Columbia County, Wisconsin
County in Wisconsin, United States
From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
Columbia County is a county located in the U.S. state of Wisconsin. As of the 2020 census, the population was 58,490.[2] Its county seat and largest city is Portage.[3] The county was created in 1846[4] as part of Wisconsin Territory. Columbia County is part of the Madison, WI Metropolitan Statistical Area as well as the Madison-Janesville-Beloit, WI Combined Statistical Area.
Columbia County, Wisconsin | |
|---|---|
Columbia County Courthouse in December 2014 | |
 Location within the U.S. state of Wisconsin | |
| Coordinates: 43°28′N 89°20′W | |
| Country |  United States |
| State |  Wisconsin |
| Founded | 1846 |
| Named after | Columbia |
| Seat | Portage |
| Largest city | Portage |
| Area | |
• Total | 796 sq mi (2,060 km2) |
| • Land | 766 sq mi (1,980 km2) |
| • Water | 30 sq mi (78 km2) 3.8% |
| Population | |
• Total | 58,490 |
• Estimate (2025) | 58,132  |
| • Density | 76.4/sq mi (29.5/km2) |
| Time zone | UTC−6 (Central) |
| • Summer (DST) | UTC−5 (CDT) |
| Congressional district | 6th |
| Website | www |
Geography
According to the U.S. Census Bureau, the county has a total area of 796 square miles (2,060 km2), of which 766 square miles (1,980 km2) is land and 30 square miles (78 km2) (3.8%) is water.[5] The county's highest point is in the Baraboo Range, near Durward's Glen at 1,480 feet above sea level.[6]
Major highways
Railroads
Passenger
Freight
Buses
Airports
- 94C - Gilbert Field airport serves the county and surrounding communities.
- C47 - Portage Municipal Airport supports the county.
Adjacent counties
- Marquette County – north
- Green Lake County – northeast
- Dodge County – east
- Dane County – south
- Sauk County – west
- Juneau County – northwest
- Adams County – northwest
Demographics
| Census | Pop. | Note | %± |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1850 | 9,565 | — | |
| 1860 | 24,441 | 155.5% | |
| 1870 | 28,802 | 17.8% | |
| 1880 | 28,065 | −2.6% | |
| 1890 | 28,350 | 1.0% | |
| 1900 | 31,121 | 9.8% | |
| 1910 | 31,129 | 0.0% | |
| 1920 | 30,468 | −2.1% | |
| 1930 | 30,503 | 0.1% | |
| 1940 | 32,517 | 6.6% | |
| 1950 | 34,023 | 4.6% | |
| 1960 | 36,708 | 7.9% | |
| 1970 | 40,150 | 9.4% | |
| 1980 | 43,222 | 7.7% | |
| 1990 | 45,088 | 4.3% | |
| 2000 | 52,468 | 16.4% | |
| 2010 | 56,833 | 8.3% | |
| 2020 | 58,490 | 2.9% | |
| 2025 (est.) | 58,132 | [7] | −0.6% |
| U.S. Decennial Census[8] 1790–1960[9] 1900–1990[10] 1990–2000[11] 2010–2020[2] | |||
Racial and ethnic composition
| Race / Ethnicity (NH = Non-Hispanic) | Pop 1980[12] | Pop 1990[13] | Pop 2000[14] | Pop 2010[15] | Pop 2020[16] | % 1980 | % 1990 | % 2000 | % 2010 | % 2020 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| White alone (NH) | 42,755 | 44,234 | 50,476 | 53,628 | 53,037 | 98.92% | 98.11% | 96.20% | 94.36% | 90.68% |
| Black or African American alone (NH) | 29 | 233 | 432 | 697 | 866 | 0.07% | 0.52% | 0.82% | 1.23% | 1.48% |
| Native American or Alaska Native alone (NH) | 106 | 134 | 165 | 233 | 270 | 0.25% | 0.30% | 0.31% | 0.41% | 0.46% |
| Asian alone (NH) | 83 | 126 | 173 | 298 | 376 | 0.19% | 0.28% | 0.33% | 0.52% | 0.64% |
| Native Hawaiian or Pacific Islander alone (NH) | x [17] | x [18] | 12 | 24 | 11 | x | x | 0.02% | 0.04% | 0.02% |
