1st Advantage MortgageThe median Oconee County household earns $121,217, and 6% of residents live below the poverty line. 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
- Oconee County, GA: the basics
- Employment and commuting in Oconee County
- Income in Oconee County compared with Georgia
- Rent, home values and ownership in Oconee County
- Oconee County next to its neighbors
- Towns and communities in Oconee County
- More Oconee County figures
- Reading the Oconee County data as a borrower
- Budget math at the Oconee County median
- Checklist for Oconee County applicants
- Licensing and complaints for Oconee County
- Related local guides
- Frequently asked questions
Oconee County, GA: the basics
With an estimated 43,551 residents (ACS 2020 to 2024), Oconee County ranks 49th of 159 in Georgia for population. It covers 184 square miles of land, or about 236 people per square mile. It is one of the counties that make up the Athens-Clarke County, GA metropolitan statistical area (OMB, 2023). Of the 3 Census places inside Oconee County, Watkinsville leads by population with about 3,350; 3 of the 3 are incorporated.
Employment and commuting in Oconee County
By the Census industry count, 31% of employed Oconee County residents work in education and health care and 11% in professional and administrative services. Education and health care stands out: 31% of workers here, versus 21% statewide. Averaged over the five survey years, 3.0% of the labor force was out of work and looking. 12% of commuters travel 45 minutes or more each way, and 17% work from home. 0.8% of households have no vehicle.
| Where residents work | Oconee County | Difference from Georgia |
|---|---|---|
| Education and health care | 30.6% | +9.6 pts |
| Professional and administrative services | 10.8% | -2.8 pts |
| Finance, insurance and real estate | 10.3% | +4.0 pts |
| Retail trade | 9.0% | -2.3 pts |
| Arts, lodging and food service | 7.9% | -0.7 pts |
| Manufacturing | 7.8% | -2.2 pts |
Shorter commutes usually mean lower vehicle costs, which can leave more room for a payment, or for paying a loan off early.
Income in Oconee County compared with Georgia
At $121,217, the typical Oconee County household income is 85% above the median U.S. county ($65,681). In the state ranking that is 2nd of 159.
| Band | Oconee County | Compared with Georgia |
|---|---|---|
| Under $35,000 | 11.2% | -11.0 pts |
| $35,000 to $99,999 | 29.2% | -10.3 pts |
| $100,000 to $199,999 | 34.0% | +7.5 pts |
| $200,000 or more | 25.6% | +13.7 pts |
Some 11% of households here live on less than $35,000 a year; 60% have six-figure incomes. The poverty rate is 6.2%, 7 points lower than the state's 13.4%. If your income is irregular, as it often is with tips, gig work or seasonal jobs, plan around your leaner months rather than the Oconee County median.
Rent, home values and ownership in Oconee County
Median gross rent, utilities included, comes to $1,462 in Oconee County versus $1,393 statewide. By the Census definition, 29% of Oconee County renters are cost-burdened. Home values center on $461,600, or 3.8 years of median income. 81% of Oconee County households own their home and 19% rent. Median construction year: 1998.
| Home costs | Oconee County | Georgia | U.S. middle county |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median gross rent | $1,462/mo | $1,393/mo | $877/mo |
| Median home value | $461,600 | $303,300 | $185,300 |
| Owners | 81% | 66% | 75% |
| Rent-burdened renters | 29% | 52% | 45% |
| Burdened owners | 17% | 26% | n/a |
| Vacant units | 4% | 10% | n/a |
Because most Oconee County households own, home repairs are a frequent reason to borrow. An unsecured personal loan leaves the house out of the deal, while a HELOC uses it as collateral.
