Census ACS · #221 MSA
Columbia Metro Area
The Columbia, Mo Metropolitan Statistical Area has 212,850 residents. The median household income is $69,463 and the median home value is $242,500.
212,850
Population
124
People / sq mi
$69,463
Median Income
$242,500
Median Home Value
The Columbia CBSA covers 1,714 sq mi of land at 124.2 people per square mile.
Race & Ethnicity
| White | 79.2% |
| Black or African American | 9.0% |
| Asian | 0.0% |
| Hispanic or Latino (any race) | 1.2% |
Economy & Income
$69,463
Median Household Income
$37,799
Per Capita Income
7.7%
Poverty Rate
2.5%
Unemployment
Cost of Living
The Columbia metro's price level is 89.4 on the BEA Regional Price Parity index (US average = 100), meaning prices are 10.6% lower the US average. The local median income of $69,463 has the buying power of $77,666 in average-priced US metros.
89.4
Price Level (US = 100)
$77,666
COL-Adjusted Median Income
$69,463
Nominal Median Income
Housing
$242,500
Median Home Value
$1,041
Median Rent
60.5%
Homeownership
Education
94.0%
High School+
47.5%
Bachelor's+
Commute
0.8%
Drive Alone
8.9%
Work From Home
19.7 min
Avg Commute
28.5%
Foreign Born
Columbia spans this state
Nearby metros
Largest cities in Missouri
Largest counties in Missouri
Part of Missouri
Other metros
Metro areas in Missouri
Metro rankings
Frequently Asked Questions
The Columbia, Mo Metropolitan Statistical Area has a population of 212,850 according to Census ACS 5-Year estimates, making it the #221 largest CBSA in the US.
The median household income in the Columbia metro area is $69,463, with a per capita income of $37,799.
The Columbia, Mo CBSA spans the state of Missouri.
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More from Missouri
Data for the Columbia, Mo CBSA (17860) from the American Community Survey 5-Year estimates. Core-Based Statistical Areas combine cities, suburbs, and surrounding counties tied together by commuting patterns.
Educational attainment is the headline number in Columbia: 47.5% of adults 25 and older have a four-year degree. Columbia is a metro area in MO with a population of 212,850.
Median household income is $69,463, below the US median of $78,538. Poverty runs at 7.7%, below the national 12.4%. Homes carry a median value of $242,500, with typical rent around $1,041.
Columbia is among the best-educated US metro areas: 47.5% of adults 25 and older hold a bachelor’s degree, above the national 35.0%.
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.
Source: U.S. Census Bureau ACS, 2026.