Most Americans have never been to small town Georgia. However, as the Georgian who live there know, small town Georgia is an awesome place to call home.
But is it all roses? Definitely not. Just like any other state, Georgia has its trouble spots. This article aims to determine, using Saturday Night Science, the absolute worst small towns to live in the Peach State. Don’t freak out, we will use data to show which places have high crime, poverty, and unemployment.
After analyzing more than 207 of Georgia’s smallest cities, we came up with this list as the 10 worst small towns in Georgia where you’d never want to live:
Table Of Contents: Top Ten | Methodology | Summary | Table
These are the worst small towns in Georgia for 2024:
- Morgan
- Colquitt
- Marshallville
- Webster County unified government
- Pearson
- Vienna
- Folkston
- Soperton
- Georgetown-Quitman County unified government
- Dawson
So what is the worst small town to call home in Georgia for 2024? According to the most recent census data, Morgan is the worst small town to live in Georgia.
While many of these small towns have seen better days, they have wonderful communities and people. This report in no way means to knock the folks that call towns like Morgan home. Everyone
Read on below to see how we crunched the numbers, or scroll to the bottom to see how your town ranked.
And if you already know about the small towns, check out the best places to live in Georgia or the worst places to live in Georgia.
If you’re looking for something more national, check out the worst cities in America or the worst states in America.
The 10 Worst Small Towns In Georgia For 2024
1. Morgan
/10
Population: 1,832
Median Home Value: $121,073
Median Income: $38,750
Unemployment Rate: 39.0%
2. Colquitt
/10
Population: 2,131
Median Home Value: $129,197
Median Income: $26,125
Unemployment Rate: 9.0%
3. Marshallville
/10
Population: 1,014
Median Home Value: $94,424
Median Income: $18,839
Unemployment Rate: 13.0%
4. Webster County Unified Government
/10
Population: 2,354
Median Home Value: $100,071
Median Income: $35,000
Unemployment Rate: 8.9%
5. Pearson
/10
Population: 1,826
Median Home Value: $108,426
Median Income: $30,455
Unemployment Rate: 4.8%
6. Vienna
/10
Population: 2,944
Median Home Value: $86,751
Median Income: $38,371
Unemployment Rate: 15.5%
7. Folkston
/10
Population: 4,544
Median Home Value: $175,294
Median Income: $36,712
Unemployment Rate: 17.1%
8. Soperton
/10
Population: 2,905
Median Home Value: $101,521
Median Income: $28,607
Unemployment Rate: 15.9%
9. Georgetown-Quitman County Unified Government
/10
Population: 2,180
Median Home Value: $111,364
Median Income: $38,889
Unemployment Rate: 23.5%
10. Dawson
/10
Population: 4,342
Median Home Value: $69,901
Median Income: $31,310
Unemployment Rate: 13.6%
Methodology: How do you decide if a small place in Georgia is lousy or not?
To rank the worst small towns to live in Georgia, we had to determine what criteria people like or dislike about a place. Assuming that people like low crime, solid education, things to do, and a stable economy isn’t a stretch.
We then analyzed the criteria using Saturday Night Science, the thinking you’d use at a bar. It seems like even your crazy Uncle would agree that a town with high crime is worse than a town with low crime; all else the same.
Using FBI crime data and the Census’s 2018-2022 American Community Survey, this is the criteria we used:
- Population Density (The lower, the worse)
- Highest Unemployment Rates
- Low housing costs (meaning there’s no demand)
- Adjusted Median Income (Median income adjusted for the cost of living)
- Education (Number of high school dropouts)
- High Crime
We looked at cities with populations between 1,000 and 5,000 people, of which there were many – 207 to be exact.
We get the crime numbers from the FBI, which gets them from the cities. Dropout numbers are based on the adult population, not just the current graduation rates of teenagers.
We base all our research on facts, which is meant as infotainment. We updated this article for 2024, which is our tenth time ranking the worst small places to live in Georgia.
There You Have It – The Worst Small Towns In Georgia
If you’re analyzing teeny places in the Peach State with the worst economic situations, where there’s high crime and there’s not a lot to do, this is an accurate list.
The worst small towns in Georgia are Morgan, Colquitt, Marshallville, Webster County unified government, Pearson, Vienna, Folkston, Soperton, Georgetown-Quitman County unified government, and Dawson.
