Living in Columbia, Alabama
Cost of living, income, home prices, rent and demographics of Columbia · Census data 2020–2024
Columbia has 785 residents with a median age of 32.1. The median household income is $62,000 (3% lower than the Alabama median), the median home value is $156,800, the median rent is $760/month.
Columbia is a small town, so Census survey estimates have wide margins of error. Treat percentages as approximate.
Columbia at a glance
- Population
- 785
- Median age
- 32.1State: 39.3
- Median household income
- $62,000State: $63,999
- Median home value
- $156,800State: $209,900
- Median rent
- $760/moState: $1,007
- Homeowners
- 77.8%
- Bachelor's degree or higher
- 6.2%
- Average commute
- 25 min
Is Columbia a good place to live?
Pros: Home values 25% lower than the state median; an average commute of 25 minutes; a poverty rate of 11.8%.
Cons: Median household income 3% lower than the Alabama median; unemployment of 8.2%.
The weather is best in March–April and October–November.
Cost of living in Columbia
Housing is the biggest part of the cost of living. In Columbia the median home value is $156,800, 53% lower than the U.S. median. Renters pay a median of $760 per month, which is 28% of household income. Homeowners with a mortgage pay $1,759 a month in housing costs.
Columbia median household income
The median household income in Columbia is $62,000 and the income per person is $28,737. 11.8% of residents live below the poverty line (Alabama: 15.6%).
Housing in Columbia: homes for sale and rent
- Housing units
- 353
- Owner-occupied
- 77.8%
- Renter-occupied
- 22.2%
- Vacant
- 13.3%Includes seasonal homes
- Median year built
- 1974
- Average household size
- 2.57
Columbia demographics
- Population
- 785
- Median age
- 32.1
- Under 18
- 34.4%
- 65 and older
- 15.7%
- Households
- 306
- Foreign-born
- 0.8%
- Veterans
- 3.1%Adults 18+
Hispanic or Latino can be of any race. Population history of Columbia ›
Education in Columbia
6.2% of adults 25 and older in Columbia have a bachelor's degree or higher (Alabama: 28.4%), and 3.1% have a graduate or professional degree.
Jobs and commute in Columbia
- Unemployment rate
- 8.2%State: 4.7%
- Average commute
- 25 minState: 26 min
- Work from home
- 1.3%
- Drive alone
- 89%
- Public transit
- 0%
- Walk to work
- 0.3%
- Homes with broadband
- 87.3%
Columbia vs nearby towns
| Town | Population | Median income | Home value | Rent |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Columbia | 785 | $62,000 | $156,800 | $760 |
| Haleburg | 211 | $41,944 | $205,000 | — |
| Ashford | 2,447 | $65,341 | $180,100 | $994 |
| Webb | 1,475 | $54,792 | $113,800 | $780 |
| Blakely | 5,238 | $49,821 | $152,500 | $765 |
| Avon | 378 | $39,375 | $122,500 | $666 |
| Kinsey | 2,195 | $55,500 | $132,000 | $1,053 |
| Cowarts | 2,204 | $64,118 | $177,700 | $902 |
| Headland | 5,217 | $79,063 | $219,600 | $822 |
More for people moving to Columbia
Columbia ZIP code ›Weather and climate ›Living in Columbia: FAQ
What is the median household income in Columbia, AL?
The median household income in Columbia is $62,000, 3% lower than the Alabama median of $63,999 (U.S. Census Bureau, American Community Survey 5-year estimates 2020–2024).
What is the average home price in Columbia?
The median home value in Columbia is $156,800, compared with $209,900 in Alabama.
How much is rent in Columbia?
The median gross rent in Columbia is $760 per month, about 28% of household income.
Is Columbia, AL a good place to live?
Pluses: home values 25% lower than the state median; an average commute of 25 minutes; a poverty rate of 11.8%. Minuses: median household income 3% lower than the Alabama median; unemployment of 8.2%.
What is the median age in Columbia?
The median age in Columbia is 32.1 years (Alabama: 39.3).
How long is the commute in Columbia?
The average commute to work in Columbia is 25 minutes; 1.3% of workers work from home.
What is the unemployment rate in Columbia?
The unemployment rate in Columbia is 8.2% (U.S. Census Bureau, American Community Survey 5-year estimates 2020–2024).
How educated is Columbia?
6.2% of adults in Columbia have a bachelor's degree or higher.
Source: U.S. Census Bureau, American Community Survey 5-year estimates 2020–2024 (margins of error apply, especially in small towns). Figures are in 2024 dollars.
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