Valdosta, GA

Census Place

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2024 Population

55,252

US Senator

Jon Ossoff

Democratic Party

US Senator

Raphael Warnock

Democratic Party

2024 Poverty Rate

26.1%

2.4% 1-year decrease

2024 Median Household Income

$45,925

0.166% 1-year growth

2024 Median Property Value

$182,800

10.6% 1-year growth

2024 Employed Population

23,044

3.43% 1-year decline

About

None of the households in Valdosta, GA reported speaking a non-English language at home as their primary shared language. This does not consider the potential multi-lingual nature of households, but only the primary self-reported language spoken by all members of the household.

97.9% of the residents in Valdosta, GA are U.S. citizens.

The largest universities in Valdosta, GA are Valdosta State University (2,533 degrees awarded in 2024).

In 2024, the median property value in Valdosta, GA was $182,800, and the homeownership rate was 41.7%.

Most people in Valdosta, GA drove alone to work, and the average commute time was 16.1 minutes. The average car ownership in Valdosta, GA was 2 cars per household.

United States Georgia Lowndes County, GA Valdosta, GA Southern Georgia Regional Commission (South Central)--Lowndes County--Valdosta City PUMA, GA

Population & Diversity

Valdosta, GA is home to a population of 55.3k people, from which 97.9% are citizens. As of 2024, 3.67% of Valdosta, GA residents were born outside of the country (2.03k people).

In 2024, there were 1.59 times more Black or African American (Non-Hispanic) residents (30.6k people) in Valdosta, GA than any other race or ethnicity. There were 19.3k White (Non-Hispanic) and 1.49k Two Races Including Other (Hispanic) residents, the second and third most common ethnic groups.

Population & Diversity

Citizenship

97.9%

2024 Citizenship

97.9%

2023 Citizenship

As of 2024, 97.9% of Valdosta, GA residents were US citizens, which is higher than the national average of 93.2%. In 2023, the percentage of US citizens in Valdosta, GA was 97.9%, meaning that the rate of citizenship has been increasing.

The following chart shows US citizenship percentages in Valdosta, GA compared to that of it's neighboring and parent geographies.

Diversity

Race and Ethnicity

The 3 largest ethnic groups in Valdosta, GA

Black or African American (Non-Hispanic)
30.6k ± 1.07k
White (Non-Hispanic)
19.3k ± 1.02k
Two Races Including Other (Hispanic)
1.49k ± 468

5.57%

Hispanic Population

3.08k people

5.57% of the people in Valdosta, GA are hispanic (3.08k people).

The following chart shows the 8 races represented in Valdosta, GA as a share of the total population.

Global Diversity

The PUMS dataset is not available at the Place level, so we are showing data for Georgia.

Most Common Origin

Mexico
232,075 ± 11,701 people
India
112,556 ± 8,194 people
Jamaica
54,537 ± 5,719 people

In 2024, the most common birthplace for the foreign-born residents of Georgia was Mexico, the natal country of 232,075 Georgia residents, followed by India with 112,556 and Jamaica with 54,537.

Foreign-Born Population

3.67%

2024 Foreign-Born Population

2.03k people

3.38%

2023 Foreign-Born Population

1.86k people

As of 2024, 3.67% of Valdosta, GA residents (2.03k people) were born outside of the United States, which is approximately the same as the national average of 14%. In 2023, the percentage of foreign-born citizens in Valdosta, GA was 3.38%, meaning that the rate has been increasing.

The following chart shows the percentage of foreign-born residents in Valdosta, GA compared to that of it's neighboring and parent geographies.

Military

Veterans

Most Common Service Period

Gulf War (2001-)
1,495 ± 434
Vietnam
621 ± 148
Gulf War (1990s)
610 ± 198

Valdosta, GA has a large population of military personnel who served in Gulf War (2001-), 2.41 times greater than any other conflict.

The chart shows the distribution of veterans by conflict in Valdosta, GA.

Health

83.2% of the population of Valdosta, GA has health coverage, with 32.4% on employee plans, 16.8% on Medicaid, 9.21% on Medicare, 22.3% on non-group plans, and 2.47% on military or VA plans.

