Columbia is a city located in Marion County, Mississippi, which was formed six years before Mississippi was admitted to statehood. Columbia was named for Columbia, South Carolina, from which many of the early settlers had come. As of the 2000 census, the city had a total population of 6,603. It is the county seat of Marion County.

Geography

Columbia is located at 31°15'24" North, 89°49'44" West (31.256781, -89.828779)¹. It is located on the east bank of the Pearl RIver and is 81 miles south of Jackson, Mississippi and 103 miles north of New Orleans, Lousisana.

According to the United States Census Bureau, the city has a total area of 16.5 km² (6.4 mi²). 16.5 km² (6.4 mi²) of it is land and none of it is covered by water.

Demographics

As of the census² of 2000, there are 6,603 people, 2,497 households, and 1,620 families residing in the city. The population density is 399.0/km² (1,033.5/mi²). There are 2,821 housing units at an average density of 170.5/km² (441.6/mi²). The racial makeup of the city is 62.56% White, 35.64% African American, 0.39% Native American, 0.44% Asian, 0.00% Pacific Islander, 0.18% from other races, and 0.79% from two or more races. 0.77% of the population are Hispanic or Latino of any race.

There are 2,497 households out of which 29.5% have children under the age of 18 living with them, 41.5% are married couples living together, 19.7% have a female householder with no husband present, and 35.1% are non-families. 32.4% of all households are made up of individuals and 18.1% have someone living alone who is 65 years of age or older. The average household size is 2.38 and the average family size is 3.01.

In the city the population is spread out with 23.9% under the age of 18, 10.0% from 18 to 24, 26.0% from 25 to 44, 19.3% from 45 to 64, and 20.8% who are 65 years of age or older. The median age is 38 years. For every 100 females there are 88.1 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there are 83.7 males.

The median income for a household in the city is $19,644, and the median income for a family is $28,493. Males have a median income of $28,173 versus $17,847 for females. The per capita income for the city is $12,592. 29.7% of the population and 24.5% of families are below the poverty line. Out of the total population, 41.0% of those under the age of 18 and 24.3% of those 65 and older are living below the poverty line.

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