The 8 Best Areas to Live Surrounding Augusta, GA

Considering a move to Augusta, GA? Explore the unique suburbs around Georgia’s second-largest city. A great place for growing families and aspiring professionals, this city on the Savannah River has something to offer everyone. The outlying cities enrich the lifestyle, by providing a range of housing options while staying close to the urban amenities of Augusta proper.

Each suburb has its own unique benefits and drawbacks, so it’s important to do your research before making a decision.

Here are 8 of the best suburbs to live around Augusta:

1. Evans, GA

Evans was chosen one of the Best Towns for Families by Family Circle Magazine. Money Magazine ranked it the Best Place to Live in America in 2020. This assessment was based on low crime rates and financial stability, as well as accessible health care and green space.

Evans is a great suburb with beautiful vistas and exciting outdoor activities just waiting to be explored. It’s a great option for those who want to be close to Augusta without living in the city itself. The city is only a 20-minute drive on highway I-20. 

The local schools are excellent and there are plenty of things to do, including several golf courses, parks, and shopping centers. Visit the neighborhood’s diverse boutiques in the downtown and surrounding areas.

Natural beauty and exciting outdoor activities are all part of the community. The children will enjoy the splash parks and the playgrounds.  Catch a performance at the historic community center park. Escape to Jones Creek Golf Course or the  Bartram Trail if you need a vacation from city life.

Residents have a  medley of unique eateries, from T-Bonz steakhouse to Rhinehart’s Oyster Bar’s “beyond casual” atmosphere. All put together, Evans is a great mix of dining, retail, opportunity, and recreation.

2. Grovetown, GA

Grovetown is located around halfway between the state capitals of Georgia and South Carolina. Founded on high ground just to the northwest of Fort Gordon, Grovetown is on the northern end of the Middle Savannah River sub-basin.

Grovetown is a great option for those who want to be close to Augusta. Even with over 16,000 residents, it has a small-town feel, and the schools are good. The combination of old-fashioned charm and contemporary facilities has helped to establish Grovetown’s identity as “A Community That Cares.”

The median home value in Grovetown was $256,500 in early 2022. The overall cost of living in Grovetown was 93.7 making the city below the national average. The public school system in this community is one of the finest in Georgia, ideal for raising a family.

Grovetown dates back to 1881, but the modern city is reinventing itself from a “country crossroads” into a modern metropolis with all of the amenities of a new millennium city. Grovetown has a diverse economy and is home to several major firms and industries, including GIW Industries, Serta, and John Deere. Grovetown has grown into an ideal location for anybody seeking to start a business or career because of the huge activities at these sites.

3. Harlem, GA

Columbia County’s hidden treasure has a charming hometown feel, safe and inviting communities, and a historic downtown. Here, you’re likely to pass a neighbor riding by on a golf cart on their way into town.

Beginning in the decades after prohibition, Harlem was named when a resident had a New Yorker relative visit the town. He said he thought the new town resembled Harlem, New York, an affluent artistic area near New York City.

Over the years, the town was a haven for many Augustans, especially during the summer smallpox and cholera epidemics.

Today, Harlem has about 3,000 residents. It’s a great place to be near Augusta and still have a true, small-town lifestyle.

Each year in the first weekend of October, thousands of people converge on the city’s downtown area to pay tribute to the portly comedian who was born in Harlem in 1892, Oliver Hardy.

4. North Augusta, SC

North Augusta, located along the Savannah River in the Augusta-Aiken Metropolitan area, is minutes from adjacent cities of Augusta and Aiken, as well as destinations such as Fort Gordon. North Augusta has over 20,000 residents and provides its citizens with an enhanced quality of life through a variety of services available throughout the city.

The South Carolina and Georgia boundary is formed by the Savannah River, so North Augusta is known as “South Carolina’s Riverfront.” North Augusta is located 70 miles west of Columbia, South Carolina’s state capital in Aiken County.

Over the last century, the city of North Augusta’s borders have expanded along the Savannah River. It is a lovely city with its amazing location, progressive government, high growth, charming neighborhoods, and kind people. There are plenty of things to do, including several golf courses, parks, and shopping centers.

The Aiken County School District, which is the sixth-largest school system in South Carolina, serves the school-age children in North Augusta. The local schools are highly regarded for their educational quality.

