These Are The 10 Worst Small Towns In Georgia For 2019


Using science and data, we can tell you which teeny specks in GA are the pits.

Bud Tapman, RoadSnacks
February 7, 2019 - 38,915 views
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Editor’s Note: This article is an opinion based on facts and is meant as infotainment. Don’t freak out we updated this article for . This is our fourth time ranking the worst small places to live in Georgia.

Most Americans have never been to Georgia. However, as the people who live there know, Georgia is an awesome state.

But is it all roses? Definitely not. Just like any other state, Georgia has its trouble spots. This article aims to determine, using science, the absolute worst small towns to live in the Peach State. Don’t shoot the messenger, this is all using data.

After analyzing more than 192 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:

These are the worst small towns in Georgia for 2019:

  1. Willacoochee
  2. Wadley
  3. Greenville
  4. Arlington
  5. Experiment (Photos)
  6. Franklin
  7. Twin City
  8. Lumpkin
  9. Homerville (Photos)
  10. Talbotton

So what is the worst small town to call home in Georgia for 2019? According to the most recent census data, Willacoochee is the worst small town to live in Georgia.

Of course, many of these cities would rank highly if they were in other states, since Georgia has its stuff figured out.

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.

How do you decide if a place is lousy or not?

In order to rank the worst small towns to live in Georgia, we had to determine what criteria people like or dislike about a place. It isn’t a stretch to assume that people like low crime, solid education, things to do and a stable economy.

So we scraped the internet for those criteria, and it spit out the answer. Like magic.

How we determined the worst small towns to live in Georgia for 2019

We threw a lot of criteria at this one in order to get the best, most complete results possible. Using FBI crime data and the Census’s 2013-2017 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 a lot – 192 to be exact.

Additional note: We get the crime numbers from the FBI, which gets its crime numbers from the cities themselves. Dropout numbers are based on the adult population, not just the current graduation rates of teenagers.

This list is a scientific analysis based on real data and is completely unbiased.

1. Willacoochee

Overall SnackAbility

3
/10

Population: 1,483
Rank Last Year: 14 (Up 12)
Median Home Value: $26,300 (2nd worst)
Unemployment Rate: 15.4% (16th worst)
More on Willacoochee:  Data

2. Wadley

Overall SnackAbility

1
/10

Population: 1,797
Rank Last Year: 11 (Up 8)
Median Home Value: $60,800 (30th worst)
Unemployment Rate: 14.8% (20th worst)
More on Wadley:  Data

3. Greenville

Overall SnackAbility

3
/10

Population: 1,127
Rank Last Year: 13 (Up 9)
Median Home Value: $61,500 (32nd worst)
Unemployment Rate: 24.2% (5th worst)
More on Greenville:  Data

4. Arlington

Overall SnackAbility

3
/10

Population: 1,551
Rank Last Year: 4 (Down 1)
Median Home Value: $39,300 (6th worst)
Unemployment Rate: 24.3% (4th worst)
More on Arlington:  Data

5. Experiment

Overall SnackAbility

4
/10

Population: 2,687
Rank Last Year: 9 (Up 3)
Median Home Value: $66,000 (43rd worst)
Unemployment Rate: 18.5% (10th worst)
More on Experiment:  Data | Photos

6. Franklin

Overall SnackAbility

3
/10

Population: 1,050
Rank Last Year: –
Median Home Value: $166,100 (173rd worst)
Unemployment Rate: 25.8% (3rd worst)
More on Franklin:  Data

7. Twin City

Source: Public Domain
Overall SnackAbility

3
/10

Population: 2,033
Rank Last Year: 6 (Down 2)
Median Home Value: $61,100 (31st worst)
Unemployment Rate: 13.0% (38th worst)
More on Twin City:  Data

8. Lumpkin

Overall SnackAbility

4
/10

Population: 1,100
Rank Last Year: 8 (No Change)
Median Home Value: $45,200 (10th worst)
Unemployment Rate: 29.4% (1st worst)
More on Lumpkin:  Data

9. Homerville

Homerville, GA

Source: Wikipedia User Michael Rivera | CC BY-SA 3.0
Overall SnackAbility

1
/10

Population: 2,455
Rank Last Year: 16 (Up 6)
Median Home Value: $51,000 (14th worst)
Unemployment Rate: 12.9% (40th worst)
More on Homerville:  Data | Photos

10. Talbotton

Overall SnackAbility

3
/10

Population: 1,048
Rank Last Year: 3 (Down 8)
Median Home Value: $52,100 (17th worst)
Unemployment Rate: 14.8% (20th worst)
More on Talbotton:  Data

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.

