Columbia City, IN

Indiana · Metropolitan Area

Columbia City is a small city in Indiana with a population of 9,975. Residents earn $65,000 per year, which is 14% below the national average.

3.2 /5.0
B Good
9,975 Population 1,817/sq mi density
$65,000 Median Income $34,873 per capita
$184,300 Home Value $274,084 Zillow
$885 Median Rent
50°F Avg Temperature
136 Violent Crime/100K 1,622 property/100K
B
Overall
3.2 / 5.0
Good overall score based on economy, affordability, safety and education
B+
Economy
3.8 / 5.0
$65,000 median income, 2.7% unemployment
A+
Affordability
5.0 / 5.0
$184,300 home value, $885/mo rent
F
Safety
1.0 / 5.0
136 violent crimes/100K (64% below avg)
C+
Education
3.0 / 5.0
24.9% bachelor's degree or higher
Median Income $65,000
14% lower than US avg
Home Value $184,300
35% lower than US avg
Violent Crime 136/100K
64% lower than US avg
Bachelor's+ 24.9%
26% lower than US avg
Median Rent $885
24% lower than US avg
Obesity Rate 40.2%
25% higher than US avg
Unemployment 2.7%
25% lower than US avg
Poverty Rate 12.9%
4% higher than US avg

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

People

Population9,975
Median Age36.4 yrs
Density1,817/mi²
Male / Female51% / 49%
Largest GroupWhite 90%

Economy

B+
Median Income$65,000
Per Capita$34,873
Unemployment2.7%
Poverty12.9%
County GDP$2,226M
Commute19 min

Housing

A+
Home Value$184,300
Rent$885
OwnershipN/A
Zillow$274,084

Crime

F
Violent136/100K
Property1,622/100K
Murder0.0/100K
Assault102/100K
Burglary193/100K

Health

Obesity40.2%
UninsuredN/A
Depression26.3%
Heart Disease5.8%

Climate

Avg Temp50°F
AQI41 (Good)
Rain39.1 in/yr
Elevation854 ft

Education

C+
Bachelor's+24.9%
High School+90.9%
School Score6.01

Community

2024 VoteR 74% / D 24%
Commute19 min
EV Stations1
Libraries3

Is Columbia City a Good Place to Live?

Based on current data, Columbia City receives an overall livability score of 3.2 out of 5.0, earning a grade of B. Key strengths include low unemployment, low crime rates, affordable housing, high health insurance coverage. Areas to be aware of include high obesity rates. Columbia City offers a solid quality of life with a good balance of affordability, safety, and opportunity.

Economy & Jobs

The median household income in Columbia City is $65,000, 14% below the national average of $75,149. The job market is very strong with unemployment at just 2.7%. 12.9% of residents live in poverty, near the national average of 12.4%. Workers commute an average of 19 minutes, shorter than most U.S. cities.

Cost of Living & Housing

The median home value in Columbia City is $184,300, 35% below the national median — offering relatively affordable homeownership. Renters pay a median of $885 per month, below the national average — a plus for affordability. At just 2.8x median income, home prices are very affordable relative to local earnings.

Safety & Crime

Columbia City is a very safe community with a violent crime rate of 136 per 100,000 residents — well below the national average of 380. Property crime occurs at a rate of 1,622 per 100,000, near the national average.

Education

24.9% of residents hold a bachelor's degree, below the national average of 33.7%. 90.9% have completed high school. Area schools have an average test score of 6/10.

Climate & Weather

Columbia City experiences four distinct seasons with an average temperature of 50°F. Winters average 24°F in January while summers reach 72°F in July. Annual precipitation totals 39.1 inches, including 21.4 inches of snow. Air quality is rated Good with a median AQI of 41.

Columbia City has a population of 9,975 with a density of 1,817 people per square mile. The median age is 36.4 years, 6% younger than the national median of 38.9. The city is predominantly White (90.3%), with 1.8% Hispanic.

Population

9,975
Total Population
1,817
People / sq mi
36.4yrs
Median Age
6% below US avg
5.5mi²
Land Area

Gender Distribution

Male 51.2%
Female 48.8%

Race & Ethnicity

Columbia City vs U.S. Average

Language Spoken at Home

English Only97.8%
25% above US avg
Spanish2.2%
84% below US avg

Social Characteristics

Columbia City vs U.S. Average

The median household income in Columbia City is $65,000, which is 14% below the national average of $75,149. The unemployment rate is 2.7% (below the 3.6% US average). 12.9% of residents live below the poverty line. Workers commute an average of 19 minutes.

Income: Columbia City vs U.S.

