Columbia center
323 Route 87, Columbia, CT 06237
Living in Columbia, Connecticut
Columbia is a small town in Tolland County built around Columbia Lake, in the Capitol Planning Region east of Hartford. It was set off from Lebanon in May 1804 and was originally known as Lebanon Crank.
Columbia at a glance
- $429,000Median single-family sale, Oct 2024 – Sep 2025
- 30.75 millsReal estate tax rate, fiscal year 2026–27
- TollandCounty · Capitol Planning Region
Columbia's zip code
Columbia uses a single ZIP code, 06237.
| Area | Zip code | Where it is |
|---|---|---|
| Columbia center | 06237 | Along Route 87, near Town Hall and the Congregational Church. |
Columbia covers about 21.4 square miles. It was incorporated in 1804.
Things to do in Columbia, CT
Start with Columbia Lake and State rail-trails, then 2 more below.
Columbia Lake
The town's central attraction, used for swimming, kayaking, sailing, boating and fishing. Columbia Town Beach sits on the lake.
Columbia, CT
State rail-trails
Two state rail-trails run along the town's northern and southern borders, in addition to local walking trails; the town publishes a trail brochure.
Columbia, CT
Plan a visitSzegda Farm Community Garden
Individual and shared garden plots available to residents through the town.
Columbia, CT
Plan a visitYeomans Hall
A town-owned hall available to rent for events and gatherings.
Columbia, CT
Plan a visit
More worth a visit
- Beckish Senior CenterHosts social activities and programs, with a monthly newsletter of offerings.
- Recreation Park pavilionsPavilions at Recreation Park and Columbia Beach are available to rent.
A little history
The area was originally part of Lebanon and known as Lebanon Crank before it was set off as its own town in May 1804.
The town takes its name, Columbia, from the patriotic national symbol of the era.
Dartmouth College founder Eleazar Wheelock (1711-1779) is among the town's notable historical residents.
Parks, trails and outdoors in Columbia
Columbia Lake is the center of outdoor life in town, supplemented by two state rail-trails along its borders.
- Columbia Lake / Columbia Town BeachSwimming, kayaking, sailing, boating and fishing on the town's lake.
- State rail-trailsMulti-use trails along the town's northern and southern borders.
- Szegda Farm Community GardenGarden plots available to residents.
Walkability and getting around Columbia
Columbia is a rural town without a dense village center; most errands and destinations require a car.
Drive times
- Hartford, about 25 miles
Approximate, without traffic.
By bus or train
Check CTtransit and CT Rail for current routes.
Columbia property taxes and home prices
Columbia's 2026–27 mill rate is 30.75, which is $30.75 of tax for every $1,000 of assessed value. Connecticut taxes a home at 70% of its appraised value, so every $100,000 of value costs about $2,152 a year in taxes at 30.75 mills.
What homes in Columbia sell for
| 12 months ending | Single-family | Condo |
|---|---|---|
| Sep 2024 | $382,50062 sales | – |
| Sep 2025 | $429,00067 sales | – |
October to September, state records. Text us for this month's sales.
Columbia's mill rate for 2026–27
30.75mills, fiscal year 2026–27
- Town of Columbia30.75 mills
- Motor vehicles30.75 mills
- Next revaluationOctober 1, 2026
How Columbia's mill rate has changed
| Fiscal year | Town rate |
|---|---|
| 2022–23 | 25.87 |
| 2023–24 | 25.91 |
| 2024–25 | 28.12 |
| 2025–26 | 29.27 |
| 2026–27 | 30.75 |
Columbia's town rate went from 25.87 in 2022–23 to 30.75 in 2026–27. Next revaluation: October 1, 2026.
Look up a Columbia property
- FEMA flood mapWhether a lender will require flood insurance
- Town ClerkLand records, deeds and vital records
- Assessor's officeQuestions about an assessment
Buying a home in Columbia
What we check on a Columbia purchase: CHFA limits, the flood map and lake community.
