Eastern Mississippi's Columbus is a designated Mississippi Hills National Heritage Area known for its historic architecture and deep blues roots. It welcomed the likes of Ella Fitzgerald, B.B. King and Duke Ellington to historical landmarks, such as Queen City Hotel and Catfish Alley – two iconic stops on the Mississippi Blues Trail. Local blues artists, from Big Joe Williams to Bukka White, left a lasting impact on the city's culture. Columbus' population of over 23,000 continues to celebrate music through events like the Southside Blues Festival. The local University and Air Force Base welcomed new crowds throughout the 20th century, but the city retained its small-town feel. "It's a small southern town, but it's still one of the bigger cities in Mississippi," says local broker Kaleena Richardson of Legacy Real Estate Group. She's lived in Columbus since 2005. "It's a city full of history and a melting pot of diversity."
The Columbus Air Force Base is one of the largest employers. Major industries include healthcare, education and manufacturing. According to Golden Triangle Development LINK, Rural King is coming to Columbus with an investment of $8 million. This will bring over 50 new jobs to the city, and the store will open in 2026.
Columbus Air Force Base plays a vital role in the city’s economy, bringing military families and aviation history to Columbus.
Columbus honors its past through the Catfish Alley mural, a visual tribute to the music, food, and community that shaped the city.
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The history of Catfish Alley
The Rosenzweig Arts Center is the heart of Columbus' intimate art scene and home to the Columbus Arts Council. The center exhibits local pieces for sale and hosts various events and workshops. Catfish Alley was a hub of music, culture and business for Black Americans in the late 19th and early 20th centuries, named for the catfish caught, sold and cooked in the Alley. Catfish in the Alley, a popular event held every spring, celebrates the history of Catfish Alley and the contributions of Black residents to the city's culture through blues music, Mississippi farm-raised catfish samples and various other vendors.
Local restaurants and businesses sprawl from the intersection of Main and Fifth Street in downtown Columbus. Spots like the Coffee House on 5th and Park Place Gifts fill two-story, brick-clad buildings with shuttered windows and outstretched awnings. "We have some really great locally owned boutiques and shopping downtown," Richardson says. Huck's Place, with popular catfish entrees, and Zachary's are a couple of local favorites for a meal downtown. Most of the city's retail and grocery stores line Highway 45 in the city's north end.
Catfish Alley in Columbus is a historic street that once served as a hub for Black-owned businesses, music, and culture in the city.
Coffee House on 5th is a popular local café in Columbus, offering coffee, pastries, and a cozy atmosphere in the heart of the city.
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Historic homes with Greek Revival and Italianate architecture
Columbus is known for its historic 19th-century homes. They date as early as the 1830s and have Gothic, Italianate and Greek Revival architecture. Several homes are on the National Register of Historic Places, and historic home tours are popular. "Most historic homes are on Columbus' north and south ends," Richardson says. Craftsman bungalows and cottages from the early 20th century cluster in and around downtown. Housing developed inched eastward throughout the 20th century, mainly including ranch-style homes. Housing development started to lull in the 21st century. "There's not a lot of new houses," Richardson says. The city's few condominiums and townhomes are downtown. The median sale price for homes in Columbus is $200,000, which is about half of the American median.
Columbus features Creole Cottage-style homes, adding to the city’s diverse and historic architectural landscape.
Columbus is known for its stunning Greek Revival homes, showcasing grand columns and symmetrical designs throughout the city.
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The Mississippi University for Women was the nation's first state-supported college for women
The Columbus Municipal School District scores an overall C on Niche and serves just over 3,000 students. Franklin Academy has served the community since 1821 and was the first public school in Mississippi; it has a C on Niche. Heritage Academy is a faith-based, private school option in north Columbus that serves pre-kindergarten through twelfth-grade students. Niche gives the Academy a B-plus. Local post-secondary options include the Mississippi University for Women, the nation's first state-supported college for women.
Franklin Academy in Columbus is the oldest free public school in Mississippi, established in 1821 with a long legacy of education.
Mississippi University for Women, located in Columbus, is the first public college for women in the United States.
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Fishing days on the Tombigbee River
The Tombigbee River, specifically the Tennessee-Tombigbee Waterway branch, is a magnet for outdoor recreation. The Columbus Riverwalk runs over 4 miles along the river, popular with cyclists and casual strollers. The river connects with Columbus Lake, a 9,000-acre freshwater expanse framed by grassy banks, the Columbus Lock and Dam and the Columbus Marina. The marina offers boat rentals and several wet slips for boat owners. Fishing is popular from Columbus Lake to Lake Lowndes State Park. The city also operates two community centers and six public parks.
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Air quality in Columbus
Columbus suffers from poor air quality, primarily due to industry, including a nearby Superfund site. Summers are hot in Columbus, and temperatures rarely go below freezing.
Hopping on the Route 82
U.S. Routes 45 and 82 intersect in Columbus, connecting with Tuscaloosa about 60 miles away. The Friendly City Express is an on-demand transportation service with limited hours. The Golden Triangle Regional Airport offers flights with American Airlines and Delta about 12 miles west of the city center. The Baptist Memorial Hospital Golden Triangle is just north of downtown on Fifth Street.
Decreasing violent crime
Columbus' crime statistics are not readily available, but the Lowndes County Sheriff's Office reported a 10.29% decrease in violent crime from 2023 to 2024 and a 42.86% increase in property crimes.
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GreatSchools:
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