C-

Locust Grove, GA

Source:

Affordability Score: 54/100

Population: 23,249 · 1 ZIP codes

The affordability dashboard for Locust Grove, GA aggregates Census ACS 5-Year Estimates across 1 ZIP code covering 23,249 residents, then layers in county-level federal data to produce an overall grade of C- (54/100). The headline inputs are median household income of $83,823, median home value of $315,900, median rent of $1,563 per month, and 29.2% of adults holding a bachelor's degree or higher. These four metrics alone explain most of the variance between city dashboards.

Cross-agency feeds widen the picture beyond Census demographics. HUD publishes a Fair Market Rent for a 2-bedroom in this county at $1,820 per month (studio $1,585, 1BR $1,660, 3BR $2,182, 4BR $2,605). Department of Labor data lists infant center-based childcare at $10,660 per year, consuming 13% of the local median household income.

Reading the overall grade requires reading all seven dimensions together. The score weights Income 20%, Safety 20%, Housing 15%, Rent 15%, Education 10%, Commute 10%, and Childcare 10%, with each sub-score benchmarked against national percentiles rather than state averages — so the grade is genuinely comparable across any city in the country. Pressure points are commute. Unemployment currently reads 7.0% and poverty 8.6% — numbers worth keeping alongside the headline grade.

Score Breakdown

Income B
$83,823
Median household income
Education D
29.2%
Bachelor's degree or higher
Housing D
3.8x
Home value $315,900 vs income
Commute F
34 min
Average commute time
Rent C+
$1,820/mo
2BR fair market rent (26% of income)
Safety N/A
N/A
Violent crime rate (county)
Childcare C+
$10,660/yr
Center-based infant care (13% of income)

Income & Employment

Median Income
$83,823
▲ 35% vs national
Per Capita Income
$34,620
Unemployment Rate
7.0%
Poverty Rate
8.6%

Housing

Median Home Value
$315,900
▲ 15% vs national
Median Rent
$1,563/mo
Owner Occupied
84.2%
2BR Fair Market Rent
$1,820/mo
▲ 52% vs national

Fair Market Rents by Bedroom

Studio
$1,585
1BR
$1,660
2BR
$1,820
3BR
$2,182
4BR
$2,605

Safety

Violent Crime Rate
Data Source
FBI UCR (county-level)

Education & Family

Bachelor's Degree+
29.2%
▼ 1 ppt vs national
High School+
60.4%
Median Age
35.0
Avg. Commute
34 min
▲ 8 min vs national

Childcare Costs

Infant (Center)
$10,660/yr
13% of income
Toddler (Center)
$9,766/yr
Preschool (Center)
$9,308/yr
School-Age (Center)
$4,264/yr

What This Means

Locust Grove, GA receives an overall affordability grade of C- (54/100), aggregated from 1 ZIP codes with a total population of 23,249. Challenges include commute. Data was unavailable for safety — these dimensions were excluded from the overall score.

Nearby City Dashboards

Explore Locust Grove ZIP Codes
View all 1 ZIP codes with demographics and individual scorecards
View ZIPs →

What are common questions about this dashboard?

Is Locust Grove, GA affordable?
Locust Grove, GA receives an overall affordability grade of C- (54/100) based on Census, HUD, FBI, and DOL data. Median household income is $83,823. Median home value is $315,900.
What is the cost of living in Locust Grove?
Key cost metrics: Median rent $1,563/mo. 2BR fair market rent $1,820/mo. Infant childcare $10,660/yr. Median home value $315,900.
How is the affordability score calculated?
The score evaluates 7 dimensions weighted by importance: Income (20%), Safety (20%), Housing (15%), Rent (15%), Education (10%), Commute (10%), and Childcare (10%). Each metric is compared against national percentile benchmarks from Census, HUD, FBI, and DOL data.

Data as of 2024. Source: U.S. Census Bureau ACS 5-Year Estimates. Source: HUD Fair Market Rents. Source: FBI Uniform Crime Report. Source: DOL National Database of Childcare Prices. Verify with HUD →