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, PA Population, Income & Demographics 2026

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Demographics — 2024 ACS 5-Year Estimatesi

Census

Populationi

10,278

Median Agei

41.8

Race & Ethnicityi

White

66.1%6,789

Hispanic/Latino

22.9%2,354

Black

7.7%790

Two or More

2.6%271

Other

0.5%52

American Indian/Alaska Native

0.2%22

Educational Attainment (Age 25+)i

GED/Alternative

7.7%590

High School Diploma

35.8%2,734

Some College (<1 yr)

5.8%441

Some College (1+ yr)

7.4%567

Associate's Degree

8.3%637

Bachelor's Degree

12%916

Master's Degree

4.2%318

Professional Degree

0.6%45

Doctorate

0.6%47

HS or Higher

82.4%

BA or Higher

17.4%

Graduate+

5.4%

Housingi

Median Home Valuei

$196,500

Median Renti

$1,075

Tenure

Owner-Occupied

52.8%2,411

Renter-Occupied

47.2%2,157

Total Units

4,936

Homeownership

52.8%

Vacancy Rate

7.5%

Home Values

Under $50K

0.6%15

$50K–$100K

11.1%268

$100K–$150K

19.3%466

$150K–$200K

20%481

$200K–$300K

31%748

$300K–$500K

12.1%292

$500K–$1M

3.6%87

$1M+

2.2%54

Rent Distribution

Under $500

130

$500–$750

381

$750–$1,000

327

$1,000–$1,250

638

$1,250–$1,500

267

$1,500–$2,000

280

$2,000+

Year Built

2020 or later

0.3%13

2010–2019

0.4%18

2000–2009

1.5%73

1990–1999

3.7%183

1980–1989

9.3%459

1970–1979

7.4%365

1960–1969

8.6%423

1950–1959

9.3%458

1940–1949

7.9%389

1939 or earlier

51.8%2,555

Heating Fuel

Utility Gas

52.3%2,391

Electricity

31.9%1,456

Fuel Oil

11.5%527

No Fuel

1.7%78

Solar

1.1%50

Bottled/LP Gas

0.9%41

Other

0.4%18

Wood

0.1%5

Coal

0%2

Economyi

Median Household Incomei

$54,437

Mean Household Incomei

$75,144

Per Capita Incomei

$33,896

Poverty Ratei

20.8%

Unemploymenti

3.2%

Labor Forcei

5,269

Household Income Distribution

Under $10K

7.9%363

$10K–$15K

3.2%145

$15K–$20K

2.9%132

$20K–$25K

4.4%201

$25K–$30K

6.7%307

$30K–$35K

4.8%219

$35K–$40K

7.7%352

$40K–$45K

4.5%206

$45K–$50K

3.4%155

$50K–$60K

8.6%391

$60K–$75K

8.5%389

$75K–$100K

10.2%465

$100K–$125K

9.9%452

$125K–$150K

7.5%341

$150K–$200K

5.6%254

$200K+

4.3%196

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

445

Residentsi

691

Avg. Tenant Renti

$446/mo

Avg. Waitlisti

20 months

Programs in this community

Housing Choice Vouchers176 homes81% occupied$460/mo rent

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

Mod Rehab14 homes162% occupied$436/mo rent

Rehabilitated buildings with project-based rental assistance

Project Based Section 8255 homes99% occupied$437/mo rent

Privately owned apartments with rent subsidies tied to the building

Household Incomei

Based on area median of $54,437/yr

Extremely low incomeUnder $16K/yr

72.6%

Very low income$16K–$27K/yr

25.4%

Low income$27K–$44K/yr

Who Receives This Housing

73.4% of subsidized households are headed by a single mother

38.6% of subsidized households are minority

21.5% of subsidized households include someone with a disability

62.6% 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

3493.4%

By Region

Top Countries

Mexico

Commute & Transportationi

Workersi

5,085

Avg. Commutei

23.7 min

How People Get to Work

Travel Time to Work

Workforce

Total Employed

5,103

Occupations

Industries

Social Characteristicsi

Marital Status (15+)i

Veteransi

715(8.4% of civilian adults)

Health Insurancei

94.7%Insured

5.3%Uninsured