Columbia County is in the Classic South travel region of Georgia. Its official county seat is Appling, though most county offices are in Evans, and the U.S. Census Bureau estimates the county had 167,472 residents in 2024, up from 156,011 in 2020. It covers about 290 square miles of land and was created in 1790.
- County seatAppling (offices in Evans)
- Population (2024 estimate)167,472
- Land area290 square miles
- Created1790
- Travel regionClassic South
Print it: download the printable Columbia County map (PDF), sized for standard letter paper (8.5 by 11 inches, portrait). Choose “actual size” or “fit to page” when you print.
Cities and Towns in Columbia County
Columbia County has 2 incorporated cities and towns. Populations are U.S. Census Bureau estimates for July 1, 2024, for the whole city, including any part in a neighboring county.
| City or town | 2024 population | Note |
|---|---|---|
| Grovetown | 17,843 | |
| Harlem | 4,076 |
Unincorporated communities marked on the map are Census-designated places, which have no city government: Appling, Evans and Martinez.
Highways
Interstates and U.S. highways come from Census road data; state route numbers come from the Georgia Department of Transportation’s road inventory. In Georgia most U.S. highways also carry a state route number, and where two routes share the same road GDOT records it under one of them.
- Interstates: I-20
- U.S. highways: US 78, US 221, US 278
- State routes (Georgia DOT inventory numbers): SR 10, SR 28, SR 47, SR 104, SR 150, SR 223, SR 232, SR 383, SR 388
Parks, Public Land and Water
Public land shown on the map:
- Mistletoe State Park (state park)
- Keg Creek WMA (wildlife management area)
Lakes and rivers labeled on the map: Clarks Hill Lake, Savannah River, Kiokee Creek, Little Kiokee Creek, Uchee Creek, Greenbrier Creek and Boggy Gut Creek. Names follow the U.S. Geological Survey’s official Geographic Names Information System.
For county and city parks, playgrounds and recreation centers, see our Columbia County parks guide.
Neighboring Counties
Columbia County borders Lincoln County, McDuffie County, Richmond County, Edgefield County, SC and McCormick County, SC.
Common Questions
What is the county seat of Columbia County, Georgia?
Appling is the official county seat of Columbia County, but most county government offices are in Evans.
What cities are in Columbia County, Georgia?
Columbia County has 2 incorporated cities and towns: Grovetown and Harlem.
What counties border Columbia County?
Columbia County borders Lincoln County, McDuffie County, Richmond County, Edgefield County, SC and McCormick County, SC.
Is there a printable map of Columbia County?
Yes. The Columbia County map on this page is a free PDF sized for letter paper (8.5 by 11 inches, portrait) that you can print or save to your phone.
How many people live in Columbia County?
The U.S. Census Bureau estimates 167,472 people lived in Columbia County on July 1, 2024, up from 156,011 in 2020.
Sources we checked
This map and page were built in October 2026 from public data:
- U.S. Census Bureau: TIGER/Line 2023 (county lines, roads, water, place boundaries)
- U.S. Census Bureau: county and city population estimates, Vintage 2024
- U.S. Census Bureau: 2023 Gazetteer (land area)
- USGS: Protected Areas Database of the United States (PAD-US) 4.1 (national forests, refuges, WMAs)
- USGS: Geographic Names Information System (lake and river names)
- Georgia DNR 2026-27 Hunting Regulations (eRegulations) (current WMA list)