1st Advantage MortgageIn Columbia County, Wisconsin, the typical household earns $85,351 a year and the typical rent is $978. Those figures describe the county, not you: compare at least three written offers by APR and total cost, and confirm the lender's license before you apply.
On this page
- Columbia County by the numbers
- Jobs and commutes in Columbia County
- Columbia County against other Wisconsin counties
- Paychecks and income spread in Columbia County
- The Columbia County housing market in figures
- Places inside Columbia County
- Nearby counties: income, rent, ownership
- Debt-to-income at Columbia County's medians
- Age, degrees and coverage in Columbia County
- Before borrowing in Columbia County
- Steps before you apply in Columbia County
- Wisconsin lender licensing
- Beyond Columbia County
- Frequently asked questions
Columbia County by the numbers
The latest five-year Census estimate puts Columbia County's population at 58,272; only 25 of Wisconsin's 72 county-level areas are larger. It covers 766 square miles of land, or about 76 people per square mile. For statistical purposes it belongs to the Madison, WI metro area, as delineated by the Office of Management and Budget in July 2023. Portage (10,236 people) heads the county's list of 14 Census places, 12 incorporated and 2 census-designated.
Jobs and commutes in Columbia County
The biggest employer of Columbia County residents, by industry, is education and health care at 21% of workers, followed by manufacturing (16%). Relative to Wisconsin (6%), construction is 2 points bigger in Columbia County (9%). ACS puts five-year average unemployment at 3.1% in Columbia County. 18% of commuters travel 45 minutes or more each way, and 13% work from home. No car: 4.4% of Columbia County households.
| Where residents work | Columbia County | Difference from Wisconsin |
|---|---|---|
| Education and health care | 21.0% | -2.3 pts |
| Manufacturing | 16.4% | -1.4 pts |
| Retail trade | 10.0% | -1.1 pts |
| Professional and administrative services | 8.9% | -0.6 pts |
| Construction | 8.7% | +2.3 pts |
| Arts, lodging and food service | 6.4% | -1.0 pts |
Where long drives are the norm, a car repair is one of the most common surprise bills. A small repair fund can keep a breakdown from turning into a loan.
Columbia County against other Wisconsin counties
Ranked against the other 71 county-level areas in Wisconsin, these are the Columbia County figures furthest from the middle.
- Median household income: $85,351 in Columbia County. Only 7 of 72 Wisconsin counties are higher. A high county median can hide a wide spread, so budget from your own pay.
- Few Wisconsin counties match Columbia County on the share of households earning $100,000 or more: 41% here, 38% for the state, ranking 9th highest of 72. High earners still overpay when they skip comparing offers.
- Median home value: $283,200 in Columbia County. Only 9 of 72 Wisconsin counties are higher. Owners with equity have more options, including secured credit, but that puts the house at risk.
Paychecks and income spread in Columbia County
At $85,351, the typical Columbia County household income is 30% above the median U.S. county ($65,681).
| Household income | Columbia County | vs Wisconsin |
|---|---|---|
| Under $35,000 | 16.6% | -3.7 pts |
| $35,000 to $99,999 | 42.6% | +0.5 pts |
| $100,000 to $199,999 | 31.7% | +3.3 pts |
| $200,000 or more | 9.2% | -0.1 pts |
17% under $35,000 and 41% at $100,000 or more: that is the Columbia County income split. 7.8% of residents fall below the federal poverty line (statewide: 10.6%). None of these numbers decides a Columbia County application. Lenders weigh your own documented income against your own debts.
The Columbia County housing market in figures
Renters in Columbia County pay a median of $978 a month, 10% below the Wisconsin figure of $1,087. Rent takes 30% or more of income for 35% of renter households here. With a median value of $283,200, a typical Columbia County house costs 3.3 times what the median household earns in a year. Homeowners 77%, renters 23%.
| Home costs | Columbia County | Wisconsin | Compared with Wisconsin |
|---|---|---|---|
| Owners | 77% | 68% | +8.8 pts |
| Rent-burdened renters | 35% | 44% | -8.6 pts |
| Median gross rent | $978/mo | $1,087/mo | 10% lower |
| Vacant units | 10% | 11% | -0.6 pts |
| Median home value | $283,200 | $266,500 | 6% higher |
| Burdened owners | 23% | 22% | +0.1 pts |
With 77% of Columbia County homes owner-occupied, equity is a real alternative for many readers; just remember a missed HELOC payment puts the home at risk.
