Gardi, Georgia
Seal of Georgia
Gardi · Wayne County, Georgia
Population 22 (est. 2026: ~0)
Source: Census ACS 2023 · ACS 2023 + -36.36% annual growth projection

Gardi, Georgia

Wayne County, Georgia · Population 91

Gardi is a census-designated place tucked into the flatwoods of Wayne County in southeastern Georgia, roughly midway between Savannah and Jacksonville along the coastal plain. With fewer than 100 residents, it is less a functioning independent municipality and more a named community within Wayne County's rural orbit — the kind of place where the surrounding county does most of the heavy lifting on services, schools, and infrastructure. The county seat, Jesup, sits a few miles away and serves as the commercial and civic center for everyone in this corner of Georgia.

People & Demographics

The ACS 2022 five-year estimates put Gardi's surveyed population at 36 individuals across 20 households, reflecting the CDP's small footprint within the broader population figure of 91. The median age is 27.7 — notably younger than Georgia's statewide median of roughly 37 — which stands out in a rural setting. Average household size is 1.80, and only 9 of the 20 households are family households. Three children under 18 were counted in the survey period. The racial composition of the surveyed sample is entirely white (36 of 36), with no Black, Asian, or Hispanic residents captured in the ACS estimates.

Wayne County as a whole holds 30,144 people, meaning Gardi represents a fraction of a percent of the county's total population.

Economy & Employment

Of the 29 people counted as in the labor force, zero were unemployed at the time of the survey — a full employment picture, though the small sample size makes this figure more a snapshot than a trend. Per capita income is $57,061, which compares favorably to Georgia's statewide per capita income of roughly $35,000–$38,000 in the same period. Median household income data was not available for this CDP. Zero residents fell below the poverty line in the survey sample.

The broader Wayne County economy is anchored by timber, agriculture, and light manufacturing, with Jesup serving as the hub for retail and professional services.

Housing

All 20 housing units in Gardi were occupied at the time of the ACS survey — a zero vacancy rate unusual even by rural Georgia standards. Of those, 9 are owner-occupied and 11 are renter-occupied, meaning renters slightly outnumber owners. Median home value and median rent figures were not available for this CDP due to the small sample size.

Schools

Gardi students attend Wayne County public schools, all operated by the Wayne County School District. The full list of schools serving this area:

Wayne County High School, with nearly 1,500 students, is the sole high school for the entire county.

Getting Around

All 29 workers in the surveyed population drove alone to work. No residents carpooled, used public transit, walked, or worked from home. There is no public transportation infrastructure serving Gardi. A personal vehicle is an absolute necessity. The nearest commercial services and employment are concentrated in Jesup.

Healthcare

Wayne Memorial Hospital serves as the primary hospital for Wayne County residents. Local provider listings can be searched through the NPI Registry for Gardi, GA. For specialized or higher-acuity care, residents typically look to Savannah, approximately 70 miles to the northeast.

Library

The Wayne County Library is the nearest public library, located 0.7 miles from Gardi. Phone: (912) 427-2500. It provides the primary public library access for Gardi residents.

Parks & Recreation

Fort Frederica National Monument, administered by the National Park Service, is located approximately 41 miles from Gardi on St. Simons Island. The monument preserves the site of a British colonial fort and town established in 1736 and offers a visitor center with interpretive programming on Georgia's colonial history. The Georgia coast, with its barrier islands and marshlands, is the dominant recreational geography for this region.

Natural Hazards

Wayne County sits squarely in the path of Atlantic hurricane systems tracking across the Georgia coast and interior. FEMA disaster declarations for the county tell the story plainly:

Fifteen federal disaster or emergency declarations since 2005 make Wayne County one of the more frequently declared counties in Georgia. Anyone living here should have a hurricane preparedness plan and understand evacuation routes toward Savannah or inland.

Government & Municipal Code

Gardi's municipal code is published through Municode and accessible at library.municode.com/ga/gardi-cdp-georgia. Gardi does not have a locally adopted building code on file.

Weather

Current forecasts for Gardi are available through the National Weather Service. Active weather alerts can be checked at alerts.weather.gov. The nearest official weather observation station is in Jesup, 2.1 miles away.

References

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