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NC area data

Columbus, NC

Columbus, NC.

Population: 6,086 (Census ACS)

The median home value in Columbus, NC is $340,062 — down 1.0% over the past year. 2 schools serve the area (NCES). FEMA's National Risk Index rates the county's overall natural-hazard risk Very Low, with icestorm, landslide, lightning the top-rated hazards. Cost of living is 7.5% below the US average (BEA, metro/state-level).

Backed by 25+ public sourcesFEMA · U.S. Census · NOAA · Dept. of Education · EPA · and more

$340,062

Median home value

-1.0%

1-year change

Very Low

Hazard risk (county)

Home values & appreciation

Median home value
$340,062
1-year appreciation
-1.0%
3-year appreciation
+6.6%
5-year appreciation
+24.2%
10-year appreciation
+91.0%
All-time peak (2025-10)
$343,976
House Price Index (state)
438.2 (+1.0% YoY)

Sources: home value index (ZIP-level) · FHFA House Price Index (state-level)

Market activity

For-sale inventory
59
New listings (monthly)
10

Source: recent area sales and market data (ZIP-level)

Affordability

Cost of living index (Below Average)
92.5 (100 = US avg)
Electricity rate (state-level)
14.0¢/kWh
Natural gas rate (state-level)
$16.40/MCF
30-year mortgage rate (national)
6.66%
15-year mortgage rate (national)
6.00%

Sources: BEA Regional Price Parities (metro/state-level) · EIA energy rates (state-level) · Freddie Mac PMMS (national)

Schools

Total schools
2
Elementary schools
0
Middle schools
0
High schools
2
Schools include
Polk County High School, Polk County Early College

Source: NCES school directory, 2022-23 (school-address-based)

Natural hazards & flood risk

Overall hazard risk (county)
Very Low
Top hazards (county)
iceStorm, landslide, lightning, strongWind
Notable hazard ratings (county)
coldWave: Relatively Low · drought: Relatively Low · hail: Relatively Low · hurricane: Relatively Low · iceStorm: Relatively High · inlandFlooding: Relatively Low
Wildfire risk to homes (county)
Higher than 59% of US counties
Buildings in wildfire direct-exposure zone
96.2%
Radon potential (county)
Moderate radon potential — EPA Zone 2 of 3
EPA Superfund (NPL) sites within 5 mi
None
Nearest Superfund site
General Electric Co/Shepherd Farm (16.2 mi)
EPA recommends radon testing for every home regardless of zone.

Sources: FEMA National Risk Index (county-level) · FEMA flood data (ZIP-level) · USDA Forest Service Wildfire Risk to Communities (county-level) · EPA radon zones + Superfund NPL

Climate (30-year normals)

Annual precipitation
59.6 in
USDA plant hardiness zone
8a (extreme annual low 10 to 15°F)

Sources: NOAA Climate Normals (30-year, nearest-station) · USDA Plant Hardiness Zone Map (2023)

Amenities

National parks within ~60 mi
5
Nearest national park
Carl Sandburg Home National Historic Site (19 mi)
National parks include
Carl Sandburg Home National Historic Site, Cowpens National Battlefield, Blue Ridge Parkway
Airports within 30 mi
30
Nearest airport
Rondo Airport (5 mi)
Nearest major airport
Greenville-Spartanburg International Airport (GSP) (26 mi)
Hospitals nearby (~15 mi)
1
Hospitals include
ST LUKES HOSPITAL
EV charging stations (within 10 mi)
4
Solar radiation rating
Fair (4.5 kWh/m²/day)

Sources: National Park Service · FAA airport data · CMS hospital data · DOE/NREL (proximity-based)

Migration

Net migration (county)
+202 tax filers

Source: IRS county-to-county migration data (county-level, ~12-month lag)

Housing stock

Median year housing built
1,987
Housing built before 1970
20.9%
Housing built 2000 or later
19.9%
Median annual property tax
$1,691
Mean commute to work
20 min
Households with broadband internet
69.0%

Source: Census ACS 5-year estimates (ZIP-level)

Employment & development

Total county employment
4,494
Average weekly wage
$801
Top industries (by employment)
Health Care, Accommodation & Food, Arts & Entertainment
Annual residential building permits (county)
143

Sources: BLS QCEW (county-level) · Census Building Permits (county-level)

How it compares

ColumbusState medianUS median
Median home value$340,062$287,250$289,727
Median annual property tax$1,691$1,366$2,006

State and US medians are computed across all US ZIP codes with sufficient public-data coverage, from the same sources as the figures above.

Area data compiled from public government, academic, and industry research feeds. Data sources →

Common questions

What is the median home value in Columbus, NC?
$340,062.
What is the natural-hazard risk in Columbus, NC?
Overall risk: Very Low (FEMA NRI, county-level). Top hazards: iceStorm, landslide, lightning, strongWind.
What is the wildfire risk in Columbus, NC?
Risk to homes is higher than 59% of US counties (USDA Forest Service Wildfire Risk to Communities, county-level).
What is the radon potential in Columbus, NC?
Moderate radon potential — EPA Zone 2 of 3, county-level. EPA recommends testing every home regardless of zone.
Are there Superfund sites near Columbus, NC?
No current or proposed National Priorities List sites within 5 miles (EPA).
How many schools serve Columbus, NC?
2 schools (2 high) (NCES, 2022-23).
What is the cost of living in Columbus, NC?
Regional Price Parity: 92.5 (100 = US average) (Below Average) (BEA RPP, metro/state-level).

ZIP code for Columbus

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Data last updated

Most recent source refresh: Sep 2026. See all data sources →

Data compiled by REAIGENT7 — AI listing platform for real estate agents