Columbus metropolitan area, Georgia Facts for Kids

Quick facts for kids Chattahoochee Valley
Combined Statistical Area
Columbus–Auburn–Opelika, GA–AL Combined Statistical Area
Skyline of Columbus, Georgia
Country	United States
State	Georgia Alabama
Largest city	Columbus, GA
Other city	Phenix City, AL
Area
• Total	2,786.1 sq mi (7,216 km²)
Population (2020)
• Total	328,883
• Density	118.0442/sq mi (45.5771/km²)
Time zone	UTC−5 (EST)
• Summer (DST)	UTC−4 (EDT)
Area code(s)	706, 762, 334

The Chattahoochee Valley is a special area in the United States. It's officially called the Columbus metropolitan area. This region includes six counties in Georgia and one county in Alabama. The biggest city in this area is Columbus.

In 2020, about 328,883 people lived in the Columbus area. By 2022, the number was estimated to be around 324,110. This area is part of a larger trading region called the Columbus-Auburn-Opelika combined statistical area.

One interesting fact is that the Columbus metropolitan area is in two different time zones. The counties in Georgia are in the Eastern Time Zone. The county in Alabama, Russell County, is in the Central Time Zone. This makes it one of only two metropolitan areas in the U.S. that are split between time zones.

Geography of the Chattahoochee Valley
- Counties in the Area
- Main Communities in the Valley
  - Larger Cities
  - Smaller Towns and Places
People of the Chattahoochee Valley
- Diversity in the Community
- Income and Living
Getting Around the Chattahoochee Valley
- Air Travel
- Major Highways
See also

Geography of the Chattahoochee Valley

The Chattahoochee Valley is located in West Georgia. It includes several counties in both Georgia and Alabama.

Counties in the Area

The counties that make up this metropolitan area are:

In Georgia: Chattahoochee, Harris, Marion, Muscogee, Stewart, and Talbot counties.
In Alabama: Russell County.

In 2018, the U.S. Census Bureau added Stewart and Talbot counties to the official definition of the Columbus metropolitan area.

Main Communities in the Valley

The Chattahoochee Valley has many towns and cities. Here are some of the most important ones:

Larger Cities

Columbus: This is the main and largest city in the area.
Phenix City, Alabama: A significant city located across the river in Alabama.
Cusseta, Georgia: This city includes the area around Fort Benning.

Smaller Towns and Places

Many smaller towns and communities are also part of the Chattahoochee Valley. These places have populations ranging from a few hundred to several thousand people. Some examples include:

People of the Chattahoochee Valley

The population of the Columbus metropolitan area has grown over the years. In 2000, about 281,768 people lived here. By 2010, the population increased to 296,506. As of 2020, it reached 328,883 people.

Diversity in the Community

The Chattahoochee Valley is home to a diverse group of people. In 2022, the community was made up of:

About 43% White people.
About 41% Black or African American people.
About 2% Asian people.
About 5% people of multiple races.
About 8% Hispanic or Latino people (who can be of any race).

Income and Living

In 2022, the average income for a household in the area was about $54,106 per year. The average income per person was about $30,287. It is estimated that about 18.5% of the people in the area live with less money, meaning they are at or below the poverty line.