Columbus, MS

Metropolitan Statistical Area (MSA)

Add Comparison

2021 Population

58,904

0.0136% 1-year growth

US Senator

Roger Wicker

Republican Party

US Senator

Cindy Hyde-Smith

Republican Party

2021 Median Age

1.33% 1-year decrease

2021 Poverty Rate

19.7%

0.755% 1-year increase

2021 Median Household Income

$49,660

3.09% 1-year growth

2021 Median Property Value

$142,200

4.33% 1-year growth

2021 Employed Population

23,944

0.0876% 1-year decline

About

In 2021, Columbus, MS had a population of 58.9k people with a median age of 37 and a median household income of $49,660. Between 2020 and 2021 the population of Columbus, MS grew from 58,896 to 58,904, a 0.0136% increase and its median household income grew from $48,170 to $49,660, a 3.09% increase.

The 5 largest ethnic groups in Columbus, MS are White (Non-Hispanic) (50.8%), Black or African American (Non-Hispanic) (44.2%), Two+ (Non-Hispanic) (1.7%), White (Hispanic) (1.05%), and Asian (Non-Hispanic) (0.908%).

None of the households in Columbus, MS reported speaking a non-English language at home as their primary shared language. This does not consider the potential multi-lingual nature of households, but only the primary self-reported language spoken by all members of the household.

99.3% of the residents in Columbus, MS are U.S. citizens.

The largest universities in Columbus, MS are Mississippi University for Women (994 degrees awarded in 2021).

In 2021, the median property value in Columbus, MS was $142,200, and the homeownership rate was 61.6%.

Most people in Columbus, MS drove alone to work, and the average commute time was 20.8 minutes. The average car ownership in Columbus, MS was 2 cars per household.

Columbus, MS borders Starkville, MS, Tuscaloosa, AL, and West Point, MS.

About the photo: Somewhere a few miles southeast of Golden Triangle Regional Airport near Columbus, Mississippi.

Photo by Roger Smith

United States Mississippi

Population & Diversity

Columbus, MS is home to a population of 58.9k people, from which 99.3% are citizens. As of 2021, 1.79% of Columbus, MS residents were born outside of the country (1.05k people).

In 2021, there were 1.15 times more White (Non-Hispanic) residents (29.9k people) in Columbus, MS than any other race or ethnicity. There were 26k Black or African American (Non-Hispanic) and 999 Two+ (Non-Hispanic) residents, the second and third most common ethnic groups.

Population & Diversity

Citizenship

99.3%

2021 Citizenship

98.9%

2020 Citizenship

As of 2021, 99.3% of Columbus, MS residents were US citizens, which is higher than the national average of 93.4%. In 2020, the percentage of US citizens in Columbus, MS was 98.9%, meaning that the rate of citizenship has been increasing.

The following chart shows US citizenship percentages in Columbus, MS compared to that of it's neighboring and parent geographies.

Diversity

Race and Ethnicity

The 3 largest ethnic groups in Columbus, MS

White (Non-Hispanic)
29.9k ± 117
Black or African American (Non-Hispanic)
26k ± 402
Two+ (Non-Hispanic)
999 ± 401

2.11%

Hispanic Population

1.24k people

2.11% of the people in Columbus, MS are hispanic (1.24k people).

The following chart shows the 7 races represented in Columbus, MS as a share of the total population.

Global Diversity

The PUMS dataset is not available at the MSA level, so we are showing data for Mississippi.

Most Common Origin

Mexico
17,687 ± 3,255 people
India
5,172 ± 1,764 people
Vietnam
4,317 ± 1,612 people

In 2021, the most common birthplace for the foreign-born residents of Mississippi was Mexico, the natal country of 17,687 Mississippi residents, followed by India with 5,172 and Vietnam with 4,317.

Foreign-Born Population

1.79%

2021 Foreign-Born Population

1.05k people

2.67%

2020 Foreign-Born Population

1.57k people

As of 2021, 1.79% of Columbus, MS residents (1.05k people) were born outside of the United States, which is lower than the national average of 13.6%. In 2020, the percentage of foreign-born citizens in Columbus, MS was 2.67%, meaning that the rate has been decreasing.

The following chart shows the percentage of foreign-born residents in Columbus, MS compared to that of it's neighboring and parent geographies.

