City profile · Georgia · Census ACS 2023

Emerson, GA

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

1,716
Residents
$76,424
Median income
$209,700
Median home
$1,820
Median rent (state)

Emerson - the verdict

Emerson ranks in the 58th percentile for household income and the 59th percentile for safety nationally, out of every US city with at least 1,000 residents. Source: Census ACS + FBI UCR.

58th
percentile, household income
45th
percentile, home value
76th
percentile, median rent
59th
percentile, safety
📝 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: Emerson, GA

Emerson is a small town in Georgia, home to 1,716 residents per U.S. Census Bureau ACS 2023 estimates. The typical household in Emerson brings in $76,424 a year, above the median for U.S. cities on this measure, with a poverty rate of 7.8%. Emerson's housing stock carries a median value of $209,700, and the median resident age is 39.6 years. 34.0% of adults here have a bachelor's degree or higher; 60.5% of working-age residents are in the labor force.

In 2024, 30 residential building permits were authorized in Emerson (Building Boom), up 650% from five years earlier, per Census BPS data. Emerson reports a comparatively low crime rate: the FBI's Uniform Crime Reporting program logs 1118.1 total incidents per 100,000 residents here, below the national average (agency reporting is voluntary, so this measures reporting activity, not a definitive danger score).

Living costs in Georgia run below the national norm: on BEA's 100-equals-national-average cost index, Georgia scores 96.3 (Below Average), per the 2024 Regional Price Parities release. HUD Fair Market Rent for a typical two-bedroom in this state is $1,820 per month. EIA 2023 residential energy data puts Georgia's average monthly utility costs around $225 (state average). On FEMA's National Risk Index, this area rates 65.3 out of 100 for natural-hazard exposure (Moderate).

Population

1,716 residents

Census ACS 2023 - Georgia

Median Household Income

$76,424 /yr

Poverty 7.8%

Cost of Living Index (state)

96.3 (US=100)

Below Average - BEA RPP 2024, Georgia average

How does Emerson compare to other US cities?

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

Household income 58% higher than other cities
Home value 45% pricier than other cities
Median rent 76% pricier than other cities
Safety 59% safer than other cities

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

Zoom in to just Georgia and the picture shifts: Emerson ranks #50 of 165 Georgia cities by lowest crime rate, a different read than the national percentile above.

How we calculate these percentiles & ranks

Each percentile compares Emerson 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 places Emerson toward the top of Georgia's cities

Among the 638 Georgia cities PlainCities tracks with reported bachelor's degree or higher data, Emerson ranks #109 - the 83rd percentile within the state. This is a different, narrower cut than the nationwide percentiles above: it compares Emerson only against its own state's cities, not the full US field.

Median Household Income
#144 of 610
76th percentile in Georgia
Median Gross Rent
#1 of 638
76th percentile in Georgia
Median Home Value
#209 of 577
64th percentile in Georgia
Poverty Rate
#413 of 637
34th percentile in Georgia
Bachelor's Degree or Higher
#109 of 638
83rd 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.

58thIncome percentile
59thSafety percentile

58th percentile nationally for median household income · 59th percentile for safety (lower crime rate). Source: Census ACS 2023 / FBI UCR 2023.

Emerson's profile vs. every US city

Income, affordability, and safety percentile

Emerson's percentile rank on 3 favorable-direction measures (income, affordability, safety) vs. every tracked US city -- higher on every axis is more favorable. Not a composite quality score, just the arithmetic mean of the axes shown. 3-axis radar comparing 1 series across Income, Affordability, Safety. IncomeAffordabilitySafety 52 Avg. percentile National median
Emerson's percentile rank on 3 favorable-direction measures (income, affordability, safety) vs. every tracked US city -- higher on every axis is more favorable. Not a composite quality score, just the arithmetic mean of the axes shown.

How Emerson's home value compares nationally

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

$209,700 Among the most affordable more affordable than 55% 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%). This entry sits in this band. $225,000–$250,000: 976 US cities (6%). Above this entry. $250,000–$275,000: 754 US cities (5%). Above this entry. $275,000–$300,000: 712 US cities (5%). Above this entry. $300,000–$325,000: 521 US cities (3%). Above this entry. $325,000–$350,000: 526 US cities (3%). Above this entry. $350,000–$375,000: 465 US cities (3%). Above this entry. $375,000–$400,000: 393 US cities (3%). Above this entry. $400,000–$425,000: 317 US cities (2%). Above this entry. $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. Emerson $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 - Emerson, GA Emerson, GA's reported median household income shown against the U.S. national quintile-share pattern (not Emerson, 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 Emerson, GA median $76,424/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%
Emerson, 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 Emerson, GA. Diagonal = perfect equality.

