1st Advantage MortgageIn Barrow County, Georgia, the typical household earns $80,653 a year and the typical rent is $1,318. A loan makes sense only if its total cost beats your alternatives and the payment fits your budget. Check the lender's Georgia license first.
On this page
- Barrow County, GA: the basics
- Household income in Barrow County
- The Barrow County job picture
- Housing costs in Barrow County
- Towns and communities in Barrow County
- Neighboring counties at a glance
- Budget math at the Barrow County median
- Before borrowing in Barrow County
- Who lives in Barrow County, in numbers
- Licensing and complaints for Barrow County
- A Barrow County borrower's checklist
- Nearby and statewide guides
- Frequently asked questions
Barrow County, GA: the basics
Roughly 89,886 residents live in Barrow County, Georgia, 29th by population among the state's 159 counties and county equivalents. Land area is 161 square miles (2024 Gazetteer), so density runs near 558 per square mile. The federal metro definitions (OMB, July 2023) place it in the Atlanta-Sandy Springs-Roswell, GA metropolitan area. Winder is the biggest of its 7 Census places, at roughly 19,437 people (22% of the county total).
Household income in Barrow County
Half of Barrow County households take in less than $80,653 a year and half take in more, 4% above the Georgia median of $77,353.
| Households earning | Barrow County | +/- vs Georgia |
|---|---|---|
| Under $35,000 | 17.0% | -5.2 pts |
| $35,000 to $99,999 | 45.1% | +5.6 pts |
| $100,000 to $199,999 | 31.1% | +4.6 pts |
| $200,000 or more | 6.8% | -5.0 pts |
Some 17% of households here live on less than $35,000 a year; 38% have six-figure incomes. Census counts 9.6% of Barrow County residents in poverty, against 13.4% across Georgia. Income inequality, measured by the Gini index, comes to 0.385 here. None of these numbers decides a Barrow County application. Lenders weigh your own documented income against your own debts.
The Barrow County job picture
By the Census industry count, 17% of employed Barrow County residents work in education and health care and 13% in manufacturing. Compared with Georgia, the county leans toward construction (10% against 7%). Averaged over the five survey years, 3.7% of the labor force was out of work and looking. About 78% drive to work alone and 28% have trips of 45 minutes or more.
| Industry (employed residents 16+) | Barrow County | Gap to Georgia |
|---|---|---|
| Education and health care | 17.4% | -3.6 pts |
| Manufacturing | 13.0% | +3.0 pts |
| Retail trade | 13.0% | +1.7 pts |
| Professional and administrative services | 11.7% | -1.9 pts |
| Construction | 10.3% | +3.4 pts |
| Arts, lodging and food service | 8.6% | +0.1 pts |
Where long drives are the norm, a car repair is one of the most common surprise bills. A small repair fund can keep a breakdown from turning into a loan.
Housing costs in Barrow County
A typical Barrow County rental runs $1,318 a month including utilities, which is 5% below Georgia. By the Census definition, 46% of Barrow County renters are cost-burdened. With a median value of $294,700, a typical Barrow County house costs 3.7 times what the median household earns in a year. The ownership rate is 79%. Median construction year: 2001.
| Cost | Barrow County | Georgia figure | Median county, U.S. |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median gross rent | $1,318/mo | $1,393/mo | $877/mo |
| Median home value | $294,700 | $303,300 | $185,300 |
| Owners | 79% | 66% | 75% |
| Rent-burdened renters | 46% | 52% | 45% |
| Burdened owners | 29% | 26% | n/a |
| Mobile homes | 6.2% | 7.8% | n/a |
Because most Barrow County households own, home repairs are a frequent reason to borrow. An unsecured personal loan leaves the house out of the deal, while a HELOC uses it as collateral.
Towns and communities in Barrow County
Here are the 7 most populous of the county's 7 Census places, with income and rent from the same 2020 to 2024 survey. About 54% of Barrow County residents live in one of the 7. Braselton has the highest median household income on the list ($120,984) and Russell the lowest ($60,781), counting places with at least 500 residents. Rent is cheapest in Bethlehem ($972) and steepest in Braselton ($2,082). This guide covers each of the 7 places and the rural areas around them.
