Swainsboro, Georgia Demographics & Population 2026
During the 2020–2024 ACS period, Swainsboro, Georgia had a total population of 7,571, the 136th largest city in Georgia, with a median household income of $49,750, which is 36% lower than the state average. The poverty rate is 29.0%.
Data vintage: U.S. Census Bureau ACS 2020–2024 5-Year Estimates · refreshed July 2026 · Methodology & source notes
Key Takeaways
- Household income is 36% below the state average, indicating significant economic challenges.
- More than 1 in 4 residents live below the poverty line (29.0%), well above the national average of 12.4%.
- Housing is very affordable with a home-value-to-income ratio of just 2.2x.
- Unemployment rate of 13.9% is notably above the national average.
Swainsboro Quick Facts
How Swainsboro 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 | 7,561 | 7,571 | +0.1% |
| Median household income | $45,621 | $49,750 | +9.1% |
| Median home value | $104,800 | $109,300 | +4.3% |
How Swainsboro 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+)
Swainsboro Rankings in Georgia
Explore Georgia Rankings
Other Cities in Emanuel County
| City | Population | Median Income | Poverty | Home Value |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Twin City | 2,075 | $39,893 | 32.9% | $63,500 |
| Stillmore | 715 | $33,750 | 50.1% | $39,400 |
| Adrian | 590 | $62,500 | 11.5% | $65,000 |
| Oak Park | 428 | $48,750 | 24.5% | $78,200 |
| Garfield | 270 | $63,929 | 20.0% | $91,100 |
| Summertown | 210 | N/A | 33.8% | $80,000 |
| Nunez | 124 | $48,750 | 12.1% | $84,300 |
| Canoochee | 84 | $61,983 | 0.0% | $104,200 |
| Norristown | 21 | N/A | 0.0% | N/A |
Cities Similar to Swainsboro
These cities in the same state have comparable population and economic profiles.
| City | Population | Median Income | Home Value | Bachelor's+ | Poverty |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| LaFayette | 6,967 | $46,018 | $144,800 | 12.1% | 14.3% |
| Commerce | 8,013 | $60,961 | $239,900 | 16.2% | 8.3% |
| Fort Valley | 8,858 | $50,283 | $127,100 | 19.8% | 29.6% |
| Stone Mountain | 6,623 | $46,973 | $206,400 | 22.8% | 16.6% |
| Dock Junction | 8,147 | $41,258 | $143,700 | 14.2% | 27.0% |
Population Overview
Swainsboro is a small city located in Georgia, within Emanuel County. The total population is 7,571. It ranks as the 136th most populous out of 669 Census-designated places in Georgia.
Age Demographics
The median age in Swainsboro is 32.5 years. This is 14% lower than the state median of 37.6 years. With 29.8% of the population under 18, Swainsboro has a notably young demographic profile, suggesting a family-oriented community.
Economy, Income & Housing
The median household income in Swainsboro is $49,750. This is 36% 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 29.0%. This is 117% 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 13.9%. This is 170% higher than the state rate of 5.1%. The median home value is $109,300. Housing costs are 64% lower than the state median of $303,300. With a home-value-to-income ratio of just 2.2x, Swainsboro is one of the most affordable housing markets in the area. 44.8% of occupied housing units are owner-occupied. This homeownership rate is 32% lower than the state average of 65.7%.
Race & Ethnicity
The largest racial or ethnic group in Swainsboro is Black or African American, making up 54.1% of the population. White (non-Hispanic) residents account for 33.2%. The Black or African American population is significantly higher than the state average (54.1% vs 30.7%). The Hispanic or Latino population (5.3%) is well below the state average of 11.0%.
Education
13.3% of residents aged 25 and older hold a bachelor's degree or higher. This is 62% 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 85.0%.
Data Sources & Methodology
All demographic data for Swainsboro, 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.
Free data download: Get all Georgia city and county demographics as CSV. Download Cities CSV | Download Counties CSV
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the population of Swainsboro, Georgia?
Swainsboro, Georgia has a population of 7,571 according to the most recent U.S. Census ACS 5-Year Estimates.
What is the median household income in Swainsboro, GA?
The median household income in Swainsboro is $49,750, which is 38% lower than the national median of $80,734.
What is the poverty rate in Swainsboro, GA?
The poverty rate in Swainsboro is 29.0%. This means approximately 2,017 residents live below the federal poverty line.
What is the racial makeup of Swainsboro, Georgia?
Swainsboro's population is 33.2% White, 54.1% Black, 5.3% Hispanic/Latino, and 2.4% Asian.
What is the median home value in Swainsboro, GA?
The median home value in Swainsboro is $109,300. The home-value-to-income ratio is 2.2x.
How educated is Swainsboro, Georgia?
13.3% of adults (25+) in Swainsboro hold a bachelor's degree or higher, and 5.7% hold a graduate or professional degree.