What is the poverty rate in Columbus County, NC?
Updated May. 28, 2026Refreshed monthly
In 2020–2024, about 18.2% of the population lived under the poverty line. The poverty rate is the percentage of people in a population whose household income falls below the poverty threshold set by the government. It measures the share of individuals or families who do not earn enough to meet basic needs such as food, housing, and healthcare. On average, 8,700 people were considered in poverty.
18.2%
of the population (2020–2024)
8.71K
people living under the poverty line (2020–2024)
Based on data from the American Community Survey, Columbus County's poverty rate during 2015–2019 is lower than the 22.8% poverty rate during the previous five years.
In 2024, 18.2% of the population in Columbus County, NC were living under the poverty line.
Poverty rate
In 2020–2024, 8,700 residents of Columbus County were living under the poverty line, down 28% from 12,100 during the previous five years (2015–2019).
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In 2020–2024, about 8,700 people in Columbus County, NC were living under the poverty line.
People living under poverty line
Poverty doesn’t affect all groups equally. Rates vary widely by demographic group, family type and location.
From 2015–2019 to 2020–2024, the poverty rate for children under 18 in Columbus County decreased from 34.5% to 23.6%. During the same period, the poverty rate for adults under 65 years decreased from 21% to 17.8%. For those older than 65, the poverty rate decreased from 15.2% to 13.8%.
In Columbus County, NC, the poverty rate for children decreased from 34.5% in 2015–2019 to 23.6% in 2020–2024.
Poverty rate
Among racial or ethnic groups in Columbus County during 2020–2024, three had a higher poverty rate than the county’s overall rate: Asian, Black or African American, and Native Hawaiian and Other Pacific Islander.
Five groups had a lower than average poverty rate: American Indian and Alaska Native, Hispanic or Latino origin (of any race), Some other race, Two or more races, and White alone, not Hispanic or Latino.
The poverty rate for the Native Hawaiian and Other Pacific Islander population shifted the most, decreasing from 87.5% in 2015–2019 to 20.5% in 2020–2024.
In Columbus County, NC, the poverty rate for people identifying as Native Hawaiian and Other Pacific Islander population decreased from 87.5% in 2015–2019 to 20.5% in 2020–2024.
Poverty rate by race or ethnicity
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Methodology
USAFacts standardizes data, in areas such as time and demographics, to make it easier to understand and compare.
The analysis was generated with the help of AI and reviewed by USAFacts for accuracy.
Page sources
USAFacts endeavors to share the most up-to-date information available. We sourced the data on this page directly from government agencies; however, the intervals at which agencies publish updated data vary.
