Tifton, GA

Georgia

Tifton is a small city in Georgia with a population of 17,140. Residents earn $44,324 per year, which is 41% below the national average.

2.9 /5.0
C+ Fair
17,140 Population 1,318/sq mi density
$44,324 Median Income $25,944 per capita
$161,700 Home Value $204,402 Zillow
$793 Median Rent
66°F Avg Temperature
792 Violent Crime/100K 6,458 property/100K
C+
Overall
2.9 / 5.0
Fair overall score based on economy, affordability, safety and education
B
Economy
3.2 / 5.0
$44,324 median income, 2.1% unemployment
A+
Affordability
4.6 / 5.0
$161,700 home value, $793/mo rent
F
Safety
1.0 / 5.0
792 violent crimes/100K (108% above avg)
C+
Education
2.7 / 5.0
21.5% bachelor's degree or higher
Median Income $44,324
41% lower than US avg
Home Value $161,700
43% lower than US avg
Violent Crime 792/100K
108% higher than US avg
Bachelor's+ 21.5%
36% lower than US avg
Median Rent $793
32% lower than US avg
Obesity Rate 40.2%
25% higher than US avg
Unemployment 2.1%
42% lower than US avg
Poverty Rate 19.5%
57% higher than US avg

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

People

Population17,140
Median Age33.3 yrs
Density1,318/mi²
Male / Female50% / 50%
Largest GroupWhite 49%

Economy

B
Median Income$44,324
Per Capita$25,944
Unemployment2.1%
Poverty19.5%
County GDP$2,776M
Commute21 min

Housing

A+
Home Value$161,700
Rent$793
OwnershipN/A
Zillow$204,402

Crime

F
Violent792/100K
Property6,458/100K
Murder12.2/100K
Assault384/100K
Burglary1,206/100K

Health

Obesity40.2%
UninsuredN/A
Depression21.1%
Heart Disease6.4%

Climate

Avg Temp66°F
AQI44 (Good)
Rain50.0 in/yr
Elevation363 ft

Education

C+
Bachelor's+21.5%
High School+86.9%
School Score4.92

Community

2024 VoteR 68% / D 32%
Commute21 min
EV Stations18
Libraries2

Is Tifton a Good Place to Live?

Based on current data, Tifton receives an overall livability score of 2.9 out of 5.0, earning a grade of C+. Key strengths include low unemployment, affordable housing. Areas to be aware of include elevated crime rates, an elevated poverty rate, below-average incomes. Tifton has some notable strengths but also faces challenges that prospective residents should consider.

Economy & Jobs

The median household income in Tifton is $44,324, 41% below the national average of $75,149. The job market is very strong with unemployment at just 2.1%. The poverty rate of 19.5% 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 Tifton is $161,700, 43% below the national median — offering relatively affordable homeownership. Renters pay a median of $793 per month, below the national average — a plus for affordability. A price-to-income ratio of 3.6x indicates a reasonably affordable housing market.

Safety & Crime

With 792 violent crimes per 100,000 residents, public safety is a notable concern — this is significantly above the national average of 380. Property crime occurs at a rate of 6,458 per 100,000, 229% above the national average.

Education

21.5% of residents hold a bachelor's degree, below the national average of 33.7%. 86.9% have completed high school. Area schools have an average test score of 4.9/10.

Climate & Weather

Tifton enjoys a moderate climate with an average annual temperature of 66°F. Winters average 50°F in January while summers reach 81°F in July. Annual precipitation totals 50.0 inches. Air quality is rated Good with a median AQI of 44.

Tifton has a population of 17,140 with a density of 1,318 people per square mile. The median age is 33.3 years, 14% younger than the national median of 38.9. The city is predominantly White (49.2%), with 2% Hispanic, 33.9% Black.

Population

17,140
Total Population
1,318
People / sq mi
33.3yrs
Median Age
14% below US avg
13.0mi²
Land Area

Gender Distribution

Male 50.3%
Female 49.7%

Race & Ethnicity

Tifton vs U.S. Average

Language Spoken at Home

English Only85.8%
9% above US avg
Spanish14.2%
6% above US avg

Social Characteristics

Tifton vs U.S. Average

The median household income in Tifton is $44,324, which is 41% below the national average of $75,149. The unemployment rate is 2.1% (below the 3.6% US average). 19.5% of residents live below the poverty line. Workers commute an average of 21 minutes.

Income: Tifton vs U.S.

