1st Advantage MortgageIn Laurens County, Georgia, the typical household earns $55,010 a year and the typical rent is $863. 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
- Population and place: Laurens County
- What Laurens County households earn
- Housing costs in Laurens County
- Labor force snapshot: Laurens County
- Census places in Laurens County
- Regional comparison for Laurens County
- Debt-to-income, Laurens County edition
- Laurens County demographics against Georgia
- What the numbers mean for Laurens County borrowers
- Verifying a lender from Laurens County
- Steps before you apply in Laurens County
- Nearby and statewide guides
- Frequently asked questions
Population and place: Laurens County
With an estimated 49,798 residents (ACS 2020 to 2024), Laurens County ranks 42nd of 159 in Georgia for population. Density: about 61.7 residents per square mile across 807 square miles of land. It sits outside every metropolitan statistical area in the July 2023 OMB delineation. Of the 7 Census places inside Laurens County, Dublin leads by population with about 16,136; 7 of the 7 are incorporated.
What Laurens County households earn
$55,010 is the median household income for Laurens County, set against $77,353 for Georgia. Only 92 Georgia counties post a higher median.
| Band | Laurens County | Compared with Georgia |
|---|---|---|
| Under $35,000 | 36.1% | +13.9 pts |
| $35,000 to $99,999 | 36.6% | -3.0 pts |
| $100,000 to $199,999 | 22.3% | -4.2 pts |
| $200,000 or more | 5.1% | -6.8 pts |
Six-figure households (27%) are outnumbered by those under $35,000 (36%) in Laurens County. 22.6% of residents fall below the federal poverty line (statewide: 13.4%). Income inequality, measured by the Gini index, comes to 0.512 here. Income from any regular source can count, including Social Security, pensions and disability benefits, as long as you can document it.
Housing costs in Laurens County
$863 a month is the median gross rent in Laurens County, 38% below the state. By the Census definition, 49% of Laurens County renters are cost-burdened. The median owner-occupied home is valued at $154,500, about 2.8 times the median household income. The ownership rate is 64%. Median construction year: 1989. Nationally, Laurens County's $863 rent is 2% below the middle county.
| Measure | Laurens County | Georgia | Gap |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median gross rent | $863/mo | $1,393/mo | 38% lower |
| Median home value | $154,500 | $303,300 | 49% lower |
| Owners | 64% | 66% | -1.4 pts |
| Rent-burdened renters | 49% | 52% | -3.1 pts |
| Burdened owners | 22% | 26% | -4.2 pts |
| Mobile homes | 24.4% | 7.8% | +16.6 pts |
| Vacant units | 16% | 10% | +5.4 pts |
Labor force snapshot: Laurens County
The biggest employer of Laurens County residents, by industry, is education and health care at 26% of workers, followed by retail trade (11%). Laurens County over-indexes on education and health care: 26% versus 21% in Georgia. 5.2% of Laurens County's labor force reported being unemployed, averaged across 2020 to 2024. About 87% drive to work alone and 15% have trips of 45 minutes or more. 1,163 Laurens County households, 6.3%, have no vehicle.
| Where residents work | Laurens County | Difference from Georgia |
|---|---|---|
| Education and health care | 26.4% | +5.4 pts |
| Retail trade | 11.0% | -0.3 pts |
| Construction | 10.8% | +3.8 pts |
| Manufacturing | 10.4% | +0.3 pts |
| Arts, lodging and food service | 8.8% | +0.2 pts |
| Professional and administrative services | 7.4% | -6.2 pts |
Self-employed in Laurens County? Two years of tax returns usually stand in for pay stubs.
Census places in Laurens County
21,573 of Laurens County's 49,798 residents live in its 7 Census places (43%); the 7 largest are listed. Among places of 500 or more people, median income runs from $34,141 in Dexter to $66,000 in Dudley. Rent is cheapest in Dublin ($847) and steepest in Dudley ($1,130). From Dublin to the smallest crossroads, Laurens County residents share this guide.
