Smoothie King - 0.38 Acres Columbus, GA
For lease1625 Manchester Expy, Columbus, GA 31904
Columbus, GA
Columbus is a consolidated city-county on Georgia’s west-central border, positioned along the Chattahoochee River opposite Phenix City, Alabama. About 100 miles southwest of Atlanta, it is Georgia’s second-largest city and anchors a regional metropolitan area extending into Alabama. Founded at the river’s navigable head, Columbus grew through cotton, railroads, textiles, and military activity. Today, it is renowned for Fort Benning, the National Infantry Museum, historic riverfront districts, and the world’s longest urban whitewater rafting course. Its Fall Line setting creates a distinctive landscape where rolling Piedmont hills meet the flatter Coastal Plain.
Recreational Delights
Outdoor recreation centers on the Chattahoochee River. The 15-mile Chattahoochee RiverWalk offers walking and cycling from downtown through South Columbus toward Fort Benning, while the 11-mile Columbus Fall Line Trace provides another popular fitness route. The river’s 2.5-mile whitewater course supports rafting, kayaking, standing-wave surfing, and year-round paddling, with the Blue Heron Adventure adding zip lines and a ropes course spanning the river to Alabama. Columbus also maintains more than 50 parks, recreation centers, and the expansive Standing Boy Creek Park. South Commons combines green space with sports facilities, including softball venues and Jonathan Hatcher Skateboard Park. Historic and cultural walking experiences include the Black Heritage Trail and downtown’s riverfront industrial districts. Nearby Fort Benning adds military-history attractions and open-air opportunities, while the city’s subtropical climate supports outdoor activities through much of the year.
Culinary Scene
Columbus’s food culture reflects its Georgia setting, military population, and border location beside Alabama. Downtown and the Uptown riverfront concentrate restaurants, bars, and casual dining near the Chattahoochee RiverWalk, while MidTown’s Village on 13th and St. Elmo centers offer locally oriented restaurants and services. Visitors can find Southern comfort food, barbecue, burgers, seafood, Mexican and other Latin American options, Asian cuisine, and familiar American fare. Restaurants near South Columbus and Fort Benning cater to soldiers and military families, contributing to a lively casual scene. North Columbus provides additional dining clusters around Columbus Park Crossing, The Landings, and Bradley Park. The city’s historic mill and riverfront identity also supports an emerging revitalization-oriented food scene, where dining is often paired with live performances, shopping, and downtown nightlife.
Demographics
- Columbus has approximately 203,711 residents and a median age of 35.4, younger than the U.S. median of 38.9, reflecting a substantial military presence and a relatively youthful regional workforce.
- The city is racially diverse, with African Americans representing about 45.8% and non-Hispanic White residents about 38.2% in the 2020 census; Hispanic or Latino residents accounted for approximately 8.0%.
- Median household income is $58,073, below the U.S. median of $80,734. Columbus combines established corporate and military employment with persistent economic disparities and a reported poverty rate of roughly 17.8%.
Population
203,711
Growth -0.33%
Households
81,415
Growth 1.01%
Median Age
35.4
US Median Age 38.9
Median Household Income
$58,073
US Median Household Income $80,734
Sports
Indoor football
Columbus Lions
Ice hockey
Columbus River Dragons
Baseball
Columbus Clingstones
Softball
Columbus Northern Little League
Education
Columbus State University
Columbus Technical College
Muscogee County School District
Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University – Fort Benning
Entertainment
Springer Opera House
RiverCenter for the Performing Arts
Columbus Museum
National Infantry Museum and Soldier Center
Quality of Life
Columbus offers an accessible cost profile, extensive river recreation, historic neighborhoods, cultural venues, and major military and corporate employers. Its younger population and consolidated government support a broad civic identity, while Columbus State University and Fort Benning add energy and opportunity. Residents should also weigh income disparities and crime rates above the national average, alongside ongoing downtown revitalization and public safety efforts.
2022 Population by age
7%
0-4 Years
21%
5-19 Years
6%
20-24 Years
29%
25-44 Years
22%
45-64 Years
15%
65+ Years
Employers
6%
Unemployment rate
Employment sectors
Health Care and Social Assistance
15.94%
Retail Trade
10.53%
Finance and Insurance
10.11%
Educational Services
9.95%
Manufacturing
9.51%
Accommodation and Food Services
8.93%
Public Administration
7.98%
Transportation and Warehousing
5.41%
Administrative and Support and Waste Management Services
5.27%
Professional, Scientific, and Technical Services
4.87%
Construction
4.78%
Other
6.72%