1st Advantage MortgagePierce County households have a median income of $60,517 and median rent of $799 a month (ACS 2020 to 2024). Borrow only what the expense needs, pick the shortest affordable term, and walk away from any lender asking a Pierce County applicant for an upfront fee.
On this page
- A quick profile of Pierce County
- Jobs and commutes in Pierce County
- Paychecks and income spread in Pierce County
- Renting and owning in Pierce County
- Pierce County against other Georgia counties
- Pierce County and the counties next door
- Census places in Pierce County
- Debt-to-income, Pierce County edition
- Local borrowing considerations for Pierce County
- Pierce County demographics against Georgia
- Four steps for Pierce County borrowers
- Georgia rules that apply in Pierce County
- Beyond Pierce County
- Frequently asked questions
A quick profile of Pierce County
With an estimated 20,202 residents (ACS 2020 to 2024), Pierce County ranks 88th of 159 in Georgia for population. Density: about 59.3 residents per square mile across 340 square miles of land. Pierce County is classed as nonmetropolitan in the OMB's July 2023 list. Of the 5 Census places inside Pierce County, Blackshear leads by population with about 3,578; 3 of the 5 are incorporated.
Jobs and commutes in Pierce County
Education and health care (25%), manufacturing (20%) and retail trade (10%) lead Pierce County's job mix. Compared with Georgia, the county leans toward manufacturing (20% against 10%). 2.6% of Pierce County's labor force reported being unemployed, averaged across 2020 to 2024. Commutes of 45 minutes-plus: 15%; under 15 minutes: 25%.
| Top industries | Pierce County share | +/- vs Georgia |
|---|---|---|
| Education and health care | 24.8% | +3.8 pts |
| Manufacturing | 20.2% | +10.1 pts |
| Retail trade | 10.0% | -1.3 pts |
| Transportation, warehousing and utilities | 9.4% | +2.1 pts |
| Other services | 6.1% | +1.6 pts |
| Construction | 5.3% | -1.6 pts |
A lender verifies what your own job pays. The county's industry mix tells you about the local economy, not about your application.
Paychecks and income spread in Pierce County
Pierce County households have a median income of $60,517 (ACS 2020 to 2024), which ranks 66th of 159 in Georgia.
| Households earning | Pierce County | +/- vs Georgia |
|---|---|---|
| Under $35,000 | 28.1% | +6.0 pts |
| $35,000 to $99,999 | 44.4% | +4.9 pts |
| $100,000 to $199,999 | 19.9% | -6.5 pts |
| $200,000 or more | 7.5% | -4.3 pts |
The spread is wide: 27% of Pierce County households make $100,000 or more, and 28% make less than $35,000. Census counts 13.8% of Pierce County residents in poverty, against 13.4% across Georgia. The Gini index of income inequality is 0.474 (0 is perfect equality). Income from any regular source can count, including Social Security, pensions and disability benefits, as long as you can document it.
Renting and owning in Pierce County
A typical Pierce County rental runs $799 a month including utilities, which is 43% below Georgia. About 5 in 10 Pierce County renters pay 30% or more of income for rent. With a median value of $153,300, a typical Pierce County house costs 2.5 times what the median household earns in a year. Owners occupy 76% of homes. Median construction year: 1990. Against the median U.S. county, Pierce County rent is 9% below.
| Housing | Pierce County | Georgia statewide | Pierce County vs state |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mobile homes | 30.6% | 7.8% | +22.7 pts |
| Owners | 76% | 66% | +10.8 pts |
| Rent-burdened renters | 46% | 52% | -6.6 pts |
| Median home value | $153,300 | $303,300 | 49% lower |
| Median gross rent | $799/mo | $1,393/mo | 43% lower |
| Burdened owners | 24% | 26% | -2.8 pts |
With 76% of Pierce County homes owner-occupied, equity is a real alternative for many readers; just remember a missed HELOC payment puts the home at risk.
Pierce County against other Georgia counties
Ranked against the other 158 county-level areas in Georgia, these are the Pierce County figures furthest from the middle.
- Pierce County ranks 11th lowest of 159 Georgia counties for the ACS unemployment rate: 2.6%, against 5.1% statewide. A tight job market helps steady income, but lenders still verify it.
- Few Georgia counties match Pierce County on the share of workers who work from home: 2.8% here, 15.9% for the state, ranking 13th lowest of 159. Most workers travel to a job here, so commuting costs are part of the budget.
