Atlanta city, Georgia Demographics & Population 2026
As of 2026, Atlanta city, Georgia has a total population of 499,287, the 1st largest city in Georgia, with a median household income of $81,938, which is 10% higher than the state average. The poverty rate is 17.9%.
Key Takeaways
- Atlanta city is the 1st largest city in Georgia with a population of 499,287.
- 58.4% of adults hold a bachelor's degree or higher — top 10% in Georgia.
Atlanta city Quick Facts
How Atlanta city Compares
Median Household Income
Median Home Value
Economy & Housing
Household Income Distribution
Employment
Housing Overview
People & Demographics
Age Distribution
Race & Ethnicity
Diversity Index
A diverse community with significant representation from multiple racial and ethnic groups.
State average: 64 | National average: 60
Education
Educational Attainment (Adults 25+)
Atlanta city Rankings in Georgia
Explore Georgia Rankings
Cities Similar to Atlanta city
These cities in the same state have comparable population and economic profiles.
| City | Population | Median Income | Home Value | Bachelor's+ | Poverty |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Columbus city | 204,383 | $56,622 | $182,300 | 29.7% | 18.8% |
| Augusta-Richmond County consolidated government (balance) | 201,504 | $53,134 | $162,900 | 24.2% | 21.1% |
| Macon-Bibb County | 156,543 | $50,747 | $165,800 | 26.0% | 24.8% |
| Savannah city | 147,546 | $56,782 | $225,200 | 32.0% | 19.5% |
| South Fulton city | 109,157 | $81,798 | $270,600 | 38.9% | 9.9% |
Population Overview
Atlanta city is a major urban center located in Georgia. The total population is 499,287. It ranks as the 1st most populous out of 670 cities and towns in Georgia.
Age Demographics
The median age in Atlanta city is 34.0 years. This is 9% lower than the state median of 37.4 years.
Economy, Income & Housing
The median household income in Atlanta city is $81,938. This is 10% higher than the state median of $74,664. Compared to the national median of $78,538, household income here is 4% higher. The poverty rate stands at 17.9%. This is 33% higher than the state poverty rate of 13.5%. The unemployment rate is 5.9%. This is 15% higher than the state rate of 5.1%. The median home value is $420,600. Housing costs are 54% higher than the state median of $272,900. The home-value-to-income ratio is 5.1x. 46.3% of occupied housing units are owner-occupied. This homeownership rate is 29% lower than the state average of 65.4%.
Race & Ethnicity
The largest racial or ethnic group in Atlanta city is Black or African American, making up 46.3% of the population. White (non-Hispanic) residents account for 38.3%.
Education
58.4% of residents aged 25 and older hold a bachelor's degree or higher. This places Atlanta city in the top 10% of all cities in the state for educational attainment. This is 71% higher than the state rate of 34.2%. Nationally, 35.0% of adults hold at least a bachelor's degree. The high school graduation rate (or equivalent) is 93.0%. Notably, 25.6% of adults hold a graduate or professional degree, indicating a highly educated workforce.
Data Sources & Methodology
All demographic data for Atlanta city, Georgia is sourced from the U.S. Census Bureau's American Community Survey (ACS) 5-Year Estimates (2019-2023). The ACS collects data from approximately 3.5 million households annually, providing reliable estimates for communities of all sizes. Comparisons are made against Georgia state averages and national averages calculated from the same dataset. Rankings reflect the city's position among all 670 Census-designated places in Georgia. For official data, visit data.census.gov.
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Frequently Asked Questions
What is the population of Atlanta city, Georgia?
Atlanta city, Georgia has a population of 499,287 according to the most recent U.S. Census ACS 5-Year Estimates.
What is the median household income in Atlanta city, GA?
The median household income in Atlanta city is $81,938, which is 4% higher the national median of $78,538.
What is the poverty rate in Atlanta city, GA?
The poverty rate in Atlanta city is 17.9%. This means approximately 83,646 residents live below the federal poverty line.
What is the racial makeup of Atlanta city, Georgia?
Atlanta city's population is 38.3% White, 46.3% Black, 6.3% Hispanic/Latino, and 4.9% Asian.
What is the median home value in Atlanta city, GA?
The median home value in Atlanta city is $420,600. The home-value-to-income ratio is 5.1x.
How educated is Atlanta city, Georgia?
58.4% of adults (25+) in Atlanta city hold a bachelor's degree or higher, and 25.6% hold a graduate or professional degree.