Dalton, Georgia Demographics & Population 2026
During the 2020–2024 ACS period, Dalton, Georgia had a total population of 34,538, the 36th largest city in Georgia, with a median household income of $63,577, which is 18% lower than the state average. The poverty rate is 18.6%.
Data vintage: U.S. Census Bureau ACS 2020–2024 5-Year Estimates · refreshed July 2026 · Methodology & source notes
Dalton Quick Facts
How Dalton 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 | 34,402 | 34,538 | +0.4% |
| Median household income | $61,236 | $63,577 | +3.8% |
| Median home value | $203,100 | $222,400 | +9.5% |
How Dalton 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+)
Dalton Rankings in Georgia
Explore Georgia Rankings
Other Cities in Whitfield County
| City | Population | Median Income | Poverty | Home Value |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Varnell | 2,920 | $86,100 | 4.2% | $229,400 |
| Tunnel Hill | 939 | $56,536 | 8.3% | $195,600 |
| Cohutta | 930 | $75,781 | 7.4% | $225,000 |
Cities Similar to Dalton
These cities in the same state have comparable population and economic profiles.
| City | Population | Median Income | Home Value | Bachelor's+ | Poverty |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Hinesville | 35,679 | $60,028 | $196,400 | 21.0% | 14.0% |
| Stockbridge | 35,737 | $70,136 | $276,700 | 31.8% | 12.3% |
| Redan | 31,017 | $65,227 | $233,900 | 31.4% | 11.4% |
| Lawrenceville | 30,954 | $61,561 | $350,600 | 26.0% | 15.4% |
| Kennesaw | 34,605 | $83,356 | $335,400 | 47.3% | 10.3% |
Population Overview
Dalton is a mid-sized community located in Georgia, within Whitfield County. The total population is 34,538. It ranks as the 36th most populous out of 669 Census-designated places in Georgia.
Age Demographics
The median age in Dalton is 33.7 years. This is 10% lower than the state median of 37.6 years.
Economy, Income & Housing
The median household income in Dalton is $63,577. This is 18% lower than the state median of $77,353. It is also 21% lower than the national median of $80,734. The poverty rate stands at 18.6%. This is 39% higher than the state poverty rate of 13.4%. The unemployment rate is 4.3%. This is 16% lower than the state rate of 5.1%. The median home value is $222,400. Housing costs are 27% lower than the state median of $303,300. The home-value-to-income ratio is 3.5x. 52.4% of occupied housing units are owner-occupied. This homeownership rate is 20% lower than the state average of 65.7%.
Race & Ethnicity
The largest racial or ethnic group in Dalton is Hispanic or Latino, making up 54.7% of the population. White (non-Hispanic) residents account for 34.3%. The Black or African American population (6.3%) is well below the state average of 30.7%. The Hispanic or Latino population is significantly higher than the state average (54.7% vs 11.0%). The Asian population (2.2%) is well below the state average of 4.5%.
Education
24.3% of residents aged 25 and older hold a bachelor's degree or higher. This is 30% 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 70.2%.
Data Sources & Methodology
All demographic data for Dalton, 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 Dalton, Georgia?
Dalton, Georgia has a population of 34,538 according to the most recent U.S. Census ACS 5-Year Estimates.
What is the median household income in Dalton, GA?
The median household income in Dalton is $63,577, which is 21% lower than the national median of $80,734.
What is the poverty rate in Dalton, GA?
The poverty rate in Dalton is 18.6%. This means approximately 6,237 residents live below the federal poverty line.
What is the racial makeup of Dalton, Georgia?
Dalton's population is 34.3% White, 6.3% Black, 54.7% Hispanic/Latino, and 2.2% Asian.
What is the median home value in Dalton, GA?
The median home value in Dalton is $222,400. The home-value-to-income ratio is 3.5x.
How educated is Dalton, Georgia?
24.3% of adults (25+) in Dalton hold a bachelor's degree or higher, and 10.8% hold a graduate or professional degree.