Metro area profile · Indiana
Columbus, IN metro area market data
How the Columbus metro area compares with other metro areas for 56 business types: competitors, household spending, official counts and growth.
- Population, 2025
- 85,729
- +4.3% since 2020
- Households
- 33,359
- Median household income
- $79,901
- +26.0% vs. 2015–2019, before inflation
- Median home value
- $232,800
- Jobs located here
- 52,041
- Highest market score
- 83
- Coffee shops and cafes, #5 of 387 scored metro areas
A site report maps the competitors on map listings around any address in the Columbus metro area by name and distance, and the households and spending within reach. Or open the report at the center of the Columbus metro area. Signed out, you see a blurred preview; on an account, each report is one action.
Free10 actions over 3 days, no cardSurvey estimates 2020–2024 · population estimates 2025 · official business counts 2023 · map listings September 2026 · Data credits · How we measure
What this means
The Columbus metro area has an estimated 85,729 people and 33,359 households. Population estimates show the Columbus metro area grew 4.3% from 2020 to 2025, faster than the U.S. (+3.1%). Median household income in the Columbus metro area is $79,901, in line with the U.S. median of $80,734. Against the 2015–2019 survey, the median rose 26.0%, before inflation.
Relative to the U.S., household spending in the Columbus metro area runs highest on vehicle maintenance and repairs (an index of 121, where 100 is the U.S. average) and lowest on child care and other personal services (76).
Of the business types scored in the Columbus metro area, coffee shops and cafes (83), martial arts and dance studios (81) and tire shops (81) have the highest Groundwork market scores. For coffee shops and cafes, that ranks #5 of 387 scored metro areas.
The Columbus metro area is made up of one county, Bartholomew County. Against the U.S., map listings per household run highest for pet grooming and boarding businesses (67% above the U.S. rate) and lowest for coffee shops and cafes (37% below the U.S. rate).
All 56 business types in the Columbus metro area
Highest Groundwork market score first. Each score compares the Columbus metro area with other metro areas for that business type, from 0 to 100. Spending per listing divides a whole spending line (all vehicle repairs, all eating out) by one type’s listings: the demand for each competitor, not a business’s revenue. Compare it across markets with its index, where 100 is the U.S. figure for the same type; the real estate types, whose line is all housing costs, show the index only. How the score works.
| Business type | Score | Rank among metro areas | Listings | Per 10k households | Spending per listing | Spending per listing vs. U.S. (100) | Official establishments |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Coffee shops and cafes | 83 | #5 of 387 | 23 | 6.9 | $5.8M | 157 | 13 |
| Martial arts and dance studios | 81 | #6 of 387 | 11 | 3.3 | $2.9M | 143 | 5 |
| Tire shops | 81 | #13 of 386 | 11 | 3.3 | $3.5M | 141 | 4 |
| Salons, barbers and spas | 79 | #7 of 387 | 133 | 39.9 | $255K | 120 | 17 |
| Auto repair shops | 79 | #16 of 387 | 74 | 22.2 | $524K | 118 | 29 |
| Hair salons | 77 | #10 of 387 | 72 | 21.6 | $471K | 109 | 8 |
| Barbershops | 77 | #12 of 387 | 12 | 3.6 | $2.8M | 150 | Under 3 |
| Auto repair and car care | 75 | #28 of 387 | 123 | 36.9 | $315K | 117 | 47 |
| Spas and skin care | 72 | #29 of 387 | 29 | 8.7 | $1.2M | 134 | 6 |
| Grocery and convenience stores | 72 | #50 of 387 | 54 | 16.2 | $3.8M | 112 | 14 |
| Bakeries and dessert shops | 71 | #34 of 387 | 29 | 8.7 | $4.6M | 111 | 13 |
| Restaurants and cafes | 71 | #56 of 387 | 319 | 95.6 | $420K | 113 | 141 |
| Grocery stores | 70 | #61 of 387 | 19 | 5.7 | $10.8M | 116 | 10 |
| Chiropractors | 69 | #57 of 386 | 17 | 5.1 | $2.8M | 119 | 9 |
| Veterinarians | 68 | #73 of 384 | 11 | 3.3 | $2.6M | 97 | 6 |
| Collision repair and body shops | 68 | #74 of 381 | 12 | 3.6 | $3.2M | 105 | 7 |
| Gas stations | 68 | #76 of 387 | 30 | 9.0 | $3.2M | 136 | 32 |
| Roofing and gutters | 67 | #61 of 381 | 10 | 3.0 | $9.3M | 110 | 5 |
