Valdosta, Georgia Demographics & Population 2026
During the 2020–2024 ACS period, Valdosta, Georgia had a total population of 55,252, the 19th largest city in Georgia, with a median household income of $45,925, which is 41% lower than the state average. The poverty rate is 26.1%.
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.
- More than 1 in 4 residents live below the poverty line (26.1%), well above the national average of 12.4%.
Valdosta Quick Facts
How Valdosta 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 | 55,222 | 55,252 | +0.1% |
| Median household income | $45,849 | $45,925 | +0.2% |
| Median home value | $165,300 | $182,800 | +10.6% |
How Valdosta 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+)
Valdosta Rankings in Georgia
Explore Georgia Rankings
Other Cities in Lowndes County
| City | Population | Median Income | Poverty | Home Value |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Bemiss | 9,201 | $92,842 | 10.7% | $217,400 |
| Hahira | 3,451 | $70,966 | 6.6% | $206,500 |
| Moody AFB | 1,630 | N/A | 44.9% | N/A |
| Remerton | 1,280 | $26,824 | 41.3% | N/A |
| Lake Park | 1,234 | $51,813 | 31.1% | $258,100 |
| Dasher | 944 | $65,703 | 6.2% | $207,500 |
| Naylor | 293 | $80,811 | 0.0% | $215,000 |
| Clyattville | 147 | N/A | 19.1% | $236,400 |
Cities Similar to Valdosta
These cities in the same state have comparable population and economic profiles.
| City | Population | Median Income | Home Value | Bachelor's+ | Poverty |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Albany | 67,224 | $47,240 | $124,300 | 21.4% | 27.5% |
| Stonecrest | 60,501 | $64,591 | $243,500 | 31.0% | 16.7% |
| Marietta | 62,263 | $72,725 | $448,500 | 47.4% | 12.8% |
| Gainesville | 45,032 | $66,974 | $382,200 | 27.1% | 20.1% |
| Smyrna | 56,633 | $100,061 | $449,500 | 59.4% | 10.6% |
Population Overview
Valdosta is a mid-sized community located in Georgia, within Lowndes County. The total population is 55,252. It ranks as the 19th most populous out of 669 Census-designated places in Georgia.
Age Demographics
The median age in Valdosta is 28.9 years. This is 23% lower than the state median of 37.6 years.
Economy, Income & Housing
The median household income in Valdosta is $45,925. This is 41% lower than the state median of $77,353. It is also 43% lower than the national median of $80,734. The poverty rate stands at 26.1%. This is 95% 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 5.7%. This is 12% higher than the state rate of 5.1%. The median home value is $182,800. Housing costs are 40% lower than the state median of $303,300. The home-value-to-income ratio is 4.0x. 41.7% of occupied housing units are owner-occupied. This homeownership rate is 37% lower than the state average of 65.7%.
Race & Ethnicity
The largest racial or ethnic group in Valdosta is Black or African American, making up 55.4% of the population. White (non-Hispanic) residents account for 34.9%. The Black or African American population is significantly higher than the state average (55.4% vs 30.7%). The Asian population (1.2%) is well below the state average of 4.5%.
Education
28.3% of residents aged 25 and older hold a bachelor's degree or higher. This is 19% 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 88.7%.
Data Sources & Methodology
All demographic data for Valdosta, 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.
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, Georgia?
Valdosta, Georgia has a population of 55,252 according to the most recent U.S. Census ACS 5-Year Estimates.
What is the median household income in Valdosta, GA?
The median household income in Valdosta is $45,925, which is 43% lower than the national median of $80,734.
What is the poverty rate in Valdosta, GA?
The poverty rate in Valdosta is 26.1%. This means approximately 13,753 residents live below the federal poverty line.
What is the racial makeup of Valdosta, Georgia?
Valdosta's population is 34.9% White, 55.4% Black, 5.6% Hispanic/Latino, and 1.2% Asian.
What is the median home value in Valdosta, GA?
The median home value in Valdosta is $182,800. The home-value-to-income ratio is 4.0x.
How educated is Valdosta, Georgia?
28.3% of adults (25+) in Valdosta hold a bachelor's degree or higher, and 12.5% hold a graduate or professional degree.