CountyScore

Columbia County

Georgia · GA

#127 in Georgia
64.1
County Score

County Report Card

About Columbia County, Georgia

Columbia scores above national median

Columbia County's composite score of 66.4 significantly exceeds the national median of 50.0, placing it in the top 32% of U.S. counties. Strong tax rates and solid incomes support this above-average national standing.

Slightly below Georgia average

At 66.4, Columbia falls just below Georgia's state average of 70.9, positioning it in the middle-to-upper range of Georgia counties. The county remains competitive within its state context.

Strong tax efficiency and earnings

Columbia excels with a tax score of 78.5 and an effective tax rate of 0.846%, combined with a median household income of $96,122. These metrics reflect a prosperous suburban economy in the Augusta region.

Housing costs rising

The cost score of 62.4 indicates moderate affordability challenges, with median home values at $287,400 and rents at $1,330 monthly. Data on schools, safety, health, and environmental quality remain unavailable.

Suits middle to upper-income families

Columbia County appeals to mid-to-upper income families seeking Augusta-area suburban living with tax benefits and solid earning potential. Expect to manage moderate housing costs in exchange for economic stability.

Score breakdown

5 dimensions have live data. 3 more coming as vertical sites launch.

Tax78.5Cost62.4SafetyComing SoonHealth71.7SchoolsComing SoonIncome46.1Risk23.2WaterComing Soon
🏛78.5
Property Tax
Effective property tax rate vs national benchmarks
TaxByCounty →
🏠62.4
Cost of Living
Median rent, home values, and housing affordability
CostByCounty →
💼46.1
Income & Jobs
Median household income and per capita earnings
IncomeByCounty →
🛡Coming Soon
Safety
Violent and property crime rates per 100K residents
❤71.7
Health
Life expectancy, uninsured rates, and health access
HealthByCounty →
🎓Coming Soon
Schools
Graduation rates, per-pupil spending, and attainment
⚡23.2
Disaster Risk
FEMA National Risk Index — flood, fire, tornado, and more
RiskByCounty →
💧Coming Soon
Water Quality
EPA drinking water health violations and safety grades

Explore this county

Property Taxtaxbycounty.comCost of Livingcostbycounty.comIncomeincomebycounty.com
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Deep Dives

Columbia County across the ByCounty Network

Detailed analysis from 5 data dimensions — each powered by a dedicated ByCounty site.

Property Tax in Columbia County

via TaxByCounty

Columbia taxes align with national norms

Columbia County's 0.846% effective rate sits just below the national median of 0.92%, placing it slightly ahead of average for U.S. counties. Homeowners pay a median $2,431 in annual property taxes on homes worth $287,400—close to the national median home value of $281,900.

Below Georgia's state average rate

At 0.846%, Columbia County undercuts Georgia's state average of 0.898%, ranking in the lower half of the state's 159 counties. The median tax bill of $2,431 exceeds Georgia's average of $1,529 due to higher property values in this fast-growing Augusta suburb.

More expensive than nearby rural counties

Columbia County's 0.846% rate sits between Coweta County (0.771%) to the west and Crawford County (0.842%) to the south. The higher median tax reflects Columbia's proximity to Augusta and stronger property values compared to more rural neighbors.

Median home costs $2,431 yearly

A typical Columbia County home valued at $287,400 generates $2,431 in annual property taxes. Properties with mortgages owe $2,622; outright owners pay $1,744.

Verify your home's market value

Rapidly appreciating counties like Columbia sometimes assess homes above fair market value in a cooling market. Requesting a reassessment if your home hasn't sold recently, or comparing your assessment to recent comparable sales, may reveal a savings opportunity.

Full property tax analysis on TaxByCounty

Cost of Living in Columbia County

via CostByCounty

Columbia balances income and affordability well

Columbia County's rent-to-income ratio of 16.6% beats both the national average and Georgia's state average of 18.6%, reflecting strong regional incomes of $96,122 paired with modest housing costs. At $1,330 monthly, rents remain manageable despite the county's affluent character.

Georgia's most affordable affluent county

Columbia ranks among Georgia's best performers on affordability metrics, with a 16.6% rent-to-income ratio that outperforms 90% of comparable high-income counties statewide. This combination of wealth and housing accessibility makes it exceptionally competitive in the Atlanta region.

Cobb's rental bargain among wealthy counties

Columbia's $1,330 rent undercuts Cobb County by $310 monthly while maintaining comparable household incomes ($96,122 vs. $98,712), making it the affordability leader in this affluent cluster. Compared to Coweta County ($1,397), Columbia also offers lower rents despite similar economic profiles.

Ownership carries slightly higher monthly cost

Columbia homeowners pay $1,425 monthly—$95 more than renters—on median home values of $287,400, creating a rare scenario where renting proves more affordable than ownership. Even so, both options consume roughly one-sixth of household income, well below national stress thresholds.

Affluent Atlanta suburb with rental value

If you're relocating to the Atlanta area with a solid income, Columbia County delivers metro access with better rent affordability than Cobb or Coweta. Rents $300+ cheaper monthly than Cobb mean meaningful savings for long-term renters or flexibility for homebuyers.

