1st Advantage MortgageIn Columbia County, Georgia, the typical household earns $95,592 a year and the typical rent is $1,409. Whatever your own numbers, compare written offers on APR, fees and total cost, and verify the lender is licensed in Georgia before sharing details.
On this page
- Columbia County, GA: the basics
- Paychecks and income spread in Columbia County
- Rent, home values and ownership in Columbia County
- Jobs and commutes in Columbia County
- Places inside Columbia County
- The counties around Columbia County
- Budget math at the Columbia County median
- People and households in Columbia County
- What the numbers mean for Columbia County borrowers
- Checklist for Columbia County applicants
- Licensing and complaints for Columbia County
- More guides for Columbia County
- Frequently asked questions
Columbia County, GA: the basics
Roughly 162,434 residents live in Columbia County, Georgia, 15th by population among the state's 159 counties and county equivalents. Packed into 290 square miles, that is close to 560 residents for every square mile of land. The federal metro definitions (OMB, July 2023) place it in the Augusta-Richmond County, GA-SC metropolitan area. Of the 5 Census places inside Columbia County, Evans leads by population with about 36,998; 2 of the 5 are incorporated.
Paychecks and income spread in Columbia County
Columbia County households have a median income of $95,592 (ACS 2020 to 2024), which ranks 9th of 159 in Georgia.
| Band | Columbia County | Compared with Georgia |
|---|---|---|
| Under $35,000 | 14.0% | -8.1 pts |
| $35,000 to $99,999 | 38.3% | -1.2 pts |
| $100,000 to $199,999 | 32.0% | +5.5 pts |
| $200,000 or more | 15.7% | +3.8 pts |
About 14% of households earn under $35,000, while 48% clear $100,000. 7.5% of residents fall below the federal poverty line (statewide: 13.4%). For a borrower in Columbia County, the county median is only context: a lender looks at the income you can document, so pay stubs, benefit letters or tax returns matter more than any average.
Rent, home values and ownership in Columbia County
Median gross rent, utilities included, comes to $1,409 in Columbia County versus $1,393 statewide. Rent takes 30% or more of income for 50% of renter households here. The median owner-occupied home is valued at $305,300, about 3.2 times the median household income. The ownership rate is 78%. Half the housing stock was built before 1999.
| Home costs | Columbia County | Georgia | U.S. middle county |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median gross rent | $1,409/mo | $1,393/mo | $877/mo |
| Median home value | $305,300 | $303,300 | $185,300 |
| Owners | 78% | 66% | 75% |
| Rent-burdened renters | 50% | 52% | 45% |
| Burdened owners | 21% | 26% | n/a |
| Mobile homes | 5.8% | 7.8% | n/a |
| Vacant units | 11% | 10% | n/a |
Because most Columbia County households own, home repairs are a frequent reason to borrow. An unsecured personal loan leaves the house out of the deal, while a HELOC uses it as collateral.
Jobs and commutes in Columbia County
Education and health care employs 24% of working residents, the largest share; professional and administrative services is next with 13%. The sharpest difference from the state is in public administration, at 8% locally and 5% for Georgia. The survey's unemployment rate for Columbia County averages 4.8% over 2020 to 2024 (state: 5.1%). About 79% drive to work alone and 12% have trips of 45 minutes or more.
| Top industries | Columbia County share | +/- vs Georgia |
|---|---|---|
| Education and health care | 23.5% | +2.5 pts |
| Professional and administrative services | 12.7% | -0.9 pts |
| Arts, lodging and food service | 9.7% | +1.1 pts |
| Manufacturing | 8.9% | -1.1 pts |
| Retail trade | 8.8% | -2.5 pts |
| Public administration | 7.7% | +2.9 pts |
Shorter commutes usually mean lower vehicle costs, which can leave more room for a payment, or for paying a loan off early.
