Sylvester, Georgia Demographics & Population 2026
During the 2020–2024 ACS period, Sylvester, Georgia had a total population of 5,489, the 162nd largest city in Georgia, with a median household income of $58,417, which is 24% lower than the state average. The poverty rate is 27.9%.
Data vintage: U.S. Census Bureau ACS 2020–2024 5-Year Estimates · refreshed July 2026 · Methodology & source notes
Key Takeaways
- More than 1 in 4 residents live below the poverty line (27.9%), well above the national average of 12.4%.
- Housing is very affordable with a home-value-to-income ratio of just 2.0x.
Sylvester Quick Facts
How Sylvester 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 | 5,557 | 5,489 | -1.2% |
| Median household income | $59,808 | $58,417 | -2.3% |
| Median home value | $125,000 | $115,900 | -7.3% |
How Sylvester 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+)
Sylvester Rankings in Georgia
Explore Georgia Rankings
Other Cities in Worth County
Cities Similar to Sylvester
These cities in the same state have comparable population and economic profiles.
| City | Population | Median Income | Home Value | Bachelor's+ | Poverty |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Rockmart | 5,204 | $56,828 | $201,700 | 20.5% | 3.1% |
| Eastman | 5,584 | $52,394 | $129,800 | 33.5% | 15.3% |
| Fairview | 5,302 | $64,050 | $183,600 | 12.9% | 13.1% |
| Sandersville | 5,601 | $49,833 | $121,000 | 19.2% | 18.5% |
| Glennville | 5,179 | $52,844 | $203,600 | 11.8% | 19.1% |
Population Overview
Sylvester is a small city located in Georgia, within Worth County. The total population is 5,489. It ranks as the 162nd most populous out of 669 Census-designated places in Georgia.
Age Demographics
The median age in Sylvester is 37.0 years. This is 2% lower than the state median of 37.6 years. 11.1% 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 Sylvester is $58,417. This is 24% lower than the state median of $77,353. It is also 28% lower than the national median of $80,734. The poverty rate stands at 27.9%. This is 109% 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 6.0%. This is 18% higher than the state rate of 5.1%. The median home value is $115,900. Housing costs are 62% lower than the state median of $303,300. With a home-value-to-income ratio of just 2.0x, Sylvester is one of the most affordable housing markets in the area. 57.0% of occupied housing units are owner-occupied. This homeownership rate is 13% lower than the state average of 65.7%.
Race & Ethnicity
The largest racial or ethnic group in Sylvester is Black or African American, making up 56.5% of the population. White (non-Hispanic) residents account for 36.3%. The Black or African American population is significantly higher than the state average (56.5% vs 30.7%). The Hispanic or Latino population (1.9%) is well below the state average of 11.0%. The Asian population (1.2%) is well below the state average of 4.5%.
Education
14.3% of residents aged 25 and older hold a bachelor's degree or higher. This is 59% 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 84.1%.
Data Sources & Methodology
All demographic data for Sylvester, 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 Sylvester, Georgia?
Sylvester, Georgia has a population of 5,489 according to the most recent U.S. Census ACS 5-Year Estimates.
What is the median household income in Sylvester, GA?
The median household income in Sylvester is $58,417, which is 28% lower than the national median of $80,734.
What is the poverty rate in Sylvester, GA?
The poverty rate in Sylvester is 27.9%. This means approximately 1,487 residents live below the federal poverty line.
What is the racial makeup of Sylvester, Georgia?
Sylvester's population is 36.3% White, 56.5% Black, 1.9% Hispanic/Latino, and 1.2% Asian.
What is the median home value in Sylvester, GA?
The median home value in Sylvester is $115,900. The home-value-to-income ratio is 2.0x.
How educated is Sylvester, Georgia?
14.3% of adults (25+) in Sylvester hold a bachelor's degree or higher, and 5.0% hold a graduate or professional degree.