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Columbia County, Wisconsin

Coordinates: 43°28′N 89°20′W / 43.47°N 89.33°W / 43.47; -89.33
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Columbia County
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.
Coordinates: 43°28′N 89°20′W / 43.47°N 89.33°W / 43.47; -89.33
Country United States
State Wisconsin
Founded1846
Named forChristopher Columbus
SeatPortage
Largest cityPortage
Area
 • Total
796 sq mi (2,060 km2)
 • Land766 sq mi (1,980 km2)
 • Water30 sq mi (80 km2)  3.8%
Population
 (2020)[1]
 • Total
58,490
 • Estimate 
(2023)
58,091 Decrease
 • Density76.4/sq mi (29.5/km2)
Time zoneUTC−6 (Central)
 • Summer (DST)UTC−5 (CDT)
Congressional district6th
Websitewww.co.columbia.wi.us

Columbia County is a county located in the U.S. state of Wisconsin. As of the 2020 census, the population was 58,490.[2] Its county seat and largest city is Portage.[3] The county was created in 1846[4] 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

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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.[5] The county's highest point is in the Baraboo Range, near Durward's Glen at 1,480 feet above sea level.[6]

Major highways

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Railroads

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Buses

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Airports

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Adjacent counties

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Demographics

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Historical population
CensusPop.Note%±
18509,565—
186024,441155.5%
187028,80217.8%
188028,065−2.6%
189028,3501.0%
190031,1219.8%
191031,1290.0%
192030,468−2.1%
193030,5030.1%
194032,5176.6%
195034,0234.6%
196036,7087.9%
197040,1509.4%
198043,2227.7%
199045,0884.3%
200052,46816.4%
201056,8338.3%
202058,4902.9%
U.S. Decennial Census[7]
1790–1960[8] 1900–1990[9]
1990–2000[10] 2010–2020[2]

2020 census

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As of the census of 2020,[1] 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.

2000 census

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2000 Census Age Pyramid for Columbia County
Columbia County Law Enforcement Center
Columbus, Wisconsin
Doylestown Wisconsin Municipal Building

As of the census[11] of 2000, there were 52,468 people, 20,439 households, and 14,164 families residing in the county. The population density was 68 people per square mile (26 people/km2). There were 22,685 housing units at an average density of 29 units per square mile (11 units/km2). The racial makeup of the county was 97.18% White, 0.88% Black or African American, 0.35% Native American, 0.33% Asian, 0.02% Pacific Islander, 0.44% from other races, and 0.79% from two or more races. 1.58% of the population were Hispanic or Latino of any race. 46.4% were of German, 10.2% Norwegian, 7.8% Irish, 6.4% English and 5.0% United States or American ancestry.

There were 20,439 households, out of which 32.20% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 58.10% were married couples living together, 7.40% had a female householder with no husband present, and 30.70% were non-families. 25.50% of all households were made up of individuals, and 11.00% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.49 and the average family size was 2.99.

In the county, the population was spread out, with 25.20% under the age of 18, 7.10% from 18 to 24, 29.90% from 25 to 44, 23.40% from 45 to 64, and 14.40% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 38 years. For every 100 females, there were 101.60 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 100.40 males.

In 2017, there were 602 births, giving a general fertility rate of 63.9 births per 1000 women aged 15–44, the 35th highest out of all 72 Wisconsin Counties.[12] Additionally, there were 63 reported induced abortions performed on women of Columbia County residence, with a rate of 6.7 abortions per 1000 women aged 15–44, which is above the Wisconsin average rate of 5.2.[13]

Communities

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Cities

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Villages

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Towns

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Census-designated places

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Unincorporated communities

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Ghost town/neighborhood

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Politics

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For most of its history, Columbia County voters have backed the Republican Party candidate in national elections. Prior to 1992, the only times Republicans failed to win the county in the preceding 100 years of presidential elections were in the midst of a divided party vote in 1912, in 1924 when Wisconsinite Robert La Follette was on the ballot, and in the national Democratic Party landslides of 1932, 1936, & 1964. From 1992 onward, the county has been a swing county, voting for the statewide winner in all presidential elections since then except in 2004 and 2020, and voting for the national winner in all except 2000 and 2020. Republican Donald Trump won narrow pluralities in the county in 2016 and 2020, although a majority of county residents supported Democrat Tammy Baldwin's re-election to the United States Senate in 2018.

