1st Advantage MortgageJefferson County households have a median income of $53,014 and median rent of $731 a month (ACS 2020 to 2024). Your income, debts and credit decide what you qualify for. Get offers in writing, compare the total repaid, and never pay a fee up front.
On this page
- Getting oriented in Jefferson County
- How much Jefferson County households make
- Housing costs in Jefferson County
- How Jefferson County residents earn a living
- Jefferson County towns compared
- Counties near Jefferson County
- Budget math at the Jefferson County median
- Local borrowing considerations for Jefferson County
- People and households in Jefferson County
- Georgia rules that apply in Jefferson County
- A Jefferson County borrower's checklist
- Nearby and statewide guides
- Frequently asked questions
Getting oriented in Jefferson County
With an estimated 15,341 residents (ACS 2020 to 2024), Jefferson County ranks 108th of 159 in Georgia for population. Spread over 527 square miles, that works out to roughly 29.1 residents per square mile. Under the July 2023 OMB definitions, Jefferson County is not part of any metropolitan area. Of the 7 Census places inside Jefferson County, Wrens leads by population with about 2,187; 6 of the 7 are incorporated.
How much Jefferson County households make
Jefferson County households have a median income of $53,014 (ACS 2020 to 2024), which ranks 107th of 159 in Georgia.
| Yearly household income | Jefferson County | Gap to Georgia |
|---|---|---|
| Under $35,000 | 33.8% | +11.6 pts |
| $35,000 to $99,999 | 42.0% | +2.5 pts |
| $100,000 to $199,999 | 21.6% | -4.8 pts |
| $200,000 or more | 2.6% | -9.3 pts |
Some 34% of households here live on less than $35,000 a year; 24% have six-figure incomes. Census counts 16.9% of Jefferson County residents in poverty, against 13.4% across Georgia. None of these numbers decides a Jefferson County application. Lenders weigh your own documented income against your own debts.
Housing costs in Jefferson County
Median gross rent, utilities included, comes to $731 in Jefferson County versus $1,393 statewide. Rent takes 30% or more of income for 34% of renter households here. The median owner-occupied home is valued at $105,400, about 2.0 times the median household income. 68% of Jefferson County households own their home and 32% rent.
| Home costs | Jefferson County | Georgia | U.S. middle county |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median gross rent | $731/mo | $1,393/mo | $877/mo |
| Median home value | $105,400 | $303,300 | $185,300 |
| Owners | 68% | 66% | 75% |
| Rent-burdened renters | 34% | 52% | 45% |
| Burdened owners | 29% | 26% | n/a |
| Mobile homes | 28.3% | 7.8% | n/a |
How Jefferson County residents earn a living
By the Census industry count, 19% of employed Jefferson County residents work in education and health care and 16% in manufacturing. Compared with Georgia, the county leans toward transportation, warehousing and utilities (16% against 7%). Averaged over the five survey years, 5.8% of the labor force was out of work and looking. About 82% drive to work alone and 18% have trips of 45 minutes or more.
| Industry (employed residents 16+) | Jefferson County | Gap to Georgia |
|---|---|---|
| Education and health care | 19.0% | -2.0 pts |
| Manufacturing | 16.4% | +6.3 pts |
| Transportation, warehousing and utilities | 15.5% | +8.2 pts |
| Construction | 10.1% | +3.1 pts |
| Retail trade | 9.7% | -1.5 pts |
| Public administration | 9.2% | +4.4 pts |
If your hours swing with the season or with overtime, size a loan payment against your base pay, not your best month.
Jefferson County towns compared
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 46% of Jefferson County residents live in one of the 7. Among places of 500 or more people, median income runs from $37,500 in Wadley to $49,821 in Louisville. Rent is cheapest in Wadley ($606) and steepest in Wrens ($722). Live in one of these Jefferson County communities, or between them? This is your local guide.
| Town or CDP | Type | People | Median household income | Median gross rent | Miles from center |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Wrens | city | 2,187 | $37,609 | $722 | 10 mi |
| Louisville | city | 2,132 | $49,821 | $654 | 5 mi |
| Wadley | city | 1,706 | $37,500 | $606 | 13 mi |
| Stapleton | city | 460 | $48,333 | $776 | 11 mi |
| Avera | city | 259 | n/a | $858 | 11 mi |
| Bartow | town | 199 | $44,000 | $669 | 13 mi |
| Matthews | CDP | 134 | n/a | n/a | 13 mi |
CDP: census-designated place, an unincorporated community mapped for statistics.
