Columbia
Georgia

What stands out

What stands out about Columbia County: the median household income is in the top 6% of American counties ($92,571), population growth is in the top 10% of American counties (+1.7% a year), and home internet speed is in the top 12% of American counties (279 Mbps). Within Georgia it ranks 6th of 159 counties for the median household income.

Where you are

You live in Columbia County, Georgia. 156,921 people live here with you. The population grew 1.7% last year, and more Americans moved in than out (net +1,840).

Georgia moved to a flat income tax in 2024 with a rate scheduled to fall each year, and it exempts up to $65,000 of retirement income per person for residents 65 and over. Metro Atlanta holds more than half the state's population and its airport is the busiest in the world by passengers. Property taxes vary widely by county because school districts set most of the rate.

Money

The typical household here brings in $92,571 a year, higher than 94% of American counties. Employers pay an average wage of $49,681. Unemployment runs 2.8%, lower than 72% of American counties. 8% of workers work from home; for the rest the average commute is 24 minutes each way.

Georgia takes 5.0% of that median income in state income tax, about $4,619 a year.

Home

The median home costs $333K, pricier than 76% of American counties, about 2.4 years of the median household's income. A two-bedroom rents for around $1,142 a month. Property tax is 0.91% of home value, roughly $2,363 a year on that median home, higher than 54% of American counties. 79% of households own rather than rent.

Safety and health

Violent crime here is 3.2 per 1,000 residents, lower than 85% of American counties. Drug overdoses killed 18 people per 100,000 in 2024.

A child born here can expect to live 79.0 years, longer than 84% of American counties. There are 783 active physicians in the county, about 49.9 per 10,000 people. 10.8% of people under 65 have no health insurance.

School

Local students test at grade level 3.31 where 3.0 is national grade level, higher than 87% of American counties. 93% of adults finished high school.

Neighbors and politics

In 2024 your neighbors voted Republican by 26 points. 73% of eligible voters turned out. Under Georgia law you can carry a concealed handgun without a permit, abortion is banned with narrow exceptions, and marijuana is medical only.

Weather and risk

The year averages 65°F, highs near 77 and lows near 53, warmer than 82% of American counties. About 39 inches of rain and snow fall a year. FEMA puts natural-hazard risk at 76 out of 100, riskier than 77% of American counties; the county has had 14 federal disaster declarations since 1953.

Getting around, going out

Home internet averages 279 Mbps down, faster than 88% of American counties. There is 1 airport in the county, counting general aviation. For a night or a weekend out: 0.6 full-service restaurants per 1,000 people.