1st Advantage MortgageMedian rent in Dodge County is $723 a month against a median household income of $51,587, about 17% of income (ACS 2020-24). 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
- Dodge County by the numbers
- Dodge County against other Georgia counties
- Dodge County industries and commutes
- Housing costs in Dodge County
- The $51,587 median and what sits around it
- How Dodge County compares with nearby counties
- Places inside Dodge County
- Debt-to-income at Dodge County's medians
- Reading the Dodge County data as a borrower
- Age, degrees and coverage in Dodge County
- A Dodge County borrower's checklist
- Checking a lender's license in Georgia
- More guides for Dodge County
- Frequently asked questions
Dodge County by the numbers
The latest five-year Census estimate puts Dodge County's population at 19,805; only 92 of Georgia's 159 county-level areas are larger. It covers 496 square miles of land, or about 40 people per square mile. Dodge County is classed as nonmetropolitan in the OMB's July 2023 list. Of the 4 Census places inside Dodge County, Eastman leads by population with about 5,584; 4 of the 4 are incorporated.
Dodge County against other Georgia counties
Out of every Georgia county, Dodge County is most unusual on these measures.
- Dodge County ranks 29th lowest of 159 Georgia counties for median gross rent: $723/mo, against $1,393/mo statewide. Lower rent can leave more room for a payment.
- On the share of renters paying 30% or more of income for rent, Dodge County sits near the bottom of Georgia at 40%, 29th lowest of 159. Rents are manageable for most, which can leave space for savings.
Dodge County industries and commutes
Top Dodge County industry by residents employed: education and health care, 22%; second, manufacturing, 20%. Dodge County over-indexes on manufacturing: 20% versus 10% in Georgia. ACS puts five-year average unemployment at 6.1% in Dodge County. Long commutes are common here: 25% of workers spend 45 minutes or longer getting to work. No car: 4.2% of Dodge County households.
| Industry (employed residents 16+) | Dodge County | Gap to Georgia |
|---|---|---|
| Education and health care | 22.4% | +1.4 pts |
| Manufacturing | 19.9% | +9.8 pts |
| Public administration | 11.6% | +6.9 pts |
| Construction | 11.3% | +4.4 pts |
| Arts, lodging and food service | 7.9% | -0.7 pts |
| Professional and administrative services | 6.6% | -7.0 pts |
Self-employed in Dodge County? Two years of tax returns usually stand in for pay stubs.
Housing costs in Dodge County
Median gross rent, utilities included, comes to $723 in Dodge County versus $1,393 statewide. 40% of renting households spend 30% or more of income on rent, and 19% spend half or more. Median value $118,100; median income $51,587; ratio 2.3. The ownership rate is 71%. Against the median U.S. county, Dodge County rent is 18% below.
| Home costs | Dodge County | Georgia | Compared with Georgia |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mobile homes | 26.6% | 7.8% | +18.8 pts |
| Rent-burdened renters | 40% | 52% | -12.9 pts |
| Vacant units | 20% | 10% | +9.6 pts |
| Median home value | $118,100 | $303,300 | 61% lower |
| Owners | 71% | 66% | +4.9 pts |
| Median gross rent | $723/mo | $1,393/mo | 48% lower |
| Burdened owners | 26% | 26% | -0.6 pts |
The $51,587 median and what sits around it
The median household income in Dodge County is $51,587; statewide it is $77,353, so Dodge County runs 33% below Georgia as a whole. That places it 116th among Georgia's 159 county-level areas.
| Income band | Share in Dodge County | Difference from Georgia |
|---|---|---|
| Under $35,000 | 32.8% | +10.6 pts |
| $35,000 to $99,999 | 43.7% | +4.2 pts |
| $100,000 to $199,999 | 21.3% | -5.1 pts |
| $200,000 or more | 2.2% | -9.7 pts |
33% under $35,000 and 24% at $100,000 or more: that is the Dodge County income split. Census counts 21.5% of Dodge County residents in poverty, against 13.4% across Georgia. The Gini index of income inequality is 0.436 (0 is perfect equality). None of these numbers decides a Dodge County application. Lenders weigh your own documented income against your own debts.
