Signals
Columbus
Pontiac
Growth
54 · Top 44%
vs42 · Bottom 38%
Climate
57 · Bottom 17%
vs61 · Bottom 31%
Physical resilience
27 · Bottom 16%
vs40 · Bottom 29%
Housing affordability
100 · Top 27%
vs100 · Top 27%
Access
66 · Bottom 31%
vs83 · Top 36%
Economic stability
94 · Top 2%
vs68 · Top 29%
Measured values
| Metric | Columbus | Pontiac | Source period |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 45,357 | 35,565 | 2024 ACS 5-Year |
| Median household income | $75,378 | $73,790 | 2024 ACS 5-Year |
| Per capita income | $36,056 | $37,327 | 2024 ACS 5-Year |
| Population density | 42/sq mi | 34/sq mi | 2024 ACS 5-Year |
| Median home value | $210,600 | $142,200 | 2024 ACS 5-Year |
| Median gross rent | $923 | $880 | 2024 ACS 5-Year |
| Homeownership rate | 72.6% | 74.3% | 2024 ACS 5-Year |
| Bachelor's degree or higher | 21.2% | 19.0% | 2024 ACS 5-Year |
| Poverty rate | 9.1% | 10.5% | 2024 ACS 5-Year |
| Housing units permitted (12 months) | 197 | 56 | 12 months ending July 2026 |
| Permits per 1,000 residents | 4.3 | 1.6 | 12 months ending July 2026 |
| Permit change (year over year) | -50.9% | 47.4% | 12 months ending July 2026 |
| Average July high | 86°F | 84°F | 1991-2020 Normals |
| Average January low | 12°F | 17°F | 1991-2020 Normals |
| Annual precipitation | 27.0" | 37.0" | 1991-2020 Normals |
| Distance to major airport | 59 mi | 35 mi | NASR current cycle |
| Average commute | 17.7 min | 22.9 min | 2024 ACS 5-Year |
| Median age | 37.1 | 41.8 | 2024 ACS 5-Year |
A bolded value is the more favorable of the two where the metric has a clear direction. Metrics like population and density have no inherent better or worse and are shown unweighted.
Physical risk tradeoff
Columbus
Elevated or high exposure: hail, strong wind, tornado.
Pontiac
Elevated or high exposure: inland flooding, strong wind.
Full profiles: Columbus, NE Micro Area · Pontiac, IL Micro Area · How this is calculated: methodology