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Columbus, NC
Facts, statistics and data on population, demographics, income, economy, housing and education
Key Indicators
A quick look at key numbers
Population
1,071
Source: U.S. Census Bureau American Community Survey (ACS) 2020-2024 5-Year Estimates
Median Age
54.4
years ∙ half population younger than 54.4, half older
Diversity Index
45.8%
chance two random people differ in race and ethnicity
Nativity
9.7%
foreign-born population
Geographic Context
Location, size, and surroundings
About
Columbus is a town within Polk County, North Carolina, United States.
Co-ordinates
DEC35.251165° N, 82.209786° W
DMS35° 15′ 04.19″ N, 82° 12′ 35.23″ W
Population Density & area
284.8/sq mi
(110.1/km²)
Demographics & Living
Who lives here, how households are formed, and community composition
Population Composition
Key characteristics of the population
Sex Distribution
44.7%
male
Male
44.7%
Female
55.3%
males per 100 females
Columbus
80.9
Polk County
92
North Carolina
95.6
Nativity
9.7%
foreign-born population
% Foreign-born
Columbus
9.7%
Polk County
4.5%
North Carolina
9.1%
Age Distribution
How the population is spread across age groups
Median Age
54.4
years ∙ half population younger than 54.4, half older
Dependency ratio
76.2
dependents per 100 working-age adults
Columbus
76.2
Polk County
92.1
North Carolina
63.8
AGE DISTRIBUTION
Distribution of age group
Median age
| Columbus | Polk County | North Carolina | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Age Group | |||
| Children (Under 18) | 13.4% | 15.3% | 21.8% |
| Working age (18-64) | 56.8% | 52.1% | 61% |
| Senior (65+) | 29.8% | 32.6% | 17.2% |
| Dependency ratio | |||
| Total dependency ratio | 76.2 | 92.1 | 63.8 |
| Child dependency ratio | 23.7 | 29.4 | 35.6 |
| Old-age dependency ratio | 52.5 | 62.6 | 28.2 |
Racial & Ethnic Composition
Racial and ethnic makeup and how it compares
Race & Ethnicity
Note: White, Black, and Asian refer to individuals belonging to a single race and not of Hispanic origin. Hispanics may be of any race.
Diversity Index
45.8%
chance two random people differ in race and ethnicity
Columbus
45.8%
Polk County
24.4%
North Carolina
58.4%
Note: The Diversity Index (DI), based on the Blau Index, measures the probability that two randomly selected individuals differ in race and ethnicity. Values range from 0 (no diversity) to 1 (high diversity) and are shown as percentages.
RACIAL & ETHNIC COMPOSITION
Race & Ethnicity
Percentage of Columbus population
| Columbus | Polk County | North Carolina | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Hispanic or Latino | 16.7% | 5.6% | 11.3% |
| Mexican | 8.3% | 3.2% | 5.6% |
| Puerto Rican | 1.1% | 0.8% | 1.3% |
| Cuban | 0% | 0.2% | 0.3% |
| Other Hispanic / Latino | 7.3% | 1.5% | 4.1% |
| Not Hispanic or Latino | 83.3% | 94.4% | 88.7% |
| One race | 78.8% | 92.3% | 84.6% |
| White | 71.3% | 86.6% | 60% |
| Black or African American | 6.3% | 4.4% | 20% |
| American Indian and Alaska Native | 0.1% | 0.1% | 0.8% |
| Asian | 0% | 0.8% | 3.3% |
| Native Hawaiian and Other Pacific Islander | 0% | 0% | 0.1% |
| Some Other Race | 1.1% | 0.4% | 0.5% |
| Two or more races (Multiracial) | 4.5% | 2.1% | 4.1% |
Household & Families Composition
Household size, type, and family structure
Household structure
57.8%
family
Family
57.8%
Non family
42.2%
% family households
Columbus
57.8%
Polk County
63.3%
North Carolina
64.3%
Average household size
2.11
persons per household
Household & Family COMPOSITION
Households
Percentage of Columbus population
| Columbus | Polk County | North Carolina | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Total households | 481 | 8,976 | 4,282,345 |
| Average houshold size | 2.11 | 2.18 | 2.44 |
| Family households | 278 | 5,680 | 2,753,022 |
| Average family size | 2.76 | 2.72 | 3.03 |
| Married couple family | 205 | 4,756 | 2,021,951 |
| Other families | 73 | 924 | 731,071 |
| Male householder | 27 | 226 | 195,051 |
| Female householder | 46 | 698 | 536,020 |
| Non-family households | 203 | 3,296 | 1,529,323 |
| One-person households | 193 | 2,842 | 1,258,822 |
| Male householder | 57 | 1,117 | 544,050 |
| Senior (65+) living alone | 27 | 465 | 160,332 |
| Female householder | 136 | 1,725 | 714,772 |
| Senior (65+) living alone | 124 | 1,164 | 342,051 |
| Other living arrangements | 10 | 454 | 270,501 |
Housing Profile
Housing stock, ownership, rentals, and cost burdens
Total housing units
525
housing units
Columbus
525
Polk County
11,042
North Carolina
4,895,668
Occupancy status
91.6%
occupied
Occupied
91.6%
Vacant
8.4%
vacancy rate
Columbus
8.4%
Polk County
18.7%
North Carolina
12.5%
Housing Characteristics
How the housing supply is structured and used
Types of Housing unit
65%
Single family houses
Median Year Built
1975
Half of houses were built before 1975, and half after.
Note: Median year built reflects occupied units only; distribution includes all units.
Housing Characteristics
Units, rooms & bedrooms
Physical characteristics of housing units
| Columbus | Polk County | North Carolina | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Rooms per unit | |||
| Median rooms | 5.1 | 5.7 | 5.6 |
| 1–3 rooms | 17.8% | 9.6% | 11.4% |
| 4–6 rooms | 54.7% | 53.1% | 54.9% |
| 7+ rooms | 27.6% | 37.2% | 33.6% |
| Bedrooms | |||
| No bedroom / studio | 0% | 1.2% | 1.9% |
| 1 bedroom | 12.6% | 6% | 7.1% |
| 2 bedrooms | 48.2% | 30.7% | 23.8% |
| 3 bedrooms | 33.5% | 47.6% | 46.2% |
| 4+ bedrooms | 5.8% | 14.5% | 21% |
| At a glance | |||
| Median year built | 1975 | 1984 | 1992 |
| Total housing units | 525 | 11,042 | 4,895,668 |
Occupancy Profile
Who is inside and how they use it
Homeownership
63.4%
owners
Renter-occupied
36.6%
Owner-occupied
63.4%
homeownership rate
Columbus
63.4%
Polk County
76.9%
North Carolina
66.6%
Average household size
2.26
Owner-occupied
1.85
Renter-occupied
owner-occupied average size
Columbus
2.26
Polk County
2.29
North Carolina
2.54
Housing Characteristics
Occupied unit characteristics
Tenure, crowding, and utilities
| Columbus | Polk County | North Carolina | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Total occupied units | 481 | 8,976 | 4,282,345 |
| Year moved in | |||
| 2020 or later | 23.5% | 22.1% | 26.2% |
| 2010 to 2019 | 36.2% | 33.3% | 39.2% |
| 2000 to 2009 | 13.1% | 20% | 16.2% |
| 1999 or earlier | 27.2% | 24.6% | 18.5% |
| Occupants per room | |||
| 1.00 or fewer | 97.1% | 97.4% | 97.8% |
| 1.01 to 1.50 | 2.9% | 2% | 1.5% |
| 1.51 or more | 0% | 0.6% | 0.7% |
| Vehicles availability | |||
| No vehicles | 8.3% | 4% | 5.3% |
| 1 vehicle | 36.8% | 29.6% | 31.4% |
| 2 vehicles | 37.4% | 35.7% | 38% |
| 3 or more vehicles | 17.5% | 30.6% | 25.2% |
| House heating fuel used | |||
| Gas | 27% | 19.8% | 30.5% |
| Electricity | 66.3% | 70.3% | 65.5% |
| Solar | 0% | 0% | 0.1% |
| Fuel oil, kerosene etc | 6.4% | 5.2% | 2% |
| All other fuels | 0% | 4.4% | 1.3% |
| No fuel used | 0.2% | 0.3% | 0.7% |
| Selected characteristics | |||
| Lacking complete plumbing | 2.1% | 0.4% | 0.3% |
| Lacking complete kitchen | 2.1% | 0.9% | 0.6% |
| No telephone service available | 1.5% | 1.4% | 0.8% |
Housing Value
What owner-occupied units are worth
Median home value
$265,700
owner-occupied units
Housing Cost Burden
13.8%
of homeowners with a mortgage are cost-burdened
Note: Households spending 30% or more of their income on housing costs are considered cost-burdened.
