Columbus, MS

Full City Profile · Mississippi · Lowndes County County

3.4 /5.0
B Good
23,616 Population 942/sq mi density
$40,588 Median Income $28,006 per capita
$121,200 Home Value $179,537 Zillow
$882 Median Rent 31.5% income on rent
65°F Avg Temperature
B
Overall
3.4 / 5.0
Good overall score based on economy, affordability, safety and education
C
Economy
2.0 / 5.0
$40,588 median income, 9.3% unemployment
A+
Affordability
5.0 / 5.0
$121,200 home value, $882/mo rent
B
Education
3.1 / 5.0
25.8% bachelor's degree or higher

Columbus, MS

At a Glance

Median Income
$40,588
46% below
$28,006 per capita
Home Value
$121,200
57% below
Zillow: $179,537
Median Rent
$882/mo
24% below
31.5% of income on rent
Bachelor's Degree+
25.8%
23% below
86.6% high school+
Unemployment
9.3%
158% above
20.0% poverty rate
Obesity Rate
42.6%
33% above
19.9% smoking rate
Avg Temperature
65°F

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)

Income
54%
Home Value
43%
Rent
76%
Poverty
161%
Bachelor's
77%
Unemployment
258%
Thin vertical line = U.S. national average (100%)

Is Columbus a Good Place to Live?

B
3.4 / 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 $40,588 , which is 46% below the national average of $75,149. Per capita income is $28,006. The unemployment rate stands at 9.3% (158% above the U.S. rate of 3.6%). 20.0% of residents live below the poverty line. The area is home to 1,558 business establishments, including 132 restaurants.

Housing & Cost of Living

The median home value in Columbus is $121,200 , 57% below the national median of $281,900. Zillow estimates the typical home at $179,537. Median rent is $882/month, with 31.5% 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 1975.

Education

25.8% of adults in Columbus hold a bachelor's degree or higher (23% below the national average). 86.6% have completed high school. Local schools score 4.7/10 in standardized testing.

Climate & Weather

Columbus has an average annual temperature of 65°F (19°C). Winters average 46°F in January while summers reach 83°F in July. Annual precipitation totals 56.6 inches.

Data Overview

People

Population23,616
Median Age39.6 yrs
Density942/mi²
Male / Female45% / 55%
Foreign Born2.0%
Veterans7.9%

Economy

C
Median Income$40,588
Per Capita$28,006
Unemployment9.3%
Poverty20.0%
County GDP$3,920M
Avg Weekly Wage$1,089

Housing

A+
Home Value$121,200
Rent$882
Ownership48.1%
Zillow$179,537
Housing Units11,923
Rent Burden31.5%

Health

Obesity42.6%
Diabetes17.2%
Smoking19.9%
Heart Disease7.0%
Premature Death13,170/100K

Climate

Avg Temp65°F
Rain56.6 in/yr
Elevation181 ft

Education

B
Bachelor's+25.8%
High School+86.6%
Graduate+11.3%
School Score4.7/10

Community

2024 VoteR 54% / D 45%
Commute18 min
Broadband79.9%
Internet Speed150 Mbps
EV Stations10
Libraries4

Did You Know?

Columbus was founded in 1821.
The median home in Columbus was built in 1975.
The nearest airport is Golden Triangle Regional (11 miles).
The Gini coefficient (income inequality) is 0.487 (U.S. avg: 0.490).
Natural hazard risk is rated "Relatively Low" by FEMA.
13.3% of the population has a disability.
Average internet download speed is 150 Mbps.
There are 132 restaurants in the area.
The county recorded 11 fatal vehicle crashes.