If you’re curious enough, here are the best small towns to live in Georgia, according to science:
- Berkeley Lake (Pop. 2,527)
- Talahi Island (Pop. 1,185)
- Avondale Estates (Pop. 3,507)
For more Georgia reading, check out:
Worst Small Towns In Georgia
| Rank | Town | Population | Unemployment Rate | Home Value | Median Income |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Morgan | 1,832 | 39.0% | $121,073 | $38,750 |
| 2 | Colquitt | 2,131 | 9.0% | $129,197 | $26,125 |
| 3 | Marshallville | 1,014 | 13.0% | $94,424 | $18,839 |
| 4 | Webster County Unified Government | 2,354 | 8.9% | $100,071 | $35,000 |
| 5 | Pearson | 1,826 | 4.8% | $108,426 | $30,455 |
| 6 | Vienna | 2,944 | 15.5% | $86,751 | $38,371 |
| 7 | Folkston | 4,544 | 17.1% | $175,294 | $36,712 |
| 8 | Soperton | 2,905 | 15.9% | $101,521 | $28,607 |
| 9 | Georgetown-Quitman County Unified Government | 2,180 | 23.5% | $111,364 | $38,889 |
| 10 | Dawson | 4,342 | 13.6% | $69,901 | $31,310 |
| 11 | Edison | 1,229 | 17.2% | $88,943 | $36,250 |
| 12 | Sparks | 2,459 | 7.7% | $115,919 | $37,226 |
| 13 | Sycamore | 1,223 | 16.0% | $136,002 | $41,538 |
| 14 | Wadley | 2,049 | 10.1% | $67,485 | $36,406 |
| 15 | Trion | 2,389 | 4.0% | $133,197 | $39,073 |
| 16 | Experiment | 2,578 | 8.1% | $154,033 | $28,955 |
| 17 | Metter | 3,976 | 5.9% | $120,300 | $31,786 |
| 18 | Flovilla | 1,165 | 10.8% | $199,429 | $1,000 |
| 19 | Wrightsville | 3,471 | 10.2% | $109,105 | $32,745 |
| 20 | Abbeville | 2,752 | 10.3% | $119,189 | $25,972 |
| 21 | Lyons | 4,219 | 5.0% | $145,182 | $29,037 |
| 22 | Willacoochee | 1,452 | 2.7% | $110,321 | $32,202 |
| 23 | Enigma | 1,251 | 0.0% | $124,777 | $1,000 |
| 24 | Hazlehurst | 4,075 | 10.0% | $124,248 | $35,208 |
| 25 | Twin City | 1,849 | 10.4% | $77,631 | $36,498 |
| 26 | Omega | 1,302 | 2.9% | $113,652 | $43,269 |
| 27 | Norman Park | 1,121 | 6.2% | $101,224 | $53,833 |
| 28 | Homerville | 2,049 | 2.0% | $108,213 | $29,815 |
| 29 | Baxley | 4,971 | 9.9% | $143,789 | $27,303 |
| 30 | Arlington | 1,141 | 9.0% | $79,862 | $43,750 |
| 31 | Tignall | 1,163 | 9.3% | $136,413 | $80,122 |
| 32 | Nicholls | 3,062 | 8.7% | $131,006 | $24,500 |
| 33 | Butler | 2,059 | 3.3% | $123,369 | $27,656 |
| 34 | Pelham | 3,501 | 13.1% | $122,844 | $34,761 |
| 35 | East Griffin | 1,206 | 7.4% | $109,880 | $38,681 |
| 36 | Lakeview Estates | 2,714 | 2.9% | $59,575 | $43,219 |
| 37 | Roberta | 1,462 | 12.5% | $117,119 | $41,500 |
| 38 | Wrens | 2,063 | 5.8% | $109,904 | $35,585 |
| 39 | Lavonia | 2,617 | 11.4% | $304,285 | $33,056 |
| 40 | Broxton | 1,082 | 0.0% | $161,506 | $24,634 |
| 41 | Quitman | 4,050 | 6.1% | $132,886 | $20,333 |
| 42 | Mount Vernon | 2,251 | 16.4% | $142,229 | $33,788 |
| 43 | Hardwick | 3,202 | 4.9% | $105,912 | $34,587 |
| 44 | Nahunta | 1,386 | 3.4% | $122,492 | $48,542 |
| 45 | Fort Gaines | 1,035 | 9.2% | $115,216 | $36,161 |
| 46 | Ivey | 1,060 | 10.2% | $124,882 | $40,938 |
| 47 | Chattanooga Valley | 4,166 | 9.9% | $159,128 | $45,222 |
| 48 | Tennille | 1,522 | 4.9% | $110,749 | $27,426 |
| 49 | Oglethorpe | 1,084 | 6.5% | $76,410 | $23,958 |
| 50 | Ashburn | 4,223 | 10.8% | $106,975 | $35,987 |
| 51 | Alamo | 3,180 | 15.6% | $111,935 | $43,298 |
| 52 | Porterdale | 1,602 | 3.8% | $190,355 | $36,563 |
| 53 | Chester | 1,702 | 2.7% | $157,985 | $26,786 |
| 54 | Gordon | 2,107 | 8.8% | $88,218 | $32,083 |
| 55 | Buena Vista | 1,964 | 0.3% | $108,480 | $31,308 |
| 56 | Sparta | 1,944 | 11.6% | $196,413 | $22,102 |
| 57 | Millen | 2,973 | 10.0% | $121,735 | $34,213 |
| 58 | Royston | 2,305 | 11.6% | $217,980 | $30,332 |
| 59 | Warrenton | 1,847 | 10.4% | $95,293 | $34,944 |
| 60 | Ellijay | 1,750 | 7.8% | $379,549 | $37,227 |
| 61 | Jonesboro | 4,415 | 6.2% | $247,639 | $33,621 |
| 62 | Buchanan | 1,238 | 12.0% | $235,139 | $46,071 |
| 63 | Putney | 3,295 | 15.6% | $160,945 | $64,182 |
| 64 | Unionville | 2,215 | 11.5% | $50,230 | $49,149 |
| 65 | Greensboro | 3,573 | 10.1% | $680,035 | $42,534 |
| 66 | Unadilla | 3,073 | 12.6% | $125,396 | $40,250 |
