Nelson, Georgia Demographics & Population 2026
During the 2020–2024 ACS period, Nelson, Georgia had a total population of 1,166, the 363rd largest city in Georgia, with a median household income of $89,375, which is 16% higher than the state average. The poverty rate is 7.9%.
Data vintage: U.S. Census Bureau ACS 2020–2024 5-Year Estimates · refreshed July 2026 · Methodology & source notes
Nelson Quick Facts
How Nelson 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 | 1,015 | 1,166 | +14.9% |
| Median household income | $78,500 | $89,375 | +13.9% |
| Median home value | $246,900 | $255,000 | +3.3% |
How Nelson 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+)
Nelson Rankings in Georgia
Explore Georgia Rankings
Other Cities in Cherokee County
| City | Population | Median Income | Poverty | Home Value |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Woodstock | 37,381 | $103,496 | 6.6% | $436,500 |
| Canton | 35,741 | $80,091 | 12.8% | $407,800 |
| Holly Springs | 18,627 | $113,992 | 3.9% | $448,400 |
| Ball Ground | 2,856 | $117,829 | 1.8% | $366,300 |
| Waleska | 808 | $56,250 | 6.5% | $483,300 |
Cities Similar to Nelson
These cities in the same state have comparable population and economic profiles.
| City | Population | Median Income | Home Value | Bachelor's+ | Poverty |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Satilla | 1,057 | N/A | $128,300 | 0.0% | 36.4% |
| West Brow | 1,044 | N/A | $279,100 | 22.0% | 5.0% |
| Robins AFB | 1,193 | $106,667 | N/A | 75.4% | 5.9% |
| Pine Mountain | 1,314 | $91,250 | $363,500 | 45.0% | 18.5% |
| Franklin Springs | 1,108 | $75,729 | $207,500 | 29.2% | 9.3% |
Population Overview
Nelson is a small community located in Georgia, within Cherokee County. The total population is 1,166. It ranks as the 363rd most populous out of 669 Census-designated places in Georgia.
Age Demographics
The median age in Nelson is 43.3 years. This is 15% higher than the state median of 37.6 years.
Economy, Income & Housing
The median household income in Nelson is $89,375. This is 16% higher than the state median of $77,353. It is also 11% higher than the national median of $80,734. The poverty rate stands at 7.9%. This is 41% lower than the state poverty rate of 13.4%. The unemployment rate is 6.9%. This is 35% higher than the state rate of 5.1%. The median home value is $255,000. Housing costs are 16% lower than the state median of $303,300. With a home-value-to-income ratio of just 2.9x, Nelson is one of the most affordable housing markets in the area. 77.4% of occupied housing units are owner-occupied. This homeownership rate is 18% higher than the state average of 65.7%.
Race & Ethnicity
The largest racial or ethnic group in Nelson is White (non-Hispanic), making up 84.8% of the population. Hispanic or Latino residents account for 9.2%. The White (non-Hispanic) population is significantly higher than the state average (84.8% vs 49.1%). The Black or African American population (1.7%) is well below the state average of 30.7%. The Asian population (1.0%) is well below the state average of 4.5%.
Education
21.5% of residents aged 25 and older hold a bachelor's degree or higher. This is 39% 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 88.3%.
Data Sources & Methodology
All demographic data for Nelson, 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 Nelson, Georgia?
Nelson, Georgia has a population of 1,166 according to the most recent U.S. Census ACS 5-Year Estimates.
What is the median household income in Nelson, GA?
The median household income in Nelson is $89,375, which is 11% higher than the national median of $80,734.
What is the poverty rate in Nelson, GA?
The poverty rate in Nelson is 7.9%. This means approximately 92 residents live below the federal poverty line.
What is the racial makeup of Nelson, Georgia?
Nelson's population is 84.8% White, 1.7% Black, 9.2% Hispanic/Latino, and 1.0% Asian.
What is the median home value in Nelson, GA?
The median home value in Nelson is $255,000. The home-value-to-income ratio is 2.9x.
How educated is Nelson, Georgia?
21.5% of adults (25+) in Nelson hold a bachelor's degree or higher, and 9.9% hold a graduate or professional degree.