RANK #74 / 996 · POP 58,272 · WI
PROJECTED GROWTH: +3.1%
Columbia County, Wisconsin, offers a blend of history and natural beauty, often referred to as "Madison's beautiful backyard country." The county seat, Portage, is a notable town with 22 parks and access to the Ice Age Trail, which also snakes through the city. Located in south-central Wisconsin, Columbia County is about 35 minutes from Madison, 90 minutes from Milwaukee, and three hours from Chicago, making it accessible for commuters. The community maintains a balance of rural charm and convenient access to larger cities, with a landscape shaped by glacial activity, featuring state natural areas, river trails, and nature preserves. Life in Columbia County is characterized by a strong sense of community and access to outdoor activities. The public schools in the county are above average, with the Fall River School District, Poynette School District, and Lodi School District ranking among the best. The local economy is diverse, with agriculture playing a significant role through family-owned farms, food processors, and related businesses. Recent economic developments include investments in energy and infrastructure, such as a proposed large-scale wind farm.
Below national median (4.7x)
Well below national median
Below-average climate & terrain
Prices detached from rents
Housing is fairly valued at 4.5x relative to local economic output. The typical U.S. county is 4–6x.
Source: Redfin · Census BPS — Browse sales on Redfin →
| PROJECT | AMOUNT | STATUS |
|---|---|---|
|
Columbia Wind Project
Alliant Energy
|
$730M | Proposed |
|
Good Oak Solar Park & Gristmill Solar Park (Combined)
OneEnergy Renewables (purchased by We Energies, WPS, MGE)
|
$361M | Under Construction |
|
High Noon Solar and Battery Park
Invenergy LLC (purchased by We Energies, WPS, MGE)
|
$300M | Under Construction |
|
I-39/90/94 Wisconsin River Bridge Replacement
Wisconsin Department of Transportation
|
$80M | Under Construction |
|
Associated Milk Producers Rebuild
Associated Milk Producers
|
$46M | Completed |
|
Columbia Energy Storage Project
Alliant Energy
|
$30M | Proposed |
Source: public records, news, corporate announcements. Amounts are estimates where noted.
Bars show percentile rank among all 996 counties.
Columbia County has a Boom Town Index score of 93/100, ranking #74 among 996 U.S. counties. With job growth at +0.2% and a median household income of $79,271, it's an above-average county on economic indicators.
The median home value in Columbia County is $243,600 with median rent at $911/month. The income-to-home-value ratio is 0.3254, which is more affordable than the national average.
Population growth: +0.1% year-over-year. Job growth: +0.2%. Home values changed +6.8% in the past 12 months.
Yes — 4.8% of Columbia County's population moved from another state, which is above the national average and indicates strong in-migration.