Montrose, Georgia
Seal of Georgia
Montrose · Laurens County, Georgia
Population 291 (est. 2026: ~400)
Source: Census ACS 2023 · ACS 2023 + 6.87% annual growth projection

Montrose, Georgia

Laurens County, Georgia · Population 203

Montrose sits in the heart of middle Georgia, a small incorporated town in Laurens County roughly midway between Eastman and Dublin along the county's western interior. With just over 200 residents, it is one of the quieter municipalities in a county anchored by Dublin, the county seat. The surrounding landscape is flat pine-and-farm country typical of the Coastal Plain. Montrose functions as a residential community — people live here, but most drive out of town to work, shop, and access services. That reality shapes everything from the commute numbers to the housing profile.

People & Demographics

The Census ACS 2022 estimates put Montrose's population at 398, with 110 occupied households and an average household size of 3.62 — meaningfully larger than typical Georgia averages, reflecting the presence of families. Median age is 40.6. Children under 18 number 106, representing a substantial share of a small population.

Racially, the town is roughly two-thirds White (263 residents) and one-third Black (133 residents), with 10 Hispanic or Latino residents. Of 110 total households, 81 are family households — a high family-to-household ratio that aligns with the large average household size.

Economy & Employment

Median household income in Montrose is $64,500, which compares favorably against many rural Georgia communities, though per capita income sits at $23,469 — a figure that reflects the large household sizes rather than high individual wages. Of 147 residents in the labor force, 22 are unemployed, an unemployment rate around 15%, well above state norms. Sixty-one residents fall below the poverty line.

Most employment is found outside Montrose itself. Dublin, approximately 15 miles northeast, is the economic center of Laurens County and hosts the majority of regional employment in healthcare, retail, and public services.

Housing

Montrose has 125 total housing units, of which 110 are occupied and 15 sit vacant — a vacancy rate of 12%, moderate for rural Georgia. Owner-occupied units dominate at 93, compared to just 17 renter-occupied, making this overwhelmingly an ownership community.

Median home value is $91,000. Median rent is $639 per month. Both figures are low by Georgia standards, reflecting the rural location and limited market activity. For buyers, Montrose offers genuine affordability relative to metro areas. For renters, inventory is extremely limited — 17 renter-occupied units in the entire town.

Schools

Montrose students are served by Laurens County Schools, a district large enough to operate multiple campuses across the county's geographic spread. Key schools include:

Given Montrose's location on the western side of the county, West Laurens schools are the likely attendance zone for most residents.

Getting Around

Car ownership is not optional here — it is the only option. Of 125 workers, 116 drove alone to work and 9 carpooled. Public transit, walking, and remote work each registered zero workers. Aggregate travel time across those 125 workers totals 4,640 minutes, putting average one-way commute around 37 minutes. Dublin is the most likely destination for the majority of commuters, though some may travel toward Eastman or Macon.

Healthcare

Laurens County's primary hospital is Fairview Park Hospital in Dublin, serving the region's general medical and emergency needs. The county also hosts the Dublin VA Medical Center, which serves the veteran population across a wide area of middle Georgia. For specific provider listings in the area, the NPI Registry can be searched directly: NPI Provider Search — Montrose, GA.

Library

The nearest public library is the Dodge County – Murrell Memorial Library, located 12.7 miles from Montrose. Phone: (478) 374-4711. Laurens County residents may also access the Dublin branch of the Oconee Regional Library System.

Parks & Recreation

Ocmulgee Mounds National Historical Park, operated by the National Park Service, lies approximately 45.5 miles from Montrose near Macon. It preserves one of the most significant Native American archaeological sites in the Southeast, with earthen mounds spanning over a millennium of occupation. The Ocmulgee Mounds Visitor Center is the starting point for tours of the site.

Natural Hazards

Laurens County carries a substantial federal disaster history. FEMA has declared 15 separate emergency or major disaster declarations for the county since 1998:

The pattern is clear: Laurens County lies in the path of Gulf-origin storms tracking northeast through Georgia, and winter weather events are also a recurring threat. Residents should carry flood awareness and have storm preparedness plans in place.

Government & Municipal Code

Montrose operates as an incorporated town under Georgia law. The town's municipal code is published through Municode and accessible at library.municode.com/ga/montrose-town-georgia. The town does not have an adopted building code on file with Municode.

Weather

Current forecasts and alerts for Montrose are available through the National Weather Service:

The nearest official weather observation station is Eastman 4.3 NNE, located approximately 8.3 miles from town.

References

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