County · Oregon
Columbia County, Oregon
Columbia County, Oregon. Columbia County had 54,091 residents in 2025 by the Census Bureau's estimate, up 2.8% since 2020, faster than Oregon (+0.9%). It holds 9 places (7 cities, villages and boroughs and 2 census-designated) and 11 census tracts. GEOID 41009.
Columbia County is one of the 7 counties of the Portland-Vancouver-Hillsboro, OR-WA metropolitan statistical area (the Census Bureau's July 2023 delineation).
Residents, July 2025 estimate
54,091
Census Bureau estimate (no margin published)
2020 Census count: 52,589 · ACS 2020-2024: 53,493
Median household income
$87,458
±$4,578 (90% margin)
Oregon: $83,011
Median home value
$421,600
±$12,804 (90% margin)
Oregon: $477,600
Median gross rent
$1,373
±$123 (90% margin)
Oregon: $1,525
How many people live in Columbia County, and is it growing?
The 2020 Census counted 52,589 residents in Columbia County. The Census Bureau estimates 54,091 for July 1, 2025, up 2.8% since 2020, faster than Oregon (+0.9%). The 2020-2024 American Community Survey puts the population at 53,493 over 659 square miles of land.
| Measure | Columbia County | Oregon | Change since 2015-2019 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Total population | 53,493 | 4,254,293 | +2,118 |
| Households | 20,928±341 | 1,718,422 | +1,257 |
| Average household size | 2.53±0.04 | 2.42 | −0.06 |
| Housing units | 22,167±36 | 1,857,992 | +852 |
Columbia County's population since 2000
From 43,560 in 2000 to 54,091 in 2025: up 24.2%. 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 9 places: 7 cities, villages and boroughs (incorporated places) and 2 census-designated places. The largest is St. Helens with 14,450 residents (2025 estimate). Places that cross a county line are listed with the share of their 2020 residents who live in this county.
| St. Helens | 13,817 | $82,865 |
|---|---|---|
| Scappoose | 8,010 | $97,708 |
| Vernonia | 2,374 | $83,411 |
| Columbia City | 1,949 | $96,750 |
| Rainier | 1,911 | $66,989 |
| WarrenGEOID 4178800 | 1,870 | $126,838 |
| Clatskanie | 1,716 | $90,709 |
| Deer IslandGEOID 4118450 | 323 | not published |
| PrescottGEOID 4159750 | 82 | $105,000 |
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 43.3 years old; 20.3% are under 18 and 20.1% are 65 or older. The largest group is non-Hispanic white residents at 84.3%, then Hispanic or Latino residents (of any race) at 6.7%. 3.5% of residents were born outside the United States.
| Measure | Columbia County | Oregon | Change since 2015-2019 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median age | 43.3±0.4 | 40.4 | no clear change |
| Under 18 years | 20.3% | 19.9% | – |
| 65 years and over | 20.1%±0.3 pts | 19.1% | – |
| Hispanic or Latino (any race) | 6.7% | 14.7% | +1.5 pts |
| White alone, not Hispanic | 84.3%±0.8 pts | 71.4% | −4.2 pts |
| Black or African American alone, not Hispanic | 0.6%±0.2 pts | 1.8% | no clear change |
| Asian alone, not Hispanic | 0.8%±0.3 pts | 4.4% | no clear change |
| American Indian and Alaska Native alone, not Hispanic | 0.7%±0.3 pts | 0.6% | – |
| Native Hawaiian and Other Pacific Islander alone, not Hispanic | 0.4%±0.3 pts | 0.4% | – |
| Two or more races, not Hispanic | 6.0%±0.9 pts | 6.1% | – |
| Some other race alone, not Hispanic | 0.3%±0.2 pts | 0.6% | – |
| Born outside the United States | 3.5%±0.6 pts | 9.8% | +0.8 pts |
| Speak a language other than English at home (age 5+) | 4.7%±0.8 pts | 15.2% | – |
| Civilian veterans (age 18+) | 10.5%±1.0 pts | 7.2% | – |
| With a disability | 17.0%±1.5 pts | 15.5% | – |
| No health insurance coverage | 5.4%±1.0 pts | 5.9% | no clear change |
| High school graduate or higher (age 25+) | 89.7%±1.7 pts | 91.8% | – |
| Bachelor's degree or higher (age 25+) | 19.8%±1.9 pts | 36.8% | no clear change |
| Graduate or professional degree (age 25+) | 5.7%±0.9 pts | 14.1% | – |
| Moved from another state in the past year | 2.7%±1.0 pts | 3.0% | – |
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 20,928 households earn less than $87,458 a year (±$4,578), against $83,011 in Oregon. In 2015-2019 the median was $76,619 in 2024 dollars, so it rose by $10,839 after inflation. 8.9% of residents live below the poverty line.