Primary care physicians in Georgia see 1,517 patients per year on average, which represents a 0% change from the previous year (1,517 patients). Compare this to dentists who see 1856 patients per year, and mental health providers who see 525 patients per year.

By gender, of the total number of insured persons, 44.4% were men and 55.6% were women.

Coverage

Health Care Diversity

In 2024, insured persons according to age ranges were distributed in 26.2% under 18 years, 32% between 18 and 34 years, 27.6% between 35 and 64 years, and 14.3% over 64 years.

By gender, of the total number of insured persons, 44.4% were men and 55.6% were women.

The following chart shows the number of people with health coverage by gender.

Uninsured People

16.8%

Uninsured

32.4%

Employer Coverage

16.8%

Medicaid

9.21%

Medicare

22.3%

Non-Group

2.47%

Military or VA

Between 2023 and 2024, the percent of uninsured citizens in Valdosta, GA declined by 1.57% from 17.1% to 16.8%.

The following chart shows how the percent of uninsured individuals in Valdosta, GA changed over time compared with the percent of individuals enrolled in various types of health insurance.

Economy

The economy of Valdosta, GA employs 23k people. In 2024, the largest industries in Valdosta, GA were Retail Trade (3,894 people), Health Care & Social Assistance (3,224 people), and Accommodation & Food Services (2,879 people), and the highest paying industries were Real Estate & Rental & Leasing ($81,548), Wholesale Trade ($65,655), and Public Administration ($59,246).

Employment

Occupations

23k

2024 Value

± 1,487

−3.43%

1 Year decline

± 9.53%

From 2023 to 2024, employment in Valdosta, GA declined at a rate of −3.43%, from 23.9k employees to 23k employees.

The most common job groups, by number of people living in Valdosta, GA, are Sales & Related Occupations (3,288 people), Office & Administrative Support Occupations (2,774 people), and Management Occupations (2,050 people). This chart illustrates the share breakdown of the primary jobs held by residents of Valdosta, GA.

Unemployment Insurance Claims

Data is only available at the state level. Showing data for Georgia.

This chart shows weekly unemployment insurance claims in Georgia (not-seasonally adjusted) compared with the four states with the most similar impact.

The most recent data point uses Advance State Claims data, which can be revised in subsequent weeks.

Industries

Employment by Industries

23k

2024 Value

± 1,487

−3.43%

1 Year decline

± 9.53%

From 2023 to 2024, employment in Valdosta, GA declined at a rate of −3.43%, from 23.9k employees to 23k employees.

The most common employment sectors for those who live in Valdosta, GA, are Retail Trade (3,894 people), Health Care & Social Assistance (3,224 people), and Accommodation & Food Services (2,879 people). This chart shows the share breakdown of the primary industries for residents of Valdosta, GA, though some of these residents may live in Valdosta, GA and work somewhere else. Census data is tagged to a residential address, not a work address.

Median Earnings by Industry

$37,619

Median earning men ± $5,805

$28,479

Median earning women ± $2,055

The industries with the best median earnings for men in 2024 are Finance & Insurance, & Real Estate & Rental & Leasing ($125,129), Educational Services, & Health Care & Social Assistance ($71,111), and Wholesale Trade ($65,911).

The industries with the best median earnings for women in 2024 are Information ($55,050), Public Administration ($52,250), and Finance & Insurance, & Real Estate & Rental & Leasing ($39,882).

Employment by Industry Sector

Data is only available at the state level. Showing data for Georgia.

Y-Axis

2.94%

Year-over-year growth

Employment change between February 2022 and February 2023

As of February 2023, there are 4.87M people employed in Georgia. This represents a 2.94% increase in employment when compared to February 2022.

Right after the beginning of the COVID-19 pandemic, during April 2020, a general dip can be seen across industry sectors, resulting in an overall decline in employment by 11.9%.

The following chart shows monthly employment numbers for each industry sector in Georgia.

Civics

In the 2024 presidential election, the popular vote in Georgia went to Donald J. Trump with 50.7% of the vote. The runner-up was Kamala Harris (48.5%), followed by Chase Oliver (0.394%).

Jon Ossoff and Raphael Warnock are the senators currently representing the state of Georgia. In the United States, senators are elected to 6-year terms with the terms for individual senators staggered.

