Higher Education in the Columbia, MO Metro Area

Since 2000, the Columbia metro area has increased in the percent of the population that is over the age of 25 with a BA or Higher. This population cohort has grown by 4.6 percent to a total of 46.4 percent in 2005. The American Community Survey reports that the proportion of the 2005 population that is highly educated is greater than the State of Missouri percent of 24 and greater than the US percent of 27.2.

In the Columbia, MO Metro Area according to the American Community Survey of 2005, 47.8 percent of the White Alone, 20.6 percent of Black or African American, . percent of the Asian alone and . percent of the Hispanic or Latino population, over the age 25, has achieved at least a Bachelors Degree.

Columbia, MO Metro Area has a very highly-educated population of the working age, with 46.4 percent of the over 25 years old population having a Bachelors Degree or Higher, according to the 2005 American Community Survey. The Columbia MSA counted a higher percent of population with high education level than the State of Missouri's proportion of 24 percent and a higher percent than the national average of 27.2 percent.

The American Community Survey reported that in the Columbia, MO Metro Area, a high proportion of the male population in the area have reached the Bachelors Degree or Higher category, with 45.6 percent receiving this level of education. The women in the Columbia metro area have on average achieved a greater level of higher education (Bachelors or Higher) than men; 45.6 percent (Men) versus 47 percent (Women). Many of the women in the area achieving a Bachelors Degree or Higher category, with 47 percent of the female population achieving this education level.

From 2000 to 2005, the percent of male population that is highly educated has increased by 1.6 percent. As reported in 2005, 45.6 percent of area's male population, over the age 25, achieved a Bachelors Degree or Higher. At the same time, the percent of women, over the age 25, holding at least a Bachelors Degree has increased by a total of 7.0 percent. By 2005, a total of 47 percent of the female population having received at least a Bachelors Degree.

Datasource: U.S. Bureau of the Census. 2000 Decennial Census. 2005 American Community Survey.

Demographic Profile for Columbia, MO

The Columbia metro area had a population that was estimated at 153,283 in the year 2005. The population has increased sharply, since the 2000 total population of 145,937. This growth shows an increase of 5 percent. Columbia ranks 5 of 7 MSAs when analyzing total population change in Missouri and the metro area ranks 202 of 361 metro areas when analyzing total MSA population change across the nation.

In 2005, the Census Bureau estimated the median age in the Columbia metro area to be 32.7 years old. The median in Columbia is less than the median age for the State of Missouri of 37.4. From 2000, the area has seen an increase in the median age, when it was 29.5 years of age. With a total of 58.4 percent of the 2005 population being made up of children and youth younger than 18, Columbia can be understood as being made up of a medium-low proportion of youths. The working age population group (18-64) has a medium-high representation within the population, making up 64.2 percent of the population within the age category. People 65 years old and older make up 13.3 percent of the population. When compared to other metro areas in the United States, this represents a medium-low proportion of the area population base.

The Columbia metropolitan statistical area (MSA) has a population that is made up of 84.5 percent White, 8.3 percent African American, 2.9 percent Asian, and 2.1 percent Hispanic. The population mix can be considered to have a modest level of racial and ethnic diversity, with 13.3 percent of the population made up of minorities. This is less than the State of Missouri percent of 15.4. Since 2000, Columbia has increased the percent of minority population when 12.9 percent of the total population were minorities.

Since the year 2000, a high amount of people migrated into the Columbia metro area, with 2,385 people migrating in internationally. The international migration into Columbia makes up 5.6 percent of the total migration into the State of Missouri. This percent of international migration is high when analyzed against immigration per population in 2005.

When measuring the total land area, the Columbia metro area covers a total land area of 1151 square miles. This area has a medium-low average population density of 133 persons per square mile, in 2005. Similar metro areas, in terms of density, in the US include: -- more densely populated -- Cumberland (134 per sq. mile ), Bloomington-Normal (134 per sq. mile ), Bloomington (135 per sq. mile ), -- less densely populated -- Macon (133 per sq. mile ), Springfield (132 per sq. mile ), Joplin (131 per sq. mile ).

Datasource: Population Estimates Program, U.S. Bureau of the Census.