Community Profile

     Columbia's population, which numbers 867 persons, is predominately Black (51.6%).  White residents make up 40.4% of the population with Hispanic at 7.9%.  About 0.5% of the town's residents are Asian (predominately Vietnamese).

     The overall population is fairly young in age.  Those below the age of 35 number 44.4% of town residents.  Only 18.9% of the population is over the age of 65.  The population, however, is aging as demonstrated by the increase of those aged 35-54 during the decade of the '90's. 

     High school graduates make up over 30% of the town's population and almost 12% have some college credits.  Those with at least a bachelor's degree total 6.4%

     Columbia's housing occupancy rate is 83.4% and the median age of structures  is 51 years.  Homes in Columbia compare favorably to state averages in terms of size or rooms per unit, but the percentages of homes lacking complete infrastructure is substantially higher than the state overall.

     Columbia and Tyrrell County fall into the lowest percentile of North Carolina towns and counties in terms of work force, education and income, housing and poverty.  Columbia's median income of $20,588 is only 53% of the state average income of $39,184.  The largest employment sector among Columbia residents is arts, entertainment, recreation and accommodations at 23.7% of the employed workforce.  Many residents commute to the Outer Banks to find employment in the tourist industry.  Overall approximately 60% rely on work outside the county.

     Three of the county's top ten employers are within the Town of Columbia: Tyrrell County Schools, Tyrrell County Government,  and Capt. Neill's Seafood.