If you’re curious enough, here are the best small towns to live in Georgia, according to science:

  1. Berkeley Lake (Pop. 2,005)
  2. Isle of Hope (Pop. 2,412)
  3. Avondale Estates (Pop. 3,117)

For more Georgia reading, check out:

Detailed List Of The Worst Small Towns In Georgia

Rank Town Population Unemployment Rate Home Value
1 Willacoochee 1,483 15.4% $26,300
2 Wadley 1,797 14.8% $60,800
3 Greenville 1,127 24.2% $61,500
4 Arlington 1,551 24.3% $39,300
5 Experiment 2,687 18.5% $66,000
6 Franklin 1,050 25.8% $166,100
7 Twin City 2,033 13.0% $61,100
8 Lumpkin 1,100 29.4% $45,200
9 Homerville 2,455 12.9% $51,000
10 Talbotton 1,048 14.8% $52,100
11 Greensboro 3,376 11.0% $70,000
12 Lyons 4,341 17.4% $73,500
13 Oglethorpe 1,282 16.6% $44,000
14 Unionville 1,502 12.2% $45,200
15 Pearson 2,131 8.0% $62,600
16 Mountain City 1,010 11.5% $71,300
17 Richland 1,437 7.6% $51,700
18 Omega 1,305 4.5% $51,100
19 Millen 2,891 11.1% $34,400
20 Lakeland 3,296 11.2% $56,500
21 Blakely 4,717 12.7% $83,300
22 Cuthbert 3,659 14.5% $58,600
23 Sparks 2,200 8.6% $58,000
24 Hardwick 3,239 9.3% $40,100
25 Metter 4,047 8.1% $98,800
26 Ellaville 2,075 22.8% $93,900
27 Marshallville 1,584 17.0% $80,800
28 Warrenton 1,994 6.5% $57,500
29 Russell 1,391 17.8% $81,500
30 Jeffersonville 1,179 4.9% $57,000
31 Butler 2,135 14.7% $58,300
32 Ocilla 3,436 12.6% $66,900
33 Chester 1,964 6.1% $59,400
34 Wrightsville 3,672 20.3% $62,200
35 Tennille 1,711 11.7% $70,600
36 Dawson 4,270 12.7% $90,000
37 Lakeview Estates 2,919 0.9% $14,000
38 Woodbury 1,125 9.8% $56,000
39 Abbeville 2,812 3.5% $35,300
40 Zebulon 1,154 14.5% $89,200
41 Baxley 4,710 12.3% $75,900
42 Nicholls 3,835 5.8% $36,900
43 Unadilla 3,645 9.2% $64,100
44 Colquitt 2,331 9.5% $83,400
45 Montezuma 3,175 16.8% $77,300
46 Norman Park 1,014 7.2% $68,200
47 Reynolds 1,118 14.6% $59,800
48 Union Point 1,655 6.6% $79,400
49 Summerville 4,363 14.6% $55,500
50 Pelham 3,673 19.7% $64,700
51 Vienna 3,789 13.4% $75,900
52 Sparta 1,516 10.1% $63,700
53 Porterdale 1,526 9.9% $76,000
54 Louisville 2,648 10.6% $65,000
55 Jonesboro 4,676 12.4% $79,000
56 Bowdon 2,168 10.2% $90,400
57 Nashville 4,826 13.0% $82,900
58 Fairmount 1,008 12.0% $84,300
59 Darien 3,103 9.8% $100,900
60 Wrens 2,166 6.0% $78,000
61 Boston 1,347 14.8% $90,000
62 Trion 2,325 5.6% $70,800
63 Ashburn 3,716 8.1% $73,900
64 Cochran 4,875 15.1% $78,500
65 Davisboro 1,838 7.0% $59,700
66 Clayton 1,989 6.6% $112,100
67 Hogansville 3,094 11.1% $92,800
68 Lavonia 1,963 6.8% $108,000
69 Gordon 2,026 10.5% $67,900
70 Royston 2,851 4.4% $87,500
71 Soperton 3,034 9.7% $63,100
72 Forsyth 4,026 19.8% $106,700
73 Rossville 4,004 11.6% $72,500
74 Aragon 1,175 9.3% $94,100
75 Lumber City 1,424 0.6% $50,300
76 Cornelia 4,212 5.0% $128,500
77 Quitman 3,764 26.1% $85,000
78 Alto 1,073 3.8% $98,000
79 Mccaysville 1,357 12.9% $91,100
80 Alamo 3,376 3.3% $47,100
81 Buchanan 1,475 11.3% $89,500
82 Buena Vista 2,013 7.6% $84,400
83 Arcade 1,474 8.9% $83,600
84 Washington 3,970 8.5% $83,700
85 Reidsville 2,652 3.3% $95,600
86 Blue Ridge 1,376 15.0% $151,200
87 Putney 2,254 14.1% $88,500
88 Nicholson 1,751 7.0% $100,700
89 Resaca 1,042 6.2% $87,000
90 Pembroke 2,401 14.5% $129,100
91 Baldwin 3,397 4.7% $113,400
92 Shannon 1,978 14.4% $84,000
93 Monticello 2,612 12.6% $100,400
94 Hannahs Mill 3,759 9.6% $83,600
95 East Griffin 1,333 6.6% $65,400
96 East Newnan 1,093 3.1% $85,600
97 Alma 3,484 8.6% $84,300
98 Ellijay 2,542 5.4% $167,700
99 Elberton 4,392 6.4% $83,100
100 Chattanooga Valley 3,804 10.7% $108,400

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2 thoughts on “These Are The 10 Worst Small Towns In Georgia For 2019”

  1. 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.

    Reply

  2. 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.

    Reply

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