Wadley, Georgia Demographics & Population 2026
During the 2020–2024 ACS period, Wadley, Georgia had a total population of 1,706, the 319th largest city in Georgia, with a median household income of $37,500, which is 52% lower than the state average. The poverty rate is 26.8%.
Data vintage: U.S. Census Bureau ACS 2020–2024 5-Year Estimates · refreshed July 2026 · Methodology & source notes
Key Takeaways
- Household income is 52% 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%.
- Only 7.6% of adults have a bachelor's degree, well below the national average of 35.7%.
- Housing is very affordable with a home-value-to-income ratio of just 1.7x.
- Unemployment rate of 8.6% is notably above the national average.
Wadley Quick Facts
How Wadley 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 | 1,991 | 1,706 | -14.3% |
| Median household income | $32,458 | $37,500 | +15.5% |
| Median home value | $60,400 | $64,600 | +7.0% |
How Wadley 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 less diverse community where one racial or ethnic group represents a large majority.
State average: 65 | National average: 61
Education
Educational Attainment (Adults 25+)
Wadley Rankings in Georgia
Explore Georgia Rankings
Other Cities in Jefferson County
Cities Similar to Wadley
These cities in the same state have comparable population and economic profiles.
| City | Population | Median Income | Home Value | Bachelor's+ | Poverty |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Berry College | 1,647 | N/A | N/A | 77.5% | 0.0% |
| Moody AFB | 1,630 | N/A | N/A | 22.8% | 44.9% |
| Sparta | 1,830 | N/A | $56,400 | 6.6% | 47.0% |
| Ludowici | 1,897 | N/A | $238,600 | 12.4% | 32.8% |
| Lincolnton | 1,768 | $43,935 | $207,100 | 16.6% | 12.4% |
Population Overview
Wadley is a small community located in Georgia, within Jefferson County. The total population is 1,706. It ranks as the 319th most populous out of 669 Census-designated places in Georgia.
Age Demographics
The median age in Wadley is 40.9 years. This is 9% higher than the state median of 37.6 years.
Economy, Income & Housing
The median household income in Wadley is $37,500. This is 52% lower than the state median of $77,353. It is also 54% lower than the national median of $80,734. The poverty rate stands at 26.8%. This is 100% 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 8.6%. This is 68% higher than the state rate of 5.1%. The median home value is $64,600. Housing costs are 79% lower than the state median of $303,300. With a home-value-to-income ratio of just 1.7x, Wadley is one of the most affordable housing markets in the area. 67.5% of occupied housing units are owner-occupied. This homeownership rate is 3% higher than the state average of 65.7%.
Race & Ethnicity
The largest racial or ethnic group in Wadley is Black or African American, making up 83.6% of the population. Hispanic or Latino residents account for 8.7%. The White (non-Hispanic) population (7.2%) is well below the state average of 49.1%. The Black or African American population is significantly higher than the state average (83.6% vs 30.7%). The Asian population (0.4%) is well below the state average of 4.5%.
Education
7.6% of residents aged 25 and older hold a bachelor's degree or higher. This is 78% 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 81.3%.
Data Sources & Methodology
All demographic data for Wadley, 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 Wadley, Georgia?
Wadley, Georgia has a population of 1,706 according to the most recent U.S. Census ACS 5-Year Estimates.
What is the median household income in Wadley, GA?
The median household income in Wadley is $37,500, which is 54% lower than the national median of $80,734.
What is the poverty rate in Wadley, GA?
The poverty rate in Wadley is 26.8%. This means approximately 434 residents live below the federal poverty line.
What is the racial makeup of Wadley, Georgia?
Wadley's population is 7.2% White, 83.6% Black, 8.7% Hispanic/Latino, and 0.4% Asian.
What is the median home value in Wadley, GA?
The median home value in Wadley is $64,600. The home-value-to-income ratio is 1.7x.
How educated is Wadley, Georgia?
7.6% of adults (25+) in Wadley hold a bachelor's degree or higher, and 2.9% hold a graduate or professional degree.