Telfair County, Georgia Demographics 2026

Population Overview

Telfair County is located in Georgia with a total population of 12,174. It is the 115th most populous county out of 159 in Georgia.

Age Demographics

The median age in Telfair County is 39.4 years. This is 5% higher than the state median of 37.4 years.

Economy, Income & Housing

The median household income in Telfair County is $44,948. This is 40% lower than the state median of $74,664. Compared to the national median of $78,538, household income here is 43% lower. The poverty rate stands at 31.0%. This is 130% higher than the state poverty rate of 13.5%. 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 5.0%. This is 3% lower than the state rate of 5.1%. The median home value is $108,200. Housing costs are 60% lower than the state median of $272,900. With a home-value-to-income ratio of just 2.4x, Telfair County is one of the most affordable housing markets in the area. 71.0% of occupied housing units are owner-occupied. This homeownership rate is 9% higher than the state average of 65.4%.

Race & Ethnicity

The largest racial or ethnic group in Telfair County is White (non-Hispanic), making up 47.5% of the population. Black or African American residents account for 35.7%. The Asian population (0.2%) is well below the state average of 4.3%.

Education

10.1% of residents aged 25 and older hold a bachelor's degree or higher. This is among the lowest rates in the state, which may correlate with employment and income patterns. This is 71% lower than the state rate of 34.2%. Nationally, 35.0% of adults hold at least a bachelor's degree. The high school graduation rate (or equivalent) is 78.5%.