City profile
Macon, GA
The Heart of Georgia — deeply affordable with strong Black community and music heritage (Otis Redding, Little Richard).
Climate
Climate type
Humid subtropical
Winter avg
46°F
Summer avg
82°F
Sunny days / yr
218
Home prices & cost of living
Median home price
$160,000
Typical monthly housing
$1,000
Cost of living (100 = U.S.)
82
Taxes
- Property tax
- 0.91%
- State income tax (top)
- 5.39%
- Social Security
- Not taxed
- Pensions
- Partly exempt
- Sales tax (state + avg. local)
- 7.38%
FEMA natural hazard risk
Relatively Low · county score 79/100
Top hazards: Heat wave, Lightning, Tornado
Nearest major airport
72 mi to Hartsfield Jackson Atlanta International Airport (ATL)
Political lean (2024 county vote)
Leans Democratic · 60% Democratic / 40% Republican
Demographics (Census ACS)
Population (2024)
156,578
Growth since 2019
+2.2%
Median age
36.8
Residents 65+
16.5%
Median household income
$51,234
Income growth since 2019
+24.0%
Black household income
$37,905
Home ownership
51.4%
Poverty rate
24.7%
Poverty rate, 65+
16.2%
Race & ethnicity: Black 54.7% · White 34.3% · Hispanic 4.7% · Asian 2.3% · Other 4.0%
Crime (per 100,000 residents, 2025)
Violent crime
1,293 · 292% above the national average
Property crime
3,424 · 121% above the national average
Source: FBI Crime Data Explorer, Bibb County Sheriff's Office. State average: violent 304, property 1,412.
2025–2026 trends
2026 market trends
- ▸GA is gaining retirees — a sign of strong retiree services and community
- ▸Part of the New Great Migration — a growing Black community in the South
- ▸Climate/cost risks to check: summer heat, hurricanes (coast)
Highlights
- Extremely affordable
- Strong Black majority community
- Rich music heritage
- Fort Valley State University nearby
Trade-offs
- Higher crime
- Limited economic opportunities
- Fewer amenities
- Smaller city
Figures are estimates from public sources (see How we match). Verify before making decisions.