9 cities
| City | Rank | 2025 Pop. ↓ | 2020 Pop. | Annual Change | Density | Area (mi²) | Type |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Whiteville | 1 | 4,672 | 4,749 | -0.34% | 841 | 6 | City |
| Tabor City | 2 | 3,821 | 3,869 | -0.26% | 1,137 | 3 | Town |
| Chadbourn | 3 | 1,521 | 1,556 | -0.46% | 585 | 3 | Town |
| Lake Waccamaw | 4 | 1,211 | 1,290 | -1.3% | 432 | 3 | Town |
| Brunswick | 5 | 981 | 871 | 2.29% | 1,401 | 1 | Town |
| Fair Bluff | 6 | 735 | 700 | 0.96% | 312 | 2 | Town |
| Bolton | 7 | 380 | 392 | -0.78% | 119 | 3 | Town |
| Boardman | 8 | 160 | 162 | -0.62% | 52 | 3 | Town |
| Cerro Gordo | 9 | 146 | 131 | 2.1% | 185 | 1 | Town |
Whiteville is the largest city in Columbus County, with a population of 4,672.
Cerro Gordo is the smallest city in Columbus County, with a population of 146.
There are 9 cities in Columbus County, North Carolina.