Which Columbus, Georgia-area communities saw the fastest home-price growth, and how the metro is shifting

Fastest-growing prices cluster in smaller communities on the Georgia-Alabama border

Home values in the Columbus, Georgia–Alabama metropolitan area continued to diverge sharply by community in late 2025, with several small towns posting the region’s strongest year-over-year gains while other markets recorded declines. The latest available city-by-city estimates show the top growth concentrated in outer-ring communities, many of them in Harris County, Georgia and Russell County, Alabama.

At the top of the metro’s list, Hamilton, Georgia recorded the largest one-year increase in typical home value, rising by $15,327 (up 4.3%) to $367,724. A second tier of communities followed with gains close to or above $10,000: Cataula, Georgia (+$10,774; +2.9%; typical value $378,143) and Ellerslie, Georgia (+$9,876; +2.7%; typical value $381,903). Fort Mitchell, Alabama also posted a comparable annual gain (+$9,875; +3.4%; typical value $303,557).

These fast-growing markets also rank among the metro’s higher-priced places, suggesting demand has remained strongest in communities with relatively newer housing stock and more suburban or exurban development patterns.

Not all communities rose: several posted year-over-year declines

While the leaders were posting gains, other cities in the metro moved in the opposite direction over the same 12-month period. Richland, Georgia fell by $8,099 (down 11.3%) to a typical value of $63,808. Talbotton, Georgia declined by $8,039 (down 5.7%) to $133,145. Buena Vista, Georgia dropped by $5,645 (down 3.4%) to $159,719, and Pittsview, Alabama slipped by $4,053 (down 2.1%) to $191,830.

The spread between the metro’s strongest and weakest performers underlines how local factors—housing mix, inventory, and neighborhood-level demand—can outweigh regional averages.

Five-year growth remains substantial in the metro’s upper tier

Longer-term change points to a sustained repricing of the metro’s most expensive areas. Over five years, Hamilton’s typical value increased by $106,580 (up 40.8%). Ellerslie rose by $104,885 (up 37.9%), and Cataula increased by $104,278 (up 38.1%). Fort Mitchell climbed by $82,112 (up 37.1%).

Key figures from the latest metro snapshot

• Highest one-year gain: Hamilton, GA (+$15,327; +4.3%).
• Highest typical home values among the top movers: Ellerslie, GA ($381,903), Cataula, GA ($378,143), Hamilton, GA ($367,724).
• Largest one-year declines: Richland, GA (-$8,099; -11.3%) and Talbotton, GA (-$8,039; -5.7%).

Across the Columbus metro, the latest data show a pattern of stronger price momentum in higher-value, outer-ring communities and weaker performance in several smaller, lower-priced markets.