CSU’s economic forecast for Columbus area differs from rest of Georgia’s statewide trend

Columbus isn’t on track to match statewide economic growth, according to experts.

Columbus State University hosted the Georgia 2025 Economic Outlook on Jan. 30, when academic leaders and researchers provided statewide and local economic forecasts.

Benjamin Ayers, dean of the Terry College of Business at the University of Georgia, delivered the statewide forecast. Deborah Kidder, dean of the Turner College of Business at CSU, provided the forecast for the Columbus region.

The statewide forecast projects a potential for Georgia to exceed the nation’s economic growth after a slowdown.

“We do expect Georgia’s economy to grow faster than the U.S. economy in 2025 and beyond,” Ayers said. “One advantage that we have as a state is our economic development prowess. Other advantages include a variable mix of industries, supportive demographic trends, with more and more people moving to our state.”

But a look into Columbus’ economic forecast tells a different story. Unemployment rates, population decline and inflation risk are factors stunting local economic growth this year, according to Columbus State’s Butler Center for Research and Economic Development.

Here’s an overview of the Butler Center’s economic forecast for Columbus in 2025.

Employment and wages

Columbus historically has faced higher unemployment rates compared to Georgia and the United States for the past decade. This trend is expected to continue into next year. Unemployment rates in Columbus are expected to rise to between 4.5% and 4.8%. The projected rise in unemployment is due to a variety of factors. The Butler Center’s report lists inflation expectations, elevated interest rates and labor market conditions, among other reasons.

However, there is some good economic news for Columbus: Wages are expected to grow by an average of 3.5% in 2025, including 5% for federal employees, 3% for state government employees, 3% for local government employees, 4% for the private sector and 1.8% for self-employment.

Population

Overall, Columbus’ population is projected to remain steady in 2025, with a population of 323,470. However, Columbus’ population has grown in the oldest age groups (65 and older) and declined in younger age groups (ages 0-24 and 46-65) during the past two years. The report describes Columbus’ population decline as partially due to nationally declining fertility trends in the U.S.

The Butler Center conducted a survey that showed that only 20% of CSU juniors and seniors planned to stay in Columbus and 37% were undecided. Forty-three percent of students said they would prefer not to stay in Columbus.

Students who said they would stay in Columbus indicated family ties, job opportunities and affordable housing as their primary reasons for staying, while students who chose to leave mentioned a desire for a bigger city experience, limited job opportunities, limited social and cultural activities and pursuing further education opportunities among their reasons to move.

Looking ahead

Economic experts emphasized the importance of collaboration toward stimulating Columbus’ economic growth. Kidder told the Ledger-Enquirer that Columbus is often overlooked for new economic development.

“Everything, for example, like fintech is in Atlanta. Companies go there because everybody’s there,” Kidder said. “We need the same. We need someone to start. And then, that company brings in a supply-chain company, and it grows and multiplies.”

Kidder also emphasized that these forecasts are not definitive measures of the future. The forecast indicates competitive education and job opportunities as well as effective partnership with other community groups positively would impact the outlook.

This story was originally published February 12, 2025 at 5:00 AM.