Columbus, Georgia Income Statistics
Columbus Wealth Score
The wealth index reflects the overall economic prosperity and financial well-being of an area's residents based on income levels, employment rates, and income inequality metrics.
-
D
Columbus Well below average
Source: Map AI Methodology
Income Statistics Overview
| Metric | Columbus | Georgia Avg | US Average |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Household Income | $58,110 | $77,523 | $80,455 |
| Median Personal Income | $48,901 | $55,999 | $60,758 |
| Average Yearly Income Growth | 3.9% | 5.3% | 4.8% |
| Six-Figure Earners | 8.6% | 12.4% | 13.9% |
| $200k+ Households | 6.6% | 11.9% | 13.2% |
The median household income in Columbus is about 25% lower than in Georgia. Income has been growing slower in Columbus (3.9%/yr) than in Georgia (5.3%/yr).
About 9% of adults in Columbus earn six figures ($100,000 or more) a year, lower than the Georgia average of 12%.
Median Household Income 2009–2024 Trend
Median Household Income Over Time
Median household income in Columbus, Georgia grew by 43.2% from 2009 to 2024, reaching $58,110 in 2024. That's an average of about 3.9% per year.
Income Inequality and the Gender Pay Gap in Columbus
| Metric | Columbus | Georgia Avg | US Average |
|---|---|---|---|
| Gini Coefficient | 0.560 | 0.561 | 0.552 |
| Male Median Income | $55,027 | $65,087 | $69,667 |
| Female Median Income | $45,275 | $53,213 | $56,850 |
| Gender Pay Gap | 17.7% | 18.2% | 18.4% |
The Gini coefficient measures how evenly income is shared between richer and poorer households, from 0 (everyone earns the same) to 1 (one household earns nearly everything). The lower the number, the more equally income is distributed. In Columbus, it is 0.560, about the same as Georgia's 0.561, so income here is about as evenly distributed as there, and higher than the US's 0.552, so income is less evenly distributed here than there.
Men's income is about 22% more than women's income in Columbus, Georgia. Over a 35-year career, a 22% wage gap accumulates to roughly $341,320 in unearned income for female workers in the area.
Income by Sex Over Time
Since 2009, the income gap between men and women in Columbus, Georgia has widened from about 15% to 18% in 2024. Over that period the gap was widest at 28% in 2019. In dollar terms, the gap has widened by $4,049 since 2009.
Sharply against the trend: the pay gap in Columbus widened by 2.9 points while Georgia's narrowed by 2.7 points.
Employment
| Metric | Columbus | Georgia Avg | US Average |
|---|---|---|---|
| Unemployment Rate | 5.8% | 5.1% | 5.2% |
| Working from Home | 12.1% | 15.9% | 15.0% |
| Commute time (minutes) | 17 | 23 | 22 |
Approximately 5,603 people are unemployed in Columbus, Georgia.
The average commute time in Columbus is 17 minutes, shorter than the 23 minutes in Georgia.
Unemployment Rate Over Time
Since 2011, the unemployment rate in Columbus, Georgia has fallen from 9.3% to 5.8% in 2024. Over that period the rate peaked at 10.6% in 2013.
Columbus, GA Wealth Compared With Nearby Cities
How Columbus, GA compares with the 1 cities closest to it.
| Area | Population | Median household income | Income growthAverage yearly change in median household income since 2016. Each year is measured in its own dollars, so this is growth before inflation. | Unemployment | Income inequalityGini coefficient: 0 would mean every household earns the same, 1 that a single household earns everything. The lower the number, the more equally income is shared here. |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Columbus, GA | 203,480 | $58,110 #1/2 | 3.9%/yr #1/2 | 5.8% #2/2 | 0.560 #1/2 |
| Phenix City, AL | 31,007 | $46,299 | 2.7%/yr | 4.8% | 0.572 |
Conclusion
Considering all these factors, Columbus, Georgia has an overall wealth index grade of D, making it somewhat worse than Georgia, and somewhat worse than the country as a whole.
Frequently Asked Questions
Common questions about income and wealth in Columbus, Georgia.
How Rich Is Columbus, Georgia?
Columbus has a wealth index grade of D. The wealth index grades areas from A+ (best) to F- by combining income levels, employment rates, and income inequality; a D grade means residents are somewhat worse off than the U.S. average. The median household income is $58,110, about 25% lower than the Georgia average of $77,523.
How fast is household income rising in Columbus, Georgia?
Between 2009 and 2024, the median household income in Columbus, Georgia rose 43%, from $40,584 to $58,110. Over the same years, income here lagged behind Georgia as a whole: +43% against +57%.
What was the median household income in Columbus in 2023?
In 2023, the median household income in Columbus, Georgia was $56,329, up 3% from $54,574 in 2022. The Georgia median that year was $74,682.
What was the median household income in Columbus in 2020?
In 2020, the median household income in Columbus, Georgia was $47,461. By 2024 it had risen 22% to $58,110.
What is the Gini coefficient in Columbus, Georgia?
The Gini coefficient in Columbus is 0.560. It measures income inequality on a scale from 0 (everyone earns the same) to 1 (one household earns everything). That is higher than the US average of 0.552, so income is distributed less equally than in the country overall.
How has the income gap between men and women changed in Columbus, Georgia?
Since 2009, the income gap between men and women in Columbus, Georgia has widened from about 15% to 18% in 2024. Over that period the gap was widest at 28% in 2019. In dollar terms, the gap has widened by $4,049 since 2009.
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