| Sit-down restaurants | 67 | #70 of 387 | 178 | 53.4 | $752K | 113 | 56 |
| Primary care and pediatrics | 66 | #80 of 387 | 20 | 6.0 | $2.4M | 136 | 60 |
| Convenience stores | 66 | #87 of 387 | 27 | 8.1 | $7.6M | 96 | 4 |
| Gyms, studios and classes | 65 | #62 of 387 | 41 | 12.3 | $775K | 117 | 20 |
| Doctors, dentists and clinics | 65 | #78 of 387 | 256 | 76.7 | $189K | 124 | 132 |
| Physical therapy | 65 | #90 of 386 | 18 | 5.4 | $2.7M | 112 | 14 |
| Nail salons | 64 | #73 of 387 | 18 | 5.4 | $1.9M | 113 | Under 3 |
| Car washes and detailing | 64 | #90 of 387 | 15 | 4.5 | $2.6M | 103 | 6 |
| Pet stores | 63 | #98 of 382 | 5 | 1.5 | $5.8M | 129 | 3 |
| Property management | 61 | #90 of 374 | 8 | 2.4 | Index only | 108 | 10 |
| Yoga, Pilates and fitness studios | 59 | #88 of 347 | 5 | 1.5 | $6.4M | 156 | 15 |
| Dentists and orthodontists | 56 | #144 of 387 | 47 | 14.1 | $1M | 105 | 34 |
| Mortgage brokers and lenders | 55 | #146 of 373 | 12 | 3.6 | Index only | 102 | 3 |
| Pet businesses | 53 | #178 of 387 | 42 | 12.6 | $693K | 79 | 16 |
| Gyms | 51 | #180 of 387 | 25 | 7.5 | $1.3M | 98 | 15 |
| Fast food and sandwich shops | 50 | #196 of 387 | 53 | 15.9 | $2.5M | 83 | 70 |
| Home repair trades | 48 | #212 of 387 | 50 | 15.0 | $1.9M | 76 | 50 |
| Child care and preschools | 48 | #212 of 387 | 19 | 5.7 | $773K | 77 | 17 |
| Pest control | 47 | #192 of 345 | 6 | 1.8 | $7M | 69 | 3 |
| Real estate agents and brokers | 47 | #213 of 387 | 93 | 27.9 | Index only | 94 | 23 |
| Electricians | 47 | #221 of 383 | 12 | 3.6 | $7.7M | 64 | 17 |
| House cleaning | 47 | #221 of 375 | 7 | 2.1 | $6M | 94 | 19 |
| Real estate | 46 | #230 of 387 | 116 | 34.8 | Index only | 95 | 51 |
| Pizza | 44 | #244 of 387 | 35 | 10.5 | $3.8M | 75 | 70 |
| Lawn, cleaning and pest control | 41 | #256 of 387 | 37 | 11.1 | $1.1M | 68 | 48 |
| Optometrists and eye care | 41 | #280 of 386 | 18 | 5.4 | $2.7M | 86 | 11 |
| Landscaping and lawn care | 40 | #257 of 385 | 24 | 7.2 | $1.8M | 60 | 26 |
| HVAC and plumbing | 40 | #273 of 387 | 28 | 8.4 | $3.3M | 70 | 28 |
| Pet grooming and boarding | 40 | #278 of 386 | 20 | 6.0 | $1.5M | 57 | 7 |
| Funeral homes | 36 | #272 of 377 | 8 | 2.4 | $563K | 83 | 6 |
| Clothing, shoes and laundry | 34 | #302 of 387 | 101 | 30.3 | $670K | 76 | 58 |
| Insurance agencies | 33 | #295 of 387 | 59 | 17.7 | $995K | 79 | 38 |
| Clothing and shoe stores | 32 | #308 of 387 | 84 | 25.2 | $805K | 63 | 55 |
| Laundromats | Not scored | Not scored | 4 | 1.2 | $16.9M | 135 | 3 |
| Home inspectors | Not scored | Not scored | 3 | 0.9 | Index only | 61 | 5 |
| Oil change and quick lube | Not scored | Not scored | 3 | 0.9 | $12.9M | 94 | 4 |
| Urgent care and walk-in clinics | Not scored | Not scored | 3 | 0.9 | $16.1M | 66 | 4 |
| Dry cleaners | Not scored | Not scored | 0 | 0.0 | None listed | None listed | Under 3 |
Household spending in the Columbus metro area
What households here spend in a year on each line, in total and per household, with the index against the U.S. average (100).
| Spending line | A year, all households | Per household | Index vs. U.S. (100) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Vehicle maintenance and repairs | $38.8M | $1,162 | 121 |
| Gasoline and other fuels | $97.3M | $2,916 | 112 |
| Food away from home | $133.9M | $4,013 | 99 |
| Groceries | $204.5M | $6,130 | 97 |
| Personal care products and services | $33.9M | $1,017 | 101 |
| Child care and other personal services | $14.7M | $440 | 76 |
| Memberships, classes and admissions | $31.8M | $952 | 97 |
| Medical and dental services | $48.4M | $1,452 | 113 |
| Pets | $29.1M | $872 | 96 |
| Clothing, shoes and related services | $67.7M | $2,028 | 99 |
| Vehicle insurance | $58.7M | $1,759 | 90 |
| Home repairs, maintenance and insurance | $92.8M | $2,781 | 92 |
| Lawn care, cleaning and other household services | $42M | $1,260 | 89 |
| Rent and homeowner costs | $478M | $14,329 | 86 |
Household spending is estimated from the incomes of the households in each neighborhood, using what households at each income spent nationally in 2024, adjusted for the region. It counts what residents spend, wherever they spend it.
