1st Advantage MortgageThe median Spalding County household earns $62,071, and 19% of residents live below the poverty line. Whatever your own numbers, compare written offers on APR, fees and total cost, and verify the lender is licensed in Georgia before sharing details.
On this page
- Spalding County, GA: the basics
- Income in Spalding County compared with Georgia
- Housing costs in Spalding County
- The Spalding County job picture
- Counties near Spalding County
- Cities, towns and CDPs in Spalding County
- Spalding County households compared
- Reading the Spalding County data as a borrower
- Room for a loan payment in Spalding County
- Georgia rules that apply in Spalding County
- A Spalding County borrower's checklist
- Nearby and statewide guides
- Frequently asked questions
Spalding County, GA: the basics
Spalding County is home to about 68,892 people, according to the Census Bureau's 2020 to 2024 American Community Survey, which makes it the 36th most populous of 159 county-level areas in Georgia. It covers 196 square miles of land, or about 352 people per square mile. It is one of the counties that make up the Atlanta-Sandy Springs-Roswell, GA metropolitan statistical area (OMB, 2023). The Census Bureau counts 6 places in the county (2 incorporated, 4 census-designated); the largest is Griffin, with about 23,761 residents, or 34% of the county.
Income in Spalding County compared with Georgia
Half of Spalding County households take in less than $62,071 a year and half take in more, 20% below the Georgia median of $77,353. Only 58 Georgia counties post a higher median.
| Households earning | Spalding County | +/- vs Georgia |
|---|---|---|
| Under $35,000 | 29.8% | +7.7 pts |
| $35,000 to $99,999 | 44.1% | +4.5 pts |
| $100,000 to $199,999 | 20.5% | -5.9 pts |
| $200,000 or more | 5.6% | -6.3 pts |
About 30% of households earn under $35,000, while 26% clear $100,000. Census counts 18.9% of Spalding County residents in poverty, against 13.4% across Georgia. For a borrower in Spalding 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.
Housing costs in Spalding County
Median gross rent, utilities included, comes to $1,113 in Spalding County versus $1,393 statewide. By the Census definition, 54% of Spalding County renters are cost-burdened. Home values center on $228,700, or 3.7 years of median income. 63% of Spalding County households own their home and 37% rent. Median construction year: 1985.
| Spalding County | Georgia | U.S. county median | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median gross rent | $1,113/mo | $1,393/mo | $877/mo |
| Median home value | $228,700 | $303,300 | $185,300 |
| Owners | 63% | 66% | 75% |
| Rent-burdened renters | 54% | 52% | 45% |
| Burdened owners | 29% | 26% | n/a |
| Mobile homes | 6.0% | 7.8% | n/a |
| Vacant units | 8% | 10% | n/a |
High rent burdens leave little slack. If you are borrowing to consolidate, make sure the new payment is lower than the ones it replaces.
The Spalding County job picture
Education and health care employs 20% of working residents, the largest share; manufacturing is next with 17%. Manufacturing stands out: 17% of workers here, versus 10% statewide. The survey's unemployment rate for Spalding County averages 7.3% over 2020 to 2024 (state: 5.1%). 17% of commuters travel 45 minutes or more each way, and 7% work from home. 6.2% of households have no vehicle.
| Industry | Share of Spalding County workers | vs Georgia |
|---|---|---|
| Education and health care | 20.1% | -0.9 pts |
| Manufacturing | 17.5% | +7.4 pts |
| Retail trade | 12.5% | +1.3 pts |
| Arts, lodging and food service | 10.1% | +1.6 pts |
| Transportation, warehousing and utilities | 9.6% | +2.3 pts |
| Construction | 7.1% | +0.2 pts |
A lender verifies what your own job pays. The county's industry mix tells you about the local economy, not about your application.
