Where does this demographic data come from?

All demographic data comes from the U.S. Census Bureau's American Community Survey (ACS) 5-Year Estimates, which samples about 3.5 million households annually. The 5-year estimates provide the most reliable data for small geographies like municipalities.

What is the difference between Census data and ACS data?

The decennial Census (conducted every 10 years) is a full population count focusing on basic demographics. The ACS is an ongoing survey that collects detailed data on income, education, housing, commute patterns, and more. ACS data is updated annually but represents averages over a 5-year period.

How accurate is this data for small towns?

For smaller municipalities, ACS estimates have wider margins of error because fewer residents are sampled. The 5-year estimates reduce this uncertainty by averaging over a longer period. For towns under 5,000 people, treat specific numbers as approximations rather than precise counts.

Columbus, WI Population, Income & Demographics 2026

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Demographics — 2024 ACS 5-Year Estimatesi

Census

Populationi

914,802

Median Agei

33.2

Race & Ethnicityi

White

50.7%463,364

Black

29.1%266,171

Hispanic/Latino

8.3%75,585

Asian

5.9%54,326

Two or More

5.4%49,278

Other

0.6%5,184

American Indian/Alaska Native

0.1%625

Native Hawaiian/Pacific Islander

0%269

Educational Attainment (Age 25+)i

GED/Alternative

3.2%19,745

High School Diploma

22%134,267

Some College (<1 yr)

5.9%36,202

Some College (1+ yr)

13.2%80,209

Associate's Degree

7.2%43,982

Bachelor's Degree

24.1%147,071

Master's Degree

10.2%62,319

Professional Degree

2.1%12,615

Doctorate

1.8%10,927

HS or Higher

89.7%

BA or Higher

38.2%

Graduate+

14.1%

Housingi

Median Home Valuei

$252,900

Median Renti

$1,295

Tenure

Owner-Occupied

44.1%172,360

Renter-Occupied

55.9%218,168

Total Units

425,182

Homeownership

44.1%

Vacancy Rate

8.2%

Home Values

Under $50K

3.6%6,217

$50K–$100K

5.9%10,136

$100K–$150K

8.7%14,986

$150K–$200K

14.1%24,280

$200K–$300K

30.9%53,332

$300K–$500K

29.9%51,535

$500K–$1M

6%10,373

$1M+

0.9%1,501

Rent Distribution

Under $500

9,618

$500–$750

9,545

$750–$1,000

29,497

$1,000–$1,250

50,207

$1,250–$1,500

45,984

$1,500–$2,000

49,669

$2,000+

19,820

Year Built

2020 or later

1.7%7,109

2010–2019

10.2%43,306

2000–2009

12.1%51,414

1990–1999

12.9%54,797

1980–1989

13.3%56,670

1970–1979

14.1%59,772

1960–1969

10.6%44,878

1950–1959

9.3%39,463

1940–1949

4%16,840

1939 or earlier

12%50,933

Heating Fuel

Utility Gas

63.9%249,609

Electricity

34.1%133,066

Bottled/LP Gas

1.3%5,217

No Fuel

0.3%1,260

Fuel Oil

0.1%565

Other

0.1%480

Wood

0.1%242

Solar

0%73

Coal

0%16

Economyi

Median Household Incomei

$66,082

Mean Household Incomei

$87,310

Per Capita Incomei

$37,860

Poverty Ratei

17.7%

Unemploymenti

5.1%

Labor Forcei

514,690

Household Income Distribution

Under $10K

5.9%23,196

$10K–$15K

4.1%16,158

$15K–$20K

3.4%13,126

$20K–$25K

3.3%12,973

$25K–$30K

3.3%13,004

$30K–$35K

4%15,430

$35K–$40K

4.2%16,422

$40K–$45K

4.7%18,445

$45K–$50K

4.3%16,627

$50K–$60K

8.2%31,950

$60K–$75K

10.3%40,097

$75K–$100K

13.3%51,804

$100K–$125K

10%39,154

$125K–$150K

6.7%26,026

$150K–$200K

7.5%29,211

$200K+

6.9%26,905

Federally Subsidized Housingi

HUD

The federal government helps low-income families, seniors, and people with disabilities afford housing through several programs. Residents typically pay about 30% of their income toward rent, with the government covering the rest. This data shows how many households in this community receive that assistance.

Subsidized Homesi

21,625

Residentsi

42,734

Avg. Tenant Renti

$297/mo

Avg. Waitlisti

19 months

Programs in this community

Public Housing125 homes62% occupied$411/mo rent

Government-owned housing managed by local housing authorities

Housing Choice Vouchers4,039 homes86% occupied$280/mo rent

Rental vouchers (Section 8) that help tenants pay for private-market housing

Project Based Section 86,928 homes88% occupied$296/mo rent

Privately owned apartments with rent subsidies tied to the building

S236/BMIR49 homes

202/PRAC584 homes98% occupied$398/mo rent

811/PRAC260 homes94% occupied$320/mo rent

Household Incomei

Based on area median of $66,082/yr

Extremely low incomeUnder $20K/yr

89.8%

Very low income$20K–$33K/yr

9.2%

Low income$33K–$53K/yr

Who Receives This Housing

69% of subsidized households are headed by a single mother

72.2% of subsidized households are minority

20.9% of subsidized households include someone with a disability

39.2% of subsidized households include a senior (62+)

Commute & Transportationi

Workersi

477,886

Avg. Commutei

21.5 min

How People Get to Work

Travel Time to Work

Workforce

Total Employed

487,797

Occupations

Industries

Social Characteristicsi

Marital Status (15+)i

Veteransi

34,521(4.8% of civilian adults)