United States presidential election results for Columbia County, Wisconsin[14][15]
Year Republican Democratic Third party(ies)
No.  % No.  % No.  %
2024 17,988 51.53% 16,386 46.94% 534 1.53%
2020 16,927 49.98% 16,410 48.45% 532 1.57%
2016 14,163 47.69% 13,528 45.55% 2,007 6.76%
2012 13,026 42.64% 17,175 56.23% 345 1.13%
2008 12,193 41.65% 16,661 56.92% 418 1.43%
2004 14,956 50.60% 14,300 48.38% 299 1.01%
2000 11,987 46.85% 12,636 49.38% 964 3.77%
1996 8,377 38.92% 10,336 48.03% 2,808 13.05%
1992 9,099 37.94% 9,348 38.98% 5,537 23.09%
1988 10,475 53.09% 9,132 46.28% 123 0.62%
1984 11,662 58.52% 8,125 40.77% 140 0.70%
1980 10,478 49.90% 8,715 41.51% 1,803 8.59%
1976 10,075 50.63% 9,457 47.52% 368 1.85%
1972 10,122 58.02% 7,083 40.60% 242 1.39%
1968 8,633 52.60% 6,698 40.81% 1,083 6.60%
1964 6,253 38.20% 10,093 61.66% 24 0.15%
1960 10,282 60.94% 6,576 38.97% 15 0.09%
1956 10,120 66.01% 5,158 33.65% 52 0.34%
1952 11,133 67.78% 5,272 32.10% 20 0.12%
1948 6,406 52.64% 5,615 46.14% 148 1.22%
1944 7,867 56.50% 5,997 43.07% 60 0.43%
1940 8,260 53.68% 7,021 45.63% 106 0.69%
1936 5,607 37.25% 8,936 59.36% 511 3.39%
1932 4,970 36.43% 8,455 61.98% 216 1.58%
1928 7,615 60.70% 4,819 38.41% 111 0.88%
1924 4,724 40.41% 907 7.76% 6,059 51.83%
1920 7,394 83.25% 1,201 13.52% 287 3.23%
1916 3,395 57.52% 2,299 38.95% 208 3.52%
1912 2,463 42.55% 2,473 42.73% 852 14.72%
1908 4,072 60.12% 2,363 34.89% 338 4.99%
1904 4,730 67.53% 1,907 27.23% 367 5.24%
1900 4,763 65.71% 2,181 30.09% 305 4.21%
1896 4,845 63.57% 2,380 31.23% 397 5.21%
1892 3,314 49.26% 2,957 43.95% 457 6.79%

See also

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References

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  1. ^ a b "2020 Decennial Census: Columbia County, Wisconsin". data.census.gov. U.S. Census Bureau. Retrieved July 1, 2022.
  2. ^ a b "State & County QuickFacts". United States Census Bureau. Archived from the original on June 6, 2011. Retrieved January 18, 2014.
  3. ^ "Find a County". National Association of Counties. Archived from the original on May 31, 2011. Retrieved June 7, 2011.
  4. ^ "Wisconsin: Individual County Chronologies". Wisconsin Atlas of Historical County Boundaries. The Newberry Library. 2007. Archived from the original on April 14, 2017. Retrieved August 13, 2015.
  5. ^ "2010 Census Gazetteer Files". United States Census Bureau. August 22, 2012. Retrieved August 2, 2015.
  6. ^ Wisconsin High Points. Wisconsin State Cartographer's Office.
  7. ^ "U.S. Decennial Census". United States Census Bureau. Retrieved August 2, 2015.
  8. ^ "Historical Census Browser". University of Virginia Library. Archived from the original on August 11, 2012. Retrieved August 2, 2015.
  9. ^ Forstall, Richard L., ed. (March 27, 1995). "Population of Counties by Decennial Census: 1900 to 1990". United States Census Bureau. Retrieved August 2, 2015.
  10. ^ "Census 2000 PHC-T-4. Ranking Tables for Counties: 1990 and 2000" (PDF). United States Census Bureau. April 2, 2001. Archived (PDF) from the original on October 9, 2022. Retrieved August 2, 2015.
  11. ^ "U.S. Census website". United States Census Bureau. Retrieved May 14, 2011.
  12. ^ "Annual Wisconsin Birth and Infant Mortality Report, 2017 P-01161-19 (June 2019): Detailed Tables". Archived from the original on June 19, 2019. Retrieved June 19, 2019.
  13. ^ Reported Induced Abortions in Wisconsin, Office of Health Informatics, Division of Public Health, Wisconsin Department of Health Services. Section: Trend Information, 2013-2017, Table 18, pages 17-18
  14. ^ Leip, David. "Dave Leip's Atlas of U.S. Presidential Elections". uselectionatlas.org. Retrieved November 11, 2020.
  15. ^ https://www.co.columbia.wi.us/columbiacounty/Portals/2/election/20241105/Columbia%20County%20Unofficial%20Results%20Report.pdf?ver=5YFsPI47p3E7tIe6AxZYTg%3d%3d

Further reading

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43°28′N 89°20′W / 43.47°N 89.33°W / 43.47; -89.33

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