Columbus County, NC

County

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2021 Population

51,474

7.52% 1-year decline

US Senator

Thom Tillis

Republican Party

US Senator

Ted Budd

Republican Party

2021 Median Age

41.8

0.239% 1-year decrease

2021 Poverty Rate

21%

4.74% 1-year decrease

2021 Median Household Income

$40,562

5.39% 1-year growth

2021 Median Property Value

$102,300

7.91% 1-year growth

2021 Employed Population

19,108

5.55% 1-year decline

About

In 2021, Columbus County, NC had a population of 51.5k people with a median age of 41.8 and a median household income of $40,562. Between 2020 and 2021 the population of Columbus County, NC declined from 55,659 to 51,474, a −7.52% decrease and its median household income grew from $38,487 to $40,562, a 5.39% increase.

The 5 largest ethnic groups in Columbus County, NC are White (Non-Hispanic) (58.6%), Black or African American (Non-Hispanic) (29.1%), American Indian & Alaska Native (Non-Hispanic) (3.55%), Other (Hispanic) (2.59%), and White (Hispanic) (2.26%).

None of the households in Columbus County, NC reported speaking a non-English language at home as their primary shared language. This does not consider the potential multi-lingual nature of households, but only the primary self-reported language spoken by all members of the household.

97.8% of the residents in Columbus County, NC are U.S. citizens.

The largest universities in Columbus County, NC are Southeastern Community College (199722) (418 degrees awarded in 2021).

In 2021, the median property value in Columbus County, NC was $102,300, and the homeownership rate was 71.9%.

Most people in Columbus County, NC drove alone to work, and the average commute time was 28 minutes. The average car ownership in Columbus County, NC was 2 cars per household.

Columbus County, NC borders Bladen County, NC, Brunswick County, NC, Pender County, NC, Robeson County, NC, Dillon County, SC, and Horry County, SC.

United States North Carolina

Population & Diversity

Columbus County, NC is home to a population of 51.5k people, from which 97.8% are citizens. As of 2021, 3.1% of Columbus County, NC residents were born outside of the country (1.6k people).

In 2021, there were 2.01 times more White (Non-Hispanic) residents (30.2k people) in Columbus County, NC than any other race or ethnicity. There were 15k Black or African American (Non-Hispanic) and 1.83k American Indian & Alaska Native (Non-Hispanic) residents, the second and third most common ethnic groups.

Population & Diversity

Citizenship

97.8%

2021 Citizenship

98%

2020 Citizenship

As of 2021, 97.8% of Columbus County, NC residents were US citizens, which is higher than the national average of 93.4%. In 2020, the percentage of US citizens in Columbus County, NC was 98%, meaning that the rate of citizenship has been decreasing.

The following chart shows US citizenship percentages in Columbus County, NC compared to that of it's neighboring and parent geographies.

Diversity

Race and Ethnicity

The 3 largest ethnic groups in Columbus County, NC

White (Non-Hispanic)
30.2k ± 68
Black or African American (Non-Hispanic)
15k ± 392
American Indian & Alaska Native (Non-Hispanic)
1.83k ± 88

5.67%

Hispanic Population

2.92k people

5.67% of the people in Columbus County, NC are hispanic (2.92k people).

The following chart shows the 7 races represented in Columbus County, NC as a share of the total population.

Global Diversity

The PUMS dataset is not available at the County level, so we are showing data for North Carolina.

Most Common Origin

Mexico
219,250 ± 11,374 people
India
77,157 ± 6,794 people
Honduras
37,868 ± 4,769 people

In 2021, the most common birthplace for the foreign-born residents of North Carolina was Mexico, the natal country of 219,250 North Carolina residents, followed by India with 77,157 and Honduras with 37,868.

Foreign-Born Population

3.1%

2021 Foreign-Born Population

1.6k people

2.69%

2020 Foreign-Born Population

1.5k people

As of 2021, 3.1% of Columbus County, NC residents (1.6k people) were born outside of the United States, which is lower than the national average of 13.6%. In 2020, the percentage of foreign-born citizens in Columbus County, NC was 2.69%, meaning that the rate has been increasing.

The following chart shows the percentage of foreign-born residents in Columbus County, NC compared to that of it's neighboring and parent geographies.

Military

Veterans

Most Common Service Period

Vietnam
897 ± 233
Gulf War (2001-)
682 ± 220
Gulf War (1990s)
377 ± 142

Columbus County, NC has a large population of military personnel who served in Vietnam, 1.32 times greater than any other conflict.

