1st Advantage MortgageThe median Bacon County household earns $44,694, and 24% of residents live below the poverty line. County medians do not set your terms. Shop at least three lenders, including a credit union serving Bacon County, and confirm each one's Georgia license.
On this page
- A quick profile of Bacon County
- Housing costs in Bacon County
- Income in Bacon County compared with Georgia
- Employment and commuting in Bacon County
- Bacon County at the extremes
- Census places in Bacon County
- Bacon County next to its neighbors
- Room for a loan payment in Bacon County
- What the numbers mean for Bacon County borrowers
- Bacon County households compared
- A Bacon County borrower's checklist
- Who licenses lenders for Bacon County residents
- More guides for Bacon County
- Frequently asked questions
A quick profile of Bacon County
Roughly 11,109 residents live in Bacon County, Georgia, 119th by population among the state's 159 counties and county equivalents. Its 284 square miles average 39 people per square mile, by the 2024 Census Gazetteer. Under the July 2023 OMB definitions, Bacon County is not part of any metropolitan area. Of the 2 Census places inside Bacon County, Alma leads by population with about 3,426; 1 of the 2 are incorporated.
Housing costs in Bacon County
A typical Bacon County rental runs $743 a month including utilities, which is 47% below Georgia. Cost-burdened renters, paying 30%-plus of income: 41% in Bacon County, 52% statewide. The median owner-occupied home is valued at $101,400, about 2.3 times the median household income. The ownership rate is 69%. The median home was built in 1979, so roofs, wiring and heating systems are a common source of repair bills.
| Cost | Bacon County | Georgia figure | Higher or lower |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median gross rent | $743/mo | $1,393/mo | 47% lower |
| Median home value | $101,400 | $303,300 | 67% lower |
| Owners | 69% | 66% | +3.0 pts |
| Rent-burdened renters | 41% | 52% | -11.5 pts |
| Burdened owners | 29% | 26% | +2.9 pts |
| Mobile homes | 30.7% | 7.8% | +22.8 pts |
Income in Bacon County compared with Georgia
The median household income in Bacon County is $44,694; statewide it is $77,353, so Bacon County runs 42% below Georgia as a whole. Only 143 Georgia counties post a higher median.
| Household income | Bacon County | vs Georgia |
|---|---|---|
| Under $35,000 | 38.7% | +16.5 pts |
| $35,000 to $99,999 | 41.2% | +1.7 pts |
| $100,000 to $199,999 | 17.8% | -8.6 pts |
| $200,000 or more | 2.3% | -9.6 pts |
Six-figure households (20%) are outnumbered by those under $35,000 (39%) in Bacon County. Poverty rate, Bacon County: 24.5%; Georgia: 13.4%. Gini index for Bacon County: 0.498. Income from any regular source can count, including Social Security, pensions and disability benefits, as long as you can document it.
Employment and commuting in Bacon County
Top Bacon County industry by residents employed: education and health care, 23%; second, manufacturing, 13%. Bacon County over-indexes on agriculture, forestry and mining: 9% versus 1% in Georgia. Unemployment in Bacon County, ACS five-year: 2.6%; Georgia: 5.1%. 36% of Bacon County workers get to work in under 15 minutes, while 20% need 45 or more.
| Sector | Bacon County | Compared with Georgia |
|---|---|---|
| Education and health care | 22.7% | +1.7 pts |
| Manufacturing | 13.1% | +3.1 pts |
| Transportation, warehousing and utilities | 11.9% | +4.6 pts |
| Retail trade | 10.6% | -0.7 pts |
| Construction | 9.2% | +2.2 pts |
| Agriculture, forestry and mining | 9.1% | +8.1 pts |
Self-employed in Bacon County? Two years of tax returns usually stand in for pay stubs.
Bacon County at the extremes
Ranked against the other 158 county-level areas in Georgia, these are the Bacon County figures furthest from the middle.
- Few Georgia counties match Bacon County on the share of adults with a bachelor's degree: 10% here, 35% for the state, ranking 10th lowest of 159. No degree is required for a personal loan; documented income is.
- Bacon County ranks 12th lowest of 159 Georgia counties for the ACS unemployment rate: 2.6%, against 5.1% statewide. A tight job market helps steady income, but lenders still verify it.
- Median household income: $44,694 in Bacon County. Only 15 of 159 Georgia counties are lower. A lean local median makes the size of the loan the most important choice.
- Few Georgia counties match Bacon County on the poverty rate: 24.5% here, 13.4% for the state, ranking 19th highest of 159. Nonprofit credit counseling is free or low cost and worth a call first.
