1st Advantage MortgageBleckley County households have a median income of $62,008 and median rent of $799 a month (ACS 2020 to 2024). Those figures describe the county, not you: compare at least three written offers by APR and total cost, and confirm the lender's license before you apply.
On this page
- A quick profile of Bleckley County
- Income in Bleckley County compared with Georgia
- The Bleckley County job picture
- Renting and owning in Bleckley County
- Neighboring counties at a glance
- Places inside Bleckley County
- Budget math at the Bleckley County median
- Bleckley County residents: age, schooling, coverage
- Reading the Bleckley County data as a borrower
- Checklist for Bleckley County applicants
- Licensing and complaints for Bleckley County
- More guides for Bleckley County
- Frequently asked questions
A quick profile of Bleckley County
With an estimated 12,430 residents (ACS 2020 to 2024), Bleckley County ranks 113th of 159 in Georgia for population. Land area is 216 square miles (2024 Gazetteer), so density runs near 58 per square mile. Under the July 2023 OMB definitions, Bleckley County is not part of any metropolitan area. The Census Bureau counts 3 places in the county (2 incorporated, 1 census-designated); the largest is Cochran, with about 4,803 residents, or 39% of the county.
Income in Bleckley County compared with Georgia
Half of Bleckley County households take in less than $62,008 a year and half take in more, 20% below the Georgia median of $77,353. In the state ranking that is 60th of 159.
| Household income | Bleckley County | vs Georgia |
|---|---|---|
| Under $35,000 | 32.2% | +10.0 pts |
| $35,000 to $99,999 | 37.8% | -1.7 pts |
| $100,000 to $199,999 | 26.0% | -0.5 pts |
| $200,000 or more | 4.0% | -7.8 pts |
About 32% of households earn under $35,000, while 30% clear $100,000. 19.3% of residents fall below the federal poverty line (statewide: 13.4%). Income from any regular source can count, including Social Security, pensions and disability benefits, as long as you can document it.
The Bleckley County job picture
The biggest employer of Bleckley County residents, by industry, is education and health care at 27% of workers, followed by retail trade (14%). The sharpest difference from the state is in public administration, at 13% locally and 5% for Georgia. Averaged over the five survey years, 5.9% of the labor force was out of work and looking. 20% of commuters travel 45 minutes or more each way, and 7% work from home. 8.2% of households have no vehicle.
| Where residents work | Bleckley County | Difference from Georgia |
|---|---|---|
| Education and health care | 27.5% | +6.5 pts |
| Retail trade | 13.7% | +2.4 pts |
| Public administration | 13.3% | +8.5 pts |
| Arts, lodging and food service | 10.3% | +1.7 pts |
| Manufacturing | 8.1% | -2.0 pts |
| Construction | 5.8% | -1.2 pts |
If your hours swing with the season or with overtime, size a loan payment against your base pay, not your best month.
Renting and owning in Bleckley County
Median gross rent, utilities included, comes to $799 in Bleckley County versus $1,393 statewide. 53% of renting households spend 30% or more of income on rent, and 34% spend half or more. Home values center on $149,600, or 2.4 years of median income. The ownership rate is 73%. Half the housing stock was built before 1984.
| Bleckley County | Georgia | U.S. county median | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median gross rent | $799/mo | $1,393/mo | $877/mo |
| Median home value | $149,600 | $303,300 | $185,300 |
| Owners | 73% | 66% | 75% |
| Rent-burdened renters | 53% | 52% | 45% |
| Burdened owners | 21% | 26% | n/a |
| Vacant units | 16% | 10% | n/a |
In an owner-heavy county like Bleckley County, many borrowers can also choose a home equity loan or line of credit. Those can price lower but put the house on the line, so compare the two in writing; our personal loan vs. HELOC guide walks through it. When half or more of renters are already stretched, a new payment needs a stress test: what happens if a paycheck is a week late?