Economy

The economy of Columbus County, NC employs 19.1k people. The largest industries in Columbus County, NC are Retail Trade (2,671 people), Health Care & Social Assistance (2,513 people), and Manufacturing (1,995 people), and the highest paying industries are Utilities ($85,185), Wholesale Trade ($54,464), and Transportation & Warehousing, & Utilities ($49,358).

Males in North Carolina have an average income that is 1.33 times higher than the average income of females, which is $52,490. The income inequality in North Carolina (measured using the Gini index) is 0.47, which is lower than than the national average.

Employment

Occupations

19.1k

2021 Value

± 1,117

−5.55%

1 Year decline

± 8.85%

From 2020 to 2021, employment in Columbus County, NC declined at a rate of −5.55%, from 20.2k employees to 19.1k employees.

The most common job groups, by number of people living in Columbus County, NC, are Sales & Related Occupations (2,044 people), Management Occupations (1,504 people), and Production Occupations (1,441 people). This chart illustrates the share breakdown of the primary jobs held by residents of Columbus County, NC.

Unemployment Insurance Claims

Data is only available at the state level. Showing data for false.

This chart shows weekly unemployment insurance claims in North Carolina (not-seasonally adjusted) compared with the four states with the most similar impact.

The most recent data point uses Advance State Claims data, which can be revised in subsequent weeks.

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Industries

Employment by Industries

19.1k

2021 Value

± 1,117

−5.55%

1 Year decline

± 8.85%

From 2020 to 2021, employment in Columbus County, NC declined at a rate of −5.55%, from 20.2k employees to 19.1k employees.

The most common employment sectors for those who live in Columbus County, NC, are Retail Trade (2,671 people), Health Care & Social Assistance (2,513 people), and Manufacturing (1,995 people). This chart shows the share breakdown of the primary industries for residents of Columbus County, NC, though some of these residents may live in Columbus County, NC and work somewhere else. Census data is tagged to a residential address, not a work address.

Median Earnings by Industry

$36,035

Median earning men ± $2,842

$30,197

Median earning women ± $2,070

The industries with the best median earnings for men in 2021 are Information ($100,386), Educational Services, & Health Care & Social Assistance ($61,126), and Transportation & Warehousing, & Utilities ($49,662).

The industries with the best median earnings for women in 2021 are Wholesale Trade ($75,714), Transportation & Warehousing, & Utilities ($46,750), and Public Administration ($40,652).

Employment by Industry Sector

Data is only available at the state level. Showing data for false.

Y-Axis

2.75%

Year-over-year growth

Employment change between February 2022 and February 2023

As of February 2023, there are 155M people employed in North Carolina. This represents a 2.75% increase in employment when compared to February 2022.

The following chart shows monthly employment numbers for each industry sector in North Carolina.

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Establishments by Size

The industries with the most establishments

503
Educational Services, Health Care & Social Assistance
255
Finance & Insurance, and Real Estate, Rental & Leasing
250
Retail Trade

The visualization shows the distribution of establishments by industry and by size according to the number of employees.

Payroll by Industry Sector

The industries with the highest total annual payroll

$344k
Manufacturing
$203k
Educational Services, Health Care & Social Assistance
$132k
Finance & Insurance, and Real Estate, Rental & Leasing

The chart shows the total annual payroll and the average annual payroll by industry.

Domestic Trade

Domestic Production & Consumption

Domestic production and consumption consists of products and services shipped from North Carolina to other states, or from other states to North Carolina.

Top Domestic Production in Dollars

In 2020, the top outbound North Carolina product (by dollars) was Mixed freight with $53.7B, followed by Pharmaceuticals ($49.7B) and Machinery ($44.5B).

The following chart shows the share of these products in relation to all outbound North Carolina products.

Domestic Trade Growth

Showing data for North Carolina.

$462B

2020 Value in North Carolina

$926B

Projected 2050 Value in North Carolina

100% growth

In 2020, total outbound North Carolina trade was $462B. This is expected to increase 100% to $926B by 2050.

The following chart shows how the domestic outbound North Carolina trade is projected to change in comparison to its neighboring states.

Interstate Trade

Interstate trade consists of products and services shipped from North Carolina to other states, or from other states to North Carolina.

