Stapleton, Georgia
Seal of Georgia
Stapleton · Jefferson County, Georgia
Population 333 (est. 2026: ~1,000)
Source: Census ACS 2023 · ACS 2023 + 38.14% annual growth projection

Stapleton, Georgia

Jefferson County, Georgia · Population 402

Stapleton sits in the flat, pine-heavy interior of east-central Georgia, roughly midway between Augusta and Macon along the old agricultural corridors of Jefferson County. It is a small, quiet city — the kind of place where 402 residents share a zip code and most errands require a short drive to the county seat of Louisville, about seven miles to the northeast. Stapleton has no pretense of being a regional hub. It is a residential community in the truest sense: people live here, and they go elsewhere to work, shop, and seek services. That simplicity shapes everything about the place.

People & Demographics

The ACS 2022 estimate puts Stapleton's population at 377, with a median age of 49.1 — noticeably older than Georgia's statewide median, which reflects a pattern common to small rural towns where younger adults leave for college or employment. The population is 83% white (314 residents) and 13% Black (50 residents), with 2 Hispanic or Latino residents and no Asian population recorded. The 146 occupied households average 2.52 people each. There are 68 children under 18 in town — roughly 18% of the population, which is lower than state and national norms and consistent with the older median age.

Economy & Employment

Stapleton's median household income of $47,500 trails Georgia's statewide median, which runs well above $60,000. Per capita income is $31,460. Of the 377 residents counted, 93 fall below the federal poverty line — about 25%, a rate significantly higher than the state average and reflective of broader economic stress across rural Jefferson County, which itself has a county population of 15,709 and limited large-scale employers. The labor force counts 157 people, of whom 7 are unemployed — an unemployment rate of roughly 4.5%. The county's economic base leans on agriculture, government services, and healthcare, and many Stapleton workers commute out to access those jobs.

Housing

With 174 total housing units and only 146 occupied, Stapleton carries a vacancy rate of about 16% — elevated, but not unusual for a rural Georgia town of this size. Of occupied units, 91 are owner-occupied and 55 are renter-occupied, putting the homeownership rate at 62%. The median home value of $97,900 makes Stapleton genuinely affordable by almost any Georgia measure; the statewide median home value is considerably higher. Median gross rent is $721 per month. For buyers and renters priced out of Augusta or smaller cities in the region, Stapleton represents a low-cost option with a reasonable commute.

Schools

Students in Stapleton are served by Jefferson County public schools. The middle grades are handled at Jefferson County Middle School, which serves grades 6 through 8 with 458 students enrolled. Elementary and high school students attend other Jefferson County system schools. There are no private or charter schools identified within the city limits.

Getting Around

Stapleton is a car-required community, full stop. Of 142 workers counted, 123 drove alone to work. Six carpooled. Three worked from home. Public transit usage and walking to work both recorded zero. The aggregate commute time for all workers totals 4,950 minutes, suggesting an average one-way trip of roughly 35 minutes — consistent with driving to Louisville, Waynesboro, Augusta, or other nearby employment centers. There is no local transit service.

Healthcare

Jefferson Hospital serves as the county's primary hospital facility. The Louisville Public Library is the nearest public library at 7.0 miles, reachable by a short drive into Louisville. For those researching local healthcare providers in Stapleton, the CMS NPI Registry lists licensed practitioners by city.

Library

The nearest public library is the Louisville Public Library, approximately 7.0 miles from Stapleton in the county seat. Phone: (478) 625-3751. It is part of the public library network serving Jefferson County residents.

Natural Hazards

Jefferson County has a long and active FEMA disaster declaration history that residents should take seriously. Since 2005, the county has received 15 federal disaster or emergency declarations. Hurricane season is the dominant threat: Hurricane Helene (2024) generated two separate federal declarations in September of that year. Hurricane Debby (2024) triggered an emergency declaration in August. Hurricane Michael (2018) and Hurricane Irma (2017) each received both emergency and major disaster designations. Severe winter storms hit in 2014, earning two declarations. Tornadoes struck in the spring of 2008 — twice, just two months apart. The county also received a Hurricane Katrina evacuation declaration in 2005. A severe winter storm declaration was issued as recently as January 2026. Any homeowner or renter in Stapleton should carry flood and wind coverage and maintain a storm preparedness plan.

Government & Municipal Code

Stapleton maintains a municipal code published through Municode, accessible at library.municode.com/ga/stapleton-city-georgia. The city does not have an adopted local building code on file with Municode.

Weather

Current forecasts for Stapleton are available through the National Weather Service. Active weather alerts for the area can be checked at alerts.weather.gov. The nearest official weather observation station is Louisville 1 E, located 6.1 miles from town.

References

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