Columbia County Demographics

A map of Columbia County's Population by Race

Race	2024 Pop	2020 Pop	2024 %	2020 %
White	3,261	3,347	81.2%	84.7%
Hispanic	335	304	8.3%	7.7%
Multiracial	300	215	7.5%	5.4%
Asian	75	21	1.9%	0.5%
Black	22	6	0.5%	0.2%
Native American/Other	21	59	0.5%	1.5%

Columbia County, Washington has an estimated population of 4,014, a slight increase from the 3,952 recorded in the 2020 Census. The population is 81.2% White, 8.3% Hispanic, 7.5% Multiracial, 1.9% Asian, 0.5% Black, and 0.5% 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 has become considerably more racially diverse since the 2020 Census. It is considerably less diverse than Washington 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 27.4% in 2020 and 32.7% in the most recent ACS estimates.

Columbia County is ranked the 38th most populous county in Washington, out of 39 counties. Columbia County was ranked the 38th most populous county in the 2020 Census.

Columbia County's White Population

3,261 residents of Columbia County, or 81.2% of the population, identify as White. The share of White residents in Columbia County is significantly higher than in Washington overall, where 63.1% of the population is White. Columbia County ranks 7th statewide in terms of White residents as a share of the population, out of 39 counties.

Since the 2020 Census, Columbia County's White population has declined by an estimated 2.6%. White residents' share of Columbia County's population has decreased from 84.7% to 81.2%.

Columbia County is more White than neighboring Walla Walla County (67.7% White), Whitman County (73.5% White), and Adams County (31.1% White). Columbia County is less White than neighboring Garfield County (86.4% White), and Asotin County (87.1% White).

Columbia County's Black Population

22 residents of Columbia County, or 0.5% of the population, identify as Black. The share of Black residents in Columbia County is slightly lower than in Washington overall, where 3.8% of the population is Black. Columbia County ranks 36th statewide in terms of Black residents as a share of the population, out of 39 counties.

Since the 2020 Census, Columbia County's Black population has grown by an estimated 266.7%. Black residents' share of Columbia County's population has remained roughly unchanged at 0.5%.

Columbia County is more Black than neighboring Adams County (0.2% Black). Columbia County is less Black than neighboring Garfield County (0.8% Black), Walla Walla County (1.6% Black), Asotin County (0.9% Black), and Whitman County (1.4% Black).

Columbia County's Asian Population

75 residents of Columbia County, or 1.9% of the population, identify as Asian. The share of Asian residents in Columbia County is lower than in Washington overall, where 9.7% of the population is Asian. Columbia County ranks 37th statewide in terms of Asian residents as a share of the population, out of 39 counties.

Since the 2020 Census, Columbia County's Asian population has grown by an estimated 257.1%. Asian residents' share of Columbia County's population has increased from 0.5% to 1.9%.

Columbia County is more Asian than neighboring Walla Walla County (1.8% Asian), Asotin County (1.1% Asian), and Adams County (0.6% Asian). Columbia County is less Asian than neighboring Garfield County (2.1% Asian), and Whitman County (6.8% Asian).

Columbia County's Hispanic Population

335 residents of Columbia County, or 8.3% of the population, identify as Hispanic. The share of Hispanic residents in Columbia County is lower than in Washington overall, where 14.4% of the population is Hispanic. Columbia County ranks 27th statewide in terms of Hispanic residents as a share of the population, out of 39 counties.

Since the 2020 Census, Columbia County's Hispanic population has grown by an estimated 10.2%. Hispanic residents' share of Columbia County's population has increased from 7.7% to 8.3%.

Columbia County is more Hispanic than neighboring Garfield County (5% Hispanic), Asotin County (4.6% Hispanic), and Whitman County (8.1% Hispanic). Columbia County is less Hispanic than neighboring Walla Walla County (23.8% Hispanic), and Adams County (64.5% Hispanic).

Columbia County's Native American/Other Population

21 residents of Columbia County, or 0.5% 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 Washington overall, where 2.1% of the population is Native American/Other. Columbia County ranks 29th statewide in terms of Native American/Other residents as a share of the population, out of 39 counties.

Since the 2020 Census, Columbia County's Native American/Other population has declined by an estimated 64.4%. Native American/Other residents' share of Columbia County's population has decreased from 1.5% to 0.5%.

Columbia County is more Native American/Other than neighboring Garfield County (0% Native American/Other). Columbia County is less Native American/Other than neighboring Walla Walla County (1% Native American/Other), Asotin County (1.7% Native American/Other), Whitman County (1.6% Native American/Other), and Adams County (1% Native American/Other).

Columbia County's Multiracial Population

300 residents of Columbia County, or 7.5% of the population, identify as Multiracial. The share of Multiracial residents in Columbia County is comparable to the share in Washington overall, where 6.8% of the population is Multiracial. Columbia County ranks 23rd statewide in terms of Multiracial residents as a share of the population, out of 39 counties.

Since the 2020 Census, Columbia County's Multiracial population has grown by an estimated 39.5%. Multiracial residents' share of Columbia County's population has increased from 5.4% to 7.5%.

Columbia County is more Multiracial than neighboring Garfield County (5.7% Multiracial), Walla Walla County (4.1% Multiracial), Asotin County (4.6% Multiracial), and Adams County (2.6% Multiracial). Columbia County is less Multiracial than neighboring Whitman County (8.6% 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.