Fort Gaines, Georgia Demographics & Population 2026
During the 2020–2024 ACS period, Fort Gaines, Georgia had a total population of 1,248, the 354th largest city in Georgia, with a median household income of $38,071, which is 51% lower than the state average. The poverty rate is 31.7%.
Data vintage: U.S. Census Bureau ACS 2020–2024 5-Year Estimates · refreshed July 2026 · Methodology & source notes
Key Takeaways
- Household income is 51% below the state average, indicating significant economic challenges.
- More than 1 in 4 residents live below the poverty line (31.7%), well above the national average of 12.4%.
- Housing is very affordable with a home-value-to-income ratio of just 2.4x.
- Unemployment rate of 9.8% is notably above the national average.
Fort Gaines Quick Facts
How Fort Gaines 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 | 1,166 | 1,248 | +7.0% |
| Median household income | $38,636 | $38,071 | -1.5% |
| Median home value | $91,400 | $90,500 | -1.0% |
How Fort Gaines 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 less diverse community where one racial or ethnic group represents a large majority.
State average: 65 | National average: 61
Education
Educational Attainment (Adults 25+)
Fort Gaines Rankings in Georgia
Explore Georgia Rankings
Other Cities in Clay County
| City | Population | Median Income | Poverty | Home Value |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Bluffton | 350 | $86,131 | 2.9% | $161,300 |
Cities Similar to Fort Gaines
These cities in the same state have comparable population and economic profiles.
| City | Population | Median Income | Home Value | Bachelor's+ | Poverty |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Rochelle | 1,243 | $41,607 | $85,800 | 20.5% | 23.8% |
| Omega | 1,194 | $41,563 | $82,500 | 3.8% | 34.1% |
| Young Harris | 1,252 | $31,316 | $295,200 | 26.5% | 37.3% |
| Willacoochee | 1,301 | $32,750 | $43,200 | 5.8% | 27.7% |
| Hiawassee | 1,293 | $45,000 | $411,100 | 25.7% | 17.6% |
Population Overview
Fort Gaines is a small community located in Georgia, within Clay County. The total population is 1,248. It ranks as the 354th most populous out of 669 Census-designated places in Georgia.
Age Demographics
The median age in Fort Gaines is 32.5 years. This is 14% lower than the state median of 37.6 years.
Economy, Income & Housing
The median household income in Fort Gaines is $38,071. This is 51% lower than the state median of $77,353. It is also 53% lower than the national median of $80,734. The poverty rate stands at 31.7%. This is 137% 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 9.8%. This is 91% higher than the state rate of 5.1%. The median home value is $90,500. Housing costs are 70% lower than the state median of $303,300. With a home-value-to-income ratio of just 2.4x, Fort Gaines is one of the most affordable housing markets in the area. 48.4% of occupied housing units are owner-occupied. This homeownership rate is 26% lower than the state average of 65.7%.
Race & Ethnicity
The largest racial or ethnic group in Fort Gaines is Black or African American, making up 82.7% of the population. White (non-Hispanic) residents account for 13.3%. The White (non-Hispanic) population (13.3%) is well below the state average of 49.1%. The Black or African American population is significantly higher than the state average (82.7% vs 30.7%).
Education
10.6% of residents aged 25 and older hold a bachelor's degree or higher. This is 70% 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 87.2%.
Data Sources & Methodology
All demographic data for Fort Gaines, 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 Fort Gaines, Georgia?
Fort Gaines, Georgia has a population of 1,248 according to the most recent U.S. Census ACS 5-Year Estimates.
What is the median household income in Fort Gaines, GA?
The median household income in Fort Gaines is $38,071, which is 53% lower than the national median of $80,734.
What is the poverty rate in Fort Gaines, GA?
The poverty rate in Fort Gaines is 31.7%. This means approximately 376 residents live below the federal poverty line.
What is the racial makeup of Fort Gaines, Georgia?
Fort Gaines's population is 13.3% White, 82.7% Black, 0.0% Hispanic/Latino, and 0.0% Asian.
What is the median home value in Fort Gaines, GA?
The median home value in Fort Gaines is $90,500. The home-value-to-income ratio is 2.4x.
How educated is Fort Gaines, Georgia?
10.6% of adults (25+) in Fort Gaines hold a bachelor's degree or higher, and 5.1% hold a graduate or professional degree.