Atlanta, Georgia Demographics & Population 2026
During the 2020–2024 ACS period, Atlanta, Georgia had a total population of 505,268, the 1st largest city in Georgia, with a median household income of $85,652, which is 11% higher than the state average. The poverty rate is 16.9%.
Data vintage: U.S. Census Bureau ACS 2020–2024 5-Year Estimates · refreshed July 2026 · Methodology & source notes
Key Takeaways
- Atlanta is the 1st largest city in Georgia with a population of 505,268.
- 59.2% of adults hold a bachelor's degree or higher — top 10% in Georgia.
Atlanta Quick Facts
How Atlanta Changed
Change from the 2019–2023 ACS period to 2020–2024. These are rolling five-year estimates, not year-over-year measurements.
| Metric | 2019–2023 | 2020–2024 | Change |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 499,287 | 505,268 | +1.2% |
| Median household income | $81,938 | $85,652 | +4.5% |
| Median home value | $420,600 | $439,600 | +4.5% |
How Atlanta Compares
Median Household Income
Median Home Value
Economy & Housing
Household Income Distribution
Detailed income brackets
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: 65 | National average: 61
Education
Educational Attainment (Adults 25+)
Atlanta Rankings in Georgia
Explore Georgia Rankings
Other Cities in Fulton County
| City | Population | Median Income | Poverty | Home Value |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| South Fulton | 110,471 | $82,324 | 9.1% | $309,800 |
| Sandy Springs | 107,087 | $104,340 | 8.5% | $619,800 |
| Roswell | 92,621 | $128,654 | 7.5% | $567,100 |
| Johns Creek | 81,988 | $160,093 | 4.2% | $629,400 |
| Alpharetta | 66,855 | $147,612 | 5.6% | $649,000 |
| Milton | 41,546 | $171,295 | 4.3% | $789,000 |
| East Point | 38,335 | $68,598 | 19.9% | $281,600 |
| Union City | 27,728 | $49,549 | 14.2% | $245,600 |
| Fairburn | 16,831 | $91,897 | 17.5% | $271,800 |
| College Park | 14,712 | $51,635 | 20.7% | $325,800 |
Cities Similar to Atlanta
These cities in the same state have comparable population and economic profiles.
| City | Population | Median Income | Home Value | Bachelor's+ | Poverty |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Columbus | 203,711 | $58,073 | $193,900 | 30.5% | 19.1% |
| Augusta-Richmond County | 201,528 | $55,485 | $178,400 | 24.7% | 20.1% |
| Macon-Bibb County | 156,578 | $51,234 | $174,500 | 26.3% | 24.7% |
| Savannah | 147,898 | $57,137 | $248,900 | 33.3% | 19.7% |
| South Fulton | 110,471 | $82,324 | $309,800 | 39.0% | 9.1% |
Population Overview
Atlanta is a major urban center located in Georgia, within Fulton County. The total population is 505,268. It ranks as the 1st most populous out of 669 Census-designated places in Georgia.
Age Demographics
The median age in Atlanta is 34.2 years. This is 9% lower than the state median of 37.6 years.
Economy, Income & Housing
The median household income in Atlanta is $85,652. This is 11% higher than the state median of $77,353. It is also 6% higher than the national median of $80,734. The poverty rate stands at 16.9%. This is 27% higher than the state poverty rate of 13.4%. The unemployment rate is 5.9%. This is 15% higher than the state rate of 5.1%. The median home value is $439,600. Housing costs are 45% higher than the state median of $303,300. The home-value-to-income ratio is 5.1x. 46.4% of occupied housing units are owner-occupied. This homeownership rate is 29% lower than the state average of 65.7%.
Race & Ethnicity
The largest racial or ethnic group in Atlanta is Black or African American, making up 45.5% of the population. White (non-Hispanic) residents account for 38.0%.
Education
59.2% of residents aged 25 and older hold a bachelor's degree or higher. This places Atlanta in the top 10% of all cities in the state for educational attainment. This is 69% higher than the state rate of 34.9%. Nationally, 35.7% of adults hold at least a bachelor's degree. The high school graduation rate (or equivalent) is 93.4%. Notably, 26.0% of adults hold a graduate or professional degree, indicating a highly educated workforce.
Data Sources & Methodology
All demographic data for Atlanta, Georgia is sourced from the U.S. Census Bureau's American Community Survey (ACS) 2020–2024 5-Year Estimates. The ACS collects data from approximately 3.5 million households annually and pools five years of responses so that even small communities can be measured, though the margin of error widens as the population falls. Comparisons are made against Georgia state averages and national averages calculated from the same dataset. Rankings reflect the city's position among all 669 Census-designated places in Georgia. Read more about how these figures are produced on our methodology page, or visit data.census.gov for official data.
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Frequently Asked Questions
What is the population of Atlanta, Georgia?
Atlanta, Georgia has a population of 505,268 according to the most recent U.S. Census ACS 5-Year Estimates.
What is the median household income in Atlanta, GA?
The median household income in Atlanta is $85,652, which is 6% higher than the national median of $80,734.
What is the poverty rate in Atlanta, GA?
The poverty rate in Atlanta is 16.9%. This means approximately 80,342 residents live below the federal poverty line.
What is the racial makeup of Atlanta, Georgia?
Atlanta's population is 38.0% White, 45.5% Black, 6.3% Hispanic/Latino, and 5.2% Asian.
What is the median home value in Atlanta, GA?
The median home value in Atlanta is $439,600. The home-value-to-income ratio is 5.1x.
How educated is Atlanta, Georgia?
59.2% of adults (25+) in Atlanta hold a bachelor's degree or higher, and 26.0% hold a graduate or professional degree.