Columbus, Wisconsin Demographics & Population 2026
During the 2020–2024 ACS period, Columbus, Wisconsin had a total population of 5,488, the 148th largest city in Wisconsin, with a median household income of $75,427, which is 3% lower than the state average. The poverty rate is 6.9%.
Data vintage: U.S. Census Bureau ACS 2020–2024 5-Year Estimates · refreshed July 2026 · Methodology & source notes
Columbus Quick Facts
How Columbus Changed
Change from the 2019–2023 ACS period to 2020–2024. These are rolling five-year estimates, not year-over-year measurements.
| Metric | 2019–2023 | 2020–2024 | Change |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 5,493 | 5,488 | -0.1% |
| Median household income | $74,957 | $75,427 | +0.6% |
| Median home value | $225,700 | $230,600 | +2.2% |
How Columbus Compares
Median Household Income
Median Home Value
Economy & Housing
Household Income Distribution
Detailed income brackets
Employment
Housing Overview
People & Demographics
Age Distribution
Race & Ethnicity
Diversity Index
A less diverse community where one racial or ethnic group represents a large majority.
State average: 37 | National average: 61
Education
Educational Attainment (Adults 25+)
Columbus Rankings in Wisconsin
Explore Wisconsin Rankings
Other Cities in Dodge County
| City | Population | Median Income | Poverty | Home Value |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Watertown | 22,774 | $70,107 | 9.9% | $222,100 |
| Beaver Dam | 16,565 | $66,673 | 8.9% | $201,900 |
| Mayville | 5,228 | $66,834 | 6.6% | $193,000 |
| Horicon | 3,814 | $53,465 | 14.1% | $172,500 |
| Lomira | 2,675 | $70,365 | 8.9% | $235,400 |
| Juneau | 2,625 | $77,708 | 13.2% | $186,700 |
| Fox Lake | 1,780 | $75,000 | 10.4% | $174,900 |
| Randolph | 1,642 | $58,571 | 6.9% | $176,800 |
| Theresa | 1,378 | $71,528 | 10.2% | $172,800 |
| Kekoskee | 1,067 | $96,944 | 5.7% | $305,100 |
Cities Similar to Columbus
These cities in the same state have comparable population and economic profiles.
| City | Population | Median Income | Home Value | Bachelor's+ | Poverty |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Waterford | 5,692 | $82,404 | $329,800 | 28.2% | 3.8% |
| Evansville | 5,782 | $81,149 | $276,400 | 35.0% | 5.6% |
| Rothschild | 5,600 | $88,261 | $203,600 | 33.6% | 8.5% |
| Milton | 5,706 | $85,959 | $249,200 | 28.3% | 6.5% |
| Dodgeville | 5,042 | $72,288 | $242,600 | 31.8% | 6.3% |
Population Overview
Columbus is a small city located in Wisconsin, within Dodge County. The total population is 5,488. It ranks as the 148th most populous out of 808 Census-designated places in Wisconsin.
Age Demographics
The median age in Columbus is 40.3 years. This is about the same as the state median of 40.2 years.
Economy, Income & Housing
The median household income in Columbus is $75,427. This is 3% lower than the state median of $77,485. It is also 7% lower than the national median of $80,734. The poverty rate stands at 6.9%. This is 34% lower than the state poverty rate of 10.5%. The unemployment rate is 4.9%. This is 50% higher than the state rate of 3.3%. The median home value is $230,600. Housing costs are 13% lower than the state median of $266,500. The home-value-to-income ratio is 3.1x. 63.4% of occupied housing units are owner-occupied. This homeownership rate is 7% lower than the state average of 67.8%.
Race & Ethnicity
Columbus has a predominantly White (non-Hispanic) population, comprising 90.3% of all residents. Hispanic or Latino residents account for 4.1%. The Black or African American population (2.0%) is well below the state average of 5.9%. The Asian population (0.3%) is well below the state average of 2.9%.
Education
27.6% of residents aged 25 and older hold a bachelor's degree or higher. This is 17% lower than the state rate of 33.4%. Nationally, 35.7% of adults hold at least a bachelor's degree. The high school graduation rate (or equivalent) is 96.7%.
Data Sources & Methodology
All demographic data for Columbus, Wisconsin is sourced from the U.S. Census Bureau's American Community Survey (ACS) 2020–2024 5-Year Estimates. The ACS collects data from approximately 3.5 million households annually and pools five years of responses so that even small communities can be measured, though the margin of error widens as the population falls. Comparisons are made against Wisconsin state averages and national averages calculated from the same dataset. Rankings reflect the city's position among all 808 Census-designated places in Wisconsin. Read more about how these figures are produced on our methodology page, or visit data.census.gov for official data.
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Frequently Asked Questions
What is the population of Columbus, Wisconsin?
Columbus, Wisconsin has a population of 5,488 according to the most recent U.S. Census ACS 5-Year Estimates.
What is the median household income in Columbus, WI?
The median household income in Columbus is $75,427, which is 7% lower than the national median of $80,734.
What is the poverty rate in Columbus, WI?
The poverty rate in Columbus is 6.9%. This means approximately 374 residents live below the federal poverty line.
What is the racial makeup of Columbus, Wisconsin?
Columbus's population is 90.3% White, 2.0% Black, 4.1% Hispanic/Latino, and 0.3% Asian.
What is the median home value in Columbus, WI?
The median home value in Columbus is $230,600. The home-value-to-income ratio is 3.1x.
How educated is Columbus, Wisconsin?
27.6% of adults (25+) in Columbus hold a bachelor's degree or higher, and 4.8% hold a graduate or professional degree.