The story of this market
The typical home in ZIP 53901 sells for about $390,000, or $206 per square foot.
Prices are down 4.35% from a year ago, which gives buyers more room to negotiate. Homes take about 41 days to sell. HUD's fair market rent for a two-bedroom is $1,012 a month.
ZIP 53901 — Portage
The Portage housing market is currently experiencing a period of stabilization with moderate inventory levels and steady demand. While median listing prices remain elevated compared to historical averages, the market is seeing a slight cooling in year-over-year price growth. Buyers are finding a more balanced environment compared to the high-competition periods of recent years.
This ZIP is well-suited for families and commuters seeking a more affordable alternative to the Madison metro area while maintaining access to regional employment hubs.
Median prices moved down 4.3% year over year.
Homes spend a median of 41 days on market with 3.2 months of supply — a fast-moving market.
14% of listings have cut prices · homes sell at 98.5% of asking — demand is running ahead of supply.
no recorded foreclosure-ledger notices (0.0 per 10,000 residents) · unemployment 3.0% · poverty 11.9% — a stable, low-distress profile.
Researched annual trajectory for this ZIP, from published historical series
Solid: researched ten-year history · dotted: 1 / 3 / 5-year projection extended from the historical 5.5%/yr trend — a deterministic estimate, not a published forecast or guarantee.
Median annual property tax paid on this ZIP's residential parcels
Solid: researched ten-year history · dotted: 1 / 3 / 5-year projection extended from the historical 4.5%/yr trend — a deterministic estimate, not a published forecast or guarantee.
versus the prior ACS vintage
ZCTA 53901, Columbia County WI
ACS 2024 5-year estimates. Aggregate published statistics for this ZIP — never individual records, and never an attribute of any individual property or resident.
Public schools in the area are generally rated as average, with the Portage Community School District serving the majority of the ZIP code.
The area is subject to standard Midwestern climate risks, including seasonal severe storms and potential flooding near the Wisconsin and Fox Rivers.
Economic momentum is driven by local government, healthcare, and manufacturing sectors, with steady residential development occurring on the city's periphery.
Property taxes are assessed at the municipal and county levels, with rates influenced by school district levies and local municipal services.
Commuters primarily utilize US Highway 51 and Interstate 39 for access to the Madison employment core, typically requiring a 45-60 minute drive.
The area features significant outdoor amenities including the Wisconsin River, various local parks, and proximity to the Ice Age National Scenic Trail.
The rental market is characterized by moderate demand and limited inventory, with a mix of single-family rentals and multi-family units.
The local economy is anchored by healthcare services, manufacturing, and government administration, serving as a regional hub for Columbia County.
The area is served by major highway corridors including I-39, I-90, and US-51, facilitating regional connectivity.
Development focus remains on expanding residential inventory and supporting local commercial infrastructure.
Parcels are subject to Portage Community School District levies and various municipal utility districts.
Property insurance premiums are influenced by regional weather patterns and proximity to river flood zones.
Data retrieved from US Census Bureau ZCTA-level tables.
Public schools whose reported address is in this area (NCES). Not attendance boundaries — schools that serve residents may sit outside it. Check the district's address locator for assignment.
- Kalahari Resorts & Conventions - Wisconsin Dells4.413.4 mi
- Great Wolf Lodge | Wisconsin Dells4.113.9 mi
- Mt. Olympus - Water & Theme Park Resort3.515.3 mi
- Noah's Ark Waterpark4.414.9 mi
- Kalahari Resorts Indoor Waterpark - Wisconsin Dells4.413.6 mi
- Kalahari Resorts & Conventions - Wisconsin Dells4.413.4 mi
- Mt. Olympus - Indoor Water Park3.815.3 mi
- Trappers Turn Golf Club4.616.3 mi
- Woodside Wisconsin Dells Center Dome3.916 mi
- Bluegreen Vacations Odyssey Dells Resort4.315.5 mi
- Devil's Lake State Park4.812.7 mi
- Parfrey's Glen State Natural Area4.89.9 mi
- Circus World4.611.8 mi
- Gibraltar Rock State Natural Area4.913 mi
- International Crane Foundation4.912.4 mi
- Wollersheim Winery & Distillery4.819 mi
- Circus World4.611.8 mi
- Top Secret (Attraction)3.515.2 mi
- Ripley's Believe It Or Not4.215.2 mi
- Mid-Continent Railway Museum4.718.6 mi
- Devil's Lake State Park4.812.7 mi
- Parfrey's Glen State Natural Area4.89.9 mi
- Gibraltar Rock State Natural Area4.913 mi
- International Crane Foundation4.912.4 mi
- Indian Trails Campground4.79.7 mi
- Portage Golf Club4.27.8 mi
- Baraboo Country Club4.412.4 mi
- Fairfield Hills Golf Course & Range4.612.6 mi
- Saddle Ridge Golf Course4.16.8 mi
- Baraboo Fresh Market4.311.3 mi
- Northridge Plaza4.13.7 mi
- Dane County Regional Airport4.527.8 mi
Theme parks, venues, golf, airports, museums, water and shopping across the area from Google Maps, ranked by popularity within the radius shown.
Major regional waterway providing recreational boating and fishing opportunities.
A thousand-mile footpath highlighting Wisconsin's glacial landscape.
Key-figure check: no independent anchor retained yet — first-researched cycles establish the anchor baseline this pass.