What is the CSRA, and why is our area called that?

CSRA stands for the Central Savannah River Area. The name has a fascinating origin, in 1950, The Augusta Chronicle held a contest to name this region. A Jefferson County educator named C.C. McCollum submitted the winning entry and was awarded $250. His name was evaluated and chosen by a committee of community leaders. Today, the initialism is so commonly used that the full name, Central Savannah River Area, is not known to all CSRA residents.

What does CSRA stand for?

CSRA stands for the Central Savannah River Area, a name that reflects both the region's geographic location along the Savannah River and its position in the central eastern portion of the Southeast.

What counties make up the CSRA in Georgia?

The CSRA Regional Commission serves a 13-county region in eastern Georgia including Burke, Columbia, Glascock, Hancock, Jefferson, Jenkins, Lincoln, McDuffie, Richmond, Taliaferro, Warren, Washington, and Wilkes Counties.

Does the CSRA include counties in South Carolina too?

Yes. The CSRA spans thirteen counties in Georgia and seven in South Carolina. Key South Carolina communities include Aiken, North Augusta, and Edgefield.

What are the largest cities in the CSRA?

The largest cities within the CSRA are Augusta, Georgia and Aiken, South Carolina. Other notable communities include North Augusta, SC, Evans, GA, and Grovetown, GA.

Is Savannah, Georgia part of the CSRA?

No. Despite sharing a name with the Savannah River, the CSRA does not include the city of Savannah, Georgia or any portion of the Savannah metropolitan area. The two are entirely separate regions.

What is the current population of the CSRA?

The CSRA has a total population of approximately 750,000 as of 2024. The core Augusta-Richmond County Metropolitan Statistical Area had an official 2023 U.S. Census estimate of 629,429 residents, up from 611,000 at the 2020 census. The region continues to grow, with Columbia County, GA being one of the fastest-growing counties in the entire state.

What are median home prices in the CSRA?

Home prices across the CSRA vary by county, making it one of the most affordable and diverse housing markets in the Southeast. In Augusta-Richmond County, the median sale price was approximately $200,000 as of late 2025, with a median price per square foot of $135. In Columbia County, GA, the estimated median home value is $327,700. In the Aiken region of South Carolina, the 2025 year-to-date median sale price was $299,000, a 3.19% increase over 2024. Whether you're a first-time buyer or looking to upsize, the CSRA offers options at nearly every price point. Note: Home price data shifts frequently; figures are approximate and subject to change.

What is the median household income in the CSRA?

Incomes vary across the region's counties, reflecting its mix of urban, suburban, and rural communities. The Augusta-Richmond County Metro Area had a median household income of $72,176 according to the most recent ACS 2024 data. Columbia County, GA, one of the most affluent counties in the region, had a median household income of $96,122 in 2023. Across the broader metro area, approximately 29% of households earned between $50,000 and $100,000 annually, while 23% earned between $100,000 and $200,000.

How old is Augusta, the heart of the CSRA?

Augusta is Georgia's second oldest and second largest city, founded during the British colonial period as a trading outpost. The settlement was established in 1736 by British General James Oglethorpe, and named in honor of the bride of Frederick Louis, Prince of Wales.

Was Augusta ever a state capital?

Yes! Augusta was the second state capital of Georgia from 1785 until 1795. It has one of the richest civic histories of any city in the Southeast.

What is Augusta best known for?

Augusta is home of the globally recognized Masters Tournament, birthplace of Soul Icon James Brown, and home of the U.S. Army's Cyber Center of Excellence. It is also a regional hub for medicine, biotechnology, and manufacturing.

What are the major employers in the CSRA?

The city's three largest employers are Augusta University, the Savannah River Site (a Department of Energy nuclear facility), and the U.S. Army Cyber Center of Excellence at Fort Gordon, which oversees training for Cyber, Signal Corps, and Electronic Warfare.

Is the CSRA a center for cybersecurity?

