Founded in 1828 by an act of theGeorgia Legislature, Columbus was situated at the beginning of the navigable portion of the Chattahoochee River and on the last stretch of theFederal Road before entering Alabama. The city was named forChristopher Columbus. The plan for the city was drawn up by Dr. Edwin L. DeGraffenried, who placed the town on a bluff overlooking the river.Edward Lloyd Thomas (surveyor) was selected to lay out the town on 1,200 acres. Across the river to the west, where Phenix City, Alabama, is now located, lived several tribes of the Creek and other Georgia and Alabama indigenous peoples. Most Creeks moved west with the 1826Treaty of Washington. Those who stayed and fought were forciblyremoved in 1836.[8]
The river served as Columbus's connection to the world, particularly enabling it to ship its commodity cotton crops from theplantations to the international cotton market viaNew Orleans and ultimatelyLiverpool, England. The city's commercial importance increased in the 1850s with the arrival of the railroad. In addition,textile mills were developed 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 theLowell of the South, referring to an important textile mill town in Massachusetts.[9]
When theAmerican Civil War broke out in 1861, the industries of Columbus expanded their production; this became one of the most important centers of industry in theConfederacy. During the war, Columbus ranked second only to the Confederate capital city ofRichmond, Virginia in the manufacture of supplies for the Confederate army. The Eagle Manufacturing Company made various textiles, especially woolens for Confederate uniforms. The Columbus Iron Works manufactured cannons and machinery for the nearbyConfederate Navy shipyard, Greenwood and Gray made firearms, and Louis and Elias Haimon produced swords and bayonets. Smaller firms provided additional munitions and sundries. As the war turned in favor of theUnion, each industry faced exponentially growing shortages of raw materials and skilled labor, as well as worsening financial opportunities.[10][11]
Reconstruction began almost immediately and prosperity followed. Factories such as theEagle and Phenix Mills were revived and the industrialization of the town led to rapid growth, causing the city to outgrow its original plan. TheSpringer Opera House was built during this time, attracting such notables as Irish writerOscar Wilde. The Springer is now the official State Theater of Georgia.
By the time of theSpanish–American War, the city's modernization included the addition of a newwaterworks, as well astrolleys extending to outlying neighborhoods such as Rose Hill and Lakebottom. Mayor Lucius Chappell also brought a training camp for soldiers to the area. This training camp, named Camp Benning, grew into present-dayFort Benning, named for GeneralHenry L. Benning, a native of the city. Fort Benning was one of theten U.S. Army installations named for former Confederate generals that were renamed on 11 May 2023, following a recommendation from the congressionally mandatedNaming Commission that Fort Benning be renamedFort Moore after Lieutenant GeneralHal Moore and his wifeJulia Compton Moore, both of whom are buried on post. On 3 March 2025, the Secretary of Defense ordered that the name of Fort Moore be reverted to Fort Benning. The new name pays tribute to CorporalFred G. Benning, who was awarded theDistinguished Service Cross for his extraordinary heroism in action during World War I with the U.S. Army in France in 1918.[12]
In the spring of 1866, theLadies Memorial Association of Columbus passed a resolution to set aside one day annually to memorialize theConfederate dead. The secretary of the association,Mary Ann Williams, was directed to write a letter inviting the ladies of every Southern state to join them in the observance.[13] The letter was written in March 1866 and sent to representatives of all of the principal cities in the South, including Atlanta,Macon, Montgomery, Memphis,Richmond, St. Louis, Alexandria, Columbia, andNew Orleans. This was the beginning of the influential work by ladies' organizations to honor the war dead.
The date for the holiday was selected by Elizabeth Rutherford Ellis.[14] She chose April 26, the first anniversary of Confederate GeneralJohnston's final surrender to Union GeneralSherman atBennett Place, North Carolina. For many in the South, that act marked the official end of the Civil War.[13]
In 1868, GeneralJohn A. Logan, commander in chief of the Union Civil War Veterans Fraternity called theGrand Army of the Republic, launched theMemorial Day holiday that is now observed across the entire United States. General Logan's wife said he had borrowed from practices of Confederate Memorial Day. She wrote that Logan "said it was not too late for the Union men of the nation to follow the example of the people of the South in perpetuating the memory of their friends who had died for the cause they thought just and right."[15]
While two dozen cities across the country claim to have originated the Memorial Day holiday, Bellware and Gardiner firmly establish that the holiday began in Columbus. InThe Genesis of the Memorial Day Holiday in America, they show that the Columbus Ladies Memorial Association's call to observe a day annually to decorate soldiers' graves inaugurated a movement first in the South and then in the North to honor the soldiers who died during the Civil War.[16]
With the expansion of the city, leaders established Columbus College, a two-year institution, which later evolved intoColumbus State University, now a comprehensive center of higher learning and part of theUniversity System of Georgia.
