1st Advantage MortgageThe median Fannin County household earns $57,073, and 14% of residents live below the poverty line. Whatever your own numbers, compare written offers on APR, fees and total cost, and verify the lender is licensed in Georgia before sharing details.
On this page
- Fannin County by the numbers
- How Fannin County residents earn a living
- Paychecks and income spread in Fannin County
- Rent, home values and ownership in Fannin County
- Towns and communities in Fannin County
- How Fannin County compares with nearby counties
- Fannin County residents: age, schooling, coverage
- Borrowing situations common in Fannin County
- A Fannin County household budget, worked through
- Who licenses lenders for Fannin County residents
- Steps before you apply in Fannin County
- Related local guides
- Frequently asked questions
Fannin County by the numbers
With an estimated 25,742 residents (ACS 2020 to 2024), Fannin County ranks 76th of 159 in Georgia for population. Packed into 387 square miles, that is close to 66 residents for every square mile of land. Under the July 2023 OMB definitions, Fannin County is not part of any metropolitan area. The Census Bureau counts 5 places in the county (3 incorporated, 2 census-designated); the largest is Epworth, with about 1,994 residents, or 8% of the county.
How Fannin County residents earn a living
The biggest employer of Fannin County residents, by industry, is education and health care at 17% of workers, followed by arts, lodging and food service (15%). The sharpest difference from the state is in arts, lodging and food service, at 15% locally and 9% for Georgia. Averaged over the five survey years, 3.7% of the labor force was out of work and looking. Long commutes are the exception here: 14% of workers spend 45 minutes or longer getting to work. Households without a car make up 3.0% of the total (5.9% statewide).
| Industry (employed residents 16+) | Fannin County | Gap to Georgia |
|---|---|---|
| Education and health care | 16.6% | -4.4 pts |
| Arts, lodging and food service | 14.9% | +6.3 pts |
| Retail trade | 13.4% | +2.1 pts |
| Professional and administrative services | 11.5% | -2.1 pts |
| Construction | 8.9% | +2.0 pts |
| Manufacturing | 8.1% | -1.9 pts |
If your hours swing with the season or with overtime, size a loan payment against your base pay, not your best month.
Paychecks and income spread in Fannin County
Fannin County households have a median income of $57,073 (ACS 2020 to 2024), which ranks 84th of 159 in Georgia.
| Yearly household income | Fannin County | Gap to Georgia |
|---|---|---|
| Under $35,000 | 27.4% | +5.2 pts |
| $35,000 to $99,999 | 46.8% | +7.2 pts |
| $100,000 to $199,999 | 19.0% | -7.4 pts |
| $200,000 or more | 6.9% | -5.0 pts |
The spread is wide: 26% of Fannin County households make $100,000 or more, and 27% make less than $35,000. Census counts 13.7% of Fannin County residents in poverty, against 13.4% across Georgia. Income inequality, measured by the Gini index, comes to 0.502 here. None of these numbers decides a Fannin County application. Lenders weigh your own documented income against your own debts.
Rent, home values and ownership in Fannin County
Median gross rent, utilities included, comes to $900 in Fannin County versus $1,393 statewide. By the Census definition, 41% of Fannin County renters are cost-burdened. Home values center on $306,600, or 5.4 years of median income. 79% of Fannin County households own their home and 21% rent. Median construction year: 1996.
| Fannin County | Georgia | U.S. county median | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median gross rent | $900/mo | $1,393/mo | $877/mo |
| Median home value | $306,600 | $303,300 | $185,300 |
| Owners | 79% | 66% | 75% |
| Rent-burdened renters | 41% | 52% | 45% |
| Burdened owners | 38% | 26% | n/a |
| Mobile homes | 8.0% | 7.8% | n/a |
In an owner-heavy county like Fannin 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.
