About Columbia County
Columbia County is located in south-central Wisconsin between the Madison area and Wisconsin Dells. Portage serves as the county seat and provides government services, healthcare, schools, shopping, employment and transportation connections.
The county includes cities, villages, farming communities, riverfront areas, wooded properties and lake communities. Interstate access makes Columbia County convenient for travel toward Madison, Wisconsin Dells, Milwaukee, La Crosse and central Wisconsin.
What Columbia County is known for
- Portage and its location near the Wisconsin and Fox rivers
- Lake Wisconsin and the Wisconsin River
- Wisconsin Dells-area attractions and recreation
- Gibraltar Rock State Natural Area
- MacKenzie Center near Poynette
- Cascade Mountain and winter recreation
- Farming, manufacturing and regional transportation
- Fishing, boating, hiking, bicycling and camping
Living in Columbia County
Columbia County offers apartments, older homes, established neighborhoods, newer subdivisions, rural residences, farms, wooded acreage and waterfront properties. Housing costs vary based on municipality, property condition, acreage, school district and proximity to Madison, Portage or major highways.
A complete household budget should include housing, property taxes, utilities, insurance, transportation, heating, snow removal and property maintenance. Rural and waterfront properties may also require planning for wells, septic systems, shoreline care and longer commuting distances.