North Augusta is a great choice for those who want to be close to downtown Augusta but want their space.

5. Martinez, GA

Martinez is a northwestern suburb of Augusta and part of the Augusta, Georgia metropolitan area. José Martínez y Saldivar founded the town. He was a wealthy Cuban immigrant who purchased a plantation in Columbia County in 1869 and named it El Cordero Rancho (“The Lamb Ranch”).

El Cordero Ranch is now just 20 acres large. Martinez’s original mansion, as well as several buildings, barns, and a water tower on the property, still stand today.

Modern Martinez is a great option for those who want a suburban area with easy access to downtown Augusta. Over 30,000 people live in the Augusta suburb. The schools are good and there are plenty of shopping and dining options available.

The Augusta Canal begins in Martinez, where the Savannah River is dammed. The head gates harnessed the power of the Savannah River in 1845, offering water and transportation to Augusta. The dam also powered a number of factories that developed along the canal, propelling Augusta to prominence as a manufacturing center in the South.

Today, the Columbia County Visitor’s Center in the refurbished Lockkeeper’s Cottage houses exhibits about the canal and other relics. The original restored Dance Pavilion from 1880, Dining Shed from 1935, BBQ pit from 1880, and Savannah Rapids Pavilion are all located outside of the cottage.

If you want to get some exercise, go for a walk along the canal trail into Augusta, rent a canoe, or take the canal boat tour! Reed Creek Wetlands and Interpretative Center is only minutes away from the headgates. Visit one of Reed Creek’s public programs, such as the Wilderness Survival Class, Frog Call Survey, and Nurturing Nature Walk with your family.

6. Thomson, GA

Thomson is a small rural community located in Augusta’s southern region. It offers distinctive events like the Blind Willie McTell Music Festival, and the Belle Meade Hunt Opening Meet. Clarks Hill Lake also makes it an ideal location for outdoor activities, particularly if you love boating.

Thomson was founded in 1837 as a depot on the Georgia Railroad. Historic monuments, antique shops and boutiques, and dining are attractions in Thomson. With just over 6,500 residents, Thomson is a great option for those who want a small town feel with easy access to Augusta.

7. Warrenton, GA

The first permanent settlement in Warren County was Warrenton, which became a town in 1810. The downtown area and homes on Main Street are all included on the Register of Historic Districts, which describes the town as having “an abundance of historic buildings.” Antique shops, gift stores, and restaurants abound around the town square.

With several historic homes and attractions, Warren County is packed with history. The Museum of Cultural History, which is housed in the historic East Warrenton Depot , features relics important to Warren County history. A short stroll from the Chamber of Commerce brings you to the historic Knox Theater, which is undergoing restoration work at this time.

The Annual Sportsman’s Festival is held every summer in Warrenton, as well as other special events throughout the year.

Warrenton’s population is just over 2,000 residents. This is a community where people get to know your name and look out for you. Residents are about 38 miles outside of Augusta.

8. Aiken, SC

Aiken has received many accolades: One of 21 Best Towns for Boomers, One of 100 Best Communities for Young People, and One of a Dozen Distinctive Destinations.

Founded as a resort town, Aiken is known as a great Southern vacation spot that appeals to everyone! However, it has plenty of lifestyle amenities and housing options that make it a fast-growing place to live.

Life in Aiken, SC involves getting outside and seeing history, ambling through picturesque parks, and shopping in lively malls. Aiken has a flourishing downtown with a lot of things to do. Aiken has a lot of restaurants, cafes, and foodie festivals. You’ll discover something for every taste and budget at our many locally-owned cafés and eateries.

Equestrian activities are central to the Aiken lifestyle. Sporting competitions and other festivals are held in Aiken on a regular basis. Housing options include spacious lots and equestrian communities.

Aiken is a great option for those who want to live in a rural area with lots of amenities. The schools are good and there are plenty of things to do, including several golf courses. Learn about the Aiken real estate market.

Best Suburbs Near Augusta, GA

When considering which suburb to live in, it’s important to consider your priorities and what’s important to you. Do you want a smaller or larger community? A town with easy access to Augusta or one that’s more rural?

Once you’ve narrowed your priorities, research each Augusta suburb until you find the perfect one for you. A local real estate expert can help your home search and your move to Augusta.