Columbia County, GA property tax
Census ACS 2023 5-year estimates · updated 2026-09-20
The median effective property tax rate in Columbia County is 0.85%, above the Georgia median of 0.81% and below the national median of 0.98%. The median homeowner pays $2,431 a year on a home worth $287,400.
- Effective rate
- 0.85%
- Median annual bill
- $2,431
- Median home value
- $287,400
- Rank in Georgia
- 95of 159
Median annual bill divided by median home value, Census ACS 2023 5-year estimates.
Estimated annual bill by home value
| Home value | Estimated bill | Per month |
|---|---|---|
| $200,000 | $1,700 | $142 |
| $300,000 | $2,550 | $213 |
| $400,000 | $3,400 | $283 |
| $500,000 | $4,250 | $354 |
| $750,000 | $6,375 | $531 |
| $1,000,000 | $8,500 | $708 |
Columbia County millage rate by year, 2021 to 2025
In 2025, Columbia County levied 4.814 mills in unincorporated areas and the school district 16.234 mills, 21.048 mills combined (24.763 in 2021). On a $300,000 home, assessed at 40% or $120,000, that is $2,526 a year before exemptions. City taxes and special districts such as fire services, listed below, add to it where they apply.
| Year | County, unincorporated | School | Combined | On a $300,000 home |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2025 | 4.814 | 16.234 | 21.048 | $2,526 |
| 2024 | 5.084 | 17.100 | 22.184 | $2,662 |
| 2023 | 5.454 | 17.200 | 22.654 | $2,718 |
| 2022 | 5.830 | 17.350 | 23.180 | $2,782 |
| 2021 | 6.463 | 18.300 | 24.763 | $2,972 |
Millage rates for cities and districts in Columbia County
| District | 2025 | 2024 | 2023 | 2022 | 2021 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| County Fire Dist - Uninc | 2.788 | 2.788 | 2.788 | 2.788 | 2.608 |
| County Incorporated | 4.814 | 5.084 | 5.454 | 5.830 | 6.463 |
| Grovetown | 6.948 | 7.313 | 7.620 | 7.620 | 7.620 |
| Harlem | 9.350 | 9.350 | 9.350 | 9.350 | 9.350 |
Property tax rates by city in Columbia County
Among the 3 places listed, Grovetown city has the highest median effective rate at 1.10% and Evans CDP the lowest at 0.83%, against 0.85% for the county as a whole.
| Place | Effective rate | Median bill | Median home value | Population |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Evans CDP | 0.83% | $2,853 | $345,800 | 37,718 |
| Martinez CDP | 0.87% | $2,012 | $231,400 | 33,019 |
| Grovetown city | 1.10% | $2,490 | $226,000 | 16,516 |
Columbia County compared with Georgia and the US
| Area | Effective rate | Median bill | Median home value |
|---|---|---|---|
| Columbia County | 0.85% | $2,431 | $287,400 |
| Georgia median | 0.81% | $2,214 | $272,900 |
| United States median | 0.98% | $2,969 | n/a |
Columbia County compared with neighboring counties
Columbia County borders 5 counties. Ranked from lowest to highest median effective rate, it places 4 of 6.
| County | Effective rate | Median bill | Median home value |
|---|---|---|---|
| Edgefield County, SC | 0.45% | $877 | $194,300 |
| McCormick County, SC | 0.64% | $1,014 | $159,000 |
| McDuffie County | 0.85% | $1,317 | $155,100 |
| Columbia County | 0.85% | $2,431 | $287,400 |
| Lincoln County | 0.88% | $1,445 | $163,600 |
| Richmond County | 0.88% | $1,440 | $163,300 |
Georgia statewide: Standard $2,000 state homestead exemption from county and school taxes, deducted from the 40% assessed value. Counties and school districts add their own, often much larger, local exemptions.
Due dates and payment
Georgia statewide: varies by county; most bills due between October 15 and December 20. Confirm the local schedule with the Columbia County tax office.
Appealing your assessment
Appeal within 45 days of the date the annual assessment notice was mailed. Bring recent sales of comparable homes, photos of condition issues, and any error in the record such as square footage or lot size. How to appeal, step by step.
How Georgia assesses value
40% of fair market value, then county and school millage applied. Full Georgia rules, exemptions and deadlines.
Rates and medians: U.S. Census Bureau, ACS 2023 5-year estimates, tables B25103 and B25077. Effective rate is median taxes paid divided by median owner-occupied home value. Places: Census place by county reference file. Georgia millage: Georgia Department of Revenue, county digest millage rates, 2021 to 2025. Neighbors: Census county adjacency file. Rules: Georgia Department of Revenue, Property Tax Homestead Exemptions.
Frequently asked questions
What is the property tax rate in Columbia County, GA?
The median effective property tax rate in Columbia County is 0.85% of home value, above the Georgia median of 0.81% and below the national median of 0.98%. The median homeowner pays $2,431 a year on a median home value of $287,400 (Census ACS 2023 5-year).
How much is property tax on a $400,000 house in Columbia County?
About $3,400 per year at the county's median effective rate of 0.85%, before exemptions. The exact bill depends on the city, school district and special districts that serve the parcel, so treat this as a planning estimate.
When are property taxes due in Columbia County?
Georgia statewide: varies by county; most bills due between October 15 and December 20. Check the Columbia County tax office for the exact local dates.
How do I appeal a property tax assessment in Columbia County?
Appeal within 45 days of the date the annual assessment notice was mailed. Full Georgia rules are on the Georgia page.
What is the Columbia County millage rate?
For 2025, 4.814 mills for the county in unincorporated areas plus 16.234 mills for schools, 21.048 mills combined, from the Georgia Department of Revenue. One mill is $1 per $1,000 of assessed value, and assessed value is 40% of fair market value, so a $300,000 home owes about $2,526 before exemptions. Cities and special districts add their own mills.
How does Columbia County compare with the rest of Georgia?
Columbia County ranks 95 of 159 Georgia counties by effective rate. The Georgia median is 0.81% and the median bill is $2,214.