| 67 | Richland | 1,290 | 5.4% | $52,006 | $41,458 |
| 68 | Ocilla | 3,338 | 4.0% | $105,494 | $33,208 |
| 69 | Nashville | 4,907 | 7.2% | $158,738 | $45,500 |
| 70 | East Dublin | 2,889 | 7.3% | $113,647 | $54,601 |
| 71 | Remerton | 1,602 | 7.5% | $130,152 | $25,052 |
| 72 | Nicholson | 2,067 | 12.2% | $287,206 | $50,000 |
| 73 | Lumber City | 1,127 | 7.3% | $89,059 | $31,429 |
| 74 | Montezuma | 3,040 | 6.4% | $81,345 | $46,315 |
| 75 | Lindale | 4,568 | 5.8% | $175,856 | $39,472 |
| 76 | Donalsonville | 2,824 | 6.0% | $120,515 | $37,433 |
| 77 | Hephzibah | 3,869 | 11.5% | $238,146 | $63,836 |
| 78 | Davisboro | 2,196 | 4.4% | $108,224 | $45,647 |
| 79 | Summerville | 4,381 | 4.7% | $166,950 | $27,694 |
| 80 | Claxton | 2,573 | 3.2% | $119,245 | $40,870 |
| 81 | Zebulon | 1,625 | 8.0% | $297,635 | $43,456 |
| 82 | Boston | 1,108 | 10.7% | $175,093 | $37,500 |
| 83 | Bowdon | 2,590 | 3.7% | $229,779 | $40,938 |
| 84 | Elberton | 4,627 | 8.4% | $125,908 | $38,562 |
| 85 | Ludowici | 2,137 | 6.5% | $273,350 | $26,944 |
| 86 | Greenville | 1,088 | 9.3% | $164,803 | $53,092 |
| 87 | Lakeland | 2,928 | 0.1% | $137,097 | $28,920 |
| 88 | Alma | 3,433 | 2.0% | $136,155 | $35,354 |
| 89 | Cochran | 4,867 | 10.5% | $147,281 | $31,326 |
| 90 | Cuthbert | 3,109 | 0.6% | $63,289 | $21,278 |
| 91 | Hogansville | 3,240 | 0.9% | $161,534 | $44,712 |
| 92 | Young Harris | 1,066 | 8.2% | $368,292 | $27,500 |
| 93 | Raoul | 2,529 | 4.3% | $116,945 | $56,675 |
| 94 | Leesburg | 3,465 | 17.0% | $238,322 | $55,417 |
| 95 | Hagan | 1,444 | 8.4% | $163,421 | $63,750 |
| 96 | Crawford | 1,019 | 2.1% | $250,612 | $21,696 |
| 97 | Cornelia | 4,648 | 1.2% | $248,700 | $46,211 |
| 98 | Dasher | 1,063 | 1.2% | $224,358 | $58,750 |
| 99 | Lithonia | 2,614 | 7.3% | $265,761 | $45,431 |
| 100 | Fairmount | 1,213 | 3.7% | $272,947 | $61,042 |
Well how do I start? Oak Park is a small town, but I have lived there most of my life. It is definitely an acquired taste of living. The people that live there enjoy simple country living and it is a nice place to live. Most go hunting, fishing, ride ATV’s, farming, etc. it’s a nice small quiet town to live in. Very peaceful and friendly and they have plenty of churches to choose from. Everyone knows everyone and willing to help one another. As for the comment about the bar, yes there is in fact a bar in town along with a subway and a few gas stations. The town is stretched out so most businesses are near the interstate. Someone that is not from there would be ignorant to that. So this town is technically idle for potential businesses because land is cheap and the cost to build and establish a business would be less costly. The potential for income would be there with the location beside the interstate and business from people in the surrounding small towns. See what this article fails to include is the fact that this town and others are surrounded by many small towns so none of them are really developed though there is plenty of room for development and growth. This town has a tremendous amount of potential. I can assure you that your statistics regarding crime is completely inaccurate or out dated. There is little to no crime unless you consider a speeding ticket a crime. I would know being the former police commissioner and former city councilwoman. It’s kind of like being on the Andy Griffith show. It’s like Mayberry. So to me this would be an ideal place to raise a family.
Amanda B. Knott, thank you so much for our words regarding Oak Park. I live in Deerfield Beach FL and we are doing some personal research on small towns around Georgia, since it is not too north and not too south either. My husband can`t stand the snow. Some how I found Oak Park among others. I was very disappointed to read the article that places it among the worst towns to live. Like you said, ” Mayberry like town” is what we long for. Tks so much for being fair to the place you love and keep up telling the truth. God bless you. If we decide to move to your town, we will love to meet you there.