County · New York
Columbia County, New York
Columbia County, New York. Columbia County had 60,168 residents in 2025 by the Census Bureau's estimate, down 2.3% since 2020, a steeper fall than New York's (−1.0%). It holds 33 places (5 cities, villages and boroughs, 18 towns and townships and 10 census-designated) and 21 census tracts. GEOID 36021.
Columbia County is the county of the Hudson, NY micropolitan statistical area (the Census Bureau's July 2023 delineation).
Residents, July 2025 estimate
60,168
Census Bureau estimate (no margin published)
2020 Census count: 61,570 · ACS 2020-2024: 61,100
Median household income
$81,528
±$5,033 (90% margin)
New York: $85,974
Median home value
$347,100
±$9,798 (90% margin)
New York: $423,800
Median gross rent
$1,260
±$72 (90% margin)
New York: $1,621
How many people live in Columbia County, and is it growing?
The 2020 Census counted 61,570 residents in Columbia County. The Census Bureau estimates 60,168 for July 1, 2025, down 2.3% since 2020, a steeper fall than New York's (−1.0%). The 2020-2024 American Community Survey puts the population at 61,100 over 635 square miles of land.
| Measure | Columbia County | New York | Change since 2015-2019 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Total population | 61,100 | 19,852,366 | +729 |
| Households | 26,627±558 | 7,722,646 | +1,661 |
| Average household size | 2.21±0.05 | 2.49 | −0.11 |
| Housing units | 33,393±62 | 8,585,241 | no clear change |
Columbia County's population since 2000
From 63,094 in 2000 to 60,168 in 2025: down 4.6%. 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 33 places: 5 cities, villages and boroughs (incorporated places), 18 towns and townships (county subdivisions with their own government) and 10 census-designated places. The largest is Town of Kinderhook with 8,091 residents (2025 estimate). Places that cross a county line are listed with the share of their 2020 residents who live in this county.
| Kinderhook (town) | 8,330 | $81,989 |
|---|---|---|
| Claverack (town) | 6,058 | $74,111 |
| Hudson | 5,894 | $54,139 |
| Ghent (town) | 5,303 | $82,092 |
| Greenport (town) | 4,473 | not published |
| Chatham (town) | 4,104 | $107,270 |
| Livingston (town) | 3,628 | $54,024 |
| Copake (town) | 3,346 | $113,611 |
| Stockport (town) | 2,670 | $98,958 |
| New Lebanon (town) | 2,514 | $75,662 |
| Clermont (town) | 2,058 | $95,104 |
| Lorenz Park | 2,001 | $85,188 |
| Germantown (town) | 1,936 | $97,564 |
| Stuyvesant (town) | 1,931 | $66,000 |
| Hillsdale (town) | 1,831 | $76,700 |
| Valatie | 1,785 | $100,461 |
| Stottville | 1,665 | $60,872 |
| Gallatin (town) | 1,628 | $89,412 |
| Austerlitz (town) | 1,625 | $113,021 |
| Canaan (town) | 1,570 | $107,313 |
| Chatham | 1,529 | $79,886 |
| NivervilleGEOID 3651297 | 1,508 | not published |
| Ancram (town) | 1,440 | $99,773 |
| Philmont | 1,377 | $56,563 |
| Taghkanic (town) | 1,231 | $86,250 |
| Kinderhook | 1,170 | $93,250 |
| Germantown | 1,121 | $96,563 |
| Claverack-Red MillsGEOID 3616050 | 953 | $61,902 |
| Copake LakeGEOID 3618124 | 767 | $102,009 |
| GhentGEOID 3628860 | 623 | $138,446 |
| Taconic ShoresGEOID 3673057 | 547 | $177,994 |
| CopakeGEOID 3618091 | 318 | $115,938 |
| Copake FallsGEOID 3618113 | 181 | not published |
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 49.8 years old; 15.9% are under 18 and 26.2% are 65 or older. The largest group is non-Hispanic white residents at 82.4%, then Hispanic or Latino residents (of any race) at 6.3%. 7.4% of residents were born outside the United States.
