City profile
Portage, WI
Columbia County · Population 10,236
Portage is a town in Columbia County, WI with about 10,236 residents and a typical home value near $205,000. It is 33 miles from Madison, WI, which shapes its climate, healthcare access and amenities.
Climate
Climate type
Four seasons
Winter avg
19°F
Summer avg
72°F
Sunny days / yr
190
Home prices & cost of living
Median home price
$204,900
Typical monthly housing
$1,371
Cost of living (100 = U.S.)
85
Taxes
- Property tax
- 1.51%
- State income tax (top)
- 7.65%
- Social Security
- Not taxed
- Pensions
- Partly exempt
- Sales tax (state + avg. local)
- 5.72%
FEMA natural hazard risk
Relatively Moderate · county score 81/100
Top hazards: Hail, Cold wave, Heat wave
Nearest major airport
89 mi to General Mitchell International Airport (MKE)
Political lean (2024 county vote)
Competitive / purple · 47% Democratic / 52% Republican
Community
Population
10,236
Black population
6.1%
County
Columbia County
Detailed crime figures are available for our 201 hand-researched cities.
2025–2026 trends
2026 market trends
- ▸Home prices are still rising in 2026 — good for long-term value, less room to negotiate
- ▸Climate/cost risks to check: winter storms
Highlights
- About 10,236 residents
- Typical home value about $205,000
- 33 miles from Madison, WI
Trade-offs
- Smaller community with fewer local amenities
- Scores for this place are estimated from Census data and the nearest major city
Figures are estimates from public sources (see How we match). Verify before making decisions.