William R. Foster, 1929
Columbia Heights’s story
128 years in pictures
Census counts: 123 in 1900, 21,973 in 2020. The archive holds 12 old photos and papers going back to 1929 and 6 maps from 1902 on.
- 1898Columbia Heights is settled
Columbia HeightsMN
A town of 22,482, settled in 1898.
1 bordering townMap →
Photo: Bobak Ha'Eri · CC BY 3.0
Population
22,482
2025 Census estimate · +2.4% since 2020
Typical home
$296K
+1.4% in a year
Household income
$74K
median
Median age
36.8
years
Jobs based here
4,711
A commuter town
TownGrade
C
#260 of 271 in MN
Is Columbia Heights a good place to live?
Columbia Heights is a solid, middle-of-the-road choice. It grades C overall, 260th of 271 graded towns in Minnesota, with no subject far below average. Its best mark is cost of living: homes are within reach, about $296K for a typical one, or 3 years of the Minneapolis metro’s $100K median household income. Its lowest everyday mark is in schools: its public schools trail 74% of Minnesota towns on state tests and graduation. Only 13 of Minnesota’s 574 towns score higher on walkability. Columbia Heights’ trail density is 1.0 miles per square mile, where Minnesota’s towns sit at 0.5 and U.S. towns at 0.4. The biggest park or preserve is Sullivan Lake Park, at 32 acres.
What makes Columbia Heights stand out
Where Columbia Heights beats most towns.
A growing town
Columbia Heights has grown 15% since 2010
19,496 counted in 2010 and 21,973 in 2020; an estimated 22,482 in 2025.
U.S. Census 2010 & 2020 counts · Census Bureau estimate, July 1, 2025
How Columbia Heights grades
Each subject compared with towns across the country (schools within Minnesota), ordered by how far Columbia Heights is from typical.
WalkabilityEPA walkability 13.6 of 20; 10.7% of households have no carAOpen →Hazard riskinland flooding tops the listCOpen →SchoolsCOpen →SafetyCOpen →HealthHennepin County Medical Center 5.3 miles awayC+Open →Cost of livingB−Open →Jobs & income$74K median household incomeB−Open →
Character Graded, but not part of the overall grade.
Outdoors4 miles of trails; 6% conserved landA−Open →History2 notable people born hereCOpen →Civic life4.2 library visits per resident; 2.5 community nonprofits per 1,000 residentsC+Open →
Described, not graded Taste, not quality: snow or an older crowd is neither good nor bad.
Climate–Open →Housing market14 days on market–Open →Who lives hereMedian age 36.8; 32% of adults have a four-year degree–Open →
How TownRatings grades towns →
Nearby attractions
All 74 attractions →U.S. Bank Stadium and 70 more within 40 miles
Museums, parks, gardens and other places to visit around Columbia Heights. Close and well known come first.
Big draw5 mi Stadium & arenaU.S. Bank Stadium
5 mi Stadium & arenaHuntington Bank Stadium
5 mi Stadium & arenaTarget Field
10 mi Stadium & arenaGrand Casino Arena
5 mi WaterfallSaint Anthony Falls
8 mi Stadium & arenaAllianz FieldSources: National Park Service · ski areas © OpenSkiMap / OpenStreetMap contributors · Wikidata · Wikipedia readership · photos via Wikimedia Commons
Photo credits
U.S. Bank Stadium: Darb02, CC BY-SA 4.0 · Huntington Bank Stadium: Lectrician2, CC BY-SA 4.0 · Target Field: Lectrician2, CC BY-SA 4.0 · Grand Casino Arena: AlexiusHoratius, CC BY-SA 3.0 · Saint Anthony Falls: The original uploader was Mulad at English Wikipedia., Public domain · Allianz Field: Andy Witchger, CC BY 2.0
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Getting set up
The full setup list →Moving to Columbia Heights: who provides what
Who provides power, water and the rest in Columbia Heights, and how to reach them.
