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Columbia, KY
City in Adair County, Kentucky.
Population
4,808
Land area
4.9sq mi
People per sq mi
987
ZIP codes
0
Columbia and its ZIP codes
Columbia at a glance
- Columbia is about 8.6 times as dense as Kentucky as a whole.
- By population, it ranks 88th among 552 cities and towns in Kentucky.
- The median household income is $47,299, 26% below the Kentucky median of $63,726.
- A typical owner-occupied home is valued at $143,600 (30% below Kentucky) and median rent is $757 a month.
Local data for Columbia, KY
Counts from official public data
Housing and community stats
Columbia, KY, American Community Survey 2020-2024
Median household income
$47,299
Poverty rate
18.3%
Median home value
$143,600
Median rent
$757/mo
Homeownership
48.6%
Bachelor's or higher
25.3%
Median age
28.2
Average commute
15.3 min
Largest reported origins and ancestries: German Americans (368), Mexican Americans (249), Irish Americans (212).
Economy and federal money
Jobs, pay, income and spending are for Adair County. PPP loans are for Columbia.
Unemployment rate
4.4%
Sep 2026, -0.1 pts in a year
Average annual pay
$43,804
5,091 jobs, 2025
Income per person
$46,912
BEA, 2024
Federal spending
$121M
FY 2026, $6,386 per person
How people get to work
Columbia, KY, workers 16 and older. American Community Survey 5-year estimates
- Drove alone62.8%
- Carpooled15.3%
- Public transit0.0%
- Walked5.2%
- Bicycle0.0%
- Taxi, ride-hailing, motorcycle or other0.0%
- Worked from home16.8%
Average one-way commute: 15.3 minutes for people who do not work from home.
Environment and hazard risk
Columbia, KY, from FEMA, NOAA and EPA
Natural hazard risk
Very Low
Top: hail
Storm events since 1996
248
Countywide, mostly thunderstorm wind
Flood insurance policies
16
0.1% of homes, county
July high / Jan low
86° / 25°F
57.0 inches of rain a year
Hazards, floods and storm historyCheck a flood zone4 historic places
Crime in Columbia
Columbia Police Department, reported to the FBI for 2025
- Violent crime
- 86
- per 100,000 people · 40% of the KY rate
- Property crime
- 280
- per 100,000 people · 22% of the KY rate
Cities near Columbia
| Name | Distance | Land area (sq mi) |
|---|---|---|
| Russell SpringsCity | 12 mi | 4.7 |
| JamestownCity | 15 mi | 3.7 |
| GreensburgCity | 16 mi | 2 |
| CampbellsvilleCity | 16 mi | 7.6 |
| EdmontonCity | 20 mi | 3.8 |
| SummersvilleCensus-designated place | 21 mi | 2.9 |
| BurkesvilleCity | 22 mi | 2.6 |
| MarrowboneCensus-designated place | 22 mi | 1.3 |
| LibertyCity | 24 mi | 1.9 |
| Summer ShadeCensus-designated place | 28 mi | 2 |
| BradfordsvilleCity | 28 mi | 0.3 |
| AlbanyCity | 29 mi | 2.3 |
| HisevilleCensus-designated place | 29 mi | 0.7 |
| HardyvilleCensus-designated place | 30 mi | 0.6 |
| MonticelloCity | 30 mi | 6.1 |
Frequently asked questions
- What county is Columbia, KY in?
- Columbia is in Adair County, Kentucky.
- What is the population of Columbia, KY?
- About 4,808 people live in Columbia, based on American Community Survey 5-year estimates.
- What cities are near Columbia?
- Nearby places include Russell Springs (12 mi), Jamestown (15 mi), Greensburg (16 mi), Campbellsville (16 mi), Edmonton (20 mi).
Source: U.S. Census Bureau (TIGER/Line boundaries, American Community Survey) · Data as of 12/31/2023