Douglas, Georgia
Seal of Georgia
Douglas · Coffee County, Georgia
Population 11,720 (est. 2026: ~11,800)
Source: Census ACS 2023 · ACS 2023 + 0.25% annual growth projection

Douglas, Georgia

Coffee County, Georgia · Population 11,722

Douglas sits at the heart of Coffee County in South Georgia's Wiregrass region, roughly 60 miles north of Valdosta and about 100 miles southwest of Savannah. It is the county seat, the commercial hub, and by far the largest city in a county that otherwise runs to farms, timber, and small crossroads communities. South Georgia State College anchors the town intellectually and economically. The surrounding landscape is flat, piney, and prone to tropical weather systems that sweep north from the Gulf and Atlantic. This is a working-class Southern city — median age 30.7, a majority-Black population, modest incomes, and housing costs that remain genuinely affordable by any Georgia standard.

People & Demographics

Douglas holds 11,722 residents, representing about 27 percent of Coffee County's 43,092 people. The population skews young — median age 30.7 — with 3,363 children under 18 living in the city. Of 4,255 total households, 2,409 are family households, and the average household size is 2.57.

Racially, 6,028 residents identify as Black and 4,996 as White. The Hispanic and Latino population stands at 1,241, a notable share that reflects broader demographic shifts across South Georgia's agricultural economy. The Asian population is very small at just 6 residents.

Economy & Employment

The labor force counts 4,719 people, with 134 unemployed — an unemployment rate of roughly 2.8 percent among those actively in the labor market. Median household income is $39,716, which runs well below Georgia's statewide median. Per capita income sits at $20,925. Poverty is significant: 2,478 residents fall below the poverty line, representing more than 21 percent of the population.

South Georgia State College is a major employer and an economic anchor. Healthcare, retail trade, agriculture, and logistics round out the local employment base. Coffee County's broader rural economy still relies heavily on poultry processing, timber, and farming.

Housing

Douglas is genuinely affordable. The median home value is $128,200, and median rent runs $717 per month. Of 4,820 total housing units, 4,255 are occupied — leaving 565 vacant, a vacancy rate of about 11.7 percent. Ownership and renting are nearly split: 2,188 owner-occupied units versus 2,067 renter-occupied. That near-even split is unusual for a small Southern city and reflects a mix of long-term homeowners, college-adjacent renters, and workforce housing demand.

For buyers or renters arriving from Georgia's metro areas, the cost differential is striking. A $128,200 median home value is roughly a third to a quarter of what Atlanta suburbs command.

Schools

The Coffee County School System serves Douglas and the surrounding county. Enrollment figures reflect the city's role as the county's educational center:

The Carver Freshman Campus functions as a dedicated ninth-grade transition school, separating incoming high schoolers from upperclassmen. The Wiregrass Regional College and Career Academy offers technical and post-secondary pathway coursework for high school students.

South Georgia State College (912-260-4200) provides two-year and select four-year degree programs and draws students from across the region.

Getting Around

Douglas is car-dependent. Of 4,459 workers, 3,526 drove alone to work. Another 355 carpooled. Only 18 used public transit, and 219 walked — a number likely tied to the college population and proximity to employers. Just 49 people worked from home. The aggregate commute time for all workers totals 63,600 minutes, implying an average one-way commute of roughly 14 minutes — short even by small-city standards, consistent with a compact town where most jobs are local.

Healthcare

Coffee Regional Medical Center serves as the primary hospital for Douglas and Coffee County. For a broader search of licensed healthcare providers registered in Douglas, the CMS NPI Registry provides a current list: NPI Registry — Douglas, GA.

Larger specialty care and regional hospital systems are accessible in Valdosta (approximately 60 miles south) and Waycross (approximately 60 miles east).

Library

The Douglas-Coffee County Public Library serves the city and county (912-384-4667). It is part of the Okefenokee Regional Library System and provides the primary public library access for Coffee County residents.

Natural Hazards

Coffee County has a serious and documented history with natural disasters. FEMA has issued federal disaster declarations for the county 15 times since 2005:

The pattern is unmistakable: South Georgia sits in the path of Atlantic and Gulf storm systems year after year. Residents should maintain hurricane preparedness supplies, understand evacuation routes, and monitor weather alerts consistently. The 2024 storm season alone produced four separate federal declarations.

Current weather alerts for the Douglas area: NWS Active Alerts

Government & Municipal Code

Douglas operates under a city charter and publishes its municipal code through Municode: Douglas Municipal Code — Municode Library

No local building code is on file for Douglas in the available data. Residents and contractors undertaking construction projects should confirm applicable codes directly with the city and Coffee County.

Weather

The NWS forecast for Douglas is issued from the nearest monitoring station, DOUGLAS 2.5 WSW, located 2.2 miles from the city center:

NWS Forecast — Douglas, GA

South Georgia's climate means hot, humid summers, mild winters, and a prolonged tropical storm season running June through November. The FEMA declaration record above tells the fuller story of what that storm exposure looks like in practice.

References

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