2020 Census count: 69,698 · ACS 2020-2024: 71,789
Median household income
$59,205
±$3,290 (90% margin)
Florida: $74,568
Median home value
$194,900
±$13,582 (90% margin)
Florida: $359,000
Median gross rent
$976
±$52 (90% margin)
Florida: $1,669
How many people live in Columbia County, and is it growing?
The 2020 Census counted 69,698 residents in Columbia County. The Census Bureau estimates 74,094 for July 1, 2025, up 6.3% since 2020, slower than Florida (+8.9%). The 2020-2024 American Community Survey puts the population at 71,789 over 797 square miles of land.
| Measure | Columbia County | Florida | Change since 2015-2019 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Total population | 71,789 | 22,416,077 | +1,821 |
| Households | 27,430±451 | 8,752,810 | +2,297 |
| Average household size | 2.47±0.04 | 2.51 | −0.12 |
| Housing units | 30,300±40 | 10,256,470 | +1,267 |
Columbia County's population since 2000
From 56,513 in 2000 to 74,094 in 2025: up 31.1%. 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 4 places: 2 cities, villages and boroughs (incorporated places) and 2 census-designated places. The largest is Lake City with 12,788 residents (2025 estimate). Places that cross a county line are listed with the share of their 2020 residents who live in this county.
| Lake City | 12,329 | $56,472 |
|---|---|---|
| Watertown | 3,018 | $41,466 |
| Five PointsGEOID 1222475 | 1,076 | $63,207 |
| Fort White | 618 | $53,750 |
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 40.7 years old; 22.2% are under 18 and 20.3% are 65 or older. The largest group is non-Hispanic white residents at 70.3%, then non-Hispanic Black residents at 16.1%. 4.7% of residents were born outside the United States.
| Measure | Columbia County | Florida | Change since 2015-2019 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median age | 40.7±0.5 | 42.6 | no clear change |
| Under 18 years | 22.2%±0.2 pts | 19.5% | – |
| 65 years and over | 20.3%±0.1 pts | 21.3% | – |
| Hispanic or Latino (any race) | 7.9% | 27.4% | +1.6 pts |
| White alone, not Hispanic | 70.3%±0.5 pts | 50.4% | −2.0 pts |
| Black or African American alone, not Hispanic | 16.1%±0.9 pts | 14.6% | −1.7 pts |
| Asian alone, not Hispanic | 1.0%±0.2 pts | 2.9% | 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 | 0.1% | – |
| Two or more races, not Hispanic | 3.9%±0.9 pts | 3.8% | – |
| Some other race alone, not Hispanic | 0.8%±0.5 pts | 0.7% | – |
| Born outside the United States | 4.7%±0.9 pts | 21.9% | no clear change |
| Speak a language other than English at home (age 5+) | 7.5%±0.9 pts | 30.6% | – |
| Civilian veterans (age 18+) | 11.1%±1.1 pts | 7.4% | – |
| With a disability | 21.2%±1.7 pts | 13.7% | – |
| No health insurance coverage | 12.6%±1.5 pts | 11.5% | no clear change |
| High school graduate or higher (age 25+) | 86.0%±1.7 pts | 89.9% | – |
| Bachelor's degree or higher (age 25+) | 16.8%±1.8 pts | 34.1% | no clear change |
| Graduate or professional degree (age 25+) | 5.3%±0.9 pts | 12.9% | – |
| Moved from another state in the past year | 2.1%±0.9 pts | 2.9% | – |
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 Columbia County earn?
Half of Columbia County's 27,430 households earn less than $59,205 a year (±$3,290), against $74,568 in Florida. In 2015-2019 it was $57,220 in 2024 dollars; the margins of error cannot tell the two periods apart. 16.7% of residents live below the poverty line.
