1st Advantage MortgageThe median Wilkinson County household earns $45,465, and 22% of residents live below the poverty line. County medians do not set your terms. Shop at least three lenders, including a credit union serving Wilkinson County, and confirm each one's Georgia license.
On this page
- Wilkinson County, GA: the basics
- Renting and owning in Wilkinson County
- Where Wilkinson County differs from the rest of Georgia
- The $45,465 median and what sits around it
- Labor force snapshot: Wilkinson County
- Regional comparison for Wilkinson County
- Cities, towns and CDPs in Wilkinson County
- What a median Wilkinson County budget can carry
- Age, degrees and coverage in Wilkinson County
- Reading the Wilkinson County data as a borrower
- Who licenses lenders for Wilkinson County residents
- Four steps for Wilkinson County borrowers
- Beyond Wilkinson County
- Frequently asked questions
Wilkinson County, GA: the basics
The latest five-year Census estimate puts Wilkinson County's population at 8,747; only 133 of Georgia's 159 county-level areas are larger. It covers 449 square miles of land, or about 19 people per square mile. It sits outside every metropolitan statistical area in the July 2023 OMB delineation. Gordon is the biggest of its 5 Census places, at roughly 2,485 people (28% of the county total). Census margins of error grow as populations shrink; for a county of 8,747, read each figure as a range.
Renting and owning in Wilkinson County
Wilkinson County rent at the median: $825 a month, utilities in ($1,393 in Georgia). About 4 in 10 Wilkinson County renters pay 30% or more of income for rent. Home values center on $86,300, or 1.9 years of median income. Owners occupy 81% of homes. Half the housing stock was built before 1982.
| Measure | Wilkinson County | Georgia | Gap |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median gross rent | $825/mo | $1,393/mo | 41% lower |
| Median home value | $86,300 | $303,300 | 72% lower |
| Owners | 81% | 66% | +14.8 pts |
| Rent-burdened renters | 40% | 52% | -11.9 pts |
| Burdened owners | 28% | 26% | +1.7 pts |
| Vacant units | 19% | 10% | +9.0 pts |
Because most Wilkinson 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.
Where Wilkinson County differs from the rest of Georgia
The 3 Wilkinson County numbers that rank furthest from typical in Georgia, and what each means for a borrower:
- On median home value, Wilkinson County sits near the bottom of Georgia at $86,300, 9th lowest of 159. Lower values mean less equity to tap, so unsecured loans are the usual route.
- Median household income: $45,465 in Wilkinson County. Only 17 of 159 Georgia counties are lower. A lean local median makes the size of the loan the most important choice.
- Few Georgia counties match Wilkinson County on the share of adults with a bachelor's degree: 12% here, 35% for the state, ranking 19th lowest of 159. No degree is required for a personal loan; documented income is.
The $45,465 median and what sits around it
$45,465 is the median household income for Wilkinson County, set against $77,353 for Georgia. That places it 142nd among Georgia's 159 county-level areas.
| Household income | Wilkinson County | vs Georgia |
|---|---|---|
| Under $35,000 | 40.8% | +18.7 pts |
| $35,000 to $99,999 | 39.9% | +0.4 pts |
| $100,000 to $199,999 | 17.5% | -8.9 pts |
| $200,000 or more | 1.7% | -10.2 pts |
On the low end, 41% of Wilkinson County households report under $35,000; at the top, 19% report $100,000-plus. 21.6% of residents fall below the federal poverty line (statewide: 13.4%). The Gini index of income inequality is 0.460 (0 is perfect equality). For a borrower in Wilkinson 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.
Labor force snapshot: Wilkinson County
Top Wilkinson County industry by residents employed: education and health care, 23%; second, manufacturing, 16%. Wilkinson County over-indexes on manufacturing: 16% versus 10% in Georgia. The survey's unemployment rate for Wilkinson County averages 4.8% over 2020 to 2024 (state: 5.1%). 25% of Wilkinson County workers get to work in under 15 minutes, while 13% need 45 or more. 229 Wilkinson County households, 6.6%, have no vehicle.
| Top industries | Wilkinson County share | +/- vs Georgia |
|---|---|---|
| Education and health care | 22.7% | +1.7 pts |
| Manufacturing | 16.5% | +6.4 pts |
| Retail trade | 15.2% | +3.9 pts |
| Construction | 8.7% | +1.7 pts |
| Transportation, warehousing and utilities | 8.2% | +0.9 pts |
| Public administration | 7.2% | +2.4 pts |
If your hours swing with the season or with overtime, size a loan payment against your base pay, not your best month.
