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Gwangju, South Korea

Gwangju · 🇰🇷 South Korea

Gwangju is a major city in Gwangju, South Korea with a population of 1,398,538. Elevation: 154 ft (47 m). Average temperature: 55°F (13°C).

4.6 /5.0
A+ Excellent
1,398,538 Population 7,227/sq mi density
154 ft Elevation 47 meters
55°F Avg Temperature 13°C
53.2 in Annual Rain
Asia / Seoul Timezone
A+
Overall
4.6 / 5.0
Excellent overall score based on economy, affordability, safety and education
A+
Education
4.6 / 5.0
44.6% bachelor's degree or higher
Bachelor's+ 44.6%
32% higher than US avg
Obesity Rate 7.3%
77% lower than US avg
Unemployment 2.7%
26% lower than US avg
Poverty Rate 0.2%
98% lower than US avg

People

Population1,398,538
Median Age44.0 yrs
Density7,227/mi²
Male / Female50% / 50%

Economy

Median IncomeN/A
Per Capita$35,674
Unemployment2.7%
Poverty0.2%

Health

Obesity7.3%
UninsuredN/A
Smoking15.9%
Depression28.2%

Climate

Avg Temp55°F (13°C)
AQI48 (Good)
Rain53.2 in/yr
Sunny Days240/yr
Elevation154 ft (47 m)

Education

A+
Bachelor's+44.6%
High School+99.0%

Community

CommuteN/A
Broadband97.4%
Population1,398,538
Population Density7,227 / sq mi
Elevation154 ft (47 m)
Coordinates35.1547°, 126.9156°
TimezoneAsia/Seoul
Country🇰🇷 South Korea
State / ProvinceGwangju
Average Temperature55°F (13°C)
January Average32°F (0°C)
July Average77°F (25°C)
Annual Precipitation53.2 inches (1,350 mm)
Annual Snowfall3.1 inches (8 cm)
Median Age44.0 years

Is Gwangju a Good Place to Live?

Based on current data, Gwangju receives an overall livability score of 4.6 out of 5.0, earning a grade of A+. Key strengths include low unemployment, a highly educated population, abundant sunshine, a low poverty rate. Gwangju stands out as an excellent place to live, with strong marks across most quality-of-life indicators.

Economy & Jobs

The job market is very strong with unemployment at just 2.7%. Only 0.2% of residents live below the poverty line, well below the national rate of 12.4%.

Education

Educational attainment is solid, with 44.6% holding a bachelor's degree or higher, near the national average. 99.0% have completed high school.

Climate & Weather

Gwangju experiences four distinct seasons with an average temperature of 55°F. Winters average 32°F in January while summers reach 77°F in July. The area gets 240 sunny days per year. Annual precipitation totals 53.2 inches. Air quality is rated Good with a median AQI of 48.

Gwangju has a population of 1,398,538 with a density of 7,227 people per square mile, spread across 193.5 square miles. The median age is 44.0 years, 13% older than the national median of 38.9. The gender split is 50.1% female and 49.9% male. 23.8% of residents have a disability (above the 13.0% national average). 88.0% have health insurance coverage.

Population

1,398,538
Total Population
7,227
People / sq mi
44.0yrs
Median Age
13% above US avg
193.5mi²
Land Area

Gender Distribution

Male 49.9%
Female 50.1%

Race & Ethnicity

Gwangju vs U.S. Average

Language Spoken at Home

Other Languages100%

Social Characteristics

Gwangju vs U.S. Average

The median household income in Gwangju is N/A. Per capita income is $35,674. The unemployment rate is 2.7% (below the 3.6% US average). 0.2% of residents live below the poverty line, lower than the national rate of 12.4%. The cost of living index is 59.4, below the national baseline of 100 — offering relatively affordable living.

Income: Gwangju vs U.S.