Neighboring counties at a glance
Nearest neighbors first, measured between county centers (16 to 27 miles). Income ranges from $45,465 in Wilkinson County to $80,698 in Houston County; 1 of these neighbors top Bleckley County's median.
| County | Miles | Median household income | Median rent | Homeownership |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Bleckley County | - | $62,008 | $799/mo | 73% |
| Pulaski County, GA | 16 mi | $50,406 | $883/mo | 71% |
| Twiggs County, GA | 17 mi | $56,324 | $808/mo | 88% |
| Houston County, GA | 19 mi | $80,698 | $1,208/mo | 67% |
| Dodge County, GA | 21 mi | $51,587 | $723/mo | 71% |
| Laurens County, GA | 24 mi | $55,010 | $863/mo | 64% |
| Wilkinson County, GA | 27 mi | $45,465 | $825/mo | 81% |
Places inside Bleckley County
Here are the 3 most populous of the county's 3 Census places, with income and rent from the same 2020 to 2024 survey. About 44% of Bleckley County residents live in one of the 3. None of the 3 has its own city guide, so this page covers all of them.
| Place | Type | Population | Median income | Median rent | From county center |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Cochran | city | 4,803 | $33,456 | $766 | 3 mi |
| Allentown | city | 341 | $46,538 | n/a | 12 mi |
| Empire | CDP | 306 | $43,438 | n/a | 7 mi |
Budget math at the Bleckley County median
The debt-to-income ratio is the main affordability test lenders use. Applied to Bleckley County's medians:
- $5,167 a month: gross income for a household at the Bleckley County median
- Median rent: $799, or 15 cents of every gross dollar
- Under a 43% cap, $2,222 total minus rent leaves $1,423
Lenders set their own limits and look beyond the ratio. The DTI calculator uses your figures instead of Bleckley County's.
Bleckley County residents: age, schooling, coverage
College graduates make up 20% of the adult population. 7.3% of residents have no health coverage.
| Residents | Bleckley County | Georgia | Middle U.S. county |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median age | 37.7 | 37.6 | 41.5 |
| Bachelor's or higher | 19.8% | 34.9% | 22.2% |
| No high school diploma | 13.6% | 10.8% | n/a |
| No health insurance | 7.3% | 12.4% | 7.8% |
| No vehicle | 8.2% | 5.9% | 5.4% |
| Work from home | 7.5% | 15.9% | 8.7% |
| Poverty rate | 19.3% | 13.4% | 13.2% |
| Unemployment (ACS) | 5.9% | 5.1% | 4.4% |
| Trip time | Share |
|---|---|
| Under 15 min | 37.9% |
| 15 to 29 min | 14.9% |
| 30 to 44 min | 27.1% |
| 45 to 59 min | 14.6% |
| 60+ min | 5.5% |
Reading the Bleckley County data as a borrower
Where the Bleckley County numbers stand out, and why it matters for a loan:
- Vehicle repairs. 20% of Bleckley County workers commute 45+ minutes, so a breakdown can cost a paycheck. Get two written estimates.
- Manufactured homes. 27% of Bleckley County housing units are mobile homes, and their repairs are often paid with unsecured loans. Get the quote in writing.
- Assistance before credit. With a 19% poverty rate, check no-cost options before any Bleckley County loan.
- 53% rent-burdened. A payment on top of high rent needs a cushion; size it with the calculator.
Checklist for Bleckley County applicants
Quick steps for Bleckley County:
- Price the Bleckley County expense first and borrow that amount, no more.
- Prequalify with soft pulls where offered, then compare in writing.
- Verify the Georgia license before giving out your Social Security number.
- Never pay a fee up front to get a loan.
Licensing and complaints for Bleckley County
No county office licenses personal lenders. For Bleckley County, check the Georgia Department of Banking and Finance. Problems with a lender can also go to the CFPB. Statewide data and rules: Georgia guide.
More guides for Bleckley County
For statewide rules and data, see the Georgia guide.
Frequently asked questions
How much do households in Bleckley County earn?
The median is $62,008; 30% earn $100,000 or more and 32% under $35,000. A lender uses your own documented income, not this figure.
Is Bleckley County expensive for renters?
Median rent is $799 against $1,393 statewide, and 53% of renter households are cost-burdened.
I own my home in Bleckley County. Personal loan or HELOC?
A HELOC uses the house as collateral; a personal loan usually does not. With 73% of homes owner-occupied here, many readers can compare both in writing.
I live in a small Bleckley County town. Is this my guide?
Yes. If your town has no city guide, this county page is the local one; it covers Cochran, Allentown, Empire.
Does my county matter to the questionnaire?
Only your state does. Whether you live in Bleckley County or elsewhere in Georgia, the same rules apply.