| Place | Type | Population | Median income | Median rent | From county center |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Winder | city | 19,437 | $63,779 | $1,209 | 1 mi |
| Braselton | town | 15,178 | $120,984 | $2,082 | 10 mi |
| Auburn | city | 8,711 | $77,034 | $1,326 | 7 mi |
| Statham | city | 3,018 | $73,903 | $1,281 | 7 mi |
| Russell | CDP | 1,089 | $60,781 | $1,202 | 1 mi |
| Bethlehem | town | 707 | $61,875 | $972 | 4 mi |
| Carl | town | 183 | $44,679 | $1,156 | 6 mi |
Neighboring counties at a glance
The six counties whose centers lie closest to Barrow County's, from 13 to 23 miles away. 5 of the six report a higher median household income than Barrow County; Oconee County is highest at $121,217 and Clarke County lowest at $53,625.
| County | Distance | Median income | Median rent | Owners |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Barrow County | - | $80,653 | $1,318/mo | 79% |
| Jackson County, GA | 13 mi | $89,544 | $1,126/mo | 79% |
| Walton County, GA | 14 mi | $84,945 | $1,175/mo | 79% |
| Gwinnett County, GA | 18 mi | $87,890 | $1,810/mo | 66% |
| Oconee County, GA | 19 mi | $121,217 | $1,462/mo | 81% |
| Clarke County, GA | 20 mi | $53,625 | $1,219/mo | 41% |
| Hall County, GA | 23 mi | $80,901 | $1,341/mo | 69% |
Budget math at the Barrow County median
The debt-to-income ratio is the main affordability test lenders use. Applied to Barrow County's medians:
- $6,721 a month: gross income for a household at the Barrow County median
- Less median rent of $1,318, which is 20% of it
- With a 40% ceiling, about $1,370 remains for car, card, student and any new loan payments
Two-income households and single earners in Barrow County land in very different places on this math, so run it for your own budget.
Before borrowing in Barrow County
Where the Barrow County numbers stand out, and why it matters for a loan:
- Uninsured care. 15% lack coverage here; nonprofit hospitals must publish an assistance policy, so ask for it first (guide).
- Commuter costs. 28% drive 45 minutes or more. Compare shop financing with a loan, and keep a small repair fund.
- Tight rental budgets. With 46% of Barrow County renters cost-burdened, test a new payment against a lean month.
Who lives in Barrow County, in numbers
College graduates make up 21% of the adult population. The uninsured rate is 15.4%, against 12.4% for Georgia.
| Barrow County | Georgia | U.S. county median | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median age | 36.4 | 37.6 | 41.5 |
| Bachelor's or higher | 21.2% | 34.9% | 22.2% |
| No high school diploma | 11.4% | 10.8% | n/a |
| No health insurance | 15.4% | 12.4% | 7.8% |
| No vehicle | 3.1% | 5.9% | 5.4% |
| Work from home | 9.3% | 15.9% | 8.7% |
| Poverty rate | 9.6% | 13.4% | 13.2% |
| Unemployment (ACS) | 3.7% | 5.1% | 4.4% |
| One-way commute | Share of Barrow County workers |
|---|---|
| Under 15 min | 16.7% |
| 15 to 29 min | 27.0% |
| 30 to 44 min | 28.2% |
| 45 to 59 min | 12.5% |
| 60+ min | 15.5% |
Licensing and complaints for Barrow County
Consumer lenders serving Barrow County are licensed by the state, not the county; in Georgia that is the Georgia Department of Banking and Finance. The Consumer Financial Protection Bureau accepts complaints nationwide. The Georgia guide covers state rules in more detail.
A Barrow County borrower's checklist
Steps that save money for Barrow County residents:
- Size the loan to the bill, not to the most a lender offers.
- Compare the total repaid on every offer, not just the payment.
- Look the lender up with the state regulator first.
- Lock paid-off cards after consolidating so balances stay at zero.
Nearby and statewide guides
The Georgia guide covers the whole state.
Frequently asked questions
What is the median household income in Barrow County?
$80,653 a year in the 2020 to 2024 Census survey, versus $77,353 for Georgia. It ranks 26th of 159 in the state.
What do renters pay in Barrow County?
$1,318 a month at the median, about 20% of median household income.
Which towns does the Barrow County guide cover?
Every community in the county, unincorporated areas included. The largest of its 7 Census places: Winder, Braselton, Auburn, Statham, Russell.
Will a Barrow County address affect my match?
Beyond confirming Georgia as your state, no. Your answers about amount, credit, income and payments are all that count.
Is there a Barrow County office that licenses lenders?
No, licensing is statewide. In Georgia it is the Georgia Department of Banking and Finance.