1st Advantage MortgageIn Jackson County, Georgia, the typical household earns $89,544 a year and the typical rent is $1,126. A loan makes sense only if its total cost beats your alternatives and the payment fits your budget. Check the lender's Georgia license first.
On this page
- Who lives in Jackson County
- Jackson County housing compared with Georgia
- Income in Jackson County compared with Georgia
- How Jackson County residents earn a living
- Neighboring counties at a glance
- Places inside Jackson County
- Who lives in Jackson County, in numbers
- Local borrowing considerations for Jackson County
- What a median Jackson County budget can carry
- Four steps for Jackson County borrowers
- Licensing and complaints for Jackson County
- Nearby and statewide guides
- Frequently asked questions
Who lives in Jackson County
Jackson County is home to about 84,757 people, according to the Census Bureau's 2020 to 2024 American Community Survey, which makes it the 31st most populous of 159 county-level areas in Georgia. Land area is 340 square miles (2024 Gazetteer), so density runs near 250 per square mile. No metropolitan area includes Jackson County in the 2023 federal delineation, so its numbers stand on their own rather than as part of a metro. The Census Bureau counts 7 places in the county (7 incorporated, 0 census-designated); the largest is Jefferson, with about 14,990 residents, or 18% of the county.
Jackson County housing compared with Georgia
Renters in Jackson County pay a median of $1,126 a month, 19% below the Georgia figure of $1,393. By the Census definition, 41% of Jackson County renters are cost-burdened. Home values center on $345,000, or 3.9 years of median income. Owners occupy 79% of homes. The median year built is 2002.
| Jackson County | Georgia | U.S. county median | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median gross rent | $1,126/mo | $1,393/mo | $877/mo |
| Median home value | $345,000 | $303,300 | $185,300 |
| Owners | 79% | 66% | 75% |
| Rent-burdened renters | 41% | 52% | 45% |
| Burdened owners | 26% | 26% | n/a |
| Mobile homes | 12.0% | 7.8% | n/a |
Owners with equity have a second option. Weigh a secured line against an unsecured loan by risk as well as cost before you choose (how they compare).
Income in Jackson County compared with Georgia
Jackson County households have a median income of $89,544 (ACS 2020 to 2024), which ranks 13th of 159 in Georgia.
| Households earning | Jackson County | +/- vs Georgia |
|---|---|---|
| Under $35,000 | 14.3% | -7.9 pts |
| $35,000 to $99,999 | 42.5% | +3.0 pts |
| $100,000 to $199,999 | 30.9% | +4.4 pts |
| $200,000 or more | 12.3% | +0.5 pts |
The spread is wide: 43% of Jackson County households make $100,000 or more, and 14% make less than $35,000. The poverty rate is 7.3%, 6 points lower than the state's 13.4%. The Gini index of income inequality is 0.392 (0 is perfect equality). A household earning below the $89,544 median should test any payment carefully; one earning above it should still pick the shortest term it can manage.
How Jackson County residents earn a living
Education and health care employs 22% of working residents, the largest share; retail trade is next with 14%. Compared with Georgia, the county leans toward retail trade (14% against 11%). Averaged over the five survey years, 3.4% of the labor force was out of work and looking. About 77% drive to work alone and 23% have trips of 45 minutes or more. Households without a car make up 2.3% of the total (5.9% statewide).
| Where residents work | Jackson County | Difference from Georgia |
|---|---|---|
| Education and health care | 21.5% | +0.5 pts |
| Retail trade | 13.8% | +2.6 pts |
| Professional and administrative services | 11.2% | -2.4 pts |
| Manufacturing | 10.9% | +0.8 pts |
| Construction | 8.2% | +1.2 pts |
| Arts, lodging and food service | 7.0% | -1.5 pts |
A lender verifies what your own job pays. The county's industry mix tells you about the local economy, not about your application.
