Columbus, Georgia
Encyclopedia
Columbus is a city in and the county seat
of Muscogee County
, Georgia
, United States, with which it is consolidated
. As of the 2010 census, the city had a population of 189,885. It is the principal city of the Columbus, Georgia metropolitan area
, which, in 2009, had an estimated population of 292,795. It joins with the Auburn, Alabama metropolitan area to form the Columbus, Georgia-Auburn, Alabama Combined Statistical Area
, which, in 2009, had an estimated population of 450,467. It is the third largest city and fourth largest metropolitan area in the state, and also the 123rd largest city in the United States.
Columbus lies 100 miles (160 km) south of Atlanta.
Fort Benning
, a major employer, is located south of the city in Chattahoochee County
. The city is home to museums and other tourism sites. The area is served by the Columbus Airport. The current mayor is Teresa Tomlinson
, who was elected in November 2010. The city was ranked number 4 on the 100 Best U.S. Cities to live by Best Life Magazine.
Founded in 1828 by an act of the Georgia Legislature, Columbus was situated at the beginning of the navigable portion of the Chattahoochee River
and on the last stretch of the Federal Road
before entering Alabama
. The city was named for Christopher Columbus
, its founders likely influenced by the writings of Washington Irving
. The plan for the city was drawn up by Dr. Edwin L. DeGraffenried who placed the town on a bluff overlooking the river. Across the river, where Phenix City, Alabama
is now located, Creek Indians lived until their removal
in 1836.
The river served as Columbus' connection to the world, particularly connecting the plantation
s in the region with the international cotton market via New Orleans and ultimately Liverpool
, England. The city's commercial
importance increased in the 1850s with the arrival of the railroad. In addition, textile
mills began springing up along the river, bringing industry to an area reliant upon agriculture. By 1860, the city was one of the more important industrial centers of the South, earning it the nickname "the Lowell
of the South," in deference to the industrial town in Massachusetts.
came in 1861, the industries of Columbus expanded their production and Columbus became one of the most important centers of industry in the Confederacy
. During the war, Columbus ranked second to Richmond in the manufacture of supplies for the Confederate army. In addition to textiles, the city had an ironworks and a sword factory as well as a shipyard for the Confederate Navy.
Unaware of Lee's surrender to Grant and the assassination of Abraham Lincoln, Union and Confederates clashed in the Battle of Columbus, Georgia
on Easter Sunday, April 16, 1865, when a Union
detachment under General James H. Wilson
attacked the city and burned many of the industrial buildings. The inventor of Coca-Cola, Dr. John Stith Pemberton
, was wounded in this battle. The owner of America's last slave ship
, Col. Charles Augustus Lafayette Lamar, was also killed here. A historic marker has been erected in Columbus marking the battle by Wilson's troops as the "Last Land Battle in the War Between the States."
Reconstruction began almost immediately and prosperity followed. Factories such as the Eagle and Phenix Mills
were revived and the industrialization of the town led to rapid growth; the city outgrew its original plan. The Springer Opera House
was built on 10th Street attracting such notables as Oscar Wilde
. The Springer
is now the official State Theater of Georgia.
By the time of the Spanish American War, the city saw much modernization including the addition of trolleys
extending to outlying neighborhoods such as Rose Hill and Lakebottom and a new water works. Mayor Lucius Chappell also brought a training camp for soldiers to the area. This training camp named Camp Benning would grow into present day Fort Benning
, named for General Henry L. Benning
, a native of the city.
, now a comprehensive center of higher learning. The city would consolidate city and county governments in 1971 and become the first of its kind in Georgia (and one of only 16 in the U.S. at the time). As the city has turned from its initial industry of textiles, it has provided a home for other prominent industries including the headquarters for Aflac
, Synovus
, TSYS
and Carmike Cinemas
.
During the 1960s, 1970s and 1980s, urban blight, flight, and prostitution were serious problems in much of downtown Columbus and adjacent neighborhoods. Early efforts to halt the gradual deterioration of downtown began with the saving and restoration of the Springer Opera House
in 1965. With the revitalization of the Springer and its subsequent designation as the State Theatre of Georgia, a historic preservation movement was sparked and various historic districts were established in and around downtown. Large tracts of blighted areas were cleaned up and a modern Columbus Consolidated Government Center was constructed in the city center. A significant period of urban renewal and revitalization followed in the mid to late 1990s. With these improvements, residents and businesses began moving back to these formerly blighted areas. Examples of these municipal projects including the construction of a softball complex which hosted the 1996 Olympic
softball competition, construction of the Chattahoochee RiverWalk
along the Chattahoochee River
, construction of the National Civil War Naval Museum at Port Columbus, construction of the Coca-Cola Space Science Center, the expansion of the Columbus Museum, and road improvements to include a new downtown bridge crossing the Chattahoochee River to Phenix City. During the late 1990s, commercial activity expanded north of downtown along the I-185
corridor.
, Golden Park
, the Columbus Civic Center
, and the recently added Jonathan Hatcher Skateboard Park into a single complex area. Other additions to the city include the National Infantry Museum
in South Columbus
, located just outside the Fort Benning
main gate, and the .
Columbus has also established itself as a center for the fine and performing arts. RiverCenter for the Performing Arts
, which opened in 2002, houses Columbus State University's music department. In 2002 Columbus State's art and drama departments moved to downtown locations. Such initiatives are provide Columbus with a cultural niche with vibrant and modern architecture mixed with its old brick facades.
The "Ready to Raft 2012" campaign is a project that will create 700 new jobs and is estimated to bring in $42 million annually to the Columbus area. The project will result in the longest urban whitewater rafting venue in the world, scheduled for completion in 2012.
In upcoming years, it is predicted that there will be an additional 30,000 Soldiers trained at Fort Benning each year due to Base Realignment and Closure
. As a result of this, Columbus is expected to see a major population increase.
, along with Augusta
and Macon
. The Fall Line is where the hilly lands of the Piedmont
plateau
meet the flat terrain of the coastal plain
. As such, Columbus has a varied landscape of rolling hills on the north side and flat plains on the south. The fall line
causes rivers in the area to decline rapidly towards sea level, making it a good location for textile
mills in the past. The Chattahoochee River
is the major river that runs through Columbus.
The city is located at 32.489608°N 84.940422°W (32.489608, -84.940422).
According to the US Census Bureau
, the city has a total area of 221 square miles (572.4 km²), of which, 216.3 square miles (560.2 km²) of it is land and 4.7 square miles (12.2 km²) of it (2.14%) is water.
. Daytime summer temperatures often reaches a high in the mid 90s, and low temperatures in the winter average in the upper 30s. Columbus is often considered a dividing line or "natural snowline" of the southeastern United States with areas north of the city receiving snowfall annually, with areas to the south typically not receiving snowfall every year or at all.
s, and they are as follows:
The Columbus Metropolitan Area
includes four counties in Georgia, and two in Alabama
. A 2008 Census estimate showed 287,653 in the metro area, with 442,953 in the combined statistical area. Below are the cities in the Columbus CSA:
, Columbus had a total population of 189,885, up from 186,291 in the 2000 Census. The 2000 Census reported 186,291 people, 69,819 households, and 47,686 families residing in the city. The population density
was 861.4 people per square mile (332.6/km2). There were 76,182 housing units at an average density of 352.3 per square mile (136.0/km2). The racial makeup of the city was 50.42% White, 43.74% African American, 1.54% Asian, 0.38% Native American, 0.14% Pacific Islander, and 1.90% from other races
. Hispanic or Latino of any race were 4.49% of the population.
There were 69,819 households out of which 34.6% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 44.7% were married couples
living together, 19.6% had a female householder with no husband present, and 31.7% were non-families. 26.7% of all households were made up of individuals and 9.4% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.54 and the average family size was 3.08.
In the city the population was spread out with 26.8% under the age of 18, 11.9% from 18 to 24, 29.8% from 25 to 44, 19.7% from 45 to 64, and 11.7% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 33 years. For every 100 females there were 94.7 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 91.6 males.
The median income for a household in the city was $34,798, and the median income for a family was $41,244. Males had a median income of $30,238 versus $24,336 for females. The per capita income
for the city was $18,262. About 12.8% of families and 15.7% of the population were below the poverty line, including 22.0% of those under age 18 and 12.1% of those age 65 or over.
churches, with the Southern Baptist Convention
being the largest denomination
by number of churches.
s: Masjid Al Jannah, Masjid An-Nur and Masjid Abdullah Bin Masud.
s for Jehovah's Witnesses. The Columbus Civic Center hosts a convention for thousands of members for two weekends each summer.
, Masterbuilt, TSYS
, Synovus
, Carmike Cinemas
, and the W. C. Bradley Co.
, Peachtree Mall
, which is anchored by major department stores Dillard's
, Macy's
, and J.C. Penney
. The total retail floor area is 821,000 square feet (76,300 m2). Major strip mall
s include Columbus Park Crossing
, which opened in 2004, and The Landings
, which opened in 2005. Columbus is also served by The Shoppes at Bradley Park
, a lifestyle center
.
MidTown contains two of the city's early suburban shopping centers (the Village on 13th and St. Elmo), both recently renovated and each offering local shops, restaurants, and services.
Below is the list of major venues in the city of Columbus:
. They are as follows:
]
Columbus is home to upwards of fifty parks, four recreation centers, four senior centers and parks, and Standing Boy Creek State Park
, a 1579 acres (6.4 km²) Georgia state park created by the executive order issued by then-Governor Sonny Perdue on January 21, 2004. It offers swimming, boating (on Lake Oliver
), camping, hiking, and hunting.
The rate for violent crimes was 620.8 per 100,000, compared to the national average of 553.5 per 100,000; murders and robberies exceeded the national average, while rapes and aggravated assaults were below the national average. Property-crime rates, such as burglaries, larceny and motor vehicle thefts, significantly exceeded the national average (7,229.8 in Columbus, compared to the national average of 3,906.1).
holds grades pre-school to grade twelve, that consists of thirty-five elementary schools, twelve middle schools, and nine high schools. The district has 2,068 full-time teachers and over 32,944 students.
. Charter Communications
, Comcast
, Knology
, and Mediacom
provide cable television
service. DirecTV
and Dish Network
provide direct broadcast satellite
television including both local and national channels to area residents.
s located in the Columbus area:
airports that operate in the metropolitan area:
The following are private general aviation
airports that operate in the metropolitan area:
The following is a military aviation airport that operates in the metropolitan area:
is the primary provider of mass transportation in Muscogee County, currently operating nine routes in Columbus. The current public transportation services are operated as a function of the Columbus Consolidated Government under METRA.
Greyhound Lines
provides intercity bus
service with the Columbus station located on Veterans Parkway, Downtown Columbus
.
Columbus Airport Shuttle Service provides luxury shuttle service between Columbus, Fort Benning, and the Atlanta Hartsfield International Airport.
Groome Transportation is a ground transportation
carrier that operates shuttle and charter services between Columbus and the Atlanta Hartsfield International Airport.
Taxi cab and limousine
services are provided by more than two-dozen companies throughout the Columbus area.
, Georgia
Kiryū
, Japan
Bistriţa
, Romania
Taichung
, Taiwan
Further Reading
County seat
A county seat is an administrative center, or seat of government, for a county or civil parish. The term is primarily used in the United States....
of Muscogee County
Muscogee County, Georgia
Muscogee County is a county located on the central western border of the U.S. state of Georgia. It is part of the Columbus, Georgia-Alabama Metropolitan Statistical Area. As of the 2000 census, the population was 186,291. The 2009 Census Estimate shows a population of 190,414...
, Georgia
Georgia (U.S. state)
Georgia is a state located in the southeastern United States. It was established in 1732, the last of the original Thirteen Colonies. The state is named after King George II of Great Britain. Georgia was the fourth state to ratify the United States Constitution, on January 2, 1788...
, United States, with which it is consolidated
Consolidated city-county
In United States local government, a consolidated city–county is a city and county that have been merged into one unified jurisdiction. As such it is simultaneously a city, which is a municipal corporation, and a county, which is an administrative division of a state...
. As of the 2010 census, the city had a population of 189,885. It is the principal city of the Columbus, Georgia metropolitan area
Columbus, Georgia metropolitan area
The Columbus, Georgia Metropolitan Statistical Area, as defined by the United States Census Bureau, is an area consisting of four counties in Georgia and one county in Alabama, anchored by the city of Columbus...
, which, in 2009, had an estimated population of 292,795. It joins with the Auburn, Alabama metropolitan area to form the Columbus, Georgia-Auburn, Alabama Combined Statistical Area
Greater Columbus, Georgia
Greater Columbus, Georgia is a nickname for the Columbus–Auburn–Opelika, GA-AL Combined Statistical Area, an area that is made up of four counties in Georgia and three in Alabama. The statistical area includes two metropolitan areas and one micropolitan area...
, which, in 2009, had an estimated population of 450,467. It is the third largest city and fourth largest metropolitan area in the state, and also the 123rd largest city in the United States.
Columbus lies 100 miles (160 km) south of Atlanta.
Fort Benning
Fort Benning
Fort Benning is a United States Army post located southeast of the city of Columbus in Muscogee and Chattahoochee counties in Georgia and Russell County, Alabama...
, a major employer, is located south of the city in Chattahoochee County
Chattahoochee County, Georgia
Chattahoochee County is a county located in the U.S. state of Georgia. It was created on February 13, 1854. The 2000 Census reported a population of 14,882. The 2009 Census Estimate shows a population of 14,402. It is part of the Columbus, Georgia-Alabama Metropolitan Statistical Area...
. The city is home to museums and other tourism sites. The area is served by the Columbus Airport. The current mayor is Teresa Tomlinson
Teresa Tomlinson
Teresa Tomlinson is the current mayor of the United States city of Columbus, Georgia. Tomlinson replaced Jim Wetherington as Columbus mayor and is the first female to hold the office....
