Columbia, Kentucky facts for kids

Quick facts for kids Columbia, Kentucky
City
Adair County Courthouse
Location of Columbia in Adair County, Kentucky.
Country	United States
State	Kentucky
County	Adair
Government
• Type	Mayor-Council
Area
• Total	4.91 sq mi (12.72 km2)
• Land	4.87 sq mi (12.62 km2)
• Water	0.04 sq mi (0.10 km2)
Elevation	748 ft (228 m)
Population  (2020)
• Total	4,845
• Estimate  (2022)	4,846
• Density	994.46/sq mi (383.94/km2)
Time zone	UTC-6 (Central (CST))
• Summer (DST)	UTC-5 (CDT)
ZIP codes	42715, 42728, 42735
Area code(s)	270 & 364
FIPS code	21-16750
GNIS feature ID	0489885
Website	www.cityofcolumbiaky.com

Columbia is a city in Adair County, Kentucky, United States. It is located near Russell Creek. Columbia is also the main city of Adair County. This means it's where the county government offices are located. In 2020, about 4,845 people lived there.

History of Columbia

When Was Columbia Settled?

The area where Columbia is today was first settled around 1802 by Daniel Trabue. A post office opened in 1806, run by John Field, who also had a local store.

Columbia During the Civil War

During the American Civil War (1861–1865), Columbia was important for the Union Army. Camp Boyle, just north of the town square, was a place where Union soldiers gathered and trained. The 13th Kentucky Cavalry Regiment (Union) was formed right here in Columbia.

Geography of Columbia

What is the Size of Columbia?

Columbia covers a total area of about 3.4 square miles (8.9 square kilometers). All of this area is land.

People of Columbia

How Many People Live in Columbia?

In 2010, there were 4,014 people living in Columbia. These people lived in 1,554 homes. About 893 of these were families.

Who Lives in Columbia?

Most people living in Columbia are White (about 88.77%). About 7.68% are African American. Other groups, like Native American, Asian, and Pacific Islander people, also live here. About 1.93% of the population is Hispanic or Latino.

Age Groups in Columbia

The population of Columbia includes people of all ages. About 18% of the people are under 18 years old. Around 20.6% are 65 years or older. The average age in the city is 36 years.

Fun Things to Do in Columbia

What Events Happen in Columbia?

Columbia hosts several fun events throughout the year:

• Downtown Days: This is a two-day festival held in downtown Columbia. It includes a parade, a beauty pageant, and even a reenactment of an old bank robbery! There are also fun activities for kids, like train rides, a carnival, and face painting. You can enjoy live music and lots of food.
• To The Nines: This is a special shopping event that happens almost every month. Downtown businesses stay open until 9 P.M. and often offer discounts.

Education in Columbia

Public Schools in Columbia

Students in Columbia attend schools that are part of the Adair County Schools School District. These schools include:

• Adair County Primary School (for Pre-School, Kindergarten, 1st, and 2nd Grade)
• Adair County Elementary School (for 3rd, 4th, and 5th Grade)
• Adair County Middle School (for 6th, 7th, and 8th Grade)
• Adair County High School (for 9th through 12th Grade)

Colleges in Columbia

Columbia is home to Lindsey Wilson College. This is a private four-year college where students can earn their degrees.

Public Library in Columbia

The Adair County Public Library is located in Columbia. It's a great place to borrow books and learn new things.

Media in Columbia

Local News and Radio

Columbia has several ways for people to get local news and entertainment:

• The Adair Progress: A local newspaper published twice a week.
• WAIN (AM): A radio station that plays sports.
• WAIN-FM: A radio station that plays country music.
• Adair County Community Voice: Another local newspaper published once a week.
• Columbia Magazine: An online magazine that shares local news and history every day.

Getting Around Columbia

Major Roads and Highways

The Louie B. Nunn Cumberland Parkway goes through Columbia. This parkway connects Bowling Green to Somerset. It is planned to become part of Interstate 66 in the future.

Columbia has two exits on the Parkway:

• Exit 49: This is the original exit. It leads to Highway 55 South (also called Jamestown Street). This road takes you through the middle of Columbia.
• Exit 47: This is a newer exit. It connects to Highway 61 South (also known as Burkesville Street/Road). From here, you can go north into Columbia or south towards Burkesville.

Columbia Bypass

A special road called the Columbia Bypass was built to help reduce traffic in the downtown area. Construction started in May 2007. The bypass officially opened on October 7, 2008. It has traffic lights at its intersections with North 55 and South 61. This bypass has helped make downtown traffic much smoother.

Famous People from Columbia

• Walter Arnold Baker – A state lawmaker and a judge on the Kentucky Supreme Court.
• Steve Hamilton – A professional baseball pitcher.
• Vernie McGaha – A Kentucky state senator.
• Marine Sergeant Dakota Meyer – He received the Medal of Honor for his bravery during a dangerous situation in Afghanistan.
• Doug Moseley – A United Methodist minister and former Kentucky State Senator.
• Frank Lane Wolford – A U.S. Congressman.
• James Alexander Williamson – A Civil War General and Medal of Honor winner.
• Lance Burton – A famous stage magician.

Images for kids

• 

  Adair County Courthouse

• 

  Location of Columbia in Adair County, Kentucky.

See also

In Spanish: Columbia (Kentucky) para niños