PowerXcel Energy17.1¢/kWh · EIA 2025HIFLD · EIA
WaterColumbia Heights water systemNo health-based violations in 5 years · EPAEPA
Internet6 providers100% of addresses get 100/20 MbpsFCC
Trash & dumpNot on file yetWe don’t have Columbia Heights’ trash rules yet
Register to voteOnlineIn Minnesota you can register online until 21 days before Election Day, in person up to and including Election Day, or by mail (received 21 days before).vote.govWho runs elections hereAnoka County ElectionsAnoka County; contacts on the Handbook page.FVAP, Jun 2025
ZIP code5542155421 100%Census 2020
EPA SDWIS (Oct 9, 2026) · HIFLD + EIA-861 2025 · Census 2020 ZCTAs · NCES 2024–25 · registration: vote.gov, updated Nov 18, 2024.
The data
Ordered by what stands out in Columbia Heights.
Columbia Heights has homes that are cheap against local pay, has seen reported crime fall beyond ordinary swings and has cooler summers than most of the country, though not than most of Minnesota.
#53for trails in MN
6.4%
conserved · 142 of 2,233 acres
3.5 mi
of trails · 1 per sq mi
| Biggest places to walk | Trails | Acres |
|---|---|---|
| 1. Kordiak Park | 0.9 mi | 31 |
| 2. Huset Park | 0.4 mi | 31 |
| 3. Curt Ramsdell Park | 0.3 mi | 5 |
Trails & parks © OpenStreetMap contributors · Conserved land: USGS PAD-US
SchoolsC
For schools, Columbia Heights earns a C
Its public schools are run by the Columbia Heights Public School District. Two of its 12 schools are below, each with why it’s listed.
26%of MN districts it outscoresCSchool Grade
| School | Level | Students | Letter |
|---|---|---|---|
| Highland ElementaryLargest public elementary schoolGrades PK–5 | Grades PK–5 | 534 | D |
| Columbia Heights Senior HighLargest public high schoolGrades 9–12 | Grades 9–12 | 1,141 | C |
NCES · EDFacts · graded within MN on state tests and graduation
Work & commuteJobs & income grade B−
Most of Columbia Heights’ workers commute out: the town has 0.5 jobs for each of them
Jobs based here grew from 3,167 in 2013 to 4,711.
Most working residents leave Columbia Heights for work: only 4% work in town. 16% of Columbia Heights residents live below the poverty line, above both Minnesota’s towns (7%) and U.S. towns (9.6%). Since 2013, Columbia Heights has added 1,544 jobs, to 4,711 in 2023.
4%work in town
| Columbia Heights | Minnesota towns | U.S. towns | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Below the poverty line | 16% | 7% | 9.6% |
| Work from home | 19% | 14% | 11% |
| Working residents who work in town | 3.8% | 9.9% | 8% |
| Median household income | $74,000 | $91,000 | $80,000 |
Where working residents work
In Columbia Heights4%
Minneapolis30%
St. Paul7%
Fridley5%
Roseville3%
7 mi
median commute distance
4,711
jobs based in Columbia Heights
A commuter town
jobs vs. working residents
A
Walkability grade: more walkable than 93% of U.S. towns
Census LEHD 2023 · ACS
SafetyC
Columbia Heights sees more crime per resident than 71% of U.S. towns
Reported crimes fell from 476 to 385 over the last three FBI years, a drop beyond ordinary year-to-year swings.
Columbia Heights’ violent crime rate is 2.4 per 1,000 residents.
29%of U.S. towns report more crimeCSafety Grade
| Columbia Heights | Minnesota towns | U.S. towns | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent crimes per 1,000 (2025) | 2.4 per 1,000 residents | 1.1 | 1.6 |
| Property crimes per 1,000 (2025) | 14 per 1,000 residents | 8.6 | 9.9 |
Violent crime per 1,000 residents
Columbia Heights2.4
Minnesota2.3
U.S.3.3
Property crime per 1,000 residents
Columbia Heights14
Minnesota14.3
U.S.15.5
29th
percentile among U.S. towns we grade
18th
percentile among MN towns
57
violent crimes reported in 2025
328
property crimes reported in 2025
FBI crime data, 2025 · crimes reported to police
Natural hazardsHazard risk grade C
High risk in Columbia Heights, with inland flooding at the top
Expected storm and flood damage is higher than in 68% of U.S. communities. Since 2001, 4 flood insurance claims have been paid out in Columbia Heights.
