Colby ZIP Codes — Clark County, WI

There is one unique ZIP code in Colby, Wisconsin and it is 54421. Area code: 715.

ZIP codes

69.89

sq mi land

0.12

sq mi water

715

area code

Colby, WI ZIP code map

About Colby, WI

Colby, Wisconsin, is a charming small town located in Clark County. Known for its friendly community and beautiful rural landscapes, Colby offers a peaceful atmosphere for residents and visitors alike. It is famous for its local cheese production, contributing to Wisconsin's reputation as 'America's Dairyland.'

Location & geography

Colby is situated in the north-central part of Wisconsin, approximately 20 miles south of the city of Wausau. The town covers a land area of 69.89 square miles and has a small water area of 0.12 square miles, providing a mix of lush farmland and natural beauty. Nearby cities include Abbotsford, just 8 miles to the north, and Medford, which lies about 18 miles to the west.

Community & economy

The community of Colby embodies a strong Midwestern spirit, with a welcoming atmosphere and a variety of local events. The economy is primarily supported by agriculture, dairy farming, and small businesses, making it a vital part of rural Wisconsin. Daily life here is characterized by close-knit relationships among residents, with community gatherings often centered around local fairs and festivals.

Transportation

Colby is accessible via several highways, including U.S. Route 29, which connects to other significant roads in the region. The nearest major airport is Central Wisconsin Airport in Mosinee, located roughly 25 miles from Colby. Public transit options are limited, but local services may be available for transportation needs.

History

Colby was founded in the late 1800s and quickly grew due to the booming dairy industry. Notable events in its history include the establishment of the Colby Cheese Factory, which has played a significant role in promoting the town’s dairy heritage. The town has since become well-known for its cheese production, contributing to its local economy and cultural identity.

Did you know?

One little-known fact about Colby is that it is the birthplace of Colby cheese, which was developed in the area in the 1870s. This cheese has become a staple ingredient in many dishes and is celebrated at various cheese festivals throughout Wisconsin.

ZIP codes for Colby, WI (1)

ZIP code	City	County	Map
54421	Colby	Clark	View map

Demographics & statistics

3,831

Population

36.4

Median age

$59,783

Median household income

$27,644

Per capita income

$161,800

Median home value

$783

Median monthly rent

73.6%

Home ownership

14.3%

Poverty rate

2.6%

Unemployment

991

Housing units

12.6%

Bachelor's or higher

Age distribution

Male Female

149

Under 5

135

150

5–9

135

182

10–14

165

183

15–19

165

114

20–24

103

197

25–34

178

259

35–44

233

175

45–54

158

136

55–59

123

112

60–64

101

192

65–74

174

75–84

85+

← Male

Female →

Age summary

Group	Count	%
Under 18	1,133	29.6%
18 and over	2,698	70.4%
65 and over	678	17.7%
Median age	36.4 years

Race & ethnicity

White 80.5%

Hispanic or Latino 8.5%

Two or more races 6.7%

Other race 3.4%

Asian 0.6%

Black or African American 0.1%

American Indian / Alaska Native 0.1%

Group	Count	%
White	3,369	80.5%
Hispanic or Latino	354	8.5%
Two or more races	282	6.7%
Other race	143	3.4%
Asian	27	0.6%
Black or African American	6	0.1%
American Indian / Alaska Native	4	0.1%

Household income

Under $10k 4.2%

$10k–$15k 3.8%

$15k–$25k 10.1%

$25k–$35k 10.8%

$35k–$50k 11.9%

$50k–$75k 18.8%

$75k–$100k 11.7%

$100k–$150k 18.7%

$150k–$200k 5.4%

$200k+ 4.6%

Range	% of households
Under $10k	4.2%
$10k–$15k	3.8%
$15k–$25k	10.1%
$25k–$35k	10.8%
$35k–$50k	11.9%
$50k–$75k	18.8%
$75k–$100k	11.7%
$100k–$150k	18.7%
$150k–$200k	5.4%
$200k+	4.6%
Median income	$59,783

Housing

Home values

Under $50k 4.7%

$50k–$100k 12.7%

$100k–$150k 25.6%

$150k–$200k 24.5%

$200k–$300k 20.5%

$300k–$500k 7.9%

$500k–$1M 2.8%

$1M+ 1.2%

Housing overview

Metric	Value
Median home value	$161,800
Median rent / month	$783
Owner occupied	73.6%
Renter occupied	26.4%
Vacant	5.3%
Single-family detached	76.0%
Large apartment buildings	4.5%
Mobile homes	3.1%
Median rooms	6.1
Avg household size (owned)	3.07

Year built

Era	%
2020 or later	0.3%
2010–2019	3.8%
2000–2009	8.5%
1990–1999	13.8%
1980–1989	7.0%
1970–1979	18.2%
1960–1969	3.9%
1950–1959	9.5%
1940–1949	4.9%
1939 or earlier	30.1%