Oconee County next to its neighbors
Clarke County is closest, 9 miles from center to center; the sixth, Jackson County, is 22 miles off. None of the six report a higher median household income than Oconee County; Jackson County is highest at $89,544 and Clarke County lowest at $53,625.
| Neighbor | Distance | Income | Rent | Own |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Oconee County | - | $121,217 | $1,462/mo | 81% |
| Clarke County, GA | 9 mi | $53,625 | $1,219/mo | 41% |
| Morgan County, GA | 17 mi | $78,111 | $1,108/mo | 78% |
| Walton County, GA | 17 mi | $84,945 | $1,175/mo | 79% |
| Barrow County, GA | 19 mi | $80,653 | $1,318/mo | 79% |
| Oglethorpe County, GA | 21 mi | $75,034 | $913/mo | 84% |
| Jackson County, GA | 22 mi | $89,544 | $1,126/mo | 79% |
Towns and communities in Oconee County
The table lists the 3 largest of 3 Census places in Oconee County, by population. Together all 3 hold about 4,475 people, so roughly 90% of residents live outside any named place. This guide covers each of the 3 places and the rural areas around them.
| Town or CDP | Type | People | Median household income | Median gross rent | Miles from center |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Watkinsville | city | 3,350 | $92,147 | $1,541 | 3 mi |
| North High Shoals | town | 698 | $93,333 | $956 | 4 mi |
| Bishop | town | 427 | $148,750 | $1,042 | 1 mi |
More Oconee County figures
56% of Oconee County adults 25 and older hold a bachelor's degree or more. About 7% go without health insurance.
| Residents | Oconee County | Georgia | Middle U.S. county |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median age | 41.1 | 37.6 | 41.5 |
| Bachelor's or higher | 55.9% | 34.9% | 22.2% |
| No high school diploma | 3.6% | 10.8% | n/a |
| No health insurance | 6.8% | 12.4% | 7.8% |
| No vehicle | 0.8% | 5.9% | 5.4% |
| Work from home | 17.0% | 15.9% | 8.7% |
| Poverty rate | 6.2% | 13.4% | 13.2% |
| Unemployment (ACS) | 3.0% | 5.1% | 4.4% |
| Minutes to work | Oconee County workers |
|---|---|
| Under 15 min | 21.8% |
| 15 to 29 min | 55.4% |
| 30 to 44 min | 10.9% |
| 45 to 59 min | 3.2% |
| 60+ min | 8.7% |
Reading the Oconee County data as a borrower
A few patterns in the Oconee County data, and the practical point behind each:
- Six-figure budgets. For the 60% earning $100,000 or more, lifestyle creep, not approval, is the usual problem.
- Scams. A fee demanded before funding is a red flag; report it at ReportFraud.ftc.gov (spotting scams).
- Debt consolidation. One fixed payment can save money only if the written APR and fees beat what you pay now (guide).
Budget math at the Oconee County median
Oconee County at the medians, through a lender's eyes (what DTI means):
- Median income divided by twelve: $10,101 before taxes
- Median rent: $1,462, or 14 cents of every gross dollar
- 43% debt-to-income limit: $2,882 left for all other debt payments
Two-income households and single earners in Oconee County land in very different places on this math, so run it for your own budget.
Checklist for Oconee County applicants
Before you apply, wherever you live in Oconee County:
- Get a written quote for whatever you are paying for in Oconee County.
- Line up offers side by side: APR, fees in dollars, total cost.
- Confirm the lender is licensed in Georgia.
- Confirm the first due date before setting up autopay.
Licensing and complaints for Oconee County
Oconee County borrowers fall under statewide rules, enforced by the Georgia Department of Banking and Finance. Federal complaints: consumerfinance.gov. See the Georgia state guide for the statewide picture.
Related local guides
The Georgia guide covers the whole state.
Frequently asked questions
What is the median household income in Oconee County?
$121,217 a year in the 2020 to 2024 Census survey, versus $77,353 for Georgia. It ranks 2nd of 159 in the state.
How much is rent in Oconee County?
Median gross rent, utilities included, is $1,462 a month; 29% of renters spend 30% or more of income on it.
Does this page cover Watkinsville?
Yes, along with the other 2 Census places in Oconee County, such as North High Shoals, Bishop.
Does my county matter to the questionnaire?
Only your state does. Whether you live in Oconee County or elsewhere in Georgia, the same rules apply.
Who regulates personal lenders for Oconee 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.