1st Advantage MortgageWhitfield County households have a median income of $67,070 and median rent of $971 a month (ACS 2020 to 2024). 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
- Who lives in Whitfield County
- How Whitfield County residents earn a living
- How much Whitfield County households make
- Housing costs in Whitfield County
- Towns and communities in Whitfield County
- Counties near Whitfield County
- Budget math at the Whitfield County median
- Local borrowing considerations for Whitfield County
- Whitfield County households compared
- Steps before you apply in Whitfield County
- Checking a lender's license in Georgia
- More guides for Whitfield County
- Frequently asked questions
Who lives in Whitfield County
With an estimated 103,598 residents (ACS 2020 to 2024), Whitfield County ranks 25th of 159 in Georgia for population. Packed into 290 square miles, that is close to 357 residents for every square mile of land. For statistical purposes it belongs to the Dalton, GA metro area, as delineated by the Office of Management and Budget in July 2023. Dalton is the biggest of its 4 Census places, at roughly 34,538 people (33% of the county total).
How Whitfield County residents earn a living
By the Census industry count, 34% of employed Whitfield County residents work in manufacturing and 17% in education and health care. Compared with Georgia, the county leans toward manufacturing (34% against 10%). ACS puts five-year average unemployment at 5.2% in Whitfield County. About 82% drive to work alone and 9% have trips of 45 minutes or more.
| Where residents work | Whitfield County | Difference from Georgia |
|---|---|---|
| Manufacturing | 34.1% | +24.0 pts |
| Education and health care | 16.9% | -4.1 pts |
| Retail trade | 9.4% | -1.9 pts |
| Construction | 7.7% | +0.8 pts |
| Professional and administrative services | 7.1% | -6.4 pts |
| Arts, lodging and food service | 6.4% | -2.1 pts |
Industry shapes paperwork. Salaried and public jobs are easy to verify, while hourly, tipped, commission or contract earners in Whitfield County should have bank statements and tax returns ready.
How much Whitfield County households make
At $67,070, the typical Whitfield County household income is 2% above the median U.S. county ($65,681). That places it 52nd among Georgia's 159 county-level areas.
| Yearly household income | Whitfield County | Gap to Georgia |
|---|---|---|
| Under $35,000 | 25.5% | +3.3 pts |
| $35,000 to $99,999 | 45.3% | +5.8 pts |
| $100,000 to $199,999 | 22.6% | -3.8 pts |
| $200,000 or more | 6.6% | -5.3 pts |
Some 25% of households here live on less than $35,000 a year; 29% have six-figure incomes. 14.8% of residents fall below the federal poverty line (statewide: 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 Whitfield County median.
Housing costs in Whitfield County
Renters in Whitfield County pay a median of $971 a month, 30% below the Georgia figure of $1,393. By the Census definition, 44% of Whitfield County renters are cost-burdened. The median owner-occupied home is valued at $218,000, about 3.3 times the median household income. Owners occupy 67% of homes. Half the housing stock was built before 1987.
| Whitfield County | Georgia | U.S. county median | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median gross rent | $971/mo | $1,393/mo | $877/mo |
| Median home value | $218,000 | $303,300 | $185,300 |
| Owners | 67% | 66% | 75% |
| Rent-burdened renters | 44% | 52% | 45% |
| Burdened owners | 21% | 26% | n/a |
| Vacant units | 7% | 10% | n/a |
Towns and communities in Whitfield County
4 Census places fall mainly inside Whitfield County; the 4 biggest are below. They account for 39,327 residents, leaving about 62% of the county in unincorporated, unnamed areas. Varnell has the highest median household income on the list ($86,100) and Tunnel Hill the lowest ($56,536), counting places with at least 500 residents. Rent is cheapest in Cohutta ($858) and steepest in Varnell ($1,216). Live in one of these Whitfield County communities, or between them? This is your local guide.
