Columbus, NC Demographics

A map of Columbus's Population by Race

Race	2024 Pop	2020 Pop	2024 %	2020 %
White	764	842	71.3%	79.4%
Hispanic	179	131	16.7%	12.4%
Black	67	20	6.3%	1.9%
Multiracial	48	57	4.5%	5.4%
Native American/Other	13	7	1.2%	0.7%
Asian	0	3	0.0%	0.3%

Columbus, North Carolina has an estimated population of 1,071, a slight increase from the 1,060 recorded in the 2020 Census. The population is 71.3% White, 16.7% Hispanic, 6.3% Black, 4.5% Multiracial, 1.2% Native American/Other, and 0.0% Asian. 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 considerably more racially diverse since the 2020 Census. It is considerably 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, that probability was 35.0% in 2020 and 45.7% in the most recent ACS estimates.

Columbus is ranked the 444th most populous place in North Carolina, out of 776 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 437th most populous place in the 2020 Census.

Columbus's White Population

764 residents of Columbus, or 71.3% of the population, identify as White. The share of White residents in Columbus is considerably higher than in North Carolina overall, where 60% of the population is White. Columbus ranks 272nd statewide in terms of White residents as a share of the population, out of 776 places.

Since the 2020 Census, Columbus's White population has declined by an estimated 9.3%. White residents' share of Columbus's population has decreased from 79.4% to 71.3%.

Columbus is less White than neighboring Tryon (77.2% White), Landrum (87.1% White), Campobello (90.5% White), Saluda (88.7% White), and Lake Lure (84.4% White).

Columbus's Black Population

67 residents of Columbus, or 6.3% of the population, identify as Black. The share of Black residents in Columbus is considerably lower than in North Carolina overall, where 20% of the population is Black. Columbus ranks 629th statewide in terms of Black residents as a share of the population, out of 776 places.

Since the 2020 Census, Columbus's Black population has grown by an estimated 235.0%. Black residents' share of Columbus's population has increased from 1.9% to 6.3%.

Columbus is more Black than neighboring Landrum (4.5% Black), Campobello (0.8% Black), Saluda (0% Black), and Lake Lure (1% Black). Columbus is less Black than neighboring Tryon (9.5% Black).

Columbus's Asian Population

0 residents of Columbus, or 0.0% of the population, identify as Asian. The share of Asian residents in Columbus is slightly lower than in North Carolina overall, where 3.3% of the population is Asian. Columbus ranks 557th statewide in terms of Asian residents as a share of the population, out of 776 places.

Since the 2020 Census, Columbus's Asian population has declined by an estimated 100.0%. Asian residents' share of Columbus's population has remained roughly unchanged at 0.0%.

Columbus is less Asian than neighboring Tryon (5.9% Asian), Campobello (0.6% Asian), and Saluda (1.2% Asian).

Columbus's Hispanic Population

179 residents of Columbus, or 16.7% of the population, identify as Hispanic. The share of Hispanic residents in Columbus is higher than in North Carolina overall, where 11.3% of the population is Hispanic. Columbus ranks 159th statewide in terms of Hispanic residents as a share of the population, out of 776 places.

Since the 2020 Census, Columbus's Hispanic population has grown by an estimated 36.6%. Hispanic residents' share of Columbus's population has increased from 12.4% to 16.7%.

Columbus is more Hispanic than neighboring Tryon (2.9% Hispanic), Landrum (8.1% Hispanic), Campobello (5.2% Hispanic), Saluda (1.5% Hispanic), and Lake Lure (7.1% Hispanic).

Columbus's Native American/Other Population

13 residents of Columbus, or 1.2% 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 North Carolina overall, where 1.4% of the population is Native American/Other. Columbus ranks 460th statewide in terms of Native American/Other residents as a share of the population, out of 776 places.

Since the 2020 Census, Columbus's Native American/Other population has grown by an estimated 85.7%. Native American/Other residents' share of Columbus's population has increased from 0.7% to 1.2%.

Columbus is more Native American/Other than neighboring Tryon (0.3% Native American/Other), Landrum (0% Native American/Other), Campobello (0.5% Native American/Other), Saluda (0.4% Native American/Other), and Lake Lure (0.9% Native American/Other).

Columbus's Multiracial Population

48 residents of Columbus, or 4.5% of the population, identify as Multiracial. The share of Multiracial residents in Columbus is comparable to the share in North Carolina overall, where 4.1% of the population is Multiracial. Columbus ranks 108th statewide in terms of Multiracial residents as a share of the population, out of 776 places.

Since the 2020 Census, Columbus's Multiracial population has declined by an estimated 15.8%. Multiracial residents' share of Columbus's population has decreased from 5.4% to 4.5%.

Columbus is more Multiracial than neighboring Tryon (4.2% Multiracial), Landrum (0.4% Multiracial), and Campobello (2.4% Multiracial). Columbus is less Multiracial than neighboring Saluda (8.2% Multiracial), and Lake Lure (6.5% 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.