1st Advantage Mortgage20% of Columbus County households earn $100,000 or more; the median is $49,442 (ACS 2020-24). Use those as context only. A lender looks at your own documented income and debts; compare APR and total repaid on every Columbus County offer.
On this page
- Columbus County, NC: the basics
- How Columbus County residents earn a living
- What it costs to live in Columbus County
- Where Columbus County differs from the rest of North Carolina
- Paychecks and income spread in Columbus County
- Towns and communities in Columbus County
- Neighboring counties at a glance
- Reading the Columbus County data as a borrower
- Columbus County residents: age, schooling, coverage
- Room for a loan payment in Columbus County
- A Columbus County borrower's checklist
- Licensing and complaints for Columbus County
- Beyond Columbus County
- Frequently asked questions
Columbus County, NC: the basics
Columbus County is home to about 50,140 people, according to the Census Bureau's 2020 to 2024 American Community Survey, which makes it the 51st most populous of 100 county-level areas in North Carolina. It covers 938 square miles of land, or about 53 people per square mile. Columbus County is classed as nonmetropolitan in the OMB's July 2023 list. Of the 14 Census places inside Columbus County, Whiteville leads by population with about 4,696; 10 of the 14 are incorporated.
How Columbus County residents earn a living
Education and health care employs 22% of working residents, the largest share; retail trade is next with 13%. Retail trade stands out: 13% of workers here, versus 11% statewide. Averaged over the five survey years, 4.4% of the labor force was out of work and looking. About 83% drive to work alone and 21% have trips of 45 minutes or more.
| Sector | Columbus County | Compared with North Carolina |
|---|---|---|
| Education and health care | 21.7% | -0.8 pts |
| Retail trade | 13.5% | +2.3 pts |
| Manufacturing | 10.4% | -1.2 pts |
| Arts, lodging and food service | 10.3% | +2.0 pts |
| Professional and administrative services | 9.1% | -3.5 pts |
| Construction | 7.9% | +0.5 pts |
Seasonal work is common in many Columbus County industries; if that is you, show a full year of income rather than one strong month.
What it costs to live in Columbus County
A typical Columbus County rental runs $824 a month including utilities, which is 33% below North Carolina. 50% of renting households spend 30% or more of income on rent, and 20% spend half or more. With a median value of $146,000, a typical Columbus County house costs 3.0 times what the median household earns in a year. Homeowners 71%, renters 29%. Half the housing stock was built before 1982. Nationally, Columbus County's $824 rent is 6% below the middle county.
| Measure | Columbus County | North Carolina | Gap |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mobile homes | 30.0% | 11.0% | +19.1 pts |
| Burdened owners | 36% | 25% | +11.7 pts |
| Median home value | $146,000 | $288,900 | 49% lower |
| Owners | 71% | 67% | +4.5 pts |
| Median gross rent | $824/mo | $1,228/mo | 33% lower |
| Vacant units | 15% | 13% | +2.4 pts |
| Rent-burdened renters | 50% | 49% | +0.9 pts |
Where Columbus County differs from the rest of North Carolina
- On the share of adults with a bachelor's degree, Columbus County sits near the bottom of North Carolina at 15%, 5th lowest of 100. No degree is required for a personal loan; documented income is.
- On the share of mobile homes, Columbus County sits near the top of North Carolina at 30.0%, 10th highest of 100. Manufactured homes often do not qualify for home equity loans, so unsecured loans fill the gap.
- Columbus County ranks 14th lowest of 100 North Carolina counties for median household income: $49,442, against $72,388 statewide. Where incomes run low, free assistance and credit-union small-dollar loans deserve a look first.
- Few North Carolina counties match Columbus County on the uninsured rate: 12.7% here, 9.9% for the state, ranking 14th highest of 100. Hospital payment plans are usually interest-free; compare before a loan.
Paychecks and income spread in Columbus County
Half of Columbus County households take in less than $49,442 a year and half take in more, 32% below the North Carolina median of $72,388. In the state ranking that is 87th of 100.
| Household income | Columbus County | vs North Carolina |
|---|---|---|
| Under $35,000 | 38.3% | +15.1 pts |
| $35,000 to $99,999 | 41.4% | 0.0 pts |
| $100,000 to $199,999 | 17.0% | -8.0 pts |
| $200,000 or more | 3.3% | -7.1 pts |
Six-figure households (20%) are outnumbered by those under $35,000 (38%) in Columbus County. Census counts 18.2% of Columbus County residents in poverty, against 13.0% across North Carolina. If your income is irregular, as it often is with tips, gig work or seasonal jobs, plan around your leaner months rather than the Columbus County median.
