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Columbia

A township of 438 people in Polk County, Minnesota

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Town hallWanted · be the first Main streetWanted · be the first The libraryWanted · be the first Add a photoStart the Columbia album

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Now in Columbia

What’s happening this week

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Around town

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Around town

The places and views that make it Columbia

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The Columbia album

0 of 12 shotsNeighbors document Columbia together

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Outdoors in Columbia

Parks & trails →

Map of Columbia: conserved land, trails and the top places to walk

Conserved land20%4,598 of 22,757 acres

Trails5.8 mi0.2 mi per sq mi

Parks & preserves7named on the map

1Lengby WPA225 acres Directions

2Sagaiigan Wildlife Management Area175 acres

3Lengby Wildlife Management Area128 acres

Trails & parks © OpenStreetMap contributors · Conserved land: USGS PAD-US

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Know Columbia

The town at a glance, and the guide to how things work

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About Columbia

Township in Minnesota, United States

438Population

35.7 sq miArea

1,437 ftElevation

Columbia Township is a township in Polk County, Minnesota, United States. It is part of the Grand Forks-ND-MN Metropolitan Statistical Area. The population was 429 at the 2000 census.

From Wikipedia, licensed CC BY-SA 4.0 · facts via Wikidata (CC0)

Town numbers

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Living in Columbia

Work & commute in Columbia

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Most working residents leave Columbia for work: only 1% work in town. The top destinations are Fosston (26%), Crookston (9%) and Bagley (8%). Half commute less than 18 miles.

Fosston

26%

Crookston

9%

Bagley

8%

Bemidji

5%

1%Work in townlive and work in Columbia 18 miWhere do people commute?the commute map 6Jobs based herea commuter town

Census LEHD 2023 · ACSWork & commute in Columbia →

Health in Columbia

Compared with Minnesota

1better than MN·17worse

of 32 measures CDC estimates. The other 14 are too close to call.

Conditions 9▼ 3 close Habits 2▼ 2 close Care 1▲ 1▼ 5 close Mind 2▼ 3 close Everyday needs 3▼ 1 close

BetterToo close to callWorse

What stands out

80.6%More adults treating high blood pressureMN 76.1% · better 17%More older adults who have lost all their teethMN 8.9% · worse

Care nearby

Essentia Health FosstonFosston · 5.8 mi · ER · rural critical access

Scenic Rivers Health ServicesNorthome · 66.2 mi · sliding-scale fees

Primary careShortage · county-wide

DentalNo shortage

Mental healthShortage · county-wide

CDC PLACES 2025 · modeled estimates for adults · ZIP codes 56542, 56651, 56621 · CMS · HRSAHealth in Columbia →

Natural hazards in Columbia

Low

Expected storm and flood damage is higher than in 32% of U.S. communities.

🌊 Inland flooding🥶 Cold waves🌵 Drought

0Does Columbia flood?no paid flood claims on record 3Disasters that paid out herefederal disasters sent FEMA money to Columbia MapColumbia vs. its neighborsnearby towns shaded by rating

FEMA National Risk Index December 2025 · OpenFEMANatural hazards in Columbia →

Climate in Columbia

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Columbia has cold winters and pleasant summers. A typical July afternoon reaches 79°, a January night drops to -3°.

20° / 1°Winter

50° / 28°Spring

77° / 54°Summer

52° / 33°Fall

When is the first frost?Around Sep 26, with the last in spring around May 15.Frost dates →Is it warmer than it used to be?+1.7° vs. the 20th century.Then & now →

NOAA U.S. Climate Normals, 1991–2020Climate in Columbia →

Libraries near Columbia

Nearest: Fosston LibraryFosston · 6.3 miles · 39 hrs a week

Famous people from ColumbiaWriters, athletes, leaders and more who were born in Columbia.Meet them →

Where Columbia is

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Imported town boundary

Minnesota · MN · Polk CountyTown boundary on OpenStreetMap →

Around town

Bordering towns

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Columbia Queen Rosebud Island Lake Popple

NQueen WRosebud SIsland Lake EPopple

Compare side by side:Columbia vs Queen Columbia vs Rosebud Columbia vs Island Lake Columbia vs Popple

How things work in Columbia

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Town hall & decisionsTrash, recycling & yard wasteUtilities & servicesStreets, parking & getting aroundSafety & preparednessSchools & learningParks, sports & recreationHealth & emergency care