| Valdosta metropolitan area | |
| Official Name: | Valdosta, GA metropolitan statistical area |
| Settlement Type: | Metropolitan statistical area |
| Image Alt: | Valdosta Commercial Historic District |
| Map Alt: | Map of Valdosta MSA |
| Subdivision Type: | Country |
| Subdivision Name: | United States |
| Subdivision Type1: | State |
| Subdivision Name1: | Georgia |
| Subdivision Type2: | Largest city |
| Subdivision Name2: | Valdosta |
| Unit Pref: | US |
| Area Total Sq Mi: | 1,607.4 |
| Population As Of: | 2023 |
| Population Total: | 151,118 |
| Population Density Sq Mi: | 94.2 |
| Population Density Km2: | auto |
| Timezone: | EST |
| Utc Offset: | -5 |
| Timezone Dst: | EDT |
| Utc Offset Dst: | -4 |
| Area Code: | 229 |
The Valdosta metropolitan area, designated the Valdosta metropolitan statistical area by the U.S. Office of Management and Budget, is a metropolitan statistical area consisting of four counties—Brooks, Echols, Lanier, and Lowndes—centered on the city of Valdosta. Located in Southeast Georgia, the metropolitan area's population was 151,118 according to 2023 U.S. census estimates, up from 149,849 at the 2020 U.S. census.[1]
The Valdosta metropolitan area is located within Southeast Georgia, bordering the U.S. state of Florida. For U.S. census purposes, the Valdosta metropolitan area includes four counties: Brooks, Echols, Lanier, and Lowndes. Encompassing a total area of 1607.4sqmi, if the MSA were a state, it would be larger than Rhode Island; and if it were a sovereign state, it would be larger than Denmark's Faroe Islands, and larger than the island nation of São Tomé and Príncipe.
At the 2000 United States census, there were 119,560 people, 42,666 households, and 29,474 families residing in the Valdosta metropolitan area.[2] By the 2023 census estimates, the Valdosta metropolitan area's population increased to 151,118, up from 148,126 according to the 2020 U.S. census.[3]
According to the 2000 U.S. census, the racial makeup of the metropolitan area was 62.42% White, 33.37% African American, 0.40% Native American, 0.98% Asian, 0.04% Pacific Islander, 1.54% from other races, and 1.25% from two or more races. Hispanic or Latino Americans of any race were 3.19% of the population. In 2022, the American Community Survey estimated its racial and ethnic composition was 53% White, 34% African American, 1% Asian, 5% multiracial, and 7% Hispanic or Latino of any race.[4] The increased demographic diversity follows the greater nationwide diversification as of 2020.[5] [6]
In 2000, the median income for a household in the MSA was $28,516, and the median income for a family was $34,044. Males had a median income of $26,347 versus $19,250 for females. The per capita income for the MSA was $15,019. In 2022, the median household income for the Valdosta metropolitan area was $51,926 with a per capita income of $27,935. Approximately 17% of the metropolitan area lived at or below the poverty line, and the median value of an owner-occupied housing unit was $178,500.
The Valdosta metropolitan area forms the economic center of Southeast Georgia. According to the Georgia Department of Economic Development, metropolitan Valdosta and Southeast Georgia's largest industries were the military through the Georgia Air National Guard, and healthcare and education, stimulated by the Mayo Health Clinic System and Valdosta State University.[7] Valdosta State University operates a center of economic development for the region,[8] aiming to increase development within industrial businesses, healthcare, education, arts and athletics. The city of Valdosta hosts Valdosta Mall, the area's regional mall.
The media market of the metropolitan statistical area is centered in the city of Valdosta. Portions of the area also receive television and radio networks from the Tallahassee, Florida media market.
AM:
FM:
There are many signed highways in the area, including the one interstate highway system, five U.S. routes, and 15 state routes:
There are two airports in the area, which also provide service to the Southeast Georgia region: