Portage ZIP Codes — Columbia County, WI

There is one unique ZIP code in Portage, Wisconsin and it is 53901. Area code: 608.

ZIP codes

147.29

sq mi land

11.46

sq mi water

608

area code

Portage, WI ZIP code map

About Portage, WI

Portage, Wisconsin, is a charming city located in the heart of Columbia County. Known for its rich history and beautiful natural surroundings, it offers a unique blend of small-town charm and outdoor adventure. With a welcoming community and a variety of local events, Portage is a hidden gem in the Badger State.

Location & geography

Portage is strategically located at the junction of the Fox River and the Wisconsin River, making it an important hub for transportation and trade. The city is approximately 35 miles north of Madison, 30 miles from Wisconsin Dells, and about 100 miles from Milwaukee. It boasts a land area of 147.29 square miles and a water area of 11.46 square miles, providing ample opportunities for outdoor recreation.

Community & economy

The community in Portage is known for its friendly atmosphere and strong sense of civic pride, with residents actively participating in local events and festivals. The local economy is supported by a mix of industries, including manufacturing, retail, and tourism, contributing to a balanced daily life for its residents. Daily activities can be enjoyed at parks, cultural events, and by exploring the historical sites that adorn the city.

Transportation

Portage is conveniently accessible via Interstate 39 and US Highway 51, which connect it to other parts of Wisconsin. The city is serviced by the nearby Portage Municipal Airport and offers essential transit options for residents and visitors alike.

History

Portage was founded in the 1830s and has a rich history as a vital link for fur traders and settlers in the region. The city played a significant role during the westward expansion, with its rivers facilitating the movement of goods and people. Notable events in its history include the establishment of the Portage Canal, which further enhanced its importance as a transportation hub.

Did you know?

A surprising fact about Portage is that it was the birthplace of the famous American novelist and historian, William H. Seward. Additionally, the city has a unique geographical distinction, as it sits on the divide between the Mississippi River and Great Lakes watersheds.

ZIP codes for Portage, WI (1)

ZIP code	City	County	Map
53901	Portage	Columbia	View map

Demographics & statistics

14,978

Population

40.5

Median age

$67,622

Median household income

$33,094

Per capita income

$200,100

Median home value

$939

Median monthly rent

65.2%

Home ownership

12.1%

Poverty rate

5.1%

Unemployment

4,518

Housing units

18.4%

Bachelor's or higher

Age distribution

Male Female

470

Under 5

405

316

5–9

273

451

10–14

390

427

15–19

369

563

20–24

486

1,063

25–34

917

1,230

35–44

1,062

982

45–54

847

562

55–59

484

545

60–64

470

800

65–74

690

453

75–84

391

178

85+

154

← Male

Female →

Age summary

Group	Count	%
Under 18	2,757	18.4%
18 and over	12,221	81.6%
65 and over	2,666	17.8%
Median age	40.5 years

Race & ethnicity

White 83.6%

Two or more races 5.4%

Hispanic or Latino 5%

Black or African American 3.2%

Other race 1.8%

American Indian / Alaska Native 0.6%

Asian 0.5%

Group	Count	%
White	13,179	83.6%
Two or more races	844	5.4%
Hispanic or Latino	794	5%
Black or African American	505	3.2%
Other race	286	1.8%
American Indian / Alaska Native	91	0.6%
Asian	73	0.5%

Household income

Under $10k 5.1%

$10k–$15k 4.2%

$15k–$25k 6.4%

$25k–$35k 9.1%

$35k–$50k 14.4%

$50k–$75k 15.9%

$75k–$100k 15.7%

$100k–$150k 18.7%

$150k–$200k 7.0%

$200k+ 3.6%

Range	% of households
Under $10k	5.1%
$10k–$15k	4.2%
$15k–$25k	6.4%
$25k–$35k	9.1%
$35k–$50k	14.4%
$50k–$75k	15.9%
$75k–$100k	15.7%
$100k–$150k	18.7%
$150k–$200k	7.0%
$200k+	3.6%
Median income	$67,622

Housing

Home values

Under $50k 6.1%

$50k–$100k 3.5%

$100k–$150k 19.1%

$150k–$200k 21.3%

$200k–$300k 27.0%

$300k–$500k 16.6%

$500k–$1M 5.0%

$1M+ 1.6%

Housing overview

Metric	Value
Median home value	$200,100
Median rent / month	$939
Owner occupied	65.2%
Renter occupied	34.8%
Vacant	9.2%
Single-family detached	63.7%
Large apartment buildings	7.1%
Mobile homes	3.1%
Median rooms	5.7
Avg household size (owned)	2.40

Year built

Era	%
2020 or later	0.6%
2010–2019	4.2%
2000–2009	11.7%
1990–1999	12.1%
1980–1989	13.4%
1970–1979	14.4%
1960–1969	6.9%
1950–1959	12.5%
1940–1949	5.3%
1939 or earlier	19.0%

Bedrooms

Size	% of units
No bedroom (studio)	3.4%
1 bedroom	8.8%
2 bedrooms	33.3%
3 bedrooms	36.0%
4 bedrooms	14.3%
5+ bedrooms	4.3%

Vehicles per household

Vehicles	% of households
No vehicle	5.3%
1 vehicle	30.7%
2 vehicles	39.3%
3 or more	24.8%

Heating fuel

Fuel type	%
Utility gas	51.8%
Electricity	26.5%
Propane / LP gas	12.5%
Fuel oil	1.7%
Wood	4.8%
No fuel used	1.7%

Households & families

Household type	Count	%
Married-couple family	2,631	43.8%
Cohabiting couple	581	9.7%
Male householder, no spouse	1,193	19.9%
Female householder, no spouse	1,599	26.6%
Households with children under 18	1,635	27.2%
Households with seniors (65+)	1,975	32.9%
Average household size	2.31

Marital status

Status	Male	Female
Never married	40.2%	24.4%
Married	42.5%	46.4%
Separated	0.4%	3.5%
Widowed	3.1%	8.2%
Divorced	13.9%	17.6%

Education

Less than 9th grade 1.6%

Some HS, no diploma 6.7%

HS graduate 36.6%

Some college, no degree 24.5%

Associate's degree 12.2%

Bachelor's degree 11.4%

Graduate / professional 7.0%

Metric	%
HS diploma or higher	91.7%
Bachelor's or higher	18.4%

School enrollment (ages 3–17)

Type	Count	%
Nursery / preschool	138	4.8%
Kindergarten	144	5.1%
Elementary school	1,077	37.8%
High school	781	27.4%
College / grad school	709	24.9%

Employment

Industry of employment

Education & healthcare 20.1%

Manufacturing 19.2%

Retail trade 11.4%

Professional & management 8.7%

Arts, food & hospitality 7.3%

Construction 6.5%

Public administration 5.7%

Transportation & utilities 5.4%

Other services 4.9%

Finance & real estate 4.5%

Agriculture & mining 3.3%

Wholesale trade 1.7%

Information 1.2%

Occupation

Category	%
Management, business & arts	31.8%
Service	17.3%
Sales & office	18.8%
Natural resources & construction	11.6%
Production & transportation	20.5%

Employment type

Type	%
Private sector	80.2%
Government	12.2%
Self-employed	7.6%
Unpaid family workers	0.0%

Commute

Method	%
Drive alone	80.7%
Carpool	9.4%
Public transit	0.1%
Walk	2.5%
Other means	1.0%
Avg commute (minutes)	24.6

Poverty

All people 12.1%

Under 18 years 17.6%

18 and over 10.7%

Married-couple families 6.0%

Female-led households 23.0%

Income support

Source	% of households
Social Security	32.8%
Retirement income	23.5%
Supplemental Security	4.5%
Cash public assistance	6.1%
Food stamps / SNAP	12.0%

Health indicators

Condition	%
High blood pressure	32.1%
High cholesterol	33.9%
Heart disease	6.3%
Stroke	3.0%
Asthma	9.8%
Arthritis	24.5%
Kidney disease	2.9%
Pulmonary disease	6.6%
Cancer	6.8%

Behavior / access	%
Binge drinking	25.7%
No physical activity	21.9%
Less than 7 hrs sleep	31.9%
Fair or poor health	13.2%
Poor mental health	13.9%
Poor physical health	10.3%
No health insurance	11.9%
Visited doctor (checkup)	72.5%
Visited dentist	66.4%
Cholesterol screening	86.1%
Teeth loss	13.3%

Veterans & disability

Veterans	Count	%
Civilian veterans	893	7.3%

Disability	%
Any disability	16.5%
Under 18	5.2%
18–64 years	14.8%
65 and over	34.4%

Health insurance coverage

Type	%
Private insurance	72.9%
Public insurance	38.9%
Uninsured under 19	4.8%

Language & origin

Language spoken at home (age 5+)

Language	Count	%
English only	14,103	94.2%
Spanish	123	0.9%
Other Indo-European	80	0.6%
Asian & Pacific Islander	38	0.3%
Other languages	5	0.0%

Place of birth & citizenship

Origin	Count	%
Native born (US)	14,503	96.8%
Born in same state	14,477	96.7%
Born in different state	11,235	75.0%
Foreign born	26	0.2%
Naturalized citizen	475	3.2%
Not a US citizen	318	66.9%

Ancestry

Ancestry	Count	%
Italian	2,011	13.4%
Polish	1,127	7.5%
French	1,036	6.9%
Arab	644	4.3%
English	377	2.5%

Ancestry	Count	%
German	162	1.1%
Dutch	69	0.5%
Irish	57	0.4%
Norwegian	25	0.2%

Technology access

Metric	% of households
Computer access	40.1%
Internet access	91.3%

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

Frequently asked questions

What ZIP codes does Portage, WI have?

Portage, WI has one ZIP code: 53901. Each ZIP code serves a distinct delivery area within the city and surrounding region.