Bedrooms

Size	% of units
No bedroom (studio)	3.1%
1 bedroom	5.7%
2 bedrooms	23.6%
3 bedrooms	38.7%
4 bedrooms	21.2%
5+ bedrooms	7.8%

Vehicles per household

Vehicles	% of households
No vehicle	6.9%
1 vehicle	25.3%
2 vehicles	36.7%
3 or more	31.0%

Heating fuel

Fuel type	%
Utility gas	49.0%
Electricity	15.3%
Propane / LP gas	20.8%
Fuel oil	4.4%
Wood	9.2%
No fuel used	0.8%

Households & families

Household type	Count	%
Married-couple family	605	48.3%
Cohabiting couple	177	14.1%
Male householder, no spouse	188	15.0%
Female householder, no spouse	282	22.5%
Households with children under 18	489	39.1%
Households with seniors (65+)	374	29.9%
Average household size	2.95

Marital status

Status	Male	Female
Never married	39.6%	26.3%
Married	46.5%	44.3%
Separated	0.5%	0.7%
Widowed	1.7%	10.7%
Divorced	11.7%	17.9%

Education

Less than 9th grade 12.1%

Some HS, no diploma 8.9%

HS graduate 43.1%

Some college, no degree 14.9%

Associate's degree 8.4%

Bachelor's degree 9.7%

Graduate / professional 2.9%

Metric	%
HS diploma or higher	79.0%
Bachelor's or higher	12.6%

School enrollment (ages 3–17)

Type	Count	%
Nursery / preschool	34	3.6%
Kindergarten	66	7.1%
Elementary school	514	55.0%
High school	207	22.1%
College / grad school	114	12.2%

Employment

Industry of employment

Manufacturing 27.3%

Education & healthcare 17.1%

Retail trade 13.3%

Agriculture & mining 8.6%

Construction 8.2%

Arts, food & hospitality 5.8%

Other services 4.8%

Professional & management 4.1%

Transportation & utilities 3.7%

Finance & real estate 3.6%

Wholesale trade 2.0%

Information 0.7%

Public administration 0.7%

Occupation

Category	%
Management, business & arts	28.3%
Service	12.2%
Sales & office	18.1%
Natural resources & construction	13.0%
Production & transportation	28.4%

Employment type

Type	%
Private sector	81.1%
Government	4.7%
Self-employed	12.8%
Unpaid family workers	1.4%

Commute

Method	%
Drive alone	76.3%
Carpool	6.9%
Public transit	0.0%
Walk	3.9%
Other means	1.7%
Avg commute (minutes)	18.8

Poverty

All people 14.3%

Under 18 years 16.2%

18 and over 13.5%

Married-couple families 5.1%

Female-led households 20.1%

Income support

Source	% of households
Social Security	34.6%
Retirement income	15.7%
Supplemental Security	4.7%
Cash public assistance	2.8%
Food stamps / SNAP	11.8%

Health indicators

Condition	%
High blood pressure	32.5%
High cholesterol	33.9%
Heart disease	7.5%
Stroke	3.6%
Asthma	10.1%
Arthritis	26.2%
Kidney disease	3.3%
Pulmonary disease	7.9%
Cancer	7.2%

Behavior / access	%
Binge drinking	23.7%
No physical activity	25.8%
Less than 7 hrs sleep	31.9%
Fair or poor health	15.8%
Poor mental health	14.6%
Poor physical health	11.8%
No health insurance	14.4%
Visited doctor (checkup)	72.9%
Visited dentist	62.4%
Cholesterol screening	84.3%
Teeth loss	17.1%

Veterans & disability

Veterans	Count	%
Civilian veterans	189	7.0%

Disability	%
Any disability	8.4%
Under 18	3.9%
18–64 years	7.5%
65 and over	21.0%

Health insurance coverage

Type	%
Private insurance	59.6%
Public insurance	32.5%
Uninsured under 19	20.9%

Language & origin

Language spoken at home (age 5+)

Language	Count	%
English only	3,547	92.6%
Spanish	350	9.9%
Other Indo-European	251	7.1%
Asian & Pacific Islander	99	2.8%
Other languages	0	0.0%

Place of birth & citizenship

Origin	Count	%
Native born (US)	3,526	92.0%
Born in same state	3,471	90.6%
Born in different state	2,803	73.2%
Foreign born	55	1.4%
Naturalized citizen	305	8.0%
Not a US citizen	33	10.8%

Ancestry

Ancestry	Count	%
Italian	196	5.1%
Arab	183	4.8%
Polish	168	4.4%

Ancestry	Count	%
French	51	1.3%
English	41	1.1%
Dutch	32	0.8%

Technology access

Metric	% of households
Computer access	32.7%
Internet access	86.3%

Source: U.S. Census Bureau, American Community Survey 2025 estimates.

Frequently asked questions

What ZIP codes does Colby, WI have?

Colby, WI has one ZIP code: 54421. Each ZIP code serves a distinct delivery area within the city and surrounding region.