Columbia County, WA Population Statistics: Density Map Data
Analyze local population trends, population density map, housing costs, and the local economy.
Area Snapshot Statistics
Key statistics on population, economy, housing, and commuting compared to state and national averages. Explore interactive maps for deeper analysis.
Population: density and quick facts
| Metric | Columbia County | Washington Avg | U.S. Average |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 4,063 | 7,740,889 | 334,821,731 |
| Population density (per sq mi) | 4.7 | 108.5 | 85.8 |
| Population growth (%/yr) | 0.09% | 1.20% | 0.57% |
| Median age | 53.0 | 36.2 | 37.1 |
| Households | 1,892 | 3,012,519 | 128,459,983 |
Population in Columbia County grew by 0.3% from 2009 to 2023, reaching 3,996 in 2023.
Population Growth 2009–2023
Race & Ethnicity
Economy
Columbia County has a the economy index of C, which means it is somewhat prosperous.
| Metric | Columbia County | Washington Avg | U.S. Average |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median household income | $69,999 | $95,177 | $78,145 |
| Income growth (%/yr) | 7.76% | 6.00% | 5.07% |
| Unemployment rate | 3.4% | 4.9% | 5.2% |
The median household income in Columbia County is about 26% lower than in Washington.
Housing
| Metric | Columbia County | Washington Avg | U.S. Average |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median home price | $175,463 | $471,160 | $242,182 |
| Median rent | $943 | $1,681 | $1,342 |
| Homeownership rate | 77.9% | 63.9% | 65.1% |
The median home price in Columbia County is about 15.5 years' worth of rent — buying at the median price costs roughly as much as paying the median rent of $943 per month for that long.
Commute Time & Mobility
Commuters in Columbia County spend about 23 minutes on the road round trip each working day. Over a typical 250-day work year, that adds up to roughly 97 hours, about 4.0 full days, spent commuting.
| Metric | Columbia County | Washington Avg | U.S. Average |
|---|---|---|---|
| One-way commute (min) | 11.6 | 22.6 | 22.5 |
| Round-trip commute (min) | 23.3 | 45.2 | 44.9 |
| Yearly time spent (hours) | 97 | 188 | 187 |
| Estimated yearly cost | $3,006 | $5,842 | $5,803 |
| Work from home | 5.1% | 17.7% | 13.4% |
| Highway traffic (vehicles/day) | 1,321 | 10,119 | 8,813 |
| Local road traffic (vehicles/day) | 114 | 1,525 | 1,355 |
Fastest commutes among counties in
Washington:
Columbia County (11.6 min), Walla Walla County (12.0 min), San Juan County (12.7 min).
Slowest:
Mason County (32.4 min), Wahkiakum County (30.7 min), Snohomish County (28.7 min).
The average commute time in Columbia County is 12 minutes, shorter than the 23 minutes in Washington.
Estimated yearly cost applies a single national wage rule of thumb (U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics average hourly earnings), not a measurement of wages in this area. Traffic volume figures come from proprietary Ticon and TrafficZoom data.
Education & Households
Columbia County has a education index of C, which means it is somewhat educated.
| Metric | Columbia County | Washington Avg | U.S. Average |
|---|---|---|---|
| Bachelor's degree or higher | 24.5% | 35.1% | 31.6% |
| Average household size | 2.07 | 2.51 | 2.54 |
Highest education index among counties in
Washington:
King County (0.4), San Juan County (0.4), Jefferson County (0.4).
Lowest:
Adams County (0.2), Yakima County (0.2), Grant County (0.2).
Health
Columbia County has a health index of B, which means it is quite healthy.
| Metric | Columbia County | Washington Avg | U.S. Average |
|---|---|---|---|
| Life expectancy (years) | 79.0 | 79.6 | 78.3 |
| Self-rated poor health | 16.2% | 15.4% | 16.3% |
| Smokers | 16.3% | 16.4% | 19.0% |
Highest health index among counties in
Washington:
King County (0.8), Whitman County (0.8), San Juan County (0.8).
Lowest:
Adams County (0.8), Okanogan County (0.8), Pacific County (0.8).
Frequently Asked Questions
Common questions about Columbia County, Washington.
What is the population of Columbia County, Washington?
The population of Columbia County, Washington is 4,063, compared to the U.S. total of 334,821,731.
What is the population density of Columbia County, Washington?
The population density of Columbia County, Washington is 4.7 people per square mile, compared to the U.S. average of 85.8 people per square mile.
What is the median household income in Columbia County, Washington?
The median household income in Columbia County, Washington is $69,999, compared to the U.S. median of $78,145.
What is the median home price in Columbia County, Washington?
The median home price in Columbia County, Washington is $175,463, compared to the U.S. median of $242,182.
What is the unemployment rate in Columbia County, Washington?
The unemployment rate in Columbia County, Washington is 3.4%, compared to the U.S. average of 5.2%.