Columbus, Georgia

Columbus is a large city in the U.S. state of Georgia, sitting right on the Chattahoochee River across from Phenix City, Alabama. It is the second most populous city in Georgia, just after Atlanta. Many people live in the area, with over 200,000 in the city itself and more than 500,000 when you count the nearby towns too.

The city is very important because of Fort Benning, a big U.S. Army base just south of Columbus. This base helps provide jobs for many families in the area. Columbus also has interesting places to visit, like the National Infantry Museum, which tells the story of the U.S. Army's soldiers.

One special feature of Columbus is its very long course for whitewater rafting on the Chattahoochee River, which is the longest built course of its kind in the whole world. The city is about 100 miles southwest of Atlanta, making it a good place to explore for both history and fun outdoor activities.

History

See also: Timeline of Columbus, Georgia

From Indigenous cultural center to incorporation

Columbus was founded in 1828 by an act of the Georgia Legislature. It was placed at the start of the navigable part of the Chattahoochee River and near the end of the Federal Road before it entered Alabama. The city was named after Christopher Columbus. Dr. Edwin L. DeGraffenried designed the town, placing it on a hill overlooking the river. Edward Lloyd Thomas (surveyor) was chosen to lay out the town on 1,200 acres of land. Across the river lived several tribes of the Creek and other indigenous peoples from Georgia and Alabama. Many Creeks moved west after the 1826 Treaty of Washington. Those who stayed and resisted were removed in 1836.

The river helped Columbus grow, especially by shipping cotton crops from plantations to markets via New Orleans and Liverpool, England. The city's importance grew in the 1850s when railroads arrived. Textile mills were built along the river, bringing industry to the area. By 1860, Columbus was one of the South's important industrial centers, earning the nickname the Lowell of the South.

Civil War and Reconstruction

Main article: Battle of Columbus (1865)

When the American Civil War began in 1861, Columbus became a key industrial center for the Confederacy. The city produced textiles, cannons, firearms, and other supplies for the Confederate army. As the war turned against the Confederacy, shortages and financial problems grew.

Union and Confederate forces clashed in the Battle of Columbus, Georgia, on Easter Sunday, April 16, 1865. A Union cavalry unit attacked the city and burned many industrial buildings. John Stith Pemberton, who later created Coca-Cola in Columbus, was hurt in this battle. After the war, reconstruction began, and factories reopened. The Springer Opera House was built and became a cultural center. It is now Georgia's official state theater.

Confederate Memorial Day

Main article: Confederate Memorial Day

In 1866, Columbus women started a tradition to honor those who died in the Civil War. They asked women across the South to join them in remembering the soldiers each year. The holiday was set for April 26, marking the day General Johnston's surrender to General Sherman. This idea influenced the creation of the national Memorial Day holiday.

20th century

Columbus grew and developed over the years. Leaders founded Columbus College, which later became Columbus State University. In 1971, the city and county merged, making Columbus one of the first cities in Georgia to do so.

The city expanded its industries, becoming home to companies like Aflac and TSYS. In the 1960s and 1970s, new neighborhoods were built for soldiers returning from the Vietnam War and for those connected to Fort Benning. Efforts to restore downtown began with saving the Springer Opera House. These efforts helped preserve the city's history.

21st century

In the 2000s, Columbus started projects to renew its downtown area. New places like the National Infantry Museum were built. Columbus State University expanded with a new downtown campus. These changes gave Columbus a mix of new and old buildings. The city also created a long urban whitewater rafting course, which brought many visitors. Fort Benning continues to train many soldiers each year.

Geography

Columbus is one of Georgia's three Fall Line cities, along with Augusta and Macon. The Fall Line is where the hilly lands of the Piedmont meet the flat coastal plain, giving Columbus a mix of rolling hills and flat areas. Rivers in the area flow quickly towards sea level because of this landscape.

The city is found at 32°29′23″N 84°56′26″W. It covers about 221 square miles, with a small part of that covered by water. Columbus borders Phenix City in Alabama and several other counties.

Climate

Columbus has a humid subtropical climate. Summers can be very hot, often reaching above 95°F, and sometimes even over 100°F. Winters are mild, with temperatures sometimes dropping below freezing. The city is near where snowfall often occurs further north but is rare further south.

Cityscape

Main article: Neighborhoods in Columbus, Georgia

Columbus has five main areas:

• Downtown is the central business district with historic sites.
• East Columbus is mostly residential.
• MidTown is a mix of residential and commercial areas, home to the Aflac headquarters.
• North Columbus is a suburban area with many neighborhoods and shopping spots.
• South Columbus is close to Fort Benning and home to the National Infantry Museum.

Metropolitan area

Main article: Columbus-Auburn-Opelika, GA-AL CSA

The Columbus metropolitan area includes four counties in Georgia and one in Alabama, with a combined statistical area that includes two more counties in Alabama.

Demographics

Columbus, Georgia has grown steadily over time. In the 2020 census, there were 206,922 people living there. In 2010, the population was 189,885, and in 2000, it was 186,291. This shows the city has been getting larger.

People in Columbus come from many backgrounds. In 2020, about 38% were non-Hispanic white, 46% were African American, and smaller groups included Asian, Native American, Pacific Islander, and Hispanic or Latino people.

In 2010, the average income for a household was $41,331, and for a family, it was $41,244. By 2022, these numbers had risen to $53,750 for households. Even so, some people still live below the poverty line, with about 18% of the population affected.

Crime

Columbus has more crime than the average U.S. city. In 2021, the city saw a record number of violent incidents. One big reason for this increase is the growth of gang activity. Local leaders are working hard to make the city safer.

Economy

Columbus, Georgia is home to several important companies. Some of the main companies based in Columbus are Aflac, TSYS, Realtree, Synovus and the W. C. Bradley Co..