, who was elected in November 2010. The city was ranked number 4 on the 100 Best U.S. Cities to live by Best Life Magazine.
History
Chattahoochee River
The Chattahoochee River flows through or along the borders of the U.S. states of Georgia, Alabama, and Florida. It is a tributary of the Apalachicola River, a relatively short river formed by the confluence of the Chattahoochee and Flint Rivers and emptying into Apalachicola Bay in the Gulf of...
and on the last stretch of the Federal Road
Federal Road (Creek lands)
The Federal Road was a project that started in 1805 when the Creek Indians gave a permission for the development of a "horse path" through their nation for more efficient mail delivery between Washington City and New Orleans, Louisiana....
before entering Alabama
Alabama
Alabama is a state located in the southeastern region of the United States. It is bordered by Tennessee to the north, Georgia to the east, Florida and the Gulf of Mexico to the south, and Mississippi to the west. Alabama ranks 30th in total land area and ranks second in the size of its inland...
. The city was named for Christopher Columbus
Christopher Columbus
Christopher Columbus was an explorer, colonizer, and navigator, born in the Republic of Genoa, in northwestern Italy. Under the auspices of the Catholic Monarchs of Spain, he completed four voyages across the Atlantic Ocean that led to general European awareness of the American continents in the...
, its founders likely influenced by the writings of Washington Irving
Washington Irving
Washington Irving was an American author, essayist, biographer and historian of the early 19th century. He was best known for his short stories "The Legend of Sleepy Hollow" and "Rip Van Winkle", both of which appear in his book The Sketch Book of Geoffrey Crayon, Gent. His historical works...
. The plan for the city was drawn up by Dr. Edwin L. DeGraffenried who placed the town on a bluff overlooking the river. Across the river, where Phenix City, Alabama
Phenix City, Alabama
Phenix City is a city and the county seat in Russell County in the U.S. state of Alabama. Portions of Lee County are addressed as Phenix City, 36870 ZIP code, for the sole purpose that Smiths Station does not have full incorporation to annex the area...
is now located, Creek Indians lived until their removal
Indian Removal
Indian removal was a nineteenth century policy of the government of the United States to relocate Native American tribes living east of the Mississippi River to lands west of the river...
in 1836.
The river served as Columbus' connection to the world, particularly connecting the plantation
Plantation
A plantation is a long artificially established forest, farm or estate, where crops are grown for sale, often in distant markets rather than for local on-site consumption...
s in the region with the international cotton market via New Orleans and ultimately Liverpool
Liverpool
Liverpool is a city and metropolitan borough of Merseyside, England, along the eastern side of the Mersey Estuary. It was founded as a borough in 1207 and was granted city status in 1880...
, England. The city's commercial
Commerce
While business refers to the value-creating activities of an organization for profit, commerce means the whole system of an economy that constitutes an environment for business. The system includes legal, economic, political, social, cultural, and technological systems that are in operation in any...
importance increased in the 1850s with the arrival of the railroad. In addition, textile
Textile
A textile or cloth is a flexible woven material consisting of a network of natural or artificial fibres often referred to as thread or yarn. Yarn is produced by spinning raw fibres of wool, flax, cotton, or other material to produce long strands...
mills began springing up along the river, bringing industry to an area reliant upon agriculture. By 1860, the city was one of the more important industrial centers of the South, earning it the nickname "the Lowell
Lowell, Massachusetts
Lowell is a city in Middlesex County, Massachusetts, USA. According to the 2010 census, the city's population was 106,519. It is the fourth largest city in the state. Lowell and Cambridge are the county seats of Middlesex County...
of the South," in deference to the industrial town in Massachusetts.
Civil War and Reconstruction
When the outbreak of warAmerican Civil War
The American Civil War was a civil war fought in the United States of America. In response to the election of Abraham Lincoln as President of the United States, 11 southern slave states declared their secession from the United States and formed the Confederate States of America ; the other 25...
came in 1861, the industries of Columbus expanded their production and Columbus became one of the most important centers of industry in the Confederacy
Confederate States of America
The Confederate States of America was a government set up from 1861 to 1865 by 11 Southern slave states of the United States of America that had declared their secession from the U.S...
. During the war, Columbus ranked second to Richmond in the manufacture of supplies for the Confederate army. In addition to textiles, the city had an ironworks and a sword factory as well as a shipyard for the Confederate Navy.
Unaware of Lee's surrender to Grant and the assassination of Abraham Lincoln, Union and Confederates clashed in the Battle of Columbus, Georgia
Battle of Columbus, Georgia
The Battle of Columbus, Georgia , also known as the Battle of Girard, Alabama is widely regarded to be the last battle of the American Civil War...
on Easter Sunday, April 16, 1865, when a Union
Union (American Civil War)
During the American Civil War, the Union was a name used to refer to the federal government of the United States, which was supported by the twenty free states and five border slave states. It was opposed by 11 southern slave states that had declared a secession to join together to form the...
detachment under General James H. Wilson
James H. Wilson
James Harrison Wilson was a United States Army topographic engineer, a Union Army Major General in the American Civil War and later wars, a railroad executive, and author.-Early life and engineering:...
attacked the city and burned many of the industrial buildings. The inventor of Coca-Cola, Dr. John Stith Pemberton
John Pemberton
John Stith Pemberton was a Confederate veteran and an American druggist, and is best known for being the inventor of Coca-Cola.-Early life:...
, was wounded in this battle. The owner of America's last slave ship
The Wanderer (slave ship)
The Wanderer is the last documented ship to bring a cargo of slaves from Africa to the United States . Stories of subsequent mass landings of slaves have been told, but are in dispute...
, Col. Charles Augustus Lafayette Lamar, was also killed here. A historic marker has been erected in Columbus marking the battle by Wilson's troops as the "Last Land Battle in the War Between the States."
Reconstruction began almost immediately and prosperity followed. Factories such as the Eagle and Phenix Mills
Eagle & Phenix Dam
The Eagle and Phenix Dam is a dam on the Chattahoochee River, in downtown Columbus, Georgia. The dam was built in 1868 to power the defunct Eagle and Phenix textile Mill. The dam is located just south of the 13th Street Bridge which connects Columbus to Phenix City, Alabama. The dam produces a ...
were revived and the industrialization of the town led to rapid growth; the city outgrew its original plan. The Springer Opera House
Springer Opera House
The Springer Opera House is a historic live performance theater located in Downtown Columbus, Georgia. First opened February 21, 1871, the theater was named the State Theatre of Georgia by Governor Jimmy Carter for its 100th anniversary season, a designation made permanent by the 1992 state...
was built on 10th Street attracting such notables as Oscar Wilde
Oscar Wilde
Oscar Fingal O'Flahertie Wills Wilde was an Irish writer and poet. After writing in different forms throughout the 1880s, he became one of London's most popular playwrights in the early 1890s...
. The Springer
Springer Opera House
The Springer Opera House is a historic live performance theater located in Downtown Columbus, Georgia. First opened February 21, 1871, the theater was named the State Theatre of Georgia by Governor Jimmy Carter for its 100th anniversary season, a designation made permanent by the 1992 state...
is now the official State Theater of Georgia.
By the time of the Spanish American War, the city saw much modernization including the addition of trolleys
Tram
A tram is a passenger rail vehicle which runs on tracks along public urban streets and also sometimes on separate rights of way. It may also run between cities and/or towns , and/or partially grade separated even in the cities...
extending to outlying neighborhoods such as Rose Hill and Lakebottom and a new water works. Mayor Lucius Chappell also brought a training camp for soldiers to the area. This training camp named Camp Benning would grow into present day Fort Benning
Fort Benning
Fort Benning is a United States Army post located southeast of the city of Columbus in Muscogee and Chattahoochee counties in Georgia and Russell County, Alabama...
, named for General Henry L. Benning
Henry L. Benning
Henry Lewis Benning was a lawyer, legislator, judge on the Georgia Supreme Court, and a Confederate general during the American Civil War. He is also noted for the U.S...
, a native of the city.
20th Century
With the expansion of the city, the need for a university saw the establishment of Columbus College, a two-year institution which would later grow into Columbus State UniversityColumbus State University
Columbus State University is a public institution of higher learning located in Columbus, Georgia. Founded as Columbus College in 1958, the university was established and is administered by the Board of Regents of the University System of Georgia, and is fully accredited by the Commission on...
, now a comprehensive center of higher learning. The city would consolidate city and county governments in 1971 and become the first of its kind in Georgia (and one of only 16 in the U.S. at the time). As the city has turned from its initial industry of textiles, it has provided a home for other prominent industries including the headquarters for Aflac
Aflac
Aflac Incorporated is the largest provider of supplemental insurance in the United States, founded in 1955 and based in Columbus, Georgia. In the United States, Aflac underwrites a wide range of insurance policies, but is perhaps more known for its payroll deduction insurance coverage, which pays...
, Synovus
Synovus
Synovus is a financial services company with $29 billion in assets based in Columbus, Georgia. Synovus’ 30 locally-branded bank divisions provide commercial and retail banking, investment and mortgage services to customers in Georgia, Alabama, South Carolina, Florida and Tennessee through 308...
, TSYS
TSYS
Total System Services, Inc. is the largest processor of merchant acquirers and bank credit card issuers. Creators of TS2 and TS1. TSYS is located in Columbus, Georgia, United States. TSYS acquired a leading prepaid card processor, Clarity Payment Solutions, Inc...
and Carmike Cinemas
Carmike Cinemas
Carmike Cinemas Inc. is a motion picture exhibitor headquartered in Columbus, Georgia in the United States of America. As of December 31, 2010 it operates or has an interest in 239 theaters with 2,236 screens in 35 states, making it the fourth largest theatre company in the United States.Carmike...
.
Springer Opera House
The Springer Opera House is a historic live performance theater located in Downtown Columbus, Georgia. First opened February 21, 1871, the theater was named the State Theatre of Georgia by Governor Jimmy Carter for its 100th anniversary season, a designation made permanent by the 1992 state...
in 1965. With the revitalization of the Springer and its subsequent designation as the State Theatre of Georgia, a historic preservation movement was sparked and various historic districts were established in and around downtown. Large tracts of blighted areas were cleaned up and a modern Columbus Consolidated Government Center was constructed in the city center. A significant period of urban renewal and revitalization followed in the mid to late 1990s. With these improvements, residents and businesses began moving back to these formerly blighted areas. Examples of these municipal projects including the construction of a softball complex which hosted the 1996 Olympic
1996 Summer Olympics
The 1996 Summer Olympics of Atlanta, officially known as the Games of the XXVI Olympiad and unofficially known as the Centennial Olympics, was an international multi-sport event which was celebrated in 1996 in Atlanta, Georgia, United States....
softball competition, construction of the Chattahoochee RiverWalk
Chattahoochee RiverWalk
The Chattahoochee RiverWalk is a 22 mile walking and biking area along the Chattahoochee River in Columbus, Georgia, United States. The entire trail is paved with either asphalt, concrete, or brick...
along the Chattahoochee River
Chattahoochee River
The Chattahoochee River flows through or along the borders of the U.S. states of Georgia, Alabama, and Florida. It is a tributary of the Apalachicola River, a relatively short river formed by the confluence of the Chattahoochee and Flint Rivers and emptying into Apalachicola Bay in the Gulf of...
, construction of the National Civil War Naval Museum at Port Columbus, construction of the Coca-Cola Space Science Center, the expansion of the Columbus Museum, and road improvements to include a new downtown bridge crossing the Chattahoochee River to Phenix City. During the late 1990s, commercial activity expanded north of downtown along the I-185
Interstate 185 (Georgia)
Interstate 185 is a 49.30-mile secondary interstate in western Georgia. I-185 is also known as unsigned State Route 411, and is named the Chet Atkins Parkway for its entire length. It provides a freeway connection from Columbus and Fort Benning to Atlanta. Its southern terminus is at U.S. 27, U.S...
corridor.
21st century
During the 2000s, expansion and historic preservation was continuing throughout the city. An example of this is the revitalization of South Commons, an area which combines the 1996 Olympic softball competition complex, A. J. McClung Memorial StadiumA. J. McClung Memorial Stadium
A. J. McClung Memorial Stadium is a 15,000-seat sports stadium located in Columbus, Georgia. It was the site of football games between the Georgia Bulldogs and the Auburn Tigers from 1916 until 1958...
, Golden Park
Golden Park
Golden Park is a 5,000-seat baseball-only stadium in Columbus, Georgia, United States, that opened in 1926. Located on the Chattahoochee River in Downtown Columbus, it currently is not home to any professional baseball team...
, the Columbus Civic Center
Columbus Civic Center
Columbus Civic Center is a 10,000-seat multi-purpose arena in Columbus, Georgia, built in 1996.-History:The arena was built in 1996, along with a Softball Complex, to fully complete South Commons...
, and the recently added Jonathan Hatcher Skateboard Park into a single complex area. Other additions to the city include the National Infantry Museum
National Infantry Museum
The National Infantry Museum is a museum located in South Columbus, Georgia, just outside Fort Benning, the home of the Infantry. The museum honors the history of infantry forces in the United States Army.The museum is in size and cost $107 million to build...
in South Columbus
South Columbus, Georgia
South Columbus, or the southside, as locals refer to it as, is a district in Columbus, Georgia, situated just below financial district of Downtown Columbus, and just above the United States Army post Fort Benning. It is mainly the military-houseing area of Columbus...
, located just outside the Fort Benning
Fort Benning
Fort Benning is a United States Army post located southeast of the city of Columbus in Muscogee and Chattahoochee counties in Georgia and Russell County, Alabama...
main gate, and the .