The city government and the county consolidated in 1971, the first such consolidation in Georgia and one of only 16 in the U.S. at the time.
"Columbus, Georgia: the Place with the Power and the Push"
Expanding on its industrial base of textile mills, the city is the home of the headquarters forAflac,Synovus, andTSYS.
The Muscogee County Courthouse in 1941, which was demolished in 1973
From the 1960s through the 1980s, the subsidized construction of highways and suburbs resulted in drawing off the middle and upper classes, withurban blight,white flight, and prostitution 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. It was designated as the State Theatre of Georgia, helping spark a movement to preserve the city's history. This effort has documented and preserved various historic districts in and around downtown.
Through the late 1960s and early 1970s, large residential neighborhoods were built to accommodate the soldiers coming back from theVietnam War and for those associated with Fort Benning. These range from Wesley Woods to Leesburg to Brittney and Willowbrook and the high-end Sears Woods and Windsor Park. Large tracts of blighted areas were cleaned up. 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, the city has attracted residents and businesses to formerly blighted areas. Municipal projects have included construction of a softball complex, which hosted the1996 Olympic softball competition; theChattahoochee RiverWalk; theNational Civil War Naval Museum at Port Columbus; and the Coca-Cola Space Science Center. Other notable projects were the expansion of theColumbus Museum and road improvements to include a new downtown bridge crossing the Chattahoochee River and into Phenix City. During the late 1990s, commercial activity expanded north of downtown along theI-185 corridor.
Folder of souvenir postcards of Columbus and Fort Benning
In 2002, Columbus State University, which previously faced expansion limits due to existing residential and commercial districts surrounding it, began a second campus downtown, starting by moving the music department into the newly openedRiverCenter for the Performing Arts. The university's art, drama, and nursing departments also moved to downtown locations. Such initiatives have provided Columbus with a cultural niche; downtown features modern architecture mixed among older brick facades.
The Ready to Raft 2012 project created an estimated 700 new jobs and is projected to bring in $42 million annually to the Columbus area. Demolishing an up-river dam allowed the project to construct the longest urbanwhitewater rafting course in the world.[17] According to the Columbus Convention and Visitors Bureau, this initiative, in addition to other outdoor and indoor tourist attractions, led to around 1.8 million visitors coming to Columbus during the city's 2015fiscal year.[18]
The city predicted that an additional 30,000 soldiers would be trained annually at Fort Benning in upcoming years due tobase realignment and closure of other facilities.[19]
In October 2024, Columbus Police Department Chief Stoney Mathis announced a full staff had been achieved. The Department reported a force consisting of 369 police officers and 54dispatchers.[20]
Columbus is one of Georgia's threeFall Line cities, along withAugusta andMacon. TheFall Line is where the hilly lands of thePiedmontplateau meet the flat terrain of thecoastal plain. As such, Columbus has a varied landscape of rolling hills on the north side and flat plains on the south. Thefall line causes rivers in the area to decline rapidly towards sea level. Textile mills were established here in the 19th and early 20th centuries to take advantage of the water power from the falls.
Interstate 185 runs north–south through the middle of the city, with nine exits within Muscogee County. I-185 runs north about 50 mi (80 km) from its beginning to a junction withI-85 just east ofLaGrange and about 60 mi (97 km) southwest of Atlanta.U.S. Route 27,U.S. Route 280, andGeorgia State Route 520 (known as South Georgia Parkway) all meet in the interior of the city.U.S. Route 80 runs through the northern part of the city, locally known as J.R. Allen Parkway;Alternate U.S. Route 27 andGeorgia State Route 85 run northeast from the city, locally known as Manchester Expressway.
According to theUS Census Bureau, the city has a total area of 221.0 square miles (572 km2), of which 216.3 square miles (560 km2) are land and 4.7 square miles (12 km2) (2.14%) are covered by water.
Columbus has ahumid subtropical climate (KöppenCfa). Daytime summer temperatures often reach highs in the mid-90°Fs, 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. Columbus is within USDAhardiness zone 8b in the city center and zone 8a in the suburbs.
