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Thunderbolt, Georgia Demographics & Population 2026

During the 2020–2024 ACS period, Thunderbolt, Georgia had a total population of 2,533, the 263rd largest town in Georgia, with a median household income of $75,234, which is 3% lower than the state average. The poverty rate is 17.5%.

Data vintage: U.S. Census Bureau ACS 2020–2024 5-Year Estimates · refreshed July 2026 · Methodology & source notes

Thunderbolt Quick Facts

Population 2,533
Median Household Income $75,234
Median Home Value $334,600
Poverty Rate 17.5%
Unemployment Rate 3.5%
Median Age 43.9 years
Homeownership Rate 61.5%
Affordability Ratio 4.4x
Bachelor's Degree or Higher 40.7%
High School Graduation Rate 92.4%
Diversity Index 57/100
Population 2,533 263rd of 669
Median Income $75,234 top 30%
Poverty Rate 17.5% 41% higher than national
Median Home Value $334,600 top 20%

How Thunderbolt Changed

Change from the 2019–2023 ACS period to 2020–2024. These are rolling five-year estimates, not year-over-year measurements.

Metric2019–20232020–2024Change
Population2,5522,533-0.7%
Median household income$69,191$75,234+8.7%
Median home value$303,500$334,600+10.2%

How Thunderbolt Compares

Economy & Housing

Household Income Distribution

Under $25K 10.3%
$25K-$50K 26.5%
$50K-$100K 36.0%
$100K+ 27.2%
Detailed income brackets
Under $10K
3.5%
$10K-$15K
2.3%
$15K-$20K
1.8%
$20K-$25K
2.8%
$25K-$30K
4.0%
$30K-$35K
9.5%
$35K-$40K
5.1%
$40K-$45K
6.3%
$45K-$50K
1.7%
$50K-$60K
3.9%
$60K-$75K
9.0%
$75K-$100K
23.1%
$100K-$125K
6.9%
$125K-$150K
6.5%
$150K-$200K
5.1%
$200K+
8.7%

Employment

3.5% Unemployment Rate State: 5.1%|National: 5.2%
63.6% Labor Force Participation

Housing Overview

Owner 61.5%
Renter 38.5%
Affordability Index Moderate
4.4x home value to income ratio
Median gross rent $1,708/mo 27.2% of median household income annually

People & Demographics

Diversity Index

57out of 100
High Diversity

A diverse community with significant representation from multiple racial and ethnic groups.

State average: 65 | National average: 61

Education

Thunderbolt Rankings in Georgia

#263 Population of 669
#172 Median Income of 611
#91 Education of 669
#97 Home Value of 607

Other Cities in Chatham County

CityPopulationMedian IncomePovertyHome Value
Savannah 147,898 $57,137 19.7% $248,900
Pooler 28,466 $91,766 7.4% $322,400
Wilmington Island 13,905 $93,924 4.2% $404,900
Port Wentworth 12,892 $79,731 11.2% $228,100
Georgetown 11,158 $74,256 10.8% $274,900
Garden City 10,426 $47,814 12.8% $169,400
Skidaway Island 9,315 $136,156 2.5% $803,700
Whitemarsh Island 6,886 $101,729 3.9% $399,700
Montgomery 4,976 $90,843 12.0% $387,700
Tybee Island 3,123 $120,479 7.6% $611,200

Cities Similar to Thunderbolt

These cities in the same state have comparable population and economic profiles.

CityPopulationMedian IncomeHome ValueBachelor's+Poverty
Demorest2,512$77,941$232,60028.3%10.9%
Aragon2,536$67,500$161,9006.0%25.4%
Pembroke2,693$72,705$200,80014.7%14.5%
Kennesaw State University2,284N/AN/A0.0%N/A
Gumlog2,382$68,571$245,00020.5%11.4%

Population Overview

Thunderbolt is a small community located in Georgia, within Chatham County. The total population is 2,533. It ranks as the 263rd most populous out of 669 Census-designated places in Georgia.

Age Demographics

The median age in Thunderbolt is 43.9 years. This is 17% higher than the state median of 37.6 years.

Economy, Income & Housing

The median household income in Thunderbolt is $75,234. This is 3% lower than the state median of $77,353. It is also 7% lower than the national median of $80,734. The poverty rate stands at 17.5%. This is 31% higher than the state poverty rate of 13.4%. The unemployment rate is 3.5%. This is 33% lower than the state rate of 5.1%. The median home value is $334,600. Housing costs are 10% higher than the state median of $303,300. The home-value-to-income ratio is 4.4x. 61.5% of occupied housing units are owner-occupied. This homeownership rate is 6% lower than the state average of 65.7%.

Race & Ethnicity

The largest racial or ethnic group in Thunderbolt is White (non-Hispanic), making up 57.0% of the population. Black or African American residents account for 31.3%.

Education

40.7% of residents aged 25 and older hold a bachelor's degree or higher. This is 17% higher 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 92.4%. Notably, 19.0% of adults hold a graduate or professional degree, indicating a highly educated workforce.

Data Sources & Methodology

All demographic data for Thunderbolt, 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 Thunderbolt, Georgia?

Thunderbolt, Georgia has a population of 2,533 according to the most recent U.S. Census ACS 5-Year Estimates.

What is the median household income in Thunderbolt, GA?

The median household income in Thunderbolt is $75,234, which is 7% lower than the national median of $80,734.

What is the poverty rate in Thunderbolt, GA?

The poverty rate in Thunderbolt is 17.5%. This means approximately 423 residents live below the federal poverty line.

What is the racial makeup of Thunderbolt, Georgia?

Thunderbolt's population is 57.0% White, 31.3% Black, 7.1% Hispanic/Latino, and 2.3% Asian.

What is the median home value in Thunderbolt, GA?

The median home value in Thunderbolt is $334,600. The home-value-to-income ratio is 4.4x.

How educated is Thunderbolt, Georgia?

40.7% of adults (25+) in Thunderbolt hold a bachelor's degree or higher, and 19.0% hold a graduate or professional degree.