Sylvester, GA

Georgia · Metropolitan Area

Sylvester is a small city in Georgia with a population of 5,557. Residents earn $59,808 per year, which is 20% below the national average.

3.6 /5.0
B+ Good
5,557 Population 846/sq mi density
$59,808 Median Income $28,911 per capita
$125,000 Home Value $166,334 Zillow
$901 Median Rent
66°F Avg Temperature
B+
Overall
3.6 / 5.0
Good overall score based on economy, affordability, safety and education
B+
Economy
3.5 / 5.0
$59,808 median income, 3.5% unemployment
A+
Affordability
5.0 / 5.0
$125,000 home value, $901/mo rent
C
Education
2.3 / 5.0
16.5% bachelor's degree or higher
Median Income $59,808
20% lower than US avg
Home Value $125,000
56% lower than US avg
Bachelor's+ 16.5%
51% lower than US avg
Median Rent $901
23% lower than US avg
Obesity Rate 41.8%
30% higher than US avg
Unemployment 3.5%
3% lower than US avg
Poverty Rate 15.5%
25% higher than US avg

How Sylvester Compares to the U.S. Average (100% = U.S. avg)

People

Population5,557
Median Age42.2 yrs
Density846/mi²
Male / Female43% / 57%
Largest GroupWhite 36%

Economy

B+
Median Income$59,808
Per Capita$28,911
Unemployment3.5%
Poverty15.5%
County GDP$451M
Commute21 min

Housing

A+
Home Value$125,000
Rent$901
OwnershipN/A
Zillow$166,334

Crime

ViolentN/A
PropertyN/A

Health

Obesity41.8%
UninsuredN/A
Depression20.5%
Heart Disease6.1%

Climate

Avg Temp66°F
AQI44 (Good)
Elevation387 ft

Education

C
Bachelor's+16.5%
High School+85.5%
School Score4.92

Community

2024 VoteR 75% / D 25%
Commute21 min
EV Stations1
Libraries1

Is Sylvester a Good Place to Live?

Based on current data, Sylvester receives an overall livability score of 3.6 out of 5.0, earning a grade of B+. Key strengths include low unemployment, affordable housing. Areas to be aware of include high obesity rates. Sylvester offers a solid quality of life with a good balance of affordability, safety, and opportunity.

Economy & Jobs

The median household income in Sylvester is $59,808, 20% below the national average of $75,149. Unemployment stands at 3.5%, indicating a healthy job market. The poverty rate of 15.5% exceeds the national average of 12.4%, indicating economic hardship for a significant portion of the population. Workers commute an average of 21 minutes.

Cost of Living & Housing

The median home value in Sylvester is $125,000, 56% below the national median — offering relatively affordable homeownership. Renters pay a median of $901 per month, below the national average — a plus for affordability. At just 2.1x median income, home prices are very affordable relative to local earnings.

Education

16.5% of residents hold a bachelor's degree, below the national average of 33.7%. 85.5% have completed high school. Area schools have an average test score of 4.9/10.

Climate & Weather

Sylvester enjoys a moderate climate with an average annual temperature of 66°F. Winters average 48°F in January while summers reach 81°F in July. Air quality is rated Good with a median AQI of 44.

Sylvester has a population of 5,557 with a density of 846 people per square mile. The median age is 42.2 years, 8% older than the national median of 38.9. The city is predominantly Black (58.5%), with 35.8% White, 1.2% Hispanic.

Population

5,557
Total Population
846
People / sq mi
42.2yrs
Median Age
8% above US avg
6.6mi²
Land Area

Gender Distribution

Male 42.8%
Female 57.2%

Race & Ethnicity

Sylvester vs U.S. Average

Language Spoken at Home

English Only98.9%
26% above US avg
Spanish1.1%
92% below US avg

Social Characteristics

Sylvester vs U.S. Average

The median household income in Sylvester is $59,808, which is 20% below the national average of $75,149. The unemployment rate is 3.5% (below the 3.6% US average). 15.5% of residents live below the poverty line. Workers commute an average of 21 minutes.

