1st Advantage MortgageIn Hart County, Georgia, the typical household earns $59,385 a year and the typical rent is $844. 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
- 26,939 residents: Hart County basics
- The Hart County housing market in figures
- The Hart County job picture
- The $59,385 median and what sits around it
- Hart County communities by population
- Hart County, Franklin County and other neighbors
- Budget math at the Hart County median
- More Hart County figures
- Local borrowing considerations for Hart County
- Georgia rules that apply in Hart County
- Checklist for Hart County applicants
- Other Georgia guides
- Frequently asked questions
26,939 residents: Hart County basics
Hart County is home to about 26,939 people, according to the Census Bureau's 2020 to 2024 American Community Survey, which makes it the 72nd most populous of 159 county-level areas in Georgia. It covers 232 square miles of land, or about 116 people per square mile. Hart County is classed as nonmetropolitan in the OMB's July 2023 list. Largest place: Hartwell, about 4,562 residents (17% of Hart County); 4 Census places in all.
The Hart County housing market in figures
Hart County rent at the median: $844 a month, utilities in ($1,393 in Georgia). By the Census definition, 46% of Hart County renters are cost-burdened. Home values center on $215,100, or 3.6 years of median income. In Hart County, 78% of occupied homes are owned by the people living in them. Half the housing stock was built before 1987. Nationally, Hart County's $844 rent is 4% below the middle county.
| Home costs | Hart County | Georgia | Compared with Georgia |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median gross rent | $844/mo | $1,393/mo | 39% lower |
| Median home value | $215,100 | $303,300 | 29% lower |
| Owners | 78% | 66% | +12.1 pts |
| Rent-burdened renters | 46% | 52% | -6.7 pts |
| Burdened owners | 28% | 26% | +1.5 pts |
Because most Hart County households own, home repairs are a frequent reason to borrow. An unsecured personal loan leaves the house out of the deal, while a HELOC uses it as collateral.
The Hart County job picture
Manufacturing employs 19% of working residents, the largest share; education and health care is next with 18%. Hart County over-indexes on manufacturing: 19% versus 10% in Georgia. The survey's unemployment rate for Hart County averages 3.4% over 2020 to 2024 (state: 5.1%). 36% of Hart County workers get to work in under 15 minutes, while 17% need 45 or more.
| Industry (employed residents 16+) | Hart County | Gap to Georgia |
|---|---|---|
| Manufacturing | 19.5% | +9.4 pts |
| Education and health care | 18.3% | -2.7 pts |
| Retail trade | 14.1% | +2.8 pts |
| Construction | 7.4% | +0.4 pts |
| Arts, lodging and food service | 7.0% | -1.5 pts |
| Professional and administrative services | 6.9% | -6.7 pts |
Self-employed in Hart County? Two years of tax returns usually stand in for pay stubs.
The $59,385 median and what sits around it
Median household income in Hart County: $59,385 (23% below Georgia, $77,353).
| Household income | Hart County | vs Georgia |
|---|---|---|
| Under $35,000 | 26.3% | +4.1 pts |
| $35,000 to $99,999 | 47.4% | +7.9 pts |
| $100,000 to $199,999 | 20.0% | -6.4 pts |
| $200,000 or more | 6.3% | -5.6 pts |
Six-figure households (26%) outnumber those under $35,000 (26%) in Hart County. Census counts 11.9% of Hart County residents in poverty, against 13.4% across Georgia. Gini index for Hart County: 0.459. Income from any regular source can count, including Social Security, pensions and disability benefits, as long as you can document it.
Hart County communities by population
Places, by size: the top 4 of 4. Roughly 69% of Hart County lives outside all of them, in open country or unnamed settlements. Reed Creek has the highest median household income on the list ($76,973) and Hartwell the lowest ($49,280), counting places with at least 500 residents. Median rent ranges from $728 in Hartwell to $1,596 in Reed Creek. No Hart County place has a separate guide yet; this county page serves all 4.
