County · Georgia

Pickens County, Georgia

Pickens County, Georgia. Pickens County had 37,167 residents in 2025 by the Census Bureau's estimate, up 11.9% since 2020, faster than Georgia (+5.5%). It holds 3 places (3 cities, villages and boroughs) and 9 census tracts. GEOID 13227.

Pickens County is one of the 29 counties of the Atlanta-Sandy Springs-Roswell, GA metropolitan statistical area (the Census Bureau's July 2023 delineation).

Residents, July 2025 estimate

37,167

Census Bureau estimate (no margin published)
2020 Census count: 33,216 · ACS 2020-2024: 34,951

Median household income

$78,930

±$5,507 (90% margin)
Georgia: $77,353

Median home value

$332,700

±$14,552 (90% margin)
Georgia: $303,300

Median gross rent

$1,136

±$90 (90% margin)
Georgia: $1,393

How many people live in Pickens County, and is it growing?

The 2020 Census counted 33,216 residents in Pickens County. The Census Bureau estimates 37,167 for July 1, 2025, up 11.9% since 2020, faster than Georgia (+5.5%). The 2020-2024 American Community Survey puts the population at 34,951 over 232 square miles of land.

  • July 2020→2021 +682 (34,033)
  • 2021→2022 +770 (34,803)
  • 2022→2023 +1,174 (35,977)
  • 2023→2024 +614 (36,591)
  • 2024→2025 +576 (37,167)
Pickens County in Georgia. Boundaries: Census Bureau 2024.
Counts, ACS 2020-2024 5-year estimates, with the change from 2015-2019
MeasurePickens CountyGeorgiaChange since 2015-2019
Total population34,95110,940,407+3,564
Households13,430±3734,074,366+1,562
Average household size2.58±0.072.62no clear change
Housing units15,561±304,541,835+1,580

Pickens County's population since 2000

From 22,983 in 2000 to 37,167 in 2025: up 61.7%. The 2000, 2010 and 2020 figures are census counts. The 2005 figure is the Census Bureau's intercensal estimate, revised to fit the 2000 and 2010 counts and drawn on 2010 boundaries; 2015 and 2025 are July 1 estimates made from the census before them.

  • 2000 Census 22,983
  • 2005 (estimate) 27,277
  • 2010 Census 29,431
  • 2015 (estimate) 30,139
  • 2020 Census 33,216
  • 2025 (estimate) 37,167

Source: The 2000, 2010 and 2020 Census counts and the Census Bureau's population estimates (intercensal 2000-2010, Vintage 2020, Vintage 2025) · Census population estimates

Source: American Community Survey 2020-2024 5-year estimates, U.S. Census Bureau (released January 2026); PEP Vintage 2025 (CO-EST2025); 2020 Census · Check it at data.census.gov

What cities and towns are in Pickens County?

Pickens County holds 3 places: 3 cities, villages and boroughs (incorporated places). The largest is Jasper with 5,400 residents (2025 estimate). Places that cross a county line are listed with the share of their 2020 residents who live in this county.

Places in Pickens County, ACS 2020-2024 5-year estimates. Ring: estimate with a coefficient of variation over 40%.
Jaspercity4,0844,630±16$52,442$282,50027.2%100%
Nelsoncity1,1451,166±327$89,375$255,0007.9%48%
Talking RockGEOID 1375272town91274±162$250,000 or more$572,2005.1%100%

Source: American Community Survey 2020-2024 5-year estimates, U.S. Census Bureau (released January 2026); 2020 place-by-county parts · Check it at data.census.gov

Who lives in Pickens County?

The median resident of Pickens County is 46.7 years old; 18.8% are under 18 and 23.0% are 65 or older. The largest group is non-Hispanic white residents at 91.5%, then Hispanic or Latino residents (of any race) at 4.0%. 2.8% of residents were born outside the United States.

