RANK #177 / 1001 NAT · #9 / 29 WI · POP 58,272
1YR FORECAST: +2.8%
5YR OUTLOOK: +34%
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.
Columbia County is one of 145 U.S. counties in this market profile — near the profile average on the BoomTown Index. Within this cohort, its recent home-price change of +6.6% runs above the profile's typical +4.9%.
See all 145 Heartland Steady Growth counties →Overvalued relative to economy
Below-average climate & terrain
Prices detached from rents
Housing looks overvalued at 13.8x — home prices are high relative to local economic output. The typical U.S. county is 4–6x.
Estimated local headcount ranges. Larger employers shown as floor + "+"; smaller employers show exact counts where reported.
Bars show trailing 12-month growth. The dashed Forecast bars are the model's next-12-month projection; the whisker marks the ±1% range (cooling–accelerating).
Source: Redfin · Census BPS — Browse sales on Redfin →
Source: CDC/NCHS vital statistics via County Health Rankings (2020–2022 avg). Rates per 100,000 population. Grade based on homicide rate relative to national average (~6.3). Learn more →
Source: EPA Air Quality System (2021–2023). Grade based on 3-year average median AQI. Learn about AQI →
| 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 1001 counties.
Columbia County ranks #177 out of 1001 U.S. counties on the Boom Town Index with a score of 82/100. The composite score reflects long-term strength — housing, income, and migration patterns — but near-term hiring is soft (employment is down 1.0% year-over-year). Median household income here is $85,351.
Housing in Columbia County is roughly in line with national affordability norms. The median home costs $283,200 and the income-to-home-value ratio sits at 0.30, with rents averaging $978/month. Not a bargain, but not a stretch for most local earners either.
Population and employment in Columbia County are both close to flat — population -0.1% YoY and jobs -1.0%. Home values shifted +6.6% over the past 12 months. A steady-state county, neither expanding quickly nor shrinking.
There's a moderate stream of newcomers. About 4.55% of residents moved from another state, which is above average and suggests Columbia County has appeal as a relocation destination — though it's not among the highest-inflow counties nationally.
Home values climbed +6.6% year-over-year, which is a solid pace of appreciation. The median home in Columbia County is now valued at $283,200. That kind of growth typically reflects sustained demand rather than speculative frenzy.