$325,036Average Value$190Average Price per Sq Ft20Homes 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 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.
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 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.
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 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.
The Amtrak stops in Columbus and heads to Chicago or to Minneapolis and on to Seattle.
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Written By
Jillian Pillow
Photography Contributed By
Hayley McCormick
Video By
Chris Freeman
Interested in learning more about homes in this area?
Reach out to
Jed Burk,
an experienced agent in this area.
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.
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On average, homes in Columbus, WI sell after 37 days on the market compared to the national average of 56 days. The median sale price for homes in Columbus, WI over the last 12 months is $338,000, up 25% from the median home sale price over the previous 12 months.
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
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
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
INVESTMENT OPPORTUNITY! 1.5-story home offering character, space, and opportunity. Situated near local amenities, downtown, and nearby rail access, this property features a functional layout with a main floor full bath, dining room, and flex-room for a home office or bedroom (no closet). The upper level offers a primary bedroom with updated flooring and windows, plus a loft area for additional
The entryway leads to the first level of this new two-story home, where a versatile living room can be found off the foyer while the family room, dining room and kitchen share an open-concept design for seamless everyday living. Upstairs, four bedrooms provide enough space for a growing family.
This new home offers a low-maintenance design contained to a convenient single level. An open-concept floorplan combines the kitchen, living and dining areas with access to a patio for seamless entertaining and multitasking. Two secondary bedrooms share a private hallway near the entry, and the luxurious owner’s suite is tucked into a private rear corner with a spa-inspired bathroom and walk-in
Set among a single-level design, this home features a spacious foyer that leads directly into the family room, dining room and kitchen at the back of the residence. Three bedrooms offer plenty of space for small and growing families. The generous owner’s suite is host to a walk-in closet and an en-suite bathroom.
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
Eligible buyers may qualify for a 30-Year Fixed Buydown @4.99% (5% down) if closed by October 1st with Lennar Mortgage. The Meadowlark C Floor Plan on homesite #16 in Cardinal Heights is available for move-in July/August 2026! This thoughtfully designed 2-story home offers 3 bedrooms, 2.5 baths, a spacious loft, and a 2-car garage with an open-concept main level ideal for everyday living and
Welcome to 623 Hamilton Street in Columbus! This well-maintained 3-bedroom, 2-bath home is set on a quiet street just minutes from parks, schools, and historic downtown Columbus. Inside, you’ll find bright, comfortable living spaces and a kitchen designed for everyday convenience. What truly sets this property apart is the impressive garage space — ideal for anyone who loves their vehicles, needs
This two-story home provides modern comfort and ample room to grow. Upon entry is a flex room well-suited for hosting guests, followed by a spacious open layout for seamless family living and relaxing. Separate from the downstairs main living area, the second level hosts all four bedrooms to provide great personal space and privacy. The sprawling owner’s suite is a serene haven with a full-sized
This two-story home combines modern comfort with convenience. Found off the foyer is a flex space for versatile needs, followed by a cohesive open main living area with direct access to the backyard for indoor-outdoor activities. In a private corner of the first floor is a study ideal for at-home work. Upstairs are three secondary bedrooms and the spacious owner’s suite with a full-sized bathroom.
Just minutes from Columbus, on a dead end road, you'll find this uniquely designed 1.5 story contemporary home! Offering an open-concept, it's ideal for large family gatherings. The living room holds a gorgeous floor-to-ceiling stone fireplace, the formal dining and exercise/den area offer a wall of windows to bring in the natural light! Upper level is situated with a lofted primary suite and
38.66 acre buildable and perked vacant land with established driveway just outside the growing Columbus area off Hwy 16/60. This 38.66-acre parcel offers a rare mix of opportunity and seclusion. Convenient for commuters from Madison or Beaver Dam looking to escape the city life and enjoy all that the country has to offer. The southeast corner of the lot offers 6 acres of perk-tested, tillable
Improved lot with beautiful woods! This parcel is just under 2 acres and steps away from it all! Improved with a garage/shed, this property is situated between the communities of Fall River and Columbus. Located just minutes from Highway 151 and only 40 minutes from Downtown Madison. Tuck your camper into the woods for the utmost privacy, or enjoy hunting with the nearby crawfish river and local
When you call Kestrel Ridge Apartments home, youll find yourself surrounded in a beautiful, lush, park-like environment. Our spacious, luxury, one, two, or three bedroom apartment homes include a variety of great amenities. The professional, on-site management staff will assist you in meeting all of your needs.If you would like to learn more about calling Kestrel Ridge Apartments your
Brand new apartment complex in Columbus Wisconsin. Luxury finishes including gas fireplaces, quartz countertops, custom white cabinets, abundance of windows and high and finishes throughout. Building also features underground parking, elevator, secured entrances & in unit laundry. 20 minutes to Madison. Will be ready to occupy 6/1/26.
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