Living in Columbus, Illinois
Cost of living, income, home prices, rent and demographics of Columbus · Census data 2020–2024
Columbus has 106 residents with a median age of 36.4. The median household income is $75,000 (10% lower than the Illinois median), the median home value is $111,400, the median rent is $825/month.
Columbus is a small town, so Census survey estimates have wide margins of error. Treat percentages as approximate.
Columbus at a glance
- Population
- 106
- Median age
- 36.4State: 39
- Median household income
- $75,000State: $83,390
- Median home value
- $111,400State: $263,300
- Median rent
- $825/moState: $1,274
- Homeowners
- 85.7%
- Bachelor's degree or higher
- 19.1%
- Average commute
- 35 min
Is Columbus a good place to live?
Pros: Home values 58% lower than the state median; a poverty rate of 10.4%.
Cons: Median household income 10% lower than the Illinois median; an average commute of 35 minutes; unemployment of 14.3%.
The weather is best in May–June and August–September.
Cost of living in Columbus
Housing is the biggest part of the cost of living. In Columbus the median home value is $111,400, 67% lower than the U.S. median. Renters pay a median of $825 per month. Homeowners with a mortgage pay $1,318 a month in housing costs.
Columbus median household income
The median household income in Columbus is $75,000 and the income per person is $28,667. 10.4% of residents live below the poverty line (Illinois: 11.8%).
Housing in Columbus: homes for sale and rent
- Housing units
- 42
- Owner-occupied
- 85.7%
- Renter-occupied
- 14.3%
- Vacant
- 0%Includes seasonal homes
- Median year built
- 1971
- Average household size
- 2.52
Columbus demographics
- Population
- 106
- Median age
- 36.4
- Under 18
- 28.3%
- 65 and older
- 20.8%
- Households
- 42
- Foreign-born
- 0%
- Veterans
- 3.9%Adults 18+
Hispanic or Latino can be of any race. Population history of Columbus ›
Education in Columbus
19.1% of adults 25 and older in Columbus have a bachelor's degree or higher (Illinois: 37.8%), and 1.5% have a graduate or professional degree.
Jobs and commute in Columbus
- Unemployment rate
- 14.3%State: 5.8%
- Average commute
- 35 minState: 28 min
- Work from home
- 7.1%
- Drive alone
- 83.3%
- Public transit
- 0%
- Walk to work
- 0%
- Homes with broadband
- 85.7%
Columbus vs nearby towns
| Town | Population | Median income | Home value | Rent |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Columbus | 106 | $75,000 | $111,400 | $825 |
| Coatsburg | 209 | $63,750 | $81,700 | $1,047 |
| Camp Point | 1,230 | $62,188 | $127,800 | $730 |
| Liberty | 409 | $78,977 | $137,500 | — |
| Burton | 149 | $108,125 | $138,500 | — |
| Mendon | 1,167 | $65,781 | $111,600 | $667 |
| Clayton | 602 | $66,136 | $91,500 | $675 |
| Golden | 693 | $55,000 | $122,800 | $760 |
| Loraine | 341 | $58,750 | $83,600 | $673 |
More for people moving to Columbus
Columbus ZIP code ›Weather and climate ›Living in Columbus: FAQ
What is the median household income in Columbus, IL?
The median household income in Columbus is $75,000, 10% lower than the Illinois median of $83,390 (U.S. Census Bureau, American Community Survey 5-year estimates 2020–2024).
What is the average home price in Columbus?
The median home value in Columbus is $111,400, compared with $263,300 in Illinois.
How much is rent in Columbus?
The median gross rent in Columbus is $825 per month.
Is Columbus, IL a good place to live?
Pluses: home values 58% lower than the state median; a poverty rate of 10.4%. Minuses: median household income 10% lower than the Illinois median; an average commute of 35 minutes; unemployment of 14.3%.
What is the median age in Columbus?
The median age in Columbus is 36.4 years (Illinois: 39).
How long is the commute in Columbus?
The average commute to work in Columbus is 35 minutes; 7.1% of workers work from home.
What is the unemployment rate in Columbus?
The unemployment rate in Columbus is 14.3% (U.S. Census Bureau, American Community Survey 5-year estimates 2020–2024).
How educated is Columbus?
19.1% of adults in Columbus 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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