Commute Mode

Income

Per Capita Income$35,674

Employment & Poverty

Unemployment2.7%
26% below US avg
Poverty Rate0.2%
98% below US avg

Business (County)

Tax & Cost of Living

Cost of Living59.40 (100=avg)

Commute & Transportation

Walkability

In Gwangju, 7.3% of adults are obese, below the national rate of 32.1%. 8.0% have diabetes (below the 10.5% national rate). 26.7% have high blood pressure. 15.9% are current smokers. 8.4% report binge drinking. 94.2% are physically inactive, above the national average. 28.2% report depression (above the 20.0% national average).

Health Metrics: Gwangju vs U.S. Average (%)

Chronic Conditions

Obesity7.3%
77% below US avg
Diabetes8.0%
High Blood Pressure26.7%

Behaviors & Mental Health

Smoking15.9%
14% above US avg
Binge Drinking8.4%
Physical Inactivity94.2%
Depression28.2%

Healthcare Access

Insurance Rate88.0%

Food & Exercise

Gwangju experiences four distinct seasons with an average annual temperature of 55°F (13°C). Winters average 32°F in January while summers reach 77°F in July. The area gets 240 sunny days per year, above the national average. Annual precipitation totals 53.2 inches (wetter than the 38-inch national average). The area receives 3.1 inches of snow annually. Air quality is rated Good with a median AQI of 48. 85% of days have good air quality. The city sits at an elevation of 154 feet.

Temperature

32°F Jan (0°C) 77°F Jul (25°C)
Annual Average55.3°F
2% above US avg
January Average32°F (0°C)
July Average77°F (25°C)
Sunny Days240 days/yr

Precipitation & Snow

Annual Rainfall53.2 inches
40% above US avg
Snowfall3.1 inches/yr

Air Quality

AQI Median48.0
RatingGood
Good Days %85.4%

Geography

Elevation154 ft (47 m)
Area193.5 sq mi (501.2 km²)
Population Density7,227/sq mi
Coordinates35.1547°N, 126.9156°W
TimezoneAsia/Seoul

Monthly Weather

Month Avg Temp Precipitation
Jan 32°F (0°C)
1.3"
Feb 35°F (2°C)
1.8"
Mar 43°F (6°C)
2.5"
Apr 54°F (12°C)
3.9"
May 63°F (17°C)
4.0"
Jun 70°F (21°C)
7.6"
Jul 77°F (25°C)
10.8"
Aug 78°F (26°C)
10.1"
Sep 70°F (21°C)
5.7"
Oct 59°F (15°C)
2.2"
Nov 47°F (8°C)
2.1"
Dec 36°F (2°C)
1.2"

The warmest month is August at 78°F, while the coldest is January at 32°F — a seasonal swing of 46°F. July sees the most rain (10.8"), while December is the driest (1.2").

44.6% of adults hold a bachelor's degree or higher, 32% above the national average of 33.7%. 99.0% have completed high school. 97.4% of households have broadband internet access.

Education

Bachelor's Degree+44.6%
32% above US avg
High School+99.0%
A+ Education Grade (4.6/5.0)

Urban-Rural Classification

Population Density7,227/sq mi
Total Area193.5 sq mi

Infrastructure & Services

Broadband Access97.4%

Safety & Disasters

Commute & Transportation

Nearby Cities

Masan 434,371 pop · 5.1 mi Hwasun 59,914 pop · 7.6 mi Damyang 44,800 pop · 12.0 mi Jangseong 42,129 pop · 12.3 mi Naju 42,459 pop · 14.2 mi Koch'ang 72,996 pop · 22.8 mi Yeonggwang 51,688 pop · 24.3 mi Muan 92,009 pop · 27.2 mi Yeongam 51,573 pop · 27.4 mi Boseong 37,164 pop · 28.1 mi Jeongeup 139,876 pop · 30.8 mi Kurye 30,000 pop · 31.2 mi Nangen 81,257 pop · 31.9 mi Beolgyo 19,842 pop · 32.0 mi
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