Financial characteristics
Property value and housing costs
Tenure, crowding, and utilities
| Columbus | Polk County | North Carolina | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Property value | |||
| Median Value | $265,700 | $315,000 | $288,900 |
| Under $100,000 | 3.9% | 8% | 12.7% |
| $100,000 - $200,000 | 26.9% | 23.4% | 18.9% |
| $200,000 - $300,000 | 37.4% | 16.2% | 20.5% |
| $300,000 - $500,000 | 27.9% | 30.3% | 28.3% |
| $500,000 - $1,000,000 | 3.9% | 16.9% | 16.3% |
| $1,000,000 and more | 0% | 5.2% | 3.3% |
| Owner-occupied households | |||
| With a mortgage | 54.4% | 51.2% | 61.3% |
| Without a mortgage | 45.6% | 48.8% | 38.7% |
| Median monthly owner costs | |||
| With a mortgage | $1,243 | $1,415 | $1,631 |
| Without a mortgage | $441 | $464 | $490 |
| Gross rent | |||
| Median rent | $788 | $1,178 | $1,228 |
Education Profile
How educated is the community and how education pays off
Adults with a college degree
25.1%
of adults 25+ with a bachelor's degree or higher
Columbus
25.1%
Polk County
36.2%
North Carolina
35.7%
Adults without a high school diploma
13.4%
of adults (25+) without a high school diploma
Columbus
13.4%
Polk County
6.6%
North Carolina
9.9%
School Enrollment
Who is enrolled in school and at what level
School enrollment
105
population (age 3+) enrolled in school
College-going rate (18-24 yr olds)
1.5%
of 18-24-year-olds in college or graduate school
Enrollment & school type
Enrollment levels, college-going rate, and public vs private school split
Population 3+ currently enrolled in a school
| Columbus | Polk County | North Carolina | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Total enrolled (age 3+) | 105 | 3,195 | 2,530,102 |
| Nursery / preschool | 0% | 3.6% | 5.3% |
| K–12 | 78.1% | 69.6% | 67.4% |
| Kindergarten | 0% | 3.5% | 4.9% |
| Elementary: Grades 1–4 | 29.5% | 21.9% | 20% |
| Elementary: Grades 5–8 | 32.4% | 21.9% | 21% |
| High School: Grades 9–12 | 16.2% | 22.4% | 21.5% |
| College or graduate school | 21.9% | 26.8% | 27.3% |
| College, undergraduate | 21.9% | 21.4% | 21.7% |
| Graduate, professional school | 0% | 5.4% | 5.6% |
| College-going rate · 18-24 yr olds | 1.5% | 39% | 39.3% |
| School type | |||
| Public school | 94.3% | 81.3% | 82.3% |
| Private school | 5.7% | 18.7% | 17.7% |
Education Attainment by Level & Gender
What is the highest level of education completed among adults
Education attainment
859
population 25 years and over
Attainment by gender
Male vs Female
Adults (25+) · Share within each education level
Educational Attainment Overview
Distribution and key education attainment rates for adults (25+)
Highest credential completed · adults 25+
| Columbus | Polk County | North Carolina | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population (25+) | 859 | 15,827 | 7,380,330 |
| Less than 9th grade | 3.4% | 1.4% | 3.9% |
| 9th–12th, no diploma | 10% | 5.2% | 6% |
| High school diploma or GED | 28.9% | 27.5% | 24.8% |
| Some college, no degree | 21.3% | 20.2% | 19.6% |
| Associate's degree | 11.3% | 9.6% | 10.1% |
| Bachelor's degree or higher | 25.1% | 36.2% | 35.7% |
| Bachelor's degree | 15.8% | 22.4% | 22.2% |
| Graduate or professional | 9.3% | 13.8% | 13.5% |
| High School or higher | 86.6% | 93.4% | 90.1% |
Earnings by education level
percentage as applicable
Median Earnings
$36,295
Median earnings for adults 25+, by level
Poverty Rate
1.4%
for ages 25+, with bachelors degree or higher
Outcomes by Education Level
Earnings and poverty rates across education levels (25+)
Adults 25+
| Columbus | Polk County | North Carolina | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median earnings | |||
| Population 25+, with earnings | $36,295 | $38,609 | $49,275 |
| Less than high school graduate | $29,167 | $29,144 | $31,234 |
| High school graduate (includes equivalency) | $31,667 | $34,695 | $37,346 |
| Some college or associate's degree | $51,964 | $37,062 | $43,525 |
| Bachelor's degree | $40,515 | $51,786 | $64,395 |
| Graduate or professional degree | $— | $55,139 | $80,986 |
| Poverty rates | |||
| Less than high school graduate | 20.6% | 31.4% | 26.6% |
| High school graduate (includes equivalency) | 20.1% | 19% | 15.2% |
| Some college or associate's degree | 17.4% | 12.1% | 10% |
| Bachelor's degree or higher | 1.4% | 6.4% | 4.2% |
Economy & Employment
Jobs, industries, and workforce at a glance
Labor Force
Who is working, looking for work, and participating in the economy
Adult Population (16+)
966
residents 16 years and over
Columbus
966
Polk County
17,285
North Carolina
8,672,106
Employment-Population Ratio (EPOP)
49.7%
of residents age 16+ are employed
Columbus
49.7%
Polk County
51%
North Carolina
58.6%
Note: The Employment-Population Ratio (EPOP) measures the share of the population age 16 and over that is currently employed. Higher values indicate a larger proportion of residents holding jobs.
