Columbus, Indiana
Columbus is a city of 51,824 people in Bartholomew County, Indiana, founded in 1820.
Why visit Columbus
Townapedia lists 22 museums and landmarks, 20 parks and trails, 96 places to eat, 12 places to stay and 5 attractions in and around town.
Highlights include New Hope Bridge, YES Cinema, Columbus City Hall and Bartholomew County Courthouse.
July is the warmest month, with average highs of 86°F; January lows average 22°F.
Weather in Columbus
Forecast from the National Weather Service. Full forecast
About Columbus
Columbus () is a city in and the county seat of Bartholomew County, Indiana, United States. The population was 50,474 at the 2020 census. The city is known for its architectural significance, having commissioned noted works of modern architecture and public art since the mid-20th century; the annual program Exhibit Columbus celebrates this legacy. Located about 40 mi (64 km) south of Indianapolis, on the east fork of the White River, it is the state's 20th-largest city.
From the Wikipedia article Columbus, Indiana (this version), under CC BY-SA 4.0.
Things to do5
New Hope Bridge
Bridge · National Register of Historic Places · 3.6 mi
Bridge in United States of America
Brownsville Covered Bridge
Bridge · 0.4 mi
Historic long truss covered bridge in Brownsville, Indiana (1840–1974)
Crump Theatre
Cinema and theater · 0.4 mi
Theater in Columbus, Indiana, USA
Indiana University Columbus
School · 3.2 mi
Public university located in Columbus, Indiana
Museums and landmarks22
Columbus City Hall
Monument and historic site · National Register of Historic Places
City hall in Columbus, Indiana
Bartholomew County Courthouse
Monument and historic site · National Register of Historic Places · 0.4 mi
Courthouse in Columbus, Indiana (USA)
Columbus Historic District
Monument and historic site · National Register of Historic Places
Historic district in Indiana, USA
D.W. Heagy Farm
Monument and historic site · National Register of Historic Places · 3.1 mi
Human settlement in Indiana, United States of America
David Aikens House
Monument and historic site · National Register of Historic Places · 2.3 mi
United States historic place
Haw Creek Leather Company
Monument and historic site · National Register of Historic Places · 0.6 mi
Historic tannery in Columbus, Indiana, USA
Irwin Conference Center
Monument and historic site · National Register of Historic Places
Bank building in Columbus, United States of America
Mabel McDowell Adult Education Center
Monument and historic site · National Register of Historic Places · 1.7 mi
School building in Columbus, United States of America
McEwen-Samuels-Marr House
Monument and historic site · National Register of Historic Places · 0.4 mi
Historic house in Indiana, United States
McKinley School
Monument and historic site · National Register of Historic Places · 0.8 mi
Listed on the National Register of Historic Places in Columbus, Indiana, United States
Miller House and Garden
Museum · National Register of Historic Places · 1.4 mi
Historic home in Columbus, Indiana
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Newsom-Marr Farm
Monument and historic site · National Register of Historic Places · 4.2 mi
Human settlement in United States of America
10 more on the map.
Parks, trails and playgrounds20
8 more on the map.
Restaurants and cafes96
Sophia's Asian Restauant
Restaurant · Asian · 1.8 mi
2508 25th Street, Columbus
Su-Th 11:00-21:00; Fr 11:00-22:00; Sa 11:30-22:00
Texas Roadhouse
Restaurant · Steak House · 1.9 mi
2780 Merchants Mile, Columbus
Mo-Th 15:45-21:30; Fr,Sa 10:45-22:30; Su 10:45-21:30
84 more on the map.
History
The land developed as Columbus was bought by General John Tipton and Luke Bonesteel in 1820. Tipton built a log cabin on Mount Tipton, a small hill overlooking White River and the surrounding flat, heavily forested and swampy valley. It held wetlands of the river. The town was first known as Tiptona, named in honor of Tipton. The town's name was changed to Columbus on March 20, 1821. Many people believe Tipton was upset by the name change, but no evidence exists to prove this. Nonetheless, he decided to leave the newly founded town and did not return.
Tipton was later appointed as the highway commissioner for the State of Indiana and was assigned to building a highway from Indianapolis, Indiana to Louisville, Kentucky. When the road approached Columbus, Tipton constructed the first bypass road ever built; it detoured south around the west side of Columbus en route to Seymour.
