Columbia, Maryland Income Statistics
Columbia 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.
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A+
Columbia Top grade
Source: Map AI Methodology
Income Statistics Overview
| Metric | Columbia | Maryland Avg | US Average |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Household Income | $131,934 | $103,916 | $80,455 |
| Median Personal Income | $94,566 | $75,715 | $60,758 |
| Average Yearly Income Growth | 3.0% | 4.0% | 4.8% |
| Six-Figure Earners | 29.7% | 20.7% | 13.9% |
| $200k+ Households | 27.4% | 20.3% | 13.2% |
The median household income in Columbia is about 27% higher than in Maryland. Income has been growing slower in Columbia (3.0%/yr) than in Maryland (4.0%/yr).
About 30% of adults in Columbia earn six figures ($100,000 or more) a year, higher than the Maryland average of 21%.
Median Household Income 2009–2024 Trend
Median Household Income Over Time
Median household income in Columbia, Maryland grew by 42.3% from 2009 to 2024, reaching $131,934 in 2024. That's an average of about 3.0% per year.
Income Inequality and the Gender Pay Gap in Columbia
| Metric | Columbia | Maryland Avg | US Average |
|---|---|---|---|
| Gini Coefficient | 0.499 | 0.534 | 0.552 |
| Male Median Income | $107,682 | $84,327 | $69,667 |
| Female Median Income | $88,593 | $72,201 | $56,850 |
| Gender Pay Gap | 17.7% | 14.4% | 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 Columbia, it is 0.499, lower than Maryland's 0.534, so income is more evenly distributed here than there, and lower than the US's 0.552, so income is more evenly distributed here than there.
Men's income is about 22% more than women's income in Columbia, Maryland. Over a 35-year career, a 22% wage gap accumulates to roughly $668,115 in unearned income for female workers in the area.
Income by Sex Over Time
Since 2009, the income gap between men and women in Columbia, Maryland has narrowed from about 24% to 18% in 2024. Over that period the gap was narrowest at 15% in 2021. In dollar terms, the gap has widened by $285 since 2009.
Employment
| Metric | Columbia | Maryland Avg | US Average |
|---|---|---|---|
| Unemployment Rate | 4.1% | 4.8% | 5.2% |
| Working from Home | 24.7% | 19.3% | 15.0% |
| Commute time (minutes) | 23 | 28 | 22 |
Approximately 2,478 people are unemployed in Columbia, Maryland.
The average commute time in Columbia is 23 minutes, shorter than the 28 minutes in Maryland.
Unemployment Rate Over Time
Since 2011, the unemployment rate in Columbia, Maryland has fallen from 6.1% to 4.1% in 2024. Over that period the rate peaked at 6.9% in 2013 and fell as low as 3.6% in 2021.
Columbia, MD Wealth Compared With Nearby Cities
How Columbia, MD compares with the 2 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. |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Columbia, MD | 105,363 | $131,934 #2/3 | 3.0%/yr #3/3 | 4.1% #3/3 | 0.499 #1/3 |
| North Laurel, MD | 23,968 | $118,897 | 3.3%/yr | 2.7% | 0.517 |
| Ellicott City, MD | 66,776 | $156,960 | 3.5%/yr | 3.2% | 0.522 |
Conclusion
Considering all these factors, Columbia, Maryland has an overall wealth index grade of A+, making it somewhat better than Maryland, and far better than the country as a whole.
Frequently Asked Questions
Common questions about income and wealth in Columbia, Maryland.
How Rich Is Columbia, Maryland?
Columbia has a wealth index grade of A+. The wealth index grades areas from A+ (best) to F- by combining income levels, employment rates, and income inequality; an A+ grade means it is one of the most prosperous areas in the country. The median household income is $131,934, about 27% higher than the Maryland average of $103,916.
Are incomes growing in Columbia, Maryland?
Between 2009 and 2024, the median household income in Columbia, Maryland rose 42%, from $92,703 to $131,934. Over the same years, income here lagged behind Maryland as a whole: +42% against +49%.
What was the median household income in Columbia in 2023?
In 2023, the median household income in Columbia, Maryland was $130,153, up 4% from $125,091 in 2022. The Maryland median that year was $101,974.
What was the median household income in Columbia in 2020?
In 2020, the median household income in Columbia, Maryland was $112,855. By 2024 it had risen 17% to $131,934.
Do many residents of Columbia, Maryland earn over $100,000?
Yes. 30% of adults in Columbia, Maryland earn $100,000 or more a year (about 1 in 3), against 21% (about 1 in 5) in Maryland. 27% of households have a combined income of $200,000 or more, compared with 20% in Maryland.
What is the Gini coefficient in Columbia, Maryland?
The Gini coefficient in Columbia is 0.499. It measures income inequality on a scale from 0 (everyone earns the same) to 1 (one household earns everything). That is lower than the US average of 0.552, so income is distributed more equally than in the country overall.
How has the income gap between men and women changed in Columbia, Maryland?
Since 2009, the income gap between men and women in Columbia, Maryland has narrowed from about 24% to 18% in 2024. Over that period the gap was narrowest at 15% in 2021. In dollar terms, the gap has widened by $285 since 2009.
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