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Data from U.S. Census Bureau · 2026 · Methodology
CitySpend

Columbus, GA vs Athens-Clarke County unified government (balance), GA

Side-by-side fiscal comparison · U.S. Census Bureau data (2023)

Summary

Athens-Clarke County unified government (balance) spends 24.8% more per capita than Columbus ($5,120/person difference). Columbus, GA has the stronger Fiscal Health Score (A, 82/100).

Fiscal Health Score

City A
Columbus, GA
Pop. 204,572
A
82/100
Budget Balance76
Debt Burden100
Pension Funding76
Spending Efficiency88
Revenue Diversity100
Trend Direction50
Budget Balance75
Debt Burden100
Pension Funding76
Spending Efficiency58
Revenue Diversity100
Trend Direction50

Key Metrics

Metric
Columbus
Athens-Clarke County unified government (balance)
Total Spending
$3.2B
$2.6B
Spending / Capita
$15,522
$20,643
Total Revenue
$4.4B
$4.2B
Revenue / Capita
$21,716
$32,902
Total Debt
$7.6M
$0
Debt / Capita
$37
$0
Population
204,572
126,672
Gov Employees / 10K
0.0
0.0
Avg Gov Salary
$0
$0

Per Capita Spending by Department

Police
Columbus$1,611
Athens-Clarke County unified government (balance)$1,372
Fire Protection
Columbus$699
Athens-Clarke County unified government (balance)$771
Highways & Roads
Columbus$443
Athens-Clarke County unified government (balance)$459
Parks & Recreation
Columbus$669
Athens-Clarke County unified government (balance)$2,332
Education
Columbus$21
Athens-Clarke County unified government (balance)$0
Health
Columbus$0
Athens-Clarke County unified government (balance)$722

Revenue Breakdown (Per Capita)

ColumbusAthens-Clarke County unified government (balance)
Property Tax
$64
$35
Sales Tax
$315
$1,045
Income Tax
$688
$715
Intergovernmental
$792
$2,956
Charges & Fees
$2,259
$1,578
Other
$3,202
$6,437

Spending Breakdown (Per Capita)

ColumbusAthens-Clarke County unified government (balance)
Police
$1,611
$1,372
Fire Protection
$699
$771
Highways & Roads
$443
$459
Education
$21
$0
Public Welfare
$1,247
$508
Health
$0
$722
Hospitals
$170
$0
Parks & Recreation
$669
$2,332
Housing
$2,701
$2,708
Sewerage
$66
$183
Utilities
$1,989
$2,250
Other
$5,907
$9,338
A
Columbus, GA
Fiscal Health Score: 82/100
Excellent fiscal health
B
Athens-Clarke County unified government (balance), GA
Fiscal Health Score: 78/100
Good fiscal health

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