| Other race alone (NH) | 33 | 3 | 29 | 15 | 122 | 0.08% | 0.01% | 0.06% | 0.03% | 0.21% |
| Mixed race or Multiracial (NH) | x [19] | x [20] | 354 | 494 | 1,669 | x | x | 0.67% | 0.87% | 2.85% |
| Hispanic or Latino (any race) | 216 | 358 | 827 | 1,444 | 2,139 | 0.50% | 0.79% | 1.58% | 2.54% | 3.66% |
| Total | 43,222 | 45,088 | 52,468 | 56,833 | 58,490 | 100.00% | 100.00% | 100.00% | 100.00% | 100.00% |
2020 census
As of the 2020 census, the population was 58,490. The population density was 76.4 people per square mile (29.5 people/km2). There were 26,565 housing units at an average density of 34.7 units per square mile (13.4 units/km2).[1]
The median age was 43.2 years. 21.1% of residents were under the age of 18 and 19.4% of residents were 65 years of age or older. For every 100 females there were 103.5 males, and for every 100 females age 18 and over there were 102.9 males age 18 and over.[21]
The racial makeup of the county was 91.9% White, 1.5% Black or African American, 0.5% American Indian and Alaska Native, 0.7% Asian, <0.1% Native Hawaiian and Pacific Islander, 1.3% from some other race, and 4.1% from two or more races. Hispanic or Latino residents of any race comprised 3.7% of the population.[22]
33.8% of residents lived in urban areas, while 66.2% lived in rural areas.[23]
There were 23,879 households in the county, of which 27.4% had children under the age of 18 living in them. Of all households, 51.5% were married-couple households, 18.9% were households with a male householder and no spouse or partner present, and 21.2% were households with a female householder and no spouse or partner present. About 27.6% of all households were made up of individuals and 12.1% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older.[21]
There were 26,565 housing units, of which 10.1% were vacant. Among occupied housing units, 74.6% were owner-occupied and 25.4% were renter-occupied. The homeowner vacancy rate was 1.1% and the rental vacancy rate was 5.4%.[21]
2000 census
As of the census[24] of 2000, there were 52,468 people, 20,439 households, and 14,164 families residing in the county. The population density was 68 people per square mile (26 people/km2). There were 22,685 housing units at an average density of 29 units per square mile (11 units/km2). The racial makeup of the county was 97.18% White, 0.88% Black or African American, 0.35% Native American, 0.33% Asian, 0.02% Pacific Islander, 0.44% from other races, and 0.79% from two or more races. 1.58% of the population were Hispanic or Latino of any race. 46.4% were of German, 10.2% Norwegian, 7.8% Irish, 6.4% English and 5.0% United States or American ancestry.
There were 20,439 households, out of which 32.20% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 58.10% were married couples living together, 7.40% had a female householder with no husband present, and 30.70% were non-families. 25.50% of all households were made up of individuals, and 11.00% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.49 and the average family size was 2.99.
In the county, the population was spread out, with 25.20% under the age of 18, 7.10% from 18 to 24, 29.90% from 25 to 44, 23.40% from 45 to 64, and 14.40% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 38 years. For every 100 females, there were 101.60 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 100.40 males.
