Is Appling safe?
Augusta, Georgia · safety score updated nightly
Yes — it is one of the safer places in the metro to walk around.
VibeLoco rates Appling as “Go”.
Gogo's take on Appling
“Go. Appling is an exceptionally safe, serene rural community in Columbia County that offers premier outdoor recreation along Clarks Hill Lake. While there is virtually no crime threat for visitors, you will need a personal vehicle to get around the sprawling countryside.”
About the area
Appling serves as the historic county seat of Columbia County, situated northwest of Augusta along the shores of J. Strom Thurmond Lake. It is characterized by scenic farmland, pine forests, lakeside parks, and expansive single-family estates.
- Rural & Peaceful
- Lakeside Recreation
- Car-Dependent
- Family-Friendly
Walking and biking in Appling
Walk score: 5/100 · Bike score: 15/100
There are no dedicated bike lanes or multi-use paved trails along public roads, though extensive mountain biking and nature trails exist inside Wildwood Park.
Reasons to go, and reasons to think twice
Pros
- Extremely low violent and property crime rates well below state and national averages
- High median household income exceeding $95,000 with strong homeownership rates
- World-class outdoor recreation including major disc golf courses and lake access
Cons
- Completely car-dependent with no pedestrian infrastructure or sidewalks
- Long emergency services response times compared to dense suburban areas
- Extremely limited commercial dining, retail, and late-night services
Homelessness: Visible homelessness is practically non-existent in Appling, with no encampments or panhandling present.
What Appling is like at each time of day
- Morning · 5a – 11a
- Peaceful and quiet with mist over the fields and occasional recreational boaters heading out toward the lake.
- Afternoon · 11a – 5p
- Calm and safe with sparse local traffic and families enjoying the state and county parks.
- Evening · 5p – 10p
- Quiet and dark with tranquil rural sounds and virtually no street-level disturbances.
- Late night · 10p – 5a
- Pitch-black rural roads requiring careful driving due to deer, but exceptionally safe from crime.
Transit, parking and getting around
There is no public transit service in Appling; Augusta Public Transit (APT) does not operate routes this far into rural Columbia County.
Parking is free and widely available across parks, county facilities, and local businesses in large open lots.
Things to do in Appling
- Play championship-level courses at the International Disc Golf Center
- Launch a boat, camp, or swim at Wildwood Park on Clarks Hill Lake
- Visit the historic Columbia County Courthouse, the oldest functioning courthouse in Georgia
Local favorites
- International Disc Golf Center · Outdoor Recreation · 4.8★ (320)The global headquarters for disc golf featuring three elite 18-hole championship courses and a museum.
- Wildwood Park · County Park & Campground · 4.7★ (1150)Sprawling lakefront park offering boat ramps, equestrian trails, beaches, and full-hookup campsites.
- Appling Country Store & Deli · Convenience & Deli · 4.5★ (85)A classic rural hub serving hearty breakfast sandwiches, burgers, and daily essentials for lake-goers.
Scores are safety-driven — recent reported crime and local news plus Census income, poverty, housing, education, household and access data — refreshed nightly. Walk and bike scores are shown separately and do not affect the safety score. A guide, not a guarantee — conditions change street to street.