Valdosta city, Georgia Demographics & Population 2026
As of 2026, Valdosta city, Georgia has a total population of 55,222, the 18th largest city in Georgia, with a median household income of $45,849, which is 39% lower than the state average. The poverty rate is 26.8%.
Key Takeaways
- Household income is 39% below the state average, indicating significant economic challenges.
- More than 1 in 4 residents live below the poverty line (26.8%), well above the national average of 12.4%.
Valdosta city Quick Facts
How Valdosta city Compares
Median Household Income
Median Home Value
Economy & Housing
Household Income Distribution
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: 64 | National average: 60
Education
Educational Attainment (Adults 25+)
Valdosta city Rankings in Georgia
Explore Georgia Rankings
Cities Similar to Valdosta city
These cities in the same state have comparable population and economic profiles.
| City | Population | Median Income | Home Value | Bachelor's+ | Poverty |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Albany city | 67,939 | $45,201 | $118,700 | 21.5% | 29.2% |
| Stonecrest city | 59,917 | $62,939 | $223,100 | 28.6% | 15.1% |
| Marietta city | 61,773 | $70,086 | $401,100 | 46.8% | 12.7% |
| Smyrna city | 56,285 | $96,780 | $409,000 | 59.0% | 9.6% |
| Gainesville city | 44,051 | $64,636 | $337,000 | 26.2% | 19.6% |
Population Overview
Valdosta city is a mid-sized community located in Georgia. The total population is 55,222. It ranks as the 18th most populous out of 670 cities and towns in Georgia.
Age Demographics
The median age in Valdosta city is 28.9 years. This is 23% lower than the state median of 37.4 years.
Economy, Income & Housing
The median household income in Valdosta city is $45,849. This is 39% lower than the state median of $74,664. Compared to the national median of $78,538, household income here is 42% lower. The poverty rate stands at 26.8%. This is 99% 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 6.7%. This is 31% higher than the state rate of 5.1%. The median home value is $165,300. Housing costs are 39% lower than the state median of $272,900. The home-value-to-income ratio is 3.6x. 41.0% of occupied housing units are owner-occupied. This homeownership rate is 37% lower than the state average of 65.4%.
Race & Ethnicity
The largest racial or ethnic group in Valdosta city is Black or African American, making up 55.9% of the population. White (non-Hispanic) residents account for 34.3%. The Black or African American population is significantly higher than the state average (55.9% vs 31.0%). The Asian population (1.2%) is well below the state average of 4.3%.
Education
28.1% of residents aged 25 and older hold a bachelor's degree or higher. This is 18% 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 88.3%.
Data Sources & Methodology
All demographic data for Valdosta city, Georgia is sourced from the U.S. Census Bureau's American Community Survey (ACS) 5-Year Estimates (2019-2023). The ACS collects data from approximately 3.5 million households annually, providing reliable estimates for communities of all sizes. Comparisons are made against Georgia state averages and national averages calculated from the same dataset. Rankings reflect the city's position among all 670 Census-designated places in Georgia. For official data, visit data.census.gov.
Free data download: Get all Georgia city and county demographics as CSV. Download Cities CSV | Download Counties CSV
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the population of Valdosta city, Georgia?
Valdosta city, Georgia has a population of 55,222 according to the most recent U.S. Census ACS 5-Year Estimates.
What is the median household income in Valdosta city, GA?
The median household income in Valdosta city is $45,849, which is 42% lower the national median of $78,538.
What is the poverty rate in Valdosta city, GA?
The poverty rate in Valdosta city is 26.8%. This means approximately 14,139 residents live below the federal poverty line.
What is the racial makeup of Valdosta city, Georgia?
Valdosta city's population is 34.3% White, 55.9% Black, 5.9% Hispanic/Latino, and 1.2% Asian.
What is the median home value in Valdosta city, GA?
The median home value in Valdosta city is $165,300. The home-value-to-income ratio is 3.6x.
How educated is Valdosta city, Georgia?
28.1% of adults (25+) in Valdosta city hold a bachelor's degree or higher, and 11.7% hold a graduate or professional degree.