Columbia, MO Demographics

A map of Columbia's Population by Race

Race	2024 Pop	2020 Pop	2024 %	2020 %
White	92,127	89,814	71.7%	71.1%
Black	15,524	14,858	12.1%	11.8%
Asian	8,106	7,056	6.3%	5.6%
Multiracial	6,480	7,247	5.0%	5.7%
Hispanic	5,680	6,195	4.4%	4.9%
Native American/Other	631	1,084	0.5%	0.9%

Columbia, Missouri has an estimated population of 128,548, a slight increase from the 126,254 recorded in the 2020 Census. The population is 71.7% White, 12.1% Black, 6.3% Asian, 5.0% Multiracial, 4.4% Hispanic, and 0.5% 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 has become slightly less racially diverse since the 2020 Census. It is considerably more diverse than Missouri 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 47.1% in 2020 and 46.3% in the most recent ACS estimates.

Columbia is ranked the 4th most populous place in Missouri, out of 1,082 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 4th most populous place in the 2020 Census.

Columbia's White Population

92,127 residents of Columbia, or 71.7% of the population, identify as White. The share of White residents in Columbia is slightly lower than in Missouri overall, where 76.3% of the population is White. Columbia ranks 965th statewide in terms of White residents as a share of the population, out of 1,082 places.

Since the 2020 Census, Columbia's White population has grown by an estimated 2.6%. White residents' share of Columbia's population has increased from 71.1% to 71.7%.

Columbia is less White than neighboring Pierpont (89.1% White), McBaine (100% White), Huntsdale (100% White), Lupus (95% White), and Ashland (90.3% White).

Columbia's Black Population

15,524 residents of Columbia, or 12.1% of the population, identify as Black. The share of Black residents in Columbia is comparable to the share in Missouri overall, where 10.9% of the population is Black. Columbia ranks 95th statewide in terms of Black residents as a share of the population, out of 1,082 places.

Since the 2020 Census, Columbia's Black population has grown by an estimated 4.5%. Black residents' share of Columbia's population has remained roughly unchanged at 12.1%.

Columbia is more Black than neighboring Pierpont (6.3% Black), McBaine (0% Black), Huntsdale (0% Black), Lupus (0% Black), and Ashland (1% Black).

Columbia's Asian Population

8,106 residents of Columbia, or 6.3% of the population, identify as Asian. The share of Asian residents in Columbia is slightly higher than in Missouri overall, where 2.1% of the population is Asian. Columbia ranks 24th statewide in terms of Asian residents as a share of the population, out of 1,082 places.

Since the 2020 Census, Columbia's Asian population has grown by an estimated 14.9%. Asian residents' share of Columbia's population has increased from 5.6% to 6.3%.

Columbia is more Asian than neighboring Pierpont (0% Asian), McBaine (0% Asian), Huntsdale (0% Asian), Lupus (0% Asian), and Ashland (0.5% Asian).

Columbia's Hispanic Population

5,680 residents of Columbia, or 4.4% of the population, identify as Hispanic. The share of Hispanic residents in Columbia is comparable to the share in Missouri overall, where 5.2% of the population is Hispanic. Columbia ranks 179th statewide in terms of Hispanic residents as a share of the population, out of 1,082 places.

Since the 2020 Census, Columbia's Hispanic population has declined by an estimated 8.3%. Hispanic residents' share of Columbia's population has decreased from 4.9% to 4.4%.

Columbia is more Hispanic than neighboring McBaine (0% Hispanic), Huntsdale (0% Hispanic), Lupus (0% Hispanic), and Ashland (3.3% Hispanic). Columbia is less Hispanic than neighboring Pierpont (4.7% Hispanic).

Columbia's Native American/Other Population

631 residents of Columbia, 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 is comparable to the share in Missouri overall, where 0.7% of the population is Native American/Other. Columbia ranks 380th statewide in terms of Native American/Other residents as a share of the population, out of 1,082 places.

Since the 2020 Census, Columbia's Native American/Other population has declined by an estimated 41.8%. Native American/Other residents' share of Columbia's population has remained roughly unchanged at 0.5%.

Columbia is more Native American/Other than neighboring Pierpont (0% Native American/Other), McBaine (0% Native American/Other), Huntsdale (0% Native American/Other), and Lupus (0% Native American/Other).

Columbia's Multiracial Population

6,480 residents of Columbia, or 5.0% of the population, identify as Multiracial. The share of Multiracial residents in Columbia is comparable to the share in Missouri overall, where 4.8% of the population is Multiracial. Columbia ranks 346th statewide in terms of Multiracial residents as a share of the population, out of 1,082 places.

Since the 2020 Census, Columbia's Multiracial population has declined by an estimated 10.6%. Multiracial residents' share of Columbia's population has decreased from 5.7% to 5.0%.

Columbia is more Multiracial than neighboring Pierpont (0% Multiracial), McBaine (0% Multiracial), Huntsdale (0% Multiracial), and Ashland (4.4% 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.