Labor Force Composition
Age and demographic makeup of the labor force
Median Age of Workers (16–64)
37.3
years ∙ half are younger than 37.3, half older
Note: Median worker age is based on adults age 16–64 who worked in the past 12 months.
Male-Female Labor Force Split
49.7%
male
Male
49.7%
Female
50.3%
Female Share of Labor Force (%)
Columbus
50.3
Polk County
49
North Carolina
47.7
Labor force composition
Age and Gender Composition of the Labor Force (16+) in Columbus
How the labor force age 16 and over is distributed across age groups and gender.
| Columbus | Polk County | North Carolina | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Total labor force | 501 | 9,291 | 5,443,607 |
| Age distribution | |||
| 16 to 19 years | 0.8% | 4.3% | 4.2% |
| 20 to 24 years | 9% | 6.8% | 10% |
| 25 to 29 years | 9.2% | 8.4% | 11% |
| 30 to 34 years | 18.6% | 7% | 11.3% |
| 35 to 44 years | 16.4% | 18.6% | 21% |
| 45 to 54 years | 16% | 21.6% | 20.2% |
| 55 to 59 years | 8.8% | 10.7% | 9.1% |
| 60 to 64 years | 5.6% | 11.3% | 7.2% |
| 65 to 74 years | 15.8% | 8.3% | 5.1% |
| 75 years and over | 0% | 3% | 0.9% |
| Gender composition | |||
| Male | 49.7% | 51% | 52.3% |
| Female | 50.3% | 49% | 47.7% |
Labor Force Participation
How much of the working-age population is active in the labor force?
Labor Force Participation Rate (LFPR)
51.9%
of adults age 16+ are in the labor force
Note: The Labor Force Participation Rate (LFPR) measures the share of the population age 16 and over that is working or looking for work.
Participation Gap · Male vs Female
62.6%
of males age 16+ are in the labor force
44.4%
of females age 16+ are in the labor force
Female LFPR (%)
Columbus
44.4%
Polk County
50%
North Carolina
58%
Note: LFPR measures the share of the male or female population age 16+ that is working or looking for work.
AGE & GENDER LFPR
Labor Force Participation Rate (LFPR) in Columbus
Share of residents age 16+ working or seeking work, by age group, gender and race
| Columbus | Polk County | North Carolina | |
|---|---|---|---|
| LFPR by age group | |||
| 16 to 19 years | 9.3% | 57% | 40.2% |
| 20 to 24 years | 70.3% | 83% | 75.7% |
| 25 to 29 years | 82.1% | 86.7% | 84.6% |
| 30 to 34 years | 100% | 84.5% | 83.8% |
| 35 to 44 years | 85.4% | 88.2% | 83.2% |
| 45 to 54 years | 96.4% | 86.9% | 81.2% |
| 55 to 59 years | 59.5% | 68% | 72.8% |
| 60 to 64 years | 20.3% | 54.1% | 57% |
| 65 to 74 years | 51% | 22.8% | 25.2% |
| 75 years and over | 0% | 9% | 6.8% |
| LFPR by gender | |||
| Male | 62.6% | 58% | 67.9% |
| Female | 44.4% | 50% | 58% |
| LFPR by race, ethnicity | |||
| White | 52.5% | 53% | 61% |
| Black or African American | 14.9% | 47.9% | 63.7% |
| American Indian and Alaska Native | 100% | 76.2% | 56.8% |
| Asian | —% | 43.5% | 70.1% |
| Native Hawaiian and Other Pacific Islander | —% | —% | 70.4% |
| Some Other Race | 76.2% | 79.1% | 71.4% |
| Two or more races (Multiracial) | 56.2% | 67.2% | 68.8% |
| Hispanic or Latino | 63% | 69.3% | 71% |
Note:
1. Race groups refer to individuals reporting a single race alone and may include people of Hispanic or Latino origin. Hispanic or Latino is an ethnicity and may include individuals of any race, so categories may overlap.
2. The Labor Force Participation Rate (LFPR) measures the share of the population age 16 and over that is working or looking for work.
Labor Force Status
Employment, unemployment, and labor force conditions
Unemployment Rate
4.2%
of the civilian labor force age 16+ is unemployed
Note: Unemployment rate measures the share of the civilian labor force age 16+ that is jobless and seeking work. It excludes residents not in the labor force, such as retirees and students.
UNEMPLOYMENT GAP · MALE VS FEMALE
1.2%
of males age 16+ in civilian labor force are unemployed
7.1%
of females age 16+ in civilian labor force are unemployed
male unemployment rate
Columbus
1.2%
Polk County
6.2%
North Carolina
4.8%
Note: Male and female unemployment rates measure the share of each group's civilian labor force age 16+ that is unemployed and seeking work.
CIVILIAN UNEMPLOYMENT RATE
Unemployment Rate in Columbus
Share of the civilian labor force age 16+ that is unemployed, by age group, gender and race
| Columbus | Polk County | North Carolina | |
|---|---|---|---|
| By age group | |||
| 16 to 19 years | 25% | 12.9% | 13.1% |
| 20 to 24 years | 0% | 11.3% | 8.9% |
| 25 to 29 years | 0% | 9.3% | 5.7% |
| 30 to 34 years | 19.4% | 7.6% | 4.5% |
| 35 to 44 years | 2.4% | 1.3% | 3.9% |
| 45 to 54 years | 0% | 0.9% | 3.3% |
| 55 to 59 years | 0% | 10.9% | 3.1% |
| 60 to 64 years | 0% | 4.6% | 3% |
| 65 to 74 years | 0% | 2.2% | 3% |
| 75 years and over | —% | 4.3% | 2.9% |
| By gender | |||
| Male | 1.2% | 6.2% | 4.8% |
| Female | 7.1% | 3.9% | 4.7% |
| By race, ethnicity | |||
| White | 4.6% | 4.8% | 3.7% |
| Black or African American | 0% | 0.6% | 7.5% |
| American Indian and Alaska Native | 0% | 0% | 6% |
| Asian | —% | 0% | 4% |
| Native Hawaiian and Other Pacific Islander | —% | —% | 5% |
| Some Other Race | 0% | 19.6% | 4.9% |
| Two or more races (Multiracial) | 6% | 9.1% | 5.8% |
| Hispanic or Latino | 3.8% | 9.9% | 5% |
Note:
1. Race groups refer to individuals reporting a single race alone and may include people of Hispanic or Latino origin. Hispanic or Latino is an ethnicity and may include individuals of any race, so categories may overlap.
2.Unemployment rate measures the share of the civilian labor force age 16+ that is jobless and seeking work. It excludes residents not in the labor force, such as retirees and students.
Job Market
Where residents work, what types of employers they work for, and how they commute
Total employed population
480
employed residents 16 years and over
Employed population
Columbus
480
Polk County
8,820
North Carolina
5,084,958
Note: Total employed population refers to the civilian employed population age 16 and over, including both full-time and part-time workers.
Full-time employment rate
71%
of employed residents 16 and older
Full-time employment (%)
Columbus
71%
Polk County
62%
North Carolina
73%
Note: Total full-time employed population refers to civilians age 16 and over working full time throughout the year, excluding part-time workers.
