City profile · Wisconsin · Census ACS 2023

Columbus, WI

Population, income, housing, safety, climate and schools for Columbus - drawn straight from Census ACS, FBI UCR, NOAA, NCES, HUD and FEMA, refreshed on the 2024–2025 release cycle.

5,493
Residents
$74,957
Median income
$225,700
Median home
$1,195
Median rent (state)

Columbus - the verdict

Measured against every US city with at least 1,000 residents, Columbus lands in the 56th percentile for household income and the 84th percentile for safety. Source: Census ACS + FBI UCR.

56th
percentile, household income
50th
percentile, home value
36th
percentile, median rent
84th
percentile, safety
📝 How we sourced this

Population, income, and housing-cost figures come from the U.S. Census Bureau American Community Survey 5-year estimates (B-series tables). Crime data uses FBI UCR; climate uses NOAA Climate Normals; school counts come from NCES Common Core of Data; permits use the Census Building Permits Survey (BPS). See our methodology page for the full ETL pipeline and OMB / FIPS join keys.

Data Snapshot: Columbus, WI

Census ACS 2023 estimates count 5,493 residents in Columbus, a small town within Wisconsin. Columbus households earn a median of $74,957 annually, above the median for U.S. cities on this measure, with a poverty rate of 4.7%. Columbus's housing stock carries a median value of $225,700, and the median resident age is 39.4 years. About 31.4% of adults hold a bachelor's degree or higher, while 70.4% of working-age residents are in the labor force.

Housing supply pressure shows in Census Building Permit Survey data: 2 residential units were authorized in 2024 (Construction Slowdown), down 83% from five years earlier. Columbus reports a comparatively low crime rate: FBI UCR figures show 535.2 crimes per 100,000 residents, below the national average (reporting is voluntary across agencies, so treat this as reporting activity rather than a definitive danger score).

Living costs in Wisconsin run below the national norm: on BEA's 100-equals-national-average cost index, Wisconsin scores 94.1 (Below Average), per the 2024 Regional Price Parities release. Statewide, HUD pegs Fair Market Rent for a two-bedroom unit at $1,195 monthly. Monthly utility costs average around $225 across Wisconsin, per EIA 2023 residential energy estimates. Workers in Columbus report an average commute of 20.5 minutes, with 72.9% driving alone and 17.8% working from home. Natural-hazard exposure scores 81.4 out of 100 on FEMA's National Risk Index (High).

Population

5,493 residents

Census ACS 2023 - Wisconsin

Median Household Income

$74,957 /yr

Poverty 4.7%

Cost of Living Index (state)

94.1 (US=100)

Below Average - BEA RPP 2024, Wisconsin average

How does Columbus compare to other US cities?

Here's how Columbus stacks up against the full field of US cities (population 1,000+), computed live from Census and FBI data.

Household income 56% higher than other cities
Home value 50% pricier than other cities
Median rent 36% pricier than other cities
Safety 84% safer than other cities

"Safer than" reflects total crime rate from FBI UCR; the others use Census ACS estimates.

Zoom in to just Wisconsin and the picture shifts: Columbus ranks #57 of 202 Wisconsin cities by lowest crime rate, a different read than the national percentile above.

How we calculate these percentiles & ranks

Each percentile compares Columbus against every qualifying US city; each in-state rank narrows that to Wisconsin only. Full formula and direction notes: methodology.

Wisconsin-relative analysis

Bachelor's Degree or Higher places Columbus toward the top of Wisconsin's cities

Among the 761 Wisconsin cities PlainCities tracks with reported bachelor's degree or higher data, Columbus ranks #185 - the 75th percentile within the state. This is a different, narrower cut than the nationwide percentiles above: it compares Columbus only against its own state's cities, not the full US field.

Median Household Income
#292 of 753
61st percentile in Wisconsin
Median Gross Rent
#215 of 761
70th percentile in Wisconsin
Median Home Value
#237 of 754
69th percentile in Wisconsin
Poverty Rate
#416 of 761
45th percentile in Wisconsin
Bachelor's Degree or Higher
#185 of 761
75th percentile in Wisconsin

Ranked by raw value (highest first); a higher rank is not automatically "better" for every measure, see each metric's own context above. This is a comparison within Wisconsin only, not a livability score. See the methodology for the source and calculation.