Towns and communities in Fannin County
Here are the 5 most populous of the county's 5 Census places, with income and rent from the same 2020 to 2024 survey. About 20% of Fannin County residents live in one of the 5. Incomes vary by place: $67,176 at the median in Epworth, $44,773 in Blue Ridge. Rent is cheapest in McCaysville ($595) and steepest in Epworth ($1,303). This guide covers each of the 5 places and the rural areas around them.
| Place in county | Status | Population (ACS) | Median HH income | Monthly rent | Distance from center |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Epworth | CDP | 1,994 | $67,176 | $1,303 | 7 mi |
| McCaysville | city | 1,392 | $52,593 | $595 | 9 mi |
| Blue Ridge | city | 1,323 | $44,773 | $851 | 0 mi |
| Mineral Bluff | CDP | 294 | n/a | n/a | 4 mi |
| Morganton | city | 241 | $70,625 | $725 | 4 mi |
How Fannin County compares with nearby counties
Nearest neighbors first, measured between county centers (14 to 27 miles). Income ranges from $53,628 in Cherokee County to $77,448 in Lumpkin County; 5 of these neighbors top Fannin County's median. Some neighbors are in North Carolina and Tennessee. Lender licensing is state by state, so a loan for a Fannin County resident follows Georgia rules.
| Adjacent area | How far | HH income (median) | Rent (median) | Owner share |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Fannin County | - | $57,073 | $900/mo | 79% |
| Gilmer County, GA | 14 mi | $74,499 | $998/mo | 81% |
| Union County, GA | 19 mi | $66,176 | $808/mo | 84% |
| Polk County, TN | 21 mi | $62,522 | $676/mo | 84% |
| Cherokee County, NC | 24 mi | $53,628 | $813/mo | 84% |
| Murray County, GA | 24 mi | $69,253 | $857/mo | 74% |
| Lumpkin County, GA | 27 mi | $77,448 | $1,142/mo | 76% |
Fannin County residents: age, schooling, coverage
24% of Fannin County adults 25 and older hold a bachelor's degree or more. 14.4% of residents have no health coverage.
| Residents | Fannin County | Georgia | Middle U.S. county |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median age | 54.0 | 37.6 | 41.5 |
| Bachelor's or higher | 24.2% | 34.9% | 22.2% |
| No high school diploma | 11.4% | 10.8% | n/a |
| No health insurance | 14.4% | 12.4% | 7.8% |
| No vehicle | 3.0% | 5.9% | 5.4% |
| Work from home | 11.5% | 15.9% | 8.7% |
| Poverty rate | 13.7% | 13.4% | 13.2% |
| Unemployment (ACS) | 3.7% | 5.1% | 4.4% |
| Trip time | Share |
|---|---|
| Under 15 min | 29.3% |
| 15 to 29 min | 43.0% |
| 30 to 44 min | 13.8% |
| 45 to 59 min | 5.1% |
| 60+ min | 8.8% |
Borrowing situations common in Fannin County
What the Fannin County figures suggest, and what to check first:
- Hospital bills in Fannin County. For the 14% of residents without coverage, the provider's charity-care program comes before any loan (details).
- Retirees. At a median age of 54.0, many borrowers here rely on award letters as proof of income; favor no prepayment penalty.
- Know your credit. Review all three bureau reports for free (AnnualCreditReport.com).
A Fannin County household budget, worked through
How much room does a median Fannin County budget have? Take median income, subtract median rent, and check what is left under a few common debt-to-income limits.
- $57,073 a year is $4,756 of gross monthly income
- Median rent: $900, or 19 cents of every gross dollar
- 36% debt-to-income limit: $812 left for all other debt payments
Two-income households and single earners in Fannin County land in very different places on this math, so run it for your own budget.
Who licenses lenders for Fannin County residents
Fannin 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. More on Georgia: Georgia personal loans.
Steps before you apply in Fannin County
Four checks before you sign anything:
- Borrow the amount the job needs; extra cash adds interest.
- Compare the total repaid on every offer, not just the payment.
- A Georgia license check takes minutes; do it first.
- Never pay a fee up front to get a loan.
Related local guides
The Georgia guide covers the whole state.
Frequently asked questions
What is the median household income in Fannin County?
$57,073 a year in the 2020 to 2024 Census survey, versus $77,353 for Georgia. It ranks 84th of 159 in the state.
How does Fannin County rent compare with Georgia?
$900 locally versus $1,393 for the state, 35% below.
I own my home in Fannin County. Personal loan or HELOC?
A HELOC uses the house as collateral; a personal loan usually does not. With 79% of homes owner-occupied here, many readers can compare both in writing.
Which towns does the Fannin County guide cover?
Every community in the county, unincorporated areas included. The largest of its 5 Census places: Epworth, McCaysville, Blue Ridge, Mineral Bluff, Morganton.
Will a Fannin County address affect my match?
Beyond confirming Georgia as your state, no. Your answers about amount, credit, income and payments are all that count.