Median Age
40 Years
Largest Age Group
20-29 Years
Approximately 14% of Residents
Under 20
23%
Over 65
21%
Area Guide
Avg Rent
$862
Population
21,980
Renter Mix
52% Rent
Nestled alongside the Tennessee-Tombigbee Waterway, Columbus is the hometown of the legendary playwright Tennessee Williams. Anchored in a rich history, Columbus touts a bevy of grand antebellum homes and a vibrant historic downtown. The Mississippi University for Women, the country’s first public college for women, is also located in Columbus.
Known as “the City that has it all,” Columbus offers residents access to an array of community festivals and events throughout the year in addition to numerous top-notch restaurants, specialty shops, and exceptional recreational opportunities at Columbus Propst Park, Lee Park, Lion Hills Center and Golf Club, and the Tennessee-Tombigbee Waterway. Convenience to the Columbus Air Force Base and U.S. 45 affords many residents easy commutes.
Median Household Income
$39,782
Average: $58,439
Education
4,536
Residents Have a Degree
Job Market
8,934
Workers Employed
Median Age
40 Years
Largest Age Group
20-29 Years
Approximately 14% of Residents
Under 20
23%
Over 65
21%
Housing Distribution
Columbus has more renters than homeowners.
Education Distribution
Review this city's overall education levels.
As of June 2026, the average apartment rent in Columbus, MS is $862 for one bedroom, $936 for two bedrooms, and $1,301 for three bedrooms. Apartment rent in Columbus has increased by 2.8% in the past year.
Explore how walkable, bikeable, drivable, and transit-friendly Columbus, MS is for everyday living.
Fairly Walkable
Walkability
Exceptionally Drivable
Drivability
Somewhat Bikeable
Bikeability
Public
Grades PK-5
236 Students
Sale Elementary International Studies Magnet School
Public
Grades PK-5
275 Students
Public
Grades PK-5
1,151 Students
Stokes Beard Elementary School
Public
Grades PK-5
365 Students
Public
Grades PK-5
234 Students
Public
Grades 6-8
613 Students
Public
Grades 6-12
246 Students
Public
Grades 6-8
667 Students
Public
Grades 6-8
632 Students
Public
Grades K-8
319 Students
Mississippi School for Math and Science
Public
Grades 9-12
231 Students
Public
Grades 9-12
807 Students
Public
Grades 6-12
246 Students
Public
Grades 9-12
898 Students
Public
Grades 9-12
The GreatSchools Rating helps parents compare schools within a state based on a variety of school quality indicators and provides a helpful picture of how effectively each school serves all of its students. Ratings are on a scale of 1 (below average) to 10 (above average) and can include test scores, college readiness, academic progress, advanced courses, equity, discipline and attendance data. We also advise parents to visit schools, consider other information on school performance and programs, and consider family needs as part of the school selection process.
View GreatSchools Rating Methodology
Data provided by
GreatSchools.org
© 2026. All rights reserved.
† Our analysis of utilities, groceries, transportation, healthcare, home prices, and other goods and services is sourced from the Cost of Living Index, a respected benchmark published by the Council for Community and Economic Research (C2ER) that provides a thorough overview of living expenses across different regions.
Rent data is provided by CoStar Group’s Market Trend reports. As the industry leader in commercial real estate information, analytics, and news, CoStar conducts extensive research to produce and maintain a comprehensive database of commercial real estate information. We combine this data with public record to provide the most up-to-date rental information available.
Consumer goods, services, and home prices are sourced from the Cost of Living Index published by the Council for Community and Economic Research (C2ER). The data on this page is updated quarterly. It was last published in June 2026.
Demographic information comes from Neustar and combines detailed address data with U.S. Census and American Community Survey statistics to produce reliable local estimates.