Ben Hill County, Georgia Demographics 2026

Population Overview

Ben Hill County is located in Georgia with a total population of 17,138. It is the 102nd most populous county out of 159 in Georgia.

Age Demographics

The median age in Ben Hill County is 38.5 years. This is 3% higher than the state median of 37.4 years.

Economy, Income & Housing

The median household income in Ben Hill County is $39,081. This is 48% lower than the state median of $74,664. Compared to the national median of $78,538, household income here is 50% lower. The poverty rate stands at 25.7%. This is 91% higher than the state poverty rate of 13.5%. With more than one in five residents living below the poverty line, economic hardship is a significant challenge for the community. The unemployment rate is 5.0%. This is 3% lower than the state rate of 5.1%. The median home value is $114,600. Housing costs are 58% lower than the state median of $272,900. With a home-value-to-income ratio of just 2.9x, Ben Hill County is one of the most affordable housing markets in the area. 59.8% of occupied housing units are owner-occupied. This homeownership rate is 9% lower than the state average of 65.4%.

Race & Ethnicity

The largest racial or ethnic group in Ben Hill County is White (non-Hispanic), making up 53.8% of the population. Black or African American residents account for 37.7%. The Asian population (0.4%) is well below the state average of 4.3%.

Education

12.1% of residents aged 25 and older hold a bachelor's degree or higher. This is 65% lower 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 84.3%.