Tifton, Georgia Demographics & Population 2026
During the 2020–2024 ACS period, Tifton, Georgia had a total population of 17,210, the 73rd largest city in Georgia, with a median household income of $45,298, which is 41% lower than the state average. The poverty rate is 23.5%.
Data vintage: U.S. Census Bureau ACS 2020–2024 5-Year Estimates · refreshed July 2026 · Methodology & source notes
Key Takeaways
- Household income is 41% below the state average, indicating significant economic challenges.
Tifton Quick Facts
How Tifton 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 | 17,140 | 17,210 | +0.4% |
| Median household income | $44,324 | $45,298 | +2.2% |
| Median home value | $161,700 | $196,200 | +21.3% |
How Tifton 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+)
Tifton Rankings in Georgia
Explore Georgia Rankings
Other Cities in Tift County
| City | Population | Median Income | Poverty | Home Value |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Unionville | 2,000 | $53,351 | 31.8% | $48,500 |
| Ty Ty | 689 | $35,625 | 22.8% | $74,000 |
| Phillipsburg | 193 | $22,120 | 21.8% | N/A |
Cities Similar to Tifton
These cities in the same state have comparable population and economic profiles.
| City | Population | Median Income | Home Value | Bachelor's+ | Poverty |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Milledgeville | 16,748 | $41,616 | $193,100 | 21.1% | 40.5% |
| Dublin | 16,136 | $42,988 | $181,300 | 20.2% | 36.3% |
| Monroe | 15,648 | $44,656 | $259,300 | 16.1% | 33.8% |
| Thomasville | 18,666 | $49,673 | $205,200 | 24.9% | 17.2% |
| Americus | 15,813 | $39,176 | $107,500 | 21.9% | 32.7% |
Population Overview
Tifton is a small city located in Georgia, within Tift County. The total population is 17,210. It ranks as the 73rd most populous out of 669 Census-designated places in Georgia.
Age Demographics
The median age in Tifton is 34.8 years. This is 7% lower than the state median of 37.6 years.
Economy, Income & Housing
The median household income in Tifton is $45,298. This is 41% lower than the state median of $77,353. It is also 44% lower than the national median of $80,734. The poverty rate stands at 23.5%. This is 75% 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 3.4%. This is 34% lower than the state rate of 5.1%. The median home value is $196,200. Housing costs are 35% lower than the state median of $303,300. The home-value-to-income ratio is 4.3x. 40.6% of occupied housing units are owner-occupied. This homeownership rate is 38% lower than the state average of 65.7%.
Race & Ethnicity
The largest racial or ethnic group in Tifton is White (non-Hispanic), making up 45.7% of the population. Black or African American residents account for 34.1%. The Asian population (1.9%) is well below the state average of 4.5%.
Education
22.1% of residents aged 25 and older hold a bachelor's degree or higher. This is 37% 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 88.5%.
Data Sources & Methodology
All demographic data for Tifton, 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 Tifton, Georgia?
Tifton, Georgia has a population of 17,210 according to the most recent U.S. Census ACS 5-Year Estimates.
What is the median household income in Tifton, GA?
The median household income in Tifton is $45,298, which is 44% lower than the national median of $80,734.
What is the poverty rate in Tifton, GA?
The poverty rate in Tifton is 23.5%. This means approximately 3,744 residents live below the federal poverty line.
What is the racial makeup of Tifton, Georgia?
Tifton's population is 45.7% White, 34.1% Black, 15.0% Hispanic/Latino, and 1.9% Asian.
What is the median home value in Tifton, GA?
The median home value in Tifton is $196,200. The home-value-to-income ratio is 4.3x.
How educated is Tifton, Georgia?
22.1% of adults (25+) in Tifton hold a bachelor's degree or higher, and 9.7% hold a graduate or professional degree.