First-time buyer programs in Columbia
CHFA sets Columbia's income and price limits for Tolland County. We check them with you before you shop.
See CHFA's limits mapCheck the flood zone first
Columbia Lake sits at the center of town; shoreline properties around the lake should be checked against FEMA flood maps. We check FEMA's map before you offer.
FEMA's flood map for ColumbiaColumbia Lake shoreline
Columbia Lake is the town's main body of water, with a Columbia Lake Association active among lakefront property owners. If you're buying near the lake, ask whether the property carries lake-association dues or restrictions.
All loans are subject to credit approval, underwriting, and property and program requirements. CHFA and USDA limits and eligibility are set by those agencies and change from time to time.
Thinking about buying in Columbia?
Send us a Columbia address and we'll run the numbers, taxes included.
Moving to Columbia: utilities, trash and town offices
Who to call in Columbia: Eversource for power.
- ElectricEversource
Town offices and contacts
Columbia Town Hall is at 323 Route 87, Columbia, CT 06237. Hours: Mon-Wed 8-4, Thu 8-6, Fri 8-12. Main line: (860) 228-0110. Each link opens that office's page on the town's website.
- Town HallMain line and town website(860) 228-0110
- Town ClerkLand records, vital records, elections
- AssessorProperty values and assessments
- Tax CollectorProperty tax billing and payment
- Building and Land UseBuilding permits and inspections
- Planning & ZoningLand use and zoning regulations
- RecreationParks, programs and facility rentals
- Public WorksRoads and town infrastructure
- Saxton B. Little Free LibraryPublic library
Columbia, CT FAQ: taxes, prices and town services
The short answers. Call or text us for the long ones.
What is the mill rate in Columbia, CT?
Columbia's 2026–27 mill rate is 30.75, which is $30.75 of tax for every $1,000 of assessed value. The motor vehicle rate is 30.75 mills.
How much are property taxes on a $500,000 home in Columbia?
Connecticut assesses homes at 70% of appraised value, so a $500,000 home would be assessed at about $350,000. At 30.75 mills that's about $10,762 a year, or about $897 a month. The actual bill depends on the town assessor's appraisal, not the price you pay.
What is the median home price in Columbia, CT?
In the 12 months from October 2024 through September 2025, the median single-family sale in Columbia was $429,000 across 67 sales, compared with $382,500 the year before.
When is Columbia's next revaluation?
Columbia's next revaluation takes effect October 1, 2026, on the state's schedule. The new assessments first show up on the tax bills due in July 2027.
What county is Columbia in?
Tolland County, in the Capitol Planning Region.
What ZIP code does Columbia use?
06237, for the entire town.
How far is Columbia from Hartford?
About 25 miles.
Is there a lake in Columbia?
Yes, Columbia Lake, used for swimming, kayaking, sailing, boating and fishing, with a town beach on it.
What are Town Hall's hours?
Monday-Wednesday 8 a.m.-4 p.m., Thursday 8 a.m.-6 p.m., Friday 8 a.m.-noon.
Towns near Columbia
Neighbors of Columbia in Tolland County and nearby. All Tolland County towns.
Sources
- Mill rates: Connecticut Office of Policy and Management, "Mill Rates for FY 2014–2027," data.ct.gov. Revaluation year: OPM, Revaluation Schedule 2023–2037.
- Home sales: "Real Estate Sales 2001–2024 GL," data.ct.gov. Medians use Columbia sales recorded October 1 to September 30, leaving out sales the town flagged as non-market.
- Columbia, Connecticut - Wikipedia: en.wikipedia.org
- Town of Columbia, CT official website: columbiact.gov
- Things to Do - Columbia, CT: columbiact.gov
- Departments - Columbia, CT: columbiact.gov
- Walkability: Walk Score®, Bike Score® and Transit Score®, provided live by Walk Score.
- Checked September 25, 2026.