Columbia, MD Demographics

A map of Columbia's Population by Race

Columbia, Maryland has an estimated population of 104,338, a less than 1% change from the 104,681 recorded in the 2020 Census. The population is 42.3% White, 28.0% Black, 11.8% Asian, 10.1% Hispanic, 6.9% Multiracial, and 0.8% Native American/Other. This demographic dot map shows the population of Columbia, 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 more diverse than Maryland overall. Demographers use a diversity index to measure the probability that two randomly selected individuals belong to different racial or ethnic groups. In Columbia, that probability was 71.0% in 2020 and 71.3% in the most recent ACS estimates.

Columbia is ranked the 2nd most populous place in Maryland, out of 536 places. This ranking is based on the Census definition of a place, which includes incorporated places like cities, towns, and villages, as well as unincorporated census-designated places (CDPs). Columbia was ranked the 2nd most populous place in the 2020 Census.

Columbia's White Population

44,173 residents of Columbia, or 42.3% of the population, identify as White. The share of White residents in Columbia is slightly lower than in Maryland overall, where 46.6% of the population is White. Columbia ranks 406th statewide in terms of White residents as a share of the population, out of 536 places.

Since the 2020 Census, Columbia's White population has declined by an estimated 2.3%. White residents' share of Columbia's population has decreased from 43.2% to 42.3%.

Columbia is more White than neighboring Savage (35.9% White), and North Laurel (27.1% White). Columbia is less White than neighboring Scaggsville (51.6% White), Fulton (44.8% White), and Ellicott City (50.1% White).

Columbia's Black Population

29,259 residents of Columbia, or 28.0% of the population, identify as Black. The share of Black residents in Columbia is comparable to the share in Maryland overall, where 28.9% of the population is Black. Columbia ranks 130th statewide in terms of Black residents as a share of the population, out of 536 places.

Since the 2020 Census, Columbia's Black population has grown by an estimated 3.4%. Black residents' share of Columbia's population has increased from 27.0% to 28.0%.

Columbia is more Black than neighboring Scaggsville (15.9% Black), Fulton (10.2% Black), and Ellicott City (9% Black). Columbia is less Black than neighboring Savage (36.1% Black), and North Laurel (33.3% Black).

Columbia's Asian Population

12,348 residents of Columbia, or 11.8% of the population, identify as Asian. The share of Asian residents in Columbia is higher than in Maryland overall, where 6.5% of the population is Asian. Columbia ranks 39th statewide in terms of Asian residents as a share of the population, out of 536 places.

Since the 2020 Census, Columbia's Asian population has declined by an estimated 7.6%. Asian residents' share of Columbia's population has decreased from 12.8% to 11.8%.

Columbia is more Asian than neighboring Savage (7.9% Asian). Columbia is less Asian than neighboring Scaggsville (17.4% Asian), North Laurel (17% Asian), Fulton (28.4% Asian), and Ellicott City (30.7% Asian).

Columbia's Hispanic Population

10,536 residents of Columbia, or 10.1% of the population, identify as Hispanic. The share of Hispanic residents in Columbia is slightly lower than in Maryland overall, where 12.5% of the population is Hispanic. Columbia ranks 130th statewide in terms of Hispanic residents as a share of the population, out of 536 places.

Since the 2020 Census, Columbia's Hispanic population has declined by an estimated 1.6%. Hispanic residents' share of Columbia's population has remained roughly unchanged at 10.1%.

Columbia is more Hispanic than neighboring Scaggsville (8.5% Hispanic), Fulton (2.8% Hispanic), and Ellicott City (4.5% Hispanic). Columbia is less Hispanic than neighboring Savage (14.6% Hispanic), and North Laurel (17.1% Hispanic).

Columbia's Native American/Other Population

870 residents of Columbia, or 0.8% of the population, identify as American Indian/Alaska Native/Native Hawaiian/Pacific Islander/Other. The share of Native American/Other residents in Columbia is comparable to the share in Maryland overall, where 0.8% of the population is Native American/Other. Columbia ranks 118th statewide in terms of Native American/Other residents as a share of the population, out of 536 places.

Since the 2020 Census, Columbia's Native American/Other population has declined by an estimated 18.5%. Native American/Other residents' share of Columbia's population has remained roughly unchanged at 0.8%.

Columbia is more Native American/Other than neighboring Scaggsville (0.3% Native American/Other), Fulton (0.7% Native American/Other), and Ellicott City (0.6% Native American/Other). Columbia is less Native American/Other than neighboring North Laurel (1.5% Native American/Other).

Columbia's Multiracial Population

7,152 residents of Columbia, or 6.9% of the population, identify as Multiracial. The share of Multiracial residents in Columbia is slightly higher than in Maryland overall, where 4.6% of the population is Multiracial. Columbia ranks 104th statewide in terms of Multiracial residents as a share of the population, out of 536 places.

Since the 2020 Census, Columbia's Multiracial population has grown by an estimated 18.9%. Multiracial residents' share of Columbia's population has increased from 5.7% to 6.9%.

Columbia is more Multiracial than neighboring Savage (4.7% Multiracial), Scaggsville (6.2% Multiracial), North Laurel (3.9% Multiracial), and Ellicott City (5.1% Multiracial). Columbia is less Multiracial than neighboring Fulton (13.1% 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.