Industries
The industries that employ Columbus, NC workforce and shape the local economy
Top Industry
About 1 in 4 workers
are employed in Retail trade
Top 3 Industries
% of total workers
Retail trade
24.2%
Health care and social assistance
17.5%
Transportation and warehousing
10.2%
Note: Percentages reflect the share of the total civilian employed population age 16+ working in each industry, including both full-time and part-time workers.
Top industry by gender
Male
Retail trade employs the most men — 28% of 246 employed male workers
Female
Health care and social assistance employs the most women — 28.6% of 234 employed female workers
Note: Percentages reflect the share of employed males or females age 16+ working in each industry, including both full-time and part-time workers.
Industries Distribution Table
Employment Distribution by Industries in Columbus
Share of employed residents 16 and older · by industry
| Columbus | Polk County | North Carolina | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Total employed population | 480 | 8,820 | 5,084,958 |
| Agriculture and mining | |||
| Agriculture | 3.8% | 4.1% | 0.9% |
| Mining and logging | 0% | 0.1% | 0.1% |
| Construction | 2.7% | 9% | 7.4% |
| Manufacturing | 6.5% | 8.9% | 11.7% |
| Wholesale trade | 0.2% | 1.3% | 2.1% |
| Retail trade | 24.2% | 10.5% | 11.2% |
| Transportation and utilities | |||
| Transportation and warehousing | 10.2% | 2.9% | 4.6% |
| Utilities | 0% | 0.8% | 0.9% |
| Information | 1.5% | 2.3% | 1.6% |
| Financial activities | |||
| Finance and Insurance | 2.9% | 3.4% | 5.3% |
| Real estate and leasing | 0% | 3.9% | 1.9% |
| Professional and business services | |||
| Professional and technical services | 4.2% | 5.5% | 8.2% |
| Corporate management | 0% | 0% | 0.1% |
| Administrative and waste services | 5% | 5.6% | 4.4% |
| Education and health services | |||
| Educational services | 4.6% | 8.1% | 8.8% |
| Health care and social assistance | 17.5% | 17.9% | 13.7% |
| Leisure and hospitality | |||
| Arts and recreation | 1.3% | 1.6% | 1.7% |
| Accommodation and food services | 9% | 5.4% | 6.7% |
| Other services | 4.2% | 5.4% | 4.9% |
| Government | 2.5% | 3.2% | 4.1% |
Note: Percentages reflect the share of the total civilian employed population age 16+ working in each industry, including both full-time and part-time workers. Percentages are rounded for readability and may not sum to 100%.
Type of Employer
Whether residents work for private companies, government agencies, or are self-employed
Employment by employer type
85.4%
Private
Government
9.6%
Private Employment
85.4%
Self Employed
5%
Private employment (%)
Columbus
85.4%
Polk County
71.8%
North Carolina
76.2%
Note: Percentages reflect the share of the civilian employed population age 16+ by type of employer, including private-sector workers, government employees, and the self-employed.
Self-employed workers
5%
of the workers are self-employed
Category
% of total workers
Incorporated business
1%
Unincorporated business
4%
Unpaid family workers
0%
Note: Percentages reflect the share of self-employed and unpaid family workers within the civilian employed population age 16+, excluding private-sector and government employees.
Percentages are rounded for readability and may not add up.
Type of employer
Employment distribution by employer type in Columbus
Share of employed population 16 and older · by class of worker
| Columbus | Polk County | North Carolina | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Private wage & salary | 85.4% | 71.8% | 76.2% |
| For-profit company employees | 74.4% | 62.7% | 68.5% |
| Not-for-profit employees | 11% | 9.1% | 7.7% |
| Self-employed | 5% | 17.3% | 10% |
| Incorporated business | 1% | 7% | 4.1% |
| Unincorporated business | 4% | 10.2% | 5.7% |
| Unpaid family workers | 0% | 0.1% | 0.2% |
| Government | 9.6% | 10.9% | 13.8% |
| Local government | 4.8% | 4.4% | 6.4% |
| State government | 0% | 4.8% | 5.2% |
| Federal government | 4.8% | 1.7% | 2.3% |
Note: Percentages reflect the share of the civilian employed population age 16+ by type of employer, including private-sector workers, government employees, and the self-employed. Percentages are rounded for readability and may not sum to 100%.
Commute & Job Access
How residents commute to work and how long their daily travel takes
Work From Home Rate
10.8%
WFH
Work from home
10.8%
Commute to work
89.2%
Working from home (%)
Columbus
10.8%
Polk County
15.8%
North Carolina
16.3%
Note: Percentages reflect workers age 16+ by work commute type, including those working from home and those commuting to a workplace.
Travel Time to Work
21.4 minutes
mean one-way travel time for commuters
Mean travel time (minutes)
Columbus
21.4
Polk County
28.4
North Carolina
25.1
Note: Mean travel time measures the average one-way commute in minutes for employed residents 16+ who commute to work. It excludes those who worked from home.
Commute Patterns
Means of transportation and travel time to work in Columbus
Employed residents 16+.
| Columbus | Polk County | North Carolina | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Total employed population | 480 | 8,820 | 5,084,958 |
| Worked from home | 10.8% | 15.8% | 16.3% |
| Drove Alone | 75.6% | 70.4% | 71.5% |
| Carpooled | 13.6% | 11.6% | 8.5% |
| Public transportation | 0% | 0% | 0.7% |
| Walked | 0% | 1.8% | 1.6% |
| Bicycle, taxi & other means | 0% | 0.3% | 1.5% |
| Commuting population | 421 | 7,267 | 4,253,446 |
| Mean travel time (minutes) | 21.4 | 28.4 | 25.1 |
| Less than 5 minutes | 4.8% | 3.1% | 2.9% |
| 5 to 14 minutes | 35.2% | 22.3% | 23.3% |
| 15 to 29 minutes | 27.3% | 29.7% | 39.5% |
| 30 to 44 minutes | 22.1% | 24.2% | 20.4% |
| 45 to 59 minutes | 7.1% | 13.4% | 7.4% |
| 60 to 89 minutes | 1.7% | 3% | 4.4% |
| 90 minutes or more | 1.9% | 4.3% | 2.1% |
Note: Means of transportation distribution shows the share of employed residents 16+ by how they primarily get to work. Travel time distribution and mean travel time are calculated only for commuting residents — those who did not work from home. Percentages are rounded for readability and may not sum to 100%.
Wages & Earnings
What employed residents earn — by industry, occupation, and type of employer
Median Earnings
$41,274
median annual earnings · full-time year-round workers
Median annual earnings
Columbus
$41,274
Polk County
$50,276
North Carolina
$56,608
Note: Median earnings reflect annual earnings for full-time, year-round workers age 16 and older. Part-time and part-year workers are excluded.
Gender earnings gap
68 ¢
per $1 earned by men
women earning per $1 earned by male
Columbus
68¢
Polk County
81¢
North Carolina
83¢
Note: Gender earnings gap measures how much women earn for every $1 earned by men, among full-time, year-round workers age 16 and older.
Top Earnings By industry
How median earnings vary across the industries where Columbus, NC workers are employed
Highest-paying industry
$82,500
Workers in Transportation and warehousing report the highest median earnings
Top Industries
Median annual earnings
Transportation and warehousing
$82,500
Accommodation and food services
$68,333
Retail trade
$40,740
Note:
1. Median earnings reflect annual earnings for full-time, year-round workers age 16 and older, based on the worker's industry of employment.