| Measure | Columbia County | Florida | Change since 2015-2019 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median household income | $59,205±$3,290 | $74,568 | no clear change |
| Mean household income | $77,718±$4,299 | $105,967 | – |
| Per capita income | $29,367±$1,467 | $42,609 | no clear change |
| People below the poverty line | 16.7%±3.1 pts | 12.6% | no clear change |
| Children under 18 below the poverty line | 21.1%±6.2 pts | 16.5% | no clear change |
| Households receiving SNAP | 20.5%±2.5 pts | 12.6% | – |
| Households with a broadband subscription | 89.1%±1.6 pts | 91.6% | – |
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 72.5% of Columbia County's occupied homes and renters 27.5%. The median owner-occupied home is valued at $194,900 by its owner (±$13,582). The median renter pays $976 a month including utilities, and 40.0% of renters pay 35% or more of their income on rent.
| Measure | Columbia County | Florida | Change since 2015-2019 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median home value (owner-occupied) | $194,900±$13,582 | $359,000 | +$42,048 |
| Median gross rent | $976±$52 | $1,669 | no clear change |
| Renters paying 35% or more of income on rent | 40.0%±6.4 pts | 50.2% | no clear change |
| Median monthly owner costs, with a mortgage | $1,416±$55 | $1,959 | – |
| Owner-occupied homes | 72.5%±2.6 pts | 67.6% | no clear change |
| Housing units | 30,300±40 | 10,256,470 | +1,267 |
| Homeowner vacancy rate | 0.4%±0.4 pts | 1.4% | – |
| Rental vacancy rate | 6.3%±2.7 pts | 7.6% | – |
| Single-family detached homes | 53.5%±2.3 pts | 54.7% | – |
| Mobile homes | 34.7%±2.5 pts | 8.0% | – |
| Built 2020 or later | 2.6%±1.0 pts | 3.2% | – |
| Built 1939 or earlier | 2.0%±0.6 pts | 1.9% | – |
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 182 new housing units across Columbia County in 2025 (174 single-family), 2.5 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?
77.1% of Columbia County's workers drive alone and 8.3% work from home. The average trip to work takes 25.8 minutes. The unemployment rate in 2020-2024 averaged 5.3%.
| Measure | Columbia County | Florida | Change since 2015-2019 |
|---|---|---|---|
| In the labor force (age 16+) | 54.3%±1.4 pts | 59.8% | – |
| Unemployment rate | 5.3%±1.3 pts | 4.8% | −3.3 pts |
| Drove alone to work | 77.1%±2.2 pts | 70.2% | – |
| Carpooled | 11.7%±2.0 pts | 9.2% | – |
| Public transportation | 0.1%±0.1 pts | 1.2% | – |
| Walked | 0.4%±0.3 pts | 1.4% | – |
| Worked from home | 8.3%±1.4 pts | 15.7% | +4.3 pts |
| Mean travel time to work | 25.8 min±1.2 | 28.0 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 are Columbia County's census tracts?
Columbia County is divided into 13 census tracts. Among those with a reliable estimate, median household income runs from $40,978 (Tract 1109.01) to $73,986 (Tract 1109.03).
| Tract 1102.0112023110201 | 3,922±547 | $66,715 |
|---|---|---|
| Tract 1102.0212023110202 | 6,934±1,119 | $49,622 |
| Tract 110312023110300 | 7,977±790 | $57,310 |
| Tract 110412023110400 | 3,029±582 | $45,000 |
| Tract 110512023110500 | 8,172±650 | $55,667 |
| Tract 1106.0212023110602 | 4,866±692 | $65,048 |
| Tract 1106.0312023110603 | 3,013±663 | $67,759 |
| Tract 1106.0412023110604 | 6,829±680 | $63,429 |
| Tract 110712023110700 | 4,845±529 | $54,116 |
| Tract 110812023110800 | 6,009±745 | $60,119 |
| Tract 1109.0112023110901 | 5,280±666 | $40,978 |
| Tract 1109.0312023110903 | 4,547±664 | $73,986 |
| Tract 1109.0412023110904 | 6,366±728 | $60,863 |
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 Florida's other counties?
| Measure | Rank |
|---|---|
| Population | 41st of 67 |
| Growth 2020-2025 | 41st of 67 |
| Residents per square mile | 40th of 67 |
| Median household income | 48th of 67 |
| Median home value | 47th of 67 |
| Median gross rent | 47th of 67 |
| Poverty rate | 23rd of 67 |
| Bachelor's degree or higher | 46th of 67 |
| Median age | 48th of 67 |
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.