City profile · Georgia · Census ACS 2023

Folkston, GA

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

4,609
Residents
$45,453
Median income
$76,800
Median home
$1,036
Median rent (state)

Folkston - the verdict

Nationally, Folkston sits in the 13th percentile for household income and the 83rd percentile for safety among US cities with a population of 1,000 or more. Source: Census ACS + FBI UCR.

13th
percentile, household income
3rd
percentile, home value
23rd
percentile, median rent
83rd
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: Folkston, GA

Census ACS 2023 estimates count 4,609 residents in Folkston, a small town within Georgia. Median household income here is $45,453 per year, in the lower quartile of U.S. cities for household income, with a poverty rate of 31.5%. Folkston's housing stock carries a median value of $76,800, and the median resident age is 37.6 years. 4.5% of adults here have a bachelor's degree or higher; 42.7% of working-age residents are in the labor force.

Folkston reports a comparatively low crime rate: FBI UCR figures show 548.7 crimes per 100,000 residents, below the national average (reporting is voluntary across agencies, so treat this as reporting activity rather than a definitive danger score). NOAA climate normals record an annual average temperature of 70.3°F with 53.2 inches of precipitation per year.

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. Statewide, HUD pegs Fair Market Rent for a two-bedroom unit at $1,036 monthly. EIA 2023 residential energy data puts Georgia's average monthly utility costs around $225 (state average). Natural-hazard exposure scores 26.7 out of 100 on FEMA's National Risk Index (Very Low).

Population

4,609 residents

Census ACS 2023 - Georgia

Median Household Income

$45,453 /yr

Poverty 31.5%

Cost of Living Index (state)

96.3 (US=100)

Below Average - BEA RPP 2024, Georgia average

How does Folkston compare to other US cities?

Here's how Folkston stacks up against the full field of US cities (population 1,000+), computed live from Census and FBI data.

Household income 13% higher than other cities
Home value 3% pricier than other cities
Median rent 23% pricier than other cities
Safety 83% safer than other cities

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

National percentiles can mask local variation. Looking only at Georgia, Folkston ranks #26 of 165 Georgia cities by lowest crime rate - a narrower, more locally useful cut than the national comparison above.

How we calculate these percentiles & ranks

For each metric we count every US city with population 1,000+ and a non-null value, then compute what share of them fall below Folkston's value: round(cities-below ÷ total × 100). Safety is inverted (percentile = share of cities with a higher crime rate) so a higher number always means safer. The in-state rank narrows that same crime-rate comparison to only the cities PlainCities tracks in Georgia, breaking ties alphabetically. See the methodology page for the full source-to-figure lineage.

13thIncome percentile
83rdSafety percentile

13th percentile nationally for median household income · 83rd percentile for safety (lower crime rate). Source: Census ACS 2023 / FBI UCR 2023.

Folkston's profile vs. every US city

Income, affordability, and safety percentile

Folkston'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 61 Avg. percentile National median
Folkston'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 Folkston's home value compares nationally

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

$76,800 Among the most affordable more affordable than 97% 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%). This entry sits in this band. $100,000–$125,000: 1,516 US cities (10%). Above this entry. $125,000–$150,000: 1,170 US cities (8%). Above this entry. $150,000–$175,000: 1,278 US cities (8%). Above this entry. $175,000–$200,000: 1,229 US cities (8%). Above this entry. $200,000–$225,000: 1,035 US cities (7%). Above this entry. $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. Folkston $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 - Folkston, GA Folkston, GA's reported median household income shown against the U.S. national quintile-share pattern (not Folkston, 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 Folkston, GA median $45,453/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%
Folkston, 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 Folkston, GA. Diagonal = perfect equality.