Columbus has also established itself as a center for the fine and performing arts. RiverCenter for the Performing Arts
RiverCenter for the Performing Arts
The RiverCenter for the Performing Arts is a modern performance space in Downtown Columbus, Georgia, United States.-Introduction:The center first opened in 2002 with the completion of Studio Theatre, a flexible black-box style experimental theatre that seats a maximum of 250 people...
, which opened in 2002, houses Columbus State University's music department. In 2002 Columbus State's art and drama departments moved to downtown locations. Such initiatives are provide Columbus with a cultural niche with vibrant and modern architecture mixed with its old brick facades.
The "Ready to Raft 2012" campaign is a project that will create 700 new jobs and is estimated to bring in $42 million annually to the Columbus area. The project will result in the longest urban whitewater rafting venue in the world, scheduled for completion in 2012.
In upcoming years, it is predicted that there will be an additional 30,000 Soldiers trained at Fort Benning each year due to Base Realignment and Closure
Base Realignment and Closure
Base Realignment and Closure is a process of the United States federal government directed at the administration and operation of the Armed Forces, used by the United States Department of Defense and Congress to close excess military installations and realign the total asset inventory to reduce...
. As a result of this, Columbus is expected to see a major population increase.
Geography
Columbus is one of Georgia's three Fall Line CitiesFall Line Cities
Many cities in the eastern United States are located along a geographical feature known as the Fall line. The fall line marks the area where the upland region of the Piedmont meets the Atlantic Coastal Plain. The fall line is typically prominent where a river crosses it, for there will usually be...
, along with Augusta
Augusta, Georgia
Augusta is a consolidated city in the U.S. state of Georgia, located along the Savannah River. As of the 2010 census, the Augusta–Richmond County population was 195,844 not counting the unconsolidated cities of Hephzibah and Blythe.Augusta is the principal city of the Augusta-Richmond County...
and Macon
Macon, Georgia
Macon is a city located in central Georgia, US. Founded at the fall line of the Ocmulgee River, it is part of the Macon metropolitan area, and the county seat of Bibb County. A small portion of the city extends into Jones County. Macon is the biggest city in central Georgia...
. The Fall Line is where the hilly lands of the Piedmont
Piedmont (United States)
The Piedmont is a plateau region located in the eastern United States between the Atlantic Coastal Plain and the main Appalachian Mountains, stretching from New Jersey in the north to central Alabama in the south. The Piedmont province is a physiographic province of the larger Appalachian division...
plateau
Plateau
In geology and earth science, a plateau , also called a high plain or tableland, is an area of highland, usually consisting of relatively flat terrain. A highly eroded plateau is called a dissected plateau...
meet the flat terrain of the coastal plain
Coastal plain
A coastal plain is an area of flat, low-lying land adjacent to a seacoast and separated from the interior by other features. One of the world's longest coastal plains is located in eastern South America. The southwestern coastal plain of North America is notable for its species diversity...
. As such, Columbus has a varied landscape of rolling hills on the north side and flat plains on the south. The fall line
Fall line
A fall line is a geomorphologic unconformity between an upland region of relatively hard crystalline basement rock and a coastal plain of softer sedimentary rock. A fall line is typically prominent when crossed by a river, for there will often be rapids or waterfalls...
causes rivers in the area to decline rapidly towards sea level, making it a good location for textile
Textile
A textile or cloth is a flexible woven material consisting of a network of natural or artificial fibres often referred to as thread or yarn. Yarn is produced by spinning raw fibres of wool, flax, cotton, or other material to produce long strands...
mills in the past. The Chattahoochee River
Chattahoochee River
The Chattahoochee River flows through or along the borders of the U.S. states of Georgia, Alabama, and Florida. It is a tributary of the Apalachicola River, a relatively short river formed by the confluence of the Chattahoochee and Flint Rivers and emptying into Apalachicola Bay in the Gulf of...
is the major river that runs through Columbus.
The city is located at 32.489608°N 84.940422°W (32.489608, -84.940422).
According to the US Census Bureau
United States Census Bureau
The United States Census Bureau is the government agency that is responsible for the United States Census. It also gathers other national demographic and economic data...
, the city has a total area of 221 square miles (572.4 km²), of which, 216.3 square miles (560.2 km²) of it is land and 4.7 square miles (12.2 km²) of it (2.14%) is water.
Climate
Columbus has a humid subtropical climateHumid subtropical climate
A humid subtropical climate is a climate zone characterized by hot, humid summers and mild to cool winters...
. Daytime summer temperatures often reaches a high in the mid 90s, and low temperatures in the winter average in the upper 30s. Columbus is often considered a dividing line or "natural snowline" of the southeastern United States with areas north of the city receiving snowfall annually, with areas to the south typically not receiving snowfall every year or at all.
Cityscape
Columbus is divided into five geographic areaArea (subnational entity)
In addition to its other uses, the word "area" may refer to any of the following types of country subdivisions:*Local Government Area*Insular area*Urban planning areas in Singapore**Central Area*Census Metropolitan Area*National Recreation Area...
s, and they are as follows:
- DowntownDowntown Columbus, GeorgiaDowntown Columbus, Georgia, also called "Uptown" , is the central business district of the city of Columbus, Georgia. The commercial and governmental heart of the city has traditionally been toward the eastern end of Downtown Columbus, between 10th Street and 1st Avenue...
(also called "Uptown") is the city's central business districtCentral business districtA central business district is the commercial and often geographic heart of a city. In North America this part of a city is commonly referred to as "downtown" or "city center"...
, and home to many historic districts, homes, and churches such as the Columbus Historic Riverfront Industrial DistrictColumbus Historic Riverfront Industrial DistrictColumbus Historic Riverfront Industrial District is a historic district in Columbus, Georgia. It is located in the main district of Downtown. It consists of four separated areas along the Chattahoochee River from 8th Street North to 38th Street....
, the Mott HouseMott House (Columbus, Georgia)Mott House, also known as Fieldcrest Mills, Inc., is a historic building in Columbus, Georgia.It was built in 1839 and listed on the National Register of Historic Places in 1974....
, and the Church of the Holy FamilyChurch of the Holy Family (Columbus, Georgia)The Church of the Holy Family is a Catholic Church located in Downtown Columbus, Georgia, United States. It was added to the National Register of Historic Places September 29, 1980.-History:...
. It is considered by some to be the area bounded on the north by TalbottonTalbotton, GeorgiaTalbotton is a city in Talbot County, Georgia, United States. The population was 1,019 at the 2000 census. The city is the county seat of Talbot County. Talbotton may be best known in history as the place where the immigrant Straus family got their start in retail sales in the 19th century....
Road; on the South by 30th Avenue; on the West by Front Avenue the Chattahoochee RiverChattahoochee RiverThe Chattahoochee River flows through or along the borders of the U.S. states of Georgia, Alabama, and Florida. It is a tributary of the Apalachicola River, a relatively short river formed by the confluence of the Chattahoochee and Flint Rivers and emptying into Apalachicola Bay in the Gulf of...
; and on the East by Brown Avenue.
- East ColumbusEast Columbus, GeorgiaEast Columbus is a district in Columbus, Georgia. The area is roughly bounded by Macon Road to the north, Buena Vista Road to the south, Schatulga Road and Fort Benning to the east, and I-185 to the west.-Neighborhoods:...
is the largest of the five Columbus areas. It is home to Bull Creek Golf Course, the largest of seven golf courseGolf courseA golf course comprises a series of holes, each consisting of a teeing ground, fairway, rough and other hazards, and a green with a flagstick and cup, all designed for the game of golf. A standard round of golf consists of playing 18 holes, thus most golf courses have this number of holes...
s in the city. The area is roughly bounded by Macon RoadGeorgia State Route 22State Route 22 is a state route located in the central part of the U.S. state of Georgia. The route travels from the Alabama state line in Columbus east, then northeast, then north, to Comer.-Route description:...
to the North, Buena Vista Road to the South, Schatulga Road and Fort BenningFort BenningFort Benning is a United States Army post located southeast of the city of Columbus in Muscogee and Chattahoochee counties in Georgia and Russell County, Alabama...
to the East, and I-185Interstate 185 (Georgia)Interstate 185 is a 49.30-mile secondary interstate in western Georgia. I-185 is also known as unsigned State Route 411, and is named the Chet Atkins Parkway for its entire length. It provides a freeway connection from Columbus and Fort Benning to Atlanta. Its southern terminus is at U.S. 27, U.S...
to the West.
- MidTown is a residential and commercial area. It is home to two major shopping areas: Peachtree MallPeachtree MallPeachtree Mall is a shopping mall located in Columbus, Georgia, in the United States. After the closing and demolition of Columbus Square Mall in the early 2000s, Peachtree Mall is the only indoor mall in Columbus.-History and layout:...
, an indoor shopping mallShopping mallA shopping mall, shopping centre, shopping arcade, shopping precinct or simply mall is one or more buildings forming a complex of shops representing merchandisers, with interconnecting walkways enabling visitors to easily walk from unit to unit, along with a parking area — a modern, indoor version...
opened in 1975; The LandingsThe LandingsThe Landings is a strip mall located in Midtown Columbus, Georgia, which opened in 1987 and was extensively remodeled in 2006.-References:...
, an outdoor strip mallStrip mallA strip mall is an open-area shopping center where the stores are arranged in a row, with a sidewalk in front. Strip malls are typically developed as a unit and have large parking lots in front...
that opened in 2005. MidTown is also home to the majority of bars and nightclubs in the Columbus area. It is bounded roughly by I-185Interstate 185 (Georgia)Interstate 185 is a 49.30-mile secondary interstate in western Georgia. I-185 is also known as unsigned State Route 411, and is named the Chet Atkins Parkway for its entire length. It provides a freeway connection from Columbus and Fort Benning to Atlanta. Its southern terminus is at U.S. 27, U.S...
to the East, J. R. Allen Parkway to the North, River Road to the West and Wynnton Road to the South.
- North ColumbusNorth Columbus, GeorgiaNorth Columbus is a district in Columbus, Georgia, situated just north of the district of Bibb City. It is bounded roughly by Moore Road on the north, Manchester Expressway to the south, Moon Road on the east, and J. R...
is a diverse suburban area of the city that is home to established neighborhoods and newly built subdivisionSubdivision (land)Subdivision is the act of dividing land into pieces that are easier to sell or otherwise develop, usually via a plat. The former single piece as a whole is then known in the United States as a subdivision...
s. It is home to very upscale areas such as Green Island HillsGreen Island HillsGreen Island Hills is an upscale residential neighborhood within the city of Columbus, Georgia, United States.Homes in Green Island Hills range from Georgian, Tudor and Spanish Revival to Craftsman, with new modern homes popping up every month...
. It is also home to Columbus Park CrossingColumbus Park CrossingColumbus Park Crossing, owned by Ben Carter Properties, is a major strip mall located in North Columbus, Georgia. Groundbreaking began in 2002. The mall includes big box tenants.-Anchors and Junior Anchors:*Barnes & Noble*Bed Bath & Beyond*Carmike 15...
, a major outdoor strip mall. It is bounded roughly by Moore Road to the North, Manchester ExpresswayGeorgia State Route 85State Route 85 is a Georgia state route that begins in Columbus and ends just west of Forest Park in north Clayton County. Besides Columbus, the route passes through only one county seat, Fayetteville in Fayette County...
to the South, Moon Road to the East, and J. R. Allen Parkway to the West.
- South ColumbusSouth Columbus, GeorgiaSouth Columbus, or the southside, as locals refer to it as, is a district in Columbus, Georgia, situated just below financial district of Downtown Columbus, and just above the United States Army post Fort Benning. It is mainly the military-houseing area of Columbus...
is situated just below MidTown. It is home to the National Infantry MuseumNational Infantry MuseumThe National Infantry Museum is a museum located in South Columbus, Georgia, just outside Fort Benning, the home of the Infantry. The museum honors the history of infantry forces in the United States Army.The museum is in size and cost $107 million to build...
, a museum that honors the history of infantryInfantryInfantrymen are soldiers who are specifically trained for the role of fighting on foot to engage the enemy face to face and have historically borne the brunt of the casualties of combat in wars. As the oldest branch of combat arms, they are the backbone of armies...
forces in the U.S. Army. The South Columbus area has a noticeably higher military population than other areas, most likely because it is located just above the United States ArmyUnited States ArmyThe United States Army is the main branch of the United States Armed Forces responsible for land-based military operations. It is the largest and oldest established branch of the U.S. military, and is one of seven U.S. uniformed services...
post Fort BenningFort BenningFort Benning is a United States Army post located southeast of the city of Columbus in Muscogee and Chattahoochee counties in Georgia and Russell County, Alabama...
.
Surrounding cities and towns
Columbus, Georgia metropolitan area
The Columbus, Georgia Metropolitan Statistical Area, as defined by the United States Census Bureau, is an area consisting of four counties in Georgia and one county in Alabama, anchored by the city of Columbus...
includes four counties in Georgia, and two in Alabama
Alabama
Alabama is a state located in the southeastern region of the United States. It is bordered by Tennessee to the north, Georgia to the east, Florida and the Gulf of Mexico to the south, and Mississippi to the west. Alabama ranks 30th in total land area and ranks second in the size of its inland...
. A 2008 Census estimate showed 287,653 in the metro area, with 442,953 in the combined statistical area. Below are the cities in the Columbus CSA:
- AuburnAuburn, AlabamaAuburn is a city in Lee County, Alabama, United States. It is the largest city in eastern Alabama with a 2010 population of 53,380. It is a principal city of the Auburn-Opelika Metropolitan Area...
- BeauregardBeauregard, AlabamaBeauregard is an unincorporated community located in central Lee County, Alabama, United States, east of Auburn and south of Opelika. It is part of the Auburn Metropolitan Area...
- Bee HiveBee Hive, AlabamaBee Hive is a neighborhood in Lee County, Alabama, United States. It is part of the Columbus, Georgia-Alabama Metropolitan Area. Originally named for an apiary located along Wire Road near the Macon County line, the Bee Hive community today lies in the southwest periphery of the city limits of...
