State
County
Land Area
103.9 sq mi
Density
1,364.2/sq mi
2020 Growth Rate
-0.95%
Growth Since 2010
4.02%
Rank in State
Rank in Country
Metro Population
401,153
Savannah is a city located in Georgia. With a 2020 population of 141,758, it is the 5th largest city in Georgia (after Atlanta, Augusta, Columbus, and Macon County) and the 193rd largest city in the United States. Savannah is currently declining at a rate of -0.95% annually but its population has increased by 4.02% since the most recent census, which recorded a population of 136,286 in 2010. Savannah reached it's highest population of 149,245 in 1960. Spanning over 109 miles, Savannah has a population density of 1,364 people per square mile.
The average household income in Savannah is $63,984 with a poverty rate of 21.86%. The median rental costs in recent years comes to $1,019 per month, and the median house value is $156,500. The median age in Savannah is 32.6 years, 31.8 years for males, and 33.6 years for females. For every 100 females there are 90.9 males.
What’s most notable about Savannah is that it is the oldest city in Georgia, having been established in 1733. Savannah serves as the county seat of Chatham County and serves an important role as an industrial center and seaport.
Today, Savannah’s port and tourism are the main drivers of the economy. Savannah is also one of the largest ports for shipping container traffic and is home to many company headquarters including TitleMax and JCB. Many students also call Savannah home as it is the location of several universities and colleges, including Armstrong State University, Savannah State University and Savannah College of Art and Design.
Savannah has seen its share of ups and downs when it comes to population. While the city saw significant growth throughout many decades, the census taken at 1970 showed that the population declined by over 20%. It bounced back almost entirely by the time of the next census but was down again during the poll taken in 1990 and 2000. At the time of the last census taken in 2010, the population was up 3.6%. Recent estimates show that the city’s growth is on the upswing again, up 7.7% since the last census in 2016 and almost reaching its peak population recorded at the time of the 1960 census.
Savannah was first founded in 1733 with the arrival of General James Oglethorpe and other settlers. Before the arrival of the Europeans, the area was inhabited by Yamacraws and Tomochichi. The Georgia colony was also founded on the same date as the founding of Savannah. It was in 1751 when Savannah was made the capital of Georgia. By the late 1800s, it was also an important commercial port.
The city was seized by the British during the Revolutionary War, who later left in 1782. The city continued to grow, and through the 19th century, it was one of the most prosperous seaports in the country as well as one of the most populous cities of the Confederacy. However, toward the end of the century, the population began to drop. Also notable is that during the 19th century, Savannah State University was founded. It is the oldest public college for African Americans in the state.
The city continued to thrive as a seaport and cashed in on the cotton industry. The city became even more prosperous with the entry into the heavy industry and manufacturing sectors in the late 1800s and early 1900s. During the early 1900s, the city’s population began to grow again, while more people were also moving to areas outside of the city center.
Today, the city is a popular tourist destination. Its cobblestone streets and historic buildings are just a few of the many attractions that bring in visitors every year. Other notable attractions include the home of Girl Scouts founder Juliette Gordon Low and the Telfair Academy of Arts and Science, which is one of the South’s first museums that was open to the public. The downtown area of Savannah is designated as a National Historic Landmark District and is one of the largest in the United States.
According to the most recent ACS, the racial composition of Savannah was:
2019 and 2020 population is estimated by projecting the raw 2018 numbers.
Year | Total Population | Growth | Annual Growth Rate |
---|---|---|---|
2021 | 401,153 | 3,900 | 0.97% |
2020 | 397,253 | 3,900 | 0.98% |
2019 | 393,353 | 3,900 | 0.99% |
2018 | 389,453 | 3,059 | 0.79% |
2017 | 386,394 | 3,241 | 0.84% |
2016 | 383,153 | 5,326 | 1.39% |
2015 | 377,827 | 6,552 | 1.73% |
2014 | 371,275 | 6,172 | 1.66% |
2013 | 365,103 | 3,358 | 0.92% |
2012 | 361,745 | 6,163 | 1.70% |
2011 | 355,582 | 6,942 | 1.95% |
2010 | 348,640 | 0.00% |
Race | Population | Percentage |
---|---|---|
Black or African American | 78,410 | 53.93% |
White | 56,530 | 38.88% |
Two or More Races | 4,048 | 2.78% |
Asian | 3,788 | 2.61% |
Some Other Race | 2,060 | 1.42% |
American Indian and Alaska Native | 420 | 0.29% |
Native Hawaiian and Other Pacific Islander | 147 | 0.10% |
Type | Count | Average Size | Owned |
---|---|---|---|
All | 52,927 | 2.55 | 43.8 |
Non Family | 22,950 | 1.41 | 33.6 |
Married | 16,593 | 3.2 | 66.1 |
Female | 10,964 | 3.74 | 32.1 |
Male | 2,420 | 3.42 | 39.4 |
3.3
Average Family Size
2.55
Average Household Size
Education Attained | Count | Percentage |
---|---|---|
Less Than 9th Grade | 3,050 | 3.23% |
9th to 12th Grade | 8,660 | 9.18% |
High School Graduate | 25,256 | 26.76% |
Some College | 24,473 | 25.93% |
Associates Degree | 6,317 | 6.69% |
Bachelors Degree | 16,795 | 17.80% |
Graduate Degree | 9,820 | 10.41% |
Name | Total | High School | Bachelors |
---|---|---|---|
Black | 48,672 | 40,563 | 7,538 |
White | 37,283 | 35,035 | 16,263 |
Hispanic | 4,340 | 3,448 | 1,174 |
Asian | 2,607 | 2,237 | 1,218 |
Multiple Races | 1,767 | 1,650 | 464 |
Other Race | 1,130 | 891 | 223 |
Native American | 269 | 235 | 60 |
Islander | 76 | 35 |
The highest rate of high school graduation is among white people with a rate of 93.97%.