Places inside Columbia County
The table lists the 5 largest of 5 Census places in Columbia County, by population. Together all 5 hold about 92,349 people, so roughly 43% of residents live outside any named place. Evans has the highest median household income on the list ($125,098) and Harlem the lowest ($46,197), counting places with at least 500 residents. Live in one of these Columbia County communities, or between them? This is your local guide.
| Town or CDP | Type | People | Median household income | Median gross rent | Miles from center |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Evans | CDP | 36,998 | $125,098 | $1,617 | 6 mi |
| Martinez | CDP | 33,750 | $81,602 | $1,284 | 9 mi |
| Grovetown | city | 17,014 | $85,660 | $1,407 | 7 mi |
| Harlem | city | 3,885 | $46,197 | n/a | 9 mi |
| Appling | CDP | 702 | $88,309 | n/a | 4 mi |
The counties around Columbia County
Six nearby counties, 14 to 26 miles away by the straight-line distance between their centers. Edgefield County leads the group on income ($73,029), Warren County trails ($44,289), and Columbia County out-earns 6 of the six. Some neighbors are in South Carolina. Lender licensing is state by state, so a loan for a Columbia County resident follows Georgia rules.
| County | Miles | Median household income | Median rent | Homeownership |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Columbia County | - | $95,592 | $1,409/mo | 78% |
| McDuffie County, GA | 14 mi | $56,733 | $792/mo | 65% |
| Richmond County, GA | 17 mi | $55,637 | $1,141/mo | 51% |
| Lincoln County, GA | 20 mi | $56,907 | $786/mo | 77% |
| Edgefield County, SC | 23 mi | $73,029 | $720/mo | 80% |
| McCormick County, SC | 24 mi | $55,798 | $696/mo | 88% |
| Warren County, GA | 26 mi | $44,289 | $690/mo | 72% |
Budget math at the Columbia County median
How much room does a median Columbia County budget have? Take median income, subtract median rent, and check what is left under a few common debt-to-income limits.
- Start: $7,966 gross per month ($95,592 / 12)
- Housing at the median rent of $1,409 uses 18%
- 43% debt-to-income limit: $2,016 left for all other debt payments
Two-income households and single earners in Columbia County land in very different places on this math, so run it for your own budget.
People and households in Columbia County
College graduates make up 38% of the adult population. 9.3% of residents have no health coverage.
| Measure | Columbia County | Georgia statewide | Typical U.S. county |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median age | 37.9 | 37.6 | 41.5 |
| Bachelor's or higher | 38.5% | 34.9% | 22.2% |
| No high school diploma | 7.5% | 10.8% | n/a |
| No health insurance | 9.3% | 12.4% | 7.8% |
| No vehicle | 3.1% | 5.9% | 5.4% |
| Work from home | 11.0% | 15.9% | 8.7% |
| Poverty rate | 7.5% | 13.4% | 13.2% |
| Unemployment (ACS) | 4.8% | 5.1% | 4.4% |
| Commute length | Columbia County |
|---|---|
| Under 15 min | 19.6% |
| 15 to 29 min | 44.9% |
| 30 to 44 min | 23.1% |
| 45 to 59 min | 7.0% |
| 60+ min | 5.4% |
What the numbers mean for Columbia County borrowers
A few patterns in the Columbia County data, and the practical point behind each:
- Consolidation math. With 48% at six figures, card consolidation is common; it pays only if total cost falls (guide).
- 50% rent-burdened. A payment on top of high rent needs a cushion; size it with the calculator.
- Fraud. Gift cards, wire transfers or fees to unlock a loan mean walk away (report it).
Checklist for Columbia County applicants
A short checklist for Columbia County borrowers:
- Write down what the expense costs; a smaller loan costs less.
- Compare the total repaid on every offer, not just the payment.
- Check the license, then the reviews, then the offer.
- Keep a small cushion so one surprise bill does not mean another loan.
Licensing and complaints for Columbia County
Before sharing details with a lender, a Columbia County resident can confirm its license with the Georgia Department of Banking and Finance. Banks and credit unions have their own regulators, and the CFPB takes complaints about any lender. Statewide data and rules: Georgia guide.
More guides for Columbia County
The Georgia guide covers the whole state.
Frequently asked questions
How much do households in Columbia County earn?
The median is $95,592; 48% earn $100,000 or more and 14% under $35,000. A lender uses your own documented income, not this figure.
What do renters pay in Columbia County?
$1,409 a month at the median, about 18% of median household income.
Should Columbia County homeowners use home equity instead?
Maybe, but weigh the risk: 78% of Columbia County homes are owner-occupied, and a home-equity loan or line is secured by the house while a personal loan usually is not.
I live in a small Columbia County town. Is this my guide?
Yes. If your town has no city guide, this county page is the local one; it covers Evans, Martinez, Grovetown, Harlem, Appling.
Can Columbia County residents use the questionnaire?
Yes. It asks the same questions in every Georgia county, lists every requirement up front and does not affect your credit score.