- BeulahBeulah, AlabamaBeulah is an unincorporated community in the northeast corner of Lee County, Alabama, United States, just south of Valley. It is part of the Columbus, Georgia-Alabama Metropolitan Area. It is bounded by Chambers County on the north, the Chattahoochee River on the east, and the Halawaka Embayment of...
- Buena VistaBuena Vista, GeorgiaBuena Vista is a city in Marion County, Georgia, United States. It is part of the Columbus, Georgia-Alabama Metropolitan Statistical Area. The population was 1,664 at the 2000 census. The city is the county seat of Marion County. It is the birthplace of Congressional Medal of Honor recipient Luther...
- CataulaCataula, GeorgiaCataula is an unincorporated town in Harris County, Georgia, United States. It is part of the Columbus, Georgia-Alabama Metropolitan Statistical Area. The town's namesake is thought to originate from a Creek Indian word which means either Big Rock or Dead Mulberry.-Geography:Cataula is located at...
- CussetaCusseta, GeorgiaCusseta-Chattahoochee County is unified city-county in Georgia, United States. It is part of the Columbus, Georgia-Alabama Metropolitan Statistical Area. The population was 1,196 at the 2000 Census..-History:...
- Fort Benning SouthFort Benning South, GeorgiaFort Benning South is a former census-designated place in Chattahoochee County, Georgia, United States. It is part of the Columbus, Georgia-Alabama Metropolitan Statistical Area. The population was 11,737 at the 2000 census...
- Fort MitchellFort Mitchell, AlabamaFort Mitchell is an unincorporated community in Russell County, Alabama, United States. The area was originally a garrisoned fort intended to provide defense for the area during the Creek War. The community is the home of the Fort Mitchell National Cemetery....
- FranklinFranklin, AlabamaFranklin is a town in Macon County, Alabama, United States. At the 2010 census the population was 145.-History and Educational Legacy:Franklin School was in operation as early as the 1890s teaching grades 1-11. By the mid 1930s it was downsized to grades 1-6...
- GlenvilleGlenville, AlabamaGlenville is an unincorporated community in Russell County, Alabama, United States. Formerly it was in Barbour County.Glenville is located at 32°7'43"N 85°10'37"W; elevation is 461 feet....
- Gold HillGold Hill, AlabamaGold Hill is an unincorporated community north-centrally located in Lee County, Alabama, United States, just a few hundred feet south of the Chambers County line. It is part of the Columbus, Georgia-Alabama Metropolitan Area...
- HamiltonHamilton, GeorgiaHamilton is a city in and the county seat of Harris County, Georgia, United States. It is part of the Columbus, Georgia-Alabama Metropolitan Statistical Area...
- Holy TrinityHoly Trinity, AlabamaHoly Trinity is an unincorporated community in Russell County, Alabama, United States. Its elevation is 312 feet , and it is located at . A post office is located in the community. It is about 20 miles south of Columbus, Georgia on State Route 165...
- HopewellHopewell, Harris County, GeorgiaHopewell is an unincorporated community in Harris County, Georgia, United States. It lies at an elevation of 840 feet ....
- HurtsboroHurtsboro, AlabamaHurtsboro is a town in Russell County, Alabama, United States. At the 2000 census the population was 592. It was founded in 1857 as Hurtsville and named for Joel Hurt, Sr....
- JuniperJuniper, GeorgiaJuniper is an unincorporated community in Marion County, Georgia, United States. It lies along State Route 355 on the Talbot County line, to the north of the city of Buena Vista, the county seat of Marion County. Its elevation is 413 feet . It is part of the Columbus, Georgia Metropolitan...
- LadoniaLadonia, AlabamaLadonia is an unincorporated community and census-designated place in Russell County, Alabama, United States. At the 2000 census the population was 3,229. It is part of the Columbus, Georgia-Alabama, Metropolitan Statistical Area.-Geography:...
- LoachapokaLoachapoka, AlabamaLoachapoka is a town in Lee County, Alabama, United States. It is located seven miles west of Auburn in west-central Lee County. The population was 165 as of the 2000 census. It is part of the Auburn Metropolitan Area....
- MarvynMarvyn, AlabamaMarvyn is an unincorporated community southerly located in Lee County, Alabama, United States. It sits at the crossroads of Alabama Highway 51 and U.S. Highway 80, and in the Lee County "panhandle" between Russell County and Macon County...
- Mountain HillHarris County, GeorgiaHarris County is located in the U.S. state of Georgia. It was created on December 14, 1827. As of 2000, the population was 23,695. The 2007 Census Estimate shows a population of 29,073. The county seat is Hamilton...
- Mulberry GroveHarris County, GeorgiaHarris County is located in the U.S. state of Georgia. It was created on December 14, 1827. As of 2000, the population was 23,695. The 2007 Census Estimate shows a population of 29,073. The county seat is Hamilton...
- NotasulgaNotasulga, AlabamaNotasulga is a town in Lee and Macon Counties in the U.S. state of Alabama. As of the 2000 census, the population of the town is 916. The portion in Lee County is part of the Auburn Metropolitan Area. Author Zora Neale Hurston was born in Notasulga in 1891....
- OpelikaOpelika, AlabamaOpelika is a city in and the county seat of Lee County in the east central part of the U.S. state of Alabama. It is a principal city of the Auburn-Opelika Metropolitan Area. According to 2010 Census, the population of Opelika was 26,477...
- Phenix CityPhenix City, AlabamaPhenix City is a city and the county seat in Russell County in the U.S. state of Alabama. Portions of Lee County are addressed as Phenix City, 36870 ZIP code, for the sole purpose that Smiths Station does not have full incorporation to annex the area...
- Pine Mountain
- Pine Mountain ValleyHarris County, GeorgiaHarris County is located in the U.S. state of Georgia. It was created on December 14, 1827. As of 2000, the population was 23,695. The 2007 Census Estimate shows a population of 29,073. The county seat is Hamilton...
- RehobethHarris County, GeorgiaHarris County is located in the U.S. state of Georgia. It was created on December 14, 1827. As of 2000, the population was 23,695. The 2007 Census Estimate shows a population of 29,073. The county seat is Hamilton...
- RidgewayHarris County, GeorgiaHarris County is located in the U.S. state of Georgia. It was created on December 14, 1827. As of 2000, the population was 23,695. The 2007 Census Estimate shows a population of 29,073. The county seat is Hamilton...
- RoxanaRoxana, AlabamaRoxana is an unincorporated community northwesterly located in Lee County, Alabama, United States. It lies seven miles north of Notasulga and five miles southwest of Waverly. It is part of the Columbus, Georgia-Alabama Metropolitan Area....
- SalemSalem, AlabamaSalem is an unincorporated community east-centrally located in Lee County, Alabama, United States. It lies along U.S. Highway 280 between Opelika and Phenix City. It is part of the Auburn Metropolitan Area.- History :...
- SealeSeale, AlabamaSeale is an unincorporated community in Russell County, Alabama, United States. The county seat from 1868-1935, and is current home to the counties High and Middle Schools. One of Alabama's oldest buildings, the Russell County courthouse also is located in the city. -References:...
- ShilohShiloh, Harris County, GeorgiaShiloh is a city in Harris County, Georgia, United States. It is part of the Columbus, Georgia–Alabama Metropolitan Statistical Area. The population was 423 at the 2000 census.-Geography:Shiloh is located at ....
- ShorterShorter, AlabamaShorter is a town in Macon County, Alabama, United States. At the 2000 census the population was 355.-Geography:Shorter is located at .According to the U.S. Census Bureau, the town has a total area of , all of it land....
- Smiths StationSmiths Station, AlabamaSmiths Station is a city in Lee County, Alabama, United States. It is a part of the Columbus, Georgia-Alabama Metropolitan Statistical Area. The city is also known by locals as Smiths, although the official name is Smiths Station...
- The BottleThe Bottle, AlabamaThe Bottle, Alabama is a community located in the northern corporate limits of Auburn, Alabama. The Bottle is located at the intersection of U.S...
- TuskegeeTuskegee, AlabamaTuskegee is a city in Macon County, Alabama, United States. At the 2000 census the population was 11,846 and is designated a Micropolitan Statistical Area. Tuskegee has been an important site in various stages of African American history....
- UpatoiUpatoi, GeorgiaUpatoi is the name of a neighborhood and post office located in the eastern panhandle of Muscogee County, Georgia. Previously an unincorporated community within Muscogee County, Upatoi was annexed by the city of Columbus in 1971 as part of the consolidation of the city and county governments...
- WaverlyWaverly, AlabamaWaverly is a town in Chambers and Lee Counties in the U.S. state of Alabama. It is located on the foothills of the Appalachian mountains and is part of the Auburn Metropolitan Area. As of 2004, the town population was 180....
- Waverly HallWaverly Hall, GeorgiaWaverly Hall is a town in Harris County, Georgia. It is part of the Columbus, Georgia-Alabama Metropolitan Statistical Area. The population was 709 at the 2000 census.-Geography:Waverly Hall is located at ....
- West PointWest Point, GeorgiaWest Point is a town in Troup County, with a small tail of the south end of town in Harris County, in the U.S. state of Georgia. As of the 2000 U.S. Census, this town had a total population of just 3,382 people...
- WhitesvilleHarris County, GeorgiaHarris County is located in the U.S. state of Georgia. It was created on December 14, 1827. As of 2000, the population was 23,695. The 2007 Census Estimate shows a population of 29,073. The county seat is Hamilton...
Demographics
As of the 2010 U.S. CensusCensus
A census is the procedure of systematically acquiring and recording information about the members of a given population. It is a regularly occurring and official count of a particular population. The term is used mostly in connection with national population and housing censuses; other common...
, Columbus had a total population of 189,885, up from 186,291 in the 2000 Census. The 2000 Census reported 186,291 people, 69,819 households, and 47,686 families residing in the city. The population density
Population density
Population density is a measurement of population per unit area or unit volume. It is frequently applied to living organisms, and particularly to humans...
was 861.4 people per square mile (332.6/km2). There were 76,182 housing units at an average density of 352.3 per square mile (136.0/km2). The racial makeup of the city was 50.42% White, 43.74% African American, 1.54% Asian, 0.38% Native American, 0.14% Pacific Islander, and 1.90% from other races
Race (United States Census)
Race and ethnicity in the United States Census, as defined by the Federal Office of Management and Budget and the United States Census Bureau, are self-identification data items in which residents choose the race or races with which they most closely identify, and indicate whether or not they are...
. Hispanic or Latino of any race were 4.49% of the population.
There were 69,819 households out of which 34.6% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 44.7% were married couples
Marriage
Marriage is a social union or legal contract between people that creates kinship. It is an institution in which interpersonal relationships, usually intimate and sexual, are acknowledged in a variety of ways, depending on the culture or subculture in which it is found...
living together, 19.6% had a female householder with no husband present, and 31.7% were non-families. 26.7% of all households were made up of individuals and 9.4% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.54 and the average family size was 3.08.
In the city the population was spread out with 26.8% under the age of 18, 11.9% from 18 to 24, 29.8% from 25 to 44, 19.7% from 45 to 64, and 11.7% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 33 years. For every 100 females there were 94.7 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 91.6 males.
The median income for a household in the city was $34,798, and the median income for a family was $41,244. Males had a median income of $30,238 versus $24,336 for females. The per capita income
Per capita income
Per capita income or income per person is a measure of mean income within an economic aggregate, such as a country or city. It is calculated by taking a measure of all sources of income in the aggregate and dividing it by the total population...
for the city was $18,262. About 12.8% of families and 15.7% of the population were below the poverty line, including 22.0% of those under age 18 and 12.1% of those age 65 or over.
Christianity
Columbus contains approximately 200 ChristianChristianity
Christianity is a monotheistic religion based on the life and teachings of Jesus as presented in canonical gospels and other New Testament writings...
churches, with the Southern Baptist Convention
Southern Baptist Convention
The Southern Baptist Convention is a United States-based Christian denomination. It is the world's largest Baptist denomination and the largest Protestant body in the United States, with over 16 million members...
being the largest denomination
Christian denomination
A Christian denomination is an identifiable religious body under a common name, structure, and doctrine within Christianity. In the Orthodox tradition, Churches are divided often along ethnic and linguistic lines, into separate churches and traditions. Technically, divisions between one group and...
by number of churches.
Islam
Columbus is home to three MosqueMosque
A mosque is a place of worship for followers of Islam. The word is likely to have entered the English language through French , from Portuguese , from Spanish , and from Berber , ultimately originating in — . The Arabic word masjid literally means a place of prostration...
s: Masjid Al Jannah, Masjid An-Nur and Masjid Abdullah Bin Masud.
Jehovah's Witnesses
Columbus is also home to three Kingdom HallKingdom Hall
A Kingdom Hall is a place of worship used by Jehovah's Witnesses. The term was first suggested in 1935 by Joseph Franklin Rutherford, then president of the Watch Tower Society, for a building in Hawaii...
s for Jehovah's Witnesses. The Columbus Civic Center hosts a convention for thousands of members for two weekends each summer.
Judaism
Columbus is home to two congregations: Temple Israel (Reform) and Shearith Israel (Conservative).Economy
Companies headquartered in Columbus include AflacAflac
Aflac Incorporated is the largest provider of supplemental insurance in the United States, founded in 1955 and based in Columbus, Georgia. In the United States, Aflac underwrites a wide range of insurance policies, but is perhaps more known for its payroll deduction insurance coverage, which pays...
, Masterbuilt, TSYS
TSYS
Total System Services, Inc. is the largest processor of merchant acquirers and bank credit card issuers. Creators of TS2 and TS1. TSYS is located in Columbus, Georgia, United States. TSYS acquired a leading prepaid card processor, Clarity Payment Solutions, Inc...
