1st Advantage MortgageThe median Baldwin County household earns $54,403, and 22% of residents live below the poverty line. Whatever your own numbers, compare written offers on APR, fees and total cost, and verify the lender is licensed in Georgia before sharing details.
On this page
- A quick profile of Baldwin County
- Household income in Baldwin County
- What it costs to live in Baldwin County
- Work, industries and travel time in Baldwin County
- Counties near Baldwin County
- Places inside Baldwin County
- Budget math at the Baldwin County median
- What the numbers mean for Baldwin County borrowers
- People and households in Baldwin County
- Georgia rules that apply in Baldwin County
- Checklist for Baldwin County applicants
- Related local guides
- Frequently asked questions
A quick profile of Baldwin County
Roughly 43,642 residents live in Baldwin County, Georgia, 48th by population among the state's 159 counties and county equivalents. It covers 259 square miles of land, or about 169 people per square mile. Under the July 2023 OMB definitions, Baldwin County is not part of any metropolitan area. Of the 2 Census places inside Baldwin County, Milledgeville leads by population with about 16,748; 1 of the 2 are incorporated.
Household income in Baldwin County
At $54,403, the typical Baldwin County household income is 17% below the median U.S. county ($65,681). That places it 96th among Georgia's 159 county-level areas.
| Income band | Share in Baldwin County | Difference from Georgia |
|---|---|---|
| Under $35,000 | 31.3% | +9.2 pts |
| $35,000 to $99,999 | 42.7% | +3.2 pts |
| $100,000 to $199,999 | 21.5% | -5.0 pts |
| $200,000 or more | 4.5% | -7.4 pts |
Some 31% of households here live on less than $35,000 a year; 26% have six-figure incomes. 21.7% of residents fall below the federal poverty line (statewide: 13.4%). None of these numbers decides a Baldwin County application. Lenders weigh your own documented income against your own debts.
What it costs to live in Baldwin County
Renters in Baldwin County pay a median of $923 a month, 34% below the Georgia figure of $1,393. Rent takes 30% or more of income for 55% of renter households here. Home values center on $181,900, or 3.3 years of median income. The ownership rate is 61%. Half the housing stock was built before 1987.
| Baldwin County | Georgia | U.S. county median | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median gross rent | $923/mo | $1,393/mo | $877/mo |
| Median home value | $181,900 | $303,300 | $185,300 |
| Owners | 61% | 66% | 75% |
| Rent-burdened renters | 55% | 52% | 45% |
| Burdened owners | 20% | 26% | n/a |
| Vacant units | 18% | 10% | n/a |
Rent pressure is real here, so run any payment through the debt-to-income calculator before you apply.
Work, industries and travel time in Baldwin County
Education and health care employs 32% of working residents, the largest share; manufacturing is next with 11%. Education and health care stands out: 32% of workers here, versus 21% statewide. The survey's unemployment rate for Baldwin County averages 6.2% over 2020 to 2024 (state: 5.1%). About 80% drive to work alone and 15% have trips of 45 minutes or more. 7.9% of households have no vehicle.
| Where residents work | Baldwin County | Difference from Georgia |
|---|---|---|
| Education and health care | 31.9% | +10.9 pts |
| Manufacturing | 10.9% | +0.9 pts |
| Retail trade | 10.8% | -0.5 pts |
| Arts, lodging and food service | 9.8% | +1.2 pts |
| Professional and administrative services | 8.1% | -5.5 pts |
| Finance, insurance and real estate | 6.3% | -0.1 pts |
If your hours swing with the season or with overtime, size a loan payment against your base pay, not your best month.