Military

Veterans

Most Common Service Period

Gulf War (2001-)
1,030 ± 258
Vietnam
847 ± 175
Gulf War (1990s)
754 ± 174

Columbus, MS has a large population of military personnel who served in Gulf War (2001-), 1.22 times greater than any other conflict.

Economy

The economy of Columbus, MS employs 23.9k people. The largest industries in Columbus, MS are Manufacturing (3,814 people), Health Care & Social Assistance (3,527 people), and Retail Trade (3,145 people), and the highest paying industries are Agriculture, Forestry, Fishing & Hunting ($65,938), Agriculture, Forestry, Fishing & Hunting, & Mining ($58,750), and Public Administration ($58,568).

Males in Mississippi have an average income that is 1.39 times higher than the average income of females, which is $42,883. The income inequality in Mississippi (measured using the Gini index) is 0.45, which is lower than than the national average.

Employment

Occupations

23.9k

2021 Value

± 1,340

−0.0876%

1 Year decline

± 7.68%

From 2020 to 2021, employment in Columbus, MS declined at a rate of −0.0876%, from 24k employees to 23.9k employees.

The most common job groups, by number of people living in Columbus, MS, are Sales & Related Occupations (26,933 people), Office & Administrative Support Occupations (22,950 people), and Production Occupations (19,367 people). This chart illustrates the share breakdown of the primary jobs held by residents of Columbus, MS.

Unemployment Insurance Claims

Data is only available at the state level. Showing data for false.

This chart shows weekly unemployment insurance claims in Mississippi (not-seasonally adjusted) compared with the four states with the most similar impact.

The most recent data point uses Advance State Claims data, which can be revised in subsequent weeks.

View Full Dashboard

Industries

Employment by Industries

23.9k

2021 Value

± 1,340

−0.0876%

1 Year decline

± 7.68%

From 2020 to 2021, employment in Columbus, MS declined at a rate of −0.0876%, from 24k employees to 23.9k employees.

The most common employment sectors for those who live in Columbus, MS, are Manufacturing (3,814 people), Health Care & Social Assistance (3,527 people), and Retail Trade (3,145 people). This chart shows the share breakdown of the primary industries for residents of Columbus, MS, though some of these residents may live in Columbus, MS and work somewhere else. Census data is tagged to a residential address, not a work address.

Median Earnings by Industry

$45,732

Median earning men ± $3,143

$29,366

Median earning women ± $3,785

The industries with the best median earnings for men in 2021 are Transportation & Warehousing, & Utilities ($58,590), Public Administration ($55,929), and Professional, Scientific, & Management, & Administrative & Waste Management Services ($54,776).

The industries with the best median earnings for women in 2021 are Public Administration ($60,000), Educational Services, & Health Care & Social Assistance ($38,211), and Manufacturing ($34,304).

Employment by Industry Sector

Data is only available at the state level. Showing data for false.

Y-Axis

2.75%

Year-over-year growth

Employment change between February 2022 and February 2023

As of February 2023, there are 155M people employed in Mississippi. This represents a 2.75% increase in employment when compared to February 2022.

The following chart shows monthly employment numbers for each industry sector in Mississippi.

View Full Dashboard

Establishments by Size

The industries with the most establishments

564
Educational Services, Health Care & Social Assistance
428
Finance & Insurance, and Real Estate, Rental & Leasing
382
Retail Trade

The visualization shows the distribution of establishments by industry and by size according to the number of employees.

Payroll by Industry Sector

The industries with the highest total annual payroll

$899k
Manufacturing
$273k
Educational Services, Health Care & Social Assistance
$127k
Wholesale Trade

The chart shows the total annual payroll and the average annual payroll by industry.

Domestic Trade

Domestic Production & Consumption

Domestic production and consumption consists of products and services shipped from Mississippi to other states, or from other states to Mississippi.

Top Domestic Production in Dollars

In 2020, the top outbound Mississippi product (by dollars) was Pharmaceuticals with $30.9B, followed by Coal-n.e.c. ($28.9B) and Electronics ($11.2B).

The following chart shows the share of these products in relation to all outbound Mississippi products.

Domestic Trade Growth

Showing data for Mississippi.

$180B

2020 Value in Mississippi

$374B

Projected 2050 Value in Mississippi

108% growth

In 2020, total outbound Mississippi trade was $180B. This is expected to increase 108% to $374B by 2050.

