Columbia Population

1830–2026

149.1K

2026 projection

9.1% since 2020 (increase)

050K100K150K200K1850190019502000

Source: U.S. Census Bureau decennial counts and annual estimates, including 2010–2020 intercensal estimates. 2026 is a projection. Values between recorded years are interpolated.

Use the left and right arrow keys to inspect population observations.

Population by year

Population estimates for Columbia. Annual change is shown as a percentage. Growth is the total change since the preceding observation.
2026149,103+2,0681.41%
2025147,035+2,9022.01%
2024144,133+2,7631.95%
2023141,370+1,9891.43%
2022139,381+3,3222.44%
2021136,059-5730.42%
2020136,632+3350.25%
2019136,297-5510.40%
2018136,848-7960.58%
2017137,644+4270.31%

Showing 10 of 35 years.

The 2020 row compares the April 1 Census count with the July 1, 2019 estimate (about nine months). Its Growth and Annual change therefore do not represent a full year.

Growth since 2020, compared

Columbia is growing faster than Richland County and the U.S., and slower than South Carolina.

  • South Carolina+8.5%
  • Columbia+8.2%
  • Richland County+4.6%
  • United States+3.1%

Change from July 1, 2020 to July 1, 2025 population estimates—not annualized growth or site projections.

Source: U.S. Census Bureau. U.S. totals are summed from the 50 states and D.C.; unavailable comparisons are omitted.

Columbia Demographics

28.6median age

Median age

Female29.3 yrs
Male28 yrs

Adults

115,861
16,083 seniors (65+) · 14% of adults99,778 other adults

Sex

Female 50.8% · 70,916Male 49.2% · 68,727

Population by age

MaleFemale85+ years, male: 48885+ years, female: 93880–84 years, male: 70180–84 years, female: 1,01875–79 years, male: 1,52775–79 years, female: 1,66670–74 years, male: 1,79670–74 years, female: 2,08865–69 years, male: 2,78565–69 years, female: 3,07660–64 years, male: 2,55460–64 years, female: 3,24855–59 years, male: 2,60255–59 years, female: 3,07950–54 years, male: 3,30150–54 years, female: 3,16245–49 years, male: 2,82545–49 years, female: 2,95940–44 years, male: 3,95140–44 years, female: 3,40535–39 years, male: 3,88135–39 years, female: 4,75730–34 years, male: 5,67930–34 years, female: 5,13025–29 years, male: 6,48525–29 years, female: 6,50820–24 years, male: 12,04120–24 years, female: 11,18515–19 years, male: 8,42015–19 years, female: 9,35410–14 years, male: 2,88410–14 years, female: 2,8835–9 years, male: 2,7855–9 years, female: 3,0700–4 years, male: 4,0220–4 years, female: 3,39085+80–8475–7970–7465–6960–6455–5950–5445–4940–4435–3930–3425–2920–2415–1910–145–90–45K5K10K10K

Hover or tap an age group to see exact counts. Use the up and down arrow keys to inspect age groups.

U.S. Census Bureau, 2024 ACS 5-year estimates · Table S0101

Race and ethnicity

Tap a square or a group below to highlight it.

Each square is about 1% of residents (roughly 1,396 people).

Hispanic or Latino residents can be of any race. All other groups exclude Hispanic residents.

U.S. Census Bureau, 2024 ACS 5-year estimates · Table B03002

Columbia Income

$55,529median household income

Median household income

$55,529

Half of households earn more, half earn less

Median earnings

$47,064

Typical yearly pay for a worker 25 or older.

Poverty rate

24%

About 1 in 4 residents

U.S. Census Bureau, 2024 ACS 5-year estimates · Tables S1901, S1501, S1701

Columbia Marital Status

29% of residents age 15 and older are married.

MarriedNever married
Overall
Male
Female
Marital status of residents age 15 and older
StatusOverallMaleFemale
Married29%31%28%
Never married57%59%54%
Divorced9%7%10%
Widowed4%2%6%
Separated2%2%2%

U.S. Census Bureau, 2024 ACS 5-year estimates · Table S1201

Sources

14 sources

Population

American Community Survey, 2024 5-year

Additional sources