Climate data forColumbus Airport, Georgia (1991–2020 normals,[22] extremes 1891–present)
Downtown, also sometimes called "Uptown" (though "Uptown" is actually the title given to both a nonprofit organization operating to encourage area growth and development or "urban renewal" in the city and also to the actual physical area of that development itself, which is an expanding subsection of the downtown district located in the areas from Broadway to the Chattahoochee River)[25] is the city'scentral business district, and home to multiple historic districts, homes, and churches, such as theColumbus Historic Riverfront Industrial District, theMott House, and theChurch of the Holy Family.
East Columbus is a predominantly residential area located east of MidTown.
MidTown is a residential and commercial area located directly east of Downtown; several historic districts have been designated. It is the location of the corporate headquarters ofAflac.
North Columbus, also called Northside, is a diverse suburban area, home to established neighborhoods andsubdivisions, such asGreen Island Hills and Oldtown.[26] It has multiple shopping and lifestyle areas.
South Columbus is situated just south of the MidTown region, and directly north of Fort Benning. It is the site of the National Infantry Museum, honoring the history of infantry forces in the U.S. Army. The museum was located here in an effort to introduce jobs and attract visitors to stimulate a variety of activities. It has had bars, honky tonks, and other businesses that appeal to young male soldiers from Fort Benning.
Columbus, Georgia – Racial and ethnic composition Note: the US Census treats Hispanic/Latino as an ethnic category. This table excludes Latinos from the racial categories and assigns them to a separate category. Hispanics/Latinos may be of any race.
Since the1830 United States census, Columbus has maintained a relatively positive population growth. At the2020 census, there were 206,922 people, 73,134 households, and 45,689 families residing in the city. At the2010 census, Columbus had a total population of 189,885, up from 186,291 in the 2000 census. The 2010 census reported 189,885 people, 72,124 households, and 47,686 families residing in the city. The population density was 861.4 inhabitants per square mile (332.6/km2). The 82,690 housing units had an average density of 352.3 per square mile (136.0/km2).
In 2010, the racial and ethnic composition of the city was 46.3% White, 45.5% African American, 2.2% Asian, 0.2% Native American, 0.14% Pacific Islander, and 1.90% fromother races. Hispanics or Latinos of any race were 6.4% of the population. In 2020, its population was 38.22%non-Hispanic white, 45.77% African American, 0.24% Native American, 2.68% Asian, 0.25% Pacific Islander, 0.52% some other race, 4.35% multiracial, an 7.98% Hispanic or Latino of any race.
At the 2010 census, median income for a household in the city was $41,331, and for a family was 41,244. Males had a median income of $30,238 versus $24,336 for females. Theper capita income for the city was $22,514. About 12.8% of families and 15.7% of the population were below thepoverty line, including 22.0% of those under age 18 and 12.1% of those age 65 or over. According to the 2022American Community Survey, the median household income throughout the city was $53,750 with a per capita income of $31,393. Approximately 17.8% of the population lived at or below the poverty line.[33]
Columbus' crime rate is above the national average. Columbus set a homicide record in 2021 with 70 homicides.[34] Growing gang activity within the city is a major reason for the rise in crime.[35][36] City leaders are actively working to reduce crime in the city.[37][38]
Founded in 1953, theColumbus Museum (accredited by theAmerican Alliance of Museums) contains artifacts of regional history and works of American art. It mounts displays from its permanent collection, as well as temporary exhibitions. It is the largest art and history museum in Georgia.
The National Infantry Museum and Soldier Center opened in June 2009, and includes displays related to the history of the infantry from the founding of the nation to the present. ItsIMAX theatre shows related films and special productions.
MidTown contains two of the city's early suburban shopping centers (the Village on 13th and St. Elmo), both recently renovated and offering local shops, restaurants, and services.
The Bradley Theater, a performance theatre, was opened in mid-1940 byParamount Pictures.
Columbus Civic Center, a 10,000-seat multi-purpose arena, opened in 1996. It is the primary arena used for concert and professional sporting events in Columbus. TheColumbus Lions indoor football team andColumbus River Dragons ice hockey team both call the Civic Center home.
Synovus Park, a 5,000 seat baseball stadium, was the former home to theColumbus Catfish and the minor-league Columbus Redstixx, and is the host stadium of theColumbus Clingstones.[40] It was also the site of the softball events of the 1996 Summer Olympics. It opened in 1926, making it the oldest baseball park in the city.
RiverCenter for the Performing Arts, a 2,000-seat modern performance theatre, first opened in 2002 and is operated by the Columbus nonprofit organization RiverCenter Inc. It is commonly used for local events, and occasionally used for nationally recognized performances.
