Columbia County Demographics

A map of Columbia County's Population by Race

Race	2024 Pop	2020 Pop	2024 %	2020 %
White	50,441	49,096	70.3%	70.4%
Black	11,550	11,441	16.1%	16.4%
Hispanic	5,663	5,063	7.9%	7.3%
Multiracial	2,784	2,673	3.9%	3.8%
Asian	691	867	1.0%	1.2%
Native American/Other	660	558	0.9%	0.8%

Columbia County, Florida has an estimated population of 71,789, an increase from the 69,698 recorded in the 2020 Census. The population is 70.3% White, 16.1% Black, 7.9% Hispanic, 3.9% Multiracial, 1.0% Asian, and 0.9% Native American/Other. This demographic dot map shows the population of Columbia County, with one dot drawn for each person counted by the Census, color-coded by race.

Columbia is about as racially diverse as it was in the 2020 Census. It is considerably less diverse than Florida overall. Demographers use a diversity index to measure the probability that two randomly selected individuals belong to different racial or ethnic groups. In Columbia County, that probability was 47.0% in 2020 and 47.3% in the most recent ACS estimates.

Columbia County is ranked the 41st most populous county in Florida, out of 67 counties. Columbia County was ranked the 41st most populous county in the 2020 Census.

Columbia County's White Population

50,441 residents of Columbia County, or 70.3% of the population, identify as White. The share of White residents in Columbia County is significantly higher than in Florida overall, where 50.4% of the population is White. Columbia County ranks 32nd statewide in terms of White residents as a share of the population, out of 67 counties.

Since the 2020 Census, Columbia County's White population has grown by an estimated 2.7%. White residents' share of Columbia County's population has remained roughly unchanged at 70.3%.

Columbia County is more White than neighboring Union County (70% White), and Hamilton County (54.5% White). Columbia County is less White than neighboring Baker County (77.6% White), Suwannee County (72.6% White), and Bradford County (72.9% White).

Columbia County's Black Population

11,550 residents of Columbia County, or 16.1% of the population, identify as Black. The share of Black residents in Columbia County is comparable to the share in Florida overall, where 14.6% of the population is Black. Columbia County ranks 18th statewide in terms of Black residents as a share of the population, out of 67 counties.

Since the 2020 Census, Columbia County's Black population has remained roughly the same. Black residents' share of Columbia County's population has remained roughly unchanged at 16.1%.

Columbia County is more Black than neighboring Union County (14.7% Black), Baker County (10.9% Black), Suwannee County (9.5% Black), and Bradford County (15.4% Black). Columbia County is less Black than neighboring Hamilton County (30.4% Black).

Columbia County's Asian Population

691 residents of Columbia County, or 1.0% of the population, identify as Asian. The share of Asian residents in Columbia County is comparable to the share in Florida overall, where 2.9% of the population is Asian. Columbia County ranks 37th statewide in terms of Asian residents as a share of the population, out of 67 counties.

Since the 2020 Census, Columbia County's Asian population has declined by an estimated 20.3%. Asian residents' share of Columbia County's population has remained roughly unchanged at 1.0%.

Columbia County is more Asian than neighboring Union County (0.2% Asian), Baker County (0.8% Asian), Suwannee County (0.7% Asian), Hamilton County (0.6% Asian), and Bradford County (0.7% Asian).

Columbia County's Hispanic Population

5,663 residents of Columbia County, or 7.9% of the population, identify as Hispanic. The share of Hispanic residents in Columbia County is significantly lower than in Florida overall, where 27.4% of the population is Hispanic. Columbia County ranks 47th statewide in terms of Hispanic residents as a share of the population, out of 67 counties.

Since the 2020 Census, Columbia County's Hispanic population has grown by an estimated 11.9%. Hispanic residents' share of Columbia County's population has increased from 7.3% to 7.9%.

Columbia County is more Hispanic than neighboring Union County (5.4% Hispanic), Baker County (4.1% Hispanic), and Bradford County (5% Hispanic). Columbia County is less Hispanic than neighboring Suwannee County (11.8% Hispanic), and Hamilton County (11.5% Hispanic).

Columbia County's Native American/Other Population

660 residents of Columbia County, or 0.9% of the population, identify as American Indian/Alaska Native/Native Hawaiian/Pacific Islander/Other. The share of Native American/Other residents in Columbia County is comparable to the share in Florida overall, where 0.8% of the population is Native American/Other. Columbia County ranks 25th statewide in terms of Native American/Other residents as a share of the population, out of 67 counties.

Since the 2020 Census, Columbia County's Native American/Other population has grown by an estimated 18.3%. Native American/Other residents' share of Columbia County's population has remained roughly unchanged at 0.9%.

Columbia County is more Native American/Other than neighboring Union County (0.2% Native American/Other), Baker County (0% Native American/Other), Suwannee County (0.6% Native American/Other), Hamilton County (0.6% Native American/Other), and Bradford County (0.1% Native American/Other).

Columbia County's Multiracial Population

2,784 residents of Columbia County, or 3.9% of the population, identify as Multiracial. The share of Multiracial residents in Columbia County is comparable to the share in Florida overall, where 3.8% of the population is Multiracial. Columbia County ranks 31st statewide in terms of Multiracial residents as a share of the population, out of 67 counties.

Since the 2020 Census, Columbia County's Multiracial population has grown by an estimated 4.2%. Multiracial residents' share of Columbia County's population has remained roughly unchanged at 3.9%.

Columbia County is more Multiracial than neighboring Hamilton County (2.5% Multiracial). Columbia County is less Multiracial than neighboring Union County (9.4% Multiracial), Baker County (6.6% Multiracial), Suwannee County (4.8% Multiracial), and Bradford County (5.9% Multiracial).

Sources: Most recent population estimates are from the 2020-2024 American Community Survey 5-Year Estimates. 2020 population counts and map data are from 2020 Census State Redistricting Data. Geographic data are from Census TIGER/Line Shapefiles.