Census places in Bacon County
2 Census places fall mainly inside Bacon County; the 2 biggest are below. They account for 3,597 residents, leaving about 68% of the county in unincorporated, unnamed areas. None of the 2 has its own city guide, so this page covers all of them.
| Town or CDP | Type | People | Median household income | Median gross rent | Miles from center |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Alma | city | 3,426 | $36,884 | $683 | 1 mi |
| Rockingham | CDP | 171 | n/a | n/a | 2 mi |
CDP: census-designated place, an unincorporated community mapped for statistics.
Bacon County next to its neighbors
Nearest neighbors first, measured between county centers (16 to 32 miles). 4 of the six report a higher median household income than Bacon County; Pierce County is highest at $60,517 and Jeff Davis County lowest at $40,283.
| Nearby county | Center to center | Household income | Gross rent | Owner-occupied |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Bacon County | - | $44,694 | $743/mo | 69% |
| Appling County, GA | 16 mi | $46,651 | $739/mo | 73% |
| Pierce County, GA | 20 mi | $60,517 | $799/mo | 76% |
| Jeff Davis County, GA | 21 mi | $40,283 | $650/mo | 71% |
| Coffee County, GA | 23 mi | $50,683 | $710/mo | 65% |
| Atkinson County, GA | 31 mi | $42,347 | $657/mo | 62% |
| Wayne County, GA | 32 mi | $53,427 | $846/mo | 67% |
Room for a loan payment in Bacon County
DTI math using Bacon County medians ($44,694 income, $743 rent):
- Median income divided by twelve: $3,724 before taxes
- Median rent: $743, or 20 cents of every gross dollar
- Under a 36% cap, $1,341 total minus rent leaves $598
- Under a 43% cap, $1,602 total minus rent leaves $859
These are gross figures; take-home pay in Bacon County will be lower after taxes and deductions.
What the numbers mean for Bacon County borrowers
Where the Bacon County numbers stand out, and why it matters for a loan:
- 15% uninsured. In Bacon County, ask for an itemized bill and a payment plan first (medical bills).
- Vehicle repairs. 20% of Bacon County workers commute 45+ minutes, so a breakdown can cost a paycheck. Get two written estimates.
- Manufactured homes. 31% of Bacon County housing units are mobile homes, and their repairs are often paid with unsecured loans. Get the quote in writing.
- Before borrowing. At 24.5% poverty, Bacon County has local aid programs worth checking (options).
Bacon County households compared
Degree holders: 10% of adults over 25. 14.9% of residents have no health coverage.
| Measure | Bacon County | Gap to Georgia | Gap to typical U.S. county |
|---|---|---|---|
| Bachelor's or higher | 10.4% | -24.5 pts | -11.8 pts |
| Poverty rate | 24.5% | +11.1 pts | +11.3 pts |
| Work from home | 6.8% | -9.1 pts | -1.9 pts |
| No high school diploma | 14.1% | +3.4 pts | n/a |
| Median age | 40.6 | +3.0 yrs | -0.9 yrs |
| No health insurance | 14.9% | +2.5 pts | +7.1 pts |
| Unemployment (ACS) | 2.6% | -2.5 pts | -1.8 pts |
| No vehicle | 7.7% | +1.8 pts | +2.3 pts |
| Travel time to work | Workers |
|---|---|
| Under 15 min | 36.1% |
| 15 to 29 min | 27.2% |
| 30 to 44 min | 16.5% |
| 45 to 59 min | 11.9% |
| 60+ min | 8.3% |
A Bacon County borrower's checklist
Quick steps for Bacon County:
- Get a written quote for whatever you are paying for in Bacon County.
- Line up offers side by side: APR, fees in dollars, total cost.
- Confirm the lender is licensed in Georgia.
- Read the final agreement; it must match the offer.
Who licenses lenders for Bacon County residents
The Georgia Department of Banking and Finance is the place to verify any lender's Georgia license. Nationally, Bacon County residents can file with the CFPB. Statewide data and rules: Georgia guide.
More guides for Bacon County
Next step up from Bacon County:
Frequently asked questions
How much do households in Bacon County earn?
The median is $44,694; 20% earn $100,000 or more and 39% under $35,000. A lender uses your own documented income, not this figure.
Can a Bacon County renter afford a loan payment?
At the $743 median rent and $3,724 median monthly income, rent alone uses 20%; add other debts before a new payment.
I live in a small Bacon County town. Is this my guide?
Yes. If your town has no city guide, this county page is the local one; it covers Alma, Rockingham.
Is the fit check different in Bacon County?
No. It is identical everywhere, and it never looks at your neighborhood.
Who regulates personal lenders for Bacon County residents?
The Georgia Department of Banking and Finance licenses consumer lenders in Georgia; the CFPB takes complaints about any lender, and the FTC wants to hear about fee-first offers.