Columbus, Mississippi

Columbus is a city located in Lowndes County, Mississippi. As of the 2000 census, the city had a total population of 25,944. It is the county seat of Lowndes County ⁶.

Table of contents

1 Geography
2 Demographics
3 Education

Geography

Columbus is located at 33°30'6" North, 88°24'54" West (33.501750, -88.415128)¹.

According to the United States Census Bureau, the city has a total area of 57.8 km² (22.3 mi²). 55.5 km² (21.4 mi²) of it is land and 2.3 km² (0.9 mi²) of it is water. The total area is 4.03% water.

As of the census of 2000, there are 25,944 people, 10,062 households, and 6,419 families residing in the city. The population density is 467.6/km² (1,211.5/mi²). There are 11,112 housing units at an average density of 200.3/km² (518.9/mi²). The racial makeup of the city is 43.62% White, 54.41% African American, 0.10% Native American, 0.56% Asian, 0.01% Pacific Islander, 0.51% from other races, and 0.79% from two or more races. 1.13% of the population are Hispanic or Latino of any race.

There are 10,062 households out of which 29.8% have children under the age of 18 living with them, 38.0% are married couples living together, 21.7% have a female householder with no husband present, and 36.2% are non-families. 31.3% of all households are made up of individuals and 12.2% have someone living alone who is 65 years of age or older. The average household size is 2.42 and the average family size is 3.07.

In the city the population is spread out with 26.0% under the age of 18, 12.0% from 18 to 24, 26.6% from 25 to 44, 19.8% from 45 to 64, and 15.5% who are 65 years of age or older. The median age is 34 years. For every 100 females there are 82.6 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there are 75.3 males.

The median income for a household in the city is $27,393, and the median income for a family is $32,596. Males have a median income of $30,773 versus $20,182 for females. The per capita income for the city is $16,848. 25.7% of the population and 21.0% of families are below the poverty line. Out of the total people living in poverty, 40.9% are under the age of 18 and 14.9% are 65 or older.

Education

Columbus is home to a state university, the Mississippi University for Women. The MUW campus is also home to the Mississippi School for Mathematics and Science, a state-funded school for academically gifted high school juniors and seniors.