Most Common Trade Partners

South Carolina
$32.8B
Virginia
$26.1B
Georgia
$18.1B

In 2020, the top outbound North Carolina domestic partner for goods and services (by dollars) was South Carolina with $32.8B, followed by Virginia with $26.1B and Georgia and $18.1B.

The following map shows the amount of trade that North Carolina shares with each state (excluding itself).

Civics

In the 2020 presidential election, the popular vote in Columbus County, NC went to Donald J. Trump with 63.6% of the vote. The runner-up was Joseph R Biden Jr. (35.7%), followed by Jo Jorgensen (0.333%).

Thom Tillis and Ted Budd are the senators currently representing the state of North Carolina. In the United States, senators are elected to 6-year terms with the terms for individual senators staggered.

North Carolina is currently represented by 14 members in the U.S. house, and members of the House of Representives are elected to 2-year terms.

Presidential Elections

Presidential Popular Vote Over Time

2020 Election Results

Donald J. Trump (63.6%)
Republican Party
Joseph R Biden Jr. (35.7%)
Democratic Party
Jo Jorgensen (0.333%)
Libertarian Party

The following chart shows the popular vote results in Columbus County, NC for each registered party from 1976 to 2020.

Senator Elections

US Senators from North Carolina

Senatorial voting results are only available at the state level. Showing data for North Carolina.

Thom Tillis

Senator from North Carolina

Assumed office on January 3, 2015

Ted Budd

Senator from North Carolina

Assumed office on January 3, 2023

Thom Tillis and Ted Budd are the senators currently representing North Carolina.

In the United States, senators are elected to 6-year terms with the terms for individual senators staggered.

The following chart shows elected senators in North Carolina over time, excluding special elections, colored by their political party.

US Representative Elections

US Representatives from North Carolina

North Carolina is currently represented by 14 members in the U.S. house.

Members of the House of Representives are elected to 2-year terms, and the following chart shows the how the members for North Carolina have changed over time starting in 2008.

Education

In 2021, universities in Columbus County, NC awarded 418 degrees. The student population of Columbus County, NC in 2021 is skewed towards women, with 362 male students and 717 female students.

Most students graduating from Universities in Columbus County, NC are White (296 and 71.2%), followed by Black or African American (51 and 12.3%), Two or More Races (20 and 4.81%), and American Indian or Alaska Native (20 and 4.81%).

The largest universities in Columbus County, NC by number of degrees awarded are Southeastern Community College (199722) (418 and 100%).

The most popular majors in Columbus County, NC are Liberal Arts & Sciences (144 and 34.4%), Registered Nursing (45 and 10.8%), and Medical Office Management (23 and 5.5%).

Admissions & Enrollments

Enrollments by Gender and Races

In 2021 there were 1,079 students enrolled in Columbus County, NC, 33.5% men and 66.5% women.

By race, the largest number of students enrolled was concentrated in White with 660 records, of which 65.9% were women and 34.1% men.

Completions

Concentrations

Most Common

Liberal Arts & Sciences
144 degrees awarded
Registered Nursing
45 degrees awarded
Electromechanical Technology
14 degrees awarded

In 2021, the most common concentation for Associates Degree recipients in Columbus County, NC was Liberal Arts & Sciences with 144 degrees awarded.

This visualization illustrates the percentage of students graduating with a Associates Degree from schools in Columbus County, NC according to their major.

Universities

Gender

Race

Southeastern Community College (199722)

Largest Universities by degrees awarded

418 degrees awarded

In 2021, the institution with the largest number of graduating students was Southeastern Community College (199722) with 418 degrees awarded.

Student Diversity

In 2021, 158 men were awarded degrees from institutions in Columbus County, NC, which is 0.608 times less than the 260 female students who received degrees in the same year.

In 2021 the most common race/ethnicity group awarded degrees at institutions was White students. These 296 degrees mean that there were 5.8 times more degrees awarded to White students then the next closest race/ethnicity group, Black or African American, with 51 degrees awarded.

Awarded Degrees over Time

The graph shows the evolution of awarded degrees by degrees. Under the paragraphs, the average number of awarded degrees by university in each degree is shown.

Tuition

Average Net Price by Sector

Public, 2-year ($2,432) is the sector with the highest median state tuition in 2021.

Public, 2-year ($168) is the sector with the highest median state fee in 2021.

Public, 2-year ($1,700) is the sector with the highest average net price of books and supplies.

The graph shows the average net price by sector and year.

