Arlington, Georgia
Seal of Georgia
Arlington · Calhoun County, Georgia
Population 1,083 (est. 2026: ~900)
Source: Census ACS 2023 · ACS 2023 + -6.37% annual growth projection

Arlington, Georgia

Calhoun County, Georgia · Population 1,209

Arlington sits in the flat, agricultural heart of southwest Georgia, tucked inside Calhoun County along the Pataula Creek corridor. With just over 1,200 residents, it is a small county seat town where the rhythms of rural life — farming, family, and deep community roots — define daily existence. The surrounding landscape is typical of the Georgia coastal plain: open fields, pine stands, and wide skies. Albany lies roughly 40 miles to the northeast, and Dothan, Alabama anchors the broader regional economy to the west. Arlington is not a bedroom community or a suburb — it stands on its own as the commercial and civic center of one of Georgia's smaller, less-populated counties.

People & Demographics

Arlington's population of 1,209 represents more than one-fifth of Calhoun County's total population of 5,573. The demographic breakdown is clear: of the 1,141 residents counted in ACS estimates, 891 identify as Black and 219 as White, with 50 Hispanic or Latino residents. The median age is 38.2 years.

There are 465 households in the city, of which 354 are family households. The average household size is 2.45. Children under 18 number 335 — nearly 29% of the population — a figure that shapes demand for schools and family services in ways that exceed what a raw headcount suggests.

Economy & Employment

The median household income in Arlington is $43,750, and per capita income sits at $20,444. For context, Georgia's statewide median household income runs considerably higher — Arlington's figure reflects the economic reality of a small, rural southwest Georgia community.

Of 489 residents in the labor force, 44 are unemployed. Poverty is a significant factor: 347 residents fall below the poverty line, a rate that points to structural economic challenges common across the rural Georgia black belt. Agriculture, local government, and service employment make up the practical backbone of the local economy.

Housing

Arlington has 630 total housing units. Of those, 465 are occupied and 165 are vacant — a vacancy rate of about 26%, which is elevated and reflects population loss over time in many rural southwest Georgia towns.

Owner-occupied units number 251; renters occupy 214 units, a nearly even split. The median home value is $105,400, making Arlington one of the more affordable places to own property in Georgia. Median rent is $705 per month. For households earning the local median income, these figures represent genuine affordability that is difficult to find in metro Atlanta or coastal Georgia markets.

Schools

Arlington is served by a mix of traditional public schools and a charter option. Pataula Charter Academy enrolls 575 students across grades K–12 and represents a substantial share of local K–12 enrollment. The traditional Calhoun County school system operates three buildings: Calhoun County Elementary School (grades K–5, 206 students), Calhoun County Middle School (grades 6–8, 98 students), and Calhoun County High School (grades 9–12, 163 students). Together these institutions serve a relatively small student population, which can mean closer relationships between students and staff but also fewer elective and extracurricular offerings than larger systems can provide.

Getting Around

Of 421 total workers, 250 drive alone to work. Carpooling accounts for 68 commuters. Notably, 60 workers — about 14% — work from home, a figure that has grown across rural communities. Eleven residents use public transit, and 32 walk to work, suggesting some degree of walkability within the small town core.

Aggregate commute time across all workers totals 10,525 minutes, putting the average one-way trip at roughly 25 minutes. The nearest significant employment center is Albany. A personal vehicle is essentially required for most errands and employment outside Arlington itself.

Healthcare

No hospital is located within Arlington. Residents rely on regional facilities in Albany or Blakely for inpatient and specialty care. Local and nearby healthcare providers can be searched through the CMS National Provider Identifier registry: NPI Registry — Arlington, GA providers.

Library

The Calhoun County Library serves Arlington residents and is located approximately 0.7 miles from the town center. Phone: (229) 835-2012. It functions as a key public resource in a county with limited commercial infrastructure.

Parks & Recreation

The nearest National Park Service site is Jimmy Carter National Historical Park, located in Plains, Georgia — about 38 miles from Arlington. Plains preserves the boyhood farm, church, and hometown of the 39th president and draws visitors from across the country. The Plains High School Visitor Center and Museum, also in Plains, is approximately 38 miles away and serves as an interpretive entry point to the Carter heritage sites.

Natural Hazards

Calhoun County has a long and serious federal disaster declaration history. Major hurricane systems have struck repeatedly: Hurricane Helene triggered a federal emergency declaration in September 2024; Hurricane Michael produced both an emergency and major disaster declaration in October 2018; Hurricane Irma did the same in September 2017. Tropical Storm Frances hit in 2004, and Tropical Storm Alberto caused tornadoes, flooding, and torrential rain in 1994.

Beyond tropical systems, the county has faced severe storms, straight-line winds, and tornadoes in back-to-back declarations in January 2017, as well as significant storm and flooding events in 2009 and 1998. The county also supported Hurricane Katrina evacuees in 2005.

Southwest Georgia sits in a zone where late-season Gulf hurricanes retain destructive force as they track inland, and where severe convective weather is a regular seasonal threat. Fourteen federal declarations since 1994 is not a routine figure — it reflects a real pattern of recurring natural hazards.

Government & Municipal Code

Arlington's municipal code is published through Municode and available at https://library.municode.com/ga/arlington-city-georgia. The city does not currently have a local building code on file.

Weather

Current forecasts and conditions for Arlington are available through the National Weather Service: NWS Forecast for Arlington, GA. Active weather alerts can be monitored at NWS Alerts. The nearest weather observation station is Edison, approximately 0.7 miles away.

References

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