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Columbus

Columbus

Located in Columbia County

$325,036 Average Value
$190 Average Price per Sq Ft
20 Homes For Sale

Rolling farmlands and a small-town feel in Columbus

Between miles of south Wisconsin farmland along the winding Crawfish River, Columbus is a small city with historical character and a close-knit community. Brick storefronts date back to the late 19th century, when Columbus was established as an agriculture-based community. Farming remains a mainstay of the area’s economy, and the city takes pride in its history, with two historic organizations playing a big role in Columbus’s downtown district. “The main draws to Columbus are that it’s conveniently located along U.S. Route 151 and it has maintained a rural, small-town feel,” says Michael Schuster, a local associate broker with Re/Max Preferred. “Neighbors know one another, and families are drawn to the area for its quiet, safe atmosphere.”

Columbus has peaceful, winding roads.
Columbus has peaceful, winding roads.
Columbus is a rural town surrounded by farmland.
Columbus is a rural town surrounded by farmland.
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Historical homes on spacious lots

Turn-of-the-century farmhouses, Victorians and Colonial Revivals line the streets closest to downtown, with decorative adornments, fish scale siding and pops of color featured throughout. Ranch-style and modern traditional homes built in the late 1900s and early 2000s can be found on the outskirts of town in subdivisions like Highland Ridge and Kestrel Ridge. Most homes in Columbus sit on quarter-acre lots, while some properties in the surrounding farmland range from 1 to 6 acres. “Columbus has lower home prices compared to other communities in the Madison area,” Schuster says. Overall, Columbus has a median sale price of around $310,000, whereas the nearby communities of Windsor and Marshall have medians over $400,000. Quaint cottages and fixer-uppers range from $70,000 to $180,000, while larger, move-in-ready builds can go for $200,000 to $560,000. Condo units range from $160,000 to $380,000.

Large Victorian homes are popular in Columbus.
Large Victorian homes are popular in Columbus.
Lovely and unique homes line the streets in Columbus.
Lovely and unique homes line the streets in Columbus.
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Historical storefronts and popular local eateries

The Columbus Historical Society and Historic Landmarks & Preservation Commission are dedicated to preserving and documenting the area’s past and its historical architecture, from century-old homes to long-standing brick storefronts. James and Ludington streets are lined with small businesses, including a hair salon, a local pharmacy and an embroidery shop. Vintage furniture, home decor, glassware and clothing are all for sale at the Columbus Antique Mall. Julie’s Java House serves coffee and seasonal baked goods, while Apple Tree Family Restaurant is a popular spot offering brunch and American pub fare. The Old Rock lies just east of town and has pizza, burgers and steak that can be enjoyed with a specialty cocktail or draft beer on the patio. The eatery has been open since 1920 and has live music every weekend in the summer. Shoppers can get their groceries at the nearby Pick ‘n Save or Dollar General.

The Old Rock is a local favorite in Columbus.
The Old Rock is a local favorite in Columbus.
The historical storefronts add to the charm in Columbus.
The historical storefronts add to the charm in Columbus.
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River access, sports facilities and a popular aquatic center

Meister Park has a playground, picnic tables and facilities for baseball, soccer and basketball. Nearby, Rotary Park has a kayak launch on the Crawfish River. South of town, the Columbus Area Aquatic Center has a large, zero-depth entry pool with a 12-foot diving area, a snack shack and a waterslide. The area features two golf courses, including the public Kestrel Ridge Golf Course and the Columbus Country Club. Locals can bring their pups to the River Run Dog Park for some off-leash exercise. The Columbus Public Library hosts community programs and events like bi-weekly book sales, author talks and a monthly quilting club.

Kids can enjoy the playground at Rotary Park in Columbus.
Kids can enjoy the playground at Rotary Park in Columbus.
Meister Park in Columbus has softball fields.
Meister Park in Columbus has softball fields.
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Work-based learning at Columbus High School

Most local students attend Columbus Elementary School, which earns a C-plus overall grade from Niche. Also with a C-plus, Columbus Middle has an after-school program where students can read, play games and receive homework help. Columbus High School receives a B and offers work-based-learning opportunities, including youth apprenticeships, job shadowing and teacher's assistant roles in seventh through twelfth-grade classrooms. The high school also has a wide variety of extracurriculars, from Future Business Leaders of America and forensics to art club and student council.

Columbus Middle School in Columbus, WI scores an overall C+ rating according to Niche.
Columbus Middle School in Columbus, WI scores an overall C+ rating according to Niche.
Columbus High School in Columbus, WI scores an overall B- rating according to Niche.
Columbus High School in Columbus, WI scores an overall B- rating according to Niche.
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Driving to Madison on U.S. 151 and a local Amtrak station

Columbus is around 30 miles northeast of downtown Madison via U.S. Route 151. “While on a map it looks like you’re pretty far from Madison and Sun Prairie, it only takes around 20 to 30 minutes to get there,” says Schuster. “It’s a straight shot through farmlands and fields, with no stops along the way.” There is also a local Amtrak station with service to nearby towns like Portage and Milwaukee.