Age, origin and education, ACS 2020-2024 5-year estimates. Race groups are non-Hispanic; Hispanic includes any race.
MeasurePickens CountyGeorgiaChange since 2015-2019
Median age46.7±0.837.6+1.3
Under 18 years18.8%±0.1 pts23.2%–
65 years and over23.0%±0.3 pts15.0%–
Hispanic or Latino (any race)4.0%11.0%+0.9 pts
White alone, not Hispanic91.5%±0.4 pts49.1%+4.9 pts
Black or African American alone, not Hispanic0.6%±0.5 pts30.7%–
Asian alone, not Hispanic0.3%±0.3 pts4.5%–
American Indian and Alaska Native alone, not Hispanic0.2%±0.2 pts0.1%–
Native Hawaiian and Other Pacific Islander alone, not Hispanic0.1%±0.1 pts0.1%–
Two or more races, not Hispanic3.2%±0.8 pts3.9%–
Some other race alone, not Hispanic0.1%±0.1 pts0.6%–
Born outside the United States2.8%±0.6 pts11.2%no clear change
Speak a language other than English at home (age 5+)3.9%±0.6 pts15.5%–
Civilian veterans (age 18+)7.5%±1.2 pts7.2%–
With a disability18.5%±2.2 pts13.1%–
No health insurance coverage12.0%±1.9 pts12.4%no clear change
High school graduate or higher (age 25+)89.9%±1.7 pts89.2%–
Bachelor's degree or higher (age 25+)26.7%±2.6 pts34.9%+3.6 pts
Graduate or professional degree (age 25+)8.5%±1.2 pts13.9%–
Moved from another state in the past year1.9%±0.8 pts2.7%–

Source: American Community Survey 2020-2024 5-year estimates, U.S. Census Bureau (released January 2026) (Data Profiles DP02, DP05) · Check it at data.census.gov

What do households in Pickens County earn?

Half of Pickens County's 13,430 households earn less than $78,930 a year (±$5,507), against $77,353 in Georgia. In 2015-2019 it was $83,233 in 2024 dollars; the margins of error cannot tell the two periods apart. 12.0% of residents live below the poverty line.

Income and poverty in 2024 dollars, ACS 2020-2024 5-year estimates
MeasurePickens CountyGeorgiaChange since 2015-2019
Median household income$78,930±$5,507$77,353no clear change
Mean household income$101,470±$6,635$106,944–
Per capita income$40,871±$2,577$40,924no clear change
People below the poverty line12.0%±2.0 pts13.4%no clear change
Children under 18 below the poverty line18.9%±4.6 pts18.3%no clear change
Households receiving SNAP9.7%±2.2 pts12.3%–
Households with a broadband subscription92.1%±1.6 pts91.0%–

Source: American Community Survey 2020-2024 5-year estimates, U.S. Census Bureau (released January 2026) (Data Profile DP03) · Check it at data.census.gov

What does housing cost in Pickens County?

Owners occupy 81.2% of Pickens County's occupied homes and renters 18.8%. The median owner-occupied home is valued at $332,700 by its owner (±$14,552). The median renter pays $1,136 a month including utilities, and 44.0% of renters pay 35% or more of their income on rent.

Housing, ACS 2020-2024 5-year estimates
MeasurePickens CountyGeorgiaChange since 2015-2019
Median home value (owner-occupied)$332,700±$14,552$303,300+$86,315
Median gross rent$1,136±$90$1,393no clear change
Renters paying 35% or more of income on rent44.0%±8.9 pts43.4%no clear change
Median monthly owner costs, with a mortgage$1,662±$116$1,783–
Owner-occupied homes81.2%±2.4 pts65.7%+5.3 pts
Housing units15,561±304,541,835+1,580
Homeowner vacancy rate0.3%±0.4 pts1.1%–
Rental vacancy rate11.8%±5.5 pts6.8%–
Single-family detached homes79.1%±2.4 pts66.3%–
Mobile homes13.5%±2.0 pts7.8%–
Built 2020 or later3.8%±1.0 pts2.7%–
Built 1939 or earlier4.2%±1.7 pts3.9%–

Source: American Community Survey 2020-2024 5-year estimates, U.S. Census Bureau (released January 2026) (Data Profile DP04) · Check it at data.census.gov

How many new homes is Pickens County building?