Places inside Columbia County
34,516 of Columbia County's 58,272 residents live in its 14 Census places (59%); the 14 largest are listed. Gap between richest and poorest larger place: $59,405, Lake Wisconsin over Portage. This guide covers each of the 14 places and the rural areas around them.
| Town or CDP | Type | People | Median household income | Median gross rent | Miles from center |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Portage | city | 10,236 | $64,722 | $1,008 | 9 mi |
| Columbus | city | 5,488 | $75,427 | $874 | 18 mi |
| Lake Wisconsin | CDP | 5,384 | $124,127 | $1,515 | 15 mi |
| Lodi | city | 3,204 | $117,584 | $1,248 | 15 mi |
| Poynette | village | 2,678 | $93,500 | $821 | 7 mi |
| Fall River | village | 1,678 | $72,167 | $1,190 | 15 mi |
| Pardeeville | village | 1,672 | $64,902 | $926 | 5 mi |
| Rio | village | 1,141 | $67,833 | $799 | 5 mi |
| Arlington | village | 946 | $98,750 | $1,272 | 10 mi |
| Cambria | village | 795 | $69,323 | $736 | 12 mi |
| Wyocena | village | 676 | $83,269 | $967 | 2 mi |
| Friesland | village | 297 | $86,250 | $742 | 15 mi |
| Dekorra | CDP | 161 | $120,227 | n/a | 7 mi |
| Doylestown | village | 160 | $75,000 | $1,125 | 10 mi |
A CDP is a named community without its own municipal government.
Nearby counties: income, rent, ownership
The six counties whose centers lie closest to Columbia County's, from 25 to 41 miles away. Columbia County's $85,351 median trails 1 of the six and beats 5; the range runs $59,442 (Adams County) to $89,975 (Dane County).
| County | Distance | Median income | Median rent | Owners |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Columbia County | - | $85,351 | $978/mo | 77% |
| Marquette County, WI | 25 mi | $65,681 | $800/mo | 81% |
| Green Lake County, WI | 28 mi | $68,196 | $818/mo | 74% |
| Dane County, WI | 28 mi | $89,975 | $1,398/mo | 57% |
| Sauk County, WI | 31 mi | $79,541 | $1,018/mo | 72% |
| Dodge County, WI | 32 mi | $75,929 | $988/mo | 71% |
| Adams County, WI | 41 mi | $59,442 | $828/mo | 86% |
Debt-to-income at Columbia County's medians
DTI math using Columbia County medians ($85,351 income, $978 rent):
- $85,351 a year is $7,113 of gross monthly income
- Median rent: $978, or 14 cents of every gross dollar
- $2,080: what a 43% ratio leaves once rent is paid
Two-income households and single earners in Columbia County land in very different places on this math, so run it for your own budget.
Age, degrees and coverage in Columbia County
26% of Columbia County adults 25 and older hold a bachelor's degree or more. 5.0% of residents have no health coverage.
| People and households | Columbia County | Compared with Wisconsin | Compared with median county |
|---|---|---|---|
| Bachelor's or higher | 26.0% | -7.4 pts | +3.8 pts |
| Median age | 43.7 | +3.5 yrs | +2.2 yrs |
| Poverty rate | 7.8% | -2.8 pts | -5.4 pts |
| No vehicle | 4.4% | -1.9 pts | -1.0 pts |
| Work from home | 12.5% | -0.6 pts | +3.8 pts |
| No high school diploma | 6.0% | -0.4 pts | n/a |
| No health insurance | 5.0% | -0.2 pts | -2.8 pts |
| Unemployment (ACS) | 3.1% | -0.2 pts | -1.3 pts |
| Travel time to work | Workers |
|---|---|
| Under 15 min | 30.2% |
| 15 to 29 min | 29.3% |
| 30 to 44 min | 22.9% |
| 45 to 59 min | 11.6% |
| 60+ min | 6.0% |
Before borrowing in Columbia County
The county's numbers point to a few situations that come up often for Columbia County borrowers.
- 41% at $100,000+. Good credit gets more offers in Columbia County; use that to compare, not to borrow more.
- Fraud. Gift cards, wire transfers or fees to unlock a loan mean walk away (report it).
- Requirements. Lenders weigh credit history, documented income and existing debt (what to gather).
Steps before you apply in Columbia County
Four checks before you sign anything:
- Write down what the expense costs; a smaller loan costs less.
- Compare the total repaid on every offer, not just the payment.
- A Wisconsin license check takes minutes; do it first.
- Lock paid-off cards after consolidating so balances stay at zero.
Wisconsin lender licensing
Before sharing details with a lender, a Columbia County resident can confirm its license with the Wisconsin Department of Financial Institutions. If a Columbia County lender ignores a dispute, the CFPB complaint portal is the federal backstop. State-level detail for Columbia County borrowers is in the Wisconsin guide.
Beyond Columbia County
For statewide rules and data, see the Wisconsin guide.
Frequently asked questions
Is $85,351 a good income in Columbia County?
It is the county median, so half of Columbia County households earn more and half less; 41% earn $100,000 or more.
Is Columbia County expensive for renters?
Median rent is $978 against $1,087 statewide, and 35% of renter households are cost-burdened.
Should Columbia County homeowners use home equity instead?
Maybe, but weigh the risk: 77% of Columbia County homes are owner-occupied, and a home-equity loan or line is secured by the house while a personal loan usually is not.
I live in a small Columbia County town. Is this my guide?
Yes. If your town has no city guide, this county page is the local one; it covers Portage, Columbus, Lake Wisconsin, Lodi, Poynette and 9 more.
Will a Columbia County address affect my match?
Beyond confirming Wisconsin as your state, no. Your answers about amount, credit, income and payments are all that count.