Columbus is a rural town but it is close to bustling Madison.
Columbus is a rural town but it is close to bustling Madison.
The Amtrak stops in Columbus and heads to Chicago or to Minneapolis and on to Seattle.
The Amtrak stops in Columbus and heads to Chicago or to Minneapolis and on to Seattle.
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Jillian Pillow
Written By
Jillian Pillow
Hayley McCormick
Photography Contributed By
Hayley McCormick
Chris Freeman
Video By
Chris Freeman

Interested in learning more about homes in this area? Reach out to Jed Burk, an experienced agent in this area.

Agents Specializing in this Area

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Schools

Source:
GreatSchools: The GreatSchools Rating helps parents compare schools within a state based on a variety of school quality indicators and provides a helpful picture of how effectively each school serves all of its students. Ratings are on a scale of 1 (below average) to 10 (above average) and can include test scores, college readiness, academic progress, advanced courses, equity, discipline and attendance data. We also advise parents to visit schools, consider other information on school performance and programs, and consider family needs as part of the school selection process. View GreatSchools Rating Methodology

Parks in this Area

Area Facts

Number of Homes
1,000
Number of Homes for Sale
20
Median Year Built
2012
Months of Supply
3.60
Average Single Family Home Size Sq Ft
1,968
On par with the national average
1,931
Average 2 Bedroom Size Sq Ft
1,268
Median Lot Size Sq Ft
9,583

Open Houses

  • Saturday, May 2
    Open Sat 1PM - 3PM

    470 York Center Rd, Columbus, WI 53925

    $1,400,000

    • 3 Beds
    • 4.5 Baths
    • 3,892 Sq Ft
    • 470 York Center Rd
    • New 2 days ago

    Rare opportunity to own 18.46 acres of protected wetland with a scenic creek—an outdoor enthusiast’s or hunter’s dream! This elegant country retreat, built in 2020, offers the perfect blend of privacy and modern comfort, located just 20 minutes from Madison’s east side and 15 minutes from Sun Prairie. The home features a beautiful open-concept layout with a spacious kitchen and great room, ideal

    Derek Mengar Sprinkman Real Estate

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  • Saturday, May 2
    Open Sat 10AM - 11:30AM

    496 River Rd Unit 1, Columbus, WI 53925

    $335,000

    • 2 Beds
    • 2 Baths
    • 1,400 Sq Ft
    • 496 River Rd
    • Unit 1
    • New 22 days ago

    Beautiful 2-bedroom, 2 full bath condo located on the 5th hole of Kestrel Ridge Golf Course! This well-maintained unit offers a spacious open-concept layout with a large kitchen featuring a center island, abundant cabinetry, and ample counter space. The generous living room includes patio doors leading to a private patio overlooking the scenic golf course. The primary suite features a walk-in

    Brenda Bruyette Coldwell Banker Res Brokerage

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  • Sunday, May 3
    Open Sun 12PM - 1:30PM

    452 Williams St, Columbus, WI 53925

    $340,000

    • 3 Beds
    • 2 Baths
    • 1,210 Sq Ft
    • 452 Williams St
    • New 2 days ago

    The spacious living room welcomes you, while the eat-in kitchen features refreshed finishes. The primary bedroom boasts an en-suite bathroom for added convenience and privacy. Additional highlights include LVP flooring in the living room and kitchen, refreshed bathrooms, a one-car attached garage, and extra paved parking. Enjoy the composite deck overlooking the scenic golf course. The full

    Josh Lamp Berkshire Hathaway HomeServices True Realty

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Homes for Sale

Homes for Rent

Distribution of Home Values

Source: Public Records

Average Home Value





Source: Public Records

Property Mix - Square Feet

Weather

Annual Precipitation
33''
Average Winter Low Temperature
9°F
Average Summer High Temperature
81°F
Annual Snowfall
51''

Area Factors

Somewhat friendly

Bike Score®®

30 / 100

Somewhat friendly

Walk Score®®

30 / 100
Source: Local Logic
Sources: Local Logic

Local Logic measures the walkability, access to public transit and bikeability of any address. CAP Index provides objective, accurate, and consistent data to help measure, compare, and mitigate crime risks.

Disclaimer: Certain information contained herein is derived from information provided by parties other than Homes.com. Our sources include: Accuweather, Public Records and Neustar. All information provided is deemed reliable, but is not guaranteed to be accurate and should be independently verified.
Columbus