Here Are Georgia's Wealthiest Counties According to Household Income

Near Augusta, GA.Photo byCarl TrapanionUnsplash

Georgia, as a state, has experienced tremendous growth in recent years. As one of the fastest-growing states in the nation, Georgia has seen real estate prices swell as demand from those moving into the area far outpaced supply. However, this growth is more than just population, as the state's economy has also seen improvements, taking salary levels higher along with it.

The accolades for the state and its cities have continued to pour in recently. Just last year, Money magazine declared Atlanta the best place to live in the United States, citing a booming job market and career opportunities. It comes as no surprise, then, that most of the state's highest earners are concentrated in and around the capital city.

With incomes increasing across the board in the state, those who've experienced the biggest growth have really reached new levels. Some of the Atlanta suburbs now rank among the wealthiest counties in the entire United States, let alone just Georgia.

With that in mind, we'll take a look at each of the counties that contain the state's highest income earners (per household), according to the U.S. Census. We'll start off with an honorable mention below:

Honorable Mention: Columbia County - $85,928 median income

Columbia County is unique to our list as it's the only county in the western portion of the state that comes close to the top. Beginning as far back as 1950, the area's historically rural farmlands began being developed as suburbs for nearby Augusta. That trend has continued in the decades since, and the county is now one of the most affluent suburbs in the state, including the number one area for household income outside of the Atlanta area.

Columbia County is largely a stable, residential community. The 62% of its population that remains in the workforce is about in-line with the nation's overall at 62.4%. Owing to its pleasant suburban nature and solid education system, the county is popular with younger families. An entire quarter of the population in the area is under 18 years of age, according to the U.S. Census, one of the highest such figures in the state.

The county's population, real estate values, and income all seemed poised to continue their growth for at least the near future.

3. Fayette County - $96,084 median income

Just south of Atlanta, the suburban Fayette County kicks off Georgia's most affluent counties. Given its proximity to the city, it is no surprise that the area's highest-earning residents tend to be concentrated around major commuter pathways - specifically State Route 74 and 54. As a result, it is Peachtree City that leads the county in income earning, with residents there averaging well into the six-figure range.

Jackson Street Bridge into Atlanta.Photo byJoey KyberonUnsplash

This is not to say that nearby Fayetteville or Tyrone are not affluent, as they also do quite well. The area, while certainly growing more expensive, also benefits from being less costly than many of the northern Atlanta suburbs. As a result, younger families or professionals who are just getting their career footing may gravitate toward Fayette more than the other counties on our list. It's no surprise, then, to see that Fayette has nearly doubled in population since 1990.

The population of Fayette skews slightly older than some of the surrounding areas but generally falls close to the national averages in workforce participation, median age, and other demographic data according to the U.S. Census.

2. Oconee County - $106,165 median income

While tucked between Atlanta and Athens, suburban Oconee County has an economy more reliant on the latter than the former. Comparatively small in size to some of our other entrants, Oconee County's 42,000 or so redients are largely spread evenly across the county - a rarity in today's days of population centers versus small towns. In fact, the county's largest town of Watkinsville has only about 3,000 residents.

Still, the relative calm of this Athens suburb combined with advantages like a strong school district and an ever-growing economy, and one can see why Oconee County attracts so many high-income earners. The county's population has grown by more than 20% each decade dating all the way back to 1970 and appears poised to continue doing so.

1. Forsyth County - $120,999 median income

Easily Georgia's county with the highest household incomes, Forsyth is another rapid-growing county in the Atlanta metropolitan area. The rapid economic expansion in both Atlanta and nearby Alpharetta in recent years has led Forsyth to become one of the most affluent counties in the nation, not just Georgia.

Lake Lanier Islands to the east of Forsyth County.Photo byBrandon CarsononUnsplash

What makes Forsyth unique when compared to other counties is the blend of attributes it possesses. While located within a reasonable distance from economic centers like the aforementioned Alpharetta and Atlanta, the county also has significant wildlife, plantlife, and natural preserves in its northern and eastern areas, giving local residents an easy escape from the more densely populated, urban life.

It's the job market that drives salaries, however, and that is Forsyth's true advantage. Nearly 70% of the county's population is active in the workforce, one of the highest totals for any county in the entire nation. With fewer fixed-income or government-assisted residents, the median income for the area naturally skews higher. Like Columbia County above, the area is also popular with younger families, and nearly a quarter of the county's residents are under 18 years of age per the U.S. Census. Most of them will receive a strong education, too, as the county's schools rank among the nation's best.

Of course, all these advantages come with a price. Real estate in the area comes at a premium, with home prices in the area up more than 40% since 2019. Still, for those who can afford it, Forsyth County offers plenty of opportunity.

That concludes our list of Georgia's wealthiest areas according to income. Not surprisingly, many are one-in-the-same with the state's most expensive areas for real estate, as well. Still, each of these areas appears set to continue growing in both population and income alike.

Those who would like to review the data used in this article can click on any of the links above to find the source information and other facts about these areas.