2. Industry categories are based on the NAICS classification system.
Highest-paying industry by gender
Male
Men working in Transportation and warehousing earn the highest median earnings — $82,847, compared to $52,143 for all employed men
Female
Women working in Professional and technical services earn the highest median earnings — $36,667, compared to $35,273 for all employed women
Note:
1. Median earnings reflect annual earnings for full-time, year-round workers age 16 and older, by industry and gender.
2. Industry categories are based on the NAICS classification system.
Earnings Distribution Table
Earnings by industry in Columbus
Median annual earnings · full-time, year-round workers 16 and older · by industry
| Columbus | Polk County | North Carolina | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Earnings | $41,274 | $50,276 | $56,608 |
| Agriculture and mining | |||
| Agriculture | $— | $33,553 | $43,861 |
| Mining and logging | $— | $— | $79,224 |
| Construction | $35,417 | $50,139 | $51,497 |
| Manufacturing | $29,750 | $49,573 | $57,065 |
| Wholesale trade | $— | $72,647 | $62,216 |
| Retail trade | $40,740 | $40,367 | $41,807 |
| Transportation and utilities | |||
| Transportation and warehousing | $82,500 | $56,875 | $54,197 |
| Utilities | $— | $145,656 | $82,617 |
| Information | $— | $65,395 | $74,050 |
| Financial activities | |||
| Finance and Insurance | $— | $69,387 | $88,778 |
| Real estate and leasing | $— | $53,125 | $61,234 |
| Professional and business services | |||
| Professional and technical services | $36,667 | $85,417 | $96,538 |
| Corporate management | $— | $— | $85,938 |
| Administrative and waste services | $— | $48,491 | $43,251 |
| Education and health services | |||
| Educational services | $— | $48,167 | $54,785 |
| Health care and social assistance | $29,107 | $48,261 | $55,211 |
| Leisure and hospitality | |||
| Arts and recreation | $— | $41,563 | $48,830 |
| Accommodation and food services | $68,333 | $36,910 | $32,819 |
| Other services | $36,406 | $52,807 | $45,968 |
| Government | $— | $40,700 | $62,469 |
Note:
1. Earnings reflect median annual earnings for full-time, year-round workers age 16 and older, by industry of employment.
2. Industry categories are based on the NAICS classification system.
Top Earnings By Employer Type
How median earnings vary depending on whether residents work for private businesses, government agencies, or are self-employed
Highest-paying employer type
$82,656
Workers in Nonprofit organization roles report the highest median earnings
Top employer types
Median annual earnings
Nonprofit organization
$82,656
Private company
$40,745
—
$—
Note: Median earnings reflect annual earnings for full-time, year-round workers age 16 and older, by class of worker.
Highest-paying employer type by gender
Male
Men in Private company roles earn the highest median earnings — $42,143, compared to $52,143 for all employed men
Female
Women in Nonprofit organization roles earn the highest median earnings — $37,188, compared to $35,273 for all employed women
Note: Median earnings reflect annual earnings for full-time, year-round workers age 16 and older, by employer type and gender.
Earnings by employer type
Earnings by employer type in Columbus
Median annual earnings · full-time, year-round workers 16 and older · by employer type
| Columbus | Polk County | North Carolina | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Private wage & salary | |||
| For-profit company employees | $40,745 | $49,427 | $55,590 |
| Not-for-profit employees | $82,656 | $61,651 | $62,753 |
| Self-employed | |||
| Incorporated business | $— | $73,235 | $68,071 |
| Unincorporated business | $— | $30,270 | $43,610 |
| Government | |||
| Local government | $— | $39,135 | $53,400 |
| State government | $— | $51,219 | $58,172 |
| Federal government | $— | $73,661 | $74,081 |
Note: Earnings reflect median annual earnings for full-time, year-round workers age 16 and older, by class of worker.
Top Earnings By Occupations
How median earnings vary across the occupations Columbus, NC workers hold
Highest-paying occupation
$92,917
Workers in Construction and extraction occupation report the highest median earnings
Top occupation groups
Median annual earnings
Construction and extraction
$92,917
Management
$82,969
Installation, maintenance, and repair
$79,028
Note:
1. Median earnings reflect annual earnings for full-time, year-round workers age 16 and older, by occupation group.
2. Occupation groups follow the 2018 Standard Occupational Classification (SOC) system.
Highest-paying occupation by gender
Male
Among employed men, workers in Management occupations earn the highest median earnings — $82,969 versus $52,143 overall
Female
Among employed women, workers in Health technicians occupations earn the highest median earnings — $40,417 versus $35,273 overall
Note:
1. Median earnings reflect annual earnings for full-time, year-round workers age 16 and older, by occupation group and gender.
2. Occupation groups follow the 2018 Standard Occupational Classification (SOC) system.
Earnings by occupation
Earnings by occupation in Columbus
Median annual earnings · full-time, year-round workers 16 and older · by occupation
| Columbus | Polk County | North Carolina | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median earnings(Total) | $41,274 | $50,276 | $56,608 |
| Management and business | |||
| Management | $82,969 | $89,432 | $90,202 |
| Business and finance | $— | $53,917 | $82,221 |
| Technology and science | |||
| Computer and math | $— | $131,563 | $104,107 |
| Architecture and engineering | $— | $138,173 | $95,892 |
| Sciences | $— | $— | $76,053 |
| Education, legal, and arts | |||
| Community and Social Service | $— | $76,667 | $56,353 |
| Legal | $— | $36,042 | $102,257 |
| Education, Training and Library | $— | $50,811 | $52,253 |
| Arts, design and media | $— | $40,846 | $62,008 |
| Healthcare | |||
| Doctors, Nurses & Medical Professionals | $— | $85,208 | $88,883 |
| Health technicians | $28,571 | $45,089 | $50,868 |
| Healthcare support | $— | $36,823 | $37,084 |
| Protective Service | |||
| Firefighting and emergency services | $— | $44,457 | $52,195 |
| Law enforcement | $— | $28,750 | $60,617 |
| Other services | |||
| Food preparation and serving | $41,071 | $36,493 | $28,520 |
| Building and grounds cleaning | $— | $40,208 | $34,046 |
| Personal care and service | $— | $35,607 | $34,535 |
| Sales and office | |||
| Sales | $45,833 | $59,583 | $54,546 |
| Office and Administrative Support | $37,353 | $43,464 | $45,266 |
| Trades and natural resources | |||
| Farming, Fishing, and Forestry | $— | $34,276 | $37,113 |
| Construction and extraction | $92,917 | $32,196 | $44,719 |
| Installation, Maintenance, and Repair | $79,028 | $65,197 | $55,215 |
| Production and transportation | |||
| Production | $35,147 | $43,505 | $44,006 |
| Transportation | $— | $30,357 | $51,282 |
| Material moving | $— | $24,750 | $36,246 |
Note:
1. Earnings reflect median annual earnings for full-time, year-round workers age 16 and older, by occupation.
2. Occupation groups follow the 2018 Standard Occupational Classification (SOC) system.
Income & Financial Security
Earnings, income distribution, and economic pressure points
Household Income
What households earn, where income comes from, and how household structure shapes earnings
Median Household Income
$60,169
Median household income in Columbus
Note:
1. Based on income across all household types in Columbus,
including family and non-family households.