Working Population

Educational Pyramid

Data is only available at the state level. Showing data for North Carolina.

Measure

In 2021, 0.886% of men over 25 years of age had not completed any academic degree (no schooling), while 0.756% of women were in the same situation.

This visualization shows the gender distribution of the population according to the academic level reached.

Educational Attainment

Data is only available at the state level. Showing data for North Carolina.

Race

The most common educational levels obtained by the working population in 2021 were High School or Equivalent (2.13M), Some college (1.85M), and Bachelors Degree (1.58M).

This visualization illustrates the percentage distribution of the population according to the highest educational level reached. You can filter the data by race by using the selector above.

Housing & Living

The median property value in Columbus County, NC was $102,300 in 2021, which is 0.418 times smaller than the national average of $244,900. Between 2020 and 2021 the median property value increased from $94,800 to $102,300, a 7.91% increase. The homeownership rate in Columbus County, NC is 71.9%, which is approximately the same as the national average of 64.6%.

People in Columbus County, NC have an average commute time of 28 minutes, and they drove alone to work. Car ownership in Columbus County, NC is approximately the same as the national average, with an average of 2 cars per household.

Median household income in Columbus County, NC is $40,562. In 2021, the tract with the highest Median Household Income in Columbus County, NC was Census Tract 9308 with a value of $62,500, followed by Census Tract 9303 and Census Tract 9304, with respective values of $56,875 and $53,592.

In 2022, 15.9% of the population was living with severe housing problems in Columbus County, NC. From 2014 to 2022, the indicator declined 1.56%.

Housing

Property

$102,300

Median Property Value 2021

±$8,049

$13,827

Median Property Taxes

±$849

The following chart display owner-occupied housing units distributed between a series of property tax buckets compared to the national averages for each bucket. In Columbus County, NC the largest share of households pay taxes in the < $800 range.

The chart underneath the paragraph shows the property taxes in Columbus County, NC compared to it's parent and neighbor geographies.

Rent vs Own

71.9%

Homeownership

2021

62.3%

Homeowners with Mortgage

2021

In 2021, 71.9% of the housing units in Columbus County, NC were occupied by their owner. This percentage declined from the previous year's rate of 72.1%.

This chart shows the percentage of owner in Columbus County, NC compared it's parent and neighboring geographies.

Equity

Income by Location

Use the dropdown to filter by race/ethnicity.

Race/Ethnicity

Highest Median Household Income (Total)

Census Tract 9308
Census Tract 9303
Census Tract 9304

In 2021, the tract with the highest Median Household Income (Total) in Columbus County, NC was Census Tract 9308 with a value of $62,500, followed by Census Tract 9303 and Census Tract 9304, with respective values of $56,875 and $53,592.

The following map shows all of the tracts in Columbus County, NC colored by their Median Household Income (Total).

Household Income

Please note that the buckets used in this visualization were not evenly distributed by ACS when publishing the data.

$40,562

Median Household Income

± $3,410

19.2k

Number of Households

± 1,041

In 2021, the median household income of the 19.2k households in Columbus County, NC grew to $40,562 from the previous year's value of $38,487.

The following chart displays the households in Columbus County, NC distributed between a series of income buckets compared to the national averages for each bucket. The largest share of households have an income in the < $10k range.

Wage Distribution

The closest comparable wage GINI for Columbus County, NC is from North Carolina.

0.47

2021 Wage GINI in North Carolina

0.47

2020 Wage GINI in North Carolina

In 2021, the income inequality in North Carolina was 0.47 according to the GINI calculation of the wage distribution. Income inequality had a 0.00774% growth from 2020 to 2021, which means that wage distribution grew somewhat less even. The GINI for North Carolina was lower than than the national average of 0.478. In other words, wages are distributed more evenly in North Carolina in comparison to the national average.

This chart shows the number of workers in North Carolina across various wage buckets compared to the national average.

Transportation

Commuter Transportation

Most Common Commute in 2021

Drove Alone (86.3%)
Carpooled (8.43%)
Worked At Home (3.71%)

In 2021, 86.3% of workers in Columbus County, NC drove alone to work, followed by those who carpooled to work (8.43%) and those who worked at home (3.71%).

The following chart shows the number of households using each mode of transportation over time, using a logarithmic scale on the y-axis to help better show variations in the smaller means of commuting.

