Columbus CityIowaPopPlot, 2021
Columbus City’s story
183 years in pictures
Census counts: 605 in 1880, 392 in 2020. The archive holds 4 old photos and papers going back to 2004 and a map from 1984 on.
- 1843Columbus City is settled
Columbus CityIA
Photo: PopePompus · CC BY-SA 4.0
Population
374
2025 Census estimate · −3.4% since 2020
Typical home
$126K
−1% in a year
Household income
$90K
median
Median age
46.8
years
Jobs based here
43
A commuter town
Is Columbus City a good place to live?
Of the 141 Iowa towns we compare, none has a lower share of adults with a bachelor’s degree than Columbus City. Columbus City has fewer than 1,000 residents, too few for fair grades; the figures below are still real.
What makes Columbus City stand out
Where Columbus City beats most towns.
Small town
374 people, and everyone knows the way
In a town this size, neighbors are the best guide. Ask them anything.
Nearby towns
Getting set up
The full setup list →Moving to Columbus City: who provides what
Who provides power, water and the rest in Columbus City, and how to reach them.
PowerInterstate Power and Light17.8¢/kWh · EIA 2025HIFLD · EIA
WaterColumbus City Public Water SupplyNo health-based violations in 5 years · EPAEPA
Internet5 providers100% of addresses get 100/20 MbpsFCC
Trash & dumpNot on file yetWe don’t have Columbus City’s trash rules yet
Register to voteOnlineIn Iowa you can register online until 15 days before Election Day, in person up to and including Election Day, or by mail (postmarked 15 days before).vote.govWho runs elections hereLouisa County AuditorLouisa County; contacts on the Handbook page.FVAP, Nov 2025
ZIP code5273752737 100%Census 2020
EPA SDWIS (Oct 9, 2026) · HIFLD + EIA-861 2025 · Census 2020 ZCTAs · NCES 2024–25 · registration: vote.gov, updated Nov 18, 2024.
The data
Ordered by what stands out in Columbus City.
Housing
A larger share of households own their home in Columbus City than in most of Iowa or the rest of the country
98% of households own their home in Columbus City, where Iowa’s towns sit at 70% and U.S. towns at 73%. The typical Columbus City home is worth about $126,000, down 1% in a year, 47% below the Iowa typical home.
$126KZillow home value
Typical home value
Columbus City$126K
Iowa$237K
−1%
value change, 1 year
Census ACS, 2020–24 · Zillow Home Value Index · Redfin Data Center
Work & commute
Fewer of Columbus City’s working residents work locally than in the typical Iowa or U.S. town
1.2% of working residents work locally in Columbus City, against 31% in Iowa’s towns and 8% across U.S. towns. 5.9% of residents live below the poverty line in Columbus City. The top destinations are Iowa City (15%), Muscatine (7%) and Columbus Junction (5%).
1%work in town
| Columbus City | Iowa towns | U.S. towns | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Working residents who work in town | 1.2% | 31% | 8% |
| Below the poverty line | 5.9% | 11% | 9.6% |
| Median household income | $90,000 | $69,000 | $80,000 |
| Average trip to work | 24 minutes | 19 minutes | 25 minutes |
Where working residents work
In Columbus City1%
Iowa City15%
Muscatine7%
Columbus Junction5%
West Liberty4%
22 mi
median commute distance
43
jobs based in Columbus City
A commuter town
jobs vs. working residents
Census LEHD 2023 · ACS
Climate
Four seasons and pleasant summers in Columbus City
Columbus City has cold, snowy winters and warm summers. July afternoons reach 85°, January nights drop to 14° and about 31 inches of snow falls in a winter.
31″snow a winter
Typical low → high °F
Winter17–35°
Spring40–62°
Summer62–84°
Fall42–64°
Oct 10
typical first frost
Apr 26
typical last frost
+0.8°
vs. the 20th-century average
NOAA U.S. Climate Normals, 1991–2020
Health
How healthy Columbus City is
Columbus City beats the Iowa average on 2 of 32 CDC measures and trails it on 10. 17% of Columbus City adults 18 to 64 have no health insurance. Of the 141 Iowa towns we compare, none has a lower share of adults who have been diagnosed with depression than Columbus City.
| Columbus City | Iowa towns | U.S. towns | |
|---|---|---|---|
| No health insurance, 18–64 (CDC PLACES) | 17% | 7% | 8.1% |
| Depression (CDC PLACES) | 17% | 21% | 23% |
| Get no exercise (CDC PLACES) | 32% | 26% | 25% |
| Obesity (CDC PLACES) | 42% | 38% | 35% |
32 measures vs. Iowa
2 better20 too close to call10 worse
| What stands out | Columbus City | IA |
|---|---|---|
| Fewer adults who have had cancer | 7.1% | 8.7% |
| Fewer adults with depression | 17% | 20.7% |
| More uninsured adults | 16.6% | 7.3% |
Washington County Hospital and Clinics
16.4 mi away · emergency room
2 of 3
care shortages: primary care, mental health
CDC PLACES 2025 · modeled estimates for adults · CMS · HRSA
Natural hazards
Inland flooding leads a moderate hazard risk in Columbus City
Expected storm and flood damage is higher than in 59% of U.S. communities.
59risk score of 100
FEMA risk score
Inland floodingStrong windDrought
FEMA National Risk Index · OpenFEMA
Keep exploring
Everything we know about Columbus City
16pages on Columbus City
The big questions
Out and about
After high school
Colleges nearby
None within 15 miles of Columbus City; the nearest are
University of IowaUniversity or college · Public · Iowa City29.1 mi$11,283 in-state tuitionSoutheastern Community CollegeCommunity college · Public · West Burlington32.5 mi$6,420 in-state tuition
About 4 of every 100 Columbus City residents are enrolled in college, against 6 across Iowa.
A commuter town
99% of working residents leave Columbus City for work
Where Columbus City’s working residents go each day. Line width shows the share.
43jobs based in Columbus City
1%of working residents work in town
22 mimedian commute distance
Census LEHD 2023
About Columbus City
City in Iowa, United States
Columbus City is a city in western Louisa County, Iowa, United States. The population was 392 at the 2020 census. It is part of the Muscatine Micropolitan Statistical Area.
From Wikipedia, licensed CC BY-SA 4.0 · facts via Wikidata (CC0)
- Area
- 0.2 sq mi
- Elevation
- 728 ft
- ZIP code
- 52737
Questions about Columbus City
Short answers, built from the data on this page.
Is Columbus City, IA a good place to live?
Columbus City has fewer than 1,000 residents, too few for fair grades; the figures below are still real.