1st Advantage MortgageThe median Heard County household earns $65,868, and 18% 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
- A quick profile of Heard County
- The Heard County job picture
- Income in Heard County compared with Georgia
- Housing costs in Heard County
- Neighboring counties at a glance
- Places inside Heard County
- Room for a loan payment in Heard County
- People and households in Heard County
- Before borrowing in Heard County
- Georgia rules that apply in Heard County
- Checklist for Heard County applicants
- Nearby and statewide guides
- Frequently asked questions
A quick profile of Heard County
The latest five-year Census estimate puts Heard County's population at 11,773; only 116 of Georgia's 159 county-level areas are larger. It covers 296 square miles of land, or about 40 people per square mile. The federal metro definitions (OMB, July 2023) place it in the Atlanta-Sandy Springs-Roswell, GA metropolitan area. The Census Bureau counts 4 places in the county (3 incorporated, 1 census-designated); the largest is Franklin, with about 958 residents, or 8% of the county.
The Heard County job picture
By the Census industry count, 22% of employed Heard County residents work in education and health care and 15% in manufacturing. Construction stands out: 14% of workers here, versus 7% statewide. ACS puts five-year average unemployment at 4.3% in Heard County. Long commutes are common here: 24% of workers spend 45 minutes or longer getting to work.
| Industry (employed residents 16+) | Heard County | Gap to Georgia |
|---|---|---|
| Education and health care | 21.9% | +0.9 pts |
| Manufacturing | 15.0% | +5.0 pts |
| Construction | 14.5% | +7.5 pts |
| Retail trade | 10.9% | -0.4 pts |
| Transportation, warehousing and utilities | 9.5% | +2.2 pts |
| Professional and administrative services | 6.2% | -7.4 pts |
Industry shapes paperwork. Salaried and public jobs are easy to verify, while hourly, tipped, commission or contract earners in Heard County should have bank statements and tax returns ready.
Income in Heard County compared with Georgia
Heard County households have a median income of $65,868 (ACS 2020 to 2024), which ranks 55th of 159 in Georgia.
| Income band | Share in Heard County | Difference from Georgia |
|---|---|---|
| Under $35,000 | 30.0% | +7.9 pts |
| $35,000 to $99,999 | 37.8% | -1.7 pts |
| $100,000 to $199,999 | 25.6% | -0.9 pts |
| $200,000 or more | 6.6% | -5.2 pts |
The spread is wide: 32% of Heard County households make $100,000 or more, and 30% make less than $35,000. 17.9% of residents fall below the federal poverty line (statewide: 13.4%). The Gini index of income inequality is 0.482 (0 is perfect equality). For a borrower in Heard County, the county median is only context: a lender looks at the income you can document, so pay stubs, benefit letters or tax returns matter more than any average.
Housing costs in Heard County
A typical Heard County rental runs $917 a month including utilities, which is 34% below Georgia. Rent takes 30% or more of income for 43% of renter households here. Home values center on $186,800, or 2.8 years of median income. Owners occupy 72% of homes.
| Measure | Heard County | Georgia | Median U.S. county |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median gross rent | $917/mo | $1,393/mo | $877/mo |
| Median home value | $186,800 | $303,300 | $185,300 |
| Owners | 72% | 66% | 75% |
| Rent-burdened renters | 43% | 52% | 45% |
| Burdened owners | 26% | 26% | n/a |
| Vacant units | 11% | 10% | n/a |
Because most Heard 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.
Neighboring counties at a glance
The six counties whose centers lie closest to Heard County's, from 19 to 33 miles away. Income ranges from $49,656 in Chambers County to $95,548 in Coweta County; 2 of these neighbors top Heard County's median. The list crosses into Alabama, where different lending rules and regulators apply.