Commute Time

28 minutes

Average Travel Time

Using averages, employees in Columbus County, NC have a longer commute time (28 minutes) than the normal US worker (26.8 minutes). Additionally, 2.14% of the workforce in Columbus County, NC have "super commutes" in excess of 90 minutes.

The chart below shows how the median household income in Columbus County, NC compares to that of it's neighboring and parent geographies.

Car Ownership

2 cars

Average Number

The following chart displays the households in Columbus County, NC distributed between a series of car ownership buckets compared to the national averages for each bucket. The largest share of households in Columbus County, NC have 2 cars.

Poverty

Severe Housing Problems

In 2022, 15.9% of the population was living with severe housing problems in Columbus County, NC. From 2014 to 2022, the indicator declined 1.56%.

The graph shows the trend of the percentage of the population living with severe housing problems.

Poverty & Diversity

21% of the population for whom poverty status is determined in Columbus County, NC (10.2k out of 48.7k people) live below the poverty line, a number that is higher than the national average of 12.6%. The largest demographic living in poverty are Females 25 - 34, followed by Males 55 - 64 and then Females 55 - 64.

The most common racial or ethnic group living below the poverty line in Columbus County, NC is White, followed by Black and Hispanic.

The Census Bureau uses a set of money income thresholds that vary by family size and composition to determine who classifies as impoverished. If a family's total income is less than the family's threshold than that family and every individual in it is considered to be living in poverty.

Children in Poverty

In 2022, 26.6% of the children was living in poverty in Columbus County, NC. From 2014 to 2022, the indicator declined 8.4%.

The graph shows the trend of the percentage of the children living in poverty.

Social Needs

Data only available at the state level.

Most prevalent states

California
35,798 individuals
New York
5,087 individuals
Florida
4,915 individuals

In 2017, California had the highest estimated number of chronically homeless individuals in the nation, at 35,798. New York has the second highest (5,087), followed by Florida (4,915).

The following map shows the estimated number of chronically homeless individuals by state over multiple years.

Security

Crimes & Accidents

Indicator

In 2022, the number of reported violent crimes offenses per 100,000 population was 388 in Columbus County, NC. From 2014 to 2022, the indicator declined 61.6 per 100,000 population.

The graph shows the trend in the number of reported violent crimes offenses per 100,000 population.

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Health

85.5% of the population of Columbus County, NC has health coverage, with 31.4% on employee plans, 24.1% on Medicaid, 16.3% on Medicare, 12.6% on non-group plans, and 1.1% on military or VA plans.

Primary care physicians in Columbus County, NC see 3084 patients per year on average, which represents a 5.29% increase from the previous year (2929 patients). Compare this to dentists who see 4212 patients per year, and mental health providers who see 693 patients per year.

By gender, of the total number of insured persons, 45.9% were men and 54.1% were women.

Coverage

Patient to Clinician Ratios

3,084 to 1

Patient to Primary Care Physician Ratio in Columbus County, NC

Primary care physicians in Columbus County, NC see an average of 3,084 patients per year. This represents a 5.29% increase from the previous year (2,929 patients).

The following chart shows how the number of patients seen by primary care physicians has been changing over time in Columbus County, NC in comparison to its neighboring geographies.

Health Care Diversity

In 2021, insured persons according to age ranges were distributed in 22.8% under 18 years, 18.5% between 18 and 34 years, 38.4% between 35 and 64 years, and 20.3% over 64 years.

By gender, of the total number of insured persons, 45.9% were men and 54.1% were women.

The following chart shows the number of people with health coverage by gender.

Uninsured People

14.5%

Uninsured

31.4%

Employer Coverage

24.1%

Medicaid

16.3%

Medicare

12.6%

Non-Group

1.1%

Military or VA

Between 2020 and 2021, the percent of uninsured citizens in Columbus County, NC grew by 7% from 13.6% to 14.5%.

The following chart shows how the percent of uninsured individuals in Columbus County, NC changed over time compared with the percent of individuals enrolled in various types of health insurance.

Health Indicators

Health Outcomes

Indicator

In 2022, the number of deaths among residents under age 18 per 100,000 population was 71.2 in Columbus County, NC.

The graphic shows the trend of the indicator in Columbus County, NC.

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Health Behaviors

Indicator

In 2022, the percentage of the adult population (age 18 and older) that reports a body mass index (BMI) greater than or equal to 30 kg/m2 (age-adjusted) was 38.2% in Columbus County, NC.

The graphic shows the trend of the indicator in Columbus County, NC.

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