Pelham, Georgia Demographics & Population 2026
During the 2020–2024 ACS period, Pelham, Georgia had a total population of 3,433, the 222nd largest city in Georgia, with a median household income of $39,023, which is 50% lower than the state average. The poverty rate is 22.9%.
Data vintage: U.S. Census Bureau ACS 2020–2024 5-Year Estimates · refreshed July 2026 · Methodology & source notes
Key Takeaways
- Household income is 50% below the state average, indicating significant economic challenges.
- Only 5.1% of adults have a bachelor's degree, well below the national average of 35.7%.
- Housing is very affordable with a home-value-to-income ratio of just 2.4x.
- Unemployment rate of 10.5% is notably above the national average.
Pelham Quick Facts
How Pelham 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 | 3,465 | 3,433 | -0.9% |
| Median household income | $38,838 | $39,023 | +0.5% |
| Median home value | $95,800 | $93,800 | -2.1% |
How Pelham 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
Moderate diversity with one or two groups making up the majority.
State average: 65 | National average: 61
Education
Educational Attainment (Adults 25+)
Pelham Rankings in Georgia
Explore Georgia Rankings
Other Cities in Mitchell County
Cities Similar to Pelham
These cities in the same state have comparable population and economic profiles.
| City | Population | Median Income | Home Value | Bachelor's+ | Poverty |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Hardwick | 3,402 | $39,510 | $91,900 | 10.9% | 23.1% |
| Alma | 3,426 | $36,884 | $96,400 | 8.7% | 26.2% |
| Ringgold | 3,435 | $42,583 | $243,300 | 17.9% | 14.9% |
| Greensboro | 3,609 | $39,541 | $194,300 | 27.2% | 21.7% |
| Nicholls | 3,434 | $43,977 | $42,900 | 4.6% | 30.2% |
Population Overview
Pelham is a small community located in Georgia, within Mitchell County. The total population is 3,433. It ranks as the 222nd most populous out of 669 Census-designated places in Georgia.
Age Demographics
The median age in Pelham is 37.4 years. This is about the same as the state median of 37.6 years. 10.5% of residents are 75 or older, suggesting a significant retirement-age population with implications for healthcare services and senior housing.
Economy, Income & Housing
The median household income in Pelham is $39,023. This is 50% lower than the state median of $77,353. It is also 52% lower than the national median of $80,734. The poverty rate stands at 22.9%. This is 71% 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 10.5%. This is 105% higher than the state rate of 5.1%. The median home value is $93,800. Housing costs are 69% lower than the state median of $303,300. With a home-value-to-income ratio of just 2.4x, Pelham is one of the most affordable housing markets in the area. 46.3% of occupied housing units are owner-occupied. This homeownership rate is 29% lower than the state average of 65.7%.
Race & Ethnicity
The largest racial or ethnic group in Pelham is Black or African American, making up 53.6% of the population. White (non-Hispanic) residents account for 42.1%. The Black or African American population is significantly higher than the state average (53.6% vs 30.7%). The Hispanic or Latino population (1.5%) is well below the state average of 11.0%.
Education
5.1% of residents aged 25 and older hold a bachelor's degree or higher. This is 85% 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 75.2%.
Data Sources & Methodology
All demographic data for Pelham, 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 Pelham, Georgia?
Pelham, Georgia has a population of 3,433 according to the most recent U.S. Census ACS 5-Year Estimates.
What is the median household income in Pelham, GA?
The median household income in Pelham is $39,023, which is 52% lower than the national median of $80,734.
What is the poverty rate in Pelham, GA?
The poverty rate in Pelham is 22.9%. This means approximately 761 residents live below the federal poverty line.
What is the racial makeup of Pelham, Georgia?
Pelham's population is 42.1% White, 53.6% Black, 1.5% Hispanic/Latino, and 0.0% Asian.
What is the median home value in Pelham, GA?
The median home value in Pelham is $93,800. The home-value-to-income ratio is 2.4x.
How educated is Pelham, Georgia?
5.1% of adults (25+) in Pelham hold a bachelor's degree or higher, and 2.5% hold a graduate or professional degree.