Fort Valley city, Georgia Demographics & Population 2026
As of 2026, Fort Valley city, Georgia has a total population of 8,808, the 124th largest city in Georgia, with a median household income of $39,714, which is 47% lower than the state average. The poverty rate is 30.8%.
Key Takeaways
- Household income is 47% below the state average, indicating significant economic challenges.
- More than 1 in 4 residents live below the poverty line (30.8%), well above the national average of 12.4%.
- Unemployment rate of 9.1% is notably above the national average.
Fort Valley city Quick Facts
How Fort Valley city Compares
Median Household Income
Median Home Value
Economy & Housing
Household Income Distribution
Employment
Housing Overview
People & Demographics
Age Distribution
Race & Ethnicity
Diversity Index
Moderate diversity with one or two groups making up the majority.
State average: 64 | National average: 60
Education
Educational Attainment (Adults 25+)
Fort Valley city Rankings in Georgia
Explore Georgia Rankings
Cities Similar to Fort Valley city
These cities in the same state have comparable population and economic profiles.
| City | Population | Median Income | Home Value | Bachelor's+ | Poverty |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Fitzgerald city | 8,962 | $36,515 | $99,900 | 13.7% | 25.3% |
| Dock Junction CDP | 8,786 | $48,600 | $140,300 | 11.9% | 31.2% |
| Panthersville CDP | 8,840 | $48,984 | $207,600 | 26.0% | 17.2% |
| Toccoa city | 9,173 | $48,706 | $155,200 | 18.3% | 20.3% |
| Cairo city | 10,067 | $40,496 | $114,300 | 13.7% | 27.3% |
Population Overview
Fort Valley city is a small city located in Georgia. The total population is 8,808. It ranks as the 124th most populous out of 670 cities and towns in Georgia.
Age Demographics
The median age in Fort Valley city is 31.6 years. This is 16% lower than the state median of 37.4 years.
Economy, Income & Housing
The median household income in Fort Valley city is $39,714. This is 47% lower than the state median of $74,664. Compared to the national median of $78,538, household income here is 49% lower. The poverty rate stands at 30.8%. This is 128% 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 9.1%. This is 78% higher than the state rate of 5.1%. The median home value is $116,400. Housing costs are 57% lower than the state median of $272,900. With a home-value-to-income ratio of just 2.9x, Fort Valley city is one of the most affordable housing markets in the area. 43.8% of occupied housing units are owner-occupied. This homeownership rate is 33% lower than the state average of 65.4%.
Race & Ethnicity
The largest racial or ethnic group in Fort Valley city is Black or African American, making up 69.0% of the population. White (non-Hispanic) residents account for 21.1%. The White (non-Hispanic) population (21.1%) is well below the state average of 49.8%. The Black or African American population is significantly higher than the state average (69.0% vs 31.0%). The Asian population (0.2%) is well below the state average of 4.3%.
Education
20.8% of residents aged 25 and older hold a bachelor's degree or higher. This is 39% 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 76.2%.
Data Sources & Methodology
All demographic data for Fort Valley city, Georgia is sourced from the U.S. Census Bureau's American Community Survey (ACS) 5-Year Estimates (2019-2023). The ACS collects data from approximately 3.5 million households annually, providing reliable estimates for communities of all sizes. Comparisons are made against Georgia state averages and national averages calculated from the same dataset. Rankings reflect the city's position among all 670 Census-designated places in Georgia. For official data, visit data.census.gov.
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Frequently Asked Questions
What is the population of Fort Valley city, Georgia?
Fort Valley city, Georgia has a population of 8,808 according to the most recent U.S. Census ACS 5-Year Estimates.
What is the median household income in Fort Valley city, GA?
The median household income in Fort Valley city is $39,714, which is 49% lower the national median of $78,538.
What is the poverty rate in Fort Valley city, GA?
The poverty rate in Fort Valley city is 30.8%. This means approximately 2,281 residents live below the federal poverty line.
What is the racial makeup of Fort Valley city, Georgia?
Fort Valley city's population is 21.1% White, 69.0% Black, 8.3% Hispanic/Latino, and 0.2% Asian.
What is the median home value in Fort Valley city, GA?
The median home value in Fort Valley city is $116,400. The home-value-to-income ratio is 2.9x.
How educated is Fort Valley city, Georgia?
20.8% of adults (25+) in Fort Valley city hold a bachelor's degree or higher, and 8.6% hold a graduate or professional degree.