Population and households in the Columbus metro area
- Population, 2025 estimate
- 85,729+4.3% since 2020
- Households
- 33,359
- Median age
- 39.2
- Homes lived in by their owners
- 69%
- Vehicles per household
- 2.0
- Land area
- 407 sq. mi.
- People per square mile
- 205
- Median household income
- $79,901+26.0% vs. 2015–2019, before inflation
- Average household income
- $102,124
- Median home value
- $232,800
- Jobs located here
- 52,041
- Daytime population
- 94,547Residents who don’t work, plus everyone whose job is here
Looking at a specific site in the Columbus metro area?
These figures cover the whole metro area. A site report draws rings around one address and counts what’s inside them: households, spending, jobs, and the competitors on map listings by name and distance, for any of the 56 business types.
Or open the report at the center of the Columbus metro area. Signed out, you see a blurred preview; on an account, each report is one action.
Free10 actions over 3 days, no cardRelated markets
Counties in the Columbus metro area 1
- Bartholomew County, IN83,536 people
Other markets based in Indiana 12
- Indianapolis-Carmel-Greenwood, IN metro area2,130,055 people
- Fort Wayne, IN metro area455,416 people
- South Bend-Mishawaka, IN-MI metro area324,560 people
- Evansville, IN metro area270,494 people
- Lafayette-West Lafayette, IN metro area226,805 people
- Elkhart-Goshen, IN metro area207,132 people
- Terre Haute, IN metro area168,719 people
- Bloomington, IN metro area162,569 people
- Muncie, IN metro area112,280 people
- Michigan City-La Porte, IN metro area111,917 people
- Kokomo, IN metro area83,752 people
- Warsaw, IN area80,442 people
Questions
How fast is the Columbus, IN metro area growing?
Population estimates put the Columbus metro area at 85,729 people in 2025, up 4.3% since 2020, faster than the U.S. (+3.1%). It has 33,359 households. Median household income rose 26.0% from the 2015–2019 survey, before inflation.
How much do households in the Columbus, IN metro area spend?
Households in the Columbus metro area spend about $478M a year on rent and homeowner costs, $204.5M on groceries and $133.9M on food away from home. Set against the U.S., households in the Columbus metro area spend the most on vehicle maintenance and repairs (an index of 121, where 100 is the U.S. average) and the least on child care and other personal services (76).
Which business types have the highest market scores in the Columbus, IN metro area?
The highest Groundwork market scores in the Columbus metro area are for coffee shops and cafes (83), martial arts and dance studios (81) and tire shops (81). The Columbus metro area ranks #5 of 387 scored metro areas for coffee shops and cafes.
How does the Columbus, IN metro area compare with the U.S.?
The median household income in the Columbus metro area is $79,901 a year, in line with the U.S. median of $80,734. The population rose 4.3% from 2020 to 2025, against +3.1% for the U.S. The median home value is $232,800, against $332,700 for the U.S. For its number of households, the Columbus metro area has the most map listings, relative to the U.S., for pet grooming and boarding businesses (67% above the U.S. rate) and the fewest for coffee shops and cafes (37% below the U.S. rate).
What is the Groundwork market score?
The Groundwork market score runs from 0 to 100 and compares a market with others of its kind for one business type: states with states, metro areas with metro areas, small-town markets and counties with their own. It weighs household spending per competitor (35%), households per business with payroll (25%), population growth (20%) and spending power (20%), each ranked against those peers. A higher score means that, taken together, the market has more household spending and more households for each business already there, faster population growth and more spending per household than similar markets. It describes a market, not any one site or deal. 51 of the 56 business types have a score in the Columbus metro area, each ranked against other metro areas.
How can I see the market around a specific site?
Run a Groundwork site report on an address in the Columbus metro area. It maps the competitors on map listings near the site and sizes the households and spending within the distance you choose. New accounts get 10 actions over 3 days, no card.
All markets in Indiana · Every U.S. market · How we measure
Screening a site or an acquisition in the Columbus metro area?
A site report maps the competitors on map listings near an address and sizes the households and spending around it.
The button opens the report at the center of the Columbus metro area. Signed out, you see a blurred preview; on an account, each report is one action.
This product uses the Census Bureau Data API but is not endorsed or certified by the Census Bureau.
Figures are estimates for research only. Not investment or real estate advice.