Pearson, Georgia
Seal of Georgia
Pearson · Atkinson County, Georgia
Population 1,978 (est. 2026: ~1,800)
Source: Census ACS 2023 · ACS 2023 + -2.98% annual growth projection

Pearson, Georgia

Atkinson County, Georgia · Population 1,821

Pearson sits at the center of Atkinson County in the Coastal Plain of deep south Georgia, roughly halfway between Valdosta and Waycross along US-129. It is the county seat of one of Georgia's smallest and most rural counties — a place where timber, agriculture, and a significant Hispanic working population shape daily life. The median age is 34.9, the housing stock is affordable by almost any standard, and the nearest metro is Valdosta, about 55 miles southwest. This is a small town in the most complete sense: one school complex, one public library, a main street, and a community where nearly everyone knows their neighbors.

People & Demographics

Pearson's 1,826 residents form a genuinely diverse community for its size. White residents account for 714, Black residents for 579, and the Hispanic or Latino population stands at 744 — making Hispanic residents the single largest demographic group. That mix reflects the region's agricultural and timber economy, which has drawn a substantial Latino workforce over the past two decades.

The town has 714 households, of which 473 are family households. The average household size is 2.51. Children under 18 number 419, representing roughly 23 percent of the population — a meaningful share that explains the enrollment levels at the local schools. Atkinson County as a whole holds 8,286 residents, meaning Pearson contains roughly 22 percent of the county's total population despite being its only incorporated city of any size.

Economy & Employment

The economic picture is modest. Median household income in Pearson is $30,455, and per capita income sits at $21,903. Georgia's statewide median household income runs considerably higher, placing Pearson well below the state average. Of the 1,826 residents, 664 live below the poverty line — a poverty rate approaching 36 percent, which is high even by the standards of rural south Georgia.

The labor force numbers 922 people, with 44 unemployed at the time of the survey. The local economy draws heavily from agriculture, poultry processing, and timber — industries that define this corner of the state. Many residents commute out of county for work, which the travel time data reflects.

Housing

Housing in Pearson is among the most affordable in Georgia. The median home value is $65,100 — a figure that reflects genuine affordability as much as it reflects limited demand. Median rent runs $634 per month.

Of 838 total housing units, 714 are occupied and 124 sit vacant — a vacancy rate of about 15 percent. Owner-occupied units number 402, with 312 renter-occupied, putting the ownership rate at roughly 56 percent of occupied units. For buyers, the combination of low prices and low rents makes Pearson one of the more accessible small-town markets in the state, though the income levels mean affordability is relative.

Schools

All three public schools serving Pearson are Atkinson County schools:

Total enrollment across the system is 1,452 students. Given that Pearson is the county seat and the county's only real population center, these schools serve students from across Atkinson County, not just the city limits. The elementary school's enrollment of 644 is notably large relative to the town's total child population, confirming that the schools draw from a wide rural catchment area.

Getting Around

Pearson is a car-required town. Of 874 workers, 593 drove alone to work and 217 carpooled. Just 21 walked to work and 17 worked from home. Public transit carries zero workers — there is no local bus or rail service. The aggregate commute travel time across all workers was 18,365 minutes, suggesting an average one-way commute of roughly 21 minutes. Many of those trips head out of county, likely toward Douglas in Coffee County to the north or toward Waycross to the east.

Healthcare

The nearest hospital with regional capacity is Coffee Regional Medical Center in Douglas, Georgia — Coffee County's seat, located approximately 30 miles north of Pearson. Douglas serves as the practical healthcare hub for Atkinson County residents. For providers practicing locally in Pearson, the NPI Registry lists licensed practitioners with active National Provider Identifiers.

Library

Pearson Public Library serves as the county's public library anchor. It can be reached at (912) 422-3500. For a community of this size, the library functions as a significant civic resource — offering internet access, programming, and research materials in a county where institutional resources are limited.

Natural Hazards

Atkinson County has been struck by named storms and severe weather events repeatedly, and the FEMA disaster declaration record is extensive:

The pattern is unmistakable: Pearson and Atkinson County lie in a corridor that tropical systems reliably reach after making landfall on Florida's Gulf Coast or the Georgia coast. Residents should maintain storm preparedness year-round, particularly from late summer through October. In 2024 alone, the county received four separate federal declarations within a two-month window.

Government & Municipal Code

Pearson's municipal code is published through Municode and available at library.municode.com/ga/pearson. The data does not indicate an adopted local building code. Residents and contractors should confirm current code requirements directly with city hall before beginning construction or renovation projects.

Weather

The nearest weather observation station is Pearson (1.2 miles). Current forecasts are available through the National Weather Service:

South Georgia's climate brings hot, humid summers, mild winters, and a hurricane season that, as the FEMA record above confirms, is not abstract.

References

The law belongs to the people. Georgia v. Public.Resource.Org, 590 U.S. (2020)