Population 32,426 · Census ACS 2020–24
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Population and households in Gilmer County
Household size in Gilmer County
| Period | Gilmer County | Georgia | U.S. |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2006–10 | 2.39 | 2.70 | 2.68 |
| 2010–14 | 2.57 | 2.77 | 2.73 |
| 2015–19 | 2.54 | 2.75 | 2.71 |
| 2020–24 | 2.51 | 2.73 | 2.65 |
| Change | +0.12 | +0.03 | −0.03 |
Households in Gilmer County run a little small, averaging 2.51 people against 2.65 nationally, which usually means more singles and couples and fewer children. Since 2006–10, household size has climbed from 2.39, even as the national average fell. Households are largest in the south and smallest in the northeast.
Household size: the average number of people living in each occupied home. Source: BestNeighborhood calculations from U.S. Census Bureau ACS 5-year block-group estimates (table B25010).
Median age in Gilmer County
| Period | Gilmer County | Georgia | U.S. |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2006–10 | 41.1 | 36.0 | 37.7 |
| 2010–14 | 45.0 | 36.9 | 38.6 |
| 2015–19 | 47.8 | 38.1 | 39.6 |
| 2020–24 | 49.2 | 38.6 | 40.1 |
| Change | +8.1 | +2.6 | +2.3 |
With a median age of 49.2, Gilmer County is noticeably older than the country as a whole (40.1), an age mix that tilts toward empty nesters and retirees. Since 2006–10, the median age has climbed from 41.1, a much bigger shift than nationally. Of Georgia's 159 counties, only eight are older.
Median age: the age that splits residents into two equal halves. Source: BestNeighborhood calculations from U.S. Census Bureau ACS 5-year block-group estimates (table B01002).
Single-parent households in Gilmer County
| Period | Gilmer County | Georgia | U.S. |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2006–10 | 12.0% | 13.8% | 12.3% |
| 2010–14 | 8.0% | 13.8% | 12.3% |
| 2015–19 | 7.7% | 13.0% | 11.6% |
| 2020–24 | 7.9% | 13.4% | 11.6% |
| Change | −4.1 pts | −0.4 pts | −0.6 pts |
Single parents head only 7.9% of households in Gilmer County, well below the national share of 11.6%. The single-parent share has fallen 4.1 points since 2006–10, a much bigger shift than nationally. Only seven of Georgia's 159 counties have a lower share of single-parent households.
Single-parent households: households where one adult with no spouse present lives with children under 18. Source: BestNeighborhood calculations from U.S. Census Bureau ACS 5-year block-group estimates (table B11003).
Housing in Gilmer County
Renters in Gilmer County
| Period | Gilmer County | Georgia | U.S. |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2006–10 | 29.2% | 32.8% | 33.3% |
| 2010–14 | 25.2% | 35.8% | 35.6% |
| 2015–19 | 25.6% | 36.7% | 36.0% |
| 2020–24 | 19.3% | 34.3% | 34.8% |
| Change | −9.9 pts | +1.5 pts | +1.5 pts |
Only 19.3% of households in Gilmer County rent their homes, far below the national share of 34.8%, so most residents are owners who tend to stay put. About half of owners (51.4%) have paid off their mortgages, well above the national share of 39.8%. Rentals cluster in the north; owners are most common in the west. The renter share is down 9.9 points from 2006–10, even as the national share rose.
Renters: occupied homes that are rented rather than owned. Source: BestNeighborhood calculations from U.S. Census Bureau ACS 5-year block-group estimates (table B25003).
Vacant homes in Gilmer County
| Period | Gilmer County | Georgia | U.S. |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2006–10 | 25.6% | 13.1% | 11.4% |
| 2010–14 | 31.6% | 13.2% | 11.4% |
| 2015–19 | 27.6% | 11.6% | 11.1% |
| 2020–24 | 26.9% | 10.3% | 9.6% |
| Change | +1.3 pts | −2.8 pts | −1.8 pts |
Vacant homes make up 26.9% of the housing in Gilmer County, far above the national rate of 9.6%. In resort and lake areas that usually means seasonal and vacation homes; elsewhere it can point to weak demand. Vacancy has edged up 1.3 points since 2006–10, even as the national rate fell.
Vacant homes: homes with no one living in them, including vacation homes and homes for sale or rent. Source: BestNeighborhood calculations from U.S. Census Bureau ACS 5-year block-group estimates (table B25002).
Age of homes in Gilmer County
| Period | Gilmer County | Georgia | U.S. |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2006–10 | 1988 | 1985 | 1974 |
| 2010–14 | 1992 | 1987 | 1975 |
| 2015–19 | 1993 | 1987 | 1977 |
| 2020–24 | 1998 | 1991 | 1980 |
| Change | +9 | +6 | +6 |
Much of the housing in Gilmer County is relatively new: half of its homes were built after 1998, compared with 1980 for the U.S. as a whole. The median year built has moved up from 1988 in 2006–10, a sign of steady new building. Only 13 of Georgia's 159 counties have newer homes.
Age of homes: the year that splits the housing stock into older and newer halves. Source: BestNeighborhood calculations from U.S. Census Bureau ACS 5-year block-group estimates (table B25035).
Rent in Gilmer County
| Period | Gilmer County | Georgia | U.S. |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2006–10 | $678 | $910 | $965 |
| 2010–14 | $793 | $977 | $1,040 |
| 2015–19 | $834 | $1,112 | $1,213 |
| 2020–24 | $1,184 | $1,520 | $1,571 |
| Change | +$506 | +$609 | +$606 |
Rent in Gilmer County runs $1,184 a month at the median, utilities included, well below the U.S. median of $1,571. Rents are up $506 a month from 2006–10, a 75% jump, faster than rents rose nationally. The typical renter here spends 26.8% of household income on rent, comfortably under the 30% mark often used to define affordable rent, and a smaller share than renters pay nationally. Renters on a budget will find the lowest rents in the east; the highest are in the northwest.