| Measure | Columbia County | New York | Change since 2015-2019 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median age | 49.8±0.2 | 39.8 | +1.6 |
| Under 18 years | 15.9% | 20.5% | – |
| 65 years and over | 26.2%±0.1 pts | 17.9% | – |
| Hispanic or Latino (any race) | 6.3% | 19.8% | +1.5 pts |
| White alone, not Hispanic | 82.4%±0.7 pts | 52.8% | −3.9 pts |
| Black or African American alone, not Hispanic | 3.5%±0.4 pts | 13.4% | −0.8 pts |
| Asian alone, not Hispanic | 2.1%±0.2 pts | 9.0% | +0.4 pts |
| American Indian and Alaska Native alone, not Hispanic | 0.0%±0.1 pts | 0.2% | – |
| Native Hawaiian and Other Pacific Islander alone, not Hispanic | 0.0%±0.1 pts | 0.0% | – |
| Two or more races, not Hispanic | 4.8%±0.8 pts | 3.8% | – |
| Some other race alone, not Hispanic | 0.8%±0.3 pts | 1.0% | – |
| Born outside the United States | 7.4%±0.7 pts | 22.8% | no clear change |
| Speak a language other than English at home (age 5+) | 9.2%±1.0 pts | 30.9% | – |
| Civilian veterans (age 18+) | 6.2%±0.7 pts | 3.7% | – |
| With a disability | 15.9%±1.0 pts | 12.6% | – |
| No health insurance coverage | 3.4%±0.7 pts | 5.1% | −1.2 pts |
| High school graduate or higher (age 25+) | 91.8%±1.1 pts | 88.0% | – |
| Bachelor's degree or higher (age 25+) | 39.4%±1.7 pts | 40.2% | +6.7 pts |
| Graduate or professional degree (age 25+) | 20.3%±1.4 pts | 17.9% | – |
| Moved from another state in the past year | 1.5%±0.4 pts | 1.5% | – |
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 26,627 households earn less than $81,528 a year (±$5,033), against $85,974 in New York. In 2015-2019 it was $82,194 in 2024 dollars; the margins of error cannot tell the two periods apart. 12.1% of residents live below the poverty line.
| Measure | Columbia County | New York | Change since 2015-2019 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median household income | $81,528±$5,033 | $85,974 | no clear change |
| Mean household income | $124,394±$5,168 | $128,247 | – |
| Per capita income | $54,996±$2,351 | $50,712 | +$7,900 |
| People below the poverty line | 12.1%±1.5 pts | 14.0% | no clear change |
| Children under 18 below the poverty line | 15.1%±3.5 pts | 18.3% | no clear change |
| Households receiving SNAP | 9.7%±1.3 pts | 15.6% | – |
| Households with a broadband subscription | 89.7%±1.3 pts | 90.8% | – |
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 76.3% of Columbia County's occupied homes and renters 23.7%. The median owner-occupied home is valued at $347,100 by its owner (±$9,798). The median renter pays $1,260 a month including utilities, and 48.9% of renters pay 35% or more of their income on rent.
| Measure | Columbia County | New York | Change since 2015-2019 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median home value (owner-occupied) | $347,100±$9,798 | $423,800 | +$59,610 |
| Median gross rent | $1,260±$72 | $1,621 | +$118 |
| Renters paying 35% or more of income on rent | 48.9%±5.3 pts | 43.1% | +11.9 pts |
| Median monthly owner costs, with a mortgage | $1,968±$79 | $2,555 | – |
| Owner-occupied homes | 76.3%±1.5 pts | 54.3% | +2.6 pts |
| Housing units | 33,393±62 | 8,585,241 | no clear change |
| Homeowner vacancy rate | 1.7%±0.8 pts | 1.1% | – |
| Rental vacancy rate | 3.0%±1.9 pts | 3.8% | – |
| Single-family detached homes | 73.3%±1.7 pts | 41.2% | – |
| Mobile homes | 7.7%±1.2 pts | 2.1% | – |
| Built 2020 or later | 0.9%±0.4 pts | 0.8% | – |
| Built 1939 or earlier | 31.3%±1.6 pts | 30.3% | – |
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 111 new housing units across Columbia County in 2025 (106 single-family), 1.8 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?
66.7% of Columbia County's workers drive alone and 17.4% work from home. The average trip to work takes 25.7 minutes. The unemployment rate in 2020-2024 averaged 5.4%.
| Measure | Columbia County | New York | Change since 2015-2019 |
|---|---|---|---|
| In the labor force (age 16+) | 57.7%±1.2 pts | 62.7% | – |
| Unemployment rate | 5.4%±1.2 pts | 6.4% | no clear change |
| Drove alone to work | 66.7%±1.7 pts | 48.8% | – |
| Carpooled | 7.0%±1.3 pts | 6.3% | – |
| Public transportation | 2.9%±0.8 pts | 21.6% | – |
| Walked | 3.6%±0.8 pts | 5.6% | – |
| Worked from home | 17.4%±1.5 pts | 14.9% | +10.2 pts |
| Mean travel time to work | 25.7 min±1.1 | 32.6 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 21 census tracts. Among those with a reliable estimate, median household income runs from $54,024 (Tract 14) to $113,611 (Tract 16).
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 New York's other counties?
| Measure | Rank |
|---|---|
| Population | 40th of 62 |
| Growth 2020-2025 | 49th of 62 |
| Residents per square mile | 38th of 62 |
| Median household income | 16th of 62 |
| Median home value | 15th of 62 |
| Median gross rent | 17th of 62 |
| Poverty rate | 41st of 62 |
| Bachelor's degree or higher | 13th of 62 |
| Median age | 3rd of 62 |
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.