City profile · Georgia · Census ACS 2023

Atlanta, GA

Population, income, housing, safety, climate and schools for Atlanta - drawn straight from Census ACS, FBI UCR, NOAA, NCES, HUD and FEMA, refreshed on the 2024–2025 release cycle.

499,287
Residents
$81,938
Median income
$420,600
Median home
$1,820
Median rent (state)

Atlanta - the verdict

Nationally, Atlanta sits in the 63rd percentile for household income among US cities with a population of 1,000 or more. Source: Census ACS.

63rd
percentile, household income
79th
percentile, home value
76th
percentile, median rent
📝 How we sourced this

Population, income, and housing-cost figures come from the U.S. Census Bureau American Community Survey 5-year estimates (B-series tables). Crime data uses FBI UCR; climate uses NOAA Climate Normals; school counts come from NCES Common Core of Data; permits use the Census Building Permits Survey (BPS). See our methodology page for the full ETL pipeline and OMB / FIPS join keys.

Data Snapshot: Atlanta, GA

Census ACS 2023 estimates count 499,287 residents in Atlanta, a mid-sized U.S. city within Georgia. Median household income here is $81,938 per year, above the median for U.S. cities on this measure, with a poverty rate of 12.9%. Typical homes in Atlanta are valued around $420,600, and the median resident age is 34.0 years. About 58.4% of adults hold a bachelor's degree or higher, while 63.7% of working-age residents are in the labor force.

The Census Building Permit Survey recorded 8,109 residential units authorized here in 2024 (Building Boom), up 147% from five years earlier. NOAA climate normals record an annual average temperature of 63.2°F with 49.3 inches of precipitation per year.

Living costs in Georgia run below the national norm: BEA Regional Price Parities 2024 puts Georgia at 96.3 on a 100-equals-national-average scale (Below Average). A typical two-bedroom carries a HUD Fair Market Rent of $1,820 per month statewide. EIA 2023 residential energy data puts Georgia's average monthly utility costs around $225 (state average). Workers in Atlanta report an average commute of 19.6 minutes, with 55.2% driving alone and 26.6% working from home. Natural-hazard exposure scores 95.8 out of 100 on FEMA's National Risk Index (Very High).

Population

499,287 residents

Census ACS 2023 - Georgia

Median Household Income

$81,938 /yr

Poverty 12.9%

Cost of Living Index (state)

96.3 (US=100)

Below Average - BEA RPP 2024, Georgia average

How does Atlanta compare to other US cities?

Atlanta measured against every US city with 1,000+ residents, computed live from the same Census and FBI data shown throughout this page.

Household income 63% higher than other cities
Home value 79% pricier than other cities
Median rent 76% pricier than other cities

"Safer than" reflects total crime rate from FBI UCR; the others use Census ACS estimates.

How we calculate these percentiles & ranks

Each percentile compares Atlanta against every qualifying US city; each in-state rank narrows that to Georgia only. Full formula and direction notes: methodology.

Georgia-relative analysis

Bachelor's Degree or Higher is Atlanta's strongest outlier among Georgia cities

Among the 638 Georgia cities PlainCities tracks with reported bachelor's degree or higher data, Atlanta ranks #29 - the 95th percentile within the state. This is a different, narrower cut than the nationwide percentiles above: it compares Atlanta only against its own state's cities, not the full US field.

Median Household Income
#105 of 610
83rd percentile in Georgia
Median Gross Rent
#1 of 638
76th percentile in Georgia
Median Home Value
#34 of 577
94th percentile in Georgia
Poverty Rate
#292 of 637
54th percentile in Georgia
Bachelor's Degree or Higher
#29 of 638
95th percentile in Georgia

Ranked by raw value (highest first); a higher rank is not automatically "better" for every measure, see each metric's own context above. This is a comparison within Georgia only, not a livability score. See the methodology for the source and calculation.

63rdIncome percentile

63rd percentile nationally for median household income. Source: Census ACS 2023 / FBI UCR 2023.

How Atlanta's home value compares nationally

Median home value vs. every US city (population 1,000+)