Regional comparison for Wilkinson County
Distances run center to center, from Twiggs County at 17 miles out to Bibb County at 30. Wilkinson County's $45,465 median trails 6 of the six and beats 0; the range runs $46,023 (Washington County) to $75,500 (Jones County).
| Adjacent area | How far | HH income (median) | Rent (median) | Owner share |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Wilkinson County | - | $45,465 | $825/mo | 81% |
| Twiggs County, GA | 17 mi | $56,324 | $808/mo | 88% |
| Baldwin County, GA | 18 mi | $54,403 | $923/mo | 61% |
| Washington County, GA | 25 mi | $46,023 | $858/mo | 65% |
| Jones County, GA | 27 mi | $75,500 | $964/mo | 84% |
| Bleckley County, GA | 27 mi | $62,008 | $799/mo | 73% |
| Bibb County, GA | 30 mi | $51,234 | $1,066/mo | 51% |
Cities, towns and CDPs in Wilkinson County
Places, by size: the top 5 of 5. Roughly 42% of Wilkinson County lives outside all of them, in open country or unnamed settlements. Incomes vary by place: $47,361 at the median in McIntyre, $35,250 in Irwinton. From Gordon to the smallest crossroads, Wilkinson County residents share this guide.
| Town or CDP | Type | People | Median household income | Median gross rent | Miles from center |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Gordon | city | 2,485 | $47,243 | $646 | 11 mi |
| Ivey | city | 964 | $40,250 | $771 | 10 mi |
| McIntyre | town | 633 | $47,361 | $868 | 4 mi |
| Irwinton | city | 534 | $35,250 | $778 | 0 mi |
| Toomsboro | city | 467 | $64,375 | $944 | 6 mi |
What a median Wilkinson County budget can carry
Lenders compare monthly debt payments with gross monthly income, the debt-to-income ratio. For a Wilkinson County household at the medians it works out like this; treat it as an illustration only.
- Monthly gross at the median, Wilkinson County: $3,789
- Rent at the median, $825, takes 22% of that
- With a 40% ceiling, about $690 remains for car, card, student and any new loan payments
A household below the $45,465 median has less room than this, often none.
Age, degrees and coverage in Wilkinson County
Degree holders: 12% of adults over 25. The uninsured rate is 10.0%, against 12.4% for Georgia.
| People and households | Wilkinson County | Compared with Georgia | Compared with median county |
|---|---|---|---|
| Bachelor's or higher | 12.3% | -22.7 pts | -9.9 pts |
| Work from home | 3.8% | -12.1 pts | -4.8 pts |
| Poverty rate | 21.6% | +8.2 pts | +8.4 pts |
| Median age | 42.5 | +4.9 yrs | +1.0 yrs |
| No health insurance | 10.0% | -2.3 pts | +2.2 pts |
| No high school diploma | 11.6% | +0.8 pts | n/a |
| No vehicle | 6.6% | +0.7 pts | +1.2 pts |
| Unemployment (ACS) | 4.8% | -0.3 pts | +0.4 pts |
| Commute length | Wilkinson County |
|---|---|
| Under 15 min | 24.7% |
| 15 to 29 min | 30.9% |
| 30 to 44 min | 31.2% |
| 45 to 59 min | 8.7% |
| 60+ min | 4.5% |
Reading the Wilkinson County data as a borrower
Where the Wilkinson County numbers stand out, and why it matters for a loan:
- 10% uninsured. In Wilkinson County, ask for an itemized bill and a payment plan first (medical bills).
- Repairs on manufactured housing. With 33% of homes here, compare a personal loan with any dealer or park repair program.
- Help that costs nothing. About 1,889 Wilkinson County residents live in poverty; see free options before a loan.
Who licenses lenders for Wilkinson County residents
Licensing happens at the state level, so a lender working with Wilkinson County borrowers answers to the Georgia Department of Banking and Finance. Banks and credit unions have their own regulators, and the CFPB takes complaints about any lender. See the Georgia state guide for the statewide picture.
Four steps for Wilkinson County borrowers
Before you apply, wherever you live in Wilkinson County:
- Price the Wilkinson County expense first and borrow that amount, no more.
- Ask each lender for the APR and all fees in writing.
- Look the lender up with the state regulator first.
- Read the final agreement; it must match the offer.
Beyond Wilkinson County
Statewide:
Frequently asked questions
What is the median household income in Wilkinson County?
$45,465 a year in the 2020 to 2024 Census survey, versus $77,353 for Georgia. It ranks 142nd of 159 in the state.
How does Wilkinson County rent compare with Georgia?
$825 locally versus $1,393 for the state, 41% below.
How many towns are in Wilkinson County?
The Census Bureau counts 5 places mainly in the county, led by Gordon, Ivey, McIntyre, Irwinton, Toomsboro.
Is the fit check different in Wilkinson County?
No. It is identical everywhere, and it never looks at your neighborhood.
What agency protects Wilkinson County borrowers?
The Georgia Department of Banking and Finance at the state level and the CFPB federally.