Rent: monthly rent plus the utilities renters pay themselves. Source: BestNeighborhood calculations from U.S. Census Bureau ACS 5-year block-group estimates (table B25064).
Education in Gilmer County
Bachelor's degrees in Gilmer County
| Period | Gilmer County | Georgia | U.S. |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2006–10 | 13.5% | 28.1% | 28.4% |
| 2010–14 | 17.9% | 28.9% | 29.6% |
| 2015–19 | 20.0% | 31.4% | 32.1% |
| 2020–24 | 24.7% | 35.1% | 35.6% |
| Change | +11.2 pts | +7.0 pts | +7.2 pts |
College degrees are relatively uncommon in Gilmer County: 24.7% of adults 25 and older hold a bachelor's or higher, well below the national share of 35.6%. The share with a degree has risen 11.2 points since 2006–10, as it has nationally. College graduates are most concentrated in the northeast and least in the northwest.
Bachelor's degrees: adults 25 and older with a bachelor's degree or higher. Source: BestNeighborhood calculations from U.S. Census Bureau ACS 5-year block-group estimates (table B15003).
High school graduates in Gilmer County
| Period | Gilmer County | Georgia | U.S. |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2006–10 | 76.3% | 84.1% | 84.9% |
| 2010–14 | 78.3% | 85.4% | 86.1% |
| 2015–19 | 81.8% | 87.2% | 87.7% |
| 2020–24 | 86.7% | 89.2% | 89.3% |
| Change | +10.4 pts | +5.0 pts | +4.3 pts |
Just over one in eight adults in Gilmer County never finished high school, a bit more than nationally: 86.7% have a diploma or equivalent, against 89.3% across the U.S. The share with a diploma is up 10.4 points from 2006–10, mirroring the country.
High school graduates: adults 25 and older with a high school diploma, GED or more. Source: BestNeighborhood calculations from U.S. Census Bureau ACS 5-year block-group estimates (table B15003).
Jobs in Gilmer County
| Period | Gilmer County | Georgia | U.S. |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2006–10 | 8.1% | 8.8% | 8.1% |
| 2010–14 | 10.4% | 10.7% | 9.4% |
| 2015–19 | 4.3% | 5.8% | 5.6% |
| 2020–24 | 2.7% | 5.2% | 5.4% |
| Change | −5.5 pts | −3.6 pts | −2.7 pts |
Unemployment in Gilmer County has been low: just 2.7% of the labor force was out of work and looking, well below the national rate of 5.4%. Of Georgia's 159 counties, only 14 have lower unemployment. Since 2006–10, unemployment has fallen 5.5 points, as it has nationally.
Unemployment: people looking for work as a share of everyone working or looking. Source: BestNeighborhood calculations from U.S. Census Bureau ACS 5-year block-group estimates (table B23025).
Gilmer County compared with nearby counties
| County | Household size | Median age | Single parents | Renters | Vacant homes | Median year built | Median rent | Bachelor's degree | High school diploma | Unemployment |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Gilmer County | 2.51 | 49.2 | 7.9% | 19.3% | 26.9% | 1998 | $1,184 | 24.7% | 86.7% | 2.7% |
| Murray County | 2.73 | 39.2 | 15.0% | 26.2% | 7.5% | 1993 | $892 | 15.8% | 78.6% | 4.3% |
| Whitfield County | 2.88 | 36.9 | 14.4% | 33.0% | 8.4% | 1985 | $1,025 | 20.5% | 74.5% | 4.7% |
| Lumpkin County | 2.80 | 37.2 | 6.8% | 23.7% | 13.9% | 1997 | $1,130 | 32.9% | 90.1% | 5.4% |
| White County | 2.68 | 45.0 | 6.9% | 21.2% | 19.8% | 1993 | $1,067 | 23.9% | 84.3% | 3.6% |
| Habersham County | 2.81 | 39.9 | 9.2% | 27.2% | 12.7% | 1990 | $976 | 24.9% | 82.7% | 2.9% |
| Stephens County | 2.56 | 43.2 | 13.6% | 26.4% | 13.7% | 1981 | $868 | 15.9% | 86.0% | 5.7% |
| Jackson County | 2.45 | 43.6 | 11.3% | 24.9% | 12.1% | 1985 | $757 | 16.0% | 82.6% | 4.3% |
| Oconee County | 2.34 | 45.9 | 9.7% | 23.8% | 18.0% | 1988 | $913 | 28.4% | 87.2% | 5.5% |
| Anderson County | 2.52 | 41.0 | 11.7% | 25.2% | 9.6% | 1987 | $1,073 | 27.4% | 88.3% | 5.4% |
| Madison County | 2.46 | 39.5 | 10.0% | 31.7% | 8.3% | 1992 | $1,390 | 45.9% | 92.7% | 3.6% |
All figures 2020–24.
Counties with similar populations: Lawrence County, SD · Rhea County, TN · Ray County, MO · Randolph County, WV · Randolph County, MO · Randolph County, IN · Randolph County, IL · Randolph County, AL · Quebradillas Municipio, PR · Putnam County, OH
About these numbers
Every figure on this page is a BestNeighborhood calculation from the Census Bureau's American Community Survey (ACS), built up from the Census block groups that make up Gilmer County. Each ACS 5-year release pools five years of responses; this page shows the last 15 releases, 2006–10 through 2020–24. Neighboring releases share four of their five years, so they move gradually and small changes between them are within the survey's margin of error; in small places the lines can jump from one release to the next for the same reason. The maps show the same measures for each neighborhood, ranked against the whole country.
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