Counties near Baldwin County
Nearest neighbors first, measured between county centers (18 to 29 miles). Income ranges from $40,082 in Hancock County to $75,500 in Jones County; 3 of these neighbors top Baldwin County's median.
| County | Miles | Median household income | Median rent | Homeownership |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Baldwin County | - | $54,403 | $923/mo | 61% |
| Jones County, GA | 18 mi | $75,500 | $964/mo | 84% |
| Wilkinson County, GA | 18 mi | $45,465 | $825/mo | 81% |
| Putnam County, GA | 19 mi | $72,096 | $1,002/mo | 81% |
| Hancock County, GA | 21 mi | $40,082 | $938/mo | 79% |
| Washington County, GA | 27 mi | $46,023 | $858/mo | 65% |
| Twiggs County, GA | 29 mi | $56,324 | $808/mo | 88% |
Places inside Baldwin County
Here are the 2 most populous of the county's 2 Census places, with income and rent from the same 2020 to 2024 survey. About 46% of Baldwin County residents live in one of the 2. Live in one of these Baldwin County communities, or between them? This is your local guide.
| Name | Kind | Pop. | Income | Rent | Miles |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Milledgeville | city | 16,748 | $41,616 | $913 | 2 mi |
| Hardwick | CDP | 3,402 | $39,510 | $930 | 1 mi |
Budget math at the Baldwin County median
Here is the Baldwin County median household run through a simple DTI check. Your numbers will differ.
- Median income divided by twelve: $4,534 before taxes
- Less median rent of $923, which is 20% of it
- 35% debt-to-income limit: $664 left for all other debt payments
- With a 45% ceiling, about $1,117 remains for car, card, student and any new loan payments
Car, student loan and card payments come out of that room first. Try your own numbers in the calculator.
What the numbers mean for Baldwin County borrowers
What the Baldwin County figures suggest, and what to check first:
- Hospital bills in Baldwin County. For the 12% of residents without coverage, the provider's charity-care program comes before any loan (details).
- Manufactured homes. 21% of Baldwin County housing units are mobile homes, and their repairs are often paid with unsecured loans. Get the quote in writing.
- Free help first. 22% of residents live below the poverty line; utility, rent and food programs cost nothing to repay (free options).
- Rent squeeze. 55% of renters spend 30%+ of income on rent; borrow only if the loan cuts what you pay overall.
People and households in Baldwin County
24% of Baldwin County adults 25 and older hold a bachelor's degree or more. About 12% go without health insurance.
| Baldwin County | Georgia | U.S. county median | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median age | 36.5 | 37.6 | 41.5 |
| Bachelor's or higher | 24.4% | 34.9% | 22.2% |
| No high school diploma | 12.9% | 10.8% | n/a |
| No health insurance | 12.2% | 12.4% | 7.8% |
| No vehicle | 7.9% | 5.9% | 5.4% |
| Work from home | 8.2% | 15.9% | 8.7% |
| Poverty rate | 21.7% | 13.4% | 13.2% |
| Unemployment (ACS) | 6.2% | 5.1% | 4.4% |
| Minutes to work | Baldwin County workers |
|---|---|
| Under 15 min | 34.4% |
| 15 to 29 min | 33.1% |
| 30 to 44 min | 17.1% |
| 45 to 59 min | 7.1% |
| 60+ min | 8.3% |
Georgia rules that apply in Baldwin County
Licensing happens at the state level, so a lender working with Baldwin County borrowers answers to the Georgia Department of Banking and Finance. The Consumer Financial Protection Bureau accepts complaints nationwide. See the Georgia state guide for the statewide picture.
Checklist for Baldwin County applicants
Steps that save money for Baldwin County residents:
- Know the exact dollar figure you need before talking to a lender.
- Prequalify with soft pulls where offered, then compare in writing.
- A Georgia license check takes minutes; do it first.
- Ask about early-payoff penalties.
Related local guides
For statewide rules and data, see the Georgia guide.
Frequently asked questions
How much do households in Baldwin County earn?
The median is $54,403; 26% earn $100,000 or more and 31% under $35,000. A lender uses your own documented income, not this figure.
How much is rent in Baldwin County?
Median gross rent, utilities included, is $923 a month; 55% of renters spend 30% or more of income on it.
Does this page cover Milledgeville?
Yes, along with the other 1 Census place in Baldwin County, such as Hardwick.
Are Baldwin County applicants treated differently?
No. Everyone answers the same questions and is screened on the same objective points; lending partners set their own criteria under fair-lending laws.
Who regulates personal lenders for Baldwin 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.