The Columbus, Georgia Metropolitan Statistical Area, as defined by the United States Census Bureau, is an area consisting of four counties in Georgia and one county in Alabama, anchored by the city of Columbus. As of the 2000 census, the MSA had a population of 281,768 (though a July 1, 2009 estimate placed the population at 292,795). The Columbus metropolitan area is a component of the Columbus-Auburn-Opelika (GA-AL) Combined Statistical Area, a trading and marketing region.