Columbus, MS Demographics

A map of Columbus's Population by Race

Columbus, Mississippi has an estimated population of 23,348, a decrease from the 24,084 recorded in the 2020 Census. The population is 64.4% Black, 29.7% White, 2.0% Hispanic, 2.0% Multiracial, 1.6% Asian, and 0.4% 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 is about as racially diverse as it was in the 2020 Census. It is considerably less diverse than Mississippi 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 49.7% in 2020 and 49.7% in the most recent ACS estimates.

Columbus is ranked the 18th most populous place in Mississippi, out of 427 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 18th most populous place in the 2020 Census.

Columbus's White Population

6,927 residents of Columbus, or 29.7% of the population, identify as White. The share of White residents in Columbus is significantly lower than in Mississippi overall, where 55.2% of the population is White. Columbus ranks 295th statewide in terms of White residents as a share of the population, out of 427 places.

Since the 2020 Census, Columbus's White population has declined by an estimated 7.1%. White residents' share of Columbus's population has decreased from 31.0% to 29.7%.

Columbus is more White than neighboring Macedonia (6.8% White). Columbus is less White than neighboring New Hope (67.8% White), Columbus AFB (73.2% White), Caledonia (70.1% White), and Ethelsville (90.2% White).

Columbus's Black Population

15,029 residents of Columbus, or 64.4% of the population, identify as Black. The share of Black residents in Columbus is significantly higher than in Mississippi overall, where 36.3% of the population is Black. Columbus ranks 121st statewide in terms of Black residents as a share of the population, out of 427 places.

Since the 2020 Census, Columbus's Black population has declined by an estimated 2.1%. Black residents' share of Columbus's population has increased from 63.7% to 64.4%.

Columbus is more Black than neighboring New Hope (25.8% Black), Columbus AFB (0.4% Black), Caledonia (2.3% Black), and Ethelsville (9.8% Black). Columbus is less Black than neighboring Macedonia (93.2% Black).

Columbus's Asian Population

374 residents of Columbus, or 1.6% of the population, identify as Asian. The share of Asian residents in Columbus is comparable to the share in Mississippi overall, where 1% of the population is Asian. Columbus ranks 57th statewide in terms of Asian residents as a share of the population, out of 427 places.

Since the 2020 Census, Columbus's Asian population has grown by an estimated 49.6%. Asian residents' share of Columbus's population has increased from 1.0% to 1.6%.

Columbus is more Asian than neighboring New Hope (0.1% Asian), Caledonia (0.1% Asian), Macedonia (0% Asian), and Ethelsville (0% Asian). Columbus is less Asian than neighboring Columbus AFB (3.8% Asian).

Columbus's Hispanic Population

470 residents of Columbus, or 2.0% of the population, identify as Hispanic. The share of Hispanic residents in Columbus is comparable to the share in Mississippi overall, where 3.7% of the population is Hispanic. Columbus ranks 220th statewide in terms of Hispanic residents as a share of the population, out of 427 places.

Since the 2020 Census, Columbus's Hispanic population has grown by an estimated 2.6%. Hispanic residents' share of Columbus's population has remained roughly unchanged at 2.0%.

Columbus is more Hispanic than neighboring Macedonia (0% Hispanic), and Ethelsville (0% Hispanic). Columbus is less Hispanic than neighboring New Hope (2.2% Hispanic), Columbus AFB (12.6% Hispanic), and Caledonia (11% Hispanic).

Columbus's Native American/Other Population

84 residents of Columbus, or 0.4% 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 Mississippi overall, where 0.8% of the population is Native American/Other. Columbus ranks 210th statewide in terms of Native American/Other residents as a share of the population, out of 427 places.

Since the 2020 Census, Columbus's Native American/Other population has declined by an estimated 5.6%. Native American/Other residents' share of Columbus's population has remained roughly unchanged at 0.4%.

Columbus is more Native American/Other than neighboring New Hope (0% Native American/Other), Macedonia (0% Native American/Other), and Ethelsville (0% Native American/Other). Columbus is less Native American/Other than neighboring Columbus AFB (3.9% Native American/Other), and Caledonia (12.7% Native American/Other).

Columbus's Multiracial Population

464 residents of Columbus, or 2.0% of the population, identify as Multiracial. The share of Multiracial residents in Columbus is comparable to the share in Mississippi overall, where 3% of the population is Multiracial. Columbus ranks 275th statewide in terms of Multiracial residents as a share of the population, out of 427 places.

Since the 2020 Census, Columbus's Multiracial population has declined by an estimated 3.7%. Multiracial residents' share of Columbus's population has remained roughly unchanged at 2.0%.

Columbus is more Multiracial than neighboring Macedonia (0% Multiracial), and Ethelsville (0% Multiracial). Columbus is less Multiracial than neighboring New Hope (4.1% Multiracial), Columbus AFB (6.2% Multiracial), and Caledonia (3.9% 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.