West Columbia, TX

Texas · Metropolitan Area

West Columbia is a small town in Texas with a population of 3,631. Residents earn $41,985 per year, which is 44% below the national average.

3.0 /5.0
B Good
3,631 Population 1,391/sq mi density
$41,985 Median Income $29,141 per capita
$138,200 Home Value $259,304 Zillow
$1,011 Median Rent
70°F Avg Temperature
435 Violent Crime/100K 2,582 property/100K
B
Overall
3.0 / 5.0
Good overall score based on economy, affordability, safety and education
B+
Economy
3.7 / 5.0
$41,985 median income, 1.8% unemployment
A+
Affordability
4.8 / 5.0
$138,200 home value, $1,011/mo rent
F
Safety
1.0 / 5.0
435 violent crimes/100K (14% above avg)
C
Education
2.3 / 5.0
16.6% bachelor's degree or higher
Median Income $41,985
44% lower than US avg
Home Value $138,200
51% lower than US avg
Violent Crime 435/100K
14% higher than US avg
Bachelor's+ 16.6%
51% lower than US avg
Median Rent $1,011
13% lower than US avg
Obesity Rate 38.8%
21% higher than US avg
Unemployment 1.8%
50% lower than US avg
Poverty Rate 7.2%
42% lower than US avg

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

People

Population3,631
Median Age36.4 yrs
Density1,391/mi²
Male / Female42% / 58%
Largest GroupWhite 57%

Economy

B+
Median Income$41,985
Per Capita$29,141
Unemployment1.8%
Poverty7.2%
County GDP$23,376M
Commute26 min

Housing

A+
Home Value$138,200
Rent$1,011
OwnershipN/A
Zillow$259,304

Crime

F
Violent435/100K
Property2,582/100K
Murder0.0/100K
Assault307/100K
Burglary665/100K

Health

Obesity38.8%
UninsuredN/A
Depression23.0%
Heart Disease5.5%

Climate

Avg Temp70°F
AQI42 (Good)
Rain50.2 in/yr

Education

C
Bachelor's+16.6%
High School+83.8%
School Score5.10

Community

2024 VoteR 59% / D 40%
Commute26 min
Libraries13

Is West Columbia a Good Place to Live?

Based on current data, West Columbia receives an overall livability score of 3.0 out of 5.0, earning a grade of B. Key strengths include low unemployment, affordable housing, a low poverty rate. Areas to be aware of include below-average incomes, high obesity rates. West Columbia offers a solid quality of life with a good balance of affordability, safety, and opportunity.

Economy & Jobs

The median household income in West Columbia is $41,985, 44% below the national average of $75,149. The job market is very strong with unemployment at just 1.8%. Only 7.2% of residents live below the poverty line, well below the national rate of 12.4%. Workers commute an average of 26 minutes.

Cost of Living & Housing

The median home value in West Columbia is $138,200, 51% below the national median — offering relatively affordable homeownership. Renters pay a median of $1,011 per month, below the national average — a plus for affordability. A price-to-income ratio of 3.3x indicates a reasonably affordable housing market.

Safety & Crime

The violent crime rate of 435 per 100,000 is above the national average of 380 — something for prospective residents to consider. Property crime occurs at a rate of 2,582 per 100,000, 32% above the national average.

Education

16.6% of residents hold a bachelor's degree, below the national average of 33.7%. 83.8% have completed high school. Area schools have an average test score of 5.1/10.

Climate & Weather

West Columbia enjoys a moderate climate with an average annual temperature of 70°F. Winters average 53°F in January while summers reach 83°F in July. Annual precipitation totals 50.2 inches. Air quality is rated Good with a median AQI of 42.

West Columbia has a population of 3,631 with a density of 1,391 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 (57.1%), with 4.7% Hispanic, 19.6% Black.

Population

3,631
Total Population
1,391
People / sq mi
36.4yrs
Median Age
6% below US avg
2.6mi²
Land Area

Gender Distribution

Male 42.3%
Female 57.7%

Race & Ethnicity

West Columbia vs U.S. Average

Language Spoken at Home

English Only67.5%
14% below US avg
Spanish32.5%
143% above US avg

Social Characteristics

West Columbia vs U.S. Average

The median household income in West Columbia is $41,985, which is 44% below the national average of $75,149. The unemployment rate is 1.8% (below the 3.6% US average). 7.2% of residents live below the poverty line. Workers commute an average of 26 minutes.

Income: West Columbia vs U.S.