Towns and communities in Columbus County
16,642 of Columbus County's 50,140 residents live in its 14 Census places (33%); the 14 largest are listed. Gap between richest and poorest larger place: $50,000, Lake Waccamaw over Brunswick. Rent is cheapest in Fair Bluff ($684) and steepest in Lake Waccamaw ($928). No Columbus County place has a separate guide yet; this county page serves all 14.
| Community | Type | Residents | Household income (median) | Rent (median) | Distance |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Whiteville | city | 4,696 | $31,167 | $773 | 6 mi |
| Tabor City | town | 3,777 | $38,714 | $809 | 15 mi |
| Lake Waccamaw | town | 1,770 | $72,500 | $928 | 8 mi |
| Chadbourn | town | 1,352 | $45,787 | $770 | 11 mi |
| Brunswick | town | 937 | $22,500 | $789 | 5 mi |
| Sandyfield | town | 763 | $41,667 | $885 | 20 mi |
| Fair Bluff | town | 695 | $31,389 | $684 | 23 mi |
| Riegelwood | CDP | 649 | $49,583 | n/a | 25 mi |
| Bolton | town | 504 | $48,450 | n/a | 14 mi |
| Evergreen | CDP | 421 | n/a | $697 | 19 mi |
| Cerro Gordo | town | 319 | n/a | $734 | 17 mi |
| Hallsboro | CDP | 291 | n/a | n/a | 5 mi |
| Delco | CDP | 258 | $86,721 | n/a | 24 mi |
| Boardman | town | 210 | $59,750 | $925 | 21 mi |
CDPs are unincorporated communities the Census Bureau defines for counting.
Neighboring counties at a glance
Distances run center to center, from Bladen County at 24 miles out to Dillon County at 43. Richest neighbor: Brunswick County, $77,024. Poorest: Marion County, $36,301. Columbus County: $49,442. Some neighbors are in South Carolina. Lender licensing is state by state, so a loan for a Columbus County resident follows North Carolina rules.
| Nearby county | Center to center | Household income | Gross rent | Owner-occupied |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Columbus County | - | $49,442 | $824/mo | 71% |
| Bladen County, NC | 24 mi | $42,422 | $773/mo | 69% |
| Brunswick County, NC | 28 mi | $77,024 | $1,351/mo | 85% |
| Horry County, SC | 31 mi | $66,880 | $1,255/mo | 77% |
| Robeson County, NC | 37 mi | $41,978 | $805/mo | 66% |
| Marion County, SC | 43 mi | $36,301 | $669/mo | 63% |
| Dillon County, SC | 43 mi | $46,605 | $679/mo | 65% |
Reading the Columbus County data as a borrower
Columbus County-specific points to check:
- Care without coverage. About 6,347 Columbus County residents lack insurance; check charity care before a loan (how).
- 21% long commutes. A Columbus County repair bill is often urgent; compare the shop's financing with a loan in writing.
- Manufactured homes. 30% of Columbus County housing units are mobile homes, and their repairs are often paid with unsecured loans. Get the quote in writing.
- Before borrowing. At 18.2% poverty, Columbus County has local aid programs worth checking (options).
Columbus County residents: age, schooling, coverage
College graduates make up 15% of the adult population. Health coverage gaps: 12.7% of Columbus County residents are uninsured.
| Residents | Columbus County | Difference from North Carolina | Difference from middle U.S. county |
|---|---|---|---|
| Bachelor's or higher | 14.6% | -21.1 pts | -7.6 pts |
| Work from home | 5.4% | -10.9 pts | -3.3 pts |
| Poverty rate | 18.2% | +5.2 pts | +5.0 pts |
| Median age | 42.6 | +3.5 yrs | +1.1 yrs |
| No high school diploma | 13.2% | +3.4 pts | n/a |
| No health insurance | 12.7% | +2.8 pts | +4.8 pts |
| Unemployment (ACS) | 4.4% | -0.3 pts | 0.0 pts |
| No vehicle | 5.5% | +0.2 pts | +0.1 pts |
| One-way commute | Share of Columbus County workers |
|---|---|
| Under 15 min | 24.3% |
| 15 to 29 min | 30.2% |
| 30 to 44 min | 24.3% |
| 45 to 59 min | 10.2% |
| 60+ min | 11.1% |
Room for a loan payment in Columbus County
The debt-to-income ratio is the main affordability test lenders use. Applied to Columbus County's medians:
- Start: $4,120 gross per month ($49,442 / 12)
- Less median rent of $824, which is 20% of it
- 36% debt-to-income limit: $659 left for all other debt payments
- With a 43% ceiling, about $948 remains for car, card, student and any new loan payments
These are gross figures; take-home pay in Columbus County will be lower after taxes and deductions.
A Columbus County borrower's checklist
Four checks before you sign anything:
- Size the loan to the bill, not to the most a lender offers.
- Line up offers side by side: APR, fees in dollars, total cost.
- Look the lender up with the state regulator first.
- Keep a small cushion so one surprise bill does not mean another loan.
Licensing and complaints for Columbus County
The North Carolina Office of the Commissioner of Banks is the place to verify any lender's North Carolina license. Banks and credit unions have their own regulators, and the CFPB takes complaints about any lender. The North Carolina guide covers state rules in more detail.
Beyond Columbus County
Statewide:
Frequently asked questions
What is the median household income in Columbus County?
$49,442 a year in the 2020 to 2024 Census survey, versus $72,388 for North Carolina. It ranks 87th of 100 in the state.
What do renters pay in Columbus County?
$824 a month at the median, about 20% of median household income.
Which towns does the Columbus County guide cover?
Every community in the county, unincorporated areas included. The largest of its 14 Census places: Whiteville, Tabor City, Lake Waccamaw, Chadbourn, Brunswick.
Does my county matter to the questionnaire?
Only your state does. Whether you live in Columbus County or elsewhere in North Carolina, the same rules apply.
Where can someone in Columbus County check a lender's license?
With the North Carolina Office of the Commissioner of Banks. If a lender is unlicensed or asks for a fee before funding, walk away.