Commute Mode

Income

Median HH Income$44,324
41% below US avg
Per Capita Income$25,944
Avg Weekly Wage$972
IRS Avg AGI$63,491

Employment & Poverty

Unemployment2.1%
42% below US avg
Poverty Rate19.5%
57% above US avg
Establishments (County)1,212
County GDP$2,776M

Business (County)

Restaurants117
Healthcare122
Retail240
Manufacturing38

Tax & Cost of Living

Property Tax (IRS)$3,458
1% below US avg
Effective Tax Rate2.14%

Commute & Transportation

Commute Time21.3 min
Work from Home6.2%

Walkability

The median home value in Tifton is $161,700, 43% below the national average. Monthly rent averages $793 (32% below US avg). Zillow estimates the typical home value at $204,402.

Home Value Sources

Ownership Split

Home Values

Census Median$161,700
43% below US avg
Zillow ZHVI$204,402
Median List Price$275,000

Real Estate Market (Redfin)

Median List Price$275,000
$/Sq Ft$137
Homes Sold8
Sale-to-List Ratio96.9%
Price Drops16.4%
Inventory61

Rental Costs

Census Median Rent$793
32% below US avg
Zillow Rent (ZORI)$1,458

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-Occupied38.1%

Property Tax

Avg Tax (IRS)$3,458
1% below US avg
Effective Rate2.14%
In Tifton, 40.2% of adults are obese (above the 32.1% national rate). 21.1% report depression. 33.0% are physically inactive.

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

Chronic Conditions

Obesity40.2%
25% above US avg
Diabetes14.8%
Heart Disease6.4%
High Blood Pressure39.0%
Asthma11.0%
COPD7.8%
Stroke4.1%

Behaviors & Mental Health

Binge Drinking13.9%
Physical Inactivity33.0%
Depression21.1%
Mental Distress19.9%
Physical Distress15.7%

Healthcare Access

Insurance Rate83.2%
Checkup Rate77.9%
Premature Death13,127/100K

Food & Exercise

Food Environment7.5/10
Exercise Access65.1%
Healthcare Facilities122
Tifton has a violent crime rate of 792 per 100,000 residents, 108% above the national average of 380. Property crime stands at 6,458 per 100,000 (229% above US avg). The murder rate is 12.2 per 100,000.

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

Violent Crime

Total Violent792.0/100K
108% above US avg
Murder12.2/100K
93% above US avg
Rape91.4/100K
Robbery304.6/100K
Assault383.8/100K

Property Crime

Total Property6,457.9/100K
229% above US avg
Burglary1,206.3/100K
Theft5,050.6/100K
Vehicle Theft201.1/100K
Arson60.9/100K

Traffic Safety

Fatal Crashes (County/yr)11

Safety Score

Safety GradeF
Safety Score1.0 / 5.0
Tifton has an average annual temperature of 66°F (19°C). Winters average 50°F in January while summers reach 81°F in July. Annual precipitation is 50.0 inches. Air quality is rated Good with a median AQI of 44.

Temperature

50°F Jan (10°C) 81°F Jul (27°C)
Annual Average66.3°F
23% above US avg
January Average50°F (10°C)
July Average81°F (27°C)

Precipitation & Snow

Annual Rainfall50.0 inches
32% above US avg
Snowfall0.0 inches/yr

Air Quality

AQI Median44.0
RatingGood

Geography

Elevation363 ft (111 m)
Area13.0 sq mi (33.7 km²)
Population Density1,318/sq mi
Coordinates31.4621°N, 83.5205°W
County FIPS13277
It is classified as Nonmetro — Urban 20K+. 21.5% of residents hold a bachelor's degree or higher (36% below US avg). In the 2024 election, the county voted Republican by a 35.7-point margin.

2024 Presidential Election (County)

R 67.7%
D 32%

Winner: Republican by 35.7 points

Education

Bachelor's Degree+21.5%
36% below US avg
High School+86.9%
School Test Score4.92
C+ Education Grade (2.7/5.0)

Urban-Rural Classification

RUCC Code 5Nonmetro — Urban 20K+
Population Density1,318/sq mi
Total Area13.0 sq mi

Infrastructure & Services

EV Charging Stations18
Alt Fuel Stations21
Public Libraries2
Healthcare Facilities122
Restaurants117
Retail Stores240

Safety & Disasters

Fatal Crashes (County/yr)11
F Safety Grade (1.0/5.0)

Commute & Transportation

Avg Commute21.3 min
Work from Home6.2%

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