56thIncome percentile
84thSafety percentile

56th percentile nationally for median household income · 84th percentile for safety (lower crime rate). Source: Census ACS 2023 / FBI UCR 2023.

Columbus's profile vs. every US city

Income, affordability, and safety percentile

Columbus's percentile rank on 3 favorable-direction measures (income, affordability, safety) vs. every tracked US city -- higher on every axis is more favorable. Not a composite quality score, just the arithmetic mean of the axes shown. 3-axis radar comparing 1 series across Income, Affordability, Safety. IncomeAffordabilitySafety 66 Avg. percentile National median
Columbus's percentile rank on 3 favorable-direction measures (income, affordability, safety) vs. every tracked US city -- higher on every axis is more favorable. Not a composite quality score, just the arithmetic mean of the axes shown.

How Columbus's home value compares nationally

Median home value vs. every US city (population 1,000+)

$225,700 Among the most affordable more affordable than 50% of 15,600 US cities

$0–$25,000: 5 US cities (0%). Below this entry. $25,000–$50,000: 54 US cities (0%). Below this entry. $50,000–$75,000: 352 US cities (2%). Below this entry. $75,000–$100,000: 1,086 US cities (7%). Below this entry. $100,000–$125,000: 1,516 US cities (10%). Below this entry. $125,000–$150,000: 1,170 US cities (8%). Below this entry. $150,000–$175,000: 1,278 US cities (8%). Below this entry. $175,000–$200,000: 1,229 US cities (8%). Below this entry. $200,000–$225,000: 1,035 US cities (7%). Below this entry. $225,000–$250,000: 976 US cities (6%). This entry sits in this band. $250,000–$275,000: 754 US cities (5%). Above this entry. $275,000–$300,000: 712 US cities (5%). Above this entry. $300,000–$325,000: 521 US cities (3%). Above this entry. $325,000–$350,000: 526 US cities (3%). Above this entry. $350,000–$375,000: 465 US cities (3%). Above this entry. $375,000–$400,000: 393 US cities (3%). Above this entry. $400,000–$425,000: 317 US cities (2%). Above this entry. $425,000–$450,000: 300 US cities (2%). Above this entry. $450,000–$475,000: 307 US cities (2%). Above this entry. $475,000–$500,000: 250 US cities (2%). Above this entry. $500,000–$525,000: 160 US cities (1%). Above this entry. $525,000–$550,000: 156 US cities (1%). Above this entry. $550,000–$575,000: 172 US cities (1%). Above this entry. $575,000–$600,000: 172 US cities (1%). Above this entry. $600,000–$625,000: 163 US cities (1%). Above this entry. $625,000–$650,000: 167 US cities (1%). Above this entry. $650,000–$675,000: 135 US cities (1%). Above this entry. $675,000–$700,000: 101 US cities (1%). Above this entry. $700,000–$725,000: 95 US cities (1%). Above this entry. $725,000–$750,000: 71 US cities (0%). Above this entry. $750,000–$775,000: 65 US cities (0%). Above this entry. $775,000–$800,000: 70 US cities (0%). Above this entry. $800,000–$825,000: 57 US cities (0%). Above this entry. $825,000–$850,000: 67 US cities (0%). Above this entry. $850,000–$875,000: 60 US cities (0%). Above this entry. $875,000–$900,000: 58 US cities (0%). Above this entry. $900,000–$925,000: 47 US cities (0%). Above this entry. $925,000–$950,000: 37 US cities (0%). Above this entry. $950,000–$975,000: 31 US cities (0%). Above this entry. $975,000–$1,000,000: 470 US cities (3%). Above this entry. $1,000,000–$1,025,000: 0 US cities (0%). Above this entry. Columbus $0 $1,025,000 every US city, bucketed by value

Each bar is a $25K-wide band; taller bars hold more US cities. The dashed line + filled bar mark this entry. Hover or tap any bar for its full count, share, and where it sits relative to this entry.