Counties near Jefferson County
The six counties whose centers lie closest to Jefferson County's, from 16 to 29 miles away. Richmond County leads the group on income ($55,637), Warren County trails ($44,289), and Jefferson County out-earns 4 of the six.
| Neighbor | Distance | Income | Rent | Own |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Jefferson County | - | $53,014 | $731/mo | 68% |
| Glascock County, GA | 16 mi | $54,934 | $642/mo | 68% |
| Washington County, GA | 23 mi | $46,023 | $858/mo | 65% |
| Burke County, GA | 24 mi | $53,014 | $758/mo | 70% |
| Warren County, GA | 28 mi | $44,289 | $690/mo | 72% |
| Johnson County, GA | 29 mi | $51,028 | $647/mo | 76% |
| Richmond County, GA | 29 mi | $55,637 | $1,141/mo | 51% |
Budget math at the Jefferson County median
Lenders compare monthly debt payments with gross monthly income, the debt-to-income ratio. For a Jefferson County household at the medians it works out like this; treat it as an illustration only.
- $4,418 a month: gross income for a household at the Jefferson County median
- Rent at the median, $731, takes 17% of that
- At 43%, room after rent is $1,169 a month
Lenders set their own limits and look beyond the ratio. The DTI calculator uses your figures instead of Jefferson County's.
Local borrowing considerations for Jefferson County
Based on the Jefferson County data above, these borrowing questions are most likely to matter locally.
- Hospital bills in Jefferson County. For the 17% of residents without coverage, the provider's charity-care program comes before any loan (details).
- Vehicle repairs. 18% of Jefferson County workers commute 45+ minutes, so a breakdown can cost a paycheck. Get two written estimates.
- Manufactured homes. 28% of Jefferson County housing units are mobile homes, and their repairs are often paid with unsecured loans. Get the quote in writing.
People and households in Jefferson County
13% of Jefferson County adults 25 and older hold a bachelor's degree or more. 17.0% of residents have no health coverage.
| Measure | Jefferson County | Georgia statewide | Typical U.S. county |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median age | 40.9 | 37.6 | 41.5 |
| Bachelor's or higher | 13.5% | 34.9% | 22.2% |
| No high school diploma | 16.3% | 10.8% | n/a |
| No health insurance | 17.0% | 12.4% | 7.8% |
| No vehicle | 8.1% | 5.9% | 5.4% |
| Work from home | 3.0% | 15.9% | 8.7% |
| Poverty rate | 16.9% | 13.4% | 13.2% |
| Unemployment (ACS) | 5.8% | 5.1% | 4.4% |
| Travel time to work | Workers |
|---|---|
| Under 15 min | 32.9% |
| 15 to 29 min | 22.4% |
| 30 to 44 min | 26.5% |
| 45 to 59 min | 8.8% |
| 60+ min | 9.4% |
Georgia rules that apply in Jefferson County
Consumer lenders serving Jefferson County are licensed by the state, not the county; in Georgia that is the Georgia Department of Banking and Finance. A CFPB complaint gets forwarded to the company for a response. The Georgia guide covers state rules in more detail.
A Jefferson County borrower's checklist
A short checklist for Jefferson County borrowers:
- Borrow the amount the job needs; extra cash adds interest.
- Shop at least three lenders, including one Jefferson County-area credit union.
- Confirm the lender is licensed in Georgia.
- Ask a Jefferson 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 Jefferson County earn?
The median is $53,014; 24% earn $100,000 or more and 34% under $35,000. A lender uses your own documented income, not this figure.
How does Jefferson County rent compare with Georgia?
$731 locally versus $1,393 for the state, 48% below.
What are the biggest places in Jefferson County?
By population: Wrens, Louisville, Wadley, Stapleton, Avera. The county has 7 Census places in all.
Is the fit check different in Jefferson County?
No. It is identical everywhere, and it never looks at your neighborhood.
Who do I complain to about a lender in Jefferson County?
Start with the Georgia Department of Banking and Finance, then the CFPB complaint portal. Keep copies of every message.