| Measure | Columbia County | Oregon | Change since 2015-2019 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median household income | $87,458±$4,578 | $83,011 | +$10,839 |
| Mean household income | $100,740±$4,520 | $111,542 | – |
| Per capita income | $39,867±$1,646 | $45,612 | no clear change |
| People below the poverty line | 8.9%±1.2 pts | 11.9% | −2.8 pts |
| Children under 18 below the poverty line | 11.0%±2.7 pts | 13.2% | no clear change |
| Households receiving SNAP | 15.6%±2.1 pts | 16.0% | – |
| Households with a broadband subscription | 93.3%±1.3 pts | 92.4% | – |
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 76.1% of Columbia County's occupied homes and renters 23.9%. The median owner-occupied home is valued at $421,600 by its owner (±$12,804). The median renter pays $1,373 a month including utilities, and 45.0% of renters pay 35% or more of their income on rent.
| Measure | Columbia County | Oregon | Change since 2015-2019 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median home value (owner-occupied) | $421,600±$12,804 | $477,600 | +$95,589 |
| Median gross rent | $1,373±$123 | $1,525 | +$240 |
| Renters paying 35% or more of income on rent | 45.0%±6.1 pts | 43.1% | no clear change |
| Median monthly owner costs, with a mortgage | $1,886±$78 | $2,157 | – |
| Owner-occupied homes | 76.1%±2.7 pts | 63.3% | no clear change |
| Housing units | 22,167±36 | 1,857,992 | +852 |
| Homeowner vacancy rate | 0.7%±0.5 pts | 0.7% | – |
| Rental vacancy rate | 1.6%±1.7 pts | 4.2% | – |
| Single-family detached homes | 74.1%±2.3 pts | 62.7% | – |
| Mobile homes | 13.8%±1.4 pts | 7.1% | – |
| Built 2020 or later | 1.2%±0.6 pts | 2.1% | – |
| Built 1939 or earlier | 15.1%±2.1 pts | 10.7% | – |
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 Columbia County building?
Builders took permits for 84 new housing units across Columbia County in 2025 (78 single-family), 1.6 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?
70.9% of Columbia County's workers drive alone and 12.2% work from home. The average trip to work takes 31.7 minutes. The unemployment rate in 2020-2024 averaged 4.1%.
| Measure | Columbia County | Oregon | Change since 2015-2019 |
|---|---|---|---|
| In the labor force (age 16+) | 57.9%±1.9 pts | 62.3% | – |
| Unemployment rate | 4.1%±0.9 pts | 5.4% | −2.2 pts |
| Drove alone to work | 70.9%±2.5 pts | 64.5% | – |
| Carpooled | 13.5%±2.1 pts | 8.5% | – |
| Public transportation | 0.0%±0.1 pts | 2.2% | – |
| Walked | 2.6%±0.8 pts | 3.3% | – |
| Worked from home | 12.2%±1.8 pts | 19.0% | +5.6 pts |
| Mean travel time to work | 31.7 min±1.4 | 23.0 min | −2.2 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 11 census tracts. Among those with a reliable estimate, median household income runs from $64,309 (Tract 9703) to $125,978 (Tract 9706).
| Tract 9702.0141009970201 | 3,589±669 | $83,504 |
|---|---|---|
| Tract 9702.0241009970202 | 3,083±396 | $90,098 |
| Tract 970341009970300 | 4,465±553 | $64,309 |
| Tract 970441009970400 | 2,451±339 | $102,888 |
| Tract 970541009970500 | 7,035±659 | $93,773 |
| Tract 970641009970600 | 6,193±580 | $125,978 |
| Tract 970741009970700 | 4,233±449 | $73,487 |
| Tract 970841009970800 | 7,697±582 | $82,238 |
| Tract 970941009970900 | 5,004±620 | $82,262 |
| Tract 971041009971000 | 5,911±758 | $105,246 |
| Tract 971141009971100 | 3,832±429 | $66,768 |
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 Oregon's other counties?
| Measure | Rank |
|---|---|
| Population | 17th of 36 |
| Growth 2020-2025 | 9th of 36 |
| Residents per square mile | 10th of 36 |
| Median household income | 7th of 36 |
| Median home value | 14th of 36 |
| Median gross rent | 9th of 36 |
| Poverty rate | 31st of 36 |
| Bachelor's degree or higher | 27th of 36 |
| Median age | 17th of 36 |
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.