Why Choose Columbus, Indiana?

Information About The Columbus, Indiana Area

Here are some reasons visitors routinely find Columbus to be one of the most “unexpected” cities they’ve ever visited and why many decide to relocate their family or business to this “unforgettable” community.

In The Spotlight

See Columbus features in the national media.

The Basics:

  • Columbus, Indiana, (population 50,000) is ranked sixth in the nation for architectural innovation and design by the American Institute of Architects, right behind Chicago, New York, San Francisco, Boston, and Washington, D.C.
  • Columbus has hundreds of acres in a city park system ranked number one in the country by the National Recreation and Park Association for cities the size of Columbus. Parks feature such unusual facilities as an ice skating rink, a skateboard park, an observation tower, and an ivy-covered tunnel, as well as the more typical, yet fun, activities such as fishing, walking, hiking, and biking.
  • Most of the downtown is listed with the National Register of Historic Places. In a highly unusual move, the even more exclusive National Historic Landmarks Program honored the city by accepting six locations simultaneously
  • The Columbus Area Visitors Center Architecture Tour has received Tripadvisor’s Certificate of Excellence for its consistently high visitor reviews. Find out more about the tours HERE.
  • Columbus is also home to NASCAR racing champion Tony Stewart and Chuck Taylor, among others. Read more about them here.

Location:

  • Columbus is centrally located between Indianapolis, Louisville, and Cincinnati and is just minutes from Interstate 65. Located approximately 40 miles (64 km) south of Indianapolis, on the east fork of the White River.

Origin:

  • The land which is now Columbus was bought by General John Tipton and Luke Bonesteel in 1820. General Tipton built a log cabin on Mt. Tipton, a small hill overlooking White River, and the surrounding flat, heavily forested, and swampy valley.
  • The town was known as Tiptona, named in honor of General Tipton. The town’s name was changed to Columbus on March 20, 1821.
  • Bartholomew County was named in 1821 for General Joseph Bartholomew, who fought in the Battle of Tippecanoe.

Population:

  • 50,000 – City of Columbus, 20th largest city in Indiana
  • 82,000 – Bartholomew County

Population Segments:

  • 77% White
  • 13% Asian
  • 08% Hispanic/Latino
  • 02% African-American (Source)

See housing costs and other information about Columbus at The Census Bureau

Approaching Retirement?

Columbus may be the perfect match for your retirement years

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