Columbia County Demographics

A map of Columbia County's Population by Race

Race	2024 Pop	2020 Pop	2024 %	2020 %
White	52,592	53,037	90.3%	90.7%
Hispanic	2,385	2,139	4.1%	3.7%
Multiracial	1,533	1,669	2.6%	2.9%
Black	949	866	1.6%	1.5%
Asian	458	376	0.8%	0.6%
Native American/Other	355	403	0.6%	0.7%

Columbia County, Wisconsin has an estimated population of 58,272, a less than 1% change from the 58,490 recorded in the 2020 Census. The population is 90.3% White, 4.1% Hispanic, 2.6% Multiracial, 1.6% Black, 0.8% Asian, and 0.6% Native American/Other. This demographic dot map shows the population of Columbia County, with one dot drawn for each person counted by the Census, color-coded by race.

Columbia has become slightly more racially diverse since the 2020 Census. It is considerably less diverse than Wisconsin overall. Demographers use a diversity index to measure the probability that two randomly selected individuals belong to different racial or ethnic groups. In Columbia County, that probability was 17.5% in 2020 and 18.3% in the most recent ACS estimates.

Columbia County is ranked the 26th most populous county in Wisconsin, out of 72 counties. Columbia County was ranked the 26th most populous county in the 2020 Census.

Columbia County's White Population

52,592 residents of Columbia County, or 90.3% of the population, identify as White. The share of White residents in Columbia County is considerably higher than in Wisconsin overall, where 78.6% of the population is White. Columbia County ranks 31st statewide in terms of White residents as a share of the population, out of 72 counties.

Since the 2020 Census, Columbia County's White population has remained roughly the same. White residents' share of Columbia County's population has remained roughly unchanged at 90.3%.

Columbia County is more White than neighboring Dane County (75.8% White), Sauk County (86.3% White), and Dodge County (87.3% White). Columbia County is less White than neighboring Marquette County (92.3% White), and Green Lake County (90.5% White).

Columbia County's Black Population

949 residents of Columbia County, or 1.6% of the population, identify as Black. The share of Black residents in Columbia County is slightly lower than in Wisconsin overall, where 5.9% of the population is Black. Columbia County ranks 22nd statewide in terms of Black residents as a share of the population, out of 72 counties.

Since the 2020 Census, Columbia County's Black population has grown by an estimated 9.6%. Black residents' share of Columbia County's population has remained roughly unchanged at 1.6%.

Columbia County is more Black than neighboring Marquette County (0.5% Black), Green Lake County (0.5% Black), and Sauk County (0.8% Black). Columbia County is less Black than neighboring Dane County (5.1% Black), and Dodge County (2.5% Black).

Columbia County's Asian Population

458 residents of Columbia County, or 0.8% of the population, identify as Asian. The share of Asian residents in Columbia County is slightly lower than in Wisconsin overall, where 2.9% of the population is Asian. Columbia County ranks 32nd statewide in terms of Asian residents as a share of the population, out of 72 counties.

Since the 2020 Census, Columbia County's Asian population has grown by an estimated 21.8%. Asian residents' share of Columbia County's population has remained roughly unchanged at 0.8%.

Columbia County is more Asian than neighboring Marquette County (0.5% Asian), Sauk County (0.4% Asian), and Dodge County (0.5% Asian). Columbia County is less Asian than neighboring Dane County (6.1% Asian), and Green Lake County (1.1% Asian).

Columbia County's Hispanic Population

2,385 residents of Columbia County, or 4.1% of the population, identify as Hispanic. The share of Hispanic residents in Columbia County is slightly lower than in Wisconsin overall, where 8% of the population is Hispanic. Columbia County ranks 29th statewide in terms of Hispanic residents as a share of the population, out of 72 counties.

Since the 2020 Census, Columbia County's Hispanic population has grown by an estimated 11.5%. Hispanic residents' share of Columbia County's population has remained roughly unchanged at 4.1%.

Columbia County is more Hispanic than neighboring Marquette County (3.7% Hispanic). Columbia County is less Hispanic than neighboring Dane County (7.8% Hispanic), Green Lake County (5.6% Hispanic), Sauk County (6.8% Hispanic), and Dodge County (6.7% Hispanic).

Columbia County's Native American/Other Population

355 residents of Columbia County, or 0.6% of the population, identify as American Indian/Alaska Native/Native Hawaiian/Pacific Islander/Other. The share of Native American/Other residents in Columbia County is comparable to the share in Wisconsin overall, where 0.9% of the population is Native American/Other. Columbia County ranks 39th statewide in terms of Native American/Other residents as a share of the population, out of 72 counties.

Since the 2020 Census, Columbia County's Native American/Other population has declined by an estimated 11.9%. Native American/Other residents' share of Columbia County's population has remained roughly unchanged at 0.6%.

Columbia County is more Native American/Other than neighboring Marquette County (0.4% Native American/Other), and Dodge County (0.5% Native American/Other). Columbia County is less Native American/Other than neighboring Green Lake County (0.7% Native American/Other), and Sauk County (1.3% Native American/Other).

Columbia County's Multiracial Population

1,533 residents of Columbia County, or 2.6% of the population, identify as Multiracial. The share of Multiracial residents in Columbia County is comparable to the share in Wisconsin overall, where 3.7% of the population is Multiracial. Columbia County ranks 47th statewide in terms of Multiracial residents as a share of the population, out of 72 counties.

Since the 2020 Census, Columbia County's Multiracial population has declined by an estimated 8.1%. Multiracial residents' share of Columbia County's population has remained roughly unchanged at 2.6%.

Columbia County is more Multiracial than neighboring Green Lake County (1.6% Multiracial), and Dodge County (2.5% Multiracial). Columbia County is less Multiracial than neighboring Dane County (4.6% Multiracial), and Sauk County (4.4% Multiracial).

Sources: Most recent population estimates are from the 2020-2024 American Community Survey 5-Year Estimates. 2020 population counts and map data are from 2020 Census State Redistricting Data. Geographic data are from Census TIGER/Line Shapefiles.