Dougherty County, Georgia Demographics 2026

Population Overview

Dougherty County is located in Georgia with a total population of 83,915. It is the 31st most populous county out of 159 in Georgia.

Age Demographics

The median age in Dougherty County is 36.6 years. This is 2% lower than the state median of 37.4 years.

Economy, Income & Housing

The median household income in Dougherty County is $46,784. This is 37% lower than the state median of $74,664. Compared to the national median of $78,538, household income here is 40% lower. The poverty rate stands at 26.4%. This is 96% 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 10.8%. This is 110% higher than the state rate of 5.1%. The median home value is $129,200. Housing costs are 53% lower than the state median of $272,900. With a home-value-to-income ratio of just 2.8x, Dougherty County is one of the most affordable housing markets in the area. 46.6% of occupied housing units are owner-occupied. This homeownership rate is 29% lower than the state average of 65.4%.

Race & Ethnicity

The largest racial or ethnic group in Dougherty County is Black or African American, making up 70.2% of the population. White (non-Hispanic) residents account for 23.3%. The White (non-Hispanic) population (23.3%) is well below the state average of 49.8%. The Black or African American population is significantly higher than the state average (70.2% vs 31.0%). The Hispanic or Latino population (3.0%) is well below the state average of 10.7%. The Asian population (0.8%) is well below the state average of 4.3%.

Education

23.2% of residents aged 25 and older hold a bachelor's degree or higher. This is 32% 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 85.4%.