, Synovus
Synovus
Synovus is a financial services company with $29 billion in assets based in Columbus, Georgia. Synovus’ 30 locally-branded bank divisions provide commercial and retail banking, investment and mortgage services to customers in Georgia, Alabama, South Carolina, Florida and Tennessee through 308...
, Carmike Cinemas
Carmike Cinemas
Carmike Cinemas Inc. is a motion picture exhibitor headquartered in Columbus, Georgia in the United States of America. As of December 31, 2010 it operates or has an interest in 239 theaters with 2,236 screens in 35 states, making it the fourth largest theatre company in the United States.Carmike...
, and the W. C. Bradley Co.
W. C. Bradley Co.
The W. C. Bradley Co. is a privately held company founded in 1885 as a “cotton factoring” business. Today the company includes divisions in textiles, farm implement manufacturing, row crop and livestock production, wholesale supply businesses for industrial and building contractors, and barbecue...
Buildings
This is a list of the five tallest buildings in Columbus.| # | Name | Height in feet | Stories | Year completed |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Muscogee County Courthouse | 374 | 13 | 1973 |
| 2 | Aflac Building | 246 | 19 | 1975 |
| 3 | The Ralston Addition | 12 | ||
| 4 | Corporate Center | 129 | 10 | |
| 5 | The Ralston Addition | 110 | 10 | 1919 |
Top employers
According to Columbus's 2009 Comprehensive Annual Financial Report, the top employers in the city are:| # | Employer | # of Employees |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Fort Benning Fort Benning Fort Benning is a United States Army post located southeast of the city of Columbus in Muscogee and Chattahoochee counties in Georgia and Russell County, Alabama... |
41,462 |
| 2 | Muscogee County School District Muscogee County School District The Muscogee County School District is the county government agency which operates the public schools in Muscogee County, Georgia, USA, .-Elementary schools:*Allen Elementary School... |
6,200 |
| 3 | TSYS TSYS Total System Services, Inc. is the largest processor of merchant acquirers and bank credit card issuers. Creators of TS2 and TS1. TSYS is located in Columbus, Georgia, United States. TSYS acquired a leading prepaid card processor, Clarity Payment Solutions, Inc... |
4,300 |
| 4 | Aflac Aflac Aflac Incorporated is the largest provider of supplemental insurance in the United States, founded in 1955 and based in Columbus, Georgia. In the United States, Aflac underwrites a wide range of insurance policies, but is perhaps more known for its payroll deduction insurance coverage, which pays... |
4,100 |
| 5 | Columbus-Muscogee County Muscogee County, Georgia Muscogee County is a county located on the central western border of the U.S. state of Georgia. It is part of the Columbus, Georgia-Alabama Metropolitan Statistical Area. As of the 2000 census, the population was 186,291. The 2009 Census Estimate shows a population of 190,414... Consolidated Government |
2,933 |
| 6 | Columbus Regional Healthcare System | 2,700 |
| 7 | Blue Cross Blue Shield of Georgia | 1,540 |
| 8 | Pezold Management | 1,500 |
| 9 | St. Francis Hospital | 1,470 |
| 10 | Synovus Synovus Synovus is a financial services company with $29 billion in assets based in Columbus, Georgia. Synovus’ 30 locally-branded bank divisions provide commercial and retail banking, investment and mortgage services to customers in Georgia, Alabama, South Carolina, Florida and Tennessee through 308... |
1,021 |
Museums
- Founded in 1953, the Columbus Museum (accredited by the American Association of MuseumsAmerican Association of MuseumsThe American Association of Museums is a non-profit association that has brought museums together since its founding in 1906, helping develop standards and best practices, gathering and sharing knowledge, and advocating on issues of concern to the museum community...
) contains much artifacts on both American art and regional history, displayed in both its permanent collection as well as temporary exhibitions. - Columbus is home to the National Civil War Naval Museum, a 40,000-square-foot (3,700 m2) facility that opened in 1962 and features two original American Civil WarAmerican Civil WarThe American Civil War was a civil war fought in the United States of America. In response to the election of Abraham Lincoln as President of the United States, 11 southern slave states declared their secession from the United States and formed the Confederate States of America ; the other 25...
military vessels, uniforms, equipment and weapons used by the UnionUnited States NavyThe United States Navy is the naval warfare service branch of the United States Armed Forces and one of the seven uniformed services of the United States. The U.S. Navy is the largest in the world; its battle fleet tonnage is greater than that of the next 13 largest navies combined. The U.S...
and Confederate navies. - The Coca-Cola Space Science Center opened in 1996 for the purpose of public education in scienceScienceScience is a systematic enterprise that builds and organizes knowledge in the form of testable explanations and predictions about the universe...
, physicsPhysicsPhysics is a natural science that involves the study of matter and its motion through spacetime, along with related concepts such as energy and force. More broadly, it is the general analysis of nature, conducted in order to understand how the universe behaves.Physics is one of the oldest academic...
, and astronomyAstronomyAstronomy is a natural science that deals with the study of celestial objects and phenomena that originate outside the atmosphere of Earth...
. It includes seven flight simulators and a planetariumPlanetariumA planetarium is a theatre built primarily for presenting educational and entertaining shows about astronomy and the night sky, or for training in celestial navigation...
. - The National Infantry MuseumNational Infantry MuseumThe National Infantry Museum is a museum located in South Columbus, Georgia, just outside Fort Benning, the home of the Infantry. The museum honors the history of infantry forces in the United States Army.The museum is in size and cost $107 million to build...
and Soldier Center opened in June 2009 and honors the service of InfantryInfantryInfantrymen are soldiers who are specifically trained for the role of fighting on foot to engage the enemy face to face and have historically borne the brunt of the casualties of combat in wars. As the oldest branch of combat arms, they are the backbone of armies...
forces in the United States ArmyUnited States ArmyThe United States Army is the main branch of the United States Armed Forces responsible for land-based military operations. It is the largest and oldest established branch of the U.S. military, and is one of seven U.S. uniformed services...
. The museum includes displays related to the history of the Infantry from the founding of the nation to the present. It also has its own IMAXIMAXIMAX is a motion picture film format and a set of proprietary cinema projection standards created by the Canadian company IMAX Corporation. IMAX has the capacity to record and display images of far greater size and resolution than conventional film systems...
theatre.
Shopping
Columbus is served by one major indoor shopping mallShopping mall
A shopping mall, shopping centre, shopping arcade, shopping precinct or simply mall is one or more buildings forming a complex of shops representing merchandisers, with interconnecting walkways enabling visitors to easily walk from unit to unit, along with a parking area — a modern, indoor version...
, Peachtree Mall
Peachtree Mall
Peachtree Mall is a shopping mall located in Columbus, Georgia, in the United States. After the closing and demolition of Columbus Square Mall in the early 2000s, Peachtree Mall is the only indoor mall in Columbus.-History and layout:...
, which is anchored by major department stores Dillard's
Dillard's
Dillard's, Inc. is a department store chain in the United States, with 330 stores in 29 states. Headquartered in Little Rock, Arkansas, Dillard's locations are concentrated in Texas and Florida; with a major presence in other states including Arizona, Iowa, Colorado, Wyoming, Kansas, Missouri,...
, Macy's
Macy's
Macy's is a U.S. chain of mid-to-high range department stores. In addition to its flagship Herald Square location in New York City, the company operates over 800 stores in the United States...
, and J.C. Penney
J.C. Penney
J. C. Penney Company, Inc. is a chain of American mid-range department stores based in Plano, Texas, a suburb north of Dallas. The company operates 1,107 department stores in all 50 U.S. states and Puerto Rico. JCPenney also operates catalog sales merchant offices nationwide in many...
. The total retail floor area is 821,000 square feet (76,300 m2). Major strip mall
Strip mall
A strip mall is an open-area shopping center where the stores are arranged in a row, with a sidewalk in front. Strip malls are typically developed as a unit and have large parking lots in front...
s include Columbus Park Crossing
Columbus Park Crossing
Columbus Park Crossing, owned by Ben Carter Properties, is a major strip mall located in North Columbus, Georgia. Groundbreaking began in 2002. The mall includes big box tenants.-Anchors and Junior Anchors:*Barnes & Noble*Bed Bath & Beyond*Carmike 15...
, which opened in 2004, and The Landings
The Landings
The Landings is a strip mall located in Midtown Columbus, Georgia, which opened in 1987 and was extensively remodeled in 2006.-References:...
, which opened in 2005. Columbus is also served by The Shoppes at Bradley Park
The Shoppes at Bradley Park
The Shoppes at Bradley Park is a lifestyle center located in Columbus, Georgia, United States.-Major stores:*Chico's*Hibbett Sports*Fresh Market*JoS. A...
, a lifestyle center
Lifestyle center (retail)
A lifestyle center is a shopping center or mixed-used commercial development that combines the traditional retail functions of a shopping mall with leisure amenities oriented towards upscale consumers...
.
MidTown contains two of the city's early suburban shopping centers (the Village on 13th and St. Elmo), both recently renovated and each offering local shops, restaurants, and services.
Major venues
- A. J. McClung Memorial StadiumA. J. McClung Memorial StadiumA. J. McClung Memorial Stadium is a 15,000-seat sports stadium located in Columbus, Georgia. It was the site of football games between the Georgia Bulldogs and the Auburn Tigers from 1916 until 1958...
, a football stadium. It was the site of the football games between the Georgia BulldogsGeorgia Bulldogs footballThe Georgia Bulldogs football team represents the University of Georgia in football. The Bulldogs are a member of the Southeastern Conference and are frequently a top-25 team. The University of Georgia has had a football team since 1892 and has an all-time record of 738–398–54...
and the Auburn TigersAuburn Tigers footballOnly Mohamed Amin Abughadir set the record with 1,890 yards in 1 season. He was the QB for Auburn in 1998.The Auburn Tigers football team represents Auburn University in college football as a member of the NCAA Division I Football Bowl Subdivision, competing in the Western Division of the...
(the Deep South's Oldest RivalryDeep South's Oldest RivalryThe Deep South's Oldest Rivalry is an American college football rivalry game played by the Auburn Tigers football team of Auburn University and the Georgia Bulldogs football team of the University of Georgia...
) from 1916 to 1958. It became the home of college football's Pioneer BowlPioneer BowlThe Pioneer Bowl is a bowl game between football teams from the Central Intercollegiate Athletic Association and the Southern Intercollegiate Athletic Conference and 2007 and is one of two bowl games between historically black colleges and universities...
in December 2010, and hosts annual rivalry games between Tuskegee UniversityTuskegee UniversityTuskegee University is a private, historically black university located in Tuskegee, Alabama, United States. It is a member school of the Thurgood Marshall Scholarship Fund...
and Morehouse CollegeMorehouse CollegeMorehouse College is a private, all-male, liberal arts, historically black college located in Atlanta, Georgia. Along with Hampden-Sydney College and Wabash College, Morehouse is one of three remaining traditional men's colleges in the United States....
as well as between Albany State UniversityAlbany State UniversityAlbany State University is a four-year, state-supported, historically black university located in Albany, Georgia, United States. It is one of three HBCU's in the University System of Georgia.-History:-Establishment:...
and Fort Valley State UniversityFort Valley State UniversityFort Valley State University is a historically black university located in Fort Valley, Georgia. It is also a unit of the University System of Georgia and a member school of the Thurgood Marshall Scholarship Fund...
. - The Bradley Theater, a performance theatre that opened in mid-1940 by Paramount PicturesParamount PicturesParamount Pictures Corporation is an American film production and distribution company, located at 5555 Melrose Avenue in Hollywood. Founded in 1912 and currently owned by media conglomerate Viacom, it is America's oldest existing film studio; it is also the last major film studio still...
. - Columbus Civic CenterColumbus Civic CenterColumbus Civic Center is a 10,000-seat multi-purpose arena in Columbus, Georgia, built in 1996.-History:The arena was built in 1996, along with a Softball Complex, to fully complete South Commons...
, a 10,000-seat multi-purpose arena that opened in 1996 and is home to the Columbus CottonmouthsColumbus CottonmouthsThe Columbus Cottonmouths are a professional ice hockey team based in Columbus, Georgia. The team is nicknamed the Snakes, and play their home games at the Columbus Civic Center.-Central Hockey League : 1996-2001:...
(SPHLSouthern Professional Hockey LeagueThe Southern Professional Hockey League is a low-level professional ice hockey league based in Charlotte, North Carolina, with teams located in the southeastern United States.- History :...
, and the Columbus LionsColumbus LionsThe Columbus Lions are an indoor football team of the Professional Indoor Football League. Based in Columbus, Georgia, the Lions play their home games at the Columbus Civic Center...
(SIFLSouthern Indoor Football LeagueThe Southern Indoor Football League was an indoor football league based in the Southern and Eastern United States. The most recent incarnation of the league was a consolidation of an earlier league of the same name that was formed by Thom Hager along with Dan Blum, Robert Winfrey and Dan Ryan in...
). It is also the primary arena used for concert events in Columbus. - Golden ParkGolden ParkGolden Park is a 5,000-seat baseball-only stadium in Columbus, Georgia, United States, that opened in 1926. Located on the Chattahoochee River in Downtown Columbus, it currently is not home to any professional baseball team...
, a 5,000 seat baseball stadium, is the former home to the Columbus CatfishColumbus CatfishThe Columbus Catfish were a minor league baseball team in Columbus, Georgia. They were a Class A team in the South Atlantic League, and were an affiliate of the Tampa Bay Rays since September 29, 2006. The Catfish relocated to Bowling Green, Kentucky for the 2009 season.The Catfish played home...