68risk score of 100
FEMA risk score
Inland floodingStrong windTornadoes
4
paid flood claims since 2001
FEMA flood insurance claims · FEMA National Risk Index · OpenFEMA
Climate
In Columbia Heights, expect snowy winters and pleasant summers
July afternoons average 82.2°: cooler than most of the country, but hotter than 81% of Minnesota places with climate records; January nights average 6.4°.
Columbia Heights has cold, snowy winters and pleasant summers. The January low in Columbia Heights is 6°F. About 54 inches of snow falls in a winter.
54″snow a winter
| Columbia Heights | Minnesota towns | U.S. towns | |
|---|---|---|---|
| January low | 6°F | 6°F | 22°F |
| July high | 82°F | 82°F | 85°F |
Typical low → high °F
Winter10–26°
Spring35–55°
Summer60–80°
Fall39–57°
Oct 12
typical first frost
Apr 29
typical last frost
+1.5°
vs. the 20th-century average
NOAA U.S. Climate Normals, 1991–2020
HousingCost of living grade B−
For cost of living, Columbia Heights earns a B−
At 3 years of the Minneapolis metro’s $100K median household income, the typical home (about $296K) costs less against local pay than in 88% of Minnesota towns; that ratio is one input to its B− for cost of living. 60.4% of renter households pay 30% or more of their income for housing, against 48.1% across Minnesota.
The typical Columbia Heights home is worth about $296,000, up 1.4% in a year, 15% below the Minnesota typical home. 66% of Columbia Heights households own their home.
$296KZillow home value
| Columbia Heights | Minnesota towns | U.S. towns | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Households that own their home | 66% | 75% | 73% |
| Median rent | $1,295 a month | $1,192 a month | $1,185 a month |
Typical home value
Columbia Heights$296K
Minnesota$349K
Market temperature
14
days on market
102.8%
sale-to-list price
+1.4%
value change, 1 year
38
homes sold in May
Census ACS, 2020–24 · Zillow Home Value Index · Redfin Data Center
Who lives here
More young adults than Minnesota overall
Adults 18 to 34 are 27% of residents (22% statewide). 14% of residents are 65 or older in Columbia Heights. Columbia Heights has grown 2.4% since 2020, to 22,482 residents in the Census Bureau’s 2025 estimate.
36.8median age · MN 38.8
| Columbia Heights | Minnesota towns | U.S. towns | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Aged 65 or older | 14% | 18% | 18% |
| Median age | 36.8 years | 39.9 years | 40.5 years |
| Under 18 | 21% | 23% | 22% |
Columbia HeightsMinnesotaUnited States
Ages · share of residents
18%
Education · adults 25 and older
No diploma9%
High school30%
Some college20%
Associate’s9%
Bachelor’s24%
Graduate9%
Women and men · all residents
50% women, 50% men
That’s an even split within the survey’s margin of ±2 points. Across Minnesota, 49.9% of residents are women. Median age: women 37.9, men 35.0.
