1st Advantage MortgageAbout 73% of Meriwether County homes are owner-occupied, and the median household income is $57,340. 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
- Meriwether County, GA: the basics
- Housing costs in Meriwether County
- Paychecks and income spread in Meriwether County
- Work, industries and travel time in Meriwether County
- Cities, towns and CDPs in Meriwether County
- Regional comparison for Meriwether County
- Room for a loan payment in Meriwether County
- Before borrowing in Meriwether County
- More Meriwether County figures
- A Meriwether County borrower's checklist
- Licensing and complaints for Meriwether County
- Nearby and statewide guides
- Frequently asked questions
Meriwether County, GA: the basics
Roughly 20,929 residents live in Meriwether County, Georgia, 86th by population among the state's 159 counties and county equivalents. Spread over 501 square miles, that works out to roughly 41.8 residents per square mile. For statistical purposes it belongs to the Atlanta-Sandy Springs-Roswell, GA metro area, as delineated by the Office of Management and Budget in July 2023. Of the 7 Census places inside Meriwether County, Manchester leads by population with about 3,631; 7 of the 7 are incorporated.
Housing costs in Meriwether County
A typical Meriwether County rental runs $920 a month including utilities, which is 34% below Georgia. 48% of renting households spend 30% or more of income on rent, and 17% spend half or more. The median owner-occupied home is valued at $168,800, about 2.9 times the median household income. Owners occupy 73% of homes. Median construction year: 1983.
| Measure | Meriwether County | Georgia | Median U.S. county |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median gross rent | $920/mo | $1,393/mo | $877/mo |
| Median home value | $168,800 | $303,300 | $185,300 |
| Owners | 73% | 66% | 75% |
| Rent-burdened renters | 48% | 52% | 45% |
| Burdened owners | 31% | 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).
Paychecks and income spread in Meriwether County
At $57,340, the typical Meriwether County household income is 13% below the median U.S. county ($65,681).
| Households earning | Meriwether County | +/- vs Georgia |
|---|---|---|
| Under $35,000 | 28.2% | +6.0 pts |
| $35,000 to $99,999 | 49.0% | +9.5 pts |
| $100,000 to $199,999 | 19.2% | -7.3 pts |
| $200,000 or more | 3.6% | -8.2 pts |
About 28% of households earn under $35,000, while 23% clear $100,000. 18.9% of residents fall below the federal poverty line (statewide: 13.4%). For a borrower in Meriwether County, the county median is only context: a lender looks at the income you can document, so pay stubs, benefit letters or tax returns matter more than any average.
Work, industries and travel time in Meriwether County
The biggest employer of Meriwether County residents, by industry, is manufacturing at 21% of workers, followed by education and health care (20%). Manufacturing stands out: 21% of workers here, versus 10% statewide. Averaged over the five survey years, 6.6% of the labor force was out of work and looking. About 86% drive to work alone and 35% have trips of 45 minutes or more. Households without a car make up 6.4% of the total (5.9% statewide).
| Sector | Meriwether County | Compared with Georgia |
|---|---|---|
| Manufacturing | 21.2% | +11.1 pts |
| Education and health care | 19.6% | -1.4 pts |
| Transportation, warehousing and utilities | 12.4% | +5.1 pts |
| Construction | 9.1% | +2.1 pts |
| Retail trade | 8.6% | -2.7 pts |
| Professional and administrative services | 7.2% | -6.4 pts |
If your hours swing with the season or with overtime, size a loan payment against your base pay, not your best month.
Cities, towns and CDPs in Meriwether County
The table lists the 7 largest of 7 Census places in Meriwether County, by population. Together all 7 hold about 7,656 people, so roughly 63% of residents live outside any named place. Incomes vary by place: $74,167 at the median in Luthersville, $49,773 in Greenville. Rent is cheapest in Greenville ($928) and steepest in Luthersville ($1,040). No Meriwether County place has a separate guide yet; this county page serves all 7.
