Wealth Index
The wealth index reflects the overall economic prosperity and financial well-being of a county's residents based on income levels, employment rates, and income inequality metrics.
Income Statistics Overview
| Metric | Columbus | Georgia Avg | US Average |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Household Income | $56,333 | $74,683 | $78,145 |
| Median Personal Income | $48,842 | $57,099 | $61,726 |
| Average income growth | 4.0% | 5.5% | 5.1% |
| Six-Figure Earners | 8.3% | 11.7% | 13.2% |
The median household income in Columbus is about 25% lower than in Georgia. Income has been growing slower in Columbus (4.0%/yr) than in Georgia (5.5%/yr).
About 8% of adults in Columbus earn six figures ($100,000 or more) a year, lower than the Georgia average of 12%.
Median Household Income 2009–2023 Trend
Median Household Income Over Time
Median household income in Columbus, Georgia grew by 38.8% from 2009 to 2023, reaching $56,333 in 2023. That's an average of about 4.0% per year.
Economic Inequality in Columbus | Gender Pay Gap | Gini Coefficient
| Metric | Columbus | Georgia Avg | US Average |
|---|---|---|---|
| Gini Coefficient | 0.586 | 0.578 | 0.570 |
| Male Median Income | $55,057 | $62,912 | $67,746 |
| Female Median Income | $44,062 | $50,950 | $54,793 |
| Gender Pay Gap | 20.0% | 19.0% | 19.1% |
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 0.586, higher than Georgia's 0.578, so income is less evenly distributed here than there, and higher than the US's 0.570, so income is less evenly distributed here than there.
Men's income is about 25% more than women's income in Columbus, Georgia. Over a 35-year career, a 25% wage gap accumulates to roughly $384,825 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 20% in 2023. In dollar terms, the gap has widened by $5,291 since 2009.
Employment
| Metric | Columbus | Georgia Avg | US Average |
|---|---|---|---|
| Unemployment Rate | 6.0% | 5.1% | 5.2% |
| Working from Home | 9.4% | 14.2% | 13.4% |
| Commute time (minutes) | 17 | 23 | 22 |
Approximately 5,773 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 6.0% in 2023.
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 $56,333, about 25% lower than the Georgia average of $74,683.
What is the current median household income in Columbus, Georgia?
As of 2023, the median household income in Columbus, Georgia is $56,333.
What was the median household income in Columbus in 2023?
In 2023, the median household income in Columbus, Georgia was $56,333.
What was the median household income in Columbus in 2020?
In 2020, the median household income in Columbus, Georgia was $47,463.
What is the Gini coefficient in Columbus, Georgia?
The Gini coefficient in Columbus is 0.586. 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 0.570, 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 20% in 2023. In dollar terms, the gap has widened by $5,291 since 2009.