1st Advantage MortgageThe median Dougherty County household earns $49,044, and 25% of residents live below the poverty line. 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
- Dougherty County by the numbers
- Housing costs in Dougherty County
- Household income in Dougherty County
- Employment and commuting in Dougherty County
- Neighboring counties at a glance
- Dougherty County towns compared
- People and households in Dougherty County
- Borrowing situations common in Dougherty County
- A Dougherty County household budget, worked through
- A Dougherty County borrower's checklist
- Licensing and complaints for Dougherty County
- More guides for Dougherty County
- Frequently asked questions
Dougherty County by the numbers
The latest five-year Census estimate puts Dougherty County's population at 83,091; only 31 of Georgia's 159 county-level areas are larger. Land area is 329 square miles (2024 Gazetteer), so density runs near 253 per square mile. It is one of the counties that make up the Albany, GA metropolitan statistical area (OMB, 2023). The Census Bureau counts 2 places in the county (1 incorporated, 1 census-designated); the largest is Albany, with about 67,224 residents, or 81% of the county.
Housing costs in Dougherty County
Median gross rent, utilities included, comes to $935 in Dougherty County versus $1,393 statewide. By the Census definition, 50% of Dougherty County renters are cost-burdened. With a median value of $134,400, a typical Dougherty County house costs 2.7 times what the median household earns in a year. 45% of Dougherty County households own their home and 55% rent.
| Home costs | Dougherty County | Georgia | U.S. middle county |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median gross rent | $935/mo | $1,393/mo | $877/mo |
| Median home value | $134,400 | $303,300 | $185,300 |
| Owners | 45% | 66% | 75% |
| Rent-burdened renters | 50% | 52% | 45% |
| Burdened owners | 31% | 26% | n/a |
| Mobile homes | 4.7% | 7.8% | n/a |
For the many renters in Dougherty County, deposits, moving costs and card balances are typical reasons to borrow. Keep the amount small and the term short.
Household income in Dougherty County
Dougherty County households have a median income of $49,044 (ACS 2020 to 2024), which ranks 131st of 159 in Georgia.
| Yearly household income | Dougherty County | Gap to Georgia |
|---|---|---|
| Under $35,000 | 36.8% | +14.7 pts |
| $35,000 to $99,999 | 44.9% | +5.4 pts |
| $100,000 to $199,999 | 14.8% | -11.7 pts |
| $200,000 or more | 3.5% | -8.4 pts |
The spread is wide: 18% of Dougherty County households make $100,000 or more, and 37% make less than $35,000. 25.0% of residents fall below the federal poverty line (statewide: 13.4%). Income inequality, measured by the Gini index, comes to 0.476 here. A household earning below the $49,044 median should test any payment carefully; one earning above it should still pick the shortest term it can manage.
Employment and commuting in Dougherty County
The biggest employer of Dougherty County residents, by industry, is education and health care at 29% of workers, followed by retail trade (11%). Education and health care stands out: 29% of workers here, versus 21% statewide. ACS puts five-year average unemployment at 10.2% in Dougherty County. 10% of commuters travel 45 minutes or more each way, and 9% work from home.
| Industry | Share of Dougherty County workers | vs Georgia |
|---|---|---|
| Education and health care | 29.2% | +8.2 pts |
| Retail trade | 11.5% | +0.2 pts |
| Manufacturing | 10.0% | -0.1 pts |
| Professional and administrative services | 9.4% | -4.1 pts |
| Arts, lodging and food service | 7.9% | -0.6 pts |
| Public administration | 6.4% | +1.6 pts |
Shorter commutes usually mean lower vehicle costs, which can leave more room for a payment, or for paying a loan off early.
