Cornelia, Georgia Demographics & Population 2026
During the 2020–2024 ACS period, Cornelia, Georgia had a total population of 4,992, the 171st largest city in Georgia, with a median household income of $39,775, which is 49% lower than the state average. The poverty rate is 30.3%.
Data vintage: U.S. Census Bureau ACS 2020–2024 5-Year Estimates · refreshed July 2026 · Methodology & source notes
Key Takeaways
- Household income is 49% below the state average, indicating significant economic challenges.
- More than 1 in 4 residents live below the poverty line (30.3%), well above the national average of 12.4%.
- Near full employment with an unemployment rate of just 2.2%.
Cornelia Quick Facts
How Cornelia 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 | 4,813 | 4,992 | +3.7% |
| Median household income | $40,192 | $39,775 | -1.0% |
| Median home value | $210,200 | $231,900 | +10.3% |
How Cornelia 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+)
Cornelia Rankings in Georgia
Explore Georgia Rankings
Other Cities in Habersham County
| City | Population | Median Income | Poverty | Home Value |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Baldwin | 4,000 | $59,242 | 20.2% | $167,300 |
| Demorest | 2,512 | $77,941 | 10.9% | $232,600 |
| Raoul | 2,253 | $44,597 | 9.7% | $127,500 |
| Clarkesville | 1,959 | $73,798 | 13.1% | $254,700 |
| Mount Airy | 1,622 | $87,868 | 14.1% | $227,500 |
| Alto | 1,055 | $81,250 | 13.2% | $192,200 |
| Tallulah Falls | 288 | $94,821 | 4.9% | $404,500 |
Cities Similar to Cornelia
These cities in the same state have comparable population and economic profiles.
| City | Population | Median Income | Home Value | Bachelor's+ | Poverty |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Nashville | 4,928 | $42,516 | $133,900 | 12.2% | 21.7% |
| Camilla | 5,124 | $38,137 | $85,400 | 10.7% | 38.0% |
| Hawkinsville | 4,731 | $39,603 | $159,100 | 14.4% | 22.3% |
| Cochran | 4,803 | $33,456 | $112,800 | 22.0% | 32.1% |
| Waynesboro | 5,644 | $41,620 | $161,500 | 11.9% | 26.0% |
Population Overview
Cornelia is a small community located in Georgia, within Habersham County. The total population is 4,992. It ranks as the 171st most populous out of 669 Census-designated places in Georgia.
Age Demographics
The median age in Cornelia is 36.9 years. This is 2% lower than the state median of 37.6 years.
Economy, Income & Housing
The median household income in Cornelia is $39,775. This is 49% lower than the state median of $77,353. It is also 51% lower than the national median of $80,734. The poverty rate stands at 30.3%. This is 127% higher than the state poverty rate of 13.4%. 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 2.2%. This is 57% lower than the state rate of 5.1%. The median home value is $231,900. Housing costs are 24% lower than the state median of $303,300. The home-value-to-income ratio is 5.8x. 56.4% of occupied housing units are owner-occupied. This homeownership rate is 14% lower than the state average of 65.7%.
Race & Ethnicity
The largest racial or ethnic group in Cornelia is White (non-Hispanic), making up 57.4% of the population. Hispanic or Latino residents account for 25.0%. The Black or African American population (7.4%) is well below the state average of 30.7%. The Hispanic or Latino population is significantly higher than the state average (25.0% vs 11.0%).
Education
19.1% of residents aged 25 and older hold a bachelor's degree or higher. This is 45% lower 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 77.1%.
Data Sources & Methodology
All demographic data for Cornelia, 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 Cornelia, Georgia?
Cornelia, Georgia has a population of 4,992 according to the most recent U.S. Census ACS 5-Year Estimates.
What is the median household income in Cornelia, GA?
The median household income in Cornelia is $39,775, which is 51% lower than the national median of $80,734.
What is the poverty rate in Cornelia, GA?
The poverty rate in Cornelia is 30.3%. This means approximately 1,515 residents live below the federal poverty line.
What is the racial makeup of Cornelia, Georgia?
Cornelia's population is 57.4% White, 7.4% Black, 25.0% Hispanic/Latino, and 4.0% Asian.
What is the median home value in Cornelia, GA?
The median home value in Cornelia is $231,900. The home-value-to-income ratio is 5.8x.
How educated is Cornelia, Georgia?
19.1% of adults (25+) in Cornelia hold a bachelor's degree or higher, and 5.4% hold a graduate or professional degree.