City profile · Georgia · Census ACS 2023

Porterdale, GA

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

1,291
Residents
$41,635
Median income
$164,100
Median home
$1,820
Median rent (state)

Porterdale - the verdict

Nationally, Porterdale sits in the 9th percentile for household income and the 47th percentile for safety among US cities with a population of 1,000 or more. Source: Census ACS + FBI UCR.

9th
percentile, household income
32nd
percentile, home value
76th
percentile, median rent
47th
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: Porterdale, GA

1,291 people live in Porterdale, Georgia - a small town by U.S. Census Bureau ACS 2023 estimates. Porterdale households earn a median of $41,635 annually, in the lower quartile of U.S. cities for household income, with a poverty rate of 34.2%. Home values in Porterdale run a median of $164,100, and the median resident age is 39.7 years. 20.2% of adults here have a bachelor's degree or higher; 47.3% of working-age residents are in the labor force.

In 2024, 0 residential building permits were authorized in Porterdale (No Permits), down 100% from five years earlier, per Census BPS data. Porterdale reports a comparatively low crime rate: per-100,000 total crime stands at 1464.4 in FBI UCR data, below the national average (a voluntary reporting program, read this as reporting activity, not a definitive danger score).

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. Statewide, average monthly utility bills in Georgia run around $225, per EIA 2023 residential energy data. Commute times here average 28.9 minutes, with 68.7% driving alone and 7.1% working from home, per Census ACS commuting data. Natural-hazard exposure scores 50.6 out of 100 on FEMA's National Risk Index (Low).

Population

1,291 residents

Census ACS 2023 - Georgia

Median Household Income

$41,635 /yr

Poverty 34.2%

Cost of Living Index (state)

96.3 (US=100)

Below Average - BEA RPP 2024, Georgia average

How does Porterdale compare to other US cities?

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

Household income 9% higher than other cities
Home value 32% pricier than other cities
Median rent 76% pricier than other cities
Safety 47% 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, Porterdale ranks #67 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 Porterdale'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.

9thIncome percentile
47thSafety percentile

9th percentile nationally for median household income · 47th percentile for safety (lower crime rate). Source: Census ACS 2023 / FBI UCR 2023.

Porterdale's profile vs. every US city

Income, affordability, and safety percentile

Porterdale'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 34 Avg. percentile National median
Porterdale'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 Porterdale's home value compares nationally

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

$164,100 Among the most affordable more affordable than 68% 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%). This entry sits in this band. $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. Porterdale $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 - Porterdale, GA Porterdale, GA's reported median household income shown against the U.S. national quintile-share pattern (not Porterdale, 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 Porterdale, GA median $41,635/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%
Porterdale, 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 Porterdale, GA. Diagonal = perfect equality.

Key socioeconomic indicators

Bachelor's degree or higher (adults 25+) 20.2%

Census ACS S1501, educational attainment

Poverty rate (households below FPL) 34.2%

Census ACS S1701, poverty status

Labor force participation (adults 16+) 47.3%

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

Population
1,291
Median Income
$41,635
Median Home Value
$164,100
Median Age
39.7
Poverty Rate
34.2%
Labor force participation
47.3%
Bachelor's Degree+
20.2%

Safety & Crime

Total Crime Rate
1464.4
per 100,000 residents
Violent Crime
209.2
per 100,000 residents
Property Crime
1255.2
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.

Population Change

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

See the fastest-growing cities →
1,750 residents1,800 residents1,850 residents1,900 residents1,950 residents2,000 residents 202020212022202320242025 1,810 residents 1,913 residents ▲ +5.7%
Porterdale's Census PEP population estimates, 2020–2025.

Housing Supply

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

Total Permits (2024)
0
housing units authorized
Single-Family
0
detached homes
Multifamily
0
apartments & condos

5-Year Permit Trend (2019–2024)

Year Total
2019 1
2020 15
2021 17
2022 14
2023 14
2024 0

Permit volume decreased 100% from 2019 to 2024.

Commute Patterns

How workers travel to work, Census ACS 2023

Average Commute Time
28.9 minutes
Drive Alone
68.7%
Carpool
18.0%
Public Transit
0.0%
Walk
6.2%
Work from Home
7.1%

Based on 438 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 Porterdale 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
50.6 / 100
Low
FEMA NRI composite score (county)

Similar Cities in Georgia

Bogart
1,298 people
Hiawassee
1,300 people
Boston
1,305 people
Rock Spring
1,310 people
Clermont
1,316 people
Darien
1,260 people

Cities of a Similar Size Nationwide

Population-matched peers from other states, closest to Porterdale's 1,291 residents (Census ACS 5-Year 2023).

Timberlane, IL
1,291 people
Nunda, NY
1,291 people
Suffield, OH
1,291 people
Palm Beach Shores, FL
1,290 people
Woodburn, IN
1,292 people
Stanton, MI
1,292 people

Cities with a Similar Household Income Nationwide

Median-household-income-matched peers from other states, closest to Porterdale's $41,635 (Census ACS 5-Year 2023, table B19013).

Wedowee, AL
$41,635 median income
Girard, KS
$41,629 median income
Canton, PA
$41,629 median income
Rice Lake, MN
$41,625 median income
Whitehall, NY
$41,625 median income
Goldendale, WA
$41,621 median income

Race & Ethnicity Composition

Race and ethnicity - Porterdale, 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 Porterdale, GA - Census ACS, OMB race + ethnicity categories RACE, sums to 100% 64.7% 29.4% ETHNICITY, Hispanic or Latino (any race) 4.3% White 64.7% Black or African American 29.4% Asian 0.0% American Indian 0.0% Native Hawaiian 0.0% Some other race 0.8% Two or more races 5.2% 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 Porterdale 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
Porterdale (this city) 1,291 $41,635
Bogart 1,298 $82,500
Hiawassee 1,300 $43,819
Boston 1,305 $40,156
Census ACS 5-year FIPS GA FBI UCR Census BPS 2024 OMB Bulletin 23-01

What do people ask about Porterdale, GA?

What is the population of Porterdale, GA? +

1,291 people live in Porterdale, GA according to U.S. Census Bureau ACS 2023 estimates.

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

Porterdale households earn a median of $41,635 annually, based on Census ACS 2023 data.

What is the cost of living in Porterdale? +

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

Porterdale has a total crime rate of 1464.4 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 Porterdale, GA? +

The median home value in Porterdale is $164,100, according to Census ACS 2023 estimates.

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