Population 34,951 · Census ACS 2020–24
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Population and households in Pickens County
Household size in Pickens County
| Period | Pickens County | Atlanta area | Georgia | U.S. |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2006–10 | 2.55 | 2.74 | 2.70 | 2.68 |
| 2010–14 | 2.67 | 2.83 | 2.77 | 2.73 |
| 2015–19 | 2.63 | 2.81 | 2.75 | 2.71 |
| 2020–24 | 2.62 | 2.79 | 2.73 | 2.65 |
| Change | +0.06 | +0.05 | +0.03 | −0.03 |
Households in Pickens County average 2.62 people, about the same as the country as a whole (2.65). The typical household here is smaller than in the Atlanta area as a whole, where it has 2.79 people. Household size has crept up from 2.55 in 2006–10, even as the national average fell.
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 Pickens County
| Period | Pickens County | Atlanta area | Georgia | U.S. |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2006–10 | 41.8 | 35.5 | 36.0 | 37.7 |
| 2010–14 | 44.3 | 36.5 | 36.9 | 38.6 |
| 2015–19 | 45.3 | 37.5 | 38.1 | 39.6 |
| 2020–24 | 46.7 | 38.2 | 38.6 | 40.1 |
| Change | +4.9 | +2.7 | +2.6 | +2.3 |
Pickens County skews older: half of its residents are older than 46.7, well above the national median of 40.1. That usually means more empty nesters and retirees, and fewer young families. The median age has climbed from 41.8 in 2006–10, in line with the national trend. Of Georgia's 159 counties, only 14 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 Pickens County
| Period | Pickens County | Atlanta area | Georgia | U.S. |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2006–10 | 8.0% | 13.3% | 13.8% | 12.3% |
| 2010–14 | 7.7% | 13.6% | 13.8% | 12.3% |
| 2015–19 | 7.4% | 12.5% | 13.0% | 11.6% |
| 2020–24 | 12.5% | 12.7% | 13.4% | 11.6% |
| Change | +4.6 pts | −0.6 pts | −0.4 pts | −0.6 pts |
Single parents head about one in eight households in Pickens County (12.5%), close to the national share of 11.6%. The single-parent share is up 4.6 points from 2006–10, even as the national share fell.
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 Pickens County
Renters in Pickens County
| Period | Pickens County | Atlanta area | Georgia | U.S. |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2006–10 | 19.6% | 32.1% | 32.8% | 33.3% |
| 2010–14 | 22.7% | 35.5% | 35.8% | 35.6% |
| 2015–19 | 24.1% | 36.7% | 36.7% | 36.0% |
| 2020–24 | 18.8% | 33.9% | 34.3% | 34.8% |
| Change | −0.8 pts | +1.8 pts | +1.5 pts | +1.5 pts |
Only 18.8% of households in Pickens County rent their homes, far below the national share of 34.8%, so most residents are owners who tend to stay put. Among homeowners, 41.5% have no mortgage at all, about the same as nationally. The renter share has edged down 0.8 points since 2006–10, even as the national share rose. Few Georgia counties have a lower share of renters: only 15 of 159.
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 Pickens County
| Period | Pickens County | Atlanta area | Georgia | U.S. |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2006–10 | 15.8% | 11.9% | 13.1% | 11.4% |
| 2010–14 | 17.2% | 11.4% | 13.2% | 11.4% |
| 2015–19 | 13.6% | 8.6% | 11.6% | 11.1% |
| 2020–24 | 12.8% | 8.0% | 10.3% | 9.6% |
| Change | −3.0 pts | −3.8 pts | −2.8 pts | −1.8 pts |
More homes sit empty in Pickens County than nationally: 12.8%, against 9.6%. The count includes vacation homes and homes between owners or tenants, not just abandoned ones. Since 2006–10, vacancy has fallen 3.0 points, as it has nationally.
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 Pickens County
| Period | Pickens County | Atlanta area | Georgia | U.S. |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2006–10 | 1990 | 1988 | 1985 | 1974 |
| 2010–14 | 1993 | 1989 | 1987 | 1975 |
| 2015–19 | 1992 | 1990 | 1987 | 1977 |
| 2020–24 | 1995 | 1993 | 1991 | 1980 |
| Change | +5 | +5 | +6 | +6 |
Much of the housing in Pickens County is relatively new: half of its homes were built after 1995, compared with 1980 for the U.S. as a whole. The median year built has moved up from 1990 in 2006–10, a sign of steady new building. Pickens County has newer homes than the great majority of Georgia counties.
