Living in Columbia, North Carolina
Cost of living, income, home prices, rent and demographics of Columbia · Census data 2020–2024
Columbia has 759 residents with a median age of 38.7. The median household income is $25,893 (64% lower than the North Carolina median), the median home value is $120,000, the median rent is $678/month.
Columbia is a small town, so Census survey estimates have wide margins of error. Treat percentages as approximate.
Columbia at a glance
- Population
- 759
- Median age
- 38.7State: 39.1
- Median household income
- $25,893State: $72,388
- Median home value
- $120,000State: $288,900
- Median rent
- $678/moState: $1,228
- Homeowners
- 49.3%
- Bachelor's degree or higher
- 14.4%
- Average commute
- 34 min
Is Columbia a good place to live?
Pros: Home values 58% lower than the state median.
Cons: Median household income 64% lower than the North Carolina median; an average commute of 34 minutes; unemployment of 6%; a poverty rate of 27%.
The weather is best in May–June and September–October.
Cost of living in Columbia
Housing is the biggest part of the cost of living. In Columbia the median home value is $120,000, 64% lower than the U.S. median. Renters pay a median of $678 per month, which is 42.1% of household income. Homeowners with a mortgage pay $1,058 a month in housing costs.
Columbia median household income
The median household income in Columbia is $25,893 and the income per person is $20,469. 27% of residents live below the poverty line (North Carolina: 13%).
Housing in Columbia: homes for sale and rent
- Housing units
- 524
- Owner-occupied
- 49.3%
- Renter-occupied
- 50.7%
- Vacant
- 33.4%Includes seasonal homes
- Median year built
- 1951
- Average household size
- 2.16
33.4% of homes are vacant most of the year, a sign that Columbia has many vacation and second homes.
Columbia demographics
- Population
- 759
- Median age
- 38.7
- Under 18
- 26.9%
- 65 and older
- 26.2%
- Households
- 349
- Foreign-born
- 17.5%
- Veterans
- 3.4%Adults 18+
Hispanic or Latino can be of any race. Population history of Columbia ›
Education in Columbia
14.4% of adults 25 and older in Columbia have a bachelor's degree or higher (North Carolina: 35.7%), and 4.2% have a graduate or professional degree.
Jobs and commute in Columbia
- Unemployment rate
- 6%State: 4.7%
- Average commute
- 34 minState: 25 min
- Work from home
- 0%
- Drive alone
- 59.1%
- Public transit
- 0%
- Walk to work
- 1.7%
- Homes with broadband
- 70.8%
Columbia vs nearby towns
| Town | Population | Median income | Home value | Rent |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Columbia | 759 | $25,893 | $120,000 | $678 |
| Creswell | 217 | $33,594 | $117,500 | — |
| Cape Colony | 509 | $78,152 | $221,400 | — |
| Roper | 384 | $22,819 | $71,400 | $643 |
| Hertford | 1,618 | $40,250 | $176,500 | $613 |
| Edenton | 4,494 | $38,417 | $274,100 | $388 |
| Winfall | 697 | $77,083 | $401,200 | $1,157 |
| Elizabeth City | 18,871 | $52,141 | $187,700 | $1,117 |
| Manns Harbor | 926 | $51,800 | $253,000 | $1,294 |
More for people moving to Columbia
Columbia ZIP code ›Weather and climate ›Living in Columbia: FAQ
What is the median household income in Columbia, NC?
The median household income in Columbia is $25,893, 64% lower than the North Carolina median of $72,388 (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 $120,000, compared with $288,900 in North Carolina.
How much is rent in Columbia?
The median gross rent in Columbia is $678 per month, about 42.1% of household income.
Is Columbia, NC a good place to live?
Pluses: home values 58% lower than the state median. Minuses: median household income 64% lower than the North Carolina median; an average commute of 34 minutes; unemployment of 6%; a poverty rate of 27%.
What is the median age in Columbia?
The median age in Columbia is 38.7 years (North Carolina: 39.1).
How long is the commute in Columbia?
The average commute to work in Columbia is 34 minutes; 0% of workers work from home.
What is the unemployment rate in Columbia?
The unemployment rate in Columbia is 6% (U.S. Census Bureau, American Community Survey 5-year estimates 2020–2024).
How educated is Columbia?
14.4% 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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