Columbus, city, seat of Bartholomew County, central Indiana, on the White and Flat Rock rivers; incorporated as a city 1864. It is a manufacturing center in a grain- and livestock-raising area. Diesel engines, motor-vehicle parts, plastics, and electronic equipment are produced. Columbus is famous as a showplace of modern architecture; since 1942, more than 55 of its buildings have been designed by world-famous architects. The city was platted in 1821 as the county seat and is named for Christopher Columbus. Population 30,614 (1980); 31,802 (1990); 39,059 (2000).
