Tift County, Georgia Demographics 2026

Population Overview

Tift County is located in Georgia with a total population of 41,322. It is the 51st most populous county out of 159 in Georgia.

Age Demographics

The median age in Tift County is 37.3 years. This is about average than the state median of 37.4 years.

Economy, Income & Housing

The median household income in Tift County is $53,165. This is 29% lower than the state median of $74,664. Compared to the national median of $78,538, household income here is 32% lower. The poverty rate stands at 20.9%. This is 55% 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 3.3%. This is 35% lower than the state rate of 5.1%. The median home value is $143,100. Housing costs are 48% lower than the state median of $272,900. With a home-value-to-income ratio of just 2.7x, Tift County is one of the most affordable housing markets in the area. 61.0% of occupied housing units are owner-occupied. This homeownership rate is 7% lower than the state average of 65.4%.

Race & Ethnicity

The largest racial or ethnic group in Tift County is White (non-Hispanic), making up 53.5% of the population. Black or African American residents account for 28.8%. The Asian population (1.1%) is well below the state average of 4.3%.

Education

20.2% of residents aged 25 and older hold a bachelor's degree or higher. This is 41% 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 85.7%.