Columbus Local Information
Practical information for Columbus and Muscogee County: who governs what, trash and recycling, permits, weather alerts and who to call, each linked to the official source.
Featured
Trash and recycling pickup in Columbus: schedule, holidays, bulk
Columbus collects garbage, recycling and yard waste on the same day each week. Carts out by 7 a.m. Bulk pickup by request through 311: 706-653-4000.
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Columbus
Columbus, Muscogee County and the neighbors: who governs what
How Columbus fits into Muscogee County and Georgia: the city, the county, Muscogee County School District, the neighboring towns within 15 miles, and which one to call for what.
Property taxes
Muscogee County property taxes: rates, due dates and appeals
Columbus 2026 property tax bills went out Sept. 1; the balance is due Dec. 1. City rate 15.15 mills in most districts, schools 23.075. 706-225-4211.
Permits
Building permits and zoning in Columbus
Columbus permits come from Inspections and Code, 706-225-4126; most plans must be filed online since Jan. 1, 2026. Rezonings take 60 to 90 days.
Roads
Road construction and closures in Columbus
Buena Vista Road is closed at the Spiderweb until about April 2027. Current Columbus and GDOT road projects, detours and who to call: 706-225-4441.
Home prices
Columbus home prices and housing market
The typical Columbus home was worth $175,951 in August 2026, up 2.92% in a year and a record high, Zillow says. FHFA shows metro prices up 1.43%.
Schools
Columbus schools guide: districts, calendars and ratings
Muscogee County School District runs Columbus public schools: fall break Oct. 9-12, Thanksgiving break Nov. 23-27. Enroll online; 706-748-2000.
Things to do
Things to do in Columbus this month: October 2026
Columbus in late October: free Rock the Lawn Oct. 17, the Marine Band Oct. 23, Boo Bash Oct. 24, a free Halloween movie night Oct. 31 and November's shows.
Voting
Voting in Muscogee County: registration, polling places, early voting
Election Day is Tuesday, Nov. 3. Early voting runs Oct. 13-30 at five Columbus sites; absentee applications due Oct. 23. Elections: 706-653-4392.
Farmers markets
Columbus farmers markets
Market Days on Broadway brings 200-plus vendors to Uptown Columbus on Saturdays, April through August; the fall market returns Saturday, Nov. 7.
Parks
Parks and trails in Columbus
The Columbus RiverWalk runs 22 miles along the Chattahoochee. Free splash pads, pools, the Lake Oliver boat ramp and the skate park, with phones.
Restaurant inspections
Restaurant inspection scores in Muscogee County
Of 101 Columbus food businesses with a latest inspection dated Sept. 8 to Oct. 5, 90 got an A and 11 a B. How scores work: 706-321-6170.
Business
New businesses in Columbus
New in Columbus from state health permits: Taco Bell on Airport Thruway, Amber & Oaks Coffee, Bloom Pastry & Pop and Chester's Barbeque.
Public notices
Public notices in Columbus and Muscogee County
An index of Columbus and Muscogee County public notices: Council, taxes, elections, zoning. The legal organ is the Columbus Ledger-Enquirer.
City Hall
Who to call at City Hall in Columbus
Columbus numbers: 311 at 706-653-4000, police non-emergency 706-653-3232, Water Works 706-649-3400, the mayor and all 10 Council members.
Power outages
Power outage near me in Columbus, GA: maps, who to call
Power outage near you in Columbus? Check Georgia Power's outage map or call 1-888-891-0938; Flint Energies members call 888-354-6836. Downed lines: 911.
Population
Columbus population 2026: growth, age, income and housing
Columbus had 202,171 residents on July 1, 2025, the Census Bureau estimates: down 2.3% since 2020, up 6.5% since 2010. Age, income, housing.
History
Columbus history and landmarks
Columbus was conceived by the Georgia legislature in 1828 and became Georgia's first consolidated government in 1971. All 141 National Register sites.
Moving
Moving to Columbus: utilities, schools, trash, permits, taxes
New to Columbus? Start power, water and gas, register your car within 30 days, enroll the kids and file for homestead by April 1. Links and phones.
Transportation
Getting around Columbus: roads, transit, airport, parking
Getting around Columbus: I-185, 10 METRA bus routes with live tracking, the airport off Exit 8, free Uptown garages and Broadway's two-hour limit.
Neighborhoods
Columbus neighborhoods: where to live and what each area is like
Columbus in eight areas, from Uptown to Midland: ZIP codes, zoned high schools and Zillow home values ($71,776 to $387,181 by ZIP in August 2026).
Neighborhoods
Bibb City and North Highlands, Columbus: homes, schools
Bibb City, Beallwood and North Highlands are 97% in ZIP 31904, zoned for Jordan Vocational High. Zillow's typical 31904 value: $220,602 in August 2026.
Neighborhoods
Liberty District, Columbus: homes, schools, parks and commute
The Liberty District, east of Uptown, is in ZIP 31901 and zoned for Jordan Vocational High. Zillow's typical 31901 value: $160,215 in August 2026.
Neighborhoods
Midland and the Panhandle, Columbus: homes, schools, commute
Midland and the Panhandle are zoned for Shaw High. Zillow's typical value in Midland's ZIP 31820 was $387,181 in August 2026, up 2.89% in a year.
Neighborhoods
Midtown, Columbus: homes, schools, parks and commute
Midtown Columbus spans ZIPs 31906, 31904 and 31901 and seven historic districts. Zillow's typical 31906 value: $132,375 in August 2026.
Neighborhoods
Northwest Columbus: homes, schools, parks and commute
Northwest Columbus is mostly ZIP 31909, where Zillow's typical value was $235,770 in August 2026. Half of sampled addresses are zoned for Northside High.
Neighborhoods
South Columbus: homes, schools, parks and commute
South Columbus is in ZIP 31903, where Zillow's typical value was $71,776 in August 2026. Most sampled addresses are zoned for Spencer High.
Neighborhoods
Southeast Columbus: homes, schools, parks and commute
Southeast Columbus is 89% ZIP 31907, where Zillow's typical value was $162,219 in August 2026. Half of sampled addresses are zoned for Kendrick High.
Neighborhoods
Uptown and the Historic District, Columbus: homes, schools
Uptown and the Historic District are in ZIP 31901 and zoned for Jordan Vocational High. Zillow's typical 31901 value: $160,215 in August 2026.
Columbus
Columbus vs Phenix City vs Cusseta vs Smiths Station: the facts
Columbus, Phenix City, Cusseta and Smiths Station side by side: 2025 tax rates, school scores, Zillow home values for August 2026 and Census figures.
Schools
Columbus public schools: every school, zone and report card
All 52 Muscogee County School District schools in Columbus: address, grades, 2025 enrollment and CCRPI score, zone lookup and magnet schools.