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 Pickens County
| Period | Pickens County | Atlanta area | Georgia | U.S. |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2006–10 | $741 | $1,050 | $910 | $965 |
| 2010–14 | $913 | $1,116 | $977 | $1,040 |
| 2015–19 | $889 | $1,293 | $1,112 | $1,213 |
| 2020–24 | $1,231 | $1,799 | $1,520 | $1,571 |
| Change | +$490 | +$749 | +$609 | +$606 |
A typical rental in Pickens County costs $1,231 a month with utilities, well below the national median of $1,571. Rents are up $490 a month from 2006–10, a 66% jump, faster than rents rose nationally. Rent takes 32.4% of the typical renter's income, just over the 30% mark often used to define affordable rent.
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 Pickens County
Bachelor's degrees in Pickens County
| Period | Pickens County | Atlanta area | Georgia | U.S. |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2006–10 | 20.4% | 34.5% | 28.1% | 28.4% |
| 2010–14 | 23.1% | 35.2% | 28.9% | 29.6% |
| 2015–19 | 22.3% | 38.2% | 31.4% | 32.1% |
| 2020–24 | 25.7% | 42.0% | 35.1% | 35.6% |
| Change | +5.3 pts | +7.5 pts | +7.0 pts | +7.2 pts |
College degrees are less common in Pickens County than nationally: 25.7% of adults 25 and older have a bachelor's or higher, against 35.6%. The share with a degree is up 5.3 points from 2006–10, mirroring the country. College graduates are most concentrated in the east 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 Pickens County
| Period | Pickens County | Atlanta area | Georgia | U.S. |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2006–10 | 79.3% | 87.2% | 84.1% | 84.9% |
| 2010–14 | 83.1% | 88.0% | 85.4% | 86.1% |
| 2015–19 | 84.7% | 89.4% | 87.2% | 87.7% |
| 2020–24 | 89.9% | 90.9% | 89.2% | 89.3% |
| Change | +10.6 pts | +3.6 pts | +5.0 pts | +4.3 pts |
High school completion in Pickens County is close to the national rate: 89.9% of adults have a diploma or equivalent, against 89.3%. The share with a diploma has risen 10.6 points since 2006–10, in line with the national trend. Pickens County has a higher share of high school graduates than the great majority of Georgia counties.
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 Pickens County
| Period | Pickens County | Atlanta area | Georgia | U.S. |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2006–10 | 8.9% | 9.0% | 8.8% | 8.1% |
| 2010–14 | 10.8% | 10.7% | 10.7% | 9.4% |
| 2015–19 | 4.6% | 5.2% | 5.8% | 5.6% |
| 2020–24 | 2.9% | 5.2% | 5.2% | 5.4% |
| Change | −6.1 pts | −3.8 pts | −3.6 pts | −2.7 pts |
The job market in Pickens County has been strong: just 2.9% of the labor force was out of work and looking, well below the national rate of 5.4%. Unemployment is down 6.1 points from 2006–10, mirroring the country. Because the Census pools five years of responses (2020–24), these rates smooth over short swings and lag the current job market.
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).
Pickens 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 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Pickens County | 2.62 | 46.7 | 12.5% | 18.8% | 12.8% | 1995 | $1,231 | 25.7% | 89.9% | 2.9% |
| Dawson County | 2.67 | 42.7 | 10.1% | 21.3% | 9.6% | 2000 | $1,541 | 35.3% | 89.3% | 3.3% |
| Lumpkin County | 2.80 | 37.2 | 6.8% | 23.7% | 13.9% | 1997 | $1,130 | 32.9% | 90.1% | 5.4% |
| Gordon County | 2.80 | 39.9 | 12.2% | 26.1% | 10.3% | 1987 | $993 | 19.0% | 81.2% | 3.5% |
| 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% |
| Chattooga County | 2.66 | 41.5 | 14.7% | 33.2% | 16.2% | 1975 | $859 | 12.9% | 76.4% | 5.1% |
| Banks County | 2.82 | 41.9 | 7.9% | 21.3% | 8.6% | 1994 | $915 | 19.0% | 83.4% | 3.3% |
| Stephens County | 2.56 | 43.2 | 13.6% | 26.4% | 13.7% | 1981 | $868 | 15.9% | 86.0% | 5.7% |
| Franklin County | 2.70 | 39.8 | 12.5% | 22.8% | 17.0% | 1988 | $833 | 18.4% | 83.2% | 5.4% |
| DeKalb County | 2.87 | 39.8 | 10.9% | 21.7% | 15.2% | 1984 | $722 | 14.1% | 78.1% | 4.3% |
All figures 2020–24.
Counties with similar populations: Iberville Parish, LA · Scott County, MS · Scott County, MO · Scott County, IN · Scotland County, NC · Schoharie County, NY · Sanpete County, UT · Sanilac County, MI · San Sebastian Municipio, PR · San Miguel County, NM
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 Pickens 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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