Columbus, GA Local Data & Statistics

State: GA

Total population: 203,711 Household income: $58,073 Rent: $1,106

Overview

Total population

203,711

Rent

$1,106

Year built

1978

Household income

$58,073

Per capita income

$33,739

Poverty rate

19%

Unemployment rate

4.0%

Household size

2.4 persons

Rent over 30% of income

47.4%

Note: Rent, income, and year built are shown as median values, while household size is shown as an average (see explanations below).

Data are sourced from the American Community Survey (ACS) 5-Year Estimates, 2024 release — the latest dataset currently available, with the exception of the unemployment rate, which is sourced from the Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS). ACS 5-year estimates are published annually, about 6–12 months after the end of each reference year.

Demographics

State

Georgia

Total population

203,711

Adults over 25

134,657

Total households

81,415

Household size

2.4 persons

Note: Rent, income, and year built are shown as median values, while household size is shown as an average (see explanations below).

Income & Poverty

Household income

$58,073

Per capita income

$33,739

Poverty rate

19%

Unemployment rate

4.0%

Rent over 30% of income

47.4%

Note: Rent, income, and year built are shown as median values, while household size is shown as an average (see explanations below).

Housing

Rent

$1,106

Year built

1978

Households that rent

49.2%

Households that own

50.8%

Rooms per home (all homes)

5.7

Note: Rent, income, and year built are shown as median values, while household size is shown as an average (see explanations below).

Race

White

38.1%

Black

47%

Asian

2.7%

Two or more races

8.1%

Note: Rent, income, and year built are shown as median values, while household size is shown as an average (see explanations below).

Ethnicity

Hispanic or Latino

8.5%

Not Hispanic or Latino

91.5%

Note: Rent, income, and year built are shown as median values, while household size is shown as an average (see explanations below).

Commute

Commute rate

87.9%

Commute time to work

21 mins

Work from home

12.1%

Note: Rent, income, and year built are shown as median values, while household size is shown as an average (see explanations below).

Education

Less than high school

31.4%

High school graduate or GED

27.3%

Some college or associate degree

10.8%

Bachelor’s degree or higher

30.5%

Note: Rent, income, and year built are shown as median values, while household size is shown as an average (see explanations below).

Comparison of Columbus, GA with: Georgia United States

Columbus, GA

Total population203,711

Rent$1,106

Year built1978

Household income$58,073

Per capita income$33,739

Poverty rate19%

Unemployment rate4.0%

Georgia State

Total population10,940,407

Rent$1,393

Year built1992

Household income$77,353

Per capita income$40,924

Poverty rate13.4%

Unemployment rate3.5%

United States

Total population334,922,499

Rent$1,413

Year built1980

Household income$80,734

Per capita income$44,673

Poverty rate12.5%

Unemployment rate4%

Metric	CityColumbus, GA	StateGeorgia	CountryUnited States
Total population	203,711	10,940,407	334,922,499
Rent	$1,106	$1,393	$1,413
Year built	1978	1992	1980
Household income	$58,073	$77,353	$80,734
Per capita income	$33,739	$40,924	$44,673
Poverty rate	19%	13.4%	12.5%
Unemployment rate	4.0%	3.5%	4%

View the complete comparison of Columbus, GA, Georgia and United States →

Summary for Columbus, GA

Columbus is located in Georgia.

Rent & Income

In Columbus, the typical monthly rent is $1,106 and the typical household income is $58,073. Rent here is lower than in both Georgia and the U.S., and household income is also lower than in both. The estimated poverty rate is 19%, which is higher than in both Georgia and national.

Housing & Affordability

Renters make up about 49.2% of households, indicating a relatively balanced mix of renters and owners. About 47.4% of renters spend more than 30% of their income on housing, indicating high cost burden.

Education & Employment

Educational attainment is moderate, with about 30.5% of adults holding a bachelor’s degree or higher. The local unemployment rate is 4.0%, which is higher than Georgia and similar to the national rate.

Columbus, GA — Rent vs Household Income

Columbus, GA — Poverty vs Unemployment

How Columbus, GA compares in Georgia (16 places)

Metric	This place	Rank	Starts from	Statewide range
Rent	$1,106	3 / 16	from lower rent	$931 – $2,257
Household income	$58,073	13 / 16	from higher income	$45,925 – $160,093
Poverty rate	19%	13 / 16	from lower poverty	4.2% – 27.5%
Unemployment rate	4%	12 / 16	from lower unemployment	2.3% – 4.8%

Rankings are calculated among cities and communities in Georgia with total population > 50,000 (year 2024).

Detailed Ranking Explanation for Columbus, GA

Rent

Columbus ranks 3rd out of 16 large places in Georgia for rent. Statewide rents range from $931 in Albany, GA to $2,257 in Johns Creek, GA.

Household income

In terms of household income, Columbus comes in 13th among 16 major places. Across Georgia, income levels vary from $45,925 in Valdosta, GA to $160,093 in Johns Creek, GA.

Poverty rate

In poverty comparisons, Columbus ranks 13th out of 16 large places. Statewide rates vary from 4.2% in Johns Creek, GA to 27.5% in Albany, GA.