Joseph McKinney was the first to plot the town of Columbus, but no date was recorded. Local history books for years said that the land on which Columbus sits was donated by Tipton. However, in 2003, Historic Columbus Indiana acquired a deed showing that Tipton had sold the land.
From the History section of Columbus, Indiana on Wikipedia, under CC BY-SA 4.0.
Where to stay12
Country Inn & Suites by Radisson
Motel and hotel · 2.5 mi
3888 Mimosa Drive, Columbus
Holiday Inn Columbus
Motel and hotel · 1.8 mi
2485 West Jonathan Moore Pike, Columbus
Churches and places of worship21
First Baptist Church
Church · National Register of Historic Places · 3.2 mi
First Christian Church
Church · National Register of Historic Places
North Christian Church
Church · National Register of Historic Places · 1.6 mi
Calvary Church of the Nazarene
Church · Nazarene · 3.9 mi
5400 Rocky Ford Road, Columbus
Shopping18
Gas and EV charging22
Schools, colleges and libraries27
Indiana University Columbus - Purdue Polytechnic - Ivy Tech
School · 3.2 mi
4601 Central Avenue, Columbus
Healthcare9
Map of Columbus
250 places. The map loads OpenStreetMap tiles when you open it.
Climate by month
Monthly table
| Month | High | Low | Rain | Snow |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Jan | 39°F | 22°F | 3.4 in | 5.9 in |
| Feb | 43°F | 24°F | 2.9 in | 4.5 in |
| Mar | 54°F | 32°F | 3.8 in | 1.8 in |
| Apr | 66°F | 42°F | 5.0 in | 0.0 in |
| May | 75°F | 53°F | 5.0 in | 0.0 in |
| Jun | 83°F | 62°F | 5.3 in | 0.0 in |
| Jul | 86°F | 65°F | 4.5 in | 0.0 in |
| Aug | 85°F | 63°F | 3.5 in | 0.0 in |
| Sep | 80°F | 55°F | 3.2 in | 0.0 in |
| Oct | 68°F | 44°F | 3.4 in | 0.0 in |
| Nov | 54°F | 34°F | 3.6 in | 0.1 in |
| Dec | 43°F | 26°F | 3.7 in | 4.0 in |
U.S. Climate Normals 1991-2020 for Columbus Hcn (3 mi away), NOAA NCEI.
People and cost of living
American Community Survey 5-year estimates, 2020-2024, U.S. Census Bureau. Estimates have margins of error, larger for small towns.
Disaster history
Bartholomew County has had 10 federal disaster declarations since 2000, most often for severe storms.
- 2026-08-15: Severe Storms, Straight-Line Winds, Tornadoes, And Flooding (Flood)
- 2026-01-24: Severe Winter Storm (Winter Storm)
- 2025-07-22: Severe Storms, Straight-Line Winds, Tornadoes, And Flooding (Flood)
- 2020-04-03: Covid-19 Pandemic (Biological)
- 2020-03-13: Covid-19 (Biological)
- 2008-06-08: Severe Storms, Flooding, And Tornadoes (Severe Storm)
OpenFEMA disaster declarations summaries.
Getting there and nearby towns
Columbus Municipal Airport (CLU) is the nearest airport with scheduled flights listed in OpenStreetMap, 4 miles away.
- Bargersville 28 mi northwest, about 45 min by car
- Bloomington 32 mi west, about 52 min by car
- Beech Grove 36 mi north, about 58 min by car
- Bedford 39 mi southwest, about 1 h by car
- Indianapolis city (balance) 41 mi north, about 1 h by car
- Avon 46 mi northwest, about 1 h 15 min by car
- Brownsburg 50 mi northwest, about 1 h 15 min by car
- Fishers 52 mi north, about 1 h 30 min by car
- Connersville 52 mi northeast, about 1 h 30 min by car
- Carmel 54 mi north, about 1 h 30 min by car
Drive times are estimates from straight-line distance, not routes.
Local news
Headlines from INDB, the NEMICO news database.
Reviews, tips and questions
Loading what members have shared...