| Adjacent area | How far | HH income (median) | Rent (median) | Owner share |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Heard County | - | $65,868 | $917/mo | 72% |
| Randolph County, AL | 19 mi | $52,338 | $708/mo | 77% |
| Troup County, GA | 19 mi | $56,776 | $1,087/mo | 61% |
| Carroll County, GA | 20 mi | $73,714 | $1,153/mo | 71% |
| Coweta County, GA | 22 mi | $95,548 | $1,488/mo | 78% |
| Chambers County, AL | 30 mi | $49,656 | $871/mo | 72% |
| Meriwether County, GA | 33 mi | $57,340 | $920/mo | 73% |
Places inside Heard County
4 Census places fall mainly inside Heard County; the 4 biggest are below. They account for 2,262 residents, leaving about 81% of the county in unincorporated, unnamed areas. Ephesus has the highest median household income on the list ($61,250) and Franklin the lowest ($32,917), counting places with at least 500 residents. No Heard County place has a separate guide yet; this county page serves all 4.
| Place in county | Status | Population (ACS) | Median HH income | Monthly rent | Distance from center |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Franklin | city | 958 | $32,917 | $570 | 2 mi |
| Centralhatchee | town | 662 | $43,698 | $1,266 | 6 mi |
| Ephesus | city | 642 | $61,250 | $583 | 11 mi |
| Glenn | CDP | 0 | n/a | n/a | 11 mi |
Room for a loan payment in Heard County
How much room does a median Heard County budget have? Take median income, subtract median rent, and check what is left under a few common debt-to-income limits.
- Monthly gross at the median, Heard County: $5,489
- 17% goes to median rent ($917)
- 36% debt-to-income limit: $1,059 left for all other debt payments
Lenders set their own limits and look beyond the ratio. The DTI calculator uses your figures instead of Heard County's.
People and households in Heard County
13% of Heard County adults 25 and older hold a bachelor's degree or more. 13.8% of residents have no health coverage.
| Residents | Heard County | Georgia | Middle U.S. county |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median age | 41.1 | 37.6 | 41.5 |
| Bachelor's or higher | 12.8% | 34.9% | 22.2% |
| No high school diploma | 12.1% | 10.8% | n/a |
| No health insurance | 13.8% | 12.4% | 7.8% |
| No vehicle | 5.5% | 5.9% | 5.4% |
| Work from home | 5.3% | 15.9% | 8.7% |
| Poverty rate | 17.9% | 13.4% | 13.2% |
| Unemployment (ACS) | 4.3% | 5.1% | 4.4% |
| Trip time | Share |
|---|---|
| Under 15 min | 16.7% |
| 15 to 29 min | 24.4% |
| 30 to 44 min | 34.6% |
| 45 to 59 min | 10.4% |
| 60+ min | 14.0% |
Before borrowing in Heard County
What the Heard County figures suggest, and what to check first:
- Uninsured care. 14% lack coverage here; nonprofit hospitals must publish an assistance policy, so ask for it first (guide).
- Keeping the car running. At 24% with long commutes, repairs are a frequent Heard County emergency; first decide if the car is worth fixing.
- Repairs on manufactured housing. With 27% of homes here, compare a personal loan with any dealer or park repair program.
Georgia rules that apply in Heard County
Heard County borrowers fall under statewide rules, enforced by the Georgia Department of Banking and Finance. The Consumer Financial Protection Bureau accepts complaints nationwide. The Georgia guide covers state rules in more detail.
Checklist for Heard County applicants
Before you apply, wherever you live in Heard County:
- Write down what the expense costs; a smaller loan costs less.
- Prequalify with soft pulls where offered, then compare in writing.
- Confirm the lender is licensed in Georgia.
- Ask a Heard County credit union about member loans.
Nearby and statewide guides
The Georgia guide covers the whole state.
Frequently asked questions
How much do households in Heard County earn?
The median is $65,868; 32% earn $100,000 or more and 30% under $35,000. A lender uses your own documented income, not this figure.
What do renters pay in Heard County?
$917 a month at the median, about 17% of median household income.
I own my home in Heard County. Personal loan or HELOC?
A HELOC uses the house as collateral; a personal loan usually does not. With 72% of homes owner-occupied here, many readers can compare both in writing.
I live in a small Heard County town. Is this my guide?
Yes. If your town has no city guide, this county page is the local one; it covers Franklin, Centralhatchee, Ephesus, Glenn.
Does living in Heard County change what I qualify for?
Not in our fit check, which uses only the amount, credit range, income and payments you enter, the same for a Heard County resident as anyone. Lenders decide under fair-lending law.