| Community | Type | Residents | Household income (median) | Rent (median) | Distance |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Hartwell | city | 4,562 | $49,280 | $728 | 2 mi |
| Reed Creek | CDP | 3,151 | $76,973 | $1,596 | 7 mi |
| Bowersville | town | 522 | $60,625 | $945 | 7 mi |
| Eagle Grove | CDP | 35 | n/a | n/a | 5 mi |
Hart County, Franklin County and other neighbors
Six nearby counties, 15 to 28 miles away by the straight-line distance between their centers. 3 of the six report a higher median household income than Hart County; Anderson County is highest at $66,651 and Franklin County lowest at $53,046. Some neighbors are in South Carolina. Lender licensing is state by state, so a loan for a Hart County resident follows Georgia rules.
| Nearby county | Center to center | Household income | Gross rent | Owner-occupied |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Hart County | - | $59,385 | $844/mo | 78% |
| Franklin County, GA | 15 mi | $53,046 | $844/mo | 77% |
| Elbert County, GA | 17 mi | $58,450 | $844/mo | 71% |
| Madison County, GA | 21 mi | $61,963 | $972/mo | 77% |
| Anderson County, SC | 22 mi | $66,651 | $989/mo | 75% |
| Stephens County, GA | 23 mi | $54,754 | $820/mo | 74% |
| Oconee County, SC | 28 mi | $62,388 | $881/mo | 76% |
Budget math at the Hart County median
How much room does a median Hart County budget have? Take median income, subtract median rent, and check what is left under a few common debt-to-income limits.
- Start: $4,949 gross per month ($59,385 / 12)
- Housing at the median rent of $844 uses 17%
- $1,136: what a 40% ratio leaves once rent is paid
Two-income households and single earners in Hart County land in very different places on this math, so run it for your own budget.
More Hart County figures
In Hart County, 21% of adults have at least a four-year degree (35% in Georgia). Health coverage gaps: 10.8% of Hart County residents are uninsured.
| Measure | Hart County | Gap to Georgia | Gap to typical U.S. county |
|---|---|---|---|
| Bachelor's or higher | 20.8% | -14.1 pts | -1.3 pts |
| Median age | 44.8 | +7.2 yrs | +3.3 yrs |
| Work from home | 10.0% | -5.9 pts | +1.3 pts |
| No high school diploma | 14.6% | +3.8 pts | n/a |
| Unemployment (ACS) | 3.4% | -1.7 pts | -1.0 pts |
| No health insurance | 10.8% | -1.6 pts | +3.0 pts |
| Poverty rate | 11.9% | -1.5 pts | -1.3 pts |
| No vehicle | 6.2% | +0.3 pts | +0.7 pts |
| Commute length | Hart County |
|---|---|
| Under 15 min | 35.6% |
| 15 to 29 min | 32.0% |
| 30 to 44 min | 15.1% |
| 45 to 59 min | 5.7% |
| 60+ min | 11.6% |
Local borrowing considerations for Hart County
Where the Hart County numbers stand out, and why it matters for a loan:
- Health costs. With 11% of the county uninsured, an interest-free hospital payment plan usually beats a loan (medical bills).
- Repairs on manufactured housing. With 23% of homes here, compare a personal loan with any dealer or park repair program.
- Rent at $844. With 46% burdened, a short term and small amount keep risk down.
Georgia rules that apply in Hart County
The Georgia Department of Banking and Finance is the place to verify any lender's Georgia license. Federal complaints: consumerfinance.gov. The Georgia page has statewide figures to set beside Hart County's.
Checklist for Hart County applicants
Before you apply, wherever you live in Hart County:
- Write down what the expense costs; a smaller loan costs less.
- Line up offers side by side: APR, fees in dollars, total cost.
- A Georgia license check takes minutes; do it first.
- Read the final agreement; it must match the offer.
Other Georgia guides
Next step up from Hart County:
Frequently asked questions
Where does Hart County rank on income in Georgia?
72nd of 159, with a median of $59,385. The state median is $77,353.
How does Hart County rent compare with Georgia?
$844 locally versus $1,393 for the state, 39% below.
Is home equity cheaper than a personal loan in Hart County?
Often, because the home secures it. With 78% of Hart County homes owner-occupied, weigh that lower cost against the risk to the house.
Which towns does the Hart County guide cover?
Every community in the county, unincorporated areas included. The largest of its 4 Census places: Hartwell, Reed Creek, Bowersville, Eagle Grove.
Is the fit check different in Hart County?
No. It is identical everywhere, and it never looks at your neighborhood.