Sylvania, Georgia Demographics & Population 2026
During the 2020–2024 ACS period, Sylvania, Georgia had a total population of 2,618, the 259th largest city in Georgia, with a median household income of $46,033, which is 40% lower than the state average. The poverty rate is 20.9%.
Data vintage: U.S. Census Bureau ACS 2020–2024 5-Year Estimates · refreshed July 2026 · Methodology & source notes
Key Takeaways
- Household income is 40% below the state average, indicating significant economic challenges.
- Near full employment with an unemployment rate of just 1.8%.
Sylvania Quick Facts
How Sylvania 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 | 2,621 | 2,618 | -0.1% |
| Median household income | $45,536 | $46,033 | +1.1% |
| Median home value | $113,800 | $155,300 | +36.5% |
How Sylvania 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+)
Sylvania Rankings in Georgia
Explore Georgia Rankings
Other Cities in Screven County
| City | Population | Median Income | Poverty | Home Value |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Hiltonia | 492 | $38,929 | 31.7% | N/A |
| Newington | 418 | $75,417 | 15.1% | $113,200 |
| Rocky Ford | 276 | $62,589 | 16.3% | $84,300 |
| Oliver | 214 | $57,500 | 22.6% | N/A |
Cities Similar to Sylvania
These cities in the same state have comparable population and economic profiles.
| City | Population | Median Income | Home Value | Bachelor's+ | Poverty |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Gordon | 2,485 | $47,243 | $86,800 | 11.7% | 23.9% |
| Reidsville | 2,553 | $41,667 | $119,100 | 21.7% | 15.1% |
| Monticello | 2,747 | $48,812 | $168,400 | 18.0% | 16.3% |
| East Dublin | 2,489 | $50,288 | $153,000 | 9.3% | 28.7% |
| Abbeville | 2,771 | $42,311 | $79,600 | 6.4% | 41.6% |
Population Overview
Sylvania is a small community located in Georgia, within Screven County. The total population is 2,618. It ranks as the 259th most populous out of 669 Census-designated places in Georgia.
Age Demographics
The median age in Sylvania is 46.4 years. This is 23% higher than the state median of 37.6 years. 11.5% 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 Sylvania is $46,033. This is 40% lower than the state median of $77,353. It is also 43% lower than the national median of $80,734. The poverty rate stands at 20.9%. This is 56% 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 1.8%. This is 65% lower than the state rate of 5.1%. The median home value is $155,300. Housing costs are 49% lower than the state median of $303,300. The home-value-to-income ratio is 3.4x. 63.6% of occupied housing units are owner-occupied. This homeownership rate is 3% lower than the state average of 65.7%.
Race & Ethnicity
The largest racial or ethnic group in Sylvania is Black or African American, making up 54.5% of the population. White (non-Hispanic) residents account for 39.7%. The Black or African American population is significantly higher than the state average (54.5% vs 30.7%). The Hispanic or Latino population (3.2%) is well below the state average of 11.0%.
Education
19.4% of residents aged 25 and older hold a bachelor's degree or higher. This is 44% 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 81.2%.
Data Sources & Methodology
All demographic data for Sylvania, 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 Sylvania, Georgia?
Sylvania, Georgia has a population of 2,618 according to the most recent U.S. Census ACS 5-Year Estimates.
What is the median household income in Sylvania, GA?
The median household income in Sylvania is $46,033, which is 43% lower than the national median of $80,734.
What is the poverty rate in Sylvania, GA?
The poverty rate in Sylvania is 20.9%. This means approximately 533 residents live below the federal poverty line.
What is the racial makeup of Sylvania, Georgia?
Sylvania's population is 39.7% White, 54.5% Black, 3.2% Hispanic/Latino, and 0.0% Asian.
What is the median home value in Sylvania, GA?
The median home value in Sylvania is $155,300. The home-value-to-income ratio is 3.4x.
How educated is Sylvania, Georgia?
19.4% of adults (25+) in Sylvania hold a bachelor's degree or higher, and 9.2% hold a graduate or professional degree.