Builders took permits for 277 new housing units across Pickens County in 2025 (259 single-family), 7.5 per 1,000 residents.

  • 2019 164 units
  • 2020 230 units
  • 2021 341 units
  • 2022 419 units
  • 2023 395 units
  • 2024 259 units
  • 2025 277 units

Source: Building Permits Survey, annual county files 2019-2025, U.S. Census Bureau · Census Building Permits Survey

How do people in Pickens County get to work?

73.3% of Pickens County's workers drive alone and 16.9% work from home. The average trip to work takes 33.5 minutes. The unemployment rate in 2020-2024 averaged 3.0%.

Work and commuting, ACS 2020-2024 5-year estimates
MeasurePickens CountyGeorgiaChange since 2015-2019
In the labor force (age 16+)58.2%±2.1 pts63.8%–
Unemployment rate3.0%±1.3 pts5.1%no clear change
Drove alone to work73.3%±3.1 pts70.9%–
Carpooled8.3%±1.7 pts8.9%–
Public transportation0.0%±0.3 pts1.1%–
Walked0.5%±0.4 pts1.3%–
Worked from home16.9%±2.5 pts15.9%+8.7 pts
Mean travel time to work33.5 min±1.928.3 minno clear change

Source: American Community Survey 2020-2024 5-year estimates, U.S. Census Bureau (released January 2026) (Data Profile DP03) · Check it at data.census.gov

What are Pickens County's census tracts?

Pickens County is divided into 9 census tracts. Among those with a reliable estimate, median household income runs from $56,406 (Tract 506.02) to $122,199 (Tract 501.01).

Census tracts of Pickens County, ACS 2020-2024 5-year estimates; sort by any column
Tract 501.0113227050101–2,4871,946±403$122,199$553,900not published0.0%
Tract 501.0213227050102–3,3883,761±406$92,386$364,900$1,6747.2%
Tract 502.0113227050201Jasper (70%)3,8553,945±730$71,500$270,600$90026.8%
Tract 502.0213227050202Jasper (50%)3,4422,853±415$71,198$306,100$1,19712.5%
Tract 50313227050300Jasper (13%)4,6664,630±531$61,212$303,800$1,06618.6%
Tract 50413227050400–3,9434,495±503$83,963$346,700$1,5348.6%
Tract 50513227050500Jasper (22%)5,0585,613±611$74,728$319,100$1,2214.9%
Tract 506.0113227050601Jasper (15%)4,2355,258±604$104,489$318,800$97710.2%
Tract 506.0213227050602–2,1422,450±397$56,406$202,200$1,07717.9%

Source: American Community Survey 2020-2024 5-year estimates, U.S. Census Bureau (released January 2026) · Check it at data.census.gov

How does Pickens County compare with Georgia's other counties?

Pickens County's rank among Georgia's counties with a reliable estimate (1 = highest)
MeasureRank
Population55th of 159
Growth 2020-202517th of 159
Residents per square mile44th of 159
Median household income28th of 159
Median home value17th of 159
Median gross rent34th of 157
Poverty rate123rd of 159
Bachelor's degree or higher38th of 159
Median age16th of 159

Every county in Georgia

Source: PlainCities ranks from the American Community Survey 2020-2024 5-year estimates, U.S. Census Bureau (released January 2026) and PEP Vintage 2025 · How ranks are computed

How these figures are made: methodology and release checks · reading a margin of error · every state · corrections

Not on this page: crime, weather and schools for Pickens County are other agencies' records. Crime: the FBI's Crime Data Explorer · climate: NOAA's U.S. Climate Normals · schools: the National Center for Education Statistics' school search.