Columbus, Ga. — Harris County has the highest median household income among Columbus and its four neighboring counties, while Lee County, Alabama, has recorded the fastest population growth since 2020. Muscogee County, home to Columbus, leads the group in total jobs and veterans but trails several neighboring counties in household income and homeownership.

U.S. Census Bureau figures show significant differences in housing costs, earnings, construction and population trends across the Columbus region.

The comparison covers Muscogee, Harris and Chattahoochee counties in Georgia, along with Russell County, home to Phenix City, and Lee County, home to Auburn and Opelika, in Alabama.

How all five counties compare

The figures below combine July 2025 population estimates with household and housing statistics from the Census Bureau's 2020-2024 American Community Survey.

These figures highlight how dramatically housing and income can change between neighboring counties. They also show why population growth alone does not tell the complete story.

Harris County leads in household income

Harris County has a median household income of $97,302, compared with $58,073 in Muscogee County.

That is a difference of $39,229 annually.

Harris also has the highest median home value in the comparison at $302,800, compared with $193,900 in Columbus.

The county's homeownership rate is 88.8%, substantially higher than Muscogee's 50.8%.

Harris County also reports the lowest poverty rate of the five counties at 8.8%. Muscogee's rate is 17.3%.

Despite its higher home values, Harris County's median monthly gross rent is $1,048, slightly below Muscogee's $1,106.

Russell County offers lower housing costs

Across the state line, Russell County has a median home value of $165,700, lower than Muscogee, Harris and Lee counties.

It also has the lowest median gross rent in the comparison at $939 monthly.

For homeowners with mortgages, Russell County's median monthly ownership costs are $1,356, compared with $1,489 in Muscogee County.

The income figures tell another story.

Russell County's median household income is $51,197, the lowest of the five counties. Its poverty rate is 20.2%, the highest in the group.

The numbers demonstrate an important distinction: Lower housing costs do not necessarily mean higher household earnings.

Lee County is growing the fastest

Lee County recorded an 8.9% population increase since 2020, reaching an estimated 189,881 residents in July 2025.

Harris County follows with 7.5% growth.

The other three counties recorded population declines during the same period:

• Muscogee County: down 2.3%.
• Russell County: down 0.5%.
• Chattahoochee County: down 11.5%.

New construction figures provide another comparison.

Lee County issued 1,575 building permits in 2025, approximately six times Muscogee County's 260.

Harris County recorded 177 permits, Russell County had 151, and Chattahoochee County recorded just three.

Lee County's median home value is $262,200, with median gross rent of $1,058 and a homeownership rate of 66.3%.

Chattahoochee County stands apart

Chattahoochee County is the smallest county in the comparison, with an estimated 8,465 residents.

Its population has declined 11.5% since 2020, the largest percentage decrease among the five.

The county has the lowest median home value, $102,700, yet the highest median gross rent, $1,348.

Its homeownership rate is just 39.3%, below Muscogee's 50.8%.

Chattahoochee also reports the shortest average commute at 10.5 minutes, compared with 20.9 minutes in Muscogee County.

Its labor force participation rate is 18.1%, sharply below the other counties, illustrating how different this small county's population characteristics are.

Columbus remains the region's employment center

Despite declining population, Muscogee County leads the five counties in total employment at business establishments.

According to 2023 Census Bureau figures, Muscogee had 78,975 jobs and 4,510 employer establishments.

Lee County followed with 51,454 jobs and 3,377 establishments.

Russell County had 11,055 jobs, Harris County had 4,191, and Chattahoochee County had 1,026.

Muscogee businesses reported approximately $4.2 billion in annual payroll, compared with approximately $2.37 billion in Lee County.

These are workplace-based employment figures rather than counts of employed residents, an important distinction when comparing counties where people may live and work in different locations.

Education, commuting and veterans

Education levels also vary across the region.

Lee County has the highest percentage of adults with bachelor's degrees or higher at 42.4%, followed by Harris County at 38%.

Muscogee stands at 30.5%, Chattahoochee at 29.6%, and Russell at 18.2%.

Commute times provide another practical comparison.

Russell County residents average 26.3 minutes traveling to work, slightly longer than Harris County's 26.1 minutes.

Muscogee's average commute is 20.9 minutes, compared with Lee County's 22.3 minutes.

Columbus also has the largest veteran population in the comparison, with 20,438 veterans.

Lee County follows with 10,251, Russell has 5,725, Harris has 3,490, and Chattahoochee has 496.

Who stays put

Harris County residents are the least likely to move: 90.7% lived in the same house a year earlier. Russell County follows at 87.3%, then Lee at 85.7% and Muscogee at 83.3%.

Chattahoochee County is the outlier again, at 65.5%, meaning about one in three residents had moved within the past year.

What the numbers mean for residents

The figures suggest different considerations depending on whether residents prioritize income, housing costs, homeownership or employment.

Harris County combines higher household incomes with higher home values and the strongest homeownership rate.

Russell County has lower rents and home values but also lower median household income.

Lee County leads in population growth and residential construction, while Muscogee maintains the largest concentration of jobs.

For residents comparing locations, the figures provide a starting point rather than a complete household budget. Countywide medians do not describe every neighborhood, property or individual household.

How we did this

The Columbus Times compared U.S. Census Bureau QuickFacts data for Muscogee, Harris, Chattahoochee, Russell and Lee counties, reviewed Oct. 23, 2026.

Population estimates are from July 1, 2025. Income, housing, education, poverty, veterans and commuting statistics come from the 2020-2024 American Community Survey, with income figures expressed in 2024 dollars.

Residential building permit counts are from 2025, while employer establishment, employment and payroll figures are from 2023.