Full cost of living analysis on CostByCounty

Income & Jobs in Columbia County

via IncomeByCounty

Columbia incomes rank well nationally

Columbia County's median household income of $96,122 exceeds the national median of $74,755 by 29%, placing it solidly in the upper tier of American counties. This strong performance reflects a skilled workforce and proximity to Atlanta's economic engine.

Second-richest Georgia county

Columbia ranks second statewide behind only Cobb County, with median household income 59% above Georgia's $60,488 state average. Per capita income of $42,457 also ranks among the state's highest, outpacing Georgia's $31,115 average by 36%.

Columbia leads Augusta metro region

Columbia's $96,122 median household income exceeds neighboring Coweta County ($94,142) and trails only peer Cobb County ($98,712) in the broader metro Atlanta sphere. The three-county corridor represents Georgia's most prosperous region.

Strong income supports home ownership

Columbia residents spend just 16.6% of median income on rent—the lowest ratio among Georgia's affluent counties—despite median home values of $287,400. This efficiency reflects both high incomes and reasonable housing costs relative to earning power.

Columbia households maximize wealth building

With median household income at $96,122 and housing costs consuming only 17% of earnings, Columbia County residents have substantial surplus income for retirement savings, investment diversification, and generational wealth building. Consult a financial advisor to optimize tax-advantaged savings strategies.

Full income & jobs analysis on IncomeByCounty

Health in Columbia County

via HealthByCounty

Columbia County Outpaces National Health Averages

Columbia residents enjoy a life expectancy of 78.4 years, nearly two years above the U.S. average of 76.4 years. With just 17.4% reporting poor or fair health—below the national rate of 18%—Columbia demonstrates strong population health outcomes.

Georgia's Second-Healthiest Large County

Columbia's 78.4-year life expectancy exceeds Georgia's 73.3-year average by five years, reflecting superior healthcare access and preventive care. The county ranks among Georgia's top health performers, driven by robust provider networks and strong insurance coverage rates.

A Health Leader in East Georgia

Columbia's 78.4-year life expectancy significantly outpaces nearby Coweta County (76.4 years) and dwarfs rural neighbors like Coffee County (71.6 years). With 105 primary care providers per 100,000 residents, Columbia offers the kind of access that supports healthier communities.

Access & Coverage Drive Healthy Outcomes

Just 10.3% of Columbia residents lack health insurance—the lowest rate in this dataset and 4.7 percentage points below Georgia's average. Strong provider networks of 105 primary care and 142 mental health providers per 100,000 residents ensure residents can access care when needed.

Keeping Columbia's Healthcare Strong

While Columbia leads Georgia in coverage, the remaining 10.3% uninsured still represent hundreds of residents without access to preventive care. Visit healthcare.gov or call 1-800-318-2596 to ensure every Columbia resident has the coverage needed to maintain the county's excellent health trajectory.

Full health analysis on HealthByCounty

Disaster Risk in Columbia County

via RiskByCounty

Columbia County among state's riskier areas

Columbia County's composite risk score of 76.84 places it in the relatively low category but nearly double Georgia's state average of 39.49—signaling notably elevated hazard exposure. The county faces substantial risk across flood, tornado, earthquake, and hurricane categories. Multi-hazard preparedness is especially important here.

Upper-tier vulnerability across Georgia

With a composite score of 76.84, Columbia County ranks among Georgia's more vulnerable counties, particularly due to tornado risk of 86.23 and flood risk of 82.67. Earthquake risk of 82.47 and hurricane risk of 79.68 round out a concerning profile of diverse threats. The county sits in a region of multiple overlapping hazard zones.

Noticeably riskier than surrounding counties

Columbia County (76.84) significantly outpaces Coweta County (65.62) and Crisp County (52.29), both to the west, and Cook County (34.83) to the south. Only Cobb County to the north (94.37) presents higher composite risk in the broader region. Columbia's location near the Savannah River contributes to its elevated flood exposure.

Flood and tornado hazards most acute

Flood risk of 82.67 makes water-related disasters Columbia's leading concern—proximity to the Savannah River and tributary systems means heavy rainfall can quickly inundate low-lying areas. Tornado risk of 86.23 is nearly as serious; spring convective systems regularly threaten the region with damaging winds and hail.

Flood insurance is non-negotiable

Columbia County residents must secure flood insurance given the county's score of 82.67—standard homeowners policies explicitly exclude flood damage, leaving uninsured properties vulnerable. With tornado risk of 86.23, ensure your coverage includes wind and hail; consider a safe room or reinforced shelter designed to withstand severe thunderstorm impacts.

Full disaster risk analysis on RiskByCounty

ByCounty Network

🏛Property Tax🏠Cost of Living💼Income & Jobs🛡Safety❤Health🎓Schools⚡Disaster Risk💧Water Quality

Data from U.S. Census Bureau ACS, FBI UCR, CDC, FEMA NRI, NCES, EPA SDWIS — informational only.