$420,600 21st percentile more affordable than 21% of 15,600 US cities

$0–$25,000: 5 US cities (0%). Below this entry. $25,000–$50,000: 54 US cities (0%). Below this entry. $50,000–$75,000: 352 US cities (2%). Below this entry. $75,000–$100,000: 1,086 US cities (7%). Below this entry. $100,000–$125,000: 1,516 US cities (10%). Below this entry. $125,000–$150,000: 1,170 US cities (8%). Below this entry. $150,000–$175,000: 1,278 US cities (8%). Below this entry. $175,000–$200,000: 1,229 US cities (8%). Below this entry. $200,000–$225,000: 1,035 US cities (7%). Below this entry. $225,000–$250,000: 976 US cities (6%). Below this entry. $250,000–$275,000: 754 US cities (5%). Below this entry. $275,000–$300,000: 712 US cities (5%). Below this entry. $300,000–$325,000: 521 US cities (3%). Below this entry. $325,000–$350,000: 526 US cities (3%). Below this entry. $350,000–$375,000: 465 US cities (3%). Below this entry. $375,000–$400,000: 393 US cities (3%). Below this entry. $400,000–$425,000: 317 US cities (2%). This entry sits in this band. $425,000–$450,000: 300 US cities (2%). Above this entry. $450,000–$475,000: 307 US cities (2%). Above this entry. $475,000–$500,000: 250 US cities (2%). Above this entry. $500,000–$525,000: 160 US cities (1%). Above this entry. $525,000–$550,000: 156 US cities (1%). Above this entry. $550,000–$575,000: 172 US cities (1%). Above this entry. $575,000–$600,000: 172 US cities (1%). Above this entry. $600,000–$625,000: 163 US cities (1%). Above this entry. $625,000–$650,000: 167 US cities (1%). Above this entry. $650,000–$675,000: 135 US cities (1%). Above this entry. $675,000–$700,000: 101 US cities (1%). Above this entry. $700,000–$725,000: 95 US cities (1%). Above this entry. $725,000–$750,000: 71 US cities (0%). Above this entry. $750,000–$775,000: 65 US cities (0%). Above this entry. $775,000–$800,000: 70 US cities (0%). Above this entry. $800,000–$825,000: 57 US cities (0%). Above this entry. $825,000–$850,000: 67 US cities (0%). Above this entry. $850,000–$875,000: 60 US cities (0%). Above this entry. $875,000–$900,000: 58 US cities (0%). Above this entry. $900,000–$925,000: 47 US cities (0%). Above this entry. $925,000–$950,000: 37 US cities (0%). Above this entry. $950,000–$975,000: 31 US cities (0%). Above this entry. $975,000–$1,000,000: 470 US cities (3%). Above this entry. $1,000,000–$1,025,000: 0 US cities (0%). Above this entry. Atlanta $0 $1,025,000 every US city, bucketed by value

Each bar is a $25K-wide band; taller bars hold more US cities. The dashed line + filled bar mark this entry. Hover or tap any bar for its full count, share, and where it sits relative to this entry.

Source U.S. Census Bureau ACS 5-Year Estimates · 2023

Income distribution context

Household income distribution - Atlanta, GA Atlanta, GA's reported median household income shown against the U.S. national quintile-share pattern (not Atlanta, GA-specific quintile data). The Lorenz curve traces the national cumulative income share against cumulative population share, perfect equality is the diagonal; observed inequality bows below. $ Household Income Distribution Atlanta, GA median $81,938/yr, vs. U.S. national quintile pattern QUINTILE SHARE OF AGGREGATE INCOME Lowest 20% 3.4% Second 20% 9.2% Middle 20% 15.1% Fourth 20% 23.2% Top 20% 49.1% LORENZ CURVE cumulative income vs. population 100% 0% 100% pop. 0%
Atlanta, GA's median household income (Census ACS 5-year estimate) plotted against the U.S. national income-quintile distribution pattern for context; the quintile shares and Lorenz curve are national figures, not computed specifically for Atlanta, GA. Diagonal = perfect equality.

Key socioeconomic indicators

Bachelor's degree or higher (adults 25+) 58.4%

Census ACS S1501, educational attainment

Poverty rate (households below FPL) 12.9%

Census ACS S1701, poverty status

Labor force participation (adults 16+) 63.7%

Census ACS S2301, share of working-age residents in the labor force

Population
499,287
Median Income
$81,938
Median Home Value
$420,600
Median Age
34.0
Poverty Rate
12.9%
Labor force participation
63.7%
Bachelor's Degree+
58.4%

Climate

Avg Temperature
63.2°F
Annual Precipitation
49.3"
Annual Snowfall
N/A

Schools

Total Schools
137
Public schools in this city

Population Change

Annual U.S. Census Bureau Population Estimates Program (PEP) estimates, 2020–2025

See the fastest-growing cities →
480,000 residents500,000 residents520,000 residents540,000 residents 202020212022202320242025 500,086 residents 529,110 residents ▲ +5.8%
Atlanta's Census PEP population estimates, 2020–2025.

Housing Supply

Census Bureau Building Permits Survey (BPS) - annual residential permits authorized

📈 Building Boom
Total Permits (2024)
8,109
housing units authorized
Single-Family
791
detached homes
Multifamily
7,318
apartments & condos
Supply Intensity
16.2
permits per 1,000 residents

5-Year Permit Trend (2019–2024)

Year Total
2019 3,283
2020 1,674
2021 2,413
2022 11,853
2023 7,621
2024 8,109

Permit volume increased 147% from 2019 to 2024.

Commute Patterns

How workers travel to work, Census ACS 2023

Average Commute Time
19.6 minutes
Drive Alone
55.2%
Carpool
4.6%
Public Transit
6.4%
Walk
4.2%
Work from Home
26.6%
Other
3.0%

Based on 263,997 workers 16 and over.

Monthly Utility Costs

State-average estimates for Georgia - EIA 2023 residential energy data

Electricity
$125
avg/month
Natural Gas
$55
avg/month
Water & Sewer
$45
avg/month
Total Utilities
$225
estimated/month

Estimates reflect Georgia state averages. Actual costs vary by home size, usage, and local rates. Source: U.S. Energy Information Administration (EIA) 2023.

