Columbus County Demographics

A map of Columbus County's Population by Race

Columbus County, North Carolina had a population of 50,623 in 2020. It was 59.3% White, 28.6% Black, 0.3% Asian, 5.2% Hispanic, 3.6% Native American/Other, and 3.0% Multiracial. This map presents the population of Columbus County, with one dot drawn for each person counted in the 2020 Census, color-coded by race.

Columbus County is the 51st most populous county of the 100 counties in North Carolina.

Columbus County's White Population

30,019 residents of Columbus County identify as White, or 59.3%. This makes the White share of the population of Columbus County roughly similar to the White share of the population of North Carolina (60.5% White). Of the 100 counties in North Carolina, Columbus County is ranked #65 in terms of White residents as a share of the population.

Columbus County is more White than neighboring Bladen County (53.5% White), Robeson County (25% White), and Marion County (38% White). Columbus County is less White than neighboring Horry County (75.7% White), and Brunswick County (81% White).

Columbus County's Black Population

14,503 residents of Columbus County identify as Black, or 28.6%. This makes the Black share of the population of Columbus County slightly larger than the Black share of the population of North Carolina (20.2% Black). Of the 100 counties in North Carolina, Columbus County is ranked #31 in terms of Black residents as a share of the population.

Columbus County is more Black than neighboring Horry County (11.2% Black), Brunswick County (8.3% Black), and Robeson County (22.5% Black). Columbus County is less Black than neighboring Bladen County (32.1% Black), and Marion County (56% Black).

Columbus County's Asian Population

156 residents of Columbus County identify as Asian, or 0.3%. This makes the Asian share of the population of Columbus County roughly similar to the Asian share of the population of North Carolina (3.3% Asian). Of the 100 counties in North Carolina, Columbus County is ranked #88 in terms of Asian residents as a share of the population.

Columbus County is more Asian than neighboring Bladen County (0.2% Asian). Columbus County is less Asian than neighboring Horry County (1.3% Asian), Brunswick County (0.7% Asian), Robeson County (0.8% Asian), and Marion County (0.4% Asian).

Columbus County's Hispanic Population

2,613 residents of Columbus County identify as Hispanic, or 5.2%. This makes the Hispanic share of the population of Columbus County slightly less than the Hispanic share of the population of North Carolina (10.7% Hispanic). Of the 100 counties in North Carolina, Columbus County is ranked #70 in terms of Hispanic residents as a share of the population.

Columbus County is more Hispanic than neighboring Marion County (2.4% Hispanic). Columbus County is less Hispanic than neighboring Bladen County (8.6% Hispanic), Horry County (6.9% Hispanic), Brunswick County (5.4% Hispanic), and Robeson County (10.1% Hispanic).

Columbus County's Native American/Other Population

1,823 residents of Columbus County identify as American Indian/Alaska Native/Native Hawaiian/Pacific Islander/Other, or 3.6%. This makes the Native American/Other share of the population of Columbus County roughly similar to the Native American/Other share of the population of North Carolina (1.5% Native American/Other). Of the 100 counties in North Carolina, Columbus County is ranked #8 in terms of Native American/Other residents as a share of the population.

Columbus County is more Native American/Other than neighboring Bladen County (2.6% Native American/Other), Horry County (0.8% Native American/Other), Brunswick County (0.9% Native American/Other), and Marion County (0.5% Native American/Other). Columbus County is less Native American/Other than neighboring Robeson County (37.8% Native American/Other).

Columbus County's Multiracial Population

1,509 residents of Columbus County identify as Multiracial, or 3.0%. This makes the Multiracial share of the population of Columbus County roughly similar to the Multiracial share of the population of North Carolina (3.9% Multiracial). Of the 100 counties in North Carolina, Columbus County is ranked #78 in terms of Multiracial residents as a share of the population.

Columbus County is more Multiracial than neighboring Marion County (2.7% Multiracial). Columbus County is less Multiracial than neighboring Horry County (4% Multiracial), Brunswick County (3.7% Multiracial), and Robeson County (3.9% Multiracial).

Source: 2020 Census State Redistricting Data and Census TIGER/Line Shapefiles.