Key socioeconomic indicators

Bachelor's degree or higher (adults 25+) 34.0%

Census ACS S1501, educational attainment

Poverty rate (households below FPL) 7.8%

Census ACS S1701, poverty status

Labor force participation (adults 16+) 60.5%

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

Population
1,716
Median Income
$76,424
Median Home Value
$209,700
Median Age
39.6
Poverty Rate
7.8%
Labor force participation
60.5%
Bachelor's Degree+
34.0%

Safety & Crime

Total Crime Rate
1118.1
per 100,000 residents
Violent Crime
209.6
per 100,000 residents
Property Crime
908.5
per 100,000 residents

Reflects incidents reported to the FBI's Uniform Crime Reporting program — agency participation is voluntary and reporting completeness varies by jurisdiction and year, so this reflects reporting activity, not a definitive danger score. Not adjusted for tourism, commuter, or daytime population.

Schools

Total Schools
2
Public schools in this city

Population Change

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

See the fastest-growing cities →
1,000 residents1,500 residents2,000 residents2,500 residents 202020212022202320242025 1,456 residents 2,260 residents ▲ +55.2%
Emerson's Census PEP population estimates, 2020–2025.

Housing Supply

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

📈 Building Boom
Total Permits (2024)
30
housing units authorized
Single-Family
30
detached homes
Multifamily
0
apartments & condos
Supply Intensity
17.5
permits per 1,000 residents

5-Year Permit Trend (2019–2024)

Year Total
2019 4
2020 6
2021 7
2022 7
2023 332
2024 30

Permit volume increased 650% from 2019 to 2024.

Commute Patterns

How workers travel to work, Census ACS 2023

Drive Alone
72.6%
Carpool
10.5%
Public Transit
0.0%
Walk
1.9%
Work from Home
14.6%

Based on 755 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 Emerson 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
65.3 / 100
Moderate
FEMA NRI composite score (county)

Similar Cities in Georgia

Berry College
1,712 people
Zebulon
1,711 people
Chester
1,708 people
Arcade
1,705 people
Ellaville
1,698 people
Lincolnton
1,695 people

Cities of a Similar Size Nationwide

Population-matched peers from other states, closest to Emerson's 1,716 residents (Census ACS 5-Year 2023).

Homer City, PA
1,716 people
Auburn, KY
1,715 people
Audubon Park, KY
1,717 people
Hancock, MD
1,715 people
Canton, PA
1,717 people
Ordway, CO
1,718 people

Cities with a Similar Household Income Nationwide

Median-household-income-matched peers from other states, closest to Emerson's $76,424 (Census ACS 5-Year 2023, table B19013).

Indian Mountain Lake, PA
$76,426 median income
Eden Isle, LA
$76,427 median income
Pine Plains, NY
$76,420 median income
Edinburg, PA
$76,429 median income
Hurley, SD
$76,429 median income
Rushmere, VA
$76,429 median income

Race & Ethnicity Composition

Race and ethnicity - Emerson, 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 Emerson, GA - Census ACS, OMB race + ethnicity categories RACE, sums to 100% 73.1% 19.1% ETHNICITY, Hispanic or Latino (any race) 7.4% White 73.1% Black or African American 19.1% Asian 0.2% American Indian 3.5% Native Hawaiian 0.0% Some other race 0.6% Two or more races 3.5% 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 Emerson 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
Emerson (this city) 1,716 $76,424
Berry College 1,712 N/A
Zebulon 1,711 $47,917
Chester 1,708 $47,500
Census ACS 5-year FIPS GA FBI UCR NCES CCD Census BPS 2024 OMB Bulletin 23-01

What do people ask about Emerson, GA?

What is the population of Emerson, GA? +

1,716 people live in Emerson, GA according to U.S. Census Bureau ACS 2023 estimates.

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

Emerson households earn a median of $76,424 annually, based on Census ACS 2023 data.

What is the cost of living in Emerson? +

BEA does not publish a city-level cost-of-living figure for Emerson; 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.

Is Emerson, GA safe? +

Emerson has a total crime rate of 1118.1 per 100,000 residents, which is below the national average. This reflects incidents reported to the FBI UCR program, not a definitive safety score -- agency reporting is voluntary and completeness varies by jurisdiction.

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

Homes in Emerson carry a median value of $209,700, according to Census ACS 2023 estimates.

Source: U.S. Census Bureau ACS 5-Year 2023, FBI UCR, 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

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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.