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Columbia’s Special Census Reveals 17% Growth Since 2020, Unlocking Millions in Funding

Issue #415

April 22, 2025

In this What’s Up Columbia issue…

🗓 List of Upcoming Events

📰 Columbia’s Weather - Cloudy with high of 78 & low of 59

📰 Columbia’s Special Census Reveals 17% Growth Since 2020, Unlocking Millions in Funding

🎨 Young Talent on Display: K-12 Student Art Exhibit Opens at Pryor Gallery

📌 4/26: Tripp’s ACE Hardware 4th Annual Spring Day

🎵 This Week’s Live Music

🗓 Know of Some Local Events Not Listed? Send us the Details!

Upcoming Local Events

🗓 Have an event to add? Send us the Details!

Tuesday, April 22nd

Wednesday, April 23rd

Thursday, April 24th

Friday, April 25th

Saturday, April 26th

Sunday, April 27th

📌 Mark Your Calendars…

May 1-3: Mid-South Live Steamers Spring Meet at Maury County Park

Columbia’s Special Census Reveals 17% Growth Since 2020, Unlocking Millions in Funding

The City of Columbia announced Monday the official results of a special census conducted within the city limits. As of September 16, 2024, the population of the city of Columbia was 48,885 and the housing unit count was 21,492, showing a population increase of 17.26 percent since the 2020 decennial census. This data provides a more current and detailed snapshot of the city’s population and housing landscape than previous estimates. The numbers represent “Official Census Statistics” according to Title 13 United States Code Section 196.

Many federal and state funding programs allocate money to cities based on their population. This includes funding for infrastructure projects (roads, bridges), healthcare, housing assistance, community development, and public safety. An accurate census count ensures Columbia receives its fair share of these crucial funds.  

“This special census provides us with more funding and invaluable data that will be instrumental in shaping the future of Columbia,” remarked Mayor Chaz Molder. “Having these official figures allows us to better understand the growth and needs of our community, enabling us to make informed decisions about infrastructure, services, and future development. We are grateful for the participation of our residents in this important undertaking.”

City Manager Tony Massey noted, “Contracting with the U.S. Census Bureau to conduct this special census was a calculated risk. We were the only Tennessee municipality to do this. We saw the $928,000 that City Council authorized to fund the special census as an investment. The new population number represents a projected $6.4 million increase in state shared revenue to Columbia over the next five years. That’s a pretty good return on the public’s money. It’s good government”

Special census data includes total population and total housing unit counts by block for the special census area as well as a demographic profile that contains similar content as the 2020 Census demographic profiles.

This data will be made available to the public on the city’s website at www.ColumbiaTn.gov by May 1, 2025.

Young Talent on Display: K-12 Student Art Exhibit Opens at Pryor Gallery

Columbia State’s Pryor Art Gallery is set to host an art exhibit showcasing the talent of Maury County students from kindergarten through twelfth grade. The free exhibit will be open to the public from Monday, April 21, to Friday, May 9.

The gallery will be open from Monday - Thursday from 8 a.m. - 7 p.m. and Friday from 8 am. - 4 p.m.

A special reception for the students will be held on Wednesday, April 23, at 5:30 p.m. in the gallery.

"Our passionate K-12 art instructors are thrilled to showcase their students' unique and inspiring creations," said Gabriel Trius, Columbia State Pryor Art Gallery curator.

The Pryor Art Gallery is in the Waymon L. Hickman Building on the Columbia Campus located at 1665 Hampshire Pike.

For more information about the exhibition, visit their website or Facebook page.

4/26: Tripp’s ACE Hardware 4th Annual Spring Day

HUGE Hanging Baskets - Ferns - Beautiful Garden Center - Free Food tastings on The Big Green Egg - Local Honey for Sale from Farris Farms - Thomas Mason will be in the Garden Center from 9-2 discussing pollinator plants - Bri's Homemade Ice Cream will be for sale - Oliver's Racing Dirt Track Car will be on site! Lot's of SALES in the STORE! FREE FOOD TASTINGS - BIGGEST DAY OF THE YEAR!

Tripp’s ACE Hardware: 112 E. James Campbell Blvd.

🎵 This Week’s Live Music

Tuesday, April 22nd

Justen Harden, Puckett’s, 6:00 - 7:30 PM

Wednesday, April 23rd

Mika Lynch, Puckett’s, 6:00 - 7:30 PM

Thursday, April 24th

Oliver Pigott, Puckett’s, 6:00 - 7:30 PM
Todd Ciprian, Tito’s Spring Hill, 6:00 - 9:00 PM
Colonsay, Legacy Coffee, 6:30 - 8:30 PM
Codetta South & Bronwen Fair, McCreary’s, 7:00 - 9:00 PM

Friday, April 25th

Beyond The Grove, Buck & Board, 6:30 - 9:00 PM
Larry Gatlin, Gary Chapman & Regie Hamm, The Mulehouse, 7:00 PM
WTFunk, McCreary’s, 7:00 - 9:00 PM

Saturday, April 26th

Nick Bentley, Keg Springs Winery, 2:00 - 5:00 PM
Grasskickers, Amber Falls Winery, 3:00 - 7:00 PM
Kamber, Buck & Board, 5:00 - 8:00 PM
Cole Nichols & Austin Bohannon, 106 Pleasant St, Mt Pleasant, TN, 6:00 - 9:00 PM
615 Rewind, The Boondox, 8:00 - 11:00 PM

Sunday, April 27th

The Sins, Amber Falls Winery, 1:00 - 5:00 PM
Jay Hoppus, Puckett’s, 6:00 - 7:30 PM

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