Absolutely. In 2013, the U.S. Army announced the relocation of Army Cyber Command to Fort Gordon, leading to a cybersecurity economic boom in Augusta. Many defense contractors and private cybersecurity companies have since relocated their headquarters and workforce to the area, making it a nationally recognized cyber hub.

What is Fort Gordon's role in the CSRA?

Fort Gordon is one of the largest U.S. Army installations in the world, with more than 16,000 military service members and 13,500 civilian personnel. It has an estimated $1.1 billion economic impact on the Augusta-Richmond County economy.

What is the Savannah River Site?

The Savannah River Site is a federal nuclear facility located about 15 miles southeast of Augusta in South Carolina. It is one of the largest employers in the entire region and plays a major role in the area's economy.

What is the medical community like in the CSRA?

Along with Piedmont Augusta, the Medical District of Augusta employs over 25,000 people and has an economic impact of over $1.8 billion. Augusta University is the state's only public health sciences graduate university and is a major driver of the region's healthcare and biotech economy.

What notable companies are based in the CSRA?

Companies that have facilities, headquarters, or distribution centers in the Augusta metro area include T-Mobile, Bridgestone, John Deere, Kellogg's, Kimberly-Clark, Club Car, E-Z-GO, and many others. The region continues to attract investment from major national and international firms.

What cultural figures came from Augusta?

Augusta has a rich cultural legacy. Its most notable musicians include James Brown, Jessye Norman, and Wycliffe Gordon. The writer Frank Yerby and renowned visual artist Jasper Johns were also Augusta natives.

What annual events does the CSRA host?

Augusta hosts a wide variety of annual events including the Masters golf tournament (drawing around 250,000 visitors), Arts in the Heart of Augusta, the Augusta Literary Festival, and the Augusta Futurity, the largest horse cutting show east of the Mississippi River.

What is the Augusta Canal?

The Augusta Canal is a National Heritage Area and one of the only remaining pre-Civil War canals still in use in the United States, built in 1845. The Augusta Canal Authority promotes its scenic, recreational, and educational uses, and the canal has been the focus of nearly $34 million in public and private investment improvements.

What is the CSRA Regional Commission?

The Central Savannah River Area Regional Commission (CSRA RC) is a public sector, non-profit planning and development agency that serves the 13-county region in the eastern portion of Central Georgia. It coordinates transportation, aging services, planning, and economic development across the region.

What is Aiken, SC known for?

Aiken is well known as an equestrian hub, with stables, polo grounds, and a rich history as a Southern resort destination. It sits just 30 minutes from Augusta and offers a charming downtown, thriving arts scene, and year-round outdoor recreation.

What outdoor recreation is available in the CSRA?

In Augusta, a love of the outdoors meets a resurgent urban landscape. Recreational options include the Riverwalk, the Augusta Canal trail, Phinizy Swamp Nature Park, Lake Thurmond, and the Savannah River for boating, kayaking, and fishing. Aiken offers equestrian trails, golf, and hiking, while Columbia County is home to the International Disc Golf Center.

Does the CSRA have professional or minor league sports?

Yes! The Augusta GreenJackets minor league baseball club play at SRP Park along the Savannah River in North Augusta, South Carolina. The team began playing in 1988 and are currently the Class A affiliate of the Atlanta Braves.

How is Augusta-Richmond County governed?

In 1996, the City of Augusta consolidated with Richmond County to form Augusta-Richmond County. This consolidated governing body consists of a Mayor and 10 Augusta-Richmond County Commissioners, and is one of only three consolidated governments in Georgia.

How far is the CSRA from other major Southern cities?

Augusta, the center point of the CSRA, is conveniently located near many major Southern destinations. It is approximately 2 hours from Atlanta via I-20, and within easy driving distance of Columbia, SC, Charlotte, NC, Charleston, SC, Hilton Head, SC, and Savannah, GA.

Why do so many businesses use 'CSRA' in their name?

The term has become a powerful badge of regional identity. The initialism is so commonly used that the full name, Central Savannah River Area, is not always known even to longtime residents. Businesses proudly use 'CSRA' in their names to signal local roots, community commitment, and dedicated service to the region.