Brunswick, Ga: Poverty Level Explained

Brunswick, Georgia has a poverty rate of 30.84% according to the most recent data, with an estimated 4,672 of 14,235 people living in poverty. This is a significantly higher rate than the Georgia average of 14.0% and the US average of 12.8%. The median household income in Brunswick is $27,471 to $29,781, which is much lower than the national average, and the cost of living is 15% lower than the national average. The poverty rate is especially high for Native Americans, with 95.45% below the poverty level.

Poverty rate in Brunswick, GA

Brunswick, Georgia has a poverty rate of 30.84% according to one source, and 32.8% according to another. This is significantly higher than the average rate for the state of Georgia, which is 14.0%, and the US average of 12.8%. The city's cost of living is 15% lower than the national average, and housing is 38% lower, but income levels are also lower, with Brunswick's median household income 50.3% lower than the national average.

The poverty rate in Brunswick is also nearly double that of the Brunswick GA Metro Area, which stands at 16.8%, and more than double the rate in the state of Georgia, which is 13.5%. The median household income in Brunswick is $29,781, about half the amount in the Brunswick GA Metro Area and two-fifths of the amount in Georgia. The per capita income in Brunswick is $25,365, about two-thirds of the amount in the Brunswick GA Metro Area and Georgia.

The race most likely to be in poverty in Brunswick is Native, with 95.45% below the poverty level. The race least likely to be in poverty in Brunswick is White, with 17.48% below the poverty level. The poverty rate among those that worked full-time for the past 12 months was 9.47%. Among those working part-time, it was 33.92%, and for those that did not work, the poverty rate was 37.86%.

The population of Brunswick, Georgia is 15,105 as of 2024. The median age is 37.2 years: 34.8 years for males and 39.3 years for females. 91.32% of Brunswick residents speak only English, while 8.68% speak other languages, the most common of which is Spanish (6.31%).

Income levels

The median household income in Brunswick, Georgia, is $29,781, according to the 2022 ACS, with a per capita income of $25,365. This is substantially lower than the amounts in the Brunswick Metro Area and the state of Georgia as a whole. The median income for homeowners in Brunswick is $43,250, while renters have an income of approximately $23,060. These income levels are crucial in determining housing affordability, as experts recommend that individuals should not spend more than 28% of their gross income on housing costs. In Brunswick, this equates to a maximum monthly housing expenditure of $1,009 for homeowners and $538 for renters to avoid financial difficulties.

The cost of living in Brunswick is 8% lower than the Georgia average and 15% lower than the national average. This is reflected in the median home price, which is 44.5% lower than the national average, and monthly rent, which is 22.6% lower. However, it's important to note that the cost of living is relative and influenced by various factors, including taxes and the cost of goods and services. Brunswick has a general sales tax rate of 4% and income tax rates starting at 1%.

The income levels in Brunswick vary significantly among its residents. The average household income is $57,081, with a poverty rate of 30.84%. The racial composition of the city also plays a role in income levels, with Native residents being the most likely to live in poverty (95.45%), while White residents have the lowest poverty rate at 17.48%. Education levels also impact income, with 26.7% of high school graduates and 30.6% of non-high school graduates living in poverty.

Cost of living

The cost of living in Brunswick, Georgia, is notably lower than the national average. The cost of living index is based on a national average of 100, and Brunswick has a score of 85, indicating that it is 15% more affordable than the national average. This disparity is influenced by various factors, including taxes, healthcare costs, and grocery prices.

Taxes

Taxes play a significant role in determining the cost of living in any city. Brunswick has a general sales tax rate of 4% and income tax rates starting at 1%. Higher taxes, including sales and income taxes, can contribute to an escalated cost of living as they increase the cost of everyday goods and services.

Healthcare

Healthcare costs in Brunswick are 14.5% lower than the national average. This includes expenses related to insurance premiums, medical appointments, dental care, prescription medications, and specialized medical care. Access to healthcare facilities and out-of-pocket expenses also contribute to variations in the cost of living across different regions.

Groceries

Over the past few years, grocery expenses have been on an upward trend across the nation, with food prices surging in certain markets. However, in Brunswick, the groceries index is 1.5% lower than the national average, which can make a significant difference in the overall cost of living for its residents.

Housing

Housing expenses are a crucial aspect of the cost of living. In Brunswick, the median home price is 44.5% lower than the national average, and monthly rent is 22.6% lower. Homeowners in Brunswick have a median income of $43,250, and it is recommended that they spend no more than $1,009 per month on housing costs to avoid financial strain. Renters in the city have an income of about $23,060, which translates to a maximum monthly rental cost of $538.