Source U.S. Census Bureau ACS 5-Year Estimates · 2023

Income distribution context

Household income distribution - Columbus, WI Columbus, WI's reported median household income shown against the U.S. national quintile-share pattern (not Columbus, WI-specific quintile data). The Lorenz curve traces the national cumulative income share against cumulative population share, perfect equality is the diagonal; observed inequality bows below. $ Household Income Distribution Columbus, WI median $74,957/yr, vs. U.S. national quintile pattern QUINTILE SHARE OF AGGREGATE INCOME Lowest 20% 3.4% Second 20% 9.2% Middle 20% 15.1% Fourth 20% 23.2% Top 20% 49.1% LORENZ CURVE cumulative income vs. population 100% 0% 100% pop. 0%
Columbus, WI's median household income (Census ACS 5-year estimate) plotted against the U.S. national income-quintile distribution pattern for context; the quintile shares and Lorenz curve are national figures, not computed specifically for Columbus, WI. Diagonal = perfect equality.

Key socioeconomic indicators

Bachelor's degree or higher (adults 25+) 31.4%

Census ACS S1501, educational attainment

Poverty rate (households below FPL) 4.7%

Census ACS S1701, poverty status

Labor force participation (adults 16+) 70.4%

Census ACS S2301, share of working-age residents in the labor force

Population
5,493
Median Income
$74,957
Median Home Value
$225,700
Median Age
39.4
Poverty Rate
4.7%
Labor force participation
70.4%
Bachelor's Degree+
31.4%

Safety & Crime

Total Crime Rate
535.2
per 100,000 residents
Violent Crime
73.8
per 100,000 residents
Property Crime
461.4
per 100,000 residents

Reflects incidents reported to the FBI's Uniform Crime Reporting program — agency participation is voluntary and reporting completeness varies by jurisdiction and year, so this reflects reporting activity, not a definitive danger score. Not adjusted for tourism, commuter, or daytime population.

Schools

Total Schools
4
Public schools in this city

Population Change

Annual U.S. Census Bureau Population Estimates Program (PEP) estimates, 2020–2025

See the fastest-growing cities →
5,350 residents5,400 residents5,450 residents5,500 residents5,550 residents 202020212022202320242025 5,535 residents 5,400 residents ▼ -2.4%
Columbus's Census PEP population estimates, 2020–2025.

Housing Supply

Census Bureau Building Permits Survey (BPS) - annual residential permits authorized

📉 Construction Slowdown
Total Permits (2024)
2
housing units authorized
Single-Family
2
detached homes
Multifamily
0
apartments & condos
Supply Intensity
0.4
permits per 1,000 residents

5-Year Permit Trend (2019–2024)

Year Total
2019 12
2020 14
2021 7
2022 3
2023 2
2024 2

Permit volume decreased 83% from 2019 to 2024.

Commute Patterns

How workers travel to work, Census ACS 2023

Average Commute Time
20.5 minutes
Drive Alone
72.9%
Carpool
6.2%
Public Transit
0.0%
Walk
3.2%
Work from Home
17.8%

Based on 3,105 workers 16 and over.

Monthly Utility Costs

State-average estimates for Wisconsin - EIA 2023 residential energy data

Electricity
$100
avg/month
Natural Gas
$80
avg/month
Water & Sewer
$45
avg/month
Total Utilities
$225
estimated/month

Estimates reflect Wisconsin state averages. Actual costs vary by home size, usage, and local rates. Source: U.S. Energy Information Administration (EIA) 2023.

Living Costs & Risk

Cost of living is a Wisconsin state average from BEA; rent and hazard risk are county-level figures from HUD and FEMA for the county Columbus sits in

Cost of Living Index
94.1
Below Average
US average = 100 · BEA RPP 2024
Typical 2-BR Rent
$1,195/mo
HUD Fair Market Rent
County-level FMR estimate
Natural Hazard Risk
81.4 / 100
High
FEMA NRI composite score (county)

Similar Cities in Wisconsin

Prairie du Chien
5,471 people
Berlin
5,523 people
Rothschild
5,532 people
North Fond du Lac
5,373 people
Waterford
5,627 people
Milton
5,685 people

Cities of a Similar Size Nationwide

Population-matched peers from other states, closest to Columbus's 5,493 residents (Census ACS 5-Year 2023).