Unemployment rate

In terms of unemployment, Columbus is ranked 12th out of 16 major areas. Across Georgia, rates go from 2.3% in Brookhaven, GA up to 4.8% in Albany, GA.

💰 Rent in Columbus, GA (with Utilities)

Estimated Monthly Rent: $1,106 ℹ️ What’s Included:
✅ Base rent, electricity, gas, water/sewer, and heating fuels
❌ Not included: internet, cable TV, renter's insurance, parking

💡 What does this rent estimate mean?

Explanation: This estimate shows what renters typically pay each month for housing, including the apartment or home and essential utilities such as heat, water, and electricity. Even when utilities are billed separately, an estimated average cost for utilities is included, in line with the U.S. Census Bureau’s (ACS) definition of gross rent.

Included in this number: Rent plus electricity, gas, water/sewer, and heating fuel.

Not included: Internet, cable, parking, renter’s insurance, or furniture rental.

Note: This cost does not depend on the number of people living in the home.

👨‍👧‍👦 Household Income in Columbus, GA

Annual Household Income: $58,073

💡 What does Household Income mean?

Definition: This represents the middle value of all household incomes in this area — half of households earn less, and half earn more.

Includes: wages, salaries, self-employment income, Social Security, pensions, investments, unemployment, public assistance, and rental income.

Does NOT include: capital gains, non-cash benefits (like food stamps), or tax refunds.

Household = any group of people (or a single person) living in the same housing unit.

Example: A couple earning $40,000 and $30,000 together have a household income of $70,000. If that's in the middle of all local incomes, it's the value shown here.

📉 Poverty Rate in Columbus, GA

Estimated Rate: 19%

💡 What does the Poverty Rate represent?

Definition: The percentage of people in this area living below the federal poverty threshold.

How it works: The threshold is a dollar amount set by the U.S. Census Bureau that varies by family size and age. If a household's income is below that level, everyone in it is included in this rate.

Example: In a town of 10,000 people, if 1,500 have incomes below the poverty line, the poverty rate is 15%.

Note: This statistic only includes people living in households; it does not count those in student housing, military barracks, or nursing homes.

🏘️ Renter vs. Owner Households in Columbus, GA

In Columbus, GA, households that rent: 40,025 (49.2%)

📊 What does the renter household percentage reveal about this area?

Household Type	Count	Share
Renter-Occupied	40,025	49.2%
Owner-Occupied	41,390	50.8%

Definition: This is the percentage of households that rent their home rather than own it. It includes only occupied housing units.

Why it matters: Areas with a high share of renter households often have younger populations, higher mobility, and different housing needs compared to mostly owner-occupied areas.

Example: If 65% of homes in an area are renter-occupied, it means 65 out of every 100 households rent their home.

📉 Renters Spending Over 30% of Income on Rent in Columbus, GA

In Columbus, GA, cost-burdened renters (households spending over 30% of income on housing): 18,990 (47.4%)

🏚️ What Does It Mean When Renters Spend Over 30% of Their Income on Housing?

Household Group	Households	Share
Cost-burdened renters (over 30%)	18,990	47.4%
Other renter households	21,035	52.6%
Total renter households	40,025	100%

Shares are calculated as a percentage of renter households.

This shows how many renters in this area are considered cost-burdened — meaning they spend more than 30% of their income on housing (rent and basic utilities).

It’s a sign that housing might be unaffordable in the area or that lower-income residents may be struggling with rent.

Data comes from the U.S. Census Bureau’s American Community Survey.

📊 Education Levels in Columbus, GA

Less than High School: 42,220 people (31.4%)

Includes adults who did not complete high school.

High School Graduate or GED: 36,795 people (27.3%)

Includes adults whose highest education is a high school diploma or GED.

Some College or Associate Degree: 14,596 people (10.8%)

Includes adults who attended college without completing a bachelor’s degree (some college or associate degree).

Bachelor’s Degree or Higher: 41,046 people (30.5%)

Includes adults with a bachelor’s degree or higher (bachelor’s, master’s, professional, or doctoral degree).

👥 Total Adults (25+): 134,657

📊 Unemployment Rate in Columbus, GA

Estimated Rate: 4.0%

💡 What does Unemployment Rate mean?

Definition: The unemployment rate is the percentage of people in the labor force who do not have a job but are actively looking for one.

Labor Force = Employed + Unemployed (aged 16+ and actively participating in the workforce).

Formula: (Unemployed ÷ Labor Force) × 100

Does NOT include: People who are retired, students not looking for work, homemakers, or otherwise not seeking employment.

Example: If there are 1000 people in the labor force and 80 are unemployed, then the unemployment rate is 8%.

Similar Population

Salt Lake City, UT203,888 Little Rock, AR202,739 McKinney, TX202,314 Worcester, MA205,501 Cape Coral, FL206,387 Oxnard, CA201,014 Amarillo, TX200,945 Tallahassee, FL199,696 Birmingham, AL199,322 Grand Prairie, TX198,564

ℹ️ Have questions about how these statistics are calculated? See our data methodology & FAQs

Source: ACS 5-Year Estimates (U.S. Census Bureau) — unemployment rate from BLS. Some values are derived metrics.