Living in Columbus, North Carolina
Cost of living, income, home prices, rent and demographics of Columbus · Census data 2020–2024
Columbus has 1,071 residents with a median age of 54.4. The median household income is $60,169 (17% lower than the North Carolina median), the median home value is $265,700, the median rent is $788/month.
Columbus is a small town, so Census survey estimates have wide margins of error. Treat percentages as approximate.
Columbus at a glance
- Population
- 1,071
- Median age
- 54.4State: 39.1
- Median household income
- $60,169State: $72,388
- Median home value
- $265,700State: $288,900
- Median rent
- $788/moState: $1,228
- Homeowners
- 63.4%
- Bachelor's degree or higher
- 25.1%
- Average commute
- 21 min
Is Columbus a good place to live?
Pros: Home values 8% lower than the state median; an average commute of 21 minutes; unemployment of 4.2%.
Cons: Median household income 17% lower than the North Carolina median; a poverty rate of 13.2%.
The weather is best in April–May and September–October.
Cost of living in Columbus
Housing is the biggest part of the cost of living. In Columbus the median home value is $265,700, 20% lower than the U.S. median. Renters pay a median of $788 per month, which is 26.7% of household income. Homeowners with a mortgage pay $1,243 a month in housing costs.
Columbus median household income
The median household income in Columbus is $60,169 and the income per person is $31,357. 13.2% of residents live below the poverty line (North Carolina: 13%).
Housing in Columbus: homes for sale and rent
- Housing units
- 525
- Owner-occupied
- 63.4%
- Renter-occupied
- 36.6%
- Vacant
- 8.4%Includes seasonal homes
- Median year built
- 1976
- Average household size
- 2.11
Columbus demographics
- Population
- 1,071
- Median age
- 54.4
- Under 18
- 13.4%
- 65 and older
- 29.8%
- Households
- 481
- Foreign-born
- 9.7%
- Veterans
- 3.7%Adults 18+
Hispanic or Latino can be of any race. Population history of Columbus ›
Education in Columbus
25.1% of adults 25 and older in Columbus have a bachelor's degree or higher (North Carolina: 35.7%), and 9.3% have a graduate or professional degree.
Jobs and commute in Columbus
- Unemployment rate
- 4.2%State: 4.7%
- Average commute
- 21 minState: 25 min
- Work from home
- 10.8%
- Drive alone
- 75.6%
- Public transit
- 0%
- Walk to work
- 0%
- Homes with broadband
- 74%
Columbus vs nearby towns
| Town | Population | Median income | Home value | Rent |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Columbus | 1,071 | $60,169 | $265,700 | $788 |
| Tryon | 1,810 | $57,721 | $306,900 | $1,288 |
| Landrum | 2,620 | $44,238 | $215,000 | $486 |
| Saluda | 683 | $52,137 | $372,400 | $1,263 |
| Campobello | 776 | $86,875 | $271,800 | $1,332 |
| Dana | 4,147 | $60,450 | $249,700 | $775 |
| East Flat Rock | 6,323 | $59,583 | $245,900 | $1,015 |
| Edneyville | 2,716 | $53,818 | $286,400 | $836 |
| Lake Lure | 1,543 | $80,357 | $627,000 | $786 |
More for people moving to Columbus
Columbus ZIP code ›Weather and climate ›Living in Columbus: FAQ
What is the median household income in Columbus, NC?
The median household income in Columbus is $60,169, 17% 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 Columbus?
The median home value in Columbus is $265,700, compared with $288,900 in North Carolina.
How much is rent in Columbus?
The median gross rent in Columbus is $788 per month, about 26.7% of household income.
Is Columbus, NC a good place to live?
Pluses: home values 8% lower than the state median; an average commute of 21 minutes; unemployment of 4.2%. Minuses: median household income 17% lower than the North Carolina median; a poverty rate of 13.2%.
What is the median age in Columbus?
The median age in Columbus is 54.4 years (North Carolina: 39.1).
How long is the commute in Columbus?
The average commute to work in Columbus is 21 minutes; 10.8% of workers work from home.
What is the unemployment rate in Columbus?
The unemployment rate in Columbus is 4.2% (U.S. Census Bureau, American Community Survey 5-year estimates 2020–2024).
How educated is Columbus?
25.1% 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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