Georgia is currently represented by 13 members in the U.S. house, and members of the House of Representives are elected to 2-year terms.

Presidential Elections

Presidential Popular Vote Over Time

Voting results are not available for Valdosta, GA. Showing the available data for Georgia.

2024 Election Results

Donald J. Trump (50.7%)
Republican Party
Kamala Harris (48.5%)
Democratic Party
Chase Oliver (0.394%)
Libertarian Party

In the 2024 presidential election, the popular vote in Georgia went to Donald J. Trump with 50.7% of the vote. The runner-up was Kamala Harris (48.5%), followed by Chase Oliver (0.394%).

The following chart shows the popular vote results in Georgia for each registered party from 1976 to 2024.

Senator Elections

US Senators from Georgia

Senatorial voting results are only available at the state level. Showing data for Georgia.

Jon Ossoff

Senator from Georgia

Assumed office on January 20, 2021
Inauguration delayed as incumbent senator David Perdue's term expired on January 3, 2021, two days prior to the runoff election.

Raphael Warnock

Senator from Georgia

Assumed office on January 20, 2021
Elected to the seat to succeed Kelly Loeffler, who had been appointed to the seat following the resignation of Johnny Isakson.

Jon Ossoff and Raphael Warnock are the senators currently representing Georgia.

In the United States, senators are elected to 6-year terms with the terms for individual senators staggered.

The following chart shows elected senators in Georgia over time, excluding special elections, colored by their political party.

Education

In 2024, universities in Valdosta, GA awarded 2,533 degrees. The student population of Valdosta, GA in 2024 is skewed towards women, with 3,154 male students and 7,108 female students.

Most students graduating from Universities in Valdosta, GA are White (1,368 and 54.8%), Black or African American (776 and 31.1%), Hispanic or Latino (205 and 8.21%), and Two or More Races (96 and 3.84%).

The largest universities in Valdosta, GA by number of degrees awarded are Valdosta State University (2,533 and 100%).

The most popular majors in Valdosta, GA are General Business Administration & Management (195 and 7.7%), Teacher Education & Professional Development (173 and 6.83%), and General Psychology (124 and 4.9%).

The median tuition cost for a public four year colleges is $4,488 for in-state students and $16,200 for out-of-state students.

Admissions & Enrollments

Applicants, Admissions & Enrolled

University

Measure

In 2024 in Valdosta, GA, the percentage of applicants admitted was 72.3%, while the percentage of admitted who enrolled was 26%. The number of students enrolled in 2024 was 10,262 (30.7% men and 69.3% women).

The line chart shows the evolution of the percentage of applicants admitted, admitted who enrolled or the number of students enrolled according to the option selected in the upper button.

Enrollments by Gender and Races

Universities

In 2024 there were 10,262 students enrolled in Valdosta, GA, 30.7% men and 69.3% women.

By race, the largest number of students enrolled was concentrated in White with 5,001 records, of which 69.2% were women and 30.8% men.

Completions

Concentrations

Most Common

General Health Services
114 degrees awarded
General Psychology
112 degrees awarded
General Business Administration & Management
111 degrees awarded

In 2024, the most common concentation for Bachelors Degree recipients in Valdosta, GA was General Health Services with 114 degrees awarded.

This visualization illustrates the percentage of students graduating with a Bachelors Degree from schools in Valdosta, GA according to their major.

Universities

Gender

Race

Valdosta State University

Largest Universities by degrees awarded

2,533 degrees awarded

In 2024, the institution with the largest number of graduating students was Valdosta State University with 2,533 degrees awarded.

Student Diversity

University

In 2024, 688 men were awarded degrees from institutions in Valdosta, GA, which is 0.373 times less than the 1,845 female students who received degrees in the same year.

In 2024, the most common race/ethnicity group awarded degrees at institutions was White students. These 1,368 degrees mean that there were 1.76 times more degrees awarded to White students then the next closest race/ethnicity group, Black or African American, with 776 degrees awarded.

Awarded Degrees over Time

The graph shows the evolution of awarded degrees by degrees. Under the paragraphs, the average number of awarded degrees by university in each degree is shown.

Tuition

Average Net Price by Sector

Universities

Public, 4-year or above ($4,488) is the sector with the highest median state tuition in 2024.