Neighboring counties at a glance
Distances run center to center, from Barrow County at 13 miles out to Oconee County at 22. Oconee County leads the group on income ($121,217), Clarke County trails ($53,625), and Jackson County out-earns 5 of the six.
| Nearby county | Center to center | Household income | Gross rent | Owner-occupied |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Jackson County | - | $89,544 | $1,126/mo | 79% |
| Barrow County, GA | 13 mi | $80,653 | $1,318/mo | 79% |
| Banks County, GA | 16 mi | $77,063 | $827/mo | 79% |
| Clarke County, GA | 17 mi | $53,625 | $1,219/mo | 41% |
| Hall County, GA | 19 mi | $80,901 | $1,341/mo | 69% |
| Madison County, GA | 20 mi | $61,963 | $972/mo | 77% |
| Oconee County, GA | 22 mi | $121,217 | $1,462/mo | 81% |
Places inside Jackson County
Here are the 7 most populous of the county's 7 Census places, with income and rent from the same 2020 to 2024 survey. About 42% of Jackson County residents live in one of the 7. Incomes vary by place: $109,828 at the median in Jefferson, $52,147 in Nicholson. Rent is cheapest in Arcade ($995) and steepest in Pendergrass ($1,636). Live in one of these Jackson County communities, or between them? This is your local guide.
| Name | Kind | Pop. | Income | Rent | Miles |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Jefferson | city | 14,990 | $109,828 | $1,074 | 2 mi |
| Commerce | city | 8,013 | $60,961 | $1,183 | 8 mi |
| Hoschton | city | 4,534 | $97,083 | $1,147 | 12 mi |
| Pendergrass | town | 3,435 | $90,341 | $1,636 | 7 mi |
| Nicholson | city | 2,335 | $52,147 | $1,008 | 8 mi |
| Arcade | city | 1,704 | $68,375 | $995 | 4 mi |
| Talmo | town | 369 | $75,000 | $975 | 9 mi |
Who lives in Jackson County, in numbers
College graduates make up 28% of the adult population. The uninsured rate is 11.6%, against 12.4% for Georgia.
| People and households | Jackson County | Georgia | Median county |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median age | 38.1 | 37.6 | 41.5 |
| Bachelor's or higher | 27.8% | 34.9% | 22.2% |
| No high school diploma | 11.3% | 10.8% | n/a |
| No health insurance | 11.6% | 12.4% | 7.8% |
| No vehicle | 2.3% | 5.9% | 5.4% |
| Work from home | 12.3% | 15.9% | 8.7% |
| Poverty rate | 7.3% | 13.4% | 13.2% |
| Unemployment (ACS) | 3.4% | 5.1% | 4.4% |
| Minutes to work | Jackson County workers |
|---|---|
| Under 15 min | 19.0% |
| 15 to 29 min | 29.9% |
| 30 to 44 min | 28.4% |
| 45 to 59 min | 10.9% |
| 60+ min | 11.8% |
Local borrowing considerations for Jackson County
A few patterns in the Jackson County data, and the practical point behind each:
- Medical bills. 12% of Jackson County residents are uninsured. Before borrowing for care, ask the provider about financial assistance and payment plans.
- Commuter costs. 23% drive 45 minutes or more. Compare shop financing with a loan, and keep a small repair fund.
- Higher earners. 43% of households clear $100,000; shop at least three lenders and pick the shortest term.
What a median Jackson County budget can carry
Jackson County at the medians, through a lender's eyes (what DTI means):
- Monthly gross at the median, Jackson County: $7,462
- 15% goes to median rent ($1,126)
- Under a 35% cap, $2,612 total minus rent leaves $1,486
- With a 45% ceiling, about $2,232 remains for car, card, student and any new loan payments
If your rent is above $1,126, the room shrinks dollar for dollar.
Four steps for Jackson County borrowers
Quick steps for Jackson County:
- Get a written quote for whatever you are paying for in Jackson County.
- Shop at least three lenders, including one Jackson County-area credit union.
- Check the license, then the reviews, then the offer.
- Ask a Jackson County credit union about member loans.
Licensing and complaints for Jackson County
Before sharing details with a lender, a Jackson County resident can confirm its license with the Georgia Department of Banking and Finance. Federal complaints: consumerfinance.gov. More on Georgia: Georgia personal loans.
Nearby and statewide guides
For statewide rules and data, see the Georgia guide.
Frequently asked questions
What is the median household income in Jackson County?
$89,544 a year in the 2020 to 2024 Census survey, versus $77,353 for Georgia. It ranks 13th of 159 in the state.
Is Jackson County expensive for renters?
Median rent is $1,126 against $1,393 statewide, and 41% of renter households are cost-burdened.
I own my home in Jackson 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.
I live in a small Jackson County town. Is this my guide?
Yes. If your town has no city guide, this county page is the local one; it covers Jefferson, Commerce, Hoschton, Pendergrass, Nicholson and 2 more.
Is the fit check different in Jackson County?
No. It is identical everywhere, and it never looks at your neighborhood.