Total enrollment
8,498
-1,304 (-13%) vs SY 2017-18
Columbia County
Wisconsin · Public K-12
Columbia County serves about 8,498 K-12 students across 31 public schools, an average of roughly 274 students per campus. By grade band, the county runs 15 elementary, 6 middle, and 10 high schools.
7-year change in Columbia County
SY 2017-18 vs SY 2024-25School count
31
-4 (-11%) vs SY 2017-18
% White
84%
was 86%
% Hispanic
9%
was 7%
% Black
1%
was 1%
% Asian
1%
was 1%
Source: NCES Common Core of Data, enrollment-weighted demographic averages
Schools
31
10 districts
Enrollment
8,498
NCES CCD
Median income
$85,351
Above Wisconsin avg
Free/reduced lunch
32.3%
Below Wisconsin avg
Elementary
15
3,982 students
Middle
6
1,880 students
High
10
2,636 students
Combined / other
0
schools
LARGEST DISTRICT
Portage Community School District
1,899 students · 10 districts in Columbia County
County vs. school enrollment demographics
Left bar is the racial makeup of Columbia County residents (Census ACS 5-year). Right bar is the enrollment-weighted makeup of public schools in the county (NCES CCD). NCES systematically under-reports Hispanic, Pacific Islander, and Native American enrollment for many schools; where the resident share is meaningful but the reported school share is zero, we mark the school bar "not reported".
County residents
School enrollment
Bachelor's+
26.0%
adults 25+
Poverty rate
4.9%
ACS 5-year
Unemployment
3.1%
civilian labor
Median age
44
20.5% under 18
Test scores in Columbia County
Latest 2024-25 ELA proficiency, 20 schools ranked. Wisconsin state average: 53.1%.
Top 5 schools (ELA)
- Poynette Elementary· 68.6%
- Poynette Middle· 65.8%
- Fall River Elementary· 65.1%
- Lodi Middle· 64.6%
- Rio Middle/High· 64.1%
Lowest 5 schools (ELA)
- Muir Elementary· 38.3%
- Columbus Elementary· 41.3%
- Cambria Friesland Middle/High· 44.7%
- Wayne Bartels Middle· 45.3%
- Lewiston Elementary· 45.7%
| Name | City | Level | Grades | Enrollment | Rating |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Spring Hill Elementary | Wisconsin Dells | Elementary | PK-05 | 628 | · |
| Portage High | Portage | High | 09-12 | 600 | · |
| Lodi High | Lodi | High | 09-12 | 444 | · |
| Muir Elementary | Portage | Elementary | 02-05 | 439 | · |
| Columbus Elementary | Columbus | Elementary | PK-05 | 425 | · |
| Wayne Bartels Middle | Portage | Middle | 06-08 | 422 | · |
| Poynette Elementary | Poynette | Elementary | PK-04 | 416 | · |
| Lodi Primary | Lodi | Elementary | PK-02 | 385 | · |
| Columbus High | Columbus | High | 09-12 | 383 | · |
| Wisconsin Dells Middle School | Wisconsin Dells | Middle | 06-08 | 374 | · |
| Pardeeville Elementary | Pardeeville | Elementary | PK-04 | 331 | · |
| Lodi Middle | Lodi | Middle | 06-08 | 324 | · |
| Poynette High | Poynette | High | 09-12 | 296 | · |
| Pardeeville High | Pardeeville | High | 09-12 | 284 | · |
| Poynette Middle | Poynette | Middle | 05-08 | 271 | · |
| Fall River High | Fall River | High | 06-12 | 253 | · |
| Pardeeville Middle | Pardeeville | Middle | 05-08 | 248 | · |
| Columbus Middle | Columbus | Middle | 06-08 | 241 | · |
| Lodi Elementary | Lodi | Elementary | 03-05 | 234 | · |
| Fall River Elementary | Fall River | Elementary | PK-05 | 231 | · |
| Woodridge Elementary | Portage | Elementary | KG-01 | 201 | · |
| Rio Middle/High | Rio | High | 06-12 | 183 | · |
| Rio Elementary | Rio | Elementary | PK-05 | 169 | · |
| Cambria Friesland Elementary | Cambria | Elementary | PK-05 | 165 | · |
| Cambria Friesland Middle/High | Cambria | High | 06-12 | 163 | · |
| Portage Partnering Preschool | Portage | Elementary | PK-PK | 129 | · |
| Lewiston Elementary | Portage | Elementary | KG-05 | 84 | · |
| Ouisconsing School of Collaboration | Lodi | Elementary | 03-05 | 74 | · |
| Discovery Charter School | Columbus | Elementary | KG-03 | 71 | · |
| Portage Academy of Achievement | Portage | High | 09-12 | 24 | · |
| DOC: Columbia Correctional Institution | Portage | High | 11-12 | 6 | · |
Cities in Columbia County
About Columbia County
Columbia County is a small Wisconsin county of about 58,272 residents, home to 31 public schools and roughly 8,498 students.
Looking at the broader picture, census numbers show typical household earnings sit around $85,351, about 26% of adults have a bachelor's degree or above, and the poverty rate is around 5%. That income level is 16% above the Wisconsin median.
On the level-by-level breakdown, Columbia County comprises 15 elementary schools (3,982 students), 6 middle schools (1,880), and 10 high schools (2,636).
The largest single district in Columbia County is Portage Community School District, which alone enrolls about 1,899 students.
Five-year track record. Total public-school enrollment in Columbia County has declined 13% since SY 2017-18, moving from about 9,802 students to 8,498. Columbia County now counts 31 public schools, down from 35 in SY 2017-18.
Within the allk12 community for this area, the community for Columbia County discusses enrollment trends, district policy changes, and bus-route updates. Posts come from current and former families, staff, and alumni.
Frequently asked questions
Columbia County school rankings
DATA · Census ACS 5-year · NCES Common Core of Data