Public, 4-year or above ($1,636) is the sector with the highest median state fee in 2024.

Public, 4-year or above ($1,200) is the sector with the highest average net price of books and supplies.

The graph shows the average net price by sector and year.

Housing & Living

The median property value in Valdosta, GA was $182,800 in 2024, which is 0.549 times smaller than the national average of $332,700. Between 2023 and 2024 the median property value increased from $165,300 to $182,800, a 10.6% increase. The homeownership rate in Valdosta, GA is 41.7%, which is lower than the national average of 65.2%.

People in Valdosta, GA have an average commute time of 16.1 minutes, and they drove alone to work. Car ownership in Valdosta, GA is approximately the same as the national average, with an average of 2 cars per household.

Housing

Property

$182,800

Median Property Value 2024

±$10,900

$9,397

Median Property Taxes

±$769

The following chart display owner-occupied housing units distributed between a series of property tax buckets compared to the national averages for each bucket. In Valdosta, GA the largest share of households pay taxes in the $800 - $1,499 range.

The chart underneath the paragraph shows the property taxes in Valdosta, GA compared to it's parent and neighbor geographies.

Rent vs Own

41.7%

Homeownership

2024

64.1%

Homeowners with Mortgage

2024

In 2024, 41.7% of the housing units in Valdosta, GA were occupied by their owner. This percentage grew from the previous year's rate of 41%.

This chart shows the percentage of owner in Valdosta, GA compared it's parent and neighboring geographies.

Equity

Household Income

Please note that the buckets used in this visualization were not evenly distributed by ACS when publishing the data.

$45,925

Median Household Income

± $2,600

22.5k

Number of Households

± 1,382

In 2024, the median household income of the 22.5k households in Valdosta, GA grew to $45,925 from the previous year's value of $45,849.

The following chart displays the households in Valdosta, GA distributed between a series of income buckets compared to the national averages for each bucket. The largest share of households have an income in the < $10k range.

Wage Distribution

The closest comparable wage GINI for Valdosta, GA is from Georgia.

0.471

2024 Wage GINI in Georgia

0.471

2023 Wage GINI in Georgia

In 2024, the income inequality in Georgia was 0.471 according to the GINI calculation of the wage distribution. Income inequality had a 0.104% decline from 2023 to 2024, which means that wage distribution grew somewhat more even. The GINI for Georgia was lower than than the national average of 0.474. In other words, wages are distributed more evenly in Georgia in comparison to the national average.

This chart shows the number of workers in Georgia across various wage buckets compared to the national average.

Transportation

Commuter Transportation

Most Common Commute in 2024

Drove Alone (79%)
Carpooled (9.46%)
Worked At Home (6.16%)

In 2024, 79% of workers in Valdosta, GA drove alone to work, followed by those who carpooled to work (9.46%) and those who worked at home (6.16%).

The following chart shows the number of households using each mode of transportation over time, using a logarithmic scale on the y-axis to help better show variations in the smaller means of commuting.

Commute Time

16.1 minutes

Average Travel Time

Using averages, employees in Valdosta, GA have a shorter commute time (16.1 minutes) than the normal US worker (26.4 minutes). Additionally, 0.479% of the workforce in Valdosta, GA have "super commutes" in excess of 90 minutes.

The chart below shows how the median household income in Valdosta, GA compares to that of it's neighboring and parent geographies.

Car Ownership

2 cars

Average Number

The following chart displays the households in Valdosta, GA distributed between a series of car ownership buckets compared to the national averages for each bucket. The largest share of households in Valdosta, GA have 2 cars.

Poverty

Poverty & Diversity

26.1% of the population for whom poverty status is determined in Valdosta, GA (13.8k out of 52.6k people) live below the poverty line, a number that is higher than the national average of 12.5%. The largest demographic living in poverty are Females 18 - 24, followed by Males 18 - 24 and then Females 25 - 34.

The most common racial or ethnic group living below the poverty line in Valdosta, GA is Black, followed by White and Hispanic.

The Census Bureau uses a set of money income thresholds that vary by family size and composition to determine who classifies as impoverished. If a family's total income is less than the family's threshold than that family and every individual in it is considered to be living in poverty.