The city has many jobs available, and some of the biggest employers are listed in a report from 2022.

Arts and culture

Columbus, Georgia, has many places to visit and enjoy. The Columbus Museum shows regional history and American art. The National Civil War Naval Museum at Port Columbus has Civil War ships and uniforms. The National Infantry Museum and Soldier Center opened in 2009 and has displays about soldiers through history.

The city has one big indoor shopping place called Peachtree Mall, with stores like Dillard's, Macy's, and J.C. Penney. There are also other shopping areas like Columbus Park Crossing and MidTown with local shops and restaurants.

Columbus has many places to watch games and shows. A. J. McClung Memorial Stadium hosts football games and the Pioneer Bowl. The Columbus Civic Center is a big arena for concerts and sports. Synovus Park is an old baseball stadium that hosted the 1996 Summer Olympics. The RiverCenter for the Performing Arts and the Springer Opera House offer theatre shows.

Sports

Columbus Northern Little League won the 2006 Little League World Series, beating a team from Kawaguchi, Japan in the final game. A current Major League Baseball player named Josh Lester played on that winning team.

Parks and recreation

Main article: List of parks in Columbus, Georgia

Columbus has many places to play and relax, with more than 50 parks, four recreation centers, four senior centers, and the Standing Boy Creek Park.

Walking trails

• The Chattahoochee RiverWalk is a long path for walking and biking that goes from downtown to the southern part of the city and near Fort Benning.
• The Columbus Fall Line Trace is another path for walking and exercising that stretches from downtown to the northeastern part of the city.
• The Black Heritage Trail is special because it shows important history and culture and is part of a National Recreation Trail.

Whitewater kayaking, rafting, and zip-line

The Chattahoochee River has a special area for water sports that opened in 2012. After two dams were removed, the river returned to its natural flow, creating a long path for kayaking and rafting. This path is known for being one of the best places in the world for these activities. There is also a zip-line that takes people from Georgia to Alabama and back over the river, with more zip-lines and a ropes course on the Alabama side.

This area is popular with people who love kayaking and has special waves in the water all year. In the winter, it is sometimes called a meeting place for people who enjoy big waves.

Law and government

Elected officials

Mayor

See also: List of mayors of Columbus, Georgia

• B. H. "Skip" Henderson III

City council

The city council of Columbus, called the Columbus Council, has ten members who are elected. Eight of these members represent specific areas, and two are chosen to represent the whole city. The city uses a council–manager government, where the council picks a city manager to carry out their plans. Isaiah Hugley was the city manager from 2005 to 2025, and now the position is open.

Education

Primary and secondary education

The Muscogee County School District provides schooling from preschool through grade 12. It includes 35 elementary schools, 12 middle schools, and nine high schools. The district employs over 2,000 teachers and serves more than 31,899 students.

The district covers all areas of Muscogee County except Fort Benning. Children living at Fort Benning attend schools run by the Department of Defense Education Activity for grades K-8. High school students from Fort Benning go to public high schools in the counties where they live.

Libraries

Columbus has four branches of the Chattahoochee Valley Libraries:

• Columbus Public Library
• Mildred L. Terry Public Library
• North Columbus Public Library
• South Columbus Public Library

Higher education

Public

• Columbus State University
• Columbus Technical College
• Georgia Military College – main campus in Milledgeville, Georgia

Private, for profit

• Christian Life School of Theology
• Miller-Motte Technical College – main campus in Wilmington, North Carolina
• Rivertown School of Beauty
• Southeastern Beauty School
• Strayer University – main campus in Baltimore, Maryland

Private, nonprofit

• Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University Fort Benning – main campus in Daytona Beach, FL
• Mercer University School of Medicine - main campus in Macon, Georgia

Media and communications

Main article: Media in Columbus, Georgia

Columbus, Georgia, has many ways for people to share news and stay connected. The city has television stations, radio stations, and newspapers that help bring information to the community. These media outlets cover local events, weather, and stories that matter to the people living in and around Columbus.

Transportation

Aviation

Main article: Columbus Airport (Georgia)

Columbus has had regular airplane flights since June 19, 1929, when the Columbus Municipal Airport started flights to Atlanta and Montgomery. It was replaced by the Columbus Airport on August 1, 1944. Since then, the Columbus Airport has been the main airport for the area. It is the fourth-busiest airport in Georgia. You can find it near I-185 along Airport Thruway and Armour Road. It has flights to Atlanta through Delta Connection service.

Highways

Interstate

• .svg) Interstate 185

U. S. routes

• U.S. Route 27
• U.S. Route 27 Alternate
• U.S. Route 80
• U.S. Route 280

Georgia state routes

• S.R. 1
• S.R. 22
• State Route 22 Connector
• State Route 22 Spur
• S.R. 85
• S.R. 219
• S.R. 411 (unsigned designation for I-185)
• S.R. 520
• S.R. 540 (Fall Line Freeway)

Bus lines

• METRA Transit System is the main way people get around in Muscogee County, with 10 routes in Columbus. It is run by the Columbus Consolidated Government under METRA.
• Greyhound Lines offers trips to other cities, with a station on Veterans Parkway in Downtown Columbus.

Railroads

In the 1960s, trains stopped at Columbus Union Station for trips from Chicago to Florida. The last trains stopped in 1971 when Amtrak took over most passenger train services. Today, only freight trains run through Columbus, provided by Norfolk Southern Railroad and the Columbus and Chattahoochee Railroad.

Sister cities

Columbus has official sister cities around the world. These include:

• Zugdidi, Georgia
• Kiryū, Gunma, Japan (since April 25, 1978)
• Bistriţa, Romania (since May 2023)
• Taichung, Taiwan (since November 11, 2007)