Living Costs & Risk

Cost of living is a Georgia state average from BEA; rent and hazard risk are county-level figures from HUD and FEMA for the county Atlanta sits in

Cost of Living Index
96.3
Below Average
US average = 100 · BEA RPP 2024
Typical 2-BR Rent
$1,820/mo
HUD Fair Market Rent
County-level FMR estimate
Natural Hazard Risk
95.8 / 100
Very High
FEMA NRI composite score (county)

Similar Cities in Georgia

Columbus
204,383 people
Augusta-Richmond County consolidated government (balance)
201,504 people
Macon-Bibb County
156,543 people
Savannah
147,546 people
Athens-Clarke County unified government (balance)
126,987 people
South Fulton
109,157 people

Cities of a Similar Size Nationwide

Population-matched peers from other states, closest to Atlanta's 499,287 residents (Census ACS 5-Year 2023).

Mesa, AZ
507,478 people
Kansas City, MO
508,233 people
Omaha, NE
488,197 people
Colorado Springs, CO
483,099 people
Sacramento, CA
524,802 people
Raleigh, NC
470,763 people

Cities with a Similar Household Income Nationwide

Median-household-income-matched peers from other states, closest to Atlanta's $81,938 (Census ACS 5-Year 2023, table B19013).

Valparaiso, FL
$81,938 median income
North Port, FL
$81,940 median income
Point Hope, AK
$81,944 median income
Morrisonville, IL
$81,944 median income
Princeville, IL
$81,944 median income
St. Charles, IA
$81,944 median income

Race & Ethnicity Composition

Race and ethnicity - Atlanta, GA Race categories sum to one hundred percent per Census methodology. Hispanic or Latino is shown separately as an ethnicity overlay; it cuts across all race categories per OMB Directive 15. Race & Ethnicity Composition Atlanta, GA - Census ACS, OMB race + ethnicity categories RACE, sums to 100% 39.9% 46.9% ETHNICITY, Hispanic or Latino (any race) 6.3% White 39.9% Black or African American 46.9% Asian 5.0% American Indian 0.3% Native Hawaiian 0.1% Some other race 2.1% Two or more races 5.8% Per OMB Directive 15: Hispanic/Latino ethnicity is reported separately from the race categories.
Race categories sum to 100%. Hispanic or Latino ethnicity is reported separately and cuts across race per Census/OMB methodology.

City-level race and ethnicity, Census ACS 5-year 2023 (tables B02001, B03001), OMB Directive 15 categories.

How Atlanta compares to nearby Georgia cities

Population + median household income, sourced from Census Bureau ACS 5-year B01001 (population) and B19013 (median household income).

City Population Median Household Income
Atlanta (this city) 499,287 $81,938
Columbus 204,383 $56,622
Augusta-Richmond County consolidated government (balance) 201,504 $53,134
Macon-Bibb County 156,543 $50,747
Census ACS 5-year FIPS GA NOAA Normals NCES CCD Census BPS 2024 OMB Bulletin 23-01

What do people ask about Atlanta, GA?

What is the population of Atlanta, GA? +

Atlanta, GA has a population of 499,287 according to U.S. Census Bureau ACS 2023 estimates.

What is the median household income in Atlanta, GA? +

In Atlanta, the typical household earns $81,938 per year, based on Census ACS 2023 data.

What is the cost of living in Atlanta? +

BEA does not publish a city-level cost-of-living figure for Atlanta; the closest available measure is the Georgia state average, a cost of living index of 96.3 (U.S. average = 100), rated "Below Average" based on BEA Regional Price Parities 2024 data. Costs within Georgia vary by metro area.

What is the median home value in Atlanta, GA? +

Homes in Atlanta carry a median value of $420,600, according to Census ACS 2023 estimates.

What is the climate like in Atlanta? +

Climate normals put Atlanta's yearly average temperature at 63.2°F, 49.3 inches of precipitation. Source: NOAA Climate Normals.

Source: U.S. Census Bureau ACS 5-Year 2023, NOAA Climate Normals, NCES CCD, Census BPS 2024, Census ACS B08301/B08136, U.S. Energy Information Administration (EIA) 2023, BEA Regional Price Parities 2024, HUD Fair Market Rents 2026, FEMA National Risk Index.

Read our methodology - how this data is sourced, computed, and verified.

Primary sources: Census ACS, FBI UCR, NOAA Climate Normals, NCES.

Citation & verification links Data sourced from the U.S. Census Bureau. See our methodology for details. Retrieved and formatted by PlainCities

Verify with HUD →

Verify with FBI →

Verify with NOAA →

Verify with U.S. Census Bureau →

Verify with EPA →

Verify with FEMA →

Verify with BEA →

Verify with EIA →

Verify with NCES →

Every figure on PlainCities is rendered directly from Census ACS source data, no number is typed in by an editor. This page draws directly on Census ACS source data, no figure is typed in by an editor. See our editorial standards & corrections policy, the methodology behind these numbers, or report a data error.