Columbus County Demographics

A map of Columbus County's Population by Race

Race	2024 Pop	2020 Pop	2024 %	2020 %
White	29,364	30,019	58.6%	59.3%
Black	14,048	14,503	28.0%	28.6%
Hispanic	2,831	2,613	5.6%	5.2%
Multiracial	1,949	1,509	3.9%	3.0%
Native American/Other	1,699	1,823	3.4%	3.6%
Asian	249	156	0.5%	0.3%

Columbus County, North Carolina has an estimated population of 50,140, a less than 1% change from the 50,623 recorded in the 2020 Census. The population is 58.6% White, 28.0% Black, 5.6% Hispanic, 3.9% Multiracial, 3.4% Native American/Other, and 0.5% Asian. This demographic dot map shows the population of Columbus County, with one dot drawn for each person counted by the Census, color-coded by race.

Columbus has become more racially diverse since the 2020 Census. It is less diverse than North Carolina overall. Demographers use a diversity index to measure the probability that two randomly selected individuals belong to different racial or ethnic groups. In Columbus County, that probability was 56.1% in 2020 and 57.3% in the most recent ACS estimates.

Columbus County is ranked the 51st most populous county in North Carolina, out of 100 counties. Columbus County was ranked the 51st most populous county in the 2020 Census.

Columbus County's White Population

29,364 residents of Columbus County, or 58.6% of the population, identify as White. The share of White residents in Columbus County is comparable to the share in North Carolina overall, where 60% of the population is White. Columbus County ranks 65th statewide in terms of White residents as a share of the population, out of 100 counties.

Since the 2020 Census, Columbus County's White population has declined by an estimated 2.2%. White residents' share of Columbus County's population has decreased from 59.3% to 58.6%.

Columbus County is more White than neighboring Bladen County (53.4% White), Robeson County (23.3% White), and Marion County (38.6% White). Columbus County is less White than neighboring Horry County (75.5% White), and Brunswick County (80.8% White).

Columbus County's Black Population

14,048 residents of Columbus County, or 28.0% of the population, identify as Black. The share of Black residents in Columbus County is higher than in North Carolina overall, where 20% of the population is Black. Columbus County ranks 31st statewide in terms of Black residents as a share of the population, out of 100 counties.

Since the 2020 Census, Columbus County's Black population has declined by an estimated 3.1%. Black residents' share of Columbus County's population has decreased from 28.6% to 28.0%.

Columbus County is more Black than neighboring Horry County (11.6% Black), Brunswick County (8.3% Black), and Robeson County (23.2% Black). Columbus County is less Black than neighboring Bladen County (32.1% Black), and Marion County (54.8% Black).

Columbus County's Asian Population

249 residents of Columbus County, or 0.5% of the population, identify as Asian. The share of Asian residents in Columbus County is slightly lower than in North Carolina overall, where 3.3% of the population is Asian. Columbus County ranks 88th statewide in terms of Asian residents as a share of the population, out of 100 counties.

Since the 2020 Census, Columbus County's Asian population has grown by an estimated 59.6%. Asian residents' share of Columbus County's population has remained roughly unchanged at 0.5%.

Columbus County is more Asian than neighboring Bladen County (0.2% Asian), and Marion County (0% Asian). Columbus County is less Asian than neighboring Horry County (1.3% Asian), Brunswick County (0.7% Asian), and Robeson County (0.8% Asian).

Columbus County's Hispanic Population

2,831 residents of Columbus County, or 5.6% of the population, identify as Hispanic. The share of Hispanic residents in Columbus County is lower than in North Carolina overall, where 11.3% of the population is Hispanic. Columbus County ranks 70th statewide in terms of Hispanic residents as a share of the population, out of 100 counties.

Since the 2020 Census, Columbus County's Hispanic population has grown by an estimated 8.3%. Hispanic residents' share of Columbus County's population has remained roughly unchanged at 5.6%.

Columbus County is more Hispanic than neighboring Marion County (2.8% Hispanic). Columbus County is less Hispanic than neighboring Bladen County (9.3% Hispanic), Horry County (7.3% Hispanic), and Robeson County (10.9% Hispanic).

Columbus County's Native American/Other Population

1,699 residents of Columbus County, or 3.4% of the population, identify as American Indian/Alaska Native/Native Hawaiian/Pacific Islander/Other. The share of Native American/Other residents in Columbus County is comparable to the share in North Carolina overall, where 1.4% of the population is Native American/Other. Columbus County ranks 8th statewide in terms of Native American/Other residents as a share of the population, out of 100 counties.

Since the 2020 Census, Columbus County's Native American/Other population has declined by an estimated 6.8%. Native American/Other residents' share of Columbus County's population has remained roughly unchanged at 3.4%.

Columbus County is more Native American/Other than neighboring Bladen County (2.6% Native American/Other), Horry County (0.8% Native American/Other), Brunswick County (0.6% Native American/Other), and Marion County (0.8% Native American/Other). Columbus County is less Native American/Other than neighboring Robeson County (38.7% Native American/Other).

Columbus County's Multiracial Population

1,949 residents of Columbus County, or 3.9% of the population, identify as Multiracial. The share of Multiracial residents in Columbus County is comparable to the share in North Carolina overall, where 4.1% of the population is Multiracial. Columbus County ranks 78th statewide in terms of Multiracial residents as a share of the population, out of 100 counties.

Since the 2020 Census, Columbus County's Multiracial population has grown by an estimated 29.2%. Multiracial residents' share of Columbus County's population has increased from 3.0% to 3.9%.

Columbus County is more Multiracial than neighboring Bladen County (2.4% Multiracial), Horry County (3.5% Multiracial), Robeson County (3.2% Multiracial), and Marion County (3% Multiracial). Columbus County is less Multiracial than neighboring Brunswick County (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.