1st Advantage MortgageThe median Long County household earns $68,808, and 17% 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
- Long County by the numbers
- Long County housing compared with Georgia
- How much Long County households make
- The Long County job picture
- Long County towns compared
- How Long County compares with nearby counties
- Debt-to-income at Long County's medians
- What the numbers mean for Long County borrowers
- Long County households compared
- A Long County borrower's checklist
- Checking a lender's license in Georgia
- Nearby and statewide guides
- Frequently asked questions
Long County by the numbers
The latest five-year Census estimate puts Long County's population at 18,374; only 97 of Georgia's 159 county-level areas are larger. Land area is 400 square miles (2024 Gazetteer), so density runs near 46 per square mile. For statistical purposes it belongs to the Hinesville, GA metro area, as delineated by the Office of Management and Budget in July 2023. Of the 1 Census place inside Long County, Ludowici leads by population with about 1,897.
Long County housing compared with Georgia
Renters in Long County pay a median of $976 a month, 30% below the Georgia figure of $1,393. By the Census definition, 49% of Long County renters are cost-burdened. With a median value of $218,300, a typical Long County house costs 3.2 times what the median household earns in a year. The ownership rate is 65%.
| Long County | Georgia | U.S. county median | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median gross rent | $976/mo | $1,393/mo | $877/mo |
| Median home value | $218,300 | $303,300 | $185,300 |
| Owners | 65% | 66% | 75% |
| Rent-burdened renters | 49% | 52% | 45% |
| Burdened owners | 31% | 26% | n/a |
| Vacant units | 10% | 10% | n/a |
How much Long County households make
The median household income in Long County is $68,808; statewide it is $77,353, so Long County runs 11% below Georgia as a whole. In the state ranking that is 48th of 159.
| Band | Long County | Compared with Georgia |
|---|---|---|
| Under $35,000 | 25.4% | +3.3 pts |
| $35,000 to $99,999 | 48.1% | +8.5 pts |
| $100,000 to $199,999 | 24.8% | -1.6 pts |
| $200,000 or more | 1.7% | -10.2 pts |
The spread is wide: 27% of Long County households make $100,000 or more, and 25% make less than $35,000. Census counts 17.3% of Long County residents in poverty, against 13.4% across Georgia. Income inequality, measured by the Gini index, comes to 0.372 here. A household earning below the $68,808 median should test any payment carefully; one earning above it should still pick the shortest term it can manage.
The Long County job picture
By the Census industry count, 21% of employed Long County residents work in education and health care and 14% in arts, lodging and food service. Arts, lodging and food service stands out: 14% of workers here, versus 9% statewide. ACS puts five-year average unemployment at 6.8% in Long County. 20% of commuters travel 45 minutes or more each way, and 6% work from home. 6.6% of households have no vehicle.
| Top industries | Long County share | +/- vs Georgia |
|---|---|---|
| Education and health care | 21.1% | +0.1 pts |
| Arts, lodging and food service | 13.5% | +5.0 pts |
| Retail trade | 11.2% | -0.1 pts |
| Construction | 10.3% | +3.3 pts |
| Transportation, warehousing and utilities | 8.8% | +1.5 pts |
| Professional and administrative services | 8.7% | -4.8 pts |
A lender verifies what your own job pays. The county's industry mix tells you about the local economy, not about your application.
Long County towns compared
Ludowici is the only Census place mainly inside Long County, with about 1,897 of the county's 18,374 residents. Ludowici has no separate guide, so this county page serves it.
| Place | Type | Population | Median income | Median rent | From county center |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Ludowici | city | 1,897 | n/a | n/a | 2 mi |
How Long County compares with nearby counties
Six nearby counties, 17 to 29 miles away by the straight-line distance between their centers. Bryan County leads the group on income ($103,408), McIntosh County trails ($50,273), and Long County out-earns 5 of the six.
| Nearby county | Center to center | Household income | Gross rent | Owner-occupied |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Long County | - | $68,808 | $976/mo | 65% |
| Wayne County, GA | 17 mi | $53,427 | $846/mo | 67% |
| Liberty County, GA | 17 mi | $60,456 | $1,246/mo | 51% |
| Bryan County, GA | 26 mi | $103,408 | $1,618/mo | 78% |
| Tattnall County, GA | 28 mi | $50,747 | $699/mo | 71% |
| McIntosh County, GA | 28 mi | $50,273 | $800/mo | 80% |
| Evans County, GA | 29 mi | $53,259 | $719/mo | 65% |
Debt-to-income at Long County's medians
Long County at the medians, through a lender's eyes (what DTI means):
- Start: $5,734 gross per month ($68,808 / 12)
- Housing at the median rent of $976 uses 17%
- With a 36% ceiling, about $1,088 remains for car, card, student and any new loan payments
- 43% debt-to-income limit: $1,490 left for all other debt payments
If your rent is above $976, the room shrinks dollar for dollar.
What the numbers mean for Long County borrowers
The county's numbers point to a few situations that come up often for Long County borrowers.
- Health costs. With 11% of the county uninsured, an interest-free hospital payment plan usually beats a loan (medical bills).
- Keeping the car running. At 20% with long commutes, repairs are a frequent Long County emergency; first decide if the car is worth fixing.
- 37% mobile homes. Many are not titled as real estate, so home-equity options may not apply; an unsecured loan is the usual route.
- Renters under pressure. When 49% pay 30% or more for rent, the smallest loan that solves the problem is the right size.
Long County households compared
College graduates make up 13% of the adult population. About 11% go without health insurance.
| Measure | Long County | Georgia statewide | Typical U.S. county |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median age | 34.0 | 37.6 | 41.5 |
| Bachelor's or higher | 13.3% | 34.9% | 22.2% |
| No high school diploma | 14.6% | 10.8% | n/a |
| No health insurance | 11.0% | 12.4% | 7.8% |
| No vehicle | 6.6% | 5.9% | 5.4% |
| Work from home | 5.9% | 15.9% | 8.7% |
| Poverty rate | 17.3% | 13.4% | 13.2% |
| Unemployment (ACS) | 6.8% | 5.1% | 4.4% |
| Minutes to work | Long County workers |
|---|---|
| Under 15 min | 17.1% |
| 15 to 29 min | 45.6% |
| 30 to 44 min | 17.0% |
| 45 to 59 min | 7.4% |
| 60+ min | 12.8% |
A Long County borrower's checklist
A short checklist for Long County borrowers:
- Borrow the amount the job needs; extra cash adds interest.
- Shop at least three lenders, including one Long County-area credit union.
- A Georgia license check takes minutes; do it first.
- Confirm the first due date before setting up autopay.
Checking a lender's license in Georgia
Before sharing details with a lender, a Long County resident can confirm its license with the Georgia Department of Banking and Finance. Problems with a lender can also go to the CFPB. The Georgia guide covers state rules in more detail.
Nearby and statewide guides
For statewide rules and data, see the Georgia guide.
Frequently asked questions
What does a typical Long County household make?
About $68,808 a year at the median (ACS 2020-24), 11% below the Georgia median.
Is Long County expensive for renters?
Median rent is $976 against $1,393 statewide, and 49% of renter households are cost-burdened.
Does this page cover Ludowici?
Yes, along with the other 0 Census places in Long County.
Can Long County residents use the questionnaire?
Yes. It asks the same questions in every Georgia county, lists every requirement up front and does not affect your credit score.
Who regulates personal lenders for Long 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.