Population
50,487
2025
+0.0% since 2020
Source: U.S. Census Bureau, Population Estimates Program (Vintage 2025), 2025. Resident population, July 1 estimate.
Columbus County, NC growth snapshot
Columbus County had an estimated 50,487 residents in 2025, up 0.0% (0 more people) since 2020. That is slower than North Carolina as a whole (+7.2%), and the 122nd fastest growth of 146 counties in the Carolinas.
Data as of 2025 · updated
Headline numbers
Net domestic migration
+270
2025
5.3 per 1,000 residents
+786 in total, 2021–2025
Source: U.S. Census Bureau, Population Estimates Program (Vintage 2025), 2025. People moving in from other U.S. counties minus people moving out.
Jobs
14,316
2025
−4.2% since 2020
Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Quarterly Census of Employment and Wages, 2025. Average annual employment covered by unemployment insurance.
Average weekly wage
$943
2025
+27.8% since 2020
Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Quarterly Census of Employment and Wages, 2025. Average weekly wage, all covered jobs.
Unemployment rate
4.3%
2025
−0.9 pts since 2019
Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Local Area Unemployment Statistics, 2025. Annual average unemployment rate.
New homes permitted
55
2025
+175.0% since 2021
1.1 per 1,000 residents
Source: U.S. Census Bureau, Building Permits Survey, 2025. Housing units authorized by building permits in the year.
Median household income
$49,442
2020–24
+28.5% since 2016–20
Source: U.S. Census Bureau, American Community Survey 5-year estimates, 2020–24. American Community Survey 5-year estimate.
Private-sector employment
11,658
2023
+1.5% since 2018
Source: U.S. Census Bureau, County Business Patterns, 2023. Paid employees of private employers in mid-March (County Business Patterns).
What the numbers say
Net domestic migration added 270 people in 2025: more people moved in from other U.S. counties than moved out.
Employers counted 14,316 jobs in 2025, −4.2% since 2020 (136th of 146 Carolinas counties for job growth); the average weekly wage was $943.
Unemployment averaged 4.3% in 2025, 0.9 points lower than in 2019 (before the pandemic).
Builders were authorized to start 55 new homes in 2025, or 1.1 per 1,000 residents.
Median household income was $49,442 in the 2020–24 American Community Survey, +28.5% since 2016–20.
Across the 3,107 U.S. counties with a comparable estimate, its population growth ranks 1,867th.
Columbus County population by year
| Year | Population | Change |
|---|---|---|
| 2025 | 50,487 | +186 |
| 2024 | 50,301 | +52 |
| 2023 | 50,249 | +212 |
| 2022 | 50,037 | +16 |
| 2021 | 50,021 | −466 |
| 2020 | 50,487 | – |
Census Bureau population estimates, July 1 of each year.
What drove the change in Columbus County
Columbus County grew by 0 people since 2020; the largest part came from domestic migration (+786).
| Component | 2025 | 2020–25 | Share |
|---|---|---|---|
| Natural changebirths minus deaths | −211 | −1,166 | |
| International migrationfrom and to other countries | +126 | +364 | |
| Domestic migrationfrom and to other U.S. counties | +270 | +786 | |
| Census adjustmentbalancing residual | +1 | +16 | |
| Total change | +186 | +0 |
Census Bureau population estimates, components of change, each year July 1 to June 30. The components add up to the change in the estimate; the Census adjustment is the small balancing figure the Bureau publishes.
How it ranks
| Measure | In North Carolina | Among U.S. counties |
|---|---|---|
| Population growth | 88th of 100 | 1,867th of 3,107 |
| Net domestic migration per 1,000 residents | 59th of 100 | 1,015th of 3,108 |
| Private-sector job growth | 75th of 100 | 1,660th of 3,092 |
| Median household income | 87th of 100 | 2,770th of 3,107 |
| Average weekly wage | 70th of 100 | – |
| Lowest unemployment rate | 73rd of 100 | 1,932nd of 3,108 |
| New homes permitted per 1,000 residents | 95th of 100 | 2,041st of 3,005 |
1st = highest (lowest for unemployment). Counties are ranked only against others with a figure for the same period.
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Neighbouring counties
Over 2020–25, Columbus County's population change (+0.0%) was ahead of 1 of its 6 neighbouring counties and behind 5.
3 of its 6 neighbouring counties had a higher median household income than Columbus County's $49,442 (2020–24).
| County | Population2025 | Population change2020–25 | Net domestic migration per 1,000 residents2025 | Homes permitted per 1,000 residents2025 | Median household income2020–24 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Columbus County, NC This county | 50,487 | +0.0% | 5.3 | 1.1 | $49,442 |
| Brunswick County, NC | 174,702 | +26.5% | 49.1 | 25.5 | $77,024 |
| Bladen County, NC | 30,007 | +1.3% | 1.2 | 3.2 | $42,422 |
| Horry County, SC | 427,551 | +20.9% | 33.3 | 15.2 | $66,880 |
| Robeson County, NC | 119,941 | +3.4% | −1.4 | 3.3 | $41,978 |
| Pender County, NC | 72,111 | +19.0% | 26.1 | 11.6 | $80,396 |
| Dillon County, SC | 27,458 | −2.9% | −1.1 | 1.5 | $46,605 |
Census Bureau population estimates and building permits, American Community Survey 5-year income. Rates per 1,000 residents. – means no figure, or a base too small for a change or rate (it would swing on a few people). A figure from another period shows its year and is left out of the comparison.
All 100 North Carolina counties · All Carolinas counties and metros
Questions
What is the population of Columbus County?
About 50,487 people, according to the U.S. Census Bureau's population estimate for July 1, 2025.
Is Columbus County growing?
Its population was about flat between 2020 and 2025 (+0.0%; Census Bureau population estimates). North Carolina as a whole changed +7.2% over the same years. That ranks 122nd of 146 Carolinas counties for population growth.
How many people moved to Columbus County?
On net, about 270 people in 2025: that many more moved in from other U.S. counties than moved out (Census Bureau net domestic migration estimate).
How many jobs are in Columbus County?
Employers there reported 14,316 jobs covered by unemployment insurance in 2025, −4.2% since 2020 (BLS Quarterly Census of Employment and Wages). The average weekly wage was $943 in 2025.
What is the unemployment rate in Columbus County?
It averaged 4.3% in 2025 (BLS Local Area Unemployment Statistics, annual average).
How many new homes are being built in Columbus County?
Building permits authorized 55 new housing units in 2025, 1.1 per 1,000 residents (Census Bureau Building Permits Survey). Permits count homes authorized, not finished.
What is the median household income in Columbus County?
$49,442 in the 2020–24 American Community Survey 5-year estimates.
How does Columbus County compare with other North Carolina counties?
Among North Carolina counties it ranks 88th of 100 for population growth; 59th of 100 for net domestic migration per 1,000 residents; 75th of 100 for private-sector job growth; 87th of 100 for median household income. Nationally it ranks 1,867th of 3,107 counties for population growth.
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Sources and method
- U.S. Census Bureau, Population Estimates Program (Vintage 2025)
- U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Quarterly Census of Employment and Wages
- U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Local Area Unemployment Statistics
- U.S. Census Bureau, Building Permits Survey
- U.S. Census Bureau, American Community Survey 5-year estimates
- U.S. Census Bureau, County Business Patterns
Each number shows its own period. Changes compare the latest period with five years earlier (or the earliest period available). Beacon CRE last refreshed these figures on 2026-11-05. Figures come from public federal statistics and are informational only, not investment advice. Check the source before relying on a number. Methodology: how we compute every number. More on every layer: data sources and licences.