Originally part of Northumberland County, Columbia County came into existence in March 1813. But its origins call back to Joseph Hopkinson’s song, “Hail Columbia,” first sung at the Chestnut Street Theatre in Philadelphia on April 25, 1798. Coal mining operations began in the mid-nineteenth century and continued until the 1960s.
Explore county attractions like the Benton Rodeo, gain more insight into Columbia County’s history, or learn more about the area with the Columbia Montour Visitors Bureau.
As of 2026 the population of Columbia County is 65,381. The population is expected to shrink to 65,356 by 2031 - a growth rate of -0.01%.
The median age of Columbia County residents is 42.
The diversity index of Columbia County is 25.8, meaning that there is a 26% chance that any two people selected out of 100 residents will be of different race or ethnicity from one another.
The average household income in Columbia County is $87,843 and projected to be $101,201 in 2031. Per capita income is $36,286, projected to be $42,086 in 2031. 3% of households – 1,964 – have an income of $200,000 or higher. Average net worth is $870,610 and the average disposable income is $68,605.
There are 30,237 housing units in Columbia County; 18,694 are owner-occupied, 8,117 are rented, and 3,426 are vacant. The average home value is $278,730, with 1,676 homes built in 2010 or later, and 7,278 built in 1939 or earlier.
There are 2,354 businesses in Columbia County, employing 23,089 workers and pulling from a labor force of 30,315 age 16 and above. 8,515 workers commute into Columbia County from outside the county or state. Key industries for the area include:
21,539 residents both live and work in/around Columbia County. The average travel time is 21.7 minutes. 5.61% people have a commute of less than 5 minutes while 2.07% commute 90 minutes or more each way. Of commuters, 22,940 drive alone, 2,170 carpool, and 28 take public transportation. 1,238 use other modes of transport such as motorcycle, bicycle, walking, etc. 3,914 residents work from home.
19,628 members of the workforce hold a high school diploma or GED. 3,950 have associates degrees, 7,640 have bachelor’s degrees, and 5,266 hold a graduate or professional degree.
Source: ESRI, 2026-08-31