2. Median household income represents the midpoint of household incomes,
with half of households earning more and half earning less.
3. Amounts shown in 2024 inflation-adjusted dollars, as reported by the Census Bureau.
Per capita income
$31,357
Per capita income in Columbus
Note:
1. Based on income across all residents in Columbus, per capita income represents the average income per person, calculated by dividing total income by the total population, including adults and children.
2. Amounts shown in 2024 inflation-adjusted dollars, as reported by the Census Bureau.
Income level
How household income, per-capita income, and local earnings compare to broader benchmarks
Mean Household Income
$65,026
Average household income in Columbus
Note:
1. Based on income across all household types in Columbus, including family and non-family households, mean household income is the average of all household incomes and is often higher than the median due to the influence of higher-income households.
2. Amounts shown in 2024 inflation-adjusted dollars, as reported by the Census Bureau.
Mean vs median household income
$65,026
Mean household income
$60,169
Median household income
Mean-median gap (USD)
Columbus
$4,857
Polk County
$28,521
North Carolina
$28,820
Note:
1. A larger mean-median gap indicates greater income inequality, as it generally signals a wider concentration of income at the upper end of the distribution.
2. Amounts shown in 2024 inflation-adjusted dollars, as reported by the Census Bureau.
Income Level
Household and per capita income in Columbus
Household, family, non-family, and per-capita income measures compared across Columbus and peer geographies.
| Columbus | Polk County | North Carolina | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Total households | 481 | 8,976 | 4,282,345 |
| Median household income | $60,169 | $67,758 | $72,388 |
| Mean household income | $65,026 | $96,279 | $101,208 |
| Mean-median gap | $4,857 | $28,521 | $28,820 |
| Family households | 278 | 5,680 | 2,753,022 |
| Median family income | $68,878 | $88,974 | $90,290 |
| Mean family income | $84,722 | $120,513 | $120,769 |
| Mean-median gap | $15,844 | $31,539 | $30,479 |
| Non-family households | 203 | 3,296 | 1,529,323 |
| Median non-family income | $19,297 | $35,378 | $43,909 |
| Mean non-family income | $31,006 | $52,853 | $62,047 |
| Mean-median gap | $11,709 | $17,475 | $18,138 |
| Other Benchmarks | |||
| Per capita income | $31,357 | $43,211 | $41,385 |
Note:
1. Household, family, and non-family income measures are based on their respective household types.
2. Per capita income is based on all residents and represents total income divided by the total population, including adults and children.
3. Amounts shown in 2024 inflation-adjusted dollars, as reported by the Census Bureau.
Income sources
Where household income comes from, including wages, retirement income, and public assistance
Households with earnings
63%
of households have wages, salaries, or self-employment income
Note: Includes households where at least one member received wages, salaries, or net self-employment income during the year.
Transfer income dependency
Social Security
57.8% of households (278) receive Social Security income, with an average annual benefit of $18,014
SSI (disability)
2.1% of households (10) receive Supplemental Security Income (SSI), with an average annual benefit of $9,780
Cash Assistance
3.7% of households (18) receive cash public assistance income, with an average annual amount of $9,780
SNAP / Food Stamps
16.8% of households (81) receive SNAP (food stamp) benefits.
Note: Amounts shown in 2024 inflation-adjusted dollars, as reported by the Census Bureau.
Income Sources
Income sources for households in Columbus
Share of households receiving each income type
| Columbus | Polk County | North Carolina | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Total households | 481 | 8,976 | 4,282,345 |
| Wage-based income | |||
| With earnings | 63% | 64% | 77% |
| Retirement and disability income | |||
| Social security | 58% | 50% | 32% |
| Average social security income | $18,014 | $25,181 | $24,506 |
| Retirement income | 36% | 35% | 25% |
| Average retirement income | $20,671 | $34,598 | $30,271 |
| SSI (Supplemental security) | 2% | 3% | 5% |
| Average SSI income | $9,780 | $11,378 | $11,220 |
| Public assistance | |||
| SNAP / food stamps | 17% | 10% | 13% |
| Cash assistance | 4% | 3% | 2% |
Note:
1. Percentages reflect the share of households receiving each income type during the year.
2. Categories are not mutually exclusive; households may receive more than one income type.
3. Amounts shown in 2024 inflation-adjusted dollars, as reported by the Census Bureau.
Income by household type
How income levels vary across different household and family structures
Median income by household type
$68,878
Family households earn $68,878, compared to $19,297 for those living alone or with non-relatives.
Note:
1. Family households include two or more people related by birth, marriage, or adoption. Nonfamily households include people living alone or with unrelated individuals.
2. Amounts shown in 2024 inflation-adjusted dollars, as reported by the Census Bureau.
Median income by family type
$69,617
Married-couple families earn $69,617, compared to $43,203 for single-parent and other family types.
Note:
1. Family households include two or more people related by birth, marriage, or adoption.
2. Other family types include single-parent households and families headed by a householder with no spouse present.
3. Amounts shown in 2024 inflation-adjusted dollars, as reported by the Census Bureau.
Income By Household Type
Median income by household and family size in Columbus
Median household and family income by household size in Columbus, compared with peer geographies.
| Columbus | Polk County | North Carolina | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Total households | 481 | 8,976 | 4,282,345 |
| Household income by size | |||
| 1-person | $18,516 | $29,870 | $38,679 |
| 2-person | $68,469 | $80,744 | $82,494 |
| 3-person | $100,625 | $88,768 | $95,181 |
| 4-person | $61,964 | $114,545 | $111,274 |
| 5-person | $— | $76,118 | $102,009 |
| 6-person | $— | $223,210 | $97,888 |
| 7-person or more | $— | $— | $101,649 |
| Total families | 278 | 5,680 | 2,753,022 |
| Family income by size | |||
| 2-person | $68,418 | $79,491 | $80,630 |
| 3-person | $88,125 | $88,632 | $93,523 |
| 4-person | $61,250 | $109,025 | $113,006 |
| 5-person | $— | $100,417 | $102,756 |
| 6-person | $— | $223,352 | $97,603 |
| 7-person or more | $— | $— | $99,784 |
Note:
1. Household and family size includes all people living in the unit.
2. Family households include two or more people related by birth, marriage, or adoption.
3. Amounts shown in 2024 inflation-adjusted dollars, as reported by the Census Bureau.
Income Distribution
How income is distributed across households and how evenly earnings are shared
Income Concentration
46.78%
of all household income is held by the top 20% of households
Bottom 20%
2.82%
of all household income
Top 20%
46.78%
of all household income
Key insights
- The top fifth of households earn nearly half of all income in the area. The bottom fifth hold just 2.82% — meaning the top 20% hold 17 times the income share of the bottom 20%.
- Need additional insights? Ask NEIL. ➔
Note:
1. Income shares are calculated by dividing each group's aggregate income by total household income. All households are ranked from lowest to highest and divided into five equal groups of 20%.
