1st Advantage MortgageBerrien County households have a median income of $52,876 and median rent of $782 a month (ACS 2020 to 2024). Your income, debts and credit decide what you qualify for. Get offers in writing, compare the total repaid, and never pay a fee up front.
On this page
- Berrien County, GA: the basics
- What it costs to live in Berrien County
- Income in Berrien County compared with Georgia
- Employment and commuting in Berrien County
- Towns and communities in Berrien County
- How Berrien County compares with nearby counties
- Budget math at the Berrien County median
- More Berrien County figures
- Before borrowing in Berrien County
- Licensing and complaints for Berrien County
- Steps before you apply in Berrien County
- Related local guides
- Frequently asked questions
Berrien County, GA: the basics
The latest five-year Census estimate puts Berrien County's population at 18,352; only 98 of Georgia's 159 county-level areas are larger. Spread over 453 square miles, that works out to roughly 40.5 residents per square mile. No metropolitan area includes Berrien County in the 2023 federal delineation, so its numbers stand on their own rather than as part of a metro. Nashville is the biggest of its 3 Census places, at roughly 4,928 people (27% of the county total).
What it costs to live in Berrien County
Median gross rent, utilities included, comes to $782 in Berrien County versus $1,393 statewide. Rent takes 30% or more of income for 44% of renter households here. The median owner-occupied home is valued at $131,600, about 2.5 times the median household income. The ownership rate is 71%. Median construction year: 1989.
| Cost | Berrien County | Georgia figure | Median county, U.S. |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median gross rent | $782/mo | $1,393/mo | $877/mo |
| Median home value | $131,600 | $303,300 | $185,300 |
| Owners | 71% | 66% | 75% |
| Rent-burdened renters | 44% | 52% | 45% |
| Burdened owners | 25% | 26% | n/a |
| Mobile homes | 32.7% | 7.8% | n/a |
Income in Berrien County compared with Georgia
The median household income in Berrien County is $52,876; statewide it is $77,353, so Berrien County runs 32% below Georgia as a whole. That places it 108th among Georgia's 159 county-level areas.
| Income band | Share in Berrien County | Difference from Georgia |
|---|---|---|
| Under $35,000 | 35.3% | +13.1 pts |
| $35,000 to $99,999 | 39.9% | +0.4 pts |
| $100,000 to $199,999 | 20.7% | -5.7 pts |
| $200,000 or more | 4.1% | -7.8 pts |
Some 35% of households here live on less than $35,000 a year; 25% have six-figure incomes. Census counts 20.6% of Berrien County residents in poverty, against 13.4% across Georgia. The Gini index of income inequality is 0.465 (0 is perfect equality). For a borrower in Berrien County, the county median is only context: a lender looks at the income you can document, so pay stubs, benefit letters or tax returns matter more than any average.
Employment and commuting in Berrien County
Manufacturing employs 22% of working residents, the largest share; education and health care is next with 20%. Manufacturing stands out: 22% of workers here, versus 10% statewide. Averaged over the five survey years, 3.7% of the labor force was out of work and looking. 12% of commuters travel 45 minutes or more each way, and 7% work from home. 3.4% of households have no vehicle.
| Industry (employed residents 16+) | Berrien County | Gap to Georgia |
|---|---|---|
| Manufacturing | 22.1% | +12.1 pts |
| Education and health care | 20.4% | -0.6 pts |
| Retail trade | 10.3% | -0.9 pts |
| Construction | 9.6% | +2.6 pts |
| Professional and administrative services | 7.1% | -6.5 pts |
| Arts, lodging and food service | 6.3% | -2.2 pts |
Industry shapes paperwork. Salaried and public jobs are easy to verify, while hourly, tipped, commission or contract earners in Berrien County should have bank statements and tax returns ready.
