Leslie, Georgia
Seal of Georgia
Leslie · Sumter County, Georgia
Population 490 (est. 2026: ~600)
Source: Census ACS 2023 · ACS 2023 + 4.08% annual growth projection

Leslie, Georgia

Sumter County, Georgia · Population 344

Leslie sits in the heart of southwest Georgia, about six miles north of Americus along US-19. It's a small incorporated town in Sumter County — quiet, agricultural in character, and positioned in a part of Georgia that carries significant American history within a short drive. The town itself is compact and residential, with a population of 525 by ACS estimates and a median age of 40.3. It is not a commuter suburb. It is not a resort town. It is a place where working families live close to the land and close to one another.

People & Demographics

Leslie's ACS-estimated population of 525 lives in 171 occupied households, averaging 3.07 people per household — a notably family-oriented figure. Family households account for 106 of those 171, and 137 residents are children under 18.

The racial makeup is 303 Black residents and 221 white residents, with 1 Asian resident. No Hispanic or Latino population is reported in the data. The racial composition reflects broader patterns across Sumter County, which counts 29,616 residents — a county where the majority-Black population is a consistent characteristic across towns and rural areas alike.

Economy & Employment

Of the 221 residents in the labor force, 9 are unemployed — a low raw number, though in a town this size, every percentage point carries weight. Total workers who commute out number 212, suggesting most employment happens elsewhere in the county.

Median household income is $51,688 and per capita income is $31,988. Context matters here: Georgia's statewide median household income runs considerably higher, making Leslie a lower-income community by state standards. The most difficult figure is this: 194 residents fall below the poverty line. In a town of 525, that is a significant share of the population — roughly 37%. Sumter County as a whole struggles with poverty, and Leslie reflects that reality without softening it.

Housing

The housing stock totals 252 units. Of those, 171 are occupied and 81 are vacant — a vacancy rate just over 32%, which is high and reflects the broader pattern of population loss in small rural Georgia towns.

Owner-occupied units number 130; renter-occupied are 41. That's a strong ownership lean for a town with this income profile. The median home value is $87,800 — low by any Georgia measure, which means ownership is genuinely accessible for residents who can secure financing. Median rent of $1,000 per month, by contrast, is not a bargain relative to local incomes, and the limited rental supply (41 units) means renter options are scarce.

Schools

Leslie students attend Sumter County Schools, the consolidated district serving the county. The full school ladder is in Americus:

South Georgia Technical College in Americus provides post-secondary and vocational training nearby, reachable at (229) 931-2394.

Getting Around

Leslie is car-dependent. Of 212 total workers, 182 drive alone and 27 carpool. Public transit use and walking are both reported at zero. Three residents work from home. The aggregate travel time for all workers is 4,740 minutes, putting average one-way commute time at roughly 22 minutes — consistent with a drive to Americus. There is no local public transit option.

Healthcare

The closest hospital is Phoebe Sumter Medical Center in Americus. For local provider listings in Leslie, the CMS NPI Registry covers licensed providers with a Leslie address. Americus, roughly six miles south, is the practical healthcare hub for the area.

Library

The Lake Blackshear Regional Library serves Leslie residents and is located 1.8 miles away. Phone: (229) 924-8091. The regional system covers Sumter County and surrounding counties, providing the primary public library access for the community.

Parks & Recreation

Two National Park Service sites sit within easy reach:

The Plains High School Visitor Center and Museum is 11.4 miles away, adding another layer of presidential history accessible from Leslie.

Natural Hazards

Sumter County carries a long FEMA disaster record, and Leslie sits squarely within it. The county has been included in 14 federal emergency and major disaster declarations since 1977:

Hurricanes have been the most recurring threat — Irma (2017), Michael (2018), and Helene (2024) all triggered Sumter County declarations. Michael caused particularly severe agricultural damage across southwest Georgia. A severe winter storm declaration came as recently as January 2026. Earlier events include Tropical Storm Frances (2004), severe storms and tornadoes (2007), flooding from Tropical Storm Alberto (1994), and a drought declaration dating to 1977. The county also served as a Hurricane Katrina evacuation destination in 2005.

Residents should maintain awareness of hurricane-season risk (the county is inland but not immune to storm effects), severe weather, and the occasional winter storm.

Government & Municipal Code

Leslie's municipal code is published through Municode and available at library.municode.com/ga/leslie. The data indicates no local building code is currently on file — a relevant detail for anyone planning construction or renovation, as it may mean falling back to state or county standards.

Weather

Current forecasts for Leslie are available through the National Weather Service. Active weather alerts can be checked at alerts.weather.gov. The nearest weather observation station is in Americus, 1.4 miles away.

References

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