At a Glance
Median Income
$56,622
$32,811 per capita
Home Value
$182,300
Zillow: $175,951
Median Rent
$1,072/mo
29.5% of income on rent
Violent Crime
612/100K
2,273/100K property
Bachelor's Degree+
29.7%
89.0% high school+
Unemployment
6.5%
15.0% poverty rate
Obesity Rate
40.5%
16.4% smoking rate
How Columbus Compares to the U.S. Average
Each bar shows Columbus's value as a percentage of the national average (100% = U.S. avg)
Thin vertical line = U.S. national average (100%)
Is Columbus a Good Place to Live?
B
3.1 / 5.0 - Good
Based on economy, affordability, safety, and education metrics compared to national averages.
Economy & Jobs
Columbus residents earn a median household income of $56,622 , which is 25% below the national average of $75,149.
Per capita income is $32,811. The unemployment rate stands at 6.5% (81% above the U.S. rate of 3.6%). 15.0% of residents live below the poverty line. The area is home to 5,414 business establishments, including 524 restaurants.
Housing & Cost of Living
The median home value in Columbus is $182,300 , 35% below the national median of $281,900.
Zillow estimates the typical home at $175,951. Median rent is $1,072/month, with 29.5% of renters spending more than 30% of income on housing. The cost of living index is 96.3 (100 = national average). The median home was built in 1978.
Safety & Crime
Columbus reports 612 violent crimes per 100,000 residents
, which is 61% above the national average of 380/100K.
Property crime is 2,273/100K. The murder rate is 14.4/100K.
Education
29.7% of adults in Columbus hold a bachelor's degree or higher
(12% below the national average).
89.0% have completed high school. Local schools score 4.4/10 in standardized testing.
Climate & Weather
Columbus has an average annual temperature of 67°F (19°C).
Winters average 49°F in January while summers reach 83°F in July. Annual precipitation totals 48.8 inches. Air quality is rated Good with a median AQI of 49.
Data Overview
People
Population204,383
Median Age35.1 yrs
Density944/mi²
Male / Female48% / 52%
Foreign Born5.3%
Veterans14.3%
Economy
B
Median Income$56,622
Per Capita$32,811
Unemployment6.5%
Poverty15.0%
County GDP$13,842M
Avg Weekly Wage$1,069
Housing
A+
Home Value$182,300
Rent$1,072
Ownership50.2%
Zillow$175,951
Housing Units90,488
Rent Burden29.5%
Crime
F
Violent612/100K
Property2,273/100K
Murder14.4/100K
Assault520/100K
Burglary356/100K
Health
Obesity40.5%
Diabetes14.4%
Smoking16.4%
Heart Disease6.0%
Premature Death13,164/100K
Climate
Avg Temp67°F
Rain48.8 in/yr
AQI49 (Good)
Elevation305 ft
Education
B
Bachelor's+29.7%
High School+89.0%
Graduate+12.0%
School Score4.4/10
Community
2024 VoteR 38% / D 61%
Commute20 min
Broadband87.4%
Internet Speed303 Mbps
EV Stations66
Libraries6
Did You Know?
Columbus was founded in 1828.
The median home in Columbus was built in 1978.
The nearest airport is Auburn University Regional (33 miles).
The Gini coefficient (income inequality) is 0.484 (U.S. avg: 0.490).
Natural hazard risk is rated "Relatively Moderate" by FEMA.
17.4% of the population has a disability.
Average internet download speed is 303 Mbps.
There are 524 restaurants in the area.
The county recorded 25 fatal vehicle crashes.
91 declared natural disasters on record.