We’re in the American Midwest on I-65 between Indianapolis, Indiana and Louisville, Kentucky. That puts us about 3.5 hours from Chicago, Nashville and St. Louis, too.

You’ve got your 8-to-5 covered, but what about the non-work hours? Well, you can get involved right away, from volunteer to leisure activities. On the leisure side, you’ll enjoy the foodie and brewery scene, our world-renowned architecture, hiking and biking trails, our amateur cricket team and live music. If you’re looking for networking and volunteer opportunities, you might want to check out Columbus Young Professionals or CAMEO, the Columbus Multi-Ethnic Organization.

We have a low cost of living for a high quality of life. The median home price in Bartholomew County is about $150,000, compared to the U.S. median price of $226,800—40% more house for your money. Our cost of living is less than the U.S. average in all areas, from groceries to utilities to health care.

Yes! Our population of 20- and 30-year-olds with a college degree grew 62% over a 10-year period. The median age here is 35.7, with those in the 20-35 group making up a full 30% of the entire population.

With 35 international companies employing 9,000 people, there’s a very good chance your significant other will find a solid career. We also have an outstanding public education system, with opportunities for teachers, administrators and counselors. Our regional health care system is also a big local employer, with employment for all levels of caregivers, techs and professional staff. And if higher education is a goal, your significant other could pursue a graduate or undergraduate program at Indiana University Purdue University Columbus, Ivy Tech Community College or Purdue Polytechnic.

The Bartholomew Consolidated School Corporation provides an excellent education for our local youth, with project-based learning at all levels from kindergarten through high school graduation. Families with young children can elect to have their students participate in the Legado Spanish Immersion Academy. And with two high schools in the county, there’s a fun cross-town rivalry for the big games. There are also options for private schools in Columbus.

• Learn about BCSC
• Learn about St. Bartholomew Catholic School
• Learn about Columbus Christian School
• Learn about St. Peter’s Lutheran School
• Learn about ABC-Stewart School
• Learn about North Start Montessori
• Learn about Indiana University / Purdue University - Columbus
• Learn about Ivy Tech Community College

While visitors come from all over to tour our architecturally beautiful churches, we also have very active and welcoming congregations for new residents to engage with. You will find options in many faith traditions, from Catholic and Protestant to Hindu, Muslim and Jewish.

Yes, Columbus Regional Health (CRH) is consistently ranked as a top-quality Indiana hospital. The first introduction to a hospital for many people is when they are expecting a baby, and Columbus Regional Health’s Birthing Center is designated as baby-friendly by the Baby-Friendly Hospital Initiative and features home-like baby delivery rooms so you stay in one place for the whole process. CRH is also the area’s only hospital to offer comprehensive heart care services 24/7 in its Heart and Vascular Center. In Columbus, you’ll find experienced, caring physicians for primary care and specialties.

Good! Columbus definitely has craft beer and wine destinations for your tasting tours. You’ll get to know local brewers 450 North Brewing Company and Zwanzigz Pizza and Brewing as well as Simmons Winery for tours and tastings. Other local stops feature a wide variety of craft beers and wines, and you’ll want to mark your calendar for the Columbus Craft Beerfest in May and the Corn Maze Beerfest in October.

Indianapolis International Airport is less than an hour away, Louisville International Airport is just over an hour away, and Cincinnati/Northern Kentucky International Airport is about an hour and a half away. While there are no commercial flights out of Columbus Municipal Airport, they do offer flight training, with two runways available for private flight. The onsite Hangar Five Restaurant has a delicious menu with a superb view of aviation activities. You can also tour the Air Museum and Chapel. 

Indiana Premium Outlets is a popular stop for those traveling I-65 past Columbus. There you’ll find many of your favorite brands at outlet prices. If antiques are more your style, you’ll be a regular shopper at the Exit 76 Antique Mall, regarded as one of the finest in the Midwest. You’ll find lots of local arts and crafts and other fine Columbus items inside the Columbus Visitors Center Gift Shop. Don’t miss the unique finds at the many specialty stores located in Columbus. And yes, we do have a Target. 🙂

Yes indeed! Just from a quick drive through town, you’ll notice our large collection of public art, from sculptures to murals to monuments. The Columbus Area Arts Council hosts exhibits and events at the 411 Gallery, creates pop-up art events, and offers classes for all ages. There are additional art galleries throughout the city, with ever-changing displays to keep you coming back for more. As a community theater, the Harlequin Theatre brings live drama, music and a variety of entertainment to the area. Likewise, Mill Race Theatre Company has produced more than 100 shows since it began in 1969. We even have a professional symphony orchestra, the Columbus Philharmonic, with an exciting lineup of concerts each season designed to appeal to all kinds of musical tastes.

Over the past ten years, Columbus has averaged nearly 400 new international residents a year, so, yes!
Over 13% of Columbus residents were born outside of the United States, so, yes!
Over 1,300 students in the public school system speak over 50 languages, so, yes!
There are 35 foreign companies in Columbus, so, yes!
And, the Columbus Public Library has over 3,700 non-English publications, so, yes!