Is Fitzgerald Safe, Pros and cons of living in Fitzgerald

Fitzgerald, Georgia, nestled in the heart of Ben Hill County, offers a blend of Southern charm and a community-focused atmosphere. The city is known for its agricultural roots, with cotton, tobacco, and peanuts being significant crops, alongside a diversified manufacturing sector that includes textiles, lumber, and metal products. Fitzgerald’s history is unique, founded as a community for Civil War veterans, reflecting a rich past that shapes its present identity.

This city provides a distinct living experience, balancing a slower pace of life with the amenities and opportunities found in a growing region. Understanding Fitzgerald requires looking at various aspects, from its safety and cost of living to its job market and educational institutions.

Is it Safe to Live in Fitzgerald?

Crime Rates

Fitzgerald’s crime rate is a significant consideration for potential residents. The overall crime rate in Fitzgerald is 77% higher than the national average (as reported by AreaVibes). Specifically, violent crimes in Fitzgerald are 9% higher than the national average (as reported by AreaVibes). There is a 1 in 27 chance of becoming a victim of crime in Fitzgerald (as reported by AreaVibes).

The violent crime rate in Fitzgerald is 3.895 per 1,000 residents (as reported by CrimeGrade.org). NeighborhoodScout data indicates that Fitzgerald has one of the higher murder rates in the nation when compared with cities of all sizes. Property crime is also a concern, with a rate of 34 per one thousand population (as reported by NeighborhoodScout).

Safety Perceptions

While statistics provide a quantitative view, resident perceptions also play a role in assessing safety. Fitzgerald residents generally consider the northwest part of the city to be the safest (as reported by CrimeGrade.org). Conversely, your chance of being a victim of crime in Fitzgerald varies by neighborhood, ranging from 1 in 22 in the south neighborhoods to 1 in 66 in the northwest (as reported by CrimeGrade.org).

The FBI crime data indicates a property crime rate of 3.36% and a violent crime rate of 0.39% in Fitzgerald (as reported by Vertex AI Search). The total crime rate is reported at 3.75% (as reported by Vertex AI Search).

Cost of Living in Fitzgerald

Overall Affordability

Fitzgerald is an affordable place to live, with its cost of living being 18% less expensive than the national average (as reported by ERI Economic Research Institute). It is also 12% less expensive than the average city in Georgia (as reported by ERI Economic Research Institute).

The cost of living index for Fitzgerald shows that food, transportation, healthcare, and housing costs are all more affordable than the U.S. average (as reported by ERI Economic Research Institute). This affordability extends to rent, with the average rent in Fitzgerald being 51% lower than the national average (as reported by Apartments.com).

Housing Costs

Housing costs in Fitzgerald are notably lower than the national average. The median home value in Fitzgerald is $107,531 (as reported by Livability.com). For renters, the average rent in Fitzgerald is $811 per month (as reported by Apartments.com).

A one-bedroom apartment averages around $811 per month, while a two-bedroom averages approximately $779 per month (as reported by Apartments.com). To live comfortably with rent not exceeding 30% of income, an individual would need to earn about $32,436 per year (as reported by Apartments.com).

Average Salaries and Income

The average salary in Fitzgerald is approximately $36,000 a year, or $17.31 per hour (as reported by Zippia). Other sources indicate an average salary of $20.41 an hour or $42,449 per year (as reported by ZipRecruiter). The median household income in Fitzgerald is $37,323 (as reported by Vertex AI Search).

The poverty rate in Fitzgerald is 27.8% of the population for whom poverty status is determined (as reported by Vertex AI Search). This figure is higher than the national average of 12.5% (as reported by Vertex AI Search).

Job Market and Economy

Major Employers and Industries

Fitzgerald’s economy is supported by key industries such as wood products, food processing, plastics, and metal fabrication (as reported by Fitzgerald Ben Hill Development Authority). Major employers in the area include Walmart, McDonald’s, UPS, and Dollar General (as reported by Indeed.com).

The manufacturing sector is a significant contributor to employment, with companies producing a wide range of goods from lumber to specialized plastic compounds. The food processing industry benefits from local agricultural resources, including peanuts, leading to products like peanut butter and oils (as reported by Fitzgerald Ben Hill Development Authority).

Employment Statistics

The unemployment rate in Fitzgerald stands at 3.2% (as reported by Point2Homes). From 2023 to 2024, employment in Fitzgerald grew at a rate of 5.19% (as reported by Vertex AI Search).

The most common employment sectors for residents are manufacturing, health care & social assistance, and retail trade (as reported by Vertex AI Search). Job groups with the most residents include office and administrative support, management, and construction and extraction occupations (as reported by Vertex AI Search).

Climate in Fitzgerald

Temperatures and Seasons

Fitzgerald experiences long, hot, and oppressive summers, with winters that are short and cold (as reported by AccuWeather). Over the course of the year, temperatures typically range from 42°F to 94°F and are rarely below 29°F or above 100°F (as reported by AccuWeather).

The hot season lasts from May to September, with July being the hottest month, averaging a high of 94°F and a low of 74°F (as reported by AccuWeather). The cool season is from November to February, with January being the coldest month, averaging a low of 42°F and a high of 62°F (as reported by AccuWeather).

Precipitation and Weather Patterns

Annual precipitation in Fitzgerald averages around 47 to 48 inches (as reported by Livability.com, myPerfectWeather). August is typically the wettest month, with an average monthly precipitation of 6 inches (as reported by myPerfectWeather).

The city experiences a significant amount of rainfall throughout the year, with a greater than 34% chance of a wet day between May and September (as reported by AccuWeather). October has the fewest wet days, with an average of 5.7 days (as reported by AccuWeather).

Education in Fitzgerald

School District Performance

The Ben Hill County School District, which serves Fitzgerald, is ranked within the bottom 50% of all school districts in Georgia based on proficiency testing data (as reported by Public School Review). The district’s graduation rate is 83% (as reported by Public School Review).

Public schools in this district have an average math proficiency score of 29% and a reading proficiency score of 24%, which are below the state averages (as reported by Public School Review). Minority enrollment is 59% of the student body, which is slightly less than the Georgia public school average (as reported by Public School Review).

Individual School Ratings

Fitzgerald High School has a C+ overall Niche Grade and a 4/10 GreatSchools Rating (as reported by Homes.com, Niche). Ben Hill Elementary School shows strong performance on state assessments, with 44.5% of 4th graders proficient in mathematics (as reported by SchoolDigger.com).

However, Hurricane Transition Academy has the lowest performance on state assessments and a 0-star SchoolDigger rating (as reported by SchoolDigger.com). Fitzgerald High School School College and Career Academy has seen a decline in its statewide ranking (as reported by SchoolDigger.com).

Demographics of Fitzgerald

Population and Diversity

Fitzgerald is home to approximately 8,918 residents (as reported by Point2Homes). The population is diverse, with about 51% identifying as Black or African American and 45.3% identifying as White (as reported by Point2Homes, Vertex AI Search).

Citizenship is high in Fitzgerald, with 97.4% of residents being U.S. citizens (as reported by Vertex AI Search). The median age in Fitzgerald is 37.5 years (as reported by Vertex AI Search).

Household and Family Structure

Fitzgerald has 3,858 households, with an average of 2 members per household (as reported by Point2Homes). Of these households, 57.6% are families, while 42.4% are individuals living alone or with non-relatives (as reported by Point2Homes).

The gender distribution shows 45.2% males and 54.8% females (as reported by Point2Homes). For every 100 females, there are approximately 82.4 males (as reported by Vertex AI Search).