6 / 100

Chatham County, GA

RANK #932 / 996  ·  POP 296,266  ·  GA

PROJECTED GROWTH: -2.3%

Chatham County ranks in the bottom tier of U.S. counties on economic momentum.

[01] Why Chatham County?

Tybee Island, with its public beaches and historic lighthouse, is a notable draw in Chatham County, Georgia, located on the state's Atlantic coast. Savannah serves as the county seat, and other incorporated towns include Pooler and Port Wentworth. The county is bordered by the Savannah River to the northeast and the Ogeechee River to the southwest. Commute options within the county include Chatham Area Transit (CAT) bus services, which connect downtown Savannah with wider areas, and a ferry service to Hutchinson Island. Outdoor recreation is supported by numerous parks, nature preserves, boat ramps, and fishing piers, offering opportunities for walking, biking, and water activities.

Life in Chatham County is shaped by its coastal location and economic activity. The Savannah-Chatham County Public School System serves nearly 36,000 students across 55 schools. The economy is significantly influenced by the Georgia Ports Authority, one of the busiest ports in the United States, which drives activity in logistics and manufacturing. Tourism also plays a role, with visitors drawn to the historic districts and coastal attractions. Recent economic developments include continued expansion in advanced manufacturing and logistics, with new facilities and job creation in these sectors.

[02] Market Snapshot

Housing Ratio
3.4x

Undervalued relative to economy

GDP Growth
+1.9%

Below national median

Home Prices
-3.5%

Prices declining

Climate & Terrain
1.8

Moderate climate & terrain

Price/Rent
12x

Below national median (13x)

Housing looks undervalued at 3.4x — home prices are low relative to local economic output. The typical U.S. county is 4–6x.

[03] Signal Profile

[04] Home Value Growth vs National

Chatham County U.S. National

The Numbers

DEMOGRAPHICS
Population
296,266
+0.49% YoY
Median Household Income
$66,171
Median Home Value
$256,400
-3.48% 12mo
Median Rent
$1,284
Average Annual Pay
$61,834
+4.6% YoY
Employment
170,836
+1.1% YoY
Income-to-Home-Value
0.2581
More affordable than average
Migration Inflow
3.42%
of pop. from another state

Market Activity

REAL ESTATE
Median Sale Price
$334,950
Days on Market
88
Slower market
Months of Supply
6.5
Buyer's market
Sale-to-List Ratio
97.6%
Negotiation room for buyers
Sold Above List
15.3%
Listings w/ Price Drops
23.5%
Building Permits (2024)
2,691
Single-Family Permits
1,704

Source: Redfin · Census BPS — Browse sales on Redfin →

[05] Capital Investment

$477M
TOTAL
PROJECT AMOUNT STATUS
Amazon Fulfillment Center (SAV4)
Amazon
$260M Operating
PHA Manufacturing Facility
PHA
$67M Under Construction
Seohan Auto Georgia Manufacturing Plant
Seohan Auto Georgia
$50M Operating
Island's Expressway Bridge Replacement Project
Georgia Department of Transportation
$50M Under Construction
Little Neck Road Widening and Reconstruction
Chatham County
$50M Planned

Source: public records, news, corporate announcements. Amounts are estimates where noted.

[06] Score Breakdown

GDP Growth +1.9% 33 percentile
Population Growth +0.5% 52 percentile
Income Growth +8.4% 45 percentile
Vacancy Rate 2.2% 6 percentile
Home Price Change -3.5% 7 percentile
Rent Growth -0.6% 7 percentile
Price/Rent 12x 65 percentile

Bars show percentile rank among all 996 counties.

[07] Frequently Asked Questions

Is Chatham County, GA a good place to move to?

Chatham County has a Boom Town Index score of 6/100, ranking #932 among 996 U.S. counties. With job growth at +1.1% and a median household income of $66,171, it faces some economic headwinds compared to faster-growing counties.

Is Chatham County affordable?

The median home value in Chatham County is $256,400 with median rent at $1,284/month. The income-to-home-value ratio is 0.2581, which is more affordable than the national average.

Is Chatham County growing or shrinking?

Population growth: +0.5% year-over-year. Job growth: +1.1%. Home values changed -3.5% in the past 12 months.

Are people moving to Chatham County?

Yes — 3.42% of Chatham County's population moved from another state, which is above the national average and indicates strong in-migration.

[08] Similar Metros

San Diego County, CA 16 Montgomery County, TN 16 Alameda County, CA 16 Lyon County, NV 16 Coryell County, TX 16 Lake County, FL 16 Josephine County, OR 16 Hunt County, TX 16