Income: Sylvester vs U.S.

Commute Mode

Income

Median HH Income$59,808
20% below US avg
Per Capita Income$28,911
Avg Weekly Wage$794
IRS Avg AGI$51,113

Employment & Poverty

Unemployment3.5%
3% below US avg
Poverty Rate15.5%
25% above US avg
Establishments (County)366
County GDP$451M

Business (County)

Restaurants19
Healthcare18
Retail51
Manufacturing13

Tax & Cost of Living

Property Tax (IRS)$2,922
17% below US avg
Effective Tax Rate2.34%

Commute & Transportation

Commute Time21.2 min
Work from Home8.0%

Walkability

The median home value in Sylvester is $125,000, 56% below the national average. Monthly rent averages $901 (23% below US avg). Zillow estimates the typical home value at $166,334.

Home Value Sources

Ownership Split

Home Values

Census Median$125,000
56% below US avg
Zillow ZHVI$166,334
Median List Price$291,500

Real Estate Market (Redfin)

Median List Price$291,500
$/Sq Ft$140
Homes Sold1
Sale-to-List Ratio100.0%
Price Drops27.3%
Inventory11

Rental Costs

Census Median Rent$901
23% below US avg

HUD Fair Market Rent

Studio$979
1 Bedroom$1,023
2 Bedrooms$1,203
3 Bedrooms$1,524
4 Bedrooms$1,775

Ownership & Property

Owner-Occupied58.6%

Property Tax

Avg Tax (IRS)$2,922
17% below US avg
Effective Rate2.34%
In Sylvester, 41.8% of adults are obese (above the 32.1% national rate). 20.5% report depression. 33.3% are physically inactive.

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

Chronic Conditions

Obesity41.8%
30% above US avg
Diabetes15.2%
Heart Disease6.1%
High Blood Pressure41.9%
Asthma11.7%
COPD7.5%
Stroke4.3%

Behaviors & Mental Health

Binge Drinking13.1%
Physical Inactivity33.3%
Depression20.5%
Mental Distress20.4%
Physical Distress15.4%

Healthcare Access

Insurance Rate89.5%
Checkup Rate79.3%
Premature Death12,753/100K

Food & Exercise

Food Environment7.9/10
Exercise Access37.6%
Healthcare Facilities18

Crime Rates: Sylvester vs U.S. Average (per 100,000)

Violent Crime

Property Crime

Traffic Safety

Fatal Crashes (County/yr)8

Safety Score

Sylvester has an average annual temperature of 66°F (19°C). Winters average 48°F in January while summers reach 81°F in July. Air quality is rated Good with a median AQI of 44.

Temperature

48°F Jan (9°C) 81°F Jul (27°C)
Annual Average65.6°F
21% above US avg
January Average48°F (9°C)
July Average81°F (27°C)

Precipitation & Snow

Air Quality

AQI Median44.0
RatingGood

Geography

Elevation387 ft (118 m)
Area6.6 sq mi (17.0 km²)
Population Density846/sq mi
Coordinates31.5297°N, 83.8346°W
County FIPS13321
It is classified as Metro — under 250K. 16.5% of residents hold a bachelor's degree or higher (51% below US avg). In the 2024 election, the county voted Republican by a 50.4-point margin.

2024 Presidential Election (County)

R 75.1%
D 24.7%

Winner: Republican by 50.4 points

Education

Bachelor's Degree+16.5%
51% below US avg
High School+85.5%
School Test Score4.92
C Education Grade (2.3/5.0)

Urban-Rural Classification

RUCC Code 3Metro — under 250K
Population Density846/sq mi
Total Area6.6 sq mi

Infrastructure & Services

EV Charging Stations1
Alt Fuel Stations2
Public Libraries1
Healthcare Facilities18
Restaurants19
Retail Stores51

Safety & Disasters

Fatal Crashes (County/yr)8

Commute & Transportation

Avg Commute21.2 min
Work from Home8.0%

Nearby Cities

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