Ellaville, Georgia
Seal of Georgia
Ellaville · Schley County, Georgia
Population 1,698 (est. 2026: ~1,600)
Source: Census ACS 2023 · ACS 2023 + -1.77% annual growth projection

Ellaville, Georgia

Schley County, Georgia · Population 1,595

Ellaville sits at the center of Schley County in southwest Georgia's agricultural flatlands, roughly 30 miles northwest of Americus and about 90 miles south of Macon. It is the county seat of one of Georgia's smallest counties — Schley County holds fewer than 4,600 people total, which means Ellaville accounts for more than a third of the entire county population. This is a tight rural community built around county government, a consolidated school system, and the kind of civic infrastructure that keeps a small Georgia county town functioning. It is not a suburb. It does not have a bypass lined with chain restaurants. What it has is a genuine small-town core, low housing costs, and proximity to some historically significant sites that draw visitors from well outside the region.

People & Demographics

Ellaville's population of 1,492 (ACS estimate) skews slightly older than typical small Georgia towns, with a median age of 39.6. The racial composition is roughly 63% white and 34% Black, with a small Hispanic/Latino population of about 35 residents. There are 556 households, 392 of which are family households. The average household size is 2.68, and 388 residents are children under 18 — meaning about one in four residents is a minor, which tracks with the enrollment numbers at the county schools.

Economy & Employment

Median household income in Ellaville is $50,000, and per capita income is $26,709. Context matters here: Georgia's statewide median household income runs considerably higher, which reflects the economic reality of rural southwest Georgia. Of 515 residents in the labor force, 29 are unemployed — a rate of roughly 5.6%. Poverty affects 303 residents, or about 20% of the population, a figure that runs above state averages and reflects the broader economic pressures on small agricultural counties in this part of Georgia. The local economy is tied to county government, education, agriculture, and small retail, with many residents commuting out to Americus or other nearby centers for work.

Housing

Housing in Ellaville is genuinely affordable by any Georgia standard. The median home value is $150,800, and median rent is $685 per month. Of 750 total housing units, 556 are occupied and 194 sit vacant — a vacancy rate of about 26%, which is elevated and common in rural Georgia towns where population has declined over decades. Owner-occupied units number 374, compared to 182 renter-occupied, putting the homeownership rate among occupied units at roughly 67%. For buyers priced out of larger markets, Ellaville offers real value — though buyers should factor in the distance to major employment centers and the absence of some urban amenities.

Schools

Schley County operates two schools, both serving Ellaville and the surrounding county:

The combined enrollment of 1,231 students reflects the consolidated model common in Georgia's smallest counties. There is no separate middle school campus; students move directly from elementary into the combined middle-high building. Families considering Ellaville should expect this structure — it works for many students, but it is worth understanding before a move.

Getting Around

Ellaville is car country. Of 478 workers who commute, 380 drive alone and 66 carpool. Public transit is nonexistent. Four residents walk to work, and 28 work from home. The aggregate commute time of 12,835 minutes across all workers suggests an average one-way trip of roughly 27 minutes — consistent with people driving out to Americus, Montezuma, or other regional employment centers. Anyone relocating here without a reliable vehicle will find basic mobility a significant challenge.

Healthcare

No hospital sits within Ellaville itself. Americus, about 30 miles southeast, is the nearest city with hospital facilities (Phoebe Sumter Medical Center). For a searchable list of credentialed healthcare providers with Ellaville addresses, the CMS NPI Registry is the authoritative source.

Library

The Schley County Library serves Ellaville residents and is reachable at (229) 937-2004. It is part of the broader public library network serving southwest Georgia and functions as a key community resource in a county without many competing information or community spaces.

Parks & Recreation

Ellaville's location in southwest Georgia puts it within reach of two nationally significant sites:

These sites make Ellaville a reasonable base for history-focused visitors to southwest Georgia.

Natural Hazards

Schley County has accumulated a significant FEMA disaster declaration history that reflects southwest Georgia's exposure to Atlantic and Gulf storm systems. Declared disasters include:

The frequency of hurricane-related declarations is notable — Michael and Irma both struck within a single decade. Residents in wood-frame homes should take storm preparedness seriously, and homeowners insurance costs in this part of Georgia reflect that risk.

Government & Municipal Code

Ellaville's municipal code is published through Municode and accessible at library.municode.com/ga/ellaville. The code does not include a local building code, which means construction and renovation projects default to state-level standards. Property owners and contractors should verify applicable requirements before starting work.

Weather

Current forecasts and conditions for Ellaville are available through the National Weather Service. Active weather alerts can be checked at alerts.weather.gov. The nearest official weather observation station is ELLAVILLE 4.5 ENE, located 4.2 miles from town.

References

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