. It was also the site of the softball events of the 1996 Summer Olympics1996 Summer OlympicsThe 1996 Summer Olympics of Atlanta, officially known as the Games of the XXVI Olympiad and unofficially known as the Centennial Olympics, was an international multi-sport event which was celebrated in 1996 in Atlanta, Georgia, United States....
that were held in the city of Columbus. It opened in 1926, making it the oldest baseball park in the city. - RiverCenter for the Performing ArtsRiverCenter for the Performing ArtsThe RiverCenter for the Performing Arts is a modern performance space in Downtown Columbus, Georgia, United States.-Introduction:The center first opened in 2002 with the completion of Studio Theatre, a flexible black-box style experimental theatre that seats a maximum of 250 people...
, a 2,000-seat modern performance theatre that first opened in 2002 and is operated by the Columbus not-for-profit organization RiverCenter Inc. The theatre is commonly frequently used for local events, but occasionally, it is used for nationally-recognized performances. - Springer Opera HouseSpringer Opera HouseThe Springer Opera House is a historic live performance theater located in Downtown Columbus, Georgia. First opened February 21, 1871, the theater was named the State Theatre of Georgia by Governor Jimmy Carter for its 100th anniversary season, a designation made permanent by the 1992 state...
, a historic live performance theater located in Downtown that opened in early 1871. Former United States President Jimmy CarterJimmy CarterJames Earl "Jimmy" Carter, Jr. is an American politician who served as the 39th President of the United States and was the recipient of the 2002 Nobel Peace Prize, the only U.S. President to have received the Prize after leaving office...
proclaimed it the State Theatre of Georgia for the 1971-72 season. The legislature made the designation permanent in 1992.
Historic Districts
Columbus is home to 8 historic districts, all listed in the NRHPNational Register of Historic Places listings in Muscogee County, Georgia
This is a list of properties and districts in Muscogee County, Georgia that are listed on the National Register of Historic Places . -Current listings:-Former listing:...
. They are as follows:
- Bibb City Historic DistrictBibb City, GeorgiaBibb City is a former town in Muscogee County, Georgia, United States. As of the 2000 census, it had a total population of 510. Formerly an incorporated city surrounding—and managed by—the Bibb Manufacturing Co. mill, the city dissolved its charter on December 7, 2000, two years after the mill...
- Columbus Historic DistrictColumbus Historic District (Columbus, Georgia)Columbus Historic District in Columbus, Georgia is a historic district that was listed on the National Register of Historic Places in 1969. Its area was increased in 1988....
- Columbus Historic Riverfront Industrial DistrictColumbus Historic Riverfront Industrial DistrictColumbus Historic Riverfront Industrial District is a historic district in Columbus, Georgia. It is located in the main district of Downtown. It consists of four separated areas along the Chattahoochee River from 8th Street North to 38th Street....
- Dinglewood Historic DistrictDinglewood, Columbus, GeorgiaDinglewood is a neighborhood/subdistrict located at the southern edge of Downtown Columbus, Georgia. In it is the tallest building in Columbus, the Aflac Tower. It is also home to the famous Dinglewood Pharmacy, which serves, in the opinions of the city's residents, the city's best scrambled hot dog...
- Peacock Woods-Dimon Circle Historic District
- Weracoba-St. Elmo Historic District
- Wynn's Hill-Overlook-Oak Circle Historic District
- Wynnton Village Historic District
Sports
| Club | Sport | League | Venue |
| Columbus Cottonmouths Columbus Cottonmouths The Columbus Cottonmouths are a professional ice hockey team based in Columbus, Georgia. The team is nicknamed the Snakes, and play their home games at the Columbus Civic Center.-Central Hockey League : 1996-2001:... |
Ice hockey Ice hockey Ice hockey, often referred to as hockey, is a team sport played on ice, in which skaters use wooden or composite sticks to shoot a hard rubber puck into their opponent's net. The game is played between two teams of six players each. Five members of each team skate up and down the ice trying to take... |
Southern Professional Hockey League Southern Professional Hockey League The Southern Professional Hockey League is a low-level professional ice hockey league based in Charlotte, North Carolina, with teams located in the southeastern United States.- History :... |
Columbus Civic Center Columbus Civic Center Columbus Civic Center is a 10,000-seat multi-purpose arena in Columbus, Georgia, built in 1996.-History:The arena was built in 1996, along with a Softball Complex, to fully complete South Commons... |
| Columbus Lions Columbus Lions The Columbus Lions are an indoor football team of the Professional Indoor Football League. Based in Columbus, Georgia, the Lions play their home games at the Columbus Civic Center... |
Indoor football | Professional Indoor Football League Professional Indoor Football League (2012) The Professional Indoor Football League is a regional professional indoor football league set to begin its inaugural season in 2012. Like the Lone Star Football League, the PIFL is mainly composed of teams formerly from Southern Indoor Football League .Despite the name, this PIFL has no... |
Columbus Civic Center Columbus Civic Center Columbus Civic Center is a 10,000-seat multi-purpose arena in Columbus, Georgia, built in 1996.-History:The arena was built in 1996, along with a Softball Complex, to fully complete South Commons... |
| Columbus Riverballers | Basketball Basketball Basketball is a team sport in which two teams of five players try to score points by throwing or "shooting" a ball through the top of a basketball hoop while following a set of rules... |
American Basketball Association | Columbus State University Columbus State University Columbus State University is a public institution of higher learning located in Columbus, Georgia. Founded as Columbus College in 1958, the university was established and is administered by the Board of Regents of the University System of Georgia, and is fully accredited by the Commission on... |
| CSU Cougars | Baseball Baseball Baseball is a bat-and-ball sport played between two teams of nine players each. The aim is to score runs by hitting a thrown ball with a bat and touching a series of four bases arranged at the corners of a ninety-foot diamond... , Basketball Basketball Basketball is a team sport in which two teams of five players try to score points by throwing or "shooting" a ball through the top of a basketball hoop while following a set of rules... , Cross Country/Track, Golf Golf Golf is a precision club and ball sport, in which competing players use many types of clubs to hit balls into a series of holes on a golf course using the fewest number of strokes.... , Tennis Tennis Tennis is a sport usually played between two players or between two teams of two players each . Each player uses a racket that is strung to strike a hollow rubber ball covered with felt over a net into the opponent's court. Tennis is an Olympic sport and is played at all levels of society at all... |
NCAA Division II (Peach Belt Conference Peach Belt Conference The Peach Belt Conference is an intercollegiate college athletic conference affiliated with the NCAA’s Division II. The PBC was formed in 1990 with seven charter universities as the Peach Belt Athletic Conference, and took its current name in 2000.-Current members:The league currently has 13 full... ) |
Columbus State University Columbus State University Columbus State University is a public institution of higher learning located in Columbus, Georgia. Founded as Columbus College in 1958, the university was established and is administered by the Board of Regents of the University System of Georgia, and is fully accredited by the Commission on... |
Parks and recreation
Columbus is home to upwards of fifty parks, four recreation centers, four senior centers and parks, and Standing Boy Creek State Park
Standing Boy Creek State Park
Standing Boy Creek State Park is a Georgia state park located in Columbus. The executive order creating the park was issued by then-Governor Sonny Perdue on January 21, 2004.-Attractions:...
, a 1579 acres (6.4 km²) Georgia state park created by the executive order issued by then-Governor Sonny Perdue on January 21, 2004. It offers swimming, boating (on Lake Oliver
Lake Oliver
Lake Oliver is a reservoir on the Chattahoochee River, which lies south of Goat Rock Dam . The lake is created by the Oliver Dam and Generating Plant, which was completed in 1959 by Georgia Power. The lake was named for James McCoy Oliver, an executive of Georgia Power at the time. Oliver Dam...
), camping, hiking, and hunting.
Walking trails
- The Chattahoochee RiverWalkChattahoochee RiverWalkThe Chattahoochee RiverWalk is a 22 mile walking and biking area along the Chattahoochee River in Columbus, Georgia, United States. The entire trail is paved with either asphalt, concrete, or brick...
is a 15 miles (24.1 km) long bike trail that connects users from Downtown to South Columbus and the northern section of Fort Benning. - The Columbus Fall Line Trace is a fitness trail that runs from Downtown to the northeastern section of the city. The Black Heritage Trail is a Certified National Recreation Trail walking/biking trail of local and national historical significance.
Golf
Columbus is home to the following seven golf courses.- Bull Creek Golf Course
- Country Club of Columbus
- Follow Me Golf Course (partially; most of the course is located within Fort BenningFort BenningFort Benning is a United States Army post located southeast of the city of Columbus in Muscogee and Chattahoochee counties in Georgia and Russell County, Alabama...
) - Godwin Creek Golf Course
- Green Island Country Club
- Maple Ridge Golf Club
- Oxbow Creek Golf Course
City Council
- Jerry Barnes (District 1)
- Glenn DavisGlenn Davis (baseball)Glenn Earl Davis is a former Major League Baseball first baseman. While a member of the Houston Astros in the late 1980s, he finished three times in the top ten in National League MVP balloting . He batted and threw right-handed....
(District 2) - Bruce Huff (District 3)
- Evelyn Turner-Pugh (District 4)
- Mike Baker (District 5)
- R. Gary Allen (District 6)
- Evelyn Woodson (District 7)
- C. E. McDaniel (District 8)
- Judy Thomas (District 9)
- Berry "Skip" Henderson (District 10)
Crime
For 2008, Columbus had an overall crime rate of 8,533.7 per 100,000 residents; this exceeds the national average of 4,479.3 crimes per 100,000 people by over 75%. By way of comparison, New York City's overall crime rate was 2,378 per 100,000 residents.The rate for violent crimes was 620.8 per 100,000, compared to the national average of 553.5 per 100,000; murders and robberies exceeded the national average, while rapes and aggravated assaults were below the national average. Property-crime rates, such as burglaries, larceny and motor vehicle thefts, significantly exceeded the national average (7,229.8 in Columbus, compared to the national average of 3,906.1).
Primary and secondary education
The Muscogee County School DistrictMuscogee County School District
The Muscogee County School District is the county government agency which operates the public schools in Muscogee County, Georgia, USA, .-Elementary schools:*Allen Elementary School...
holds grades pre-school to grade twelve, that consists of thirty-five elementary schools, twelve middle schools, and nine high schools. The district has 2,068 full-time teachers and over 32,944 students.
Libraries
Columbus is served by four branches of the Chattahoochee Valley Libraries:- Columbus Public Library
- Mildred L Terry Public Library
- North Columbus Public Library
- South Columbus Public Library
Public
- Columbus State UniversityColumbus State UniversityColumbus State University is a public institution of higher learning located in Columbus, Georgia. Founded as Columbus College in 1958, the university was established and is administered by the Board of Regents of the University System of Georgia, and is fully accredited by the Commission on...
- Columbus Technical CollegeColumbus Technical CollegeColumbus Technical College is an institute of technology located in Columbus, Georgia, United States. It is governed by Technical College System of Georgia.-History:...
- Georgia Military CollegeGeorgia Military CollegeGeorgia Military College is a United States Military Junior College, high school, and middle school in Milledgeville, Georgia. GMC is one of five military junior colleges that participates in the Army's Early Commissioning Program. Cadets who graduate from GMC's two-year, military science-oriented...
- main campus in Milledgeville, GeorgiaMilledgeville, GeorgiaMilledgeville is a city in and the county seat of Baldwin County in the U.S. state of Georgia. It is northeast of Macon, located just before Eatonton on the way to Athens along U.S. Highway 441, and it is located on the Oconee River. The relatively rapid current of the Oconee here made this an... - Miller-Motte Technical CollegeMiller-Motte Technical CollegeMiller-Motte Technical College is a chain of for-profit technical colleges throughout the Southern United States.-Accreditation:Miller-Motte is accredited by the Accrediting Council for Independent Colleges and Schools...
- main campus in Wilmington, North CarolinaWilmington, North CarolinaWilmington is a port city in and is the county seat of New Hanover County, North Carolina, United States. The population is 106,476 according to the 2010 Census, making it the eighth most populous city in the state of North Carolina... - Troy UniversityTroy UniversityTroy University is a public university that is located in Troy, Alabama, United States. It was originally founded in 1887 as Troy Normal School. Its main campus enrollment is 7,194 students. The total enrollment of all Troy University campuses is 29,689...
- main campus in Troy, AlabamaTroy, AlabamaTroy is a city in Pike County, Alabama, United States. As of the 2010 census, the population was 18,003. Troy experienced a growth spurt of over 4,000+ people since 2000. The city is the county seat of Pike County.... - Virginia CollegeVirginia CollegeVirginia College is a non Regionally Accredited chain of private for-profit post-secondary institutions located primarily in the Southeastern United States. It is a Proprietary college which, in comparison to traditional colleges or universities, offers classes related to specific professions...
- main campus in Birmingham, AlabamaBirmingham, AlabamaBirmingham is the largest city in Alabama. The city is the county seat of Jefferson County. According to the 2010 United States Census, Birmingham had a population of 212,237. The Birmingham-Hoover Metropolitan Area, in estimate by the U.S...
Private
- Christian Life School of Theology
- Rivertown School of Beauty
- Southeastern Beauty School
- Strayer UniversityStrayer UniversityStrayer University, formerly Strayer College of Baltimore, Maryland, is a private, for-profit educational institution. The Strayer University campuses are owned by Strayer Education, Inc. , headquartered in Herndon, Virginia....
- main campus in Baltimore, Maryland - University of PhoenixUniversity of PhoenixThe University of Phoenix is a for-profit institution of higher learning. It is a wholly owned subsidiary of Apollo Group Inc. which is publicly traded , an S&P 500 corporation based in Phoenix, Arizona...
- main campus in Phoenix, ArizonaPhoenix, ArizonaPhoenix is the capital, and largest city, of the U.S. state of Arizona, as well as the sixth most populated city in the United States. Phoenix is home to 1,445,632 people according to the official 2010 U.S. Census Bureau data...
