Walton County

As of the 2020 Census, Walton County, GA had a population of approximately 96,673 people. The racial composition was around 77.2% White, 16.0% Black or African American, 2.1% Asian, and 3.3% Hispanic or Latino of any race. The median household income was roughly $62,307, with 10.6% of the population living below the poverty line. The median age was about 38.6 years. Walton County covers 329 square miles and is part of the Atlanta-Sandy Springs-Roswell Metropolitan Statistical Area.

As of the latest data, Walton County, GA has a median home value of approximately $250,000. The housing market has seen a year-over-year appreciation of around 15%. Average rental prices range from $1,100 for a one-bedroom apartment to about $1,800 for a three-bedroom house. The homeownership rate is approximately 77%, with a median household income of $60,000. Housing inventory is moderately low, contributing to competitive market conditions.

Walton County, GA holds elections for various local and state positions, including commissioners, school board members, and state legislators. In the most recent elections:

• Commissioner District 1: Incumbent Jason Tarpley ran unopposed.
• Commissioner District 3: Lee Bradford faced off against opponent David Thompson.
• Board of Education: Seats for Districts 1, 4, and At-Large were contested.
• Georgia State Senate, District 25: Incumbent Burt Jones ran for re-election.
• Georgia House of Representatives, Districts 112 and 113: Candidates included Republican Dave Belton and Democrat Malcolm Adams.

Voter turnout typically ranges from 20-40% in local elections. For the specifics on each candidate, detailed results, and dates, refer to the Walton County Board of Elections website or the Georgia Secretary of State’s official portal.

As of the latest available data, Walton County, GA, has a high school graduation rate of approximately 85.7%, compared to the national average of around 88%. About 22.2% of Walton County residents hold a bachelor's degree or higher, which is below both the national average of 35% and the Georgia state average of 32.9%. These metrics suggest that while the county is close to the national high school graduation rate, it lags significantly behind national and state averages for higher education attainment. Efforts to boost college degrees and advanced education could benefit the region's socio-economic growth.

As of the most recent data, Walton County, GA has a labor force of approximately 40,000 people with an unemployment rate around 3.5%, aligning closely with the national average of 3.6% and slightly lower than Georgia's state average of 3.7% (2022 data).

Top industries in Walton County include Manufacturing, Retail Trade, and Educational Services. Manufacturing employs about 25% of the workforce compared to the national average of 8.5% and Georgia's average of 11.6%. Retail Trade accounts for roughly 13% of employment, close to the national average of 12.3%. Educational Services employ around 9% of workers, slightly lower than the national average of 9.4% and Georgia's average of 10.3%.

This concentration in Manufacturing indicates a strong industrial base relative to broader state and national levels, while Education and Retail employment figures are more in line with typical patterns.

As of the latest available data, the median household income in Walton County, GA is approximately $58,000. This is lower than both the national median household income, which is around $68,700, and the state of Georgia's median household income, which stands at approximately $61,000.

Income Comparison Table:

Walton County's median income is below both the state and national averages, reflecting potential regional economic disparities.

As of the latest data, Walton County, GA has a relatively moderate crime rate compared to national averages. The overall crime rate stands at approximately 25.8 per 1,000 residents annually. The breakdown of types of crimes is as follows:

These statistics suggest that property crimes are more prevalent in the county compared to violent crimes. Efforts are continually being made to improve safety and reduce crime rates further.