Living in Columbia, CT
Columbia is a Tolland County town of 5,359 residents on 21.37 square miles, with Columbia Lake, a historic green and several nature preserves.
Columbia at a glance
- Median sale price
- $420,000−1.2% vs last year 59 sales, last 12 months
- Property tax rate
- 30.75 mills town-wide, FY2027
- Estimated yearly tax
- ~$9,000 median-priced home
- Population
- 5,359 2024 Census estimate
- Land area
- 21.4 sq mi 251 per sq mi
What it is like in Columbia
Columbia is in Tolland County, Connecticut, and borders Andover, Hebron, Lebanon, Coventry and Windham. It covers 21.37 square miles of land and had a population of 5,359 in our latest figures.
The area was first part of Lebanon, where it was known as the North Society. Columbia was incorporated as its own town in May 1804. The Columbia Green Historic District is listed on the National Register of Historic Places.
Columbia Lake is the town's best-known water body, used for swimming, kayaking, sailing, boating and fishing according to the town website. Town Hall is at 323 Route 87, and Routes 6, 66 and 87 all serve addresses in town.
Columbia's land set aside for outdoor use includes Mono Pond State Park Reserve, Mono Pond Boat Launch, Utley Hill Preserve, Potter Meadow, the Goldberg Parcel and Columbia Recreation Park. The town website says two state rail-trails run along its northern and southern borders, and it publishes a trail brochure.
Columbia Town Beach is on Columbia Lake, and the Recreation Park has pavilions that can be reserved. Szegda Farm has a community garden, and the Saxton B. Little Free Library and Yeomans Hall are town facilities. The recreation department runs activities such as yoga, soccer and basketball.
For food in town, Thunderbird Cafe and Faith Cafe serve breakfast and lunch on weekdays, and Motta's Bakery is on Route 6.
Getting around from Columbia
| Drive to | Time | Miles |
|---|---|---|
| Hartford | 36 min | 26 |
| New Haven | 73 min | 58 |
| Stamford | 125 min | 96 |
| New York City (Midtown) | 179 min | 131 |
| Boston | 126 min | 97 |
| Providence | 73 min | 54 |
| Bradley Airport (BDL) | 57 min | 39 |
Rail
No passenger rail station within 8 miles.
Highways and routes
Columbia is served by state routes, mainly Route 6, Route 66 and Route 87. Hartford is 26 miles and about 36 minutes away, Providence is 54 miles and 73 minutes, and Boston is 97 miles and 126 minutes.
New Haven is 58 miles and 73 minutes by car, and New York City (Midtown) is 131 miles and 179 minutes. Bradley Airport is 39 miles and about 57 minutes away. We found no rail station listed for the town.
Schools in Columbia
1 public school in Columbia School District. Which one serves an address depends on the district, so confirm with them.
Elementary 1
- Horace W. Porter
Grades, number of students. Hover a school for its address.
For report cards, enrollment trends and spending per student, look up Columbia School District on the state's EdSight site.
Source: National Center for Education Statistics, Common Core of Data. We do not rate or rank schools.
Eat, drink and explore in Columbia
Open Columbia in Google Maps →Eat and drink 3
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Small weekday cafe serving flatbreads, salads and muffins from a menu built around nutrient-dense ingredients.
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Italian American bakery making cookies, pastries and other baked goods, open Monday through Saturday.
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Weekday breakfast and lunch counter with daily specials, located inside the Columbia Ford Kia building.
Things to do and see 1
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Certified organic vegetable, herb and flower farm offering a CSA farmshare and pick-your-own.
Parks, preserves and trails 7
Parks and open space © OpenStreetMap contributors. Places to eat and visit last checked October 2026. These are not paid placements; they are simply our selection. Hours and menus change, so check before you go.
Columbia housing market
Over the last 12 months, 59 homes sold in Columbia with a median sale price of $420,000 and a median of 9 days on market. There are 5 homes for sale right now.
Homes sold for a median of $233 per square foot. The typical home sold for 102% of its list price, and the median sale price is down 1.2% from the year before. At the current pace of sales, the homes for sale would last about 1 month.
Columbia's town-wide property tax rate is 30.75 mills (FY2027). Connecticut assesses homes at 70% of market value, so a median-priced home pays roughly $9,000 a year. Special taxing districts, such as fire districts, can add to this, and a home's actual assessment may differ from its sale price.
Source: SmartMLS, residential sales (single-family, condo and multi-family); mill rates: Connecticut Office of Policy and Management. Updated November 10, 2026.
Homes for sale in Columbia
See all 5 →
Know before you move
Official and independent sources worth bookmarking if you are considering Columbia.
Questions about Columbia
What is the median home price in Columbia, CT?
The median sale price in Columbia is $420,000, based on 59 home sales in the last 12 months (SmartMLS). Updated November 10, 2026.
What is the property tax rate in Columbia, CT?
Columbia's town-wide property tax rate is 30.75 mills (fiscal year 2027). Connecticut assesses homes at 70% of market value, so a median-priced home pays roughly $9,000 a year. Special taxing districts can add to this.
How far is Columbia, CT from Hartford?
Columbia is about 26 miles and a 36-minute drive from downtown Hartford, measured from the town center without traffic.
How far is Columbia, CT from New York City?
Columbia is about 131 miles from Midtown Manhattan, roughly a 179-minute drive without traffic.
What is the population of Columbia, CT?
Columbia has about 5,359 residents (U.S. Census Bureau estimate, 2024) and covers 21.4 square miles.
How many public schools are in Columbia, CT?
Columbia has 1 public school in Columbia School District. Which school serves an address depends on the district's boundaries, so confirm with the district.
How many homes are for sale in Columbia, CT?
There are 5 homes for sale in Columbia right now, per SmartMLS, as of November 10, 2026.
How far is Columbia from Hartford?
Hartford is 26 miles from Columbia, about 36 minutes by car.
What outdoor places are in Columbia?
Columbia Lake, Columbia Recreation Park, Mono Pond State Park Reserve, Utley Hill Preserve, Potter Meadow and the Goldberg Parcel are listed, along with two state rail-trails on the town's borders.
Which towns border Columbia?
Andover, Hebron, Lebanon, Coventry and Windham.
How far is Bradley Airport?
Bradley Airport is 39 miles away, about 57 minutes by car.
When was Columbia incorporated?
Columbia was incorporated in May 1804 after being part of Lebanon.
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