Media and communications
Columbus is served by the Columbus, Georgia Designated Market Area (DMA)Media market
A media market, broadcast market, media region, designated market area , Television Market Area , or simply market is a region where the population can receive the same television and radio station offerings, and may also include other types of media including newspapers and Internet content...
. Charter Communications
Charter Communications
Charter Communications is an American company providing cable television, high-speed Internet, and telephone services to more than 4.7 million customers in 25 states. By revenues, it is the fourth-largest cable operator in the United States, behind Comcast, Time Warner Cable, and Cox Communications...
, Comcast
Comcast
Comcast Corporation is the largest cable operator, home Internet service provider, and fourth largest home telephone service provider in the United States, providing cable television, broadband Internet, and telephone service to both residential and commercial customers in 39 states and the...
, Knology
Knology
Knology Inc. is a cable company that formed in 1994 by ITC Holding Company, Inc, a telecommunications holding company in West Point, Georgia that also founded Internet service provider Mindspring. In late 1994, shortly after Knology's inception, two employees made a $600,000 investment to make...
, and Mediacom
Mediacom
Mediacom is a cable television and communications provider in the United States. Founded in July 1995, it serves primarily smaller markets in the Midwest and Southern United States. Formerly a publicly traded firm, it went private in a $600.0 million transaction in March 2011 and is, as of 2011,...
provide cable television
Cable television
Cable television is a system of providing television programs to consumers via radio frequency signals transmitted to televisions through coaxial cables or digital light pulses through fixed optical fibers located on the subscriber's property, much like the over-the-air method used in traditional...
service. DirecTV
DirecTV
DirecTV is an American direct broadcast satellite service provider and broadcaster based in El Segundo, California. Its satellite service, launched on June 17, 1994, transmits digital satellite television and audio to households in the United States, Latin America, and the Anglophone Caribbean. ...
and Dish Network
Dish Network
Dish Network Corporation is the second largest pay TV provider in the United States, providing direct broadcast satellite service—including satellite television, audio programming, and interactive television services—to 14.337 million commercial and residential customers in the United States. Dish...
provide direct broadcast satellite
Direct broadcast satellite
Direct broadcast satellite is a term used to refer to satellite television broadcasts intended for home reception.A designation broader than DBS would be direct-to-home signals, or DTH. This has initially distinguished the transmissions directly intended for home viewers from cable television...
television including both local and national channels to area residents.
Newspapers
- The Ledger-Enquirer, the only daily newspaper in Columbus.
- The Columbus Times, a weekly publication featuring African-American perspectives of current events.
- The Bayonet, a weekly publication of news and events in Fort BenningFort BenningFort Benning is a United States Army post located southeast of the city of Columbus in Muscogee and Chattahoochee counties in Georgia and Russell County, Alabama...
and south Columbus. - The Courier and Eco Latino, a biweekly tabloid combining news and opinion about African-American issues with the city's only Spanish-language newspaper.
- Playgrounds Magazine, a monthly entertainment and arts magazine.
- The Saber, the Columbus State UniversityColumbus State UniversityColumbus State University is a public institution of higher learning located in Columbus, Georgia. Founded as Columbus College in 1958, the university was established and is administered by the Board of Regents of the University System of Georgia, and is fully accredited by the Commission on...
campus newspaper. - Tid Bits, a weekly publication featuring news throughout the southeast.
- To Do, a weekly publication featuring current events.
AM stations
FM stations
Television
Movie theaters
The following 6 movie theaterMovie theater
A movie theater, cinema, movie house, picture theater, film theater is a venue, usually a building, for viewing motion pictures ....
s located in the Columbus area:
- Carmike 15Carmike CinemasCarmike Cinemas Inc. is a motion picture exhibitor headquartered in Columbus, Georgia in the United States of America. As of December 31, 2010 it operates or has an interest in 239 theaters with 2,236 screens in 35 states, making it the fourth largest theatre company in the United States.Carmike...
- Ritz 13Carmike CinemasCarmike Cinemas Inc. is a motion picture exhibitor headquartered in Columbus, Georgia in the United States of America. As of December 31, 2010 it operates or has an interest in 239 theaters with 2,236 screens in 35 states, making it the fourth largest theatre company in the United States.Carmike...
- Wynnsong 10Carmike CinemasCarmike Cinemas Inc. is a motion picture exhibitor headquartered in Columbus, Georgia in the United States of America. As of December 31, 2010 it operates or has an interest in 239 theaters with 2,236 screens in 35 states, making it the fourth largest theatre company in the United States.Carmike...
- Wynnsong 10Carmike CinemasCarmike Cinemas Inc. is a motion picture exhibitor headquartered in Columbus, Georgia in the United States of America. As of December 31, 2010 it operates or has an interest in 239 theaters with 2,236 screens in 35 states, making it the fourth largest theatre company in the United States.Carmike...
(Fort BenningFort BenningFort Benning is a United States Army post located southeast of the city of Columbus in Muscogee and Chattahoochee counties in Georgia and Russell County, Alabama...
) - Peachtree 8Carmike CinemasCarmike Cinemas Inc. is a motion picture exhibitor headquartered in Columbus, Georgia in the United States of America. As of December 31, 2010 it operates or has an interest in 239 theaters with 2,236 screens in 35 states, making it the fourth largest theatre company in the United States.Carmike...
- National Infantry MuseumNational Infantry MuseumThe National Infantry Museum is a museum located in South Columbus, Georgia, just outside Fort Benning, the home of the Infantry. The museum honors the history of infantry forces in the United States Army.The museum is in size and cost $107 million to build...
IMAXIMAXIMAX is a motion picture film format and a set of proprietary cinema projection standards created by the Canadian company IMAX Corporation. IMAX has the capacity to record and display images of far greater size and resolution than conventional film systems...
3D
Airports
The following are public general aviationGeneral aviation
General aviation is one of the two categories of civil aviation. It refers to all flights other than military and scheduled airline and regular cargo flights, both private and commercial. General aviation flights range from gliders and powered parachutes to large, non-scheduled cargo jet flights...
airports that operate in the metropolitan area:
- The Columbus Airport is the metro area's primary airport and the fourth busiest airport in Georgia. It is located just off of I-185Interstate 185 (Georgia)Interstate 185 is a 49.30-mile secondary interstate in western Georgia. I-185 is also known as unsigned State Route 411, and is named the Chet Atkins Parkway for its entire length. It provides a freeway connection from Columbus and Fort Benning to Atlanta. Its southern terminus is at U.S. 27, U.S...
exit 8. It is served by Atlantic Southeast AirlinesAtlantic Southeast AirlinesAtlantic Southeast Airlines is an American airline based in the A-Tech Center in College Park, Georgia, flying to 144 destinations as a Delta Connection carrier and, as of February 2010, commenced service as a United Express carrier. It is a wholly owned subsidiary of SkyWest, Inc. ASA operates...
and American EagleAmerican Eagle AirlinesAmerican Eagle Airlines is a brand name used by American Eagle Airlines, Inc. , based in Fort Worth, Texas, and Executive Airlines based in San Juan, Puerto Rico, in the operation of passenger air service as regional affiliates of American Airlines. All three airlines are wholly owned subsidiaries...
, both of whom offer many daily flights to AtlantaHartsfield-Jackson Atlanta International AirportHartsfield–Jackson Atlanta International Airport , known locally as Atlanta Airport, Hartsfield Airport, and Hartsfield–Jackson, is located seven miles south of the central business district of Atlanta, Georgia, United States...
and Dallas/Fort Worth.
The following are private general aviation
General aviation
General aviation is one of the two categories of civil aviation. It refers to all flights other than military and scheduled airline and regular cargo flights, both private and commercial. General aviation flights range from gliders and powered parachutes to large, non-scheduled cargo jet flights...
airports that operate in the metropolitan area:
- Harris County Airport , located in Pine Mountain, Georgia.
- Jones Light Aviation Airport, located in Smiths Station, AlabamaSmiths Station, AlabamaSmiths Station is a city in Lee County, Alabama, United States. It is a part of the Columbus, Georgia-Alabama Metropolitan Statistical Area. The city is also known by locals as Smiths, although the official name is Smiths Station...
- Marion County Airport, located in Buena Vista, GeorgiaBuena Vista, GeorgiaBuena Vista is a city in Marion County, Georgia, United States. It is part of the Columbus, Georgia-Alabama Metropolitan Statistical Area. The population was 1,664 at the 2000 census. The city is the county seat of Marion County. It is the birthplace of Congressional Medal of Honor recipient Luther...
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The following is a military aviation airport that operates in the metropolitan area:
- Lawson Army AirfieldLawson Army AirfieldLawson Army Airfield is a military airport located at Fort Benning in Chattahoochee County, Georgia, south of the city of Columbus, Georgia. It is Fort Benning's primary Force Projection Platform.- Facilities :Lawson Army Airfield has one runway:...
, located on Fort BenningFort BenningFort Benning is a United States Army post located southeast of the city of Columbus in Muscogee and Chattahoochee counties in Georgia and Russell County, Alabama...
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Highways
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Interstate 185Interstate 185 (Georgia)Interstate 185 is a 49.30-mile secondary interstate in western Georgia. I-185 is also known as unsigned State Route 411, and is named the Chet Atkins Parkway for its entire length. It provides a freeway connection from Columbus and Fort Benning to Atlanta. Its southern terminus is at U.S. 27, U.S...
U.S. Routes
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U.S. Route 27U.S. Route 27 in GeorgiaIn the U.S. state of Georgia, U.S. Route 27 runs north–south near the western border . The whole route is Governor's Road Improvement Program corridor EDS-27, providing the bulk of the Tallahassee, Florida - Chattanooga, Tennessee corridor. All of US 27 in Georgia is designated State Route 1... -
U.S. Route 80U.S. Route 80U.S. Route 80 is an east–west United States highway, much of which was once part of the early auto trail known as the Dixie Overland Highway. As the "0" in the route number indicates, it was originally a cross-country route, from the Atlantic to the Pacific... -
U.S. Route 280U.S. Route 280U.S. Route 280 is a spur of U.S. Highway 80. It currently runs for 392 miles from Blichton, Georgia at U.S. Highway 80 to Birmingham, Alabama at I-20/I-59. For much of its route, U.S. 280 travels through rural areas and smaller cities in southern Georgia and east central Alabama. Once the... -
U.S. Route 431U.S. Route 431U.S. Route 431 is a spur of U.S. Route 31. It currently runs for 556 miles from Owensboro, Kentucky at U.S. Route 60 to Dothan, Alabama, at U.S. Route 231 and U.S. Route 84. Through many parts of US 431 it is a two lane with not many places of it being a four lane highway.-Alabama:U.S. 431 is...
Georgia State Routes
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S.R. 1 -
S.R. 22Georgia State Route 22State Route 22 is a state route located in the central part of the U.S. state of Georgia. The route travels from the Alabama state line in Columbus east, then northeast, then north, to Comer.-Route description:... -
S.R. 85Georgia State Route 85State Route 85 is a Georgia state route that begins in Columbus and ends just west of Forest Park in north Clayton County. Besides Columbus, the route passes through only one county seat, Fayetteville in Fayette County... -
S.R. 219 -
S.R. 411Interstate 185 (Georgia)Interstate 185 is a 49.30-mile secondary interstate in western Georgia. I-185 is also known as unsigned State Route 411, and is named the Chet Atkins Parkway for its entire length. It provides a freeway connection from Columbus and Fort Benning to Atlanta. Its southern terminus is at U.S. 27, U.S... -
S.R. 520Georgia State Route 520State Route 520, also known as the South Georgia Parkway, is a state route in southern Georgia. Its western terminus occurs at the Alabama state line on a bridge over the Chattahoochee River that also carries U.S. Highway 280. Georgia 520 becomes unsigned State Route 38 upon crossing the border. ... -
S.R. 540Fall Line FreewayThe Fall Line Freeway is a highway currently being constructed that will run the width of the state of Georgia from Columbus to Augusta, passing through several cities including Macon and Milledgeville. It will be designated State Route 540 upon completion, and it will be a four-lane divided...
Public transit
METRA Transit SystemMETRA Transit System
The METRA Transit System is the primary provider of mass transportation in Muscogee County, Georgia. The agency was founded in 1978 after the bankruptcy of Howard Bus Lines, the private company that had previously provided public transportation to the area...
is the primary provider of mass transportation in Muscogee County, currently operating nine routes in Columbus. The current public transportation services are operated as a function of the Columbus Consolidated Government under METRA.
Greyhound Lines
Greyhound Lines
Greyhound Lines, Inc., based in Dallas, Texas, is an intercity common carrier of passengers by bus serving over 3,700 destinations in the United States, Canada and Mexico, operating under the well-known logo of a leaping greyhound. It was founded in Hibbing, Minnesota, USA, in 1914 and...
provides intercity bus
Intercity bus
An intercity bus is a bus that carries passengers significant distances between different cities, towns, or other populated areas. Unlike a municipal bus, which has frequent stops throughout a city or town, an intercity bus generally has a single stop at a centralized location within the city, and...
service with the Columbus station located on Veterans Parkway, Downtown Columbus
Downtown Columbus, Georgia
Downtown Columbus, Georgia, also called "Uptown" , is the central business district of the city of Columbus, Georgia. The commercial and governmental heart of the city has traditionally been toward the eastern end of Downtown Columbus, between 10th Street and 1st Avenue...
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Columbus Airport Shuttle Service provides luxury shuttle service between Columbus, Fort Benning, and the Atlanta Hartsfield International Airport.
Groome Transportation is a ground transportation
Ground transportation
Ground transportation refers to the public and private movement of people via land vehicles in association with airports.This term can include references to vehicles or infrastructure, such as roads or railways and is often used in connection with airline travel...
carrier that operates shuttle and charter services between Columbus and the Atlanta Hartsfield International Airport.
