Columbia, CA

California

Columbia is a small town in California with a population of 2,645. Residents earn $57,647 per year, which is 23% below the national average.

3.0 /5.0
B Good
2,645 Population 444/sq mi density
$57,647 Median Income $32,651 per capita
$396,200 Home Value $403,037 Zillow
$1,054 Median Rent 48.2% income on rent
63°F Avg Temperature
B
Overall
3.0 / 5.0
Good overall score based on economy, affordability, safety and education
B+
Economy
3.7 / 5.0
$57,647 median income, 4.2% unemployment
C+
Affordability
2.8 / 5.0
$396,200 home value, $1,054/mo rent
C+
Education
2.6 / 5.0
19.5% bachelor's degree or higher
Median Income $57,647
23% lower than US avg
Home Value $396,200
41% higher than US avg
Bachelor's+ 19.5%
42% lower than US avg
Median Rent $1,054
9% lower than US avg
Obesity Rate 30.7%
4% lower than US avg
Unemployment 4.2%
17% higher than US avg
Poverty Rate 7.8%
37% lower than US avg

How Columbia Compares to the U.S. Average (100% = U.S. avg)

People

Population2,645
Median Age49.2 yrs
Density444/mi²
Male / Female48% / 52%
Largest GroupWhite 80%

Economy

B+
Median Income$57,647
Per Capita$32,651
Unemployment4.2%
Poverty7.8%
County GDP$2,074M
Commute27 min

Housing

C+
Home Value$396,200
Rent$1,054
OwnershipN/A
Zillow$403,037
Rent Burden48.2%

Crime

ViolentN/A
PropertyN/A

Health

Obesity30.7%
UninsuredN/A
Depression27.9%
Heart Disease5.7%

Climate

Avg Temp63°F
AQI48 (Good)
Rain29.8 in/yr
Elevation2,093 ft

Education

C+
Bachelor's+19.5%
High School+94.4%
School Score4.69

Community

2024 VoteR 63% / D 35%
Commute27 min
Libraries9

Is Columbia a Good Place to Live?

Based on current data, Columbia receives an overall livability score of 3.0 out of 5.0, earning a grade of B. Key strengths include a low poverty rate. Areas to be aware of include high housing costs, below-average incomes. Columbia offers a solid quality of life with a good balance of affordability, safety, and opportunity.

Economy & Jobs

The median household income in Columbia is $57,647, 23% below the national average of $75,149. Unemployment stands at 4.2%, indicating a healthy job market. Only 7.8% of residents live below the poverty line, well below the national rate of 12.4%. Workers commute an average of 27 minutes.

Cost of Living & Housing

The median home value in Columbia is $396,200, 41% above the national median. Renters pay a median of $1,054 per month. The price-to-income ratio of 6.9x means housing costs are stretched relative to local earnings.

Education

19.5% of residents hold a bachelor's degree, below the national average of 33.7%. 94.4% have completed high school. Area schools have an average test score of 4.7/10.

Climate & Weather

Columbia enjoys a moderate climate with an average annual temperature of 63°F. Winters average 48°F in January while summers reach 81°F in July. Annual precipitation totals 29.8 inches. Air quality is rated Good with a median AQI of 48.

Columbia has a population of 2,645 with a density of 444 people per square mile. The median age is 49.2 years, 26% older than the national median of 38.9. The city is predominantly White (80.3%), with 2.1% Hispanic.

Population

2,645
Total Population
444
People / sq mi
49.2yrs
Median Age
26% above US avg
6.0mi²
Land Area

Gender Distribution

Male 48%
Female 52%

Race & Ethnicity

Columbia vs U.S. Average

Language Spoken at Home

English Only93.4%
19% above US avg
Spanish6.6%
51% below US avg

Social Characteristics

Columbia vs U.S. Average

The median household income in Columbia is $57,647, which is 23% below the national average of $75,149. The unemployment rate is 4.2% (above the 3.6% US average). 7.8% of residents live below the poverty line. Workers commute an average of 27 minutes.

Income: Columbia vs U.S.

