Where does this demographic data come from?

All demographic data comes from the U.S. Census Bureau's American Community Survey (ACS) 5-Year Estimates, which samples about 3.5 million households annually. The 5-year estimates provide the most reliable data for small geographies like municipalities.

What is the difference between Census data and ACS data?

The decennial Census (conducted every 10 years) is a full population count focusing on basic demographics. The ACS is an ongoing survey that collects detailed data on income, education, housing, commute patterns, and more. ACS data is updated annually but represents averages over a 5-year period.

How accurate is this data for small towns?

For smaller municipalities, ACS estimates have wider margins of error because fewer residents are sampled. The 5-year estimates reduce this uncertainty by averaging over a longer period. For towns under 5,000 people, treat specific numbers as approximations rather than precise counts.

Columbia, MO Population, Income & Demographics 2026

Showing latest census year. Full demographic history available with a paid plan. View plans →

Demographics — 2024 ACS 5-Year Estimatesi

Census

Populationi

128,548

Median Agei

29.5

Race & Ethnicityi

White

71.7%92,127

Black

12.1%15,524

Asian

6.3%8,106

Two or More

5%6,480

Hispanic/Latino

4.4%5,680

Other

0.4%465

Native Hawaiian/Pacific Islander

0.1%100

American Indian/Alaska Native

0.1%66

Educational Attainment (Age 25+)i

GED/Alternative

3.3%2,415

High School Diploma

13.9%10,206

Some College (<1 yr)

4.8%3,500

Some College (1+ yr)

10.6%7,792

Associate's Degree

6.4%4,711

Bachelor's Degree

30%22,021

Master's Degree

16.2%11,895

Professional Degree

4.6%3,373

Doctorate

5.9%4,366

HS or Higher

95.7%

BA or Higher

56.7%

Graduate+

26.7%

Housingi

Median Home Valuei

$284,600

Median Renti

$1,097

Tenure

Owner-Occupied

48.7%25,592

Renter-Occupied

51.3%26,972

Total Units

56,054

Homeownership

48.7%

Vacancy Rate

6.2%

Home Values

Under $50K

4%1,025

$50K–$100K

2.9%743

$100K–$150K

7%1,793

$150K–$200K

12.5%3,187

$200K–$300K

28%7,178

$300K–$500K

31.6%8,094

$500K–$1M

13.1%3,362

$1M+

0.8%210

Rent Distribution

Under $500

1,065

$500–$750

2,908

$750–$1,000

6,381

$1,000–$1,250

7,342

$1,250–$1,500

3,823

$1,500–$2,000

2,551

$2,000+

2,322

Year Built

2020 or later

1.6%892

2010–2019

17.7%9,901

2000–2009

19.8%11,082

1990–1999

16.2%9,103

1980–1989

13%7,259

1970–1979

10.3%5,788

1960–1969

10%5,612

1950–1959

4.6%2,569

1940–1949

2.5%1,393

1939 or earlier

4.4%2,455

Heating Fuel

Utility Gas

53.9%28,328

Electricity

43.4%22,838

Bottled/LP Gas

1.6%834

No Fuel

0.3%177

Wood

0.3%145

Other

0.2%114

Solar

0.1%58

Coal

0.1%50

Fuel Oil

0%20

Economyi

Median Household Incomei

$66,498

Mean Household Incomei

$95,405

Per Capita Incomei

$39,340

Poverty Ratei

17.8%

Unemploymenti

Labor Forcei

70,907

Household Income Distribution

Under $10K

6.8%3,555

$10K–$15K

4.4%2,337

$15K–$20K

3.9%2,075

$20K–$25K

4.2%2,229

$25K–$30K

4.4%2,318

$30K–$35K

4.1%2,165

$35K–$40K

3.9%2,063

$40K–$45K

3.5%1,814

$45K–$50K

3.4%1,788

$50K–$60K

6.8%3,565

$60K–$75K

9.9%5,198

$75K–$100K

11.8%6,200

$100K–$125K

9.3%4,897

$125K–$150K

5.6%2,960

$150K–$200K

7.8%4,125

$200K+

10%5,275

Federally Subsidized Housingi

HUD

The federal government helps low-income families, seniors, and people with disabilities afford housing through several programs. Residents typically pay about 30% of their income toward rent, with the government covering the rest. This data shows how many households in this community receive that assistance.

Subsidized Homesi

2,004

Residentsi

3,368

Avg. Tenant Renti

$349/mo

Avg. Waitlisti

14 months

Programs in this community

Public Housing50 homes78% occupied$412/mo rent

Government-owned housing managed by local housing authorities

Housing Choice Vouchers654 homes88% occupied$351/mo rent

Rental vouchers (Section 8) that help tenants pay for private-market housing

Project Based Section 8229 homes70% occupied$329/mo rent

Privately owned apartments with rent subsidies tied to the building

811/PRAC61 homes94% occupied$358/mo rent

Household Incomei

Based on area median of $66,498/yr

Extremely low incomeUnder $20K/yr

85.1%

Very low income$20K–$33K/yr

11.9%

Low income$33K–$53K/yr

Who Receives This Housing

62.1% of subsidized households are headed by a single mother

54.9% of subsidized households are minority

37.1% of subsidized households include someone with a disability

36.1% of subsidized households include a senior (62+)

Ancestry & Heritage

Self-reported ancestry groups. Residents may report multiple ancestries, so totals may exceed 100%.

Foreign-Born Populationi

Foreign-Borni

10,4008.1%

By Region

Top Countries

China

1,478

India

1,211

Mexico

752

Korea

644

Germany

223

Philippines

188

United Kingdom

130

Guatemala

Commute & Transportationi

Workersi

66,882

Avg. Commutei

16.4 min

How People Get to Work

Travel Time to Work

Workforce

Total Employed

67,846

Occupations

Industries

Social Characteristicsi

Marital Status (15+)i

Veteransi

4,789(4.6% of civilian adults)

Health Insurancei

94.1%Insured

5.9%Uninsured