Key socioeconomic indicators

Bachelor's degree or higher (adults 25+) 4.5%

Census ACS S1501, educational attainment

Poverty rate (households below FPL) 31.5%

Census ACS S1701, poverty status

Labor force participation (adults 16+) 42.7%

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

Population
4,609
Median Income
$45,453
Median Home Value
$76,800
Median Age
37.6
Poverty Rate
31.5%
Labor force participation
42.7%
Bachelor's Degree+
4.5%

Safety & Crime

Total Crime Rate
548.7
per 100,000 residents
Violent Crime
63.3
per 100,000 residents
Property Crime
485.4
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.

Climate

Avg Temperature
70.3°F
Annual Precipitation
53.2"
Annual Snowfall
0.0"

Schools

Total Schools
4
Public schools in this city

Population Change

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

See the fastest-growing cities →
4,400 residents4,500 residents4,600 residents4,700 residents4,800 residents 202020212022202320242025 4,507 residents 4,767 residents ▲ +5.8%
Folkston's Census PEP population estimates, 2020–2025.

Commute Patterns

How workers travel to work, Census ACS 2023

Drive Alone
98.1%
Carpool
0.5%
Public Transit
0.0%
Walk
0.0%
Work from Home
0.8%
Other
0.6%

Based on 1,649 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 Folkston sits in

Cost of Living Index
96.3
Below Average
US average = 100 · BEA RPP 2024
Typical 2-BR Rent
$1,036/mo
HUD Fair Market Rent
County-level FMR estimate
Natural Hazard Risk
26.7 / 100
Very Low
FEMA NRI composite score (county)

Similar Cities in Georgia

Lindale
4,611 people
Buckhead
4,640 people
Forsyth
4,641 people
Heron Bay
4,561 people
Palmetto
4,681 people
Elberton
4,691 people

Cities of a Similar Size Nationwide

Population-matched peers from other states, closest to Folkston's 4,609 residents (Census ACS 5-Year 2023).

Hollister, MO
4,608 people
Neptune City, NJ
4,607 people
Randleman, NC
4,611 people
Mount Carmel, OH
4,611 people
Wood, OR
4,611 people
Kalaheo, HI
4,612 people

Cities with a Similar Household Income Nationwide

Median-household-income-matched peers from other states, closest to Folkston's $45,453 (Census ACS 5-Year 2023, table B19013).

Frederick, OK
$45,459 median income
Weiser, ID
$45,463 median income
Freeport, PA
$45,464 median income
Wilson, TX
$45,441 median income
Calhoun City, MS
$45,439 median income
Paris, TX
$45,439 median income

Race & Ethnicity Composition

Race and ethnicity - Folkston, 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 Folkston, GA - Census ACS, OMB race + ethnicity categories RACE, sums to 100% 43.4% 47.8% ETHNICITY, Hispanic or Latino (any race) 5.0% White 43.4% Black or African American 47.8% Asian 2.3% American Indian 0.0% Native Hawaiian 0.0% Some other race 1.4% Two or more races 5.1% 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 Folkston 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
Folkston (this city) 4,609 $45,453
Lindale 4,611 $40,283
Buckhead 4,640 $139,395
Forsyth 4,641 $74,811
Census ACS 5-year FIPS GA FBI UCR NOAA Normals NCES CCD OMB Bulletin 23-01

What do people ask about Folkston, GA?

What is the population of Folkston, GA? +

Folkston, GA has a population of 4,609 according to U.S. Census Bureau ACS 2023 estimates.

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

In Folkston, the typical household earns $45,453 per year, based on Census ACS 2023 data.

What is the cost of living in Folkston? +

BEA does not publish a city-level cost-of-living figure for Folkston; 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 Folkston, GA safe? +

Folkston has a total crime rate of 548.7 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 Folkston, GA? +

The median home value in Folkston is $76,800, according to Census ACS 2023 estimates.

What is the climate like in Folkston? +

The average annual temperature in Folkston runs 70.3°F, 53.2 inches of precipitation. Source: NOAA Climate Normals.

Source: U.S. Census Bureau ACS 5-Year 2023, FBI UCR, NOAA Climate Normals, NCES CCD, 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 Editorial

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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.