Population 17,408 (est. 2026: ~20,100)
Source: Census ACS 2023 · ACS 2023 + 4.44% annual growth projection
Richmond Hill, Georgia
Bryan County, Georgia · Population 16,633
Richmond Hill sits at the southeastern edge of Bryan County, roughly 20 miles southwest of Savannah along the Georgia coast. It straddles I-95 and US-17, making it one of those towns that has grown fast precisely because of where it sits — close enough to Savannah for a reasonable commute, far enough to feel like a distinct community. The Ogeechee River runs along its northern edge, and salt marsh stretches toward the coast to the east. What was once a sleepy coastal crossroads has become one of the fastest-growing communities in Bryan County, which itself has swelled to 44,738 residents. The median age here is 31 — young, family-heavy, and still building.
People & Demographics
Richmond Hill's 16,703 residents skew young and family-oriented. A median age of 31 is notably lower than most Georgia communities, and the data reflects why: 5,648 children under 18 live here, in 5,936 occupied households with an average size of 2.79 people. Family households make up 4,293 of those.
Racially, 11,331 residents identify as white, 2,350 as Black, and 437 as Asian. The Hispanic and Latino population stands at 1,954. The town reflects the broader coastal Georgia mix — military-connected families, longtime locals, and newer arrivals drawn by the growth corridor between Savannah and Brunswick.
Economy & Employment
The median household income in Richmond Hill is $83,519, which sits comfortably above Georgia's statewide median. Per capita income comes in at $33,241. Of the 8,788 residents in the labor force, 388 are unemployed — a low number relative to the labor force size.
The economic story here is largely about proximity. Fort Stewart, the largest Army installation east of the Mississippi, sits just to the west in Liberty County. A significant share of Richmond Hill's workforce is active-duty military, veterans, and civilian contractors tied to that base. The Savannah metro also pulls workers north — retail, logistics, healthcare, and the sprawling Port of Savannah operation all employ residents who chose to live in Bryan County for the housing prices and the pace. Poverty affects 1,390 residents, a rate that reflects the town's relatively strong income floor.
Housing
Richmond Hill's housing market reflects its growth pressure. The median home value is $244,800. Median rent runs $1,570 per month — steep for a smaller Georgia community, and a direct consequence of demand outpacing supply along the I-95 corridor.
Of 6,470 total housing units, 5,936 are occupied and 534 are vacant — a tight 8.3% vacancy rate. Owner-occupied units number 3,690 against 2,246 renter-occupied, a roughly 62/38 split that leans toward ownership. The relatively young median age and high family-household share drive demand for larger homes, and new subdivisions continue to fill in the surrounding landscape.
Schools
Richmond Hill operates a full ladder of Bryan County public schools. Enrollment numbers signal a substantial and growing student population.
- Richmond Hill High School — Grades 9–12, 2,454 students
- Richmond Hill Middle School — Grades 6–8, 1,894 students
- McAllister Elementary School — Grades PreK–5, 915 students
- Frances Meeks Elementary School — Grades PreK–5, 815 students
- Richmond Hill Primary School — Grades PreK–1, 799 students
- Dr. George Washington Carver Elementary School — Grades 4–5, 697 students
- Richmond Hill Elementary School — Grades 2–3, 677 students
The high school alone enrolls 2,454 students, which rivals or exceeds the entire school enrollment of many smaller Georgia towns. The elementary-level schools are split across multiple grade bands — a configuration that reflects the pace at which the district has had to expand capacity as the population grew.
Getting Around
Richmond Hill is a car-dependent town. Of 8,159 total workers, 7,041 drive alone to work. Another 557 carpool. Zero residents commute by public transit. Eight walk. Working from home accounts for 374 workers.
Aggregate commute time across all workers totals 251,945 minutes. The math suggests most residents are hauling meaningful distance — toward Savannah, toward Fort Stewart, or toward Hinesville. I-95 and US-17 are the arteries. There is no bus service, no rail, and no realistic pedestrian commute option for most residents.
Healthcare
No hospital sits within Richmond Hill proper. Savannah, roughly 20 miles northeast, is the nearest major healthcare hub — Memorial Health University Medical Center is the regional trauma center. Residents can search current licensed providers in Richmond Hill through the CMS NPI Registry.
Library
The Richmond Hill Public Library serves the community and can be reached at (912) 756-3580. It operates as part of the Live Oak Public Libraries system, which serves coastal Georgia including Chatham, Effingham, and Bryan counties.
Parks & Recreation
Three National Park Service units fall within the broader region:
- Fort Pulaski National Monument — A Civil War-era coastal fortification on Cockspur Island, with a visitor center approximately 25.6 miles from Richmond Hill. The fort is famous for the 1862 battle that demonstrated rifled artillery could defeat masonry fortifications.
- Reconstruction Era National Historical Park — Located in Beaufort County, South Carolina, approximately 49 miles away, documenting the period following the Civil War on the Sea Islands.
- Fort Frederica National Monument — On St. Simons Island, Georgia, roughly 47 miles south. The ruins of the 18th-century British colonial fort sit within a marshside park.
The Ogeechee River corridor offers boating, fishing, and paddling close to town, and the Georgia coast's broader network of wildlife management areas lies within easy reach.
Natural Hazards
Bryan County has a documented history of hurricane and severe weather declarations. The FEMA record is not abstract — this county has been activated repeatedly.
Recent declarations include two for Hurricane Helene (2024), two for Tropical Storm/Hurricane Debby (2024), one for Hurricane Dorian (2019), one for Hurricane Michael (2018), two for Hurricane Irma (2017), and two for Hurricane Matthew (2016). Going further back: Hurricane Floyd (1999), severe storms and flooding (1998), and a Hurricane Katrina evacuation declaration (2005) round out the federal record.
The takeaway for anyone moving here: coastal Georgia hurricane season runs June through November, and Bryan County takes it seriously. Flood insurance, storm shutters, and evacuation planning are not overcautions — they are standard practice.
Government & Municipal Code
Richmond Hill's municipal code is published and maintained through Municode and is publicly accessible at library.municode.com/ga/richmond_hill. The code does not include a local building code in the Municode database — the state building code would apply by default for construction and permitting matters.
Weather
The nearest weather observation station is Richmond Hill 0.5 NE, located 0.8 miles from the town center. Current forecasts and conditions are available through the National Weather Service:
The coastal Georgia climate means hot, humid summers, mild winters, and a genuine hurricane threat from June through November.
References
- U.S. Census Bureau, American Community Survey 2022 (Tables B01001, B01002, B02001, B03001, B09001, B11001, B15003, B17001, B19013, B19301, B23025, B25001, B25002, B25003, B25010, B25064, B25077, B08006, B08013)
- NCES Common Core of Data (CCD), 2022
- FEMA Disaster Declarations, Bryan County, Georgia
- CMS NPI Registry — Richmond Hill, GA providers
- National Park Service — Fort Pulaski, Reconstruction Era NHP, Fort Frederica
- National Weather Service — forecast point 31.9393, -81.3119
- Institute of Museum and Library Services (IMLS) — Live Oak Public Libraries
- Municode — Richmond Hill Municipal Code
The law belongs to the people. Georgia v. Public.Resource.Org, 590 U.S. (2020)