Sources and licences
- NCES EDGE (Public domain): public schools
- NOAA NCEI U.S. Climate Normals 1991-2020 (Public domain): climate by month
- OpenFEMA (Public domain): disaster declarations
- OpenStreetMap contributors (ODbL 1.0): places, airports, map data
- U.S. Census Bureau (Public domain): population, income, housing, education, commute
- Wikidata (CC0 1.0): elevation, founding date, time zone, website, landmarks and historic places
- Wikimedia Commons (see each image): photos
- Wikipedia (CC BY-SA 4.0): overview and history text
Photo credits
- ColumbusCityHall, Photo by Greg Hume ( Greg5030 ), CC BY-SA 2.5
- Houses along Seventh Street and Columbus Middle School athletics track in Columbus, IN - 2009, Nyttend, Public domain
- First Christian Church (Columbus, Indiana) - March 2013 - Jeff Hart 06, Jeff Hart, CC BY 2.0
- First Christian Church (Columbus, Indiana) - March 2013 - Jeff Hart 05, Jeff Hart, CC BY 2.0
- First Christian Church (Columbus, Indiana) - March 2013 - Jeff Hart 07, Jeff Hart, CC BY 2.0
- First Christian Church (Columbus, Indiana) - March 2013 - Jeff Hart 02, Jeff Hart, CC BY 2.0
- First Christian Church (Columbus, Indiana) - March 2013 - Jeff Hart 01, Jeff Hart, CC BY 2.0
- First Christian Church (Columbus, Indiana) - March 2013 - Jeff Hart 04, Jeff Hart, CC BY 2.0
- First Christian Church (Columbus, Indiana) - March 2013 - Jeff Hart 03, Jeff Hart, CC BY 2.0
- Old City Hall, Columbus, Indiana, Nyttend, Public domain
- NorthChristianChurch, Photo by Greg Hume ( Greg5030 ), CC BY-SA 2.5
- FirstbaptistColumbus, Photo by Greg Hume ( Greg5030 ), CC BY 2.5
- Columbus IN Visitor Center, The original uploader was Bedford at English Wikipedia ., Attribution
- Irwin Union exterior, Reywas92, CC BY-SA 3.0
- FirstChristianChurch, Photo by Greg Hume ( Greg5030 ), CC BY-SA 2.5
- New Hope Bridge western portal, Nyttend, Public domain
- Miller House in Columbus, Nyttend, Public domain
- Republic offices in Columbus, front and lawn, Nyttend, Public domain
- Haw Creek Leather Company Building, User:RichardMcCoy, CC BY-SA 3.0
- McEwen-Samuels-Marr House, Nyttend, Public domain
- Newsom-Marr Farmhouse, Nyttend, Public domain
- Bartholomew County Courthouse, User:RichardMcCoy, CC BY-SA 3.0
- McKinley School, Columbus, Nyttend, Public domain
- William R. Gant Farmhouse, Nyttend, Public domain
- McDowellAdultEducation, Greg Hume ( Greg5030 at English Wikipedia ), CC BY 2.5
- D.W. Heagy Farmhouse, Nyttend, Public domain
- David Aikens Farmhouse, Nyttend, Public domain
- James Marr Farm, Nyttend, Public domain
- Elnora Daugherty Farmhouse, Nyttend, Public domain
- AT&T Switchboard Building - panoramio, joelbeeb, CC BY-SA 3.0
- Cummins Engines Offices - panoramio, joelbeeb, CC BY-SA 3.0
- Cummins Corporate Office Building - 2008-08-25 - Elizabeth Nicodemus 00, Elizabeth Nicodemus, CC BY-SA 2.0
- U.S. Post Office designed by Charles F Sparrell, User:RichardMcCoy, CC BY-SA 3.0
- Zaharakos - March 2013 - Jeff Hart 05, Jeff Hart, CC BY 2.0
- The Commons - November 2012 - Jeff Hart 01, Jeff Hart, CC BY 2.0
- Zaharakos Ice Cream Parlor - 8585865551, Jeff Hart, CC BY 2.0
- Zaharakos Ice Cream Parlor - 8586969156, Jeff Hart, CC BY 2.0
- Zaharakos Ice Cream Parlor - 8586963602, Jeff Hart, CC BY 2.0
- Zaharakos - March 2013 - Jeff Hart 09, Jeff Hart, CC BY 2.0
- Zaharakos Ice Cream Parlor - 8586967320, Jeff Hart, CC BY 2.0
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