Fort Valley, Georgia Demographics & Population 2026
During the 2020–2024 ACS period, Fort Valley, Georgia had a total population of 8,858, the 125th largest city in Georgia, with a median household income of $50,283, which is 35% lower than the state average. The poverty rate is 29.6%.
Data vintage: U.S. Census Bureau ACS 2020–2024 5-Year Estimates · refreshed July 2026 · Methodology & source notes
Key Takeaways
- Household income is 35% below the state average, indicating significant economic challenges.
- More than 1 in 4 residents live below the poverty line (29.6%), well above the national average of 12.4%.
Fort Valley Quick Facts
How Fort Valley 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 | 8,808 | 8,858 | +0.6% |
| Median household income | $39,714 | $50,283 | +26.6% |
| Median home value | $116,400 | $127,100 | +9.2% |
How Fort Valley 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+)
Fort Valley Rankings in Georgia
Explore Georgia Rankings
Other Cities in Peach County
| City | Population | Median Income | Poverty | Home Value |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Byron | 5,971 | $85,596 | 10.1% | $253,200 |
Cities Similar to Fort Valley
These cities in the same state have comparable population and economic profiles.
| City | Population | Median Income | Home Value | Bachelor's+ | Poverty |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Country Club Estates | 8,780 | $52,500 | $168,800 | 17.1% | 29.7% |
| Panthersville | 9,053 | $52,236 | $222,600 | 28.8% | 19.6% |
| Toccoa | 9,238 | $48,438 | $178,100 | 20.0% | 23.9% |
| Fort Stewart | 9,285 | $53,500 | N/A | 24.7% | 19.0% |
| Irondale | 9,185 | $55,030 | $204,500 | 24.4% | 19.2% |
Population Overview
Fort Valley is a small city located in Georgia, within Peach County. The total population is 8,858. It ranks as the 125th most populous out of 669 Census-designated places in Georgia.
Age Demographics
The median age in Fort Valley is 32.9 years. This is 13% lower than the state median of 37.6 years.
Economy, Income & Housing
The median household income in Fort Valley is $50,283. This is 35% lower than the state median of $77,353. It is also 38% lower than the national median of $80,734. The poverty rate stands at 29.6%. This is 121% 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 7.4%. This is 45% higher than the state rate of 5.1%. The median home value is $127,100. Housing costs are 58% lower than the state median of $303,300. With a home-value-to-income ratio of just 2.5x, Fort Valley is one of the most affordable housing markets in the area. 40.9% of occupied housing units are owner-occupied. This homeownership rate is 38% lower than the state average of 65.7%.
Race & Ethnicity
The largest racial or ethnic group in Fort Valley is Black or African American, making up 61.5% of the population. White (non-Hispanic) residents account for 23.5%. The White (non-Hispanic) population (23.5%) is well below the state average of 49.1%. The Black or African American population is significantly higher than the state average (61.5% vs 30.7%). The Asian population (0.2%) is well below the state average of 4.5%.
Education
19.8% of residents aged 25 and older hold a bachelor's degree or higher. This is 43% 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 76.6%.
Data Sources & Methodology
All demographic data for Fort Valley, 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 Valley, Georgia?
Fort Valley, Georgia has a population of 8,858 according to the most recent U.S. Census ACS 5-Year Estimates.
What is the median household income in Fort Valley, GA?
The median household income in Fort Valley is $50,283, which is 38% lower than the national median of $80,734.
What is the poverty rate in Fort Valley, GA?
The poverty rate in Fort Valley is 29.6%. This means approximately 2,248 residents live below the federal poverty line.
What is the racial makeup of Fort Valley, Georgia?
Fort Valley's population is 23.5% White, 61.5% Black, 11.5% Hispanic/Latino, and 0.2% Asian.
What is the median home value in Fort Valley, GA?
The median home value in Fort Valley is $127,100. The home-value-to-income ratio is 2.5x.
How educated is Fort Valley, Georgia?
19.8% of adults (25+) in Fort Valley hold a bachelor's degree or higher, and 8.3% hold a graduate or professional degree.