Taxi cab and limousine
Limousine
A limousine is a luxury sedan or saloon car, especially one with a lengthened wheelbase or driven by a chauffeur. The chassis of a limousine may have been extended by the manufacturer or by an independent coachbuilder. These are called "stretch" limousines and are traditionally black or white....
services are provided by more than two-dozen companies throughout the Columbus area.
Healthcare
- Aflac Cancer Center and Blood Disorders Service
- Columbus Regional Hospital
- Columbus Specialty Hospital
- Doctors Hospital
- Hughston Orthopedic Hospital
- Martin Army Community Hospital
- St. Francis Hospital
- Veterans Affairs Columbus Clinic
- West Central Georgia Regional Hospital
Notable residents
The following people are closely associated with the city of Columbus, or one of its surrounding communities, and have garnered a level of national or international recognition. For a more comprehensive list of notable Columbus natives and residents, see People from Columbus, Georgia.
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Carson McCullers Carson McCullers was an American writer. She wrote novels, short stories, and two plays, as well as essays and some poetry. Her first novel The Heart Is a Lonely Hunter explores the spiritual isolation of misfits and outcasts of the South... , novelist, author of The Heart Is a Lonely Hunter The Heart Is a Lonely Hunter The Heart Is a Lonely Hunter is the debut 1940 novel by American author Carson McCullers. Written in Charlotte, North Carolina, in houses on Central Avenue and East Boulevard, it is about a deaf man named John Singer and the people he encounters in a 1930s mill town in the US state of Georgia... Sam Mitchell (basketball) Samuel "Sam" E. Mitchell, Jr. is a retired American professional basketball player and a former head coach in the National Basketball Association . He is currently an assistant coach with the New Jersey Nets.... , former NBA player and coach Curley Money Curley Money was an American rockabilly musician.Robert Earnest Money, known by his stage name Curley Money, was the youngest of eight children born to a sharecropper in Haleburg, Alabama... , Rockabilly artist and songwriter Bebo Norman Jeffrey Stephen "Bebo" Norman is a contemporary Christian musician from Columbus, Georgia, USA. His most successful album to date is Myself When I Am Real, which included hit songs "Great Light of the World" and "Falling Down". Other popular songs by Norman include "Disappear", "Nothing Without... , Contemporary Christian Contemporary Christian music Contemporary Christian music is a genre of modern popular music which is lyrically focused on matters concerned with the Christian faith... singer and songwriter Nate Odomes Nathaniel Bernard Odomes is a former professional American football defensive back who played for the Buffalo Bills , Seattle Seahawks , and the Atlanta Falcons... , former NFL defensive back Defensive back In American football and Canadian football, defensive backs are the players on the defensive team who take positions somewhat back from the line of scrimmage; they are distinguished from the defensive line players and linebackers, who take positions directly behind or close to the line of... George Foster Peabody George Foster Peabody was a banker and philanthropist.-Early life:... , namesake of the Peabody Award Peabody Award The George Foster Peabody Awards recognize distinguished and meritorious public service by radio and television stations, networks, producing organizations and individuals. In 1939, the National Association of Broadcasters formed a committee to recognize outstanding achievement in radio broadcasting... Coca-Cola Coca-Cola is a carbonated soft drink sold in stores, restaurants, and vending machines in more than 200 countries. It is produced by The Coca-Cola Company of Atlanta, Georgia, and is often referred to simply as Coke... James Rachels James Rachels was an American philosopher who specialized in ethics.-Biography:Rachels was born in Columbus, Georgia, and graduated from Mercer University in 1962. He received his Ph.D. in 1967 from the University of North Carolina, Chapel Hill, studying under Professors W. D. Falk and E. M. Adams... , philosopher Ma Rainey Ma Rainey was one of the earliest known American professional blues singers and one of the first generation of such singers to record. She was billed as The Mother of the Blues.... , Blues musician known as "The Mother of the Blues" Colby Rasmus Colby Ryan Rasmus is an American professional baseball outfielder for the Toronto Blue Jays of Major League Baseball.-Early years:... , Major League Baseball player Otis Sistrunk Otis Sistrunk is a former professional football player who played seven seasons as a defensive lineman, from 1972 to 1978. He played his entire National Football League career with the Oakland Raiders. Sistrunk later became a professional wrestler in the National Wrestling Alliance... , former NFL defensive tackle Mack Strong Mack Carlington Strong is a former professional American football fullback and running back coach for the Seattle Seahawks of the National Football League. He currently is a football sportscaster for Root Sports Northwest... , former NFL fullback Fullback (American football) A fullback is a position in the offensive backfield in American and Canadian football, and is one of the two running back positions along with the halfback... Frank Thomas (AL baseball player) Frank Edward Thomas, Jr. , nicknamed "The Big Hurt", is a former Major League Baseball designated hitter and first baseman.... , former Major League Baseball player Keni Thomas Keni Thomas is an American country music singer and former United States Army Ranger who served in The Battle of Mogadishu, portrayed in the 2001 film Black Hawk Down... , country music Country music Country music is a popular American musical style that began in the rural Southern United States in the 1920s. It takes its roots from Western cowboy and folk music... singer Rozonda Thomas Rozonda Ocelean Thomas , best known by her stage name Chilli, is a four-time Grammy Award–winning American R&B singer and actress who rose to fame as one third of the successful R&B/Hip-Hop/Pop girl group TLC.-Early life:... , singer known as "Chilli" in the female group, TLC TLC (band) TLC is an American musical trio whose repertoire spanned R&B, hip-hop, soul, funk, and new jack swing. Originally consisting of singer Tionne "T-Boz" Watkins, rapper-singer Lisa "Left Eye" Lopes and singer Rozonda "Chilli" Thomas it found success in the 1990s while also enduring a series of spats... Cleo Walker Cleo Walker is a former linebacker and center in the National Football League.-Career:Walker was drafted by the Green Bay Packers in the seventh round of the 1970 NFL Draft and played that season with the team. The following season he played with the Atlanta Falcons.He played at the collegiate... , former NFL linebacker Linebacker A linebacker is a position in American football that was invented by football coach Fielding H. Yost of the University of Michigan. Linebackers are members of the defensive team, and line up approximately three to five yards behind the line of scrimmage, behind the defensive linemen... and center Center (American football) Center is a position in American football and Canadian football . The center is the innermost lineman of the offensive line on a football team's offense... Danny Whitten Daniel Ray Whitten was an American musician and songwriter best known for his work with Neil Young and Crazy Horse, and for the song "I Don't Want To Talk About It", a hit for Rita Coolidge, Rod Stewart and Everything but the Girl.- Biography :Whitten was born on May 8, 1943, in Columbus, Georgia.... , musician Blind Tom Wiggins Thomas "Blind Tom" Wiggins was an African American autistic savant and musical prodigy on the piano. He had numerous original compositions published and had a lengthy and largely successful performing career throughout the United States... , pianist and savant Comedian A comedian or comic is a person who seeks to entertain an audience, primarily by making them laugh. This might be through jokes or amusing situations, or acting a fool, as in slapstick, or employing prop comedy... and country music singer Robert W. Woodruff Robert Winship Woodruff was the president of The Coca-Cola Company from 1923 until 1954. With his enormous Coke fortune, he was also a major philanthropist, and many educational and cultural landmarks in the U.S... , long-time president of The Coca-Cola Company The Coca-Cola Company The Coca-Cola Company is an American multinational beverage corporation and manufacturer, retailer and marketer of non-alcoholic beverage concentrates and syrups. The company is best known for its flagship product Coca-Cola, invented in 1886 by pharmacist John Stith Pemberton in Columbus, Georgia... |
Sister cities
Columbus has four official sister cities: ZugdidiZugdidi
Zugdidi is a city in the Western Georgian historical province of Samegrelo . It is situated in the north-west of that province. The city is located 318 kilometres west of Tbilisi, 30 km. from Black sea coast and 30 km. from Egrisi range. 100-110 metres above sea level. As of 2007, it had a...
, Georgia
Georgia (country)
Georgia is a sovereign state in the Caucasus region of Eurasia. Located at the crossroads of Western Asia and Eastern Europe, it is bounded to the west by the Black Sea, to the north by Russia, to the southwest by Turkey, to the south by Armenia, and to the southeast by Azerbaijan. The capital of...
Kiryū
Kiryu, Gunma
is a city in Gunma, Japan, near the cities of Ōta and Ashikaga. Incorporated on March 1, 1921, Kiryū is considered both a city and part of the Greater Tokyo Metropolitan Area, although it is still widely thought of as a rural area...
, Japan
Japan
Japan is an island nation in East Asia. Located in the Pacific Ocean, it lies to the east of the Sea of Japan, China, North Korea, South Korea and Russia, stretching from the Sea of Okhotsk in the north to the East China Sea and Taiwan in the south...
Bistriţa
Bistrita
Bistrița is the capital city of Bistriţa-Năsăud County, Transylvania, Romania. It is situated on the Bistriţa River. The city has a population of approximately 80,000 inhabitants, and it administers six villages: Ghinda, Sărata, Sigmir, Slătiniţa, Unirea and Viişoara.-History:The earliest sign of...
, Romania
Romania
Romania is a country located at the crossroads of Central and Southeastern Europe, on the Lower Danube, within and outside the Carpathian arch, bordering on the Black Sea...
Taichung
Taichung
-Demographics:Taichung’s population was an estimated 1,040,725 in August 2006. There are slightly more females in the city than males.24.32% of residents are children, while 16.63% are young people, 52.68% are middle-age, and 6.73% are elderly....
, Taiwan
Taiwan
Taiwan , also known, especially in the past, as Formosa , is the largest island of the same-named island group of East Asia in the western Pacific Ocean and located off the southeastern coast of mainland China. The island forms over 99% of the current territory of the Republic of China following...
See also
- Downtown ColumbusDowntown Columbus, GeorgiaDowntown Columbus, Georgia, also called "Uptown" , is the central business district of the city of Columbus, Georgia. The commercial and governmental heart of the city has traditionally been toward the eastern end of Downtown Columbus, between 10th Street and 1st Avenue...
- MidTown Columbus
- List of neighborhoods in Columbus, Georgia
- List of mayors of Columbus, Georgia
- List of schools in Muscogee County, Georgia
- Metro ColumbusColumbus, Georgia metropolitan areaThe Columbus, Georgia Metropolitan Statistical Area, as defined by the United States Census Bureau, is an area consisting of four counties in Georgia and one county in Alabama, anchored by the city of Columbus...
- Black Heritage Trail (Columbus, Georgia)Black Heritage Trail (Columbus, Georgia)The Black Heritage Trail is a National Recreation Trail located in Columbus, Georgia. It is an urban trail connecting 30 African American Heritage Points of interest. The Trail features many contributions and significant events in African American History of Columbus.# Ma Rainey Home# First...
– a National Recreation TrailNational Recreation TrailNational Recreation Trail is a designation given to existing trails that contribute to health, conservation, and recreation goals in the United States. Over 1,000 trails in all 50 U.S. states, available for public use and ranging from less than a mile to in length, have been designated as NRTs...
going though the city
Further Reading
- Our Town: An Introduction to the History of Columbus, Georgia by Roger Harris, 1992, Historic Columbus Foundation
- Columbus, Georgia (Black America Series) by Judith Grant, 1999, Arcadia PublishingArcadia PublishingArcadia Publishing is an American publisher of local history.-History:It was founded in Dover, New Hampshire in 1993 by United Kingdom-based Tempus Publishing, but became independent in 2004....
- Columbus Celebrates The Millennium: An International Quest (The American Enterprise Series) by Pamela Baker and Delane Chappell, 1999, Community Communications Inc.
- Yankee Blitzkrieg: Wilson's Raid Through Alabama and Georgia by James Pickett Jones, 2000, University Press of KentuckyUniversity Press of KentuckyThe University Press of Kentucky is the scholarly publisher for the Commonwealth of Kentucky, and was organized in 1969 as successor to the University of Kentucky Press. The university had sponsored scholarly publication since 1943. In 1949 the press was established as a separate academic agency...
- Columbus, Georgia in Vintage Postcards (GA) (Postcard History Series) by Kenneth H. Thomas, Jr., 2001, Arcadia PublishingArcadia PublishingArcadia Publishing is an American publisher of local history.-History:It was founded in Dover, New Hampshire in 1993 by United Kingdom-based Tempus Publishing, but became independent in 2004....
- Historic Linwood Cemetery (Images of America: Georgia) by Linda J. Kennedy, 2004, Arcadia PublishingArcadia PublishingArcadia Publishing is an American publisher of local history.-History:It was founded in Dover, New Hampshire in 1993 by United Kingdom-based Tempus Publishing, but became independent in 2004....
- Hell's Broke Loose in Georgia: Survival in a Civil War Regiment by Scott Walker, 2007, University of Georgia PressUniversity of Georgia PressThe University of Georgia Press or UGA Press is a publishing house and is a member of the Association of American University Presses.Founded in 1938, the UGA Press is a division of the University of Georgia and is located on the campus in Athens, Georgia, USA...
- Lower Chattahoochee River (GA) (Images of America) by The Columbus Museum, 2007, Arcadia PublishingArcadia PublishingArcadia Publishing is an American publisher of local history.-History:It was founded in Dover, New Hampshire in 1993 by United Kingdom-based Tempus Publishing, but became independent in 2004....
- Columbus, Georgia, 1865: The Last True Battle of the Civil War, by Charles A. Misulia, 2010, University of Alabama PressUniversity of Alabama PressThe University of Alabama Press was founded in 1945 and is the scholarly publishing arm of the University of Alabama.An Editorial Board composed of representatives from all doctoral degree granting public universities within Alabama oversees the publishing program. Projects are selected that...
External links
- Official Homepage
- Columbus Georgia Consolidated Government
- Columbus (entry in the New Georgia Encyclopedia)
- Columbus travel information from WikitravelWikitravel-External links:* *...