The following chart shows how the domestic outbound Mississippi trade is projected to change in comparison to its neighboring states.

Interstate Trade

Interstate trade consists of products and services shipped from Mississippi to other states, or from other states to Mississippi.

Most Common Trade Partners

Alabama
$24.4B
Louisiana
$10.7B
Tennessee
$10.7B

In 2020, the top outbound Mississippi domestic partner for goods and services (by dollars) was Alabama with $24.4B, followed by Louisiana with $10.7B and Tennessee and $10.7B.

The following map shows the amount of trade that Mississippi shares with each state (excluding itself).

Civics

In the 2020 presidential election, the popular vote in Mississippi went to Donald J. Trump with 57.6% of the vote. The runner-up was Joseph R Biden Jr. (41.1%), followed by Jo Jorgensen (0.611%).

Roger Wicker and Cindy Hyde-Smith are the senators currently representing the state of Mississippi. In the United States, senators are elected to 6-year terms with the terms for individual senators staggered.

Mississippi is currently represented by 4 members in the U.S. house, and members of the House of Representives are elected to 2-year terms.

Presidential Elections

Presidential Popular Vote Over Time

Voting results are not available for Columbus, MS. Showing the available data for Mississippi.

2020 Election Results

Donald J. Trump (57.6%)
Republican Party
Joseph R Biden Jr. (41.1%)
Democratic Party
Jo Jorgensen (0.611%)
Libertarian Party

In the 2020 presidential election, the popular vote in Mississippi went to Donald J. Trump with 57.6% of the vote. The runner-up was Joseph R Biden Jr. (41.1%), followed by Jo Jorgensen (0.611%).

The following chart shows the popular vote results in Mississippi for each registered party from 1976 to 2020.

Senator Elections

US Senators from Mississippi

Senatorial voting results are only available at the state level. Showing data for Mississippi.

Roger Wicker

Senator from Mississippi

Assumed office on December 31, 2007
Appointed to the seat following the resignation of Trent Lott.

Cindy Hyde-Smith

Senator from Mississippi

Assumed office on April 9, 2018
Appointed to the seat following the resignation of Thad Cochran.

Roger Wicker and Cindy Hyde-Smith are the senators currently representing Mississippi.

In the United States, senators are elected to 6-year terms with the terms for individual senators staggered.

The following chart shows elected senators in Mississippi over time, excluding special elections, colored by their political party.

US Representative Elections

US Representatives from Mississippi

Mississippi is currently represented by 4 members in the U.S. house.

Members of the House of Representives are elected to 2-year terms, and the following chart shows the how the members for Mississippi have changed over time starting in 2008.

Education

In 2021, universities in Columbus, MS awarded 994 degrees. The student population of Columbus, MS in 2021 is skewed towards women, with 506 male students and 1,971 female students.

Most students graduating from Universities in Columbus, MS are White (571 and 58.2%), followed by Black or African American (388 and 39.6%), American Indian or Alaska Native (11 and 1.12%), and Asian (9 and 0.917%).

The largest universities in Columbus, MS by number of degrees awarded are Mississippi University for Women (994 and 100%).

The most popular majors in Columbus, MS are Registered Nursing (490 and 49.3%), General Business Administration & Management (119 and 12%), and Public Health Education & Promotion (55 and 5.53%).

The median tuition cost in Columbus, MS for a public four year colleges is $7,656 for in-state students and $7,656 for out-of-state students.

Admissions & Enrollments

Applicants, Admissions & Enrolled

University

Measure

In 2021 in Columbus, MS, the percentage of applicants admitted was 99.3%, while the percentage of admitted who enrolled was 40.8%. The number of students enrolled in 2021 was 2,477 (20.4% men and 79.6% women).

The line chart shows the evolution of the percentage of applicants admitted, admitted who enrolled or the number of students enrolled according to the option selected in the upper button.

Enrollments by Gender and Races

Universities

In 2021 there were 2,477 students enrolled in Columbus, MS, 20.4% men and 79.6% women.

By race, the largest number of students enrolled was concentrated in White with 1,460 records, of which 77.1% were women and 22.9% men.