In 2017, there were 602 births, giving a general fertility rate of 63.9 births per 1000 women aged 15–44, the 35th highest out of all 72 Wisconsin Counties.[25] Additionally, there were 63 reported induced abortions performed on women of Columbia County residence, with a rate of 6.7 abortions per 1000 women aged 15–44, which is above the Wisconsin average rate of 5.2.[26]
Communities
Cities
- Columbus (partly in Dodge County)
- Lodi
- Portage (county seat)
- Wisconsin Dells (partly in Adams County, Juneau County, and Sauk County)
Villages
Towns
Census-designated places
- Dekorra
- Lake Wisconsin (partial)
Unincorporated communities
Ghost town/neighborhood
Politics
| Year | Republican | Democratic | Third party(ies) | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| No. | % | No. | % | No. | % | |
| 1892 | 3,314 | 49.26% | 2,957 | 43.95% | 457 | 6.79% |
| 1896 | 4,845 | 63.57% | 2,380 | 31.23% | 397 | 5.21% |
| 1900 | 4,763 | 65.71% | 2,181 | 30.09% | 305 | 4.21% |
| 1904 | 4,730 | 67.53% | 1,907 | 27.23% | 367 | 5.24% |
| 1908 | 4,072 | 60.12% | 2,363 | 34.89% | 338 | 4.99% |
| 1912 | 2,463 | 42.55% | 2,473 | 42.73% | 852 | 14.72% |
| 1916 | 3,395 | 57.52% | 2,299 | 38.95% | 208 | 3.52% |
| 1920 | 7,394 | 83.25% | 1,201 | 13.52% | 287 | 3.23% |
| 1924 | 4,724 | 40.41% | 907 | 7.76% | 6,059 | 51.83% |
| 1928 | 7,615 | 60.70% | 4,819 | 38.41% | 111 | 0.88% |
| 1932 | 4,970 | 36.43% | 8,455 | 61.98% | 216 | 1.58% |
| 1936 | 5,607 | 37.25% | 8,936 | 59.36% | 511 | 3.39% |
| 1940 | 8,260 | 53.68% | 7,021 | 45.63% | 106 | 0.69% |
| 1944 | 7,867 | 56.50% | 5,997 | 43.07% | 60 | 0.43% |
| 1948 | 6,406 | 52.64% | 5,615 | 46.14% | 148 | 1.22% |
| 1952 | 11,133 | 67.78% | 5,272 | 32.10% | 20 | 0.12% |
| 1956 | 10,120 | 66.01% | 5,158 | 33.65% | 52 | 0.34% |
| 1960 | 10,282 | 60.94% | 6,576 | 38.97% | 15 | 0.09% |
| 1964 | 6,253 | 38.20% | 10,093 | 61.66% | 24 | 0.15% |
| 1968 | 8,633 | 52.60% | 6,698 | 40.81% | 1,083 | 6.60% |
| 1972 | 10,122 | 58.02% | 7,083 | 40.60% | 242 | 1.39% |
| 1976 | 10,075 | 50.63% | 9,457 | 47.52% | 368 | 1.85% |
| 1980 | 10,478 | 49.90% | 8,715 | 41.51% | 1,803 | 8.59% |
| 1984 | 11,662 | 58.52% | 8,125 | 40.77% | 140 | 0.70% |
| 1988 | 10,475 | 53.09% | 9,132 | 46.28% | 123 | 0.62% |
| 1992 | 9,099 | 37.94% | 9,348 | 38.98% | 5,537 | 23.09% |
| 1996 | 8,377 | 38.92% | 10,336 | 48.03% | 2,808 | 13.05% |
| 2000 | 11,987 | 46.85% | 12,636 | 49.38% | 964 | 3.77% |
| 2004 | 14,956 | 50.60% | 14,300 | 48.38% | 299 | 1.01% |
| 2008 | 12,193 | 41.65% | 16,661 | 56.92% | 418 | 1.43% |
| 2012 | 13,026 | 42.64% | 17,175 | 56.23% | 345 | 1.13% |
| 2016 | 14,163 | 47.69% | 13,528 | 45.55% | 2,007 | 6.76% |
| 2020 | 16,927 | 49.98% | 16,410 | 48.45% | 532 | 1.57% |
| 2024 | 17,988 | 51.52% | 16,388 | 46.94% | 538 | 1.54% |
For most of its history, Columbia County voters have backed the Republican Party candidate in national elections. Prior to 1992, the only times Republicans failed to win the county in the preceding 100 years of presidential elections were in the midst of a divided party vote in 1912, in 1924 when Wisconsinite Robert La Follette was on the ballot, and in the national Democratic Party landslides of 1932, 1936, & 1964. From 1992 onward, the county has been a swing county, voting for the statewide winner in all presidential elections since then except in 2004 and 2020, and voting for the national winner in all except 2000 and 2020. Republican Donald Trump won narrow pluralities in the county in 2016 and 2020, although a majority of county residents supported Democrat Tammy Baldwin's re-election to the United States Senate in 2018. Trump went on to win an absolute majority in the county in 2024, the strongest Republican performance since 1988.[28]