2. Amounts shown in 2024 inflation-adjusted dollars, as reported by the Census Bureau.
The Top 5%
$251,186
is the average income among the top 5% of households
Bottom 40% combined
11.24%
of all household income
Top 5% alone
19.31%
of all household income
Key insights
- The top 5% of households earn an average of $251,186 and hold 19.31% of all household income — more than the entire bottom 40% of households combined, who hold just 11.24%
- Need additional insights? Ask NEIL. ➔
Note:
1. The top 5% threshold represents the minimum income needed to rank among the highest-earning 5% of households. Average income figures reflect the mean within each group.
2. Amounts shown in 2024 inflation-adjusted dollars, as reported by the Census Bureau.
Income ranges
The distribution of households across income ranges and how the local profile compares
Income Distribution
Note:
1. Income ranges reflect gross household income before taxes. Percentages reflect the share of all households falling within each range.
2. Amounts shown in 2024 inflation-adjusted dollars, as reported by the Census Bureau.
Households earning $100K or more
19.4%
of all households, 93 in total, earn $100,000 or more
% $100k+
Columbus
19.4%
Polk County
32.5%
North Carolina
35.3%
Note: Share reflects the percentage of all households with total annual income of $100,000 or more, based on gross household income before taxes.
Household income brackets
Household income brackets in Columbus
Distribution of households across income ranges, with cumulative shares in Columbus, compared with peer geographies.
| Columbus | Polk County | North Carolina | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median household income | $60,169 | $67,758 | $72,388 |
| Income bracket | |||
| Less than $10,000 | 6.7% | 5.6% | 5% |
| $10,000 to $14,999 | 10.2% | 4.2% | 3.7% |
| $15,000 to $24,999 | 10.4% | 10.3% | 7.1% |
| $25,000 to $34,999 | 9.4% | 7.5% | 7.4% |
| $35,000 to $49,999 | 6.4% | 10% | 11.7% |
| $50,000 to $74,999 | 26% | 17.7% | 16.8% |
| $75,000 to $99,999 | 11.6% | 12.2% | 13% |
| $100,000 to $149,999 | 12.5% | 15% | 16.6% |
| $150,000 to $199,999 | 4.4% | 7.5% | 8.3% |
| $200,000 or more | 2.5% | 10% | 10.4% |
| Cumulative Shares | |||
| Share below $35,000 | 36.7% | 27.6% | 23.2% |
| Share below $75,000 | 69.1% | 55.3% | 51.7% |
| Share above $100,000 | 19.4% | 32.5% | 35.3% |
Note:
1. Amounts shown in 2024 inflation-adjusted dollars, as reported by the Census Bureau.
Income inequality
How evenly income is distributed within the community and how inequality compares with broader geographies
Gini Index of Income Inequality
0.45
Scale: 0 (Perfect Equality) – 1 (Perfect Inequality)
Gini index
Columbus
0.45
Polk County
0.5
North Carolina
0.48
Note: The Gini Index measures the distribution of income across households. Values range from 0 (perfect equality) to 1 (perfect inequality), with higher values indicating greater income inequality.
Earnings Gap
$152,107
is the average income of the top 20% of households
Key insights
- The top 20% of households earn an average of $152,107 compared to $9,153 for the bottom 20%. Households in the middle earn $57,601 on average.
- Need additional insights? Ask NEIL. ➔
Note:
1. Income shares are calculated by dividing each group's aggregate income by total household income. All households are ranked from lowest to highest and divided into five equal groups of 20%.
2. Amounts shown in 2024 inflation-adjusted dollars, as reported by the Census Bureau.
Household income distribution
Household income distribution by income groups — upper limits, mean incomes, and income shares in Columbus
Distribution of household income across five equal groups
| Columbus | Polk County | North Carolina | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Highest household income in each group ($) | |||
| Bottom 20% | $17,688 | $24,833 | $30,706 |
| Lower 20% | $41,235 | $51,835 | $57,016 |
| Middle 20% | $68,092 | $84,961 | $90,192 |
| Upper 20% | $97,455 | $142,378 | $144,687 |
| Top 5% threshold | $173,875 | $250,001 | $250,001 |
| Average household income within each group ($) | |||
| Bottom 20% | $9,153 | $13,174 | $16,102 |
| Lower 20% | $27,364 | $38,158 | $43,624 |
| Middle 20% | $57,601 | $67,287 | $72,714 |
| Upper 20% | $78,903 | $108,121 | $114,186 |
| Top 20% | $152,107 | $254,653 | $259,413 |
| Top 5% | $251,186 | $465,608 | $464,413 |
| Share of total income (%) | |||
| Bottom 20% | 2.82% | 2.74% | 3.18% |
| Lower 20% | 8.42% | 7.93% | 8.62% |
| Middle 20% | 17.72% | 13.98% | 14.37% |
| Upper 20% | 24.27% | 22.46% | 22.56% |
| Top 20% | 46.78% | 52.9% | 51.26% |
| Top 5% | 19.31% | 24.18% | 22.94% |
Note:
1. All households are ranked by income from lowest to highest and divided into five equal groups, each representing 20% of households.
2. Bottom 20% = the lowest-earning 20% of households; Top 20% = the highest-earning 20%.
3. The top 5% threshold is the minimum income needed to be among the highest-earning 5% of households.
4. Amounts shown in 2024 inflation-adjusted dollars, as reported by the Census Bureau.
Income by race & ethnicity
How household income levels vary across racial and ethnic groups within the area
Median Household Income · by race & ethnicity
Note:
1. Race groups refer to individuals reporting a single race alone and may include people of Hispanic or Latino origin.
2. Hispanic or Latino is an ethnicity and may include individuals of any race, so categories may overlap.
3. Median household income figures reflect all households regardless of employment status of the householder.
4. Amounts shown in 2024 inflation-adjusted dollars, as reported by the Census Bureau.
Median Household Income · White vs. Black Households
*The Census Bureau did not publish median household income by race data for Columbus due to an insufficient number of sample cases to produce reliable estimates.
White
Among the 422 White households (87.7% of all households), the median household income is $60,000.
Black
Among the 13 Black or African American households (2.7% of all households), the median household income is $—.
Note:
1. White and Black race groups refer to individuals reporting a single race alone and may include people of Hispanic or Latino origin.
2. Median household income figures reflect all households regardless of employment status of the householder.
3. Amounts shown in 2024 inflation-adjusted dollars, as reported by the Census Bureau.
Income by race and ethnicity
Median Household Income by race and Hispanic origin in Columbus
Median household income by race and Hispanic origin, compared to the Polk County and North Carolina.
| Columbus | Polk County | North Carolina | |
|---|---|---|---|
| All Residents | $60,169 | $67,758 | $72,388 |
| White | $60,000 | $69,661 | $80,333 |
| Black or African American | $— | $42,273 | $52,390 |
| American Indian and Alaska Native | $— | $77,639 | $48,615 |
| Asian | $— | $— | $120,193 |
| Native Hawaiian and Other Pacific Islander | $— | $— | $82,697 |
| Some Other Race | $— | $— | $58,257 |
| Two or more races (Multiracial) | $61,161 | $82,591 | $69,199 |
| Hispanic or Latino | $58,594 | $60,714 | $62,341 |
Note:
1. Race groups refer to individuals reporting a single race alone and may include people of Hispanic or Latino origin.
2. Hispanic or Latino is an ethnicity and may include individuals of any race, so categories may overlap.
3. Median household income figures reflect all households regardless of employment status of the householder.
4. Amounts shown in 2024 inflation-adjusted dollars, as reported by the Census Bureau.
Poverty
Poverty levels across the community and the groups most affected
Poverty Rate
13.2%
13.2% of residents, or 134 people, live below the poverty line.