| Place | Type | Population | Median income | Median rent | From county center |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Dalton | city | 34,538 | $63,577 | $996 | 2 mi |
| Varnell | city | 2,920 | $86,100 | $1,216 | 7 mi |
| Tunnel Hill | city | 939 | $56,536 | $939 | 5 mi |
| Cohutta | city | 930 | $75,781 | $858 | 11 mi |
Counties near Whitfield County
Six nearby counties, 12 to 28 miles away by the straight-line distance between their centers. Income ranges from $59,469 in Walker County to $76,183 in Hamilton County; 3 of these neighbors top Whitfield County's median. Some neighbors are in Tennessee. Lender licensing is state by state, so a loan for a Whitfield County resident follows Georgia rules.
| Neighbor | Distance | Income | Rent | Own |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Whitfield County | - | $67,070 | $971/mo | 67% |
| Catoosa County, GA | 12 mi | $74,639 | $993/mo | 74% |
| Murray County, GA | 13 mi | $69,253 | $857/mo | 74% |
| Walker County, GA | 20 mi | $59,469 | $940/mo | 77% |
| Gordon County, GA | 21 mi | $63,650 | $937/mo | 74% |
| Bradley County, TN | 25 mi | $66,552 | $1,030/mo | 67% |
| Hamilton County, TN | 28 mi | $76,183 | $1,253/mo | 64% |
Budget math at the Whitfield County median
Here is the Whitfield County median household run through a simple DTI check. Your numbers will differ.
- Start: $5,589 gross per month ($67,070 / 12)
- Less median rent of $971, which is 17% of it
- Under a 35% cap, $1,956 total minus rent leaves $985
- $1,544: what a 45% ratio leaves once rent is paid
Two-income households and single earners in Whitfield County land in very different places on this math, so run it for your own budget.
Local borrowing considerations for Whitfield County
The county's numbers point to a few situations that come up often for Whitfield County borrowers.
- Hospital bills in Whitfield County. For the 18% of residents without coverage, the provider's charity-care program comes before any loan (details).
- Manufactured homes. 13% of Whitfield County housing units are mobile homes, and their repairs are often paid with unsecured loans. Get the quote in writing.
- Getting ready. Gather pay stubs or benefit letters before you apply (checklist).
Whitfield County households compared
College graduates make up 20% of the adult population. The uninsured rate is 18.1%, against 12.4% for Georgia.
| Residents | Whitfield County | Georgia | Middle U.S. county |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median age | 36.6 | 37.6 | 41.5 |
| Bachelor's or higher | 20.2% | 34.9% | 22.2% |
| No high school diploma | 24.4% | 10.8% | n/a |
| No health insurance | 18.1% | 12.4% | 7.8% |
| No vehicle | 6.1% | 5.9% | 5.4% |
| Work from home | 4.6% | 15.9% | 8.7% |
| Poverty rate | 14.8% | 13.4% | 13.2% |
| Unemployment (ACS) | 5.2% | 5.1% | 4.4% |
| One-way commute | Share of Whitfield County workers |
|---|---|
| Under 15 min | 24.6% |
| 15 to 29 min | 51.4% |
| 30 to 44 min | 14.9% |
| 45 to 59 min | 6.0% |
| 60+ min | 3.1% |
Steps before you apply in Whitfield County
Quick steps for Whitfield County:
- Price the Whitfield County expense first and borrow that amount, no more.
- Collect three written offers and compare APR and total repaid.
- Only work with lenders licensed for Georgia borrowers.
- Ask about early-payoff penalties.
Checking a lender's license in Georgia
No county office licenses personal lenders. For Whitfield County, check the Georgia Department of Banking and Finance. Federal complaints: consumerfinance.gov. The Georgia guide covers state rules in more detail.
More guides for Whitfield County
For statewide rules and data, see the Georgia guide.
Frequently asked questions
How much do households in Whitfield County earn?
The median is $67,070; 29% earn $100,000 or more and 25% under $35,000. A lender uses your own documented income, not this figure.
Is Whitfield County expensive for renters?
Median rent is $971 against $1,393 statewide, and 44% of renter households are cost-burdened.
Does this page cover Dalton?
Yes, along with the other 3 Census places in Whitfield County, such as Varnell, Tunnel Hill, Cohutta.
Are Whitfield 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.
Where can someone in Whitfield County check a lender's license?
With the Georgia Department of Banking and Finance. If a lender is unlicensed or asks for a fee before funding, walk away.