State officials recently estimated the certified permanent resident population of Columbia on July 1, 2015, at 835.

The estimate for Columbia in 2014 was 834, down from 836 a year earlier. The State estimate for 2012 was 848, and for 2011 was 859, all far below the 2010 federal census count of 892.

Demographers use birth and death records, motor vehicle registrations, school enrollments, and similar sources for estimating population changes.

The most current estimate is used for the purpose of distributing state-shared revenues to cities and town and will be featured in the Municipal Estimates section of the Office of State Budget and Management’s State Demographics website. To view this website go to www.osbm.nc.gov and select Facts & Figures and then select Demographics.