The first non-Native American settlers arrived in 1837 as a result of the end of the Black Hawk War and the Erie Canal.

They were primarily members of the Congregational Church though due to the Second Great Awakening many of them had converted to Methodism and some had become Baptists before coming to what is now Columbia City.

[7] The completion of the Pittsburgh, Fort Wayne, & Chicago Railway in 1856 brought rapid growth to the small town, and from 1865 to 1875 the population would have tripled.

[8] The Whitley County Courthouse was designed (1888–1891) by Brentwood S. Tolan, of Fort Wayne, Indiana.

[11] About 12 percent of Columbia City's population is employed in the manufacturing sector.

The city also has agricultural roots with it contributing heavily to its economy.

As of the census[15] of 2010, there were 8,750 people, 3,658 households, and 2,235 families residing in the city.

33.5% of all households were made up of individuals, and 14.2% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older.

33.6% of all households were made up of individuals, and 15.1% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older.

The mayor is elected in a citywide vote, along with the city councilperson-at-large.

The remaining four council members are elected from individual city districts: northeast, southeast, southwest and northwest.