Income

Brunswick has a median household income of $27,471, which is significantly lower (by 50.3%) than the national average. This lower income level, coupled with the relatively lower cost of living, can impact residents' ability to maintain their preferred lifestyle, including housing choices, leisure activities, and dining options.

Local Perspective

According to a survey of Brunswick residents, 89% of locals find that prices are not affordable due to continuous price increases. This perspective highlights the impact of rising costs on the affordability of the city, despite its overall lower cost of living compared to the national average.

In summary, while Brunswick, Georgia, offers a more affordable cost of living compared to the national average, it is important to consider the income levels of its residents and the continuous rise in prices across various sectors, which can impact the financial decisions and quality of life of those living in the city.

Education

Brunswick, Georgia has a population of 15,105 people as of 2024, with a median age of 37.2 years. The average household income in Brunswick is $57,081, with a poverty rate of 30.84%. The racial composition of the city is predominantly Black or African American (61.5%), with a notable percentage of Native Americans (0.29%) and Native Hawaiians or Pacific Islanders (0.14%) as well.

Brunswick's educational landscape is characterised by a mix of high school and college graduates, with a significant number of residents pursuing higher education. Here is an overview of the educational attainment in the city:

• High School Education: According to recent data, around 81% of Brunswick's residents have attained a high school diploma or an equivalent qualification. This rate is slightly lower than that of the surrounding metro area (86.2%) and the state of Georgia (88.7%). The high school graduation rate in Brunswick is influenced by the racial composition of the city, with racial disparities evident. For example, the highest rate of high school graduation is among Pacific Islander people, with a rate of 100%.
• College Education: Around 19.7% of Brunswick's residents have attained a bachelor's degree or higher, which is lower than the rates in the metro area (26.1%) and the state (33.6%). This disparity could be due to various factors, including economic conditions, access to higher education institutions, and cultural factors.
• Language Diversity: 91.32% of Brunswick residents speak only English, while 8.68% speak other languages. Spanish is the most commonly spoken non-English language, with 6.31% of the population choosing it as their primary language.
• Educational Institutions: The city is home to colleges and universities, including the College of Coastal Georgia, which awarded 666 degrees in 2022. The student population in Brunswick is skewed towards women, with a higher number of female students enrolled in higher education institutions.
• Degree Programmes: The most popular degree programmes in Brunswick include Liberal Arts & Sciences, Registered Nursing, and General Business. These programmes attract a diverse student body, with the majority of students pursuing Liberal Arts & Sciences being White (67.7%), while Black or African American students constitute a significant portion (19.4%) of those enrolled in Registered Nursing programmes.
• Admissions and Enrolment: The city's colleges and universities have high admission rates, with a 98.3% admission rate reported in 2022. However, the enrolment rate is lower, with only 30.3% of admitted students choosing to enrol in Brunswick's higher education institutions.
• Tuition Costs: The median tuition cost for public four-year colleges in Brunswick is $2,563 for in-state students and $9,469 for out-of-state students, making it relatively affordable for residents of the state.
• Educational Challenges: One of the challenges Brunswick faces is the high poverty rate, which can impact access to quality education. The city's poverty rate is significantly higher than the state average, and this may create barriers for students from low-income families.

Race

Brunswick, Georgia has a population of approximately 15,000 people, with a median age of 37.2 years. The city has a high poverty rate of 30.8%, which is nearly double the rate in the surrounding metro area and more than double the rate across the state of Georgia. The racial composition of Brunswick is:

• Black or African American: 61.2% to 61.5%
• White (Non-Hispanic): 28.9%
• White (Hispanic): 3.39%
• Two or more races: 2.55%
• Native American: 0.29%
• Native Hawaiian or Pacific Islander: 0.14%
• Other (Hispanic): 2.34%
• Two+ (Hispanic): 1.3%

The average household income in Brunswick is $57,081, with a median household income of $29,781. The race most likely to be in poverty in Brunswick is Native, with 95.45% below the poverty level. The race least likely to be in poverty is White, with 17.48% below the poverty level. The poverty rate among those who worked full-time for the past 12 months was 9.47%, while for those working part-time, it was 33.92%. The poverty rate for those who did not work was 37.86%.

The educational attainment in Brunswick is as follows: 81% have a high school diploma or higher, and 19.7% have a bachelor's degree or higher. The student population in Brunswick is skewed towards women, with 960 male students and 2,187 female students. The largest universities in Brunswick are the College of Coastal Georgia, which awarded 666 degrees in 2022. The most common majors are Liberal Arts & Sciences, Registered Nursing, and General Business.

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