Clarke County, Georgia Demographics 2026

Population Overview

Clarke County is located in Georgia with a total population of 129,267. It is the 19th most populous county out of 159 in Georgia.

Age Demographics

The median age in Clarke County is 29.4 years. This is 21% lower than the state median of 37.4 years.

Economy, Income & Housing

The median household income in Clarke County is $52,267. This is 30% lower than the state median of $74,664. Compared to the national median of $78,538, household income here is 33% lower. The poverty rate stands at 25.9%. This is 92% 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 5.1%. The median home value is $271,900. Housing costs are about average than the state median of $272,900. The home-value-to-income ratio is 5.2x. 41.2% of occupied housing units are owner-occupied. This homeownership rate is 37% lower than the state average of 65.4%.

Race & Ethnicity

The largest racial or ethnic group in Clarke County is White (non-Hispanic), making up 54.4% of the population. Black or African American residents account for 26.2%.

Education

48.7% of residents aged 25 and older hold a bachelor's degree or higher. This places Clarke County in the top 10% of all cities in the state for educational attainment. This is 42% 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 90.0%. Notably, 24.4% of adults hold a graduate or professional degree, indicating a highly educated workforce.