Towns and communities in Berrien County
3 Census places fall mainly inside Berrien County; the 3 biggest are below. They account for 6,512 residents, leaving about 65% of the county in unincorporated, unnamed areas. No Berrien County place has a separate guide yet; this county page serves all 3.
| Name | Kind | Pop. | Income | Rent | Miles |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Nashville | city | 4,928 | $42,516 | $753 | 6 mi |
| Enigma | town | 1,140 | $32,361 | $1,000 | 9 mi |
| Alapaha | town | 444 | $32,569 | $477 | 7 mi |
How Berrien County compares with nearby counties
Nearest neighbors first, measured between county centers (15 to 29 miles). Income ranges from $42,347 in Atkinson County to $53,651 in Cook County; 2 of these neighbors top Berrien County's median.
| County | Miles | Median household income | Median rent | Homeownership |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Berrien County | - | $52,876 | $782/mo | 71% |
| Cook County, GA | 15 mi | $53,651 | $956/mo | 66% |
| Lanier County, GA | 20 mi | $47,186 | $913/mo | 73% |
| Atkinson County, GA | 21 mi | $42,347 | $657/mo | 62% |
| Tift County, GA | 21 mi | $53,255 | $777/mo | 61% |
| Irwin County, GA | 22 mi | $51,384 | $865/mo | 70% |
| Coffee County, GA | 29 mi | $50,683 | $710/mo | 65% |
Budget math at the Berrien County median
Berrien County at the medians, through a lender's eyes (what DTI means):
- Median income divided by twelve: $4,406 before taxes
- Less median rent of $782, which is 18% of it
- $1,113: what a 43% ratio leaves once rent is paid
Two-income households and single earners in Berrien County land in very different places on this math, so run it for your own budget.
More Berrien County figures
16% of Berrien County adults 25 and older hold a bachelor's degree or more. About 15% go without health insurance.
| Measure | Berrien County | Georgia statewide | Typical U.S. county |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median age | 40.5 | 37.6 | 41.5 |
| Bachelor's or higher | 15.7% | 34.9% | 22.2% |
| No high school diploma | 16.6% | 10.8% | n/a |
| No health insurance | 14.9% | 12.4% | 7.8% |
| No vehicle | 3.4% | 5.9% | 5.4% |
| Work from home | 7.4% | 15.9% | 8.7% |
| Poverty rate | 20.6% | 13.4% | 13.2% |
| Unemployment (ACS) | 3.7% | 5.1% | 4.4% |
| Minutes to work | Berrien County workers |
|---|---|
| Under 15 min | 26.7% |
| 15 to 29 min | 41.0% |
| 30 to 44 min | 20.1% |
| 45 to 59 min | 8.5% |
| 60+ min | 3.8% |
Before borrowing in Berrien County
What the Berrien County figures suggest, and what to check first:
- Medical bills. 15% of Berrien County residents are uninsured. Before borrowing for care, ask the provider about financial assistance and payment plans.
- 33% mobile homes. Many are not titled as real estate, so home-equity options may not apply; an unsecured loan is the usual route.
- Assistance before credit. With a 21% poverty rate, check no-cost options before any Berrien County loan.
Licensing and complaints for Berrien County
Before sharing details with a lender, a Berrien County resident can confirm its license with the Georgia Department of Banking and Finance. A CFPB complaint gets forwarded to the company for a response. The Georgia guide covers state rules in more detail.
Steps before you apply in Berrien County
Quick steps for Berrien County:
- Get a written quote for whatever you are paying for in Berrien County.
- Prequalify with soft pulls where offered, then compare in writing.
- Check the license, then the reviews, then the offer.
- Pick the shortest term whose payment still fits.
Related local guides
For statewide rules and data, see the Georgia guide.
Frequently asked questions
How much do households in Berrien County earn?
The median is $52,876; 25% earn $100,000 or more and 35% under $35,000. A lender uses your own documented income, not this figure.
How does Berrien County rent compare with Georgia?
$782 locally versus $1,393 for the state, 44% below.
Should Berrien County homeowners use home equity instead?
Maybe, but weigh the risk: 71% of Berrien County homes are owner-occupied, and a home-equity loan or line is secured by the house while a personal loan usually is not.
What are the biggest places in Berrien County?
By population: Nashville, Enigma, Alapaha. The county has 3 Census places in all.
Is the fit check different in Berrien County?
No. It is identical everywhere, and it never looks at your neighborhood.