Columbus serves as Ohio’s capital city and ranks as the most populous municipality in the state.
Rapid population increases, steady economic activity, and a wide range of resident backgrounds shape daily life across the city.
Current statistics covering population size, racial and ethnic composition, households, income, housing, education, employment, and transportation rely on data reported during 2024 and 2025.
What is the Current Population Overview?
Columbus continues to record steady population increases supported by long-term urban growth and strong regional employment conditions.
Total population reached 906,480 residents during 2023, with Census estimates placing the count at 933,263 by July 2024.
Growth patterns show consistency across multiple measurement periods, reinforcing the city’s status as one of the fastest-growing large cities in the Midwest.
Recent expansion reflects both natural population change and ongoing in-migration tied to housing development and job availability.
- 0.447% increase between 2022 and 2023
- Annual growth rate near 0.5%
- Approximately 3.0% population growth between 2020 and 2024
Read more: Supreme Court in Columbus upholds outdoor sleeping bans.
@geography_joe Examining Ohio’s population map! #Ohio is the 7th most populous of the #USA’s 50 states, with a population of 11.78 million people, which is more than 110 countries (like Cuba 🇨🇺, Sweden 🇸🇪, the UAE 🇦🇪, Czechia 🇨🇿, etc) and this is because we’re a very developed state with so many unique, culturally/historically distinct cities within it. We’re not dominated by a Chicago or Detroit, rather we have 3 cities (#Cleveland, #Columbus, and #Cincinnati) that all can legitimately lay claim to largest in Ohio depending on your definition. Ohio historically was a massive transportation and manufacturing hub, with nearly infinite freshwater, supporting these industries alongside some of the best agricultural land on the planet. What state should I cover next? #geography #midwest #population #populationdensity #maps #maps #education #greenscreen ♬ original sound – geography_joe
Gender composition remains stable and balanced across the city.
Male residents represent 49.2% of the population, totaling 445,564 individuals.
Female residents account for 50.8%, totaling 460,916 individuals. Balanced gender ratios support stability across workforce participation, household formation, and long-term population sustainability.
Age structure reveals a younger population profile compared to national averages.
Median age measures 33 years, supporting strong labor force participation and long-term economic activity.
Population distribution shows a strong concentration within working-age groups while maintaining a substantial youth population that contributes to future growth.
- Under 15 years at 18.8%
- Ages 15 to 24 at 14.8%
- Ages 25 to 44 at 34.1%
- Ages 45 to 64 at 21.4%
- Ages 65 and older at 11%
Residential density reflects urban development patterns and land use efficiency.
Population density measures approximately 4,116.3 residents per square mile based on 2020 figures.
The total land area covers about 220.04 square miles, allowing for continued residential expansion while maintaining moderate density levels across neighborhoods.
Racial and Ethnic Composition
Population composition reflects a broad range of racial and ethnic backgrounds that shape community structure, housing demand, and cultural life across the city.
White residents who are not Hispanic account for roughly 51.7 to 53.3% of the population.
Black or African American residents represent approximately 28.8 to 29.0%.
Asian residents account for about 5.76 to 5.8%, while individuals identifying with two or more races represent around 8.2%.
- Hispanic or Latino residents of any race at about 7.9%
- Other racial categories primarily reported within Hispanic classifications at roughly 2.92%
- American Indian and Alaska Native residents at approximately 0.3%
Citizenship status reflects a predominantly citizen-based population. United States citizens represent 92.3% of residents.
U.S.-born citizens account for 84.2%, while naturalized citizens represent 8.1%.
Non-citizens make up about 7.7% of the population, supporting workforce participation across multiple industries.
Language use within households indicates multilingual presence across the city.
Approximately 18.4% of residents speak a language other than English at home, contributing to varied communication needs across education, healthcare, and public services.
Household and Housing Statistics
Household structure shows a near-even split between family and non-family living arrangements. The total households number 386,581.
The average household size measures 2.29 persons, commonly rounded to two persons per household.
Family households represent 51.8%, while non-family households account for 48.2%, reflecting a mix of traditional families, single residents, and shared living arrangements.
Housing tenure trends show a renter-majority market. Owner-occupied housing represents 44.3% of occupied units, while renter-occupied housing accounts for 55.7%.
Elevated renter share aligns with younger population characteristics and workforce mobility.
Housing supply continues to expand to meet demand.
- Detached single-family homes are at about 45%
- Attached housing, such as duplexes and townhomes, at 10%
- Mobile homes at approximately 0.8%
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Vacancy rate measures about 8.0%, indicating active turnover within the housing market.
Median property value stands at $234,500, positioning Columbus below many peer metropolitan areas while remaining attractive to both buyers and investors.
- Monthly housing costs show variation by tenure type
- Median monthly housing costs across all households at $1,243
- Gross rent averaging $1,224
- Mortgage holders reporting median monthly costs of $1,553
Education and Workforce
Educational attainment supports a skilled labor pool across multiple sectors.
Adults aged 25 and older show high completion rates at secondary and postsecondary levels. High school graduation or higher applies to 89.8% of residents.
Bachelor’s degrees or higher apply to 38.2%. Associate degrees account for 6.6%, while graduate or professional degrees represent about 12.2%.
Labor force participation remains strong among working-age residents.
Participation rate among individuals aged 16 and older measures 70.5%.
Female labor force participation reaches 66.9%, supporting household income stability and economic output.
Employment distribution favors professional and service-based roles.
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- White-collar employment at 80.1%
- Blue-collar employment at 19.9%
Employer types reflect a balanced economic base. Private companies employ approximately 69.8% of workers.
Government positions account for 14%. Nonprofit organizations represent 9.4%, while self-employed workers make up 6.7% of the workforce.
The veteran population contributes to the local labor market and community life. Veteran residents total 35,989 based on data collected between 2019 and 2023.
Income and Poverty
Household income levels continue to rise alongside economic growth. Median household income measures $65,327, reflecting a year-over-year increase of about 3.7%.
Average household income reaches $85,919, influenced by higher-earning professional households.
- Under age 25 at $38,318
- Ages 25 to 44 at $75,119
- Ages 45 to 64 at $81,640
- Ages 65 and older at $49,081
Renter households face tighter affordability conditions. Median renter household income measures $48,564. Rent-to-income ratio stands at 30.2%, exceeding the commonly recommended affordability threshold.
Poverty levels remain a challenge for a portion of the population. Poverty rate measures 17.8%, while 82.2% of residents live above the poverty level.
Transportation and Commute
Commute patterns show relatively short travel times compared to many large metropolitan areas.
Average commute time is around 22 minutes, supporting work-life balance and labor market accessibility.
- Personal vehicles are used by 77.6% of workers
- Walking accounts for 2.6%
- The remaining share relies on biking, public transit, and other methods
Vehicle ownership remains high across households. Average household reports ownership of two vehicles, supporting mobility across the metropolitan area.
The Bottom Line
Columbus continues to experience steady population growth supported by a young age profile and balanced gender distribution.
Income levels show upward movement, although housing affordability challenges persist among renter households.
Educational attainment supports a workforce dominated by professional and service-oriented roles.
Short commute times and expanding housing stock point toward continued urban growth and ongoing economic opportunity.
References
- Census – Columbus city, Ohio
- Point2Homes – Columbus, OH demographics
- DataUsa – Columbus, OH
- Sofi – What Is the Average Salary by Age in Ohio in 2024?
- Dispatch – See how long the average commute is in Columbus