Note: The poverty rate reflects the share of the total population with income below the federal poverty threshold, as defined by the U.S. Census Bureau.
Working Poor
4%
4% of full-time, year-round workers, or 14 people, earn below the poverty line despite working full time.
Note: The working poor rate measures the share of full-time, year-round civilian workers age 16+ whose income falls below the federal poverty threshold, as defined by the U.S. Census Bureau.
Poverty levels
How widespread poverty is within the area and how local levels compare with broader geographies
CHILD POVERTY RATE
13.9%
13.9% of children under 18, or 20 children, live below the poverty line.
Note: Child poverty rate reflects the share of residents under age 18 with household income below the federal poverty threshold, as defined by the U.S. Census Bureau.
SENIOR POVERTY RATE
22.7%
22.7% of adults aged 65 and older, or 66 seniors, live below the poverty line.
Note: Senior poverty rate reflects the share of residents aged 65 and over with income below the federal poverty threshold, as defined by the U.S. Census Bureau.
Poverty Rates
Poverty distribution by age, sex, and work engagement
Share of population below the federal poverty level
| Columbus | Polk County | North Carolina | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Overall poverty rate | 13.2% | 14% | 13% |
| Poverty by age | |||
| Under 18 years | 13.9% | 19.9% | 17.7% |
| Under 5 years | 0% | 22.1% | 18.9% |
| 5 to 17 years | 17.5% | 19.3% | 17.3% |
| 18 to 64 years | 8.3% | 13.8% | 12% |
| 18 to 34 years | 3.7% | 16.7% | 14.9% |
| 35 to 64 years | 11% | 12.8% | 10.4% |
| 65 years and over | 22.7% | 11.5% | 10.6% |
| Poverty by sex | |||
| Male | 5.5% | 12.9% | 11.8% |
| Female | 19.4% | 15% | 14.2% |
| Poverty by work engagement | |||
| Worked full time, year-round | 4% | 3.7% | 2.6% |
| Worked part time or part year | 6.6% | 19.5% | 16.1% |
| Did not work | 24% | 15.9% | 21.3% |
Note:
1. Poverty thresholds are set annually by the U.S. Census Bureau and vary by household size and composition.
2. Work engagement categories are based on weeks and hours worked in the prior 12 months.
Poverty by household type
How poverty rates vary across family structures and household types
Poverty by household type
20.8%
of all households are below the poverty level
Key insights
- 5.4% of family households (15 families) live below the poverty line, compared to 41.9% of nonfamily households (85 households).
- Need additional insights? Ask NEIL. ➔
Note:
1. Family households include two or more people related by birth, marriage, or adoption.
2. Nonfamily households include people living alone or with unrelated individuals.
3. Poverty thresholds are set annually by the U.S. Census Bureau and vary by household size and composition.
Poverty among family households
5.4%
of families are below the poverty level
Key insights
- 2.4% of married-couple families (5 families) live below the poverty line, compared to 13.7% of single-parent and other family types (10 families).
- Need additional insights? Ask NEIL. ➔
Note:
1. Married-couple families and other families are subsets of family households, which include two or more people related by birth, marriage, or adoption.
2. Other family types are predominantly single-parent households.
3. Poverty thresholds are set annually by the U.S. Census Bureau and vary by household size and composition.
Poverty by household type
Poverty rates by household type and age of householder in Columbus
Share of households below the federal poverty level by type and householder age
| Columbus | Polk County | North Carolina | |
|---|---|---|---|
| FAMILY HOUSEHOLDS | |||
| All ages | 5.4% | 10.6% | 9.2% |
| Householder under 25 years | 0% | 6.7% | 22.2% |
| Householder 25 to 44 years | 12.8% | 17.8% | 13% |
| Householder 45 to 64 years | 0% | 9.8% | 7% |
| Householder 65 years and over | 5.2% | 7.7% | 6% |
| NON FAMILY HOUSEHOLDS | |||
| All ages | 41.9% | 22.6% | 19.8% |
| Householder under 25 years | —% | 0% | 36.8% |
| Householder 25 to 44 years | 17.4% | 30.5% | 12.3% |
| Householder 45 to 64 years | 86.2% | 22.5% | 21.5% |
| Householder 65 years and over | 37.1% | 20.5% | 20.5% |
Note:
1. Family households include two or more people related by birth, marriage, or adoption.
2. Nonfamily households include people living alone or with unrelated individuals.
3. Householder age reflects the age of the person in whose name the housing unit is owned or rented.
4. Poverty thresholds are set annually by the U.S. Census Bureau and vary by household size and composition.
Poverty by race & ethnicity
How poverty rates vary across racial and ethnic groups and how those differences compare locally
Poverty rates by race & ethnicity
Note:
1. Race groups refer to individuals reporting a single race alone and may include people of Hispanic or Latino origin.
2. Hispanic or Latino is an ethnicity and may include individuals of any race, so categories may overlap.
3. Poverty thresholds are set annually by the U.S. Census Bureau and vary by household size and composition.
Poverty by race — Black vs. White
White
13.3% of White residents, or 98 people, live below the poverty line.
Black
11.1% of Black or African American residents, or 6 people, live below the poverty line.
Note:
1. White and Black race groups refer to individuals reporting a single race alone and may include people of Hispanic or Latino origin.
2. Poverty thresholds are set annually by the U.S. Census Bureau and vary by household size and composition.
Poverty by race and ethnicity
Poverty rates by race and Hispanic origin in Columbus
Share of population below the federal poverty level in Columbus and peer geographies.
| Columbus | Polk County | North Carolina | |
|---|---|---|---|
| All Residents | 13.2% | 14% | 13% |
| White | 13.3% | 13% | 9.6% |
| Black or African American | 11.1% | 23.3% | 19.9% |
| American Indian and Alaska Native | 0% | 0% | 22% |
| Asian | —% | 33.1% | 8.2% |
| Native Hawaiian and Other Pacific Islander | —% | —% | 21.5% |
| Some Other Race | 0% | 0% | 22.6% |
| Two or more races (Multiracial) | 20.1% | 20.7% | 16.6% |
| Hispanic or Latino | 16.8% | 16.9% | 20.7% |
Note:
1. Race groups refer to individuals reporting a single race alone and may include people of Hispanic or Latino origin.
2. Hispanic or Latino is an ethnicity and may include individuals of any race, so categories may overlap.
3. Poverty thresholds are set annually by the U.S. Census Bureau and vary by household size and composition.
About Neilsberg Research
Neilsberg Research team are data scientists with expertise in processing, analysis and visualization of big data helping small businesses make right decisions.
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