1st Advantage MortgageLee County households have a median income of $89,168 and median rent of $1,184 a month (ACS 2020 to 2024). 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
- Lee County, GA: the basics
- Housing costs in Lee County
- How much Lee County households make
- Employment and commuting in Lee County
- Places inside Lee County
- Lee County and the counties next door
- People and households in Lee County
- Reading the Lee County data as a borrower
- Debt-to-income at Lee County's medians
- Steps before you apply in Lee County
- Georgia rules that apply in Lee County
- Related local guides
- Frequently asked questions
Lee County, GA: the basics
With an estimated 33,626 residents (ACS 2020 to 2024), Lee County ranks 57th of 159 in Georgia for population. It covers 356 square miles of land, or about 94 people per square mile. For statistical purposes it belongs to the Albany, GA metro area, as delineated by the Office of Management and Budget in July 2023. Leesburg is the biggest of its 2 Census places, at roughly 3,542 people (11% of the county total).
Housing costs in Lee County
Renters in Lee County pay a median of $1,184 a month, 15% below the Georgia figure of $1,393. 42% of renting households spend 30% or more of income on rent, and 24% spend half or more. Home values center on $231,800, or 2.6 years of median income. Owners occupy 74% of homes. Median construction year: 1998.
| Measure | Lee County | Georgia | Median U.S. county |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median gross rent | $1,184/mo | $1,393/mo | $877/mo |
| Median home value | $231,800 | $303,300 | $185,300 |
| Owners | 74% | 66% | 75% |
| Rent-burdened renters | 42% | 52% | 45% |
| Burdened owners | 14% | 26% | 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).
How much Lee County households make
Half of Lee County households take in less than $89,168 a year and half take in more, 15% above the Georgia median of $77,353. In the state ranking that is 14th of 159.
| Band | Lee County | Compared with Georgia |
|---|---|---|
| Under $35,000 | 14.4% | -7.8 pts |
| $35,000 to $99,999 | 42.3% | +2.8 pts |
| $100,000 to $199,999 | 36.6% | +10.2 pts |
| $200,000 or more | 6.7% | -5.2 pts |
The spread is wide: 43% of Lee County households make $100,000 or more, and 14% make less than $35,000. Census counts 5.7% of Lee County residents in poverty, against 13.4% across Georgia. The Gini index of income inequality is 0.379 (0 is perfect equality). None of these numbers decides a Lee County application. Lenders weigh your own documented income against your own debts.
Employment and commuting in Lee County
Education and health care employs 28% of working residents, the largest share; retail trade is next with 11%. The sharpest difference from the state is in education and health care, at 28% locally and 21% for Georgia. ACS puts five-year average unemployment at 3.3% in Lee County. About 82% drive to work alone and 11% have trips of 45 minutes or more.
| Industry | Share of Lee County workers | vs Georgia |
|---|---|---|
| Education and health care | 28.5% | +7.5 pts |
| Retail trade | 11.0% | -0.3 pts |
| Public administration | 9.4% | +4.6 pts |
| Professional and administrative services | 8.8% | -4.7 pts |
| Manufacturing | 7.7% | -2.4 pts |
| Arts, lodging and food service | 7.1% | -1.4 pts |
If your hours swing with the season or with overtime, size a loan payment against your base pay, not your best month.
Places inside Lee County
2 Census places fall mainly inside Lee County; the 2 biggest are below. They account for 3,827 residents, leaving about 89% of the county in unincorporated, unnamed areas. Live in one of these Lee County communities, or between them? This is your local guide.
| Community | Type | Residents | Household income (median) | Rent (median) | Distance |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Leesburg | city | 3,542 | $79,460 | $1,055 | 6 mi |
| Smithville | city | 285 | n/a | $1,068 | 9 mi |
Lee County and the counties next door
Six nearby counties, 16 to 29 miles away by the straight-line distance between their centers. None of the six report a higher median household income than Lee County; Worth County is highest at $58,694 and Sumter County lowest at $42,653.
| Neighbor | Distance | Income | Rent | Own |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Lee County | - | $89,168 | $1,184/mo | 74% |
| Sumter County, GA | 16 mi | $42,653 | $857/mo | 57% |
| Terrell County, GA | 17 mi | $46,171 | $745/mo | 62% |
| Dougherty County, GA | 20 mi | $49,044 | $935/mo | 45% |
| Crisp County, GA | 24 mi | $45,105 | $778/mo | 56% |
| Worth County, GA | 25 mi | $58,694 | $864/mo | 74% |
| Webster County, GA | 29 mi | $46,792 | $658/mo | 77% |
People and households in Lee County
34% of Lee County adults 25 and older hold a bachelor's degree or more. About 8% go without health insurance.
| Residents | Lee County | Georgia | Middle U.S. county |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median age | 37.7 | 37.6 | 41.5 |
| Bachelor's or higher | 34.1% | 34.9% | 22.2% |
| No high school diploma | 7.6% | 10.8% | n/a |
| No health insurance | 8.2% | 12.4% | 7.8% |
| No vehicle | 2.8% | 5.9% | 5.4% |
| Work from home | 7.5% | 15.9% | 8.7% |
| Poverty rate | 5.7% | 13.4% | 13.2% |
| Unemployment (ACS) | 3.3% | 5.1% | 4.4% |
| One-way commute | Share of Lee County workers |
|---|---|
| Under 15 min | 23.4% |
| 15 to 29 min | 52.3% |
| 30 to 44 min | 13.5% |
| 45 to 59 min | 5.6% |
| 60+ min | 5.2% |
Reading the Lee County data as a borrower
Where the Lee County numbers stand out, and why it matters for a loan:
- Strong incomes, long terms. 43% of Lee County households earn $100,000+. The risk is a term that outlasts the need.
- Requirements. Lenders weigh credit history, documented income and existing debt (what to gather).
- Fraud. Gift cards, wire transfers or fees to unlock a loan mean walk away (report it).
Debt-to-income at Lee County's medians
Here is the Lee County median household run through a simple DTI check. Your numbers will differ.
- $7,431 a month: gross income for a household at the Lee County median
- Less median rent of $1,184, which is 16% of it
- Under a 36% cap, $2,675 total minus rent leaves $1,491
- $2,011: what a 43% ratio leaves once rent is paid
Two-income households and single earners in Lee County land in very different places on this math, so run it for your own budget.
Steps before you apply in Lee County
Four checks before you sign anything:
- Get a written quote for whatever you are paying for in Lee County.
- Shop at least three lenders, including one Lee County-area credit union.
- Look the lender up with the state regulator first.
- Ask about early-payoff penalties.
Georgia rules that apply in Lee County
Before sharing details with a lender, a Lee County resident can confirm its license with the Georgia Department of Banking and Finance. The Consumer Financial Protection Bureau accepts complaints nationwide. The Georgia guide covers state rules in more detail.
Related local guides
For statewide rules and data, see the Georgia guide.
Frequently asked questions
What does a typical Lee County household make?
About $89,168 a year at the median (ACS 2020-24), 15% above the Georgia median.
Is Lee County expensive for renters?
Median rent is $1,184 against $1,393 statewide, and 42% of renter households are cost-burdened.
Does this page cover Leesburg?
Yes, along with the other 1 Census place in Lee County, such as Smithville.
Are Lee County applicants treated differently?
No. Everyone answers the same questions and is screened on the same objective points; lending partners set their own criteria under fair-lending laws.
Where can someone in Lee County check a lender's license?
With the Georgia Department of Banking and Finance. If a lender is unlicensed or asks for a fee before funding, walk away.