Completions

Concentrations

Most Common

General Business Administration & Management
109 degrees awarded
Public Health Education & Promotion
55 degrees awarded
Registered Nursing
441 degrees awarded

In 2021, the most common concentation for Bachelors Degree recipients in Columbus, MS was General Business Administration & Management with 109 degrees awarded.

This visualization illustrates the percentage of students graduating with a Bachelors Degree from schools in Columbus, MS according to their major.

Universities

Gender

Race

Mississippi University for Women

Largest Universities by degrees awarded

994 degrees awarded

In 2021, the institution with the largest number of graduating students was Mississippi University for Women with 994 degrees awarded.

Student Diversity

University

In 2021, 141 men were awarded degrees from institutions in Columbus, MS, which is 0.165 times less than the 853 female students who received degrees in the same year.

In 2021 the most common race/ethnicity group awarded degrees at institutions was White students. These 571 degrees mean that there were 1.47 times more degrees awarded to White students then the next closest race/ethnicity group, Black or African American, with 388 degrees awarded.

Awarded Degrees over Time

The graph shows the evolution of awarded degrees by degrees. Under the paragraphs, the average number of awarded degrees by university in each degree is shown.

Tuition

Average Net Price by Sector

Universities

Public, 4-year or above ($7,656) is the sector with the highest median state tuition in 2021.

Public, 4-year or above ($100) is the sector with the highest median state fee in 2021.

Public, 4-year or above ($1,600) is the sector with the highest average net price of books and supplies.

The graph shows the average net price by sector and year.

Working Population

Educational Pyramid

Data is only available at the state level. Showing data for Mississippi.

Measure

In 2021, 0.976% of men over 25 years of age had not completed any academic degree (no schooling), while 0.743% of women were in the same situation.

This visualization shows the gender distribution of the population according to the academic level reached.

Educational Attainment

Data is only available at the state level. Showing data for Mississippi.

Race

The most common educational levels obtained by the working population in 2021 were High School or Equivalent (683k), Some college (549k), and Secondary Education (407k).

This visualization illustrates the percentage distribution of the population according to the highest educational level reached. You can filter the data by race by using the selector above.

Housing & Living

The median property value in Columbus, MS was $142,200 in 2021, which is 0.581 times smaller than the national average of $244,900. Between 2020 and 2021 the median property value increased from $136,300 to $142,200, a 4.33% increase. The homeownership rate in Columbus, MS is 61.6%, which is approximately the same as the national average of 64.6%.

People in Columbus, MS have an average commute time of 20.8 minutes, and they drove alone to work. Car ownership in Columbus, MS is approximately the same as the national average, with an average of 2 cars per household.

Median household income in Columbus, MS is $49,660. In 2021, the county with the highest Median Household Income in Columbus, MS was Madison County, MS with a value of $74,688, followed by DeSoto County, MS and Rankin County, MS, with respective values of $73,460 and $72,326.

Housing

Property

$142,200

Median Property Value 2021

±$7,979

$13,735

Median Property Taxes

±$863

The following chart display owner-occupied housing units distributed between a series of property tax buckets compared to the national averages for each bucket. In Columbus, MS the largest share of households pay taxes in the < $800 range.

The chart underneath the paragraph shows the property taxes in Columbus, MS compared to it's parent and neighbor geographies.

Rent vs Own

61.6%

Homeownership

2021

67.6%

Homeowners with Mortgage

2021

In 2021, 61.6% of the housing units in Columbus, MS were occupied by their owner. This percentage declined from the previous year's rate of 62.2%.

This chart shows the percentage of owner in Columbus, MS compared it's parent and neighboring geographies.

Equity

Income by Location

Use the dropdown to filter by race/ethnicity.

Race/Ethnicity

Highest Median Household Income (Total)

In 2021, the county with the highest Median Household Income (Total) in Columbus, MS was Madison County, MS with a value of $74,688, followed by DeSoto County, MS and Rankin County, MS, with respective values of $73,460 and $72,326.

The following map shows all of the counties in Columbus, MS colored by their Median Household Income (Total).

Household Income

Please note that the buckets used in this visualization were not evenly distributed by ACS when publishing the data.

$49,660

Median Household Income

± $3,000

205k

Number of Households

± 3,178

In 2021, the median household income of the 205k households in Columbus, MS grew to $49,660 from the previous year's value of $48,170.

The following chart displays the households in Columbus, MS distributed between a series of income buckets compared to the national averages for each bucket. The largest share of households have an income in the $75k - $100k range.

