Columbia County, GA - District Data

Original Research by School Decision on Columbia County

Columbia County School District serves a large enrollment across its county, spanning pre-K through grade 12 in roughly thirty schools. The district covers a region that includes towns like Evans, Grovetown, Harlem, Martinez, and Appling, situated in the Augusta metropolitan area where housing values have remained stable and modest in appreciation.

Test performance across the district shows a mixed picture. In elementary grades, students generally reach proficiency at higher rates in math than in language arts. Fourth-grade math proficiency is strong, while third-grade language arts falls notably lower. The district's middle grades, grades six through eight, present a softer academic profile. Sixth-grade math drops considerably from the elementary trajectory, and eighth-grade science proficiency sits well below proficiency for the broader subject area. Eighth-grade English language arts also lags, though social studies proficiency at that level is more moderate. When viewed across all tested grades and subjects, the district's proficiency averages cluster in the mid-range, with math generally outpacing language arts.

The enrollment is diverse. White students form the largest racial group, followed by Black students, with Asian and Hispanic populations also well represented. Specific data on students receiving free or reduced-price meals, English learners, or students with individualized education plans was not available.

In 2024 the district underwent significant rezoning after opening Westmont Elementary and closing South Columbia Elementary. That change reassigned students across multiple feeder patterns, affecting not only those two schools but also Blue Ridge, Brookwood, Evans Elementary, Lewiston, and Martinez Elementary, with cascading changes in middle and high school assignments. For families considering a move to the county, current attendance zones differ from what they may have been even a year ago, so verification with the district is essential.

The district is implementing its own Academic Curriculum for Excellence across language arts, math, science, and social studies, layering in benchmark assessments and a digital curriculum platform. This represents a multi-year instructional shift beyond Georgia state standards.

At the property tax level, the district has reduced its millage rate for five consecutive years, reaching its lowest point in recent history. That steady reduction has lowered the school portion of homeowners' property tax bills year over year. Housing in the county is moderately priced relative to the state and nation, with rental costs generally stable.

The district is supported by voter approval of a school sales tax that extends through coming years, funding construction, buses, maintenance, and technology without a tax increase. This provides multi-year capital funding certainty as the county continues to grow. A graduation rate for the district was not available in the data provided.

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District Context

Officially reported figures, 2024-25.

Enrollment

28,854

Grades

PK–12

Schools

Student body

Hispanic 12%

Black 23%

White 52%

Asian 5%

Two+ 8%

Am. Indian / AK Native 0%

Hawaiian / Pac. Isl. 0%

Schools in this District

30 schools are officially reported under this district.

Riverside Middle School

Riverside Elementary School

Evans Middle School

North Harlem Elementary School

Evans High School

North Columbia Elementary School

Martinez Elementary School

Columbia Middle School

South Columbia Elementary School

Grovetown Elementary School

Greenbrier High School

Greenbrier Elementary School

Euchee Creek Elementary School

Harlem High School

Harlem Middle School

Evans Elementary School

Blue Ridge Elementary School

Lakeside High School

Brookwood Elementary School

Lakeside Middle School

Stevens Creek Elementary School

Greenbrier Middle School

Grovetown Middle School

Lewiston Elementary School

River Ridge Elementary

Cedar Ridge Elementary School

Stallings Island Middle School

Grovetown High School

Baker Place Elementary

Parkway Elementary School

Academic Performance

Percent of students meeting or exceeding state standards, by grade.

Mathematics

6 grades reported

64%

Grade 3

72%

Grade 4

68%

Grade 5

51%

Grade 6

59%

Grade 7

65%

Grade 8

English Language Arts

6 grades reported

52%

Grade 3

61%

Grade 4

65%

Grade 5

57%

Grade 6

59%

Grade 7

55%

Grade 8

Science

2 grades reported

68%

Grade 5

12%

Grade 8

Social Studies

1 grade reported

60%

Grade 8

Housing & Real Estate

Data as of April 2026 | District-weighted from constituent ZIP codes

Home Values

Typical home value$383,131

Year-over-year change+4.7%

Range across 7 ZIP codes$202K to $452K

vs. state typical1.15x

vs. national typical1.04x

Home value trend (12 months)

ZIP code home values (7 ZIP codes)

ZIP	City	Value	YoY	Weight
30802	Appling	$452K	+8.2%	45.4%
30813	Grovetown	$307K	+1.7%	16.8%
30814	Harlem	$293K	+2.4%	15.7%
30809	Evans	$405K	+1.4%	15.4%
30907	Martinez	$268K	+1.7%	6.5%
30909	Augusta	$265K	+1.6%	0.1%
30824	Thomson	$202K	+3.0%	0.1%

Rental Market

Typical monthly rent$1,714/mo

Year-over-year change+0.5%

Range across 4 ZIP codes$1,385 to $1,853/mo

Rent trend (12 months)

ZIP code rents (4 ZIP codes)

ZIP	City	Rent/mo	YoY	Weight
30813	Grovetown	$1,853	+0.4%	16.8%
30809	Evans	$1,701	+1.0%	15.4%
30907	Martinez	$1,396	-0.1%	6.5%
30909	Augusta	$1,385	+0.6%	0.1%

Affordability

Est. monthly mortgage (20% down at 6.48%)$1,933/mo

Home price / national median income4.6x

Annual rent / national median income24.6%

Est. mortgage exceeds rent by$219/mo

Comparison

State typical home value$333,559 (-1.2% YoY)

National typical home value$368,198 (+0.6% YoY)

State ZHVI trend (12 months)

National ZHVI trend (12 months)

Economic Context

30-year fixed mortgage rate6.48%

National unemployment rate4.3%

National median household income$83,730

CPI: Rent of shelter (index)447.05

30-year fixed mortgage rate (12 months)

National unemployment rate (12 months)

National median household income (12 months)

CPI: Rent of shelter (index) (12 months)

Sources: Zillow Home Value Index and Zillow Observed Rent Index (Zillow Group), Realtor.com via Federal Reserve Bank of St. Louis (FRED)

Data Currently Unavailable

Civil Rights Data (CRDC)

This profile is derived exclusively from publicly available federal and state datasets. It may not reflect the most current information available. We encourage parents and families to supplement this data with information published directly on the school’s website, which may include more recent figures, additional programs, or updated enrollment data.