How Dodge County compares with nearby counties
Six nearby counties, 19 to 26 miles away by the straight-line distance between their centers. 3 of the six report a higher median household income than Dodge County; Bleckley County is highest at $62,008 and Wheeler County lowest at $40,539.
| Adjacent area | How far | HH income (median) | Rent (median) | Owner share |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Dodge County | - | $51,587 | $723/mo | 71% |
| Pulaski County, GA | 19 mi | $50,406 | $883/mo | 71% |
| Bleckley County, GA | 21 mi | $62,008 | $799/mo | 73% |
| Wilcox County, GA | 21 mi | $54,138 | $610/mo | 75% |
| Laurens County, GA | 21 mi | $55,010 | $863/mo | 64% |
| Telfair County, GA | 22 mi | $50,929 | $712/mo | 65% |
| Wheeler County, GA | 26 mi | $40,539 | $581/mo | 66% |
Places inside Dodge County
Places, by size: the top 4 of 4. Roughly 58% of Dodge County lives outside all of them, in open country or unnamed settlements. Chester ($56,048) and Rhine ($44,167) mark the top and bottom of Dodge County's income range among larger places. From Eastman to the smallest crossroads, Dodge County residents share this guide.
| Community | Type | Residents | Household income (median) | Rent (median) | Distance |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Eastman | city | 5,584 | $52,394 | $770 | 2 mi |
| Chester | town | 1,808 | $56,048 | $386 | 16 mi |
| Rhine | town | 662 | $44,167 | n/a | 12 mi |
| Chauncey | city | 264 | $40,694 | $417 | 7 mi |
Debt-to-income at Dodge County's medians
Lenders compare monthly debt payments with gross monthly income, the debt-to-income ratio. For a Dodge County household at the medians it works out like this; treat it as an illustration only.
- $51,587 a year is $4,299 of gross monthly income
- Median rent: $723, or 17 cents of every gross dollar
- Under a 35% cap, $1,505 total minus rent leaves $782
- 45% debt-to-income limit: $1,212 left for all other debt payments
Car, student loan and card payments come out of that room first. Try your own numbers in the calculator.
Reading the Dodge County data as a borrower
A few patterns in the Dodge County data, and the practical point behind each:
- Uninsured care. 15% lack coverage here; nonprofit hospitals must publish an assistance policy, so ask for it first (guide).
- 25% long commutes. A Dodge County repair bill is often urgent; compare the shop's financing with a loan in writing.
- Mobile home upkeep. 27% of units fall in this category; roof, skirting and HVAC jobs are common reasons to borrow.
- Lower-cost alternatives. In a county with 22% in poverty, nonprofit credit counseling may beat a loan (options).
Age, degrees and coverage in Dodge County
Bachelor's degree or higher: 17% of Dodge County adults. The uninsured rate is 14.6%, against 12.4% for Georgia.
| People and households | Dodge County | Compared with Georgia | Compared with median county |
|---|---|---|---|
| Bachelor's or higher | 17.2% | -17.7 pts | -5.0 pts |
| Work from home | 5.8% | -10.1 pts | -2.9 pts |
| Poverty rate | 21.5% | +8.2 pts | +8.4 pts |
| Median age | 42.6 | +5.0 yrs | +1.1 yrs |
| No high school diploma | 15.7% | +5.0 pts | n/a |
| No health insurance | 14.6% | +2.2 pts | +6.8 pts |
| No vehicle | 4.2% | -1.7 pts | -1.2 pts |
| Unemployment (ACS) | 6.1% | +0.9 pts | +1.7 pts |
| One-way commute | Share of Dodge County workers |
|---|---|
| Under 15 min | 35.3% |
| 15 to 29 min | 25.2% |
| 30 to 44 min | 14.3% |
| 45 to 59 min | 13.2% |
| 60+ min | 12.0% |
A Dodge County borrower's checklist
Steps that save money for Dodge County residents:
- Size the loan to the bill, not to the most a lender offers.
- Shop at least three lenders, including one Dodge County-area credit union.
- Check the license, then the reviews, then the offer.
- Ask a Dodge County credit union about member loans.
Checking a lender's license in Georgia
Dodge County borrowers fall under statewide rules, enforced by the Georgia Department of Banking and Finance. Problems with a lender can also go to the CFPB. See the Georgia state guide for the statewide picture.
More guides for Dodge County
The Georgia guide covers the whole state.
Frequently asked questions
Is Dodge County a high-income county?
Its $51,587 median ranks 116th of 159 Georgia counties and compares with $65,681 for the median U.S. county.
How much is rent in Dodge County?
Median gross rent, utilities included, is $723 a month; 40% of renters spend 30% or more of income on it.
Is home equity cheaper than a personal loan in Dodge County?
Often, because the home secures it. With 71% of Dodge County homes owner-occupied, weigh that lower cost against the risk to the house.
How many towns are in Dodge County?
The Census Bureau counts 4 places mainly in the county, led by Eastman, Chester, Rhine, Chauncey.
Does my county matter to the questionnaire?
Only your state does. Whether you live in Dodge County or elsewhere in Georgia, the same rules apply.