The City of Columbia announced today the official results of a special census conducted within the city limits. As of September 16, 2024, the population of the city of Columbia was 48,885 and the housing unit count was 21,492, showing a population increase of 17.26 percent since the 2020 decennial census. This data provides a more current and detailed snapshot of the city’s population and housing landscape than previous estimates. The numbers represent “Official Census Statistics” according to Title 13 United States Code Section 196.
Many federal and state funding programs allocate money to cities based on their population. This includes funding for infrastructure projects (roads, bridges), healthcare, housing assistance, community development, and public safety. An accurate census count ensures Columbia receives its fair share of these crucial funds.
“This special census provides us with more funding and invaluable data that will be instrumental in shaping the future of Columbia,” remarked Mayor Chaz Molder. “Having these official figures allows us to better understand the growth and needs of our community, enabling us to make informed decisions about infrastructure, services, and future development. We are grateful for the participation of our residents in this important undertaking.”
City Manager Tony Massey noted, “Contracting with the U.S. Census Bureau to conduct this special census was a calculated risk. We were the only Tennessee municipality to do this. We saw the $928,000 that City Council authorized to fund the special census as an investment. The new population number represents a projected $6.4 million increase in state shared revenue to Columbia over the next five years. That’s a pretty good return on the public’s money. It’s good government”
Special census data includes total population and total housing unit counts by block for the special census area as well as a demographic profile that contains similar content as the 2020 Census demographic profiles.
This data will be made available to the public on the city’s website at www.ColumbiaTn.gov by May 1, 2025.
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