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COLUMBIA
COUNTY
Founded December 10, 1790 by an Act of the General
Assembly of Georgia, Columbia County was named for
Christopher Columbus. Columbia County, which encompasses
a land area of 290 square miles, is one of the fastest
growing counties in Georgia, with a population of
89,288.
ECONOMY
The area's strong economy has supported rapid growth
in the retail sector. There are now six motels at
the I-20 interchange. There has also been growth
in the industrial sector with John Deere Commercial
Products breaking ground on a new plant which represents
a $23 million investment. In 1999 Electrolux Home
Products located its world headquarters in Columbia
County lending a boost to the service sector. Other
major employers include Club Car-Ingersoll Rand,
Georgia Iron Works, Greenfield Industries, Serta
Mattress and Quebecor World.
The
per capita income for 2000 is $23,127; the average
household income is $56,739. The annual average
unemployment rate for 2001 was 2.5%.
| The
Average Household Income For
Columbia County in 2000 Was
$56,739 |
SHOPPING
AND RETAIL ACTIVITY
According
to Sales and Marketing Management magazine’s
2001 Survey of Buying Power, total retail sales
in Columbia County’s shopping centers averaged
$870 million, with a total effective buying income
of $1.5 billion. This variance provides ample room
for supporting additional retail locations in the
area.
HOUSING
Excellent, affordable housing is available in Columbia
County. The choices range from apartment complexes,
affordable ($70,000-$90,000) homes, and gated communities
with estate level properties. Currently there are
two golf course communities, with two additional
planned. One community, being called the Big Three
Golf Course, will be built on 2,000 acres near Greenbrier
High School. Arnold Palmer, Gary Player & Jack
Nicklaus will jointly design the 27-hole golf course.
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