Nestled within a 3-mile radius lies the hamlet of Rutledge, GA. While the population inside of the town limits is smaller, we are looking at the community and surrounding population and use a 3-mile radius for the purpose of comparing one MoxieTown to another. We have found that city limits rarely are discernable, except when you pay your taxes or water bill.

While we love demographics, always recognize they only tell part of the story. Our communities are not the sum of our income and marital status, much less our political and religious leanings.

Almost 60% of the population falls into the demographic profile that ESRI calls “Green Acres”. Making up about 3.9 million of our population this group of people often live in rural areas, in an older home with some acreage.

“The Green Acres lifestyle features country living and
self-reliance. Avid do-it-yourselfers, they maintain and
remodel their homes with all the necessary power tools to
accomplish the jobs. Gardening, especially growing
vegetables, is a priority, again with the right tools, tillers,
tractors, and riding mowers. Outdoor living features a
variety of sports: hunting and fishing, motorcycling, hiking
and camping, and even golf.”

— ESRI.com/tapestry

Population and Growth

With a total population of 2,489 in 2023, this town exemplifies the close-knit community dynamics often found in smaller towns. According to published statistics, the population is expected to experience a slight decline to 2,471 by 2028, indicating a near-stable population with a compound annual growth rate of 0.58% between 2020 and 2023. We believe that, with the construction of the Rivian Plant in nearby Social Circle, that this town will see a sharper increase in population than is forecast.

Generational Distribution and Median Age

Rutledge showcases a diverse generational makeup, with Baby Boomers (27.04%) constituting the largest segment, followed closely by Generation X (21.98%), Millennials (20.29%), and Generation Z (19.73%). The presence of the Silent & Greatest Generations (4.74%) and Generation Alpha (6.19%) adds to this generational tapestry. The median age of 46.1 years reflects a mature community, somewhat higher than the national median, indicating a population that is aging more rapidly than the broader US population. However, this is not currently a retirement destination where we see median age close to 60 years.

Marriage Status

Marital status in this town aligns with traditional values, with a high percentage of married individuals (62.87%) compared to the national average, which is around 50%. This is complemented by lower rates of those never married (25.41%), divorced (7.04%), and widowed (4.68%), suggesting strong family units and a non-transient population.

Income & Housing

The median household income stands at $67,573, with an average household income of $88,647. When compared to the US baseline (indexes of 93 and 83 respectively), it's evident that the town's income levels are somewhat below the national average. However, housing remains relatively affordable, with a median home value of $270,588 and an average value of $315,882. The majority of homes are owner-occupied (74.48%), and the housing stock is relatively aged, with the median year structure built being 1988. This points to a community that values homeownership and has a stable housing market.

Education

Educational attainment in the town presents a mixed picture. With 12.53% holding a bachelor's degree and 8.03% with a graduate or professional degree, the town trails behind national averages in higher education. However, a significant portion of the population has completed high school or pursued some college education, reflecting a commitment to education.

Cultural Leanings

Politically, the town leans conservative, with 48.95% expressing somewhat or very conservative outlooks. This is higher than the national trend, as indicated by the conservative political outlook index (161 for very conservative and 123 for somewhat conservative). Additionally, the town displays a diverse range of religious engagement, with a notable percentage expressing disinterest in attending religious services regularly (42.72%).

Summary

We found Rutledge to be a peek into a small town with rural leanings where everyone knows your name, families are center to the community and it is not unusual to find multiple generations living in the area. While the incomes are lower, on average, to the national averages, the cost of living is a real treat!

Learn more about Rutledge