The highest rate of bachelors degrees is among asian people with a rate of 46.72%.
$30,264
Average Earnings
$32,069
Average Male
$26,999
Average Female
89.66% of Savannah residents speak only English, while 10.34% speak other languages. The non-English language spoken by the largest group is Spanish, which is spoken by 5.35% of the population.
Name | Total | In Poverty | Poverty Rate |
---|---|---|---|
Black | 73,484 | 19,081 | 25.97% |
White | 47,078 | 6,760 | 14.36% |
Hispanic | 7,581 | 2,115 | 27.90% |
Multiple | 3,751 | 868 | 23.14% |
Asian | 3,513 | 868 | 24.71% |
Other | 1,824 | 381 | 20.89% |
Native | 394 | 64 | 16.24% |
21.86%
Overall Poverty Rate
19.36%
Male Poverty Rate
24.06%
Female Poverty Rate
The race most likely to be in poverty in Savannah is Hispanic, with 27.90% below the poverty level.
The race least likely to be in poverty in Savannah is White, with 14.36% below the poverty level.
The poverty rate among those that worked full-time for the past 12 months was 5.24%. Among those working part-time, it was 28.51%, and for those that did not work, the poverty rate was 32.08%.
31.2%
Overall Marriage Rate
33.2%
Male Marriage Rate
29.3%
Female Marriage Rate
The age group where males are most likely to be married is Over 65, while the female age group most likely to be married is 55-64.
Name | Veterans | % of Total |
---|---|---|
Black | 5,491 | 9.27% |
White | 4,081 | 8.62% |
Hispanic | 330 | 5.60% |
2 or More | 184 | 7.73% |
Asian | 81 | 2.40% |
Other | 44 | 2.88% |
Indian | 35 | 10.54% |
9.27%
Veteran Poverty Rate
30.30%
Veteran Disability Rate
64.8%
Labor Force Participation
58.1%
Employment Rate
8.6%
Unemployment Rate
Non citizens include legal permanent residents (green card holders), international students, temporary workers, humanitarian migrants, and illegal immigrants.
93.84%
Native Born
6.16%
Foreign Born
3.57%
Non Citizen
2.59%
Naturalized
93.84% of Savannah residents were born in the United States, with 58.35% having been born in Georgia. 3.57% of residents are not US citizens. Of those not born in the United States, the largest percentage are from Asia.
Year | Population | Growth | Annual Growth Rate |
---|---|---|---|
2021 | 141,758 | -1,353 | -0.95% |
2020 | 143,111 | -1,353 | -0.94% |
2019 | 144,464 | -1,353 | -0.93% |
2018 | 145,817 | 13 | 0.01% |
2017 | 145,804 | -14 | -0.01% |
2016 | 145,818 | 658 | 0.45% |
2015 | 145,160 | 1,277 | 0.89% |
2014 | 143,883 | 1,283 | 0.90% |
2013 | 142,600 | 273 | 0.19% |
2012 | 142,327 | 1,913 | 1.36% |
2011 | 140,414 | 3,002 | 2.18% |
2010 | 137,412 | 5,902 | 0.44% |
2000 | 131,510 | -6,050 | -0.45% |
1990 | 137,560 | -4,094 | -0.29% |
1980 | 141,654 | 23,305 | 1.81% |
1970 | 118,349 | -30,896 | -2.29% |
1960 | 149,245 | 29,607 | 2.24% |
1950 | 119,638 | 23,642 | 2.23% |
1940 | 95,996 | 10,972 | 1.22% |
1930 | 85,024 | 1,772 | 0.21% |
1920 | 83,252 | 18,188 | 2.50% |
1910 | 65,064 | 10,820 | 1.84% |
1900 | 54,244 | 11,055 | 2.31% |
1890 | 43,189 | 12,480 | 3.47% |
1880 | 30,709 | 2,474 | 0.84% |
1870 | 28,235 | 5,943 | 2.39% |
1860 | 22,292 | 6,980 | 3.83% |
1850 | 15,312 | 4,098 | 3.16% |
1840 | 11,214 | 3,911 | 4.38% |
1830 | 7,303 | -220 | -0.30% |
1820 | 7,523 | 2,308 | 3.73% |
1810 | 5,215 | 69 | 0.13% |
1800 | 5,146 | 0.00% |