| Community | Type | Residents | Household income (median) | Rent (median) | Distance |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Manchester | city | 3,631 | $51,353 | $1,038 | 12 mi |
| Greenville | city | 1,326 | $49,773 | $928 | 3 mi |
| Luthersville | city | 1,000 | $74,167 | $1,040 | 13 mi |
| Woodbury | city | 820 | $54,375 | n/a | 6 mi |
| Warm Springs | city | 463 | $58,750 | $918 | 10 mi |
| Lone Oak | town | 297 | n/a | n/a | 13 mi |
| Gay | town | 119 | $75,938 | n/a | 7 mi |
Regional comparison for Meriwether County
Distances run center to center, from Pike County at 16 miles out to Harris County at 25. Income ranges from $41,597 in Talbot County to $97,302 in Harris County; 3 of these neighbors top Meriwether County's median.
| County | Miles | Median household income | Median rent | Homeownership |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Meriwether County | - | $57,340 | $920/mo | 73% |
| Pike County, GA | 16 mi | $86,719 | $993/mo | 85% |
| Troup County, GA | 21 mi | $56,776 | $1,087/mo | 61% |
| Coweta County, GA | 23 mi | $95,548 | $1,488/mo | 78% |
| Talbot County, GA | 24 mi | $41,597 | $816/mo | 80% |
| Upson County, GA | 24 mi | $55,429 | $849/mo | 61% |
| Harris County, GA | 25 mi | $97,302 | $1,048/mo | 89% |
Room for a loan payment in Meriwether County
Lenders compare monthly debt payments with gross monthly income, the debt-to-income ratio. For a Meriwether County household at the medians it works out like this; treat it as an illustration only.
- $57,340 a year is $4,778 of gross monthly income
- Median rent: $920, or 19 cents of every gross dollar
- At 35%, room after rent is $752 a month
- With a 45% ceiling, about $1,230 remains for car, card, student and any new loan payments
If your rent is above $920, the room shrinks dollar for dollar.
Before borrowing in Meriwether County
A few patterns in the Meriwether County data, and the practical point behind each:
- Health costs. With 12% of the county uninsured, an interest-free hospital payment plan usually beats a loan (medical bills).
- Commuter costs. 35% drive 45 minutes or more. Compare shop financing with a loan, and keep a small repair fund.
- Repairs on manufactured housing. With 23% of homes here, compare a personal loan with any dealer or park repair program.
- 19% below poverty. Emergency aid, payment plans and counseling (list) come first.
More Meriwether County figures
Degree holders: 15% of adults over 25. About 12% go without health insurance.
| People and households | Meriwether County | Georgia | Median county |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median age | 43.5 | 37.6 | 41.5 |
| Bachelor's or higher | 14.5% | 34.9% | 22.2% |
| No high school diploma | 17.0% | 10.8% | n/a |
| No health insurance | 12.4% | 12.4% | 7.8% |
| No vehicle | 6.4% | 5.9% | 5.4% |
| Work from home | 6.2% | 15.9% | 8.7% |
| Poverty rate | 18.9% | 13.4% | 13.2% |
| Unemployment (ACS) | 6.6% | 5.1% | 4.4% |
| Trip time | Share |
|---|---|
| Under 15 min | 17.1% |
| 15 to 29 min | 21.9% |
| 30 to 44 min | 26.1% |
| 45 to 59 min | 20.1% |
| 60+ min | 14.8% |
A Meriwether County borrower's checklist
A short checklist for Meriwether County borrowers:
- Price the Meriwether County expense first and borrow that amount, no more.
- Line up offers side by side: APR, fees in dollars, total cost.
- Confirm the lender is licensed in Georgia.
- Keep a small cushion so one surprise bill does not mean another loan.
Licensing and complaints for Meriwether County
Meriwether County borrowers fall under statewide rules, enforced by the Georgia Department of Banking and Finance. Banks and credit unions have their own regulators, and the CFPB takes complaints about any lender. More on Georgia: Georgia personal loans.
Nearby and statewide guides
The Georgia guide covers the whole state.
Frequently asked questions
Is Meriwether County a high-income county?
Its $57,340 median ranks 83rd of 159 Georgia counties and compares with $65,681 for the median U.S. county.
Is Meriwether County expensive for renters?
Median rent is $920 against $1,393 statewide, and 48% of renter households are cost-burdened.
Which towns does the Meriwether County guide cover?
Every community in the county, unincorporated areas included. The largest of its 7 Census places: Manchester, Greenville, Luthersville, Woodbury, Warm Springs.
Are Meriwether 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.
Who regulates personal lenders for Meriwether 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.