At a Glance
Median Income
$129,173
$62,614 per capita
Home Value
$480,300
Zillow: $507,609
Median Rent
$1,998/mo
27.8% of income on rent
Bachelor's Degree+
63.5%
95.6% high school+
Unemployment
4.5%
4.8% poverty rate
Obesity Rate
32.0%
7.9% smoking rate
How Columbia Compares to the U.S. Average
Each bar shows Columbia's value as a percentage of the national average (100% = U.S. avg)
Thin vertical line = U.S. national average (100%)
Is Columbia a Good Place to Live?
A+
4.7 / 5.0 - Excellent
Based on economy, affordability, safety, and education metrics compared to national averages.
Economy & Jobs
Columbia residents earn a median household income of $129,173 , which is 72% above the national average of $75,149.
Per capita income is $62,614. The unemployment rate stands at 4.5% (25% above the U.S. rate of 3.6%). 4.8% of residents live below the poverty line. The area is home to 11,342 business establishments, including 703 restaurants.
Housing & Cost of Living
The median home value in Columbia is $480,300 , 70% above the national median of $281,900.
Zillow estimates the typical home at $507,609. Median rent is $1,998/month, with 27.8% of renters spending more than 30% of income on housing. The cost of living index is 105.0 (100 = national average). The median home was built in 1982.
Education
63.5% of adults in Columbia hold a bachelor's degree or higher
(88% above the national average).
95.6% have completed high school. Local schools score 7.2/10 in standardized testing.
Climate & Weather
Columbia has an average annual temperature of 56°F (13°C).
Winters average 34°F in January while summers reach 78°F in July. Annual precipitation totals 45.0 inches. Air quality is rated Good with a median AQI of 32.
Data Overview
People
Population105,871
Median Age39.1 yrs
Density3,316/mi²
Male / Female48% / 52%
Foreign Born20.8%
Veterans7.5%
Economy
A+
Median Income$129,173
Per Capita$62,614
Unemployment4.5%
Poverty4.8%
County GDP$37,130M
Avg Weekly Wage$1,672
Housing
A+
Home Value$480,300
Rent$1,998
Ownership64.9%
Zillow$507,609
Housing Units43,185
Rent Burden27.8%
Health
Obesity32.0%
Diabetes9.6%
Smoking7.9%
Heart Disease4.3%
Premature Death4,573/100K
Climate
Avg Temp56°F
Rain45.0 in/yr
AQI32 (Good)
Elevation315 ft
Education
A+
Bachelor's+63.5%
High School+95.6%
Graduate+34.5%
School Score7.2/10
Community
2024 VoteR 27% / D 69%
Commute29 min
Broadband95.4%
Internet Speed170 Mbps
EV Stations101
Libraries7
Did You Know?
Columbia was founded in 1967.
The median home in Columbia was built in 1982.
22.3% work from home.
The nearest airport is Baltimore/Washington International Thurgood Marshall (10 miles).
The Gini coefficient (income inequality) is 0.413 (U.S. avg: 0.490).
Natural hazard risk is rated "Relatively Low" by FEMA.
10.5% of the population has a disability.
20.8% of residents are foreign-born.
Average internet download speed is 170 Mbps.
There are 703 restaurants in the area.
The county recorded 29 fatal vehicle crashes.