| Columbia Heights | MN | U.S. | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Under 10 | 12.6% | 12.1% | 11.6% |
| 10 to 17 | 8.3% | 10.7% | 10.3% |
| 18 to 24 | 8.6% | 8.8% | 9.1% |
| 25 to 34 | 18% | 13% | 13.7% |
| 35 to 44 | 12.3% | 13.5% | 13.2% |
| 45 to 54 | 13.5% | 11.6% | 12.2% |
| 55 to 64 | 12.2% | 12.9% | 12.7% |
| 65 to 74 | 7.7% | 10.2% | 10.2% |
| 75 and older | 6.8% | 7% | 7% |
| No diploma | 9.4% | 6.1% | 10.4% |
| High school | 29.7% | 23.3% | 26% |
| Some college | 19.6% | 19.5% | 19.1% |
| Associate’s | 8.8% | 11.8% | 8.8% |
| Bachelor’s | 23.5% | 25.6% | 21.6% |
| Graduate | 9% | 13.8% | 14.1% |
Census population estimates, 2025 · U.S. Census Bureau · ACS 2020-2024 5-year estimates
42%healthier than U.S. townsC+Health Grade
32 measures vs. Minnesota
1 better13 too close to call18 worse
| What stands out | Columbia Heights | MN |
|---|---|---|
| Fewer adults who have had cancer | 7.1% | 8.5% |
| More adults facing a utility shut-off | 9.4% | 5.7% |
Hennepin County Medical Center
5.3 mi away · emergency room
3 of 3
care shortages: primary care, dental, mental health
11th
percentile among MN towns
CDC PLACES 2025 · modeled estimates for adults · CMS · HRSA
Keep exploring
Everything we know about Columbia Heights
20pages on Columbia Heights
The big questions
SchoolsCBehind 74% of MN districts · 12 schoolsSafetyC2.4 violent crimes per 1,000 residents (2025)HealthC+Better than MN on 1 of 32 CDC measuresCost of livingB−$296K typical home · up 1.4% in a yearWork & commuteB−$74K median household income · 4,711 jobs hereNatural hazardsCFEMA risk higher than 68% of U.S. communities · inland flooding
Out and about
The story
After high school
Colleges nearby
29 within 15 miles of the center of Columbia Heights
University of Northwestern-St PaulUniversity or college · Private nonprofit · Saint Paul4 mi$37,920 tuitionUniversity of Minnesota-Twin CitiesUniversity or college · Public · Minneapolis5.3 mi$17,214 in-state tuitionMinneapolis Community and Technical CollegeCommunity college · Public · Minneapolis5.6 mi$6,161 in-state tuition
About 5 of every 100 Columbia Heights residents are enrolled in college, about the same as Minnesota.
A commuter town
96% of working residents leave Columbia Heights for work
Where Columbia Heights’s working residents go each day. Line width shows the share.
4,711jobs based in Columbia Heights
4%of working residents work in town
7 mimedian commute distance
Census LEHD 2023
About Columbia Heights
City in Minnesota, United States
Columbia Heights is a city in Anoka County, Minnesota, United States. The population was 21,973 at the 2020 census. Minnesota State Highways 47 (University Avenue) and 65 (Central Avenue) are two of the main routes in the city. Columbia Heights is a first-ring northern suburb of Minneapolis, which borders it on the south. Its downtown district is centered at the intersection of 40th Avenue NE and Central Avenue, and includes the Heights Theater, county offices, the Public Library, and a variety of businesses. Central Avenue forms a commercial district along its length. More businesses also line University Avenue.
From Wikipedia, licensed CC BY-SA 4.0 · facts via Wikidata (CC0)
- Established
- 1898
- Area
- 3.5 sq mi
- Elevation
- 922 ft
- Area code
- 763
Columbia Heights’s neighbors
One town shares a border with Columbia Heights.
FridleyColumbia Heights
How the neighbors grade
| Town | MN rank | Overall | Cost | Safety | Schools | Health |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Columbia Heights | #260 | C | B− | C | C | C+ |
| Fridley | #251 | C | B− | D | C+ | B |
Questions about Columbia Heights
Short answers, built from the data on this page.
Is Columbia Heights, MN a good place to live?
Columbia Heights grades C overall, better than 27% of U.S. towns and #260 of 271 in Minnesota. It grades C+ for health, C for safety and C for schools.
Is Columbia Heights, MN expensive?
Paul-Bloomington, MN-WI metro area). Cost of living, which also weighs rents, property taxes and how many households pay 30% or more of their income for housing, grades B−.
What is Columbia Heights, MN known for?
2 notable people were born here, including Pat Proft and James D. La Belle.