Commute Mode

Income

Median HH Income$65,000
14% below US avg
Per Capita Income$34,873
Avg Weekly Wage$1,123
IRS Avg AGI$72,142

Employment & Poverty

Unemployment2.7%
25% below US avg
Poverty Rate12.9%
4% above US avg
Establishments (County)764
County GDP$2,226M

Business (County)

Restaurants61
Healthcare64
Retail99
Manufacturing71

Tax & Cost of Living

Property Tax (IRS)$3,596
3% above US avg
Effective Tax Rate1.95%

Commute & Transportation

Commute Time18.8 min
Work from Home5.6%

Walkability

The median home value in Columbia City is $184,300, 35% below the national average. Monthly rent averages $885 (24% below US avg). Zillow estimates the typical home value at $274,084.

Home Value Sources

Ownership Split

Home Values

Census Median$184,300
35% below US avg
Zillow ZHVI$274,084
Median List Price$229,900

Real Estate Market (Redfin)

Median List Price$229,900
$/Sq Ft$160
Homes Sold8
Sale-to-List Ratio101.1%
Price Drops15.4%
Inventory13

Rental Costs

Census Median Rent$885
24% below US avg

HUD Fair Market Rent

Studio$816
1 Bedroom$882
2 Bedrooms$1,096
3 Bedrooms$1,391
4 Bedrooms$1,590

Ownership & Property

Owner-Occupied62.8%

Property Tax

Avg Tax (IRS)$3,596
3% above US avg
Effective Rate1.95%
In Columbia City, 40.2% of adults are obese (above the 32.1% national rate). 26.3% report depression. 24.2% are physically inactive.

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

Chronic Conditions

Obesity40.2%
25% above US avg
Diabetes10.8%
Heart Disease5.8%
High Blood Pressure33.5%
Asthma11.5%
COPD7.7%
Stroke3.0%

Behaviors & Mental Health

Binge Drinking17.7%
Physical Inactivity24.2%
Depression26.3%
Mental Distress19.0%
Physical Distress13.5%

Healthcare Access

Insurance Rate94.4%
Checkup Rate77.8%
Premature Death7,298/100K

Food & Exercise

Food Environment8.7/10
Exercise Access53.9%
Healthcare Facilities64
Columbia City has a violent crime rate of 136 per 100,000 residents, 64% below the national average of 380. Property crime stands at 1,622 per 100,000 (17% below US avg). The murder rate is 0.0 per 100,000.

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

Violent Crime

Total Violent136.1/100K
64% below US avg
Murder0.0/100K
100% below US avg
Rape22.7/100K
Robbery11.3/100K
Assault102.1/100K

Property Crime

Total Property1,622.1/100K
17% below US avg
Burglary192.8/100K
Theft1,395.2/100K
Vehicle Theft34.0/100K
Arson0.0/100K

Traffic Safety

Fatal Crashes (County/yr)7

Safety Score

Safety GradeF
Safety Score1.0 / 5.0
Columbia City has an average annual temperature of 50°F (10°C). Winters average 24°F in January while summers reach 72°F in July. Annual precipitation is 39.1 inches. Air quality is rated Good with a median AQI of 41.

Temperature

24°F Jan (-4°C) 72°F Jul (22°C)
Annual Average49.5°F
8% below US avg
January Average24°F (-4°C)
July Average72°F (22°C)

Precipitation & Snow

Annual Rainfall39.1 inches
3% above US avg
Snowfall21.4 inches/yr

Air Quality

AQI Median41.0
RatingGood

Geography

Elevation854 ft (260 m)
Area5.5 sq mi (14.2 km²)
Population Density1,817/sq mi
Coordinates41.1631°N, 85.4788°W
County FIPS18183
It is classified as Metro — 250K–1M. 24.9% of residents hold a bachelor's degree or higher (26% below US avg). In the 2024 election, the county voted Republican by a 49.9-point margin.

2024 Presidential Election (County)

R 74%
D 24.1%

Winner: Republican by 49.9 points

Education

Bachelor's Degree+24.9%
26% below US avg
High School+90.9%
School Test Score6.01
C+ Education Grade (3.0/5.0)

Urban-Rural Classification

RUCC Code 2Metro — 250K–1M
Population Density1,817/sq mi
Total Area5.5 sq mi

Infrastructure & Services

EV Charging Stations1
Alt Fuel Stations1
Public Libraries3
Healthcare Facilities64
Restaurants61
Retail Stores99

Safety & Disasters

Fatal Crashes (County/yr)7
F Safety Grade (1.0/5.0)

Commute & Transportation

Avg Commute18.8 min
Work from Home5.6%

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