Osceola, IA
5,495 people
Albion, NY
5,495 people
Quantico Base, VA
5,491 people
Strawberry CDP (Marin County), CA
5,496 people
Walterboro, SC
5,490 people
Kodiak, AK
5,497 people

Cities with a Similar Household Income Nationwide

Median-household-income-matched peers from other states, closest to Columbus's $74,957 (Census ACS 5-Year 2023, table B19013).

Montebello, CA
$74,955 median income
Greenfield, IN
$74,949 median income
Forty Fort, PA
$74,966 median income
Olcott, NY
$74,970 median income
Ferdinand, IN
$74,943 median income
Salt Lake City, UT
$74,925 median income

Race & Ethnicity Composition

Race and ethnicity - Columbus, WI Race categories sum to one hundred percent per Census methodology. Hispanic or Latino is shown separately as an ethnicity overlay; it cuts across all race categories per OMB Directive 15. Race & Ethnicity Composition Columbus, WI - Census ACS, OMB race + ethnicity categories RACE, sums to 100% 92.6% ETHNICITY, Hispanic or Latino (any race) 1.1% White 92.6% Black or African American 2.6% Asian 1.3% American Indian 0.3% Native Hawaiian 0.0% Some other race 0.2% Two or more races 2.9% Per OMB Directive 15: Hispanic/Latino ethnicity is reported separately from the race categories.
Race categories sum to 100%. Hispanic or Latino ethnicity is reported separately and cuts across race per Census/OMB methodology.

City-level race and ethnicity, Census ACS 5-year 2023 (tables B02001, B03001), OMB Directive 15 categories.

How Columbus compares to nearby Wisconsin cities

Population + median household income, sourced from Census Bureau ACS 5-year B01001 (population) and B19013 (median household income).

City Population Median Household Income
Columbus (this city) 5,493 $74,957
Prairie du Chien 5,471 $52,670
Berlin 5,523 $55,216
Rothschild 5,532 $87,250
Census ACS 5-year FIPS WI FBI UCR NCES CCD Census BPS 2024 OMB Bulletin 23-01

What do people ask about Columbus, WI?

What is the population of Columbus, WI? +

Columbus, WI counts 5,493 residents according to U.S. Census Bureau ACS 2023 estimates.

What is the median household income in Columbus, WI? +

The median household income in Columbus is $74,957 per year, based on Census ACS 2023 data.

What is the cost of living in Columbus? +

BEA does not publish a city-level cost-of-living figure for Columbus; the closest available measure is the Wisconsin state average, a cost of living index of 94.1 (U.S. average = 100), rated "Below Average" based on BEA Regional Price Parities 2024 data. Costs within Wisconsin vary by metro area.

Is Columbus, WI safe? +

Columbus has a total crime rate of 535.2 per 100,000 residents, which is below the national average. This reflects incidents reported to the FBI UCR program, not a definitive safety score -- agency reporting is voluntary and completeness varies by jurisdiction.

What is the median home value in Columbus, WI? +

Homes in Columbus carry a median value of $225,700, according to Census ACS 2023 estimates.

Source: U.S. Census Bureau ACS 5-Year 2023, FBI UCR, NCES CCD, Census BPS 2024, Census ACS B08301/B08136, U.S. Energy Information Administration (EIA) 2023, BEA Regional Price Parities 2024, HUD Fair Market Rents 2026, FEMA National Risk Index.

Read our methodology - how this data is sourced, computed, and verified.

Primary sources: Census ACS, FBI UCR, NOAA Climate Normals, NCES.

Citation & verification links Data sourced from the U.S. Census Bureau. See our methodology for details. Retrieved and formatted by PlainCities

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Every figure on PlainCities is rendered directly from Census ACS source data, no number is typed in by an editor. This page draws directly on Census ACS source data, no figure is typed in by an editor. See our editorial standards & corrections policy, the methodology behind these numbers, or report a data error.