Valdosta, GA

Full City Profile · Georgia · Lowndes County County

2.9 /5.0
C+ Fair
55,222 Population 1,534/sq mi density
$45,849 Median Income $26,206 per capita
$165,300 Home Value $214,117 Zillow
$1,000 Median Rent 32.3% income on rent
67°F Avg Temperature
556 Violent Crime/100K 4,095 property/100K
C+
Overall
2.9 / 5.0
Fair overall score based on economy, affordability, safety and education
C+
Economy
2.5 / 5.0
$45,849 median income, 6.7% unemployment
A+
Affordability
4.7 / 5.0
$165,300 home value, $1,000/mo rent
F
Safety
1.0 / 5.0
556 violent crimes/100K (46% above avg)
B
Education
3.2 / 5.0
28.1% bachelor's degree or higher

Valdosta, GA

At a Glance

Median Income
$45,849
39% below
$26,206 per capita
Home Value
$165,300
41% below
Zillow: $214,117
Median Rent
$1,000/mo
14% below
32.3% of income on rent
Violent Crime
556/100K
46% above
4,095/100K property
Bachelor's Degree+
28.1%
17% below
88.2% high school+
Unemployment
6.7%
86% above
19.9% poverty rate
Obesity Rate
43.8%
36% above
18.6% smoking rate
Avg Temperature
67°F

How Valdosta Compares to the U.S. Average

Each bar shows Valdosta's value as a percentage of the national average (100% = U.S. avg)

Income
61%
Home Value
59%
Rent
86%
Poverty
160%
Bachelor's
83%
Unemployment
186%
Crime
146%
Thin vertical line = U.S. national average (100%)

Is Valdosta a Good Place to Live?

C+
2.9 / 5.0 - Fair
Based on economy, affordability, safety, and education metrics compared to national averages.

Economy & Jobs

Valdosta residents earn a median household income of $45,849 , which is 39% below the national average of $75,149. Per capita income is $26,206. The unemployment rate stands at 6.7% (86% above the U.S. rate of 3.6%). 19.9% of residents live below the poverty line. The area is home to 3,318 business establishments, including 286 restaurants.

Housing & Cost of Living

The median home value in Valdosta is $165,300 , 41% below the national median of $281,900. Zillow estimates the typical home at $214,117. Median rent is $1,000/month, with 32.3% of renters spending more than 30% of income on housing. The cost of living index is 96.3 (100 = national average). The median home was built in 1983.

Safety & Crime

Valdosta reports 556 violent crimes per 100,000 residents , which is 46% above the national average of 380/100K. Property crime is 4,095/100K. The murder rate is 7.3/100K.

Education

28.1% of adults in Valdosta hold a bachelor's degree or higher (17% below the national average). 88.2% have completed high school. Local schools score 5.4/10 in standardized testing.

Climate & Weather

Valdosta has an average annual temperature of 67°F (19°C). Winters average 51°F in January while summers reach 81°F in July. Annual precipitation totals 48.4 inches. Air quality is rated Good with a median AQI of 44.

Data Overview

People

Population55,222
Median Age28.9 yrs
Density1,534/mi²
Male / Female46% / 55%
Foreign Born3.5%
Veterans6.9%

Economy

C+
Median Income$45,849
Per Capita$26,206
Unemployment6.7%
Poverty19.9%
County GDP$7,135M
Avg Weekly Wage$933

Housing

A+
Home Value$165,300
Rent$1,000
Ownership41.0%
Zillow$214,117
Housing Units24,837
Rent Burden32.3%

Crime

F
Violent556/100K
Property4,095/100K
Murder7.3/100K
Assault384/100K
Burglary457/100K

Health

Obesity43.8%
Diabetes16.0%
Smoking18.6%
Heart Disease6.7%
Premature Death11,342/100K

Climate

Avg Temp67°F
Rain48.4 in/yr
AQI44 (Good)
Elevation217 ft

Education

B
Bachelor's+28.1%
High School+88.2%
Graduate+12.0%
School Score5.4/10

Community

2024 VoteR 59% / D 41%
Commute17 min
Broadband76.9%
Internet Speed141 Mbps
EV Stations28
Libraries4

Did You Know?

The median home in Valdosta was built in 1983.
The nearest airport is Valdosta Regional (5 miles).
The Gini coefficient (income inequality) is 0.486 (U.S. avg: 0.490).
Natural hazard risk is rated "Relatively Low" by FEMA.
12.4% of the population has a disability.
Average internet download speed is 141 Mbps.
There are 286 restaurants in the area.
The county recorded 19 fatal vehicle crashes.