Columbus, IN Demographics

A map of Columbus's Population by Race

Race	2024 Pop	2020 Pop	2024 %	2020 %
White	37,253	36,630	71.9%	72.6%
Asian	5,956	5,221	11.5%	10.3%
Hispanic	5,535	4,851	10.7%	9.6%
Multiracial	1,526	1,956	2.9%	3.9%
Black	1,295	1,510	2.5%	3.0%
Native American/Other	259	306	0.5%	0.6%

Columbus, Indiana has an estimated population of 51,824, a slight increase from the 50,474 recorded in the 2020 Census. The population is 71.9% White, 11.5% Asian, 10.7% Hispanic, 2.9% Multiracial, 2.5% Black, and 0.5% Native American/Other. This demographic dot map shows the population of Columbus, with one dot drawn for each person counted by the Census, color-coded by race.

Columbus has become slightly more racially diverse since the 2020 Census. It is more diverse than Indiana overall. Demographers use a diversity index to measure the probability that two randomly selected individuals belong to different racial or ethnic groups. In Columbus, that probability was 45.1% in 2020 and 45.7% in the most recent ACS estimates.

Columbus is ranked the 19th most populous place in Indiana, out of 976 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). Columbus was ranked the 19th most populous place in the 2020 Census.

Columbus's White Population

37,253 residents of Columbus, or 71.9% of the population, identify as White. The share of White residents in Columbus is slightly lower than in Indiana overall, where 75.4% of the population is White. Columbus ranks 652nd statewide in terms of White residents as a share of the population, out of 976 places.

Since the 2020 Census, Columbus's White population has grown by an estimated 1.7%. White residents' share of Columbus's population has decreased from 72.6% to 71.9%.

Columbus is less White than neighboring Clifford (97.6% White), Taylorsville (74.8% White), Elizabethtown (83.6% White), Edinburgh (91.1% White), and Jonesville (94.6% White).

Columbus's Black Population

1,295 residents of Columbus, or 2.5% of the population, identify as Black. The share of Black residents in Columbus is lower than in Indiana overall, where 9.1% of the population is Black. Columbus ranks 90th statewide in terms of Black residents as a share of the population, out of 976 places.

Since the 2020 Census, Columbus's Black population has declined by an estimated 14.2%. Black residents' share of Columbus's population has decreased from 3.0% to 2.5%.

Columbus is more Black than neighboring Clifford (0.6% Black), Taylorsville (0% Black), Edinburgh (0.3% Black), and Jonesville (0% Black). Columbus is less Black than neighboring Elizabethtown (9.1% Black).

Columbus's Asian Population

5,956 residents of Columbus, or 11.5% of the population, identify as Asian. The share of Asian residents in Columbus is higher than in Indiana overall, where 2.6% of the population is Asian. Columbus ranks 4th statewide in terms of Asian residents as a share of the population, out of 976 places.

Since the 2020 Census, Columbus's Asian population has grown by an estimated 14.1%. Asian residents' share of Columbus's population has increased from 10.3% to 11.5%.

Columbus is more Asian than neighboring Clifford (0% Asian), Taylorsville (0% Asian), Elizabethtown (0% Asian), Edinburgh (0% Asian), and Jonesville (0% Asian).

Columbus's Hispanic Population

5,535 residents of Columbus, or 10.7% of the population, identify as Hispanic. The share of Hispanic residents in Columbus is slightly higher than in Indiana overall, where 8.6% of the population is Hispanic. Columbus ranks 69th statewide in terms of Hispanic residents as a share of the population, out of 976 places.

Since the 2020 Census, Columbus's Hispanic population has grown by an estimated 14.1%. Hispanic residents' share of Columbus's population has increased from 9.6% to 10.7%.

Columbus is more Hispanic than neighboring Clifford (1.8% Hispanic), Taylorsville (1% Hispanic), Elizabethtown (1.6% Hispanic), Edinburgh (5.4% Hispanic), and Jonesville (3.9% Hispanic).

Columbus's Native American/Other Population

259 residents of Columbus, 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 Columbus is comparable to the share in Indiana overall, where 0.5% of the population is Native American/Other. Columbus ranks 207th statewide in terms of Native American/Other residents as a share of the population, out of 976 places.

Since the 2020 Census, Columbus's Native American/Other population has declined by an estimated 15.4%. Native American/Other residents' share of Columbus's population has remained roughly unchanged at 0.5%.

Columbus is more Native American/Other than neighboring Clifford (0% Native American/Other), Taylorsville (0% Native American/Other), Elizabethtown (0% Native American/Other), Edinburgh (0% Native American/Other), and Jonesville (0% Native American/Other).

Columbus's Multiracial Population

1,526 residents of Columbus, or 2.9% of the population, identify as Multiracial. The share of Multiracial residents in Columbus is comparable to the share in Indiana overall, where 3.8% of the population is Multiracial. Columbus ranks 263rd statewide in terms of Multiracial residents as a share of the population, out of 976 places.

Since the 2020 Census, Columbus's Multiracial population has declined by an estimated 22.0%. Multiracial residents' share of Columbus's population has decreased from 3.9% to 2.9%.

Columbus is more Multiracial than neighboring Clifford (0% Multiracial), and Jonesville (1.6% Multiracial). Columbus is less Multiracial than neighboring Taylorsville (24.3% Multiracial), Elizabethtown (5.6% Multiracial), and Edinburgh (3.1% 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.