Wage Distribution

The closest comparable wage GINI for Columbus, MS is from Mississippi.

0.45

2021 Wage GINI in Mississippi

0.45

2020 Wage GINI in Mississippi

In 2021, the income inequality in Mississippi was 0.45 according to the GINI calculation of the wage distribution. Income inequality had a 0.159% decline from 2020 to 2021, which means that wage distribution grew somewhat more even. The GINI for Mississippi was lower than than the national average of 0.478. In other words, wages are distributed more evenly in Mississippi in comparison to the national average.

This chart shows the number of workers in Mississippi across various wage buckets compared to the national average.

Transportation

Commuter Transportation

Most Common Commute in 2021

Drove Alone (86%)
Carpooled (6.72%)
Worked At Home (4.98%)

In 2021, 86% of workers in Columbus, MS drove alone to work, followed by those who carpooled to work (6.72%) and those who worked at home (4.98%).

The following chart shows the number of households using each mode of transportation over time, using a logarithmic scale on the y-axis to help better show variations in the smaller means of commuting.

Commute Time

20.8 minutes

Average Travel Time

Using averages, employees in Columbus, MS have a shorter commute time (20.8 minutes) than the normal US worker (26.8 minutes). Additionally, 1.88% of the workforce in Columbus, MS have "super commutes" in excess of 90 minutes.

The chart below shows how the median household income in Columbus, MS compares to that of it's neighboring and parent geographies.

Car Ownership

2 cars

Average Number

The following chart displays the households in Columbus, MS distributed between a series of car ownership buckets compared to the national averages for each bucket. The largest share of households in Columbus, MS have 2 cars.

Poverty

Poverty & Diversity

19.7% of the population for whom poverty status is determined in Columbus, MS (11.3k out of 57.2k people) live below the poverty line, a number that is higher than the national average of 12.6%. The largest demographic living in poverty are Females 25 - 34, followed by Females 18 - 24 and then Males 6 - 11.

The most common racial or ethnic group living below the poverty line in Columbus, MS is Black, followed by White and Hispanic.

The Census Bureau uses a set of money income thresholds that vary by family size and composition to determine who classifies as impoverished. If a family's total income is less than the family's threshold than that family and every individual in it is considered to be living in poverty.

Social Needs

Data only available at the state level.

Most prevalent states

California
35,798 individuals
New York
5,087 individuals
Florida
4,915 individuals

In 2017, California had the highest estimated number of chronically homeless individuals in the nation, at 35,798. New York has the second highest (5,087), followed by Florida (4,915).

The following map shows the estimated number of chronically homeless individuals by state over multiple years.

Health

88.2% of the population of Columbus, MS has health coverage, with 42.8% on employee plans, 18.1% on Medicaid, 11.3% on Medicare, 12.1% on non-group plans, and 3.88% on military or VA plans.

Primary care physicians in Mississippi see 1860 patients per year on average, which represents a 1.59% decrease from the previous year (1890 patients). Compare this to dentists who see 2031 patients per year, and mental health providers who see 543 patients per year.

Coverage

Patient to Clinician Ratios

Data is only available at the state level. Showing data for Mississippi.

1,860 to 1

Patient to Primary Care Physician Ratio in Mississippi

Primary care physicians in Mississippi see an average of 1,860 patients per year. This represents a 1.59% decrease from the previous year (1,890 patients).

The following chart shows how the number of patients seen by primary care physicians has been changing over time in Mississippi in comparison to its neighboring geographies.

Health Care Diversity

In 2021, insured persons according to age ranges were distributed in 25.7% under 18 years, 21% between 18 and 34 years, 37.5% between 35 and 64 years, and 15.8% over 64 years.

By gender, of the total number of insured persons, 45.8% were men and 54.2% were women.

The following chart shows the number of people with health coverage by gender.

Uninsured People

11.8%

Uninsured

42.8%

Employer Coverage

18.1%

Medicaid

11.3%

Medicare

12.1%

Non-Group

3.88%

Military or VA

Between 2020 and 2021, the percent of uninsured citizens in Columbus, MS grew by 1.61% from 11.7% to 11.8%.

The following chart shows how the percent of uninsured individuals in Columbus, MS changed over time compared with the percent of individuals enrolled in various types of health insurance.