TheSpringer Opera House, a National Historic Landmark and the official State Theatre of Georgia. Built in 1871, the Springer is a professional theatre which produces live theatre and hosts one of America's largest theatre training programs, the Springer Theatre Academy. Former United States PresidentJimmy Carter proclaimed it the State Theatre of Georgia for its 1971 centennial season. The legislature made the designation permanent in 1992.[41]
Columbus, Georgia: The Electric City. Compiled and published under the direction of the Convention and Publicity Bureau, Chamber of Commerce, Columbus, Georgia
TheChattahoochee RiverWalk is a 15-mile (24 km) walking/bike trail that connects users from Downtown to South Columbus and the northern section of Fort Benning.
The Columbus Fall Line Trace is an 11-mile (18 km) fitness trail that runs from Downtown to the northeastern section of the city.[42]
The Chattahoochee River whitewater opened in 2012. After both theEagle & Phenix Dam and the City Mills Dams were breached, river flow was restored to natural conditions, allowing the course to be created. The 2.5-mile (4.0 km) course is the longest urban whitewater rafting and kayaking in the world, and has been ranked the world's best manmade whitewater course byUSA Today.[44] It also features the Blue Heron Adventure, azip-line course connecting users from the Georgia side of the river to the Alabama side on an interstate zip-line over the Chattahoochee River. The course continues with several zip-lines and a ropes course on the Alabama side and completes with another zip-line back to Georgia.[45]
It has become a hub for whitewater kayakers, with outstanding standing waves year-round. In mid-winter it is referred to as the "Wintering Grounds" for big wave surfing athletes and enthusiasts.
Thecity council of Columbus, known as the Columbus Council, is composed of ten elected council members, eight of whom serve individual districts and two of whom serve the city at large.[46] The city has acouncil–manager government, with the city council appointing the city manager to implement city policy. Isaiah Hugley served as city manager from 2005-2025 and is currently vacant.[47][48]
TheMuscogee County School District holds preschool to grade 12, and consists of 35 elementary schools, 12 middle schools, and nine high schools.[50][51] The district has over 2,000 full-time teachers and over 31,899 students.[52]
Muscogee County School District serves all parts of the county except Fort Benning for grades K-12. Fort Benning children are zoned toDepartment of Defense Education Activity (DoDEA) schools for grades K-8.[53] However, high school students attend the public high schools in the respective counties they are located in.[54]
Columbus has had regularly scheduled air service since June 19, 1929, when the Columbus Municipal Airport saw the inauguration of flights toAtlanta andMontgomery.[55] It was replaced by theColumbus Airport (IATA:CSG,ICAO:KCSG,FAALID:CSG) on August 1, 1944.[56] Since then, the Columbus Airport has served as the metro area's primary airport, although general aviation activities continued at Columbus Municipal Airport until its closure in 1969.[57][58]
Columbus Airport has become the fourth-busiestairport in Georgia. It is located just off I-185 along Airport Thruway and Armour Road. It is served by Endeavor Air'sDelta Connection service, offering several daily flights to Atlanta.[59][60]
METRA Transit System is the primary provider ofmass transportation in Muscogee County, currently operating 10 routes in Columbus. The current public transportation services are operated as a function of the Columbus Consolidated Government under METRA.[61]
^Manganiello, Christopher J. (2015).Southern Water, Southern Power : How the Politics of Cheap Energy and Water Scarcity Shaped a Region. Chapel Hill: University of North Carolina Press. p. 23.ISBN9781469623306.
^Stewart C. Edwards, "'To do the manufacturing for the South': Private Industry in Confederate Columbus."Georgia Historical Quarterly 85.4 (2001): 538–554.
^McQuarrie, Gary; Chatelain, Neil P. (February 5, 2018)."Confederate Shipyards".Civil War Navy. RetrievedAugust 21, 2021.
^Bellware, Daniel; Richard Gardiner (2014).The Genesis of the Memorial Day Holiday in America. Columbus State University. pp. 1–181.ISBN978-0-692-29225-9.
^Mean monthly maxima and minima (i.e. the highest and lowest temperature readings during an entire month or year) calculated based on data at said location from 1991 to 2020
^State Highway Department of Georgia (January 1969).Official Highway Map(PDF) (Map). Scale not given. Atlanta: State Highway Department of Georgia. RetrievedSeptember 18, 2024.
^State Highway Department of Georgia (January 1970).Official Highway Map(PDF) (Map). Scale not given. Atlanta: State Highway Department of Georgia. RetrievedSeptember 18, 2024.
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