Chatham County

As of the 2020 U.S. Census, Chatham County, GA, had a population of approximately 295,291. The racial makeup includes 52.6% White, 40.2% African American, 3.0% Asian, and 2.6% identifying as two or more races. Hispanic or Latino individuals constitute around 7.8% of the population. The median household income is around $55,308, with 17.5% of residents living below the poverty line. The population density stands at roughly 706 people per square mile over an area of 632 square miles.

As of 2023, Chatham County, GA, has a median home price of approximately $295,000 and a median rent of around $1,600 per month. The homeownership rate is about 54%, with an average household size of 2.6. The county, which includes Savannah, has seen property values increase by about 7% year-over-year. The vacancy rate stands at approximately 12%, reflecting a moderately competitive housing market. Additionally, housing units have a median age of roughly 50 years, indicating a mix of older and newer properties.

Chatham County, GA conducts elections for various local, state, and federal positions. Key elections include those for the County Commission, Board of Education, Sheriff, and judges, among others. Voter turnout in recent elections varied, with 2020’s general election seeing a 70% turnout. In 2022, the county elected officials such as District Attorney (Shalena Cook Jones) and Commissioners (e.g., Chester Ellis, Helen Stone). Upcoming elections will feature candidates for positions like the Mayor of Savannah. Voters in Chatham County can register online or at the Board of Elections, with early voting and absentee options available. Key deadlines typically align with state and national schedules, with voter registration closing 29 days before an election. For the latest candidate list and detailed voting information, residents should refer to the Chatham County Board of Elections website.

As of the latest available data, Chatham County, GA, shows a range of educational attainment levels. Approximately 88.5% of Chatham County residents aged 25 and older have at least a high school diploma, which is slightly below the national average of around 90%. About 32.5% hold a bachelor's degree or higher, aligning closely with the national average of approximately 33%. Compared to the state of Georgia, Chatham County fares slightly better; Georgia has about 87.4% of residents with at least a high school diploma and around 32.2% with a bachelor’s degree or higher. Educational initiatives in Chatham County continue to focus on improving graduation rates and higher education attainment to further align with or surpass national and state averages.

As of the most recent data, Chatham County, GA, has an unemployment rate of 3.4%, lower than the national average of 3.7% and the Georgia state average of 3.5%. The county's workforce consists of approximately 146,000 individuals. Top industries include healthcare and social assistance (17%), retail trade (11%), and educational services (10%). Manufacturing and hospitality also play significant roles, contributing 9% and 8% respectively.

By comparison, the national industry averages are as follows: healthcare and social assistance (14%), retail trade (10%), and educational services (8%). Georgia state averages are similar but show slight variances: healthcare and social assistance (15%), retail trade (11%), and educational services (9%).

Chatham County’s stronger emphasis on healthcare and educational services aligns well with national and state trends, reflecting its diverse economic base and robust employment opportunities.

As of the most recent data, the average household income in Chatham County, GA, is approximately $63,000. When compared to the state of Georgia, which has an average household income of around $61,000, Chatham County is slightly above the state level. On the national level, the average household income in the United States stands at approximately $68,700, placing Chatham County below the national average.

This shows that while Chatham County has a higher average income than the state of Georgia, it remains below the national average.

As of the latest data available in 2023, Chatham County, GA has a crime rate of approximately 4,552 per 100,000 residents. Violent crimes comprise a significant portion of the total, while property crimes remain more prevalent. The crime rates per 100,000 residents are summarized in the table below:

This table highlights the key areas of concern for law enforcement and local authorities in their ongoing efforts to improve community safety.