Counties near Spalding County
Nearest neighbors first, measured between county centers (14 to 21 miles). 5 of the six report a higher median household income than Spalding County; Fayette County is highest at $111,978 and Clayton County lowest at $59,806.
| Adjacent area | How far | HH income (median) | Rent (median) | Owner share |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Spalding County | - | $62,071 | $1,113/mo | 63% |
| Pike County, GA | 14 mi | $86,719 | $993/mo | 85% |
| Henry County, GA | 15 mi | $83,146 | $1,674/mo | 75% |
| Lamar County, GA | 15 mi | $67,062 | $878/mo | 76% |
| Fayette County, GA | 16 mi | $111,978 | $1,898/mo | 80% |
| Butts County, GA | 19 mi | $69,241 | $941/mo | 74% |
| Clayton County, GA | 21 mi | $59,806 | $1,433/mo | 55% |
Cities, towns and CDPs in Spalding County
6 Census places fall mainly inside Spalding County; the 6 biggest are below. They account for 34,063 residents, leaving about 51% of the county in unincorporated, unnamed areas. Incomes vary by place: $106,338 at the median in Heron Bay, $33,333 in Experiment. No Spalding County place has a separate guide yet; this county page serves all 6.
| Place | Type | Population | Median income | Median rent | From county center |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Griffin | city | 23,761 | $43,632 | $1,110 | 2 mi |
| Heron Bay | CDP | 4,595 | $106,338 | $2,181 | 8 mi |
| Experiment | CDP | 3,387 | $33,333 | $935 | 2 mi |
| East Griffin | CDP | 1,174 | $45,938 | $1,166 | 3 mi |
| Sunny Side | CDP | 994 | $44,750 | $1,093 | 6 mi |
| Orchard Hill | town | 152 | $33,333 | $1,044 | 7 mi |
Spalding County households compared
Degree holders: 18% of adults over 25. The uninsured rate is 13.3%, against 12.4% for Georgia.
| Spalding County | Georgia | U.S. county median | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median age | 39.5 | 37.6 | 41.5 |
| Bachelor's or higher | 18.5% | 34.9% | 22.2% |
| No high school diploma | 14.5% | 10.8% | n/a |
| No health insurance | 13.3% | 12.4% | 7.8% |
| No vehicle | 6.2% | 5.9% | 5.4% |
| Work from home | 7.2% | 15.9% | 8.7% |
| Poverty rate | 18.9% | 13.4% | 13.2% |
| Unemployment (ACS) | 7.3% | 5.1% | 4.4% |
| One-way commute | Share of Spalding County workers |
|---|---|
| Under 15 min | 30.8% |
| 15 to 29 min | 32.1% |
| 30 to 44 min | 19.7% |
| 45 to 59 min | 8.7% |
| 60+ min | 8.7% |
Reading the Spalding County data as a borrower
The county's numbers point to a few situations that come up often for Spalding County borrowers.
- Medical bills. 13% of Spalding County residents are uninsured. Before borrowing for care, ask the provider about financial assistance and payment plans.
- 19% below poverty. Emergency aid, payment plans and counseling (list) come first.
- Rent squeeze. 54% of renters spend 30%+ of income on rent; borrow only if the loan cuts what you pay overall.
Room for a loan payment in Spalding County
The debt-to-income ratio is the main affordability test lenders use. Applied to Spalding County's medians:
- $62,071 a year is $5,173 of gross monthly income
- Rent at the median, $1,113, takes 22% of that
- With a 36% ceiling, about $749 remains for car, card, student and any new loan payments
Lenders set their own limits and look beyond the ratio. The DTI calculator uses your figures instead of Spalding County's.
Georgia rules that apply in Spalding County
Consumer lenders serving Spalding County are licensed by the state, not the county; in Georgia that is the Georgia Department of Banking and Finance. A CFPB complaint gets forwarded to the company for a response. Statewide data and rules: Georgia guide.
A Spalding County borrower's checklist
Steps that save money for Spalding County residents:
- Borrow the amount the job needs; extra cash adds interest.
- Prequalify with soft pulls where offered, then compare in writing.
- Only work with lenders licensed for Georgia borrowers.
- Lock paid-off cards after consolidating so balances stay at zero.
Nearby and statewide guides
For statewide rules and data, see the Georgia guide.
Frequently asked questions
What does a typical Spalding County household make?
About $62,071 a year at the median (ACS 2020-24), 20% below the Georgia median.
What do renters pay in Spalding County?
$1,113 a month at the median, about 22% of median household income.
I live in a small Spalding County town. Is this my guide?
Yes. If your town has no city guide, this county page is the local one; it covers Griffin, Heron Bay, Experiment, East Griffin, Sunny Side and 1 more.
Does living in Spalding County change what I qualify for?
Not in our fit check, which uses only the amount, credit range, income and payments you enter, the same for a Spalding County resident as anyone. Lenders decide under fair-lending law.
Who regulates personal lenders for Spalding 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.