Neighboring counties at a glance
Lee County is closest, 20 miles from center to center; the sixth, Calhoun County, is 25 miles off. 3 of the six report a higher median household income than Dougherty County; Lee County is highest at $89,168 and Baker County lowest at $46,012.
| Nearby county | Center to center | Household income | Gross rent | Owner-occupied |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Dougherty County | - | $49,044 | $935/mo | 45% |
| Lee County, GA | 20 mi | $89,168 | $1,184/mo | 74% |
| Baker County, GA | 21 mi | $46,012 | $631/mo | 77% |
| Mitchell County, GA | 21 mi | $57,613 | $797/mo | 65% |
| Worth County, GA | 21 mi | $58,694 | $864/mo | 74% |
| Terrell County, GA | 22 mi | $46,171 | $745/mo | 62% |
| Calhoun County, GA | 25 mi | $46,940 | $546/mo | 59% |
Dougherty County towns compared
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 85% of Dougherty County residents live in one of the 2. This guide covers each of the 2 places and the rural areas around them.
| Place in county | Status | Population (ACS) | Median HH income | Monthly rent | Distance from center |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Albany | city | 67,224 | $47,240 | $931 | 4 mi |
| Putney | CDP | 3,150 | $68,627 | $1,049 | 7 mi |
People and households in Dougherty County
23% of Dougherty County adults 25 and older hold a bachelor's degree or more. 13.1% of residents have no health coverage.
| People and households | Dougherty County | Georgia | Median county |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median age | 36.6 | 37.6 | 41.5 |
| Bachelor's or higher | 22.8% | 34.9% | 22.2% |
| No high school diploma | 14.0% | 10.8% | n/a |
| No health insurance | 13.1% | 12.4% | 7.8% |
| No vehicle | 10.9% | 5.9% | 5.4% |
| Work from home | 9.1% | 15.9% | 8.7% |
| Poverty rate | 25.0% | 13.4% | 13.2% |
| Unemployment (ACS) | 10.2% | 5.1% | 4.4% |
| One-way commute | Share of Dougherty County workers |
|---|---|
| Under 15 min | 37.8% |
| 15 to 29 min | 42.4% |
| 30 to 44 min | 9.8% |
| 45 to 59 min | 4.7% |
| 60+ min | 5.4% |
Borrowing situations common in Dougherty County
The county's numbers point to a few situations that come up often for Dougherty County borrowers.
- Medical bills. 13% of Dougherty County residents are uninsured. Before borrowing for care, ask the provider about financial assistance and payment plans.
- Lower-cost alternatives. In a county with 25% in poverty, nonprofit credit counseling may beat a loan (options).
- 50% rent-burdened. A payment on top of high rent needs a cushion; size it with the calculator.
A Dougherty County household budget, worked through
How much room does a median Dougherty County budget have? Take median income, subtract median rent, and check what is left under a few common debt-to-income limits.
- Median income divided by twelve: $4,087 before taxes
- Less median rent of $935, which is 23% of it
- 43% debt-to-income limit: $822 left for all other debt payments
Two-income households and single earners in Dougherty County land in very different places on this math, so run it for your own budget.
A Dougherty County borrower's checklist
Steps that save money for Dougherty County residents:
- Borrow the amount the job needs; extra cash adds interest.
- Line up offers side by side: APR, fees in dollars, total cost.
- Look the lender up with the state regulator first.
- Read the final agreement; it must match the offer.
Licensing and complaints for Dougherty County
The Georgia Department of Banking and Finance is the place to verify any lender's Georgia license. Problems with a lender can also go to the CFPB. Statewide data and rules: Georgia guide.
More guides for Dougherty County
The Georgia guide covers the whole state.
Frequently asked questions
How much do households in Dougherty County earn?
The median is $49,044; 18% earn $100,000 or more and 37% under $35,000. A lender uses your own documented income, not this figure.
What do renters pay in Dougherty County?
$935 a month at the median, about 23% of median household income.
What are the biggest places in Dougherty County?
By population: Albany, Putney. The county has 2 Census places in all.
Does my county matter to the questionnaire?
Only your state does. Whether you live in Dougherty County or elsewhere in Georgia, the same rules apply.
Who do I complain to about a lender in Dougherty County?
Start with the Georgia Department of Banking and Finance, then the CFPB complaint portal. Keep copies of every message.