Scotland, Georgia
Seal of Georgia
Scotland · Telfair County, Georgia
Population 253 (est. 2026: ~200)
Source: Census ACS 2023 · ACS 2023 + -13.83% annual growth projection

Scotland, Georgia

Telfair County, Georgia · Population 173

Scotland sits in the pine-flat interior of south-central Georgia, tucked inside Telfair County about midway between Macon and Valdosta. With a population that fits comfortably inside a high school gymnasium, it is one of the smallest incorporated places in the state — a rural community where the landscape is shaped by longleaf pine timber land, agriculture, and the Ocmulgee River corridor. The county seat of McRae-Helena is the practical hub for residents who need courts, government offices, and most commercial services. The nearest significant metro is Macon, roughly 80 miles to the north.

People & Demographics

The ACS 2022 estimates put Scotland's population at 315, notably higher than the 173 figure on the city's official count — a reminder that small-town census estimates carry wide margins. Whatever the precise number, this is a very small community. The median age is 32.1, meaningfully younger than Georgia's statewide median of around 37, driven in part by the 121 children under 18 living here — a striking share of the total population. Average household size is 3.50 persons, well above the Georgia average of roughly 2.6, reflecting those large family units.

Scotland's 90 households include 65 family households. The racial makeup is 283 white residents and 32 Black residents, with no reported Asian or Hispanic/Latino population in the ACS estimates. Telfair County as a whole has about 12,477 residents, making Scotland a small fraction of the county's total.

Economy & Employment

Per capita income is $21,857. Median household income is not available from the ACS estimates for this jurisdiction. For context, Georgia's statewide per capita income runs substantially higher — Scotland's figure reflects the economic realities common across rural south Georgia.

Of the 92 residents counted in the labor force, zero were reported as unemployed in the ACS estimates — an artifact of small-sample measurement rather than a reflection of economic conditions. Poverty data shows 38 residents below the poverty line, a significant share of the total population that aligns with Telfair County's historically elevated poverty rates, among the higher in the state.

There is no local commercial or industrial employment base of scale. Most working residents commute out of town for employment.

Housing

Scotland has 140 total housing units, of which 90 are occupied — leaving 50 vacant, a vacancy rate of about 36%. That figure is high even by rural Georgia standards and reflects both population loss over time and the economic pressures common in small Telfair County communities.

Of occupied units, 69 are owner-occupied and 21 are renter-occupied, an ownership rate of roughly 77%. Median home value is $116,300 — affordable in absolute terms and well below Georgia's statewide median home value, which exceeds $230,000. Median rent is not available from the ACS estimates.

Schools

Scotland falls within the Telfair County School District, headquartered in McRae-Helena. Students attend county schools rather than any school located within Scotland itself. Telfair County's school system serves the rural population across the county, and residents should expect bus transportation or a short drive to the nearest school facilities in or near McRae-Helena.

Getting Around

Scotland is car-dependent with no public transit. Of 92 workers, 67 drove alone and 23 carpooled — carpooling at a rate considerably above state norms, which makes practical sense in a small community where neighbors often work in the same direction. Only 2 residents worked from home. No one walked or used public transit.

Aggregate commute travel time totals 4,270 minutes across all workers, averaging roughly 46 minutes per worker each way — a long haul that underscores how far residents travel for employment. McRae-Helena, Douglas, and Macon are the likely destinations.

Healthcare

No healthcare providers appear in the CMS NPI Registry for Scotland specifically. The nearest hospital serving Telfair County residents is the Telfair County area's regional facility; McRae-Helena is the first stop for urgent care-level services. For anything beyond basic care, residents look toward Macon or Douglas, each roughly an hour's drive.

Providers serving Scotland can be searched directly at the CMS NPI Registry.

Library

Scotland does not have a branch library within city limits. The Telfair County Public Library in McRae serves county residents and is the nearest public library resource.

Parks & Recreation

The Ocmulgee River corridor near Telfair County offers fishing, kayaking, and hunting land access typical of rural south Georgia. The broader region lies within reach of the Okefenokee Swamp to the south and the Little Ocmulgee State Park near McRae-Helena, which includes a golf course, lake, and camping facilities just a short drive from Scotland.

Natural Hazards

Telfair County has accumulated a substantial FEMA disaster declaration history, and Scotland sits inside that risk envelope. The county has been struck by or affected by:

The pattern is clear: this is a county that gets hit repeatedly by Gulf and Atlantic tropical systems tracking inland. Residents should maintain hurricane preparedness even this far from the coast.

Government & Municipal Code

Scotland is an incorporated city with a municipal code published through Municode: Scotland City, Georgia — Municipal Code

No building code is in effect for Scotland city. Property owners and contractors should be aware that local building inspections and permitting requirements differ from what would be expected in a jurisdiction with an adopted building code.

Weather

National Weather Service forecasts for Scotland and Telfair County are issued through the NWS Peachtree City office, which covers central and south Georgia. The nearest official weather stations are in the McRae-Helena area.

References

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