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Columbus, KS
City in Cherokee County, Kansas.
Population
2,881
Land area
2.4sq mi
People per sq mi
1,184
ZIP codes
0
Columbus and its ZIP codes
Columbus at a glance
- Columbus is about 33 times as dense as Kansas as a whole.
- By population, it ranks 92nd among 721 cities and towns in Kansas.
- The median household income is $37,961, 49% below the Kansas median of $74,275.
- A typical owner-occupied home is valued at $94,100 (57% below Kansas) and median rent is $774 a month.
Local data for Columbus, KS
Counts from official public data
Housing and community stats
Columbus, KS, American Community Survey 2020-2024
Median household income
$37,961
Poverty rate
21.3%
Median home value
$94,100
Median rent
$774/mo
Homeownership
67.0%
Bachelor's or higher
24.2%
Median age
38.5
Average commute
17.4 min
Largest reported origins and ancestries: German Americans (443), Irish Americans (395), Italian Americans (164).
Economy and federal money
Jobs, pay, income and spending are for Cherokee County. PPP loans are for Columbus.
Unemployment rate
3.8%
Sep 2026, +0.2 pts in a year
Average annual pay
$60,831
5,968 jobs, 2025
Income per person
$55,679
BEA, 2024
Federal spending
$151M
FY 2026, $7,789 per person
How people get to work
Columbus, KS, workers 16 and older. American Community Survey 5-year estimates
- Drove alone87.1%
- Carpooled10.9%
- Public transit0.0%
- Walked0.3%
- Bicycle0.0%
- Taxi, ride-hailing, motorcycle or other0.0%
- Worked from home1.6%
Average one-way commute: 17.4 minutes for people who do not work from home.
Environment and hazard risk
Columbus, KS, from FEMA, NOAA and EPA
Natural hazard risk
Relatively Low
Top: drought
Storm events since 1996
767
Countywide, mostly thunderstorm wind
Flood insurance policies
38
0.4% of homes, county
July high / Jan low
90° / 23°F
46.0 inches of rain a year
Hazards, floods and storm historyCheck a flood zone1 historic places
Health statistics
Share of adults in Columbus, KS, CDC PLACES estimates
Obesity
43.0%
U.S. 33.3% +9.7 pts
Diabetes
12.9%
U.S. 12.1% +0.8 pts
Smoking
18.1%
U.S. 12.8% +5.3 pts
Uninsured (18-64)
9.4%
U.S. 11.1% -1.7 pts
Cities near Columbus
| Name | Distance | Land area (sq mi) |
|---|---|---|
| CrestlineCensus-designated place | 7.2 mi | 1.8 |
| ScammonCity | 7.2 mi | 0.6 |
| RoselandCity | 7.2 mi | 0.7 |
| HallowellCensus-designated place | 9.1 mi | 0.9 |
| West MineralCity | 9.3 mi | 0.3 |
| WeirCity | 9.9 mi | 1.1 |
| RivertonCensus-designated place | 10 mi | 2.2 |
| LowellCensus-designated place | 11 mi | 0.3 |
| CherokeeCity | 12 mi | 0.7 |
| Baxter SpringsCity | 12 mi | 3.1 |
| GalenaCity | 13 mi | 4.6 |
| Waco, MOCity | 14 mi | 0.3 |
| Asbury, MOCity | 15 mi | 0.4 |
| Quapaw, OKTown | 15 mi | 0.8 |
| ChicopeeCensus-designated place | 15 mi | 3.2 |
| OswegoCity | 15 mi | 2.4 |
Frequently asked questions
- What county is Columbus, KS in?
- Columbus is in Cherokee County, Kansas.
- What is the population of Columbus, KS?
- About 2,881 people live in Columbus, based on American Community Survey 5-year estimates.
- What cities are near Columbus?
- Nearby places include Crestline (7.2 mi), Scammon (7.2 mi), Roseland (7.2 mi), Hallowell (9.1 mi), West Mineral (9.3 mi).
Source: U.S. Census Bureau (TIGER/Line boundaries, American Community Survey) · Data as of 12/31/2023