| Town or CDP | Type | People | Median household income | Median gross rent | Miles from center |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Dublin | city | 16,136 | $42,988 | $847 | 10 mi |
| East Dublin | city | 2,489 | $50,288 | $904 | 11 mi |
| Dexter | town | 1,054 | $34,141 | $1,040 | 8 mi |
| Dudley | city | 718 | $66,000 | $1,130 | 13 mi |
| Cadwell | town | 470 | $45,625 | $763 | 8 mi |
| Rentz | city | 395 | $56,250 | $742 | 4 mi |
| Montrose | town | 311 | $69,583 | $1,266 | 18 mi |
Regional comparison for Laurens County
Treutlen County is closest, 21 miles from center to center; the sixth, Montgomery County, is 28 miles off. Income ranges from $40,539 in Wheeler County to $62,008 in Bleckley County; 2 of these neighbors top Laurens County's median.
| County | Distance | Median income | Median rent | Owners |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Laurens County | - | $55,010 | $863/mo | 64% |
| Treutlen County, GA | 21 mi | $55,518 | $733/mo | 65% |
| Dodge County, GA | 21 mi | $51,587 | $723/mo | 71% |
| Wheeler County, GA | 23 mi | $40,539 | $581/mo | 66% |
| Bleckley County, GA | 24 mi | $62,008 | $799/mo | 73% |
| Johnson County, GA | 26 mi | $51,028 | $647/mo | 76% |
| Montgomery County, GA | 28 mi | $51,941 | $760/mo | 76% |
Debt-to-income, Laurens County edition
Lenders compare monthly debt payments with gross monthly income, the debt-to-income ratio. For a Laurens County household at the medians it works out like this; treat it as an illustration only.
- $55,010 a year is $4,584 of gross monthly income
- Less median rent of $863, which is 19% of it
- $787: what a 36% ratio leaves once rent is paid
Homeowners in Laurens County should swap in their mortgage, taxes and insurance for rent.
Laurens County demographics against Georgia
Bachelor's degree or higher: 19% of Laurens County adults. 12.1% of residents have no health coverage.
| Residents | Laurens County | Difference from Georgia | Difference from middle U.S. county |
|---|---|---|---|
| Bachelor's or higher | 19.1% | -15.8 pts | -3.0 pts |
| Work from home | 4.3% | -11.6 pts | -4.4 pts |
| Poverty rate | 22.6% | +9.2 pts | +9.4 pts |
| No high school diploma | 13.1% | +2.4 pts | n/a |
| Median age | 39.2 | +1.6 yrs | -2.3 yrs |
| No vehicle | 6.3% | +0.4 pts | +0.8 pts |
| No health insurance | 12.1% | -0.3 pts | +4.3 pts |
| Unemployment (ACS) | 5.2% | 0.0 pts | +0.8 pts |
| One-way commute | Share of Laurens County workers |
|---|---|
| Under 15 min | 36.3% |
| 15 to 29 min | 37.5% |
| 30 to 44 min | 11.0% |
| 45 to 59 min | 4.5% |
| 60+ min | 10.6% |
What the numbers mean for Laurens County borrowers
The county's numbers point to a few situations that come up often for Laurens County borrowers.
- Health costs. With 12% of the county uninsured, an interest-free hospital payment plan usually beats a loan (medical bills).
- Mobile home upkeep. 24% of units fall in this category; roof, skirting and HVAC jobs are common reasons to borrow.
- 23% below poverty. Emergency aid, payment plans and counseling (list) come first.
- Tight rental budgets. With 49% of Laurens County renters cost-burdened, test a new payment against a lean month.
Verifying a lender from Laurens County
The Georgia Department of Banking and Finance is the place to verify any lender's Georgia license. Federal complaints: consumerfinance.gov. See the Georgia state guide for the statewide picture.
Steps before you apply in Laurens County
Quick steps for Laurens County:
- Price the Laurens County expense first and borrow that amount, no more.
- Prequalify with soft pulls where offered, then compare in writing.
- Confirm the lender is licensed in Georgia.
- Pick the shortest term whose payment still fits.
Nearby and statewide guides
Statewide:
Frequently asked questions
How much do households in Laurens County earn?
The median is $55,010; 27% earn $100,000 or more and 36% under $35,000. A lender uses your own documented income, not this figure.
How does Laurens County rent compare with Georgia?
$863 locally versus $1,393 for the state, 38% below.
Is Montrose covered?
Yes. Montrose is one of 7 Census places in Laurens County, and this guide covers all of them.
Does living in Laurens 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 Laurens County resident as anyone. Lenders decide under fair-lending law.
Who regulates personal lenders for Laurens County residents?
The Georgia Department of Banking and Finance licenses consumer lenders in Georgia; the CFPB takes complaints about any lender, and the FTC wants to hear about fee-first offers.