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Columbia County, Wisconsin facts for kids

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Columbia County
U.S. county
Columbia County courthouse in December 2014
Columbia County courthouse in December 2014
Map of Wisconsin highlighting Columbia County
Location within the U.S. state of Wisconsin
Map of the United States highlighting Wisconsin
Wisconsin's location within the U.S.
Country  United States
State  Wisconsin
Founded 1846
Named for Christopher Columbus
Seat Portage
Largest city Portage
Area
 • Total 796 sq mi (2,060 km2)
 • Land 766 sq mi (1,980 km2)
 • Water 30 sq mi (80 km2)  3.8%
Population
 (2020)
 • Total 58,490
 • Estimate 
(2023)
 58,091 Decrease
 • Density 76.4/sq mi (29.5/km2)
Time zone UTC−6 (Central)
 • Summer (DST) UTC−5 (CDT)
Congressional district 6th

Columbia County is a county located in the U.S. state of Wisconsin. As of the 2020 census, the population was 58,490. Its county seat and largest city is Portage. The county was created in 1846 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.

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. The county's highest point is in the Baraboo Range, near Durward's Glen at 1,480 feet above sea level.

Major highways

  • I-39.svg Interstate 39
  • I-90.svg Interstate 90
  • I-94.svg Interstate 94
  • US 51.svg U.S. Highway 51
  • US 151.svg U.S. Highway 151
  • WIS 13.svg Highway 13
  • WIS 16.svg Highway 16
  • WIS 22.svg Highway 22
  • WIS 23.svg Highway 23
  • WIS 33.svg Highway 33
  • WIS 44.svg Highway 44
  • WIS 60.svg Highway 60
  • WIS 73.svg Highway 73
  • WIS 78.svg Highway 78
  • WIS 89.svg Highway 89
  • WIS 113.svg Highway 113
  • WIS 127.svg Highway 127
  • WIS 146.svg Highway 146
  • WIS 188.svg Highway 188

Railroads

Airports

  • 94C - Gilbert Field airport serves the county and surrounding communities.
  • C47 - Portage Municipal Airport supports the county.

Adjacent counties

Demographics

Historical population
Census Pop. %±
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%
U.S. Decennial Census
1790–1960 1900–1990
1990–2000 2010–2020

2020 census

As of the census of 2020, 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). The racial makeup of the county was 91.9% White, 1.5% Black or African American, 0.7% Asian, 0.5% Native American, 1.3% from other races, and 4.1% from two or more races. Ethnically, the population was 3.7% Hispanic or Latino of any race.

Communities

Cities

Villages

Towns

Census-designated places

Unincorporated communities

Ghost town/neighborhood

See also

Kids robot.svg In Spanish: Condado de Columbia (Wisconsin) para niños

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