The city’s population continued its steady decline in 2019 after Columbia fell below 6,000 in 2018 for the first time since the 1930s, according to census estimates.
The resident population dropped to 5,837 last year from 5,907 in 2018, a 1.2% decrease or 70 people. The population has dropped 11.3% since 2010, when the population was estimated at 6,582, a decrease of 745. The U.S. Census Bureau released the numbers May 21.
Columbia’s peak population was 7,773 in 1980, but it has been declining steadily ever since.
Out of the state’s incorporated cities and towns, 236 of them (79%) have lost population since 2010. This illustrates a trend of population decline in rural areas throughout Mississippi and the country. Last year 225 out of the 298 incorporated cities and towns (76%) had lost population since the 2010 census, meaning 11 more cities and towns have lost population in the past year.
Many of the growing cities and towns are either on the Coast or on the outskirts of larger cities. For example, Bay St. Louis’ population has risen 4,709 since 2010, Biloxi’s 1,939, D’Iberville’s 2,318 and Gulfport’s 3,801, trending back up toward pre-Hurricane Katrina levels. Biloxi’s population had dropped 13% from 2000 to 2010 and Gulfport’s 4.7%.
Bay St. Louis has been one of the state’s largest risers, with its population increasing 12.8% from 2000 to 2010 and 50.5% from 2010 to 2019. D’Iberville has steadily grown since incorporating in 1988 as well, increasing its population 15.9% from 1990 to 2000, 24.7% from 2000 to 2010 and 47.7% from 2010 to 2019.
The largest population drop has been in Jackson, falling 13,070 or 7.5% since 2010.
2020 is a census year in the United States so there will be an actual count available next year as opposed to estimates.
If the proposed annexation is passed, Columbia’s population would spike dramatically, mainly because of the annexation of neighborhoods like Lakeview east of the current city limits. The annexation would add about three square miles and 945 residents, likely pushing Columbia back over 6,000. A status conference hearing scheduled for April 28 for the annexation plan was postponed because of the coronavirus pandemic and has not been rescheduled yet.