Commute Mode

Income

Median HH Income$57,647
23% below US avg
Per Capita Income$32,651
Avg Weekly Wage$1,112
IRS Avg AGI$79,712

Employment & Poverty

Unemployment4.2%
17% above US avg
Poverty Rate7.8%
37% below US avg
Establishments (County)1,514
County GDP$2,074M

Business (County)

Restaurants118
Healthcare90
Retail136
Manufacturing50

Tax & Cost of Living

Property Tax (IRS)$5,385
54% above US avg
Effective Tax Rate1.36%

Commute & Transportation

Commute Time27.2 min
Work from Home22.9%

Walkability

The median home value in Columbia is $396,200, 41% above the national average. Monthly rent averages $1,054 (9% below US avg). Zillow estimates the typical home value at $403,037.

Home Value Sources

Ownership Split

Home Values

Census Median$396,200
41% above US avg
Zillow ZHVI$403,037
Median List Price$599,000

Real Estate Market (Redfin)

Median List Price$599,000
$/Sq Ft$124
Homes Sold1
Sale-to-List Ratio103.6%
Price Drops50.0%
Inventory2

Rental Costs

Census Median Rent$1,054
9% below US avg
Rent Burden48.2%

HUD Fair Market Rent

Studio$1,513
1 Bedroom$1,647
2 Bedrooms$2,053
3 Bedrooms$2,752
4 Bedrooms$3,165

Ownership & Property

Owner-Occupied71.5%

Property Tax

Avg Tax (IRS)$5,385
54% above US avg
Effective Rate1.36%
In Columbia, 30.7% of adults are obese (below the 32.1% national rate). 27.9% report depression. 22.6% are physically inactive.

Health Metrics: Columbia vs U.S. Average (%)

Chronic Conditions

Obesity30.7%
4% below US avg
Diabetes9.6%
Heart Disease5.7%
High Blood Pressure29.9%
Asthma11.5%
COPD6.6%
Stroke3.2%

Behaviors & Mental Health

Binge Drinking18.7%
Physical Inactivity22.6%
Depression27.9%
Mental Distress21.1%
Physical Distress14.5%

Healthcare Access

Insurance Rate92.6%
Checkup Rate71.3%
Premature Death7,926/100K

Food & Exercise

Food Environment8.0/10
Exercise Access72.8%
Healthcare Facilities90

Crime Rates: Columbia vs U.S. Average (per 100,000)

Violent Crime

Property Crime

Traffic Safety

Fatal Crashes (County/yr)16
FEMA Disasters91

Safety Score

Columbia has an average annual temperature of 63°F (17°C). Winters average 48°F in January while summers reach 81°F in July. Annual precipitation is 29.8 inches. Air quality is rated Good with a median AQI of 48.

Temperature

48°F Jan (9°C) 81°F Jul (27°C)
Annual Average63.0°F
17% above US avg
January Average48°F (9°C)
July Average81°F (27°C)

Precipitation & Snow

Annual Rainfall29.8 inches
22% below US avg
Snowfall0.2 inches/yr

Air Quality

AQI Median48.0
RatingGood

Geography

Elevation2,093 ft (638 m)
Area6.0 sq mi (15.4 km²)
Population Density444/sq mi
Coordinates38.0312°N, 120.4134°W
County FIPS06009
It is classified as Nonmetro — Urban 2.5K–20K, adjacent. 19.5% of residents hold a bachelor's degree or higher (42% below US avg). In the 2024 election, the county voted Republican by a 28.1-point margin.

2024 Presidential Election (County)

R 62.8%
D 34.7%

Winner: Republican by 28.1 points

Education

Bachelor's Degree+19.5%
42% below US avg
High School+94.4%
School Test Score4.69
C+ Education Grade (2.6/5.0)

Urban-Rural Classification

RUCC Code 6Nonmetro — Urban 2.5K–20K, adjacent
Population Density444/sq mi
Total Area6.0 sq mi

Infrastructure & Services

Public Libraries9
Healthcare Facilities90
Restaurants118
Retail Stores136

Safety & Disasters

Fatal Crashes (County/yr)16
FEMA Disaster Declarations91

Commute & Transportation

Avg Commute27.2 min
Work from Home22.9%

Nearby Cities

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