Evans
RANK #847 / 996 NAT · #24 / 41 GA · POP 156,921
1YR FORECAST: +1.9%
5YR OUTLOOK: +14%
Columbia County, Georgia, distinguishes itself with Wildwood Park, a 975-acre outdoor recreation area on Clarks Hill Lake, one of the largest lakes east of the Mississippi. Located just west of Augusta, the county offers a suburban lifestyle with convenient access to the city, typically a short commute. The community feel is often described as family-oriented, with numerous parks and green spaces like Savannah Rapids Park and the Euchee Creek Greenway providing opportunities for hiking, biking, and water sports.
Life in Columbia County often appeals to families and professionals seeking a balance of community and amenities. The public school system is frequently cited as a primary draw, with schools consistently earning high ratings. The local economy is experiencing growth, driven by investments in sectors such as defense and cybersecurity, largely due to the presence of Fort Gordon. Manufacturing is also expanding, with existing businesses growing and new companies establishing operations.
Overvalued relative to economy
Above national median
Above national median
Moderate climate & terrain
Below national median (13x)
Housing looks overvalued at 8.5x — home prices are high relative to local economic output. The typical U.S. county is 4–6x.
Estimated local headcount ranges. Larger employers shown as floor + "+"; smaller employers show exact counts where reported.
Source: Redfin · Census BPS — Browse sales on Redfin →
Source: CDC/NCHS vital statistics via County Health Rankings (2020–2022 avg). Rates per 100,000 population. Grade based on homicide rate relative to national average (~6.3). Learn more →
Source: EPA Air Quality System (2021–2023). Grade based on 3-year average median AQI. Learn about AQI →
| PROJECT | AMOUNT | STATUS |
|---|---|---|
|
Plant Vogtle Expansion (Units 3 & 4)
Georgia Power
|
$14,000M | Completed |
|
White Oak Technology Park Data Center
Undisclosed (associated with Amazon warehouses)
|
$500M | Proposed |
|
Pumpkin Center Data Center
Undisclosed
|
$500M | Planned |
|
I-20 Interchange Conversion to Diverging Diamond
Columbia County
|
$50M | Planned |
|
Road Widening Projects (Multiple)
Columbia County
|
$50M | Under Construction |
Source: public records, news, corporate announcements. Amounts are estimates where noted.
Bars show percentile rank among all 996 counties.
The data is not encouraging — Columbia County scores just 14/100 on the Boom Town Index, ranking #847 of 996 counties. Job growth at +1.8% and median household income of $92,571 reflect an economy that has been contracting or stagnating relative to the rest of the country.
By national standards, Columbia County is quite affordable. Homes here have a median value of $259,000, and the income-to-home-value ratio of 0.36 is well above the U.S. average — especially with median rent at just $1,295/month. Residents can generally buy a home without being cost-burdened.
Columbia County is growing on multiple fronts. Population is up +1.7% year-over-year while employers added jobs at a +1.8% clip. Home values shifted +1.4% in the past year.
There's a moderate stream of newcomers. About 3.25% of residents moved from another state, which is above average and suggests Columbia County has appeal as a relocation destination — though it's not among the highest-inflow counties nationally.