Columbia, MS

Full City Profile · Mississippi · Marion County County

3.0 /5.0
B Good
5,804 Population 520/sq mi density
$34,328 Median Income $17,213 per capita
$112,100 Home Value $138,999 Zillow
$656 Median Rent 31.7% income on rent
67°F Avg Temperature
B
Overall
3.0 / 5.0
Good overall score based on economy, affordability, safety and education
C
Economy
2.1 / 5.0
$34,328 median income, 7.7% unemployment
A+
Affordability
4.8 / 5.0
$112,100 home value, $656/mo rent
C
Education
2.0 / 5.0
12.7% bachelor's degree or higher

Columbia, MS

At a Glance

Median Income
$34,328
54% below
$17,213 per capita
Home Value
$112,100
60% below
Zillow: $138,999
Median Rent
$656/mo
44% below
31.7% of income on rent
Bachelor's Degree+
12.7%
62% below
76.2% high school+
Unemployment
7.7%
114% above
19.6% poverty rate
Obesity Rate
46.7%
45% above
23.8% smoking rate
Avg Temperature
67°F

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)

Income
46%
Home Value
40%
Rent
56%
Poverty
158%
Bachelor's
38%
Unemployment
214%
Thin vertical line = U.S. national average (100%)

Is Columbia a Good Place to Live?

B
3.0 / 5.0 - Good
Based on economy, affordability, safety, and education metrics compared to national averages.

Economy & Jobs

Columbia residents earn a median household income of $34,328 , which is 54% below the national average of $75,149. Per capita income is $17,213. The unemployment rate stands at 7.7% (114% above the U.S. rate of 3.6%). 19.6% of residents live below the poverty line. The area is home to 604 business establishments, including 46 restaurants.

Housing & Cost of Living

The median home value in Columbia is $112,100 , 60% below the national median of $281,900. Zillow estimates the typical home at $138,999. Median rent is $656/month, with 31.7% of renters spending more than 30% of income on housing. The cost of living index is 87.0 (100 = national average). The median home was built in 1966.

Education

12.7% of adults in Columbia hold a bachelor's degree or higher (62% below the national average). 76.2% have completed high school. Local schools score 4.4/10 in standardized testing.

Climate & Weather

Columbia has an average annual temperature of 67°F (19°C). Winters average 49°F in January while summers reach 82°F in July. Annual precipitation totals 61.9 inches.

Data Overview

People

Population5,804
Median Age39.6 yrs
Density520/mi²
Male / Female44% / 56%
Foreign Born0.3%
Veterans6.6%

Economy

C
Median Income$34,328
Per Capita$17,213
Unemployment7.7%
Poverty19.6%
County GDP$1,142M
Avg Weekly Wage$943

Housing

A+
Home Value$112,100
Rent$656
Ownership58.0%
Zillow$138,999
Housing Units2,592
Rent Burden31.7%

Health

Obesity46.7%
Diabetes16.6%
Smoking23.8%
Heart Disease7.8%
Premature Death17,140/100K

Climate

Avg Temp67°F
Rain61.9 in/yr
Elevation163 ft

Education

C
Bachelor's+12.7%
High School+76.2%
Graduate+6.0%
School Score4.4/10

Community

2024 VoteR 70% / D 29%
Commute25 min
Broadband77.8%
Internet Speed78 Mbps
EV Stations2
Libraries1

Did You Know?

The median home in Columbia was built in 1966.
The nearest airport is Hattiesburg/Laurel Regional (32 miles).
The Gini coefficient (income inequality) is 0.489 (U.S. avg: 0.490).
Natural hazard risk is rated "Relatively Low" by FEMA.
22.4% of the population has a disability.
The county recorded 7 fatal vehicle crashes.