Columbia, Maryland Population 2026
Updated April 2026 · US Census ACS 2023 5-Year Estimates
The population of Columbia, Maryland is 105,871 as of the 2023 American Community Survey, making it the 2nd-largest city in Maryland. The median household income is $129,173, the median home value is $480,300, and the median age is 39.1.
105,871
Population
3315
People / sq mi
$129,173
Median Income
$480,300
Median Home Value
Get Columbia's next ACS population data
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Columbia covers 31.9 sq mi of land at 3315 people per square mile.
About Columbia, MD
Educational attainment is the headline number in Columbia: 63.5% of adults 25 and older have a four-year degree. With 105,871 residents, Columbia is a city in Maryland. It is the #2-largest of all cities in Maryland nationally.
Households take in a median $129,173, comfortably above the US median of $78,538. The poverty rate is 4.8%, below the national 12.4%. The median home value is $480,300, with typical rent around $1,998.
The population is unusually well-credentialed for US cities — 63.5% of adults have a four-year degree, above the national 35.0%. Remote work is on the higher side at 22.3%, above the national 14.0%, and the average commute runs about 29 minutes each way.
The education numbers are the throughline: a college-heavy population in Columbia usually coincides with higher incomes and a workforce concentrated in professional and information industries.
Race & Ethnicity
| White | 46.1% |
| Black or African American | 29.0% |
| Asian | 0.0% |
| Hispanic or Latino (any race) | 1.2% |
| Two or More Races | 0.0% |
Economy & Income
$129,173
Median Household Income
$62,614
Per Capita Income
4.8%
Poverty Rate
3.1%
Unemployment Rate
Housing
$480,300
Median Home Value
$1,998
Median Rent
64.9%
Owner-Occupied
Education
95.6%
High School+
63.5%
Bachelor's+
Commute
2.9%
Drive Alone
66.2%
Public Transit
22.3%
Work From Home
28.5 min
Avg Commute
Community Profile
40.1%
Foreign Born
76.0%
Non-English at Home
7.5%
Veterans
10.5%
With Disability
95.4%
Health Insurance
98.1%
Internet Access
Employment by Industry
| Professional, Scientific & Management | 28.4% |
| Finance, Insurance & Real Estate | 19.7% |
| Public Administration | 10.6% |
| Education, Health Care & Social Services | 7.7% |
| Information | 5.8% |
| Manufacturing | 4.7% |
| Arts, Entertainment & Food Services | 4.6% |
| Retail Trade | 3.6% |
| Construction | 3.1% |
| Transportation & Warehousing | 2.4% |
| Agriculture & Mining | 0.4% |
Largest cities in Maryland
Largest counties in Maryland
Part of Maryland
Metro areas in Maryland
City rankings
Frequently Asked Questions
Columbia, Maryland has a population of 105,871 according to the US Census Bureau's 2023 American Community Survey 5-year estimates, making it the 2nd-largest city in Maryland.
The median household income in Columbia, Maryland is $129,173, with 4.8% of residents living below the federal poverty level.
The median home value in Columbia, Maryland is $480,300, with median monthly rent at $1,998 and a homeownership rate of 64.9%.
The median age in Columbia, Maryland is 39.1 years. The population is 48.2% male and 51.8% female.
Where to stay in Columbia
Visiting or relocating to Columbia, MD? Compare hotels and short-term rentals across the metro — live availability and prices.
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Statewide data for Maryland
Population, race, income, age, and trends across Maryland
Data from the American Community Survey (ACS) 5-Year estimates.
Source: U.S. Census Bureau ACS, 2026.