Pierce County and the counties next door
Distances run center to center, from Brantley County at 17 miles out to Long County at 39. Long County leads the group on income ($68,808), Bacon County trails ($44,694), and Pierce County out-earns 5 of the six.
| Nearby county | Center to center | Household income | Gross rent | Owner-occupied |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Pierce County | - | $60,517 | $799/mo | 76% |
| Brantley County, GA | 17 mi | $58,239 | $755/mo | 80% |
| Bacon County, GA | 20 mi | $44,694 | $743/mo | 69% |
| Wayne County, GA | 22 mi | $53,427 | $846/mo | 67% |
| Ware County, GA | 24 mi | $47,448 | $789/mo | 63% |
| Appling County, GA | 27 mi | $46,651 | $739/mo | 73% |
| Long County, GA | 39 mi | $68,808 | $976/mo | 65% |
Census places in Pierce County
5 Census places fall mainly inside Pierce County; the 5 biggest are below. They account for 5,437 residents, leaving about 73% of the county in unincorporated, unnamed areas. Gap between richest and poorest larger place: $7,962, Blackshear over Offerman. From Blackshear to the smallest crossroads, Pierce County residents share this guide.
| Place in county | Status | Population (ACS) | Median HH income | Monthly rent | Distance from center |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Blackshear | city | 3,578 | $40,670 | $837 | 5 mi |
| Patterson | city | 906 | $34,261 | $730 | 5 mi |
| Offerman | city | 873 | $32,708 | $1,000 | 7 mi |
| Bristol | CDP | 54 | $67,875 | n/a | 7 mi |
| Mershon | CDP | 26 | n/a | n/a | 8 mi |
Debt-to-income, Pierce County edition
Pierce County's $60,517 median income, run through a debt-to-income check:
- Start: $5,043 gross per month ($60,517 / 12)
- Less median rent of $799, which is 16% of it
- 40% debt-to-income limit: $1,218 left for all other debt payments
If your rent is above $799, the room shrinks dollar for dollar.
Local borrowing considerations for Pierce County
The county's numbers point to a few situations that come up often for Pierce County borrowers.
- Health costs. With 12% of the county uninsured, an interest-free hospital payment plan usually beats a loan (medical bills).
- Manufactured homes. 31% of Pierce County housing units are mobile homes, and their repairs are often paid with unsecured loans. Get the quote in writing.
- Rent squeeze. 46% of renters spend 30%+ of income on rent; borrow only if the loan cuts what you pay overall.
Pierce County demographics against Georgia
Bachelor's degree or higher: 20% of Pierce County adults. 12.5% of residents have no health coverage.
| Indicator | Pierce County | +/- Georgia | +/- U.S. county |
|---|---|---|---|
| Bachelor's or higher | 20.2% | -14.7 pts | -1.9 pts |
| Work from home | 2.8% | -13.1 pts | -5.8 pts |
| Median age | 40.2 | +2.6 yrs | -1.3 yrs |
| Unemployment (ACS) | 2.6% | -2.6 pts | -1.8 pts |
| No high school diploma | 11.9% | +1.1 pts | n/a |
| No vehicle | 5.1% | -0.8 pts | -0.3 pts |
| Poverty rate | 13.8% | +0.4 pts | +0.7 pts |
| No health insurance | 12.5% | +0.1 pts | +4.6 pts |
| Commute length | Pierce County |
|---|---|
| Under 15 min | 25.5% |
| 15 to 29 min | 39.1% |
| 30 to 44 min | 20.8% |
| 45 to 59 min | 4.6% |
| 60+ min | 10.1% |
Four steps for Pierce County borrowers
Quick steps for Pierce County:
- Price the Pierce County expense first and borrow that amount, no more.
- Compare the total repaid on every offer, not just the payment.
- Check the license, then the reviews, then the offer.
- Ask about early-payoff penalties.
Georgia rules that apply in Pierce County
No county office licenses personal lenders. For Pierce County, check the Georgia Department of Banking and Finance. Banks and credit unions have their own regulators, and the CFPB takes complaints about any lender.
Beyond Pierce County
For statewide rules and data, see the Georgia guide.
Frequently asked questions
What does a typical Pierce County household make?
About $60,517 a year at the median (ACS 2020-24), 22% below the Georgia median.
How much is rent in Pierce County?
Median gross rent, utilities included, is $799 a month; 46% of renters spend 30% or more of income on it.
Should Pierce County homeowners use home equity instead?
Maybe, but weigh the risk: 76% of Pierce County homes are owner-occupied, and a home-equity loan or line is secured by the house while a personal loan usually is not.
Is Mershon covered?
Yes. Mershon is one of 5 Census places in Pierce County, and this guide covers all of them.
Can Pierce 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.