Columbia, MO Metro Area

Columbia, MO · Metro Area

215,014Population

A metropolitan statistical area of 3 counties (1 central, 2 outlying), part of the Columbia-Jefferson City-Moberly, MO combined area. The counties are tied together by commuting: people live in one and work in another.

Median household income: $72,340
Median home value: $258,700
Land area: 1,714 sq mi

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Counties in this metro area

Central counties hold the urban core; outlying counties are linked to it by commuting.

County	Role	Population	Median income	Median home value
Boone County, MO	Central	188,043	$72,758	$272,800
Cooper County, MO	Outlying	16,824	$70,625	$203,500
Howard County, MO	Outlying	10,147	$65,938	$159,400

Largest cities and towns

23 places in our city pages lie in this area.

Place	Type	Population	Median income
Columbia, MO	City	128,548	$66,498
Boonville, MO	City	7,689	$56,429
Ashland, MO	City	4,914	$93,143
Fayette, MO	City	2,801	$57,679
Hallsville, MO	City	1,927	$71,000
New Franklin, MO	City	1,170	$55,066
Glasgow, MO	City	1,118	$50,446
Sturgeon, MO	City	1,035	$76,250
Pilot Grove, MO	City	744	$73,977
Otterville, MO	City	489	$48,828
Armstrong, MO	City	416	$59,063
Windsor Place, MO	Village	405	$99,375
Harrisburg, MO	Town	312	$68,906
Bunceton, MO	City	256	$43,500
Prairie Home, MO	City	251	$53,750
Rocheport, MO	City	231	$57,083
Blackwater, MO	City	207	$66,389
Hartsburg, MO	Town	109	$46,250
Franklin, MO	City	66	$55,625
Pierpont, MO	Village	64	$88,750
Wooldridge, MO	Village	62	—
Huntsdale, MO	Town	11	—
McBaine, MO	Town	4	—

Also in the Columbia-Jefferson City-Moberly, MO combined area

Jefferson City, MO · metro · 150,437 Mexico, MO · micro · 24,548 Moberly, MO · micro · 24,365

Demographic Rates

Poverty Rate

16%

Unemployment

3.8%

College Educated

48%

Source: U.S. Census Bureau, ACS 5-Year Estimates (2020–2024) • Table S1701, S2301, S1501

Race & Ethnicity

Source: U.S. Census Bureau, ACS 5-Year Estimates (2020–2024) • Table B02001, B03003

Income Profile

Median Household Income

$72,340

Mean Household Income

$97,598

Income Distribution

Source: U.S. Census Bureau, ACS 5-Year Estimates (2020–2024) • Table S1901, S1902, S1903, B19013, B19113

Sex Distribution

Male

48.7%

Female

51.3%

Population Split

Male48.7%

Female51.3%

The sex distribution of a population provides insight into the demographic balance of a community. Significant skews in this ratio can be influenced by local industries (e.g., military bases, mining, or tech hubs), educational institutions, or migration patterns. Understanding this balance is essential for planning public health initiatives and social services.

Source: U.S. Census Bureau, ACS 5-Year Estimates (2020–2024) • Table S0101

Ancestry

German24.1%

English14.6%

Irish12.1%

Italian2.8%

Mexican2.7%

Scottish2.2%

French1.8%

Polish1.3%

African0.9%

Reported ancestry groups representing the cultural heritage of the population. Percentages may not sum to 100% as residents may report multiple ancestries or none.

Source: U.S. Census Bureau, ACS 5-Year Estimates (2020–2024) • Table B04006

Immigration & Nativity

Nativity Status

5.7%Foreign Born

94.3%Native Born

Citizenship Status

Naturalized49.8%

Non-Citizen50.2%

Period of Entry

2010 or Later49.7%

Before 201050.3%

Source: U.S. Census Bureau, ACS 5-Year Estimates (2020–2024) • Table B05001, B05002

Housing Characteristics

Total Housing Units

93,349

Median Rent

$1,070/mo

Median Home Value

$258,700

Median Year Built

1990

Housing Tenure

Housing Types

Source: U.S. Census Bureau, ACS 5-Year Estimates (2020–2024) • Table DP04

Education Enrollment

Total Enrolled

67,573

College Enrollment

39.1%

High School

14.5%

College Educated

48.0%

K-12 Enrollment

Higher Education

Source: U.S. Census Bureau, ACS 5-Year Estimates (2020–2024) • Table S1401, S1501

Transportation & Commute

Mean Commute Time

19.6 min

Drive Alone Rate

75.2%

Public Transit

0.8%

Work From Home

9.6%

Commute Mode

Vehicle Ownership

Source: U.S. Census Bureau, ACS 5-Year Estimates (2020–2024) • Table S0801, B08141

Age Distribution

Under 18

20.4%

18-34 Years

31.8%

35-64 Years

33.5%

65+ Years

14.3%

Population Composition

Under 1820.4%

18-3431.8%

35-6433.5%

65+14.3%

The age distribution of a community impacts local services, school requirements, and the labor market. A higher percentage of youth suggests a need for schools and family services, while a larger senior population may indicate a retirement destination or a need for healthcare services.

Source: U.S. Census Bureau, ACS 5-Year Estimates (2020–2024) • Table S0101

Household Composition

Married Couples

43.3%

Single Parent

5.8%

Living Alone

31.7%

Avg Size

2.35

Household Types

Married Couples43.3%

Single Parent5.8%

Living Alone31.7%

Household composition offers insights into the social fabric of a community. A high percentage of married couples often correlates with stability and higher household incomes, while a significant number of single-person households may indicate a younger transient population or an aging community.

Source: U.S. Census Bureau, ACS 5-Year Estimates (2020–2024) • Table S1101

Economic Profile

Per Capita Income

$39,658

SNAP Usage

6.7%

Health Insurance

93.8%

Household Income Breakdown

Under $25k16.6%

$25k - $50k18.4%

$50k - $100k30.2%

$100k+34.7%

Key Industries

Manufacturing

6.7%

Retail Trade

9.7%

Education & Health Care

34.8%

Source: U.S. Census Bureau, ACS 5-Year Estimates (2020–2024) • Table S1901, S2201, DP03

Health & Disability

Disability Rate

12.9%With Disability

Percentage of the civilian noninstitutionalized population with a disability.

Health Insurance Coverage

93.8%With Coverage

Percentage of the civilian noninstitutionalized population with health insurance coverage.

Why this matters: High disability rates may indicate a need for accessible infrastructure and specialized healthcare services. Health insurance coverage is a key indicator of a community's access to preventative care and financial resilience against medical emergencies.

Source: U.S. Census Bureau, ACS 5-Year Estimates (2020–2024) • Table S1810, S2701

Technology Access

Broadband Internet

90.8%vs ~90% National Avg

Computer Ownership

97.2%vs ~95% National Avg

Source: U.S. Census Bureau, ACS 5-Year Estimates (2020–2024) • Table S2801

Cost of Living & Housing

Cost of Living Scale

Lower is better

89.4

0130

Below average< 97

Near average97 - 103

Above average> 103

Prices compared with the US average (100). 105 means about 5% more expensive than average.

Housing Affordability

Higher is better

158.2

0200

Hard to Afford< 80

Moderate80 - 100

Affordable> 100

100 means a family earning the median family income just qualifies to buy the median-value home (20% down, 30-year loan at 6.72%).

Source: BEA Regional Price Parities · NAR affordability formula with Census ACS 2020–2024 incomes and home values and the Freddie Mac 30-year rate (2024)

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