Commute Mode

Income

Median HH Income$41,985
44% below US avg
Per Capita Income$29,141
Avg Weekly Wage$1,312
IRS Avg AGI$87,500

Employment & Poverty

Unemployment1.8%
50% below US avg
Poverty Rate7.2%
42% below US avg
Establishments (County)6,858
County GDP$23,376M

Business (County)

Restaurants727
Healthcare920
Retail892
Manufacturing253

Tax & Cost of Living

Property Tax (IRS)$8,186
134% above US avg
Effective Tax Rate5.92%

Commute & Transportation

Commute Time26.4 min
Work from Home7.5%

Walkability

The median home value in West Columbia is $138,200, 51% below the national average. Monthly rent averages $1,011 (13% below US avg). Zillow estimates the typical home value at $259,304.

Home Value Sources

Ownership Split

Home Values

Census Median$138,200
51% below US avg
Zillow ZHVI$259,304
Median List Price$250,000

Real Estate Market (Redfin)

Median List Price$250,000
$/Sq Ft$132
Homes Sold4
Sale-to-List Ratio94.4%
Price Drops40.0%
Inventory20

Rental Costs

Census Median Rent$1,011
13% below US avg

HUD Fair Market Rent

Studio$887
1 Bedroom$935
2 Bedrooms$1,149
3 Bedrooms$1,497
4 Bedrooms$1,733

Ownership & Property

Owner-Occupied63.5%

Property Tax

Avg Tax (IRS)$8,186
134% above US avg
Effective Rate5.92%
In West Columbia, 38.8% of adults are obese (above the 32.1% national rate). 23.0% report depression. 27.6% are physically inactive.

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

Chronic Conditions

Obesity38.8%
21% above US avg
Diabetes11.8%
Heart Disease5.5%
High Blood Pressure35.1%
Asthma10.4%
COPD6.3%
Stroke3.3%

Behaviors & Mental Health

Binge Drinking17.7%
Physical Inactivity27.6%
Depression23.0%
Mental Distress18.7%
Physical Distress13.5%

Healthcare Access

Insurance Rate80.6%
Checkup Rate74.9%
Premature Death7,616/100K

Food & Exercise

Food Environment8.0/10
Exercise Access79.2%
Healthcare Facilities920
West Columbia has a violent crime rate of 435 per 100,000 residents, 14% above the national average of 380. Property crime stands at 2,582 per 100,000 (32% above US avg). The murder rate is 0.0 per 100,000.

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

Violent Crime

Total Violent434.6/100K
14% above US avg
Murder0.0/100K
100% below US avg
Rape25.6/100K
Robbery102.3/100K
Assault306.8/100K

Property Crime

Total Property2,581.8/100K
32% above US avg
Burglary664.6/100K
Theft1,866.1/100K
Vehicle Theft51.1/100K
Arson0.0/100K

Traffic Safety

Fatal Crashes (County/yr)35
FEMA Disasters91

Safety Score

Safety GradeF
Safety Score1.0 / 5.0
West Columbia has an average annual temperature of 70°F (21°C). Winters average 53°F in January while summers reach 83°F in July. Annual precipitation is 50.2 inches. Air quality is rated Good with a median AQI of 42.

Temperature

53°F Jan (12°C) 83°F Jul (28°C)
Annual Average69.5°F
29% above US avg
January Average53°F (12°C)
July Average83°F (28°C)

Precipitation & Snow

Annual Rainfall50.2 inches
32% above US avg
Snowfall0.1 inches/yr

Air Quality

AQI Median42.0
RatingGood

Geography

Area2.6 sq mi (6.8 km²)
Population Density1,391/sq mi
Coordinates29.1419°N, 95.6495°W
County FIPS48039
It is classified as Metro — 1 million+. 16.6% of residents hold a bachelor's degree or higher (51% below US avg). In the 2024 election, the county voted Republican by a 19.7-point margin.

2024 Presidential Election (County)

R 59.2%
D 39.5%

Winner: Republican by 19.7 points

Education

Bachelor's Degree+16.6%
51% below US avg
High School+83.8%
School Test Score5.10
C Education Grade (2.3/5.0)

Urban-Rural Classification

RUCC Code 1Metro — 1 million+
Population Density1,391/sq mi
Total Area2.6 sq mi

Infrastructure & Services

Public Libraries13
Healthcare Facilities920
Restaurants727
Retail Stores892

Safety & Disasters

Fatal Crashes (County/yr)35
FEMA Disaster Declarations91
F Safety Grade (1.0/5.0)

Commute & Transportation

Avg Commute26.4 min
Work from Home7.5%

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