2000 census

At the 2000 census,^[2] there were 8,493 people, 3,069 households and 2,102 families living in the city. The population density was 1,093.8 inhabitants per square mile (422.3/km²). There were 3,234 housing units at an average density of 416.5/sq mi (160.8/km²). The racial makeup of the city was 61.4% white, 34.3% African American, 0.2% Native American, 1.4% Asian, 1.8% from other races, and 1% from two or more races. Hispanic or Latino residents of any race were 3.7% of the population.

There were 3,069 households, of which 35.7% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 45.2% were married couples living together, 18.8% had a female householder with no husband present, and 31.5% were non-families. 25.4% of all households were made up of individuals, and 8.0% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.61 and the average family size was 3.14.

26.4% of the population were under the age of 18, 10.6% from 18 to 24, 34.1% from 25 to 44, 16.8% from 45 to 64, and 12.1% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 31 years. For every 100 females, there were 90.3 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 86.1 males.

The median household income was $40,482 and the median family income was $46,818. Males had a median income of $34,669 versus $28,318 for females. The per capita income for the city was $19,029. About 9.6% of families and 12.8% of the population were below the poverty line, including 13.3% of those under age 18 and 18.3% of those age 65 or over.

Although it is considered to be located in Stockbridge many of the Eagle's Landing Country Club's homes are within McDonough's 30253 zip code.

2010 census

As of the 2010 United States Census, there were 22,084 people, 8,053 households, and 5,404 families living in the city.^[9] The population density was 1,737.4 inhabitants per square mile (670.8/km²). There were 9,063 housing units at an average density of 713.6 per square mile (275.5/km²).^[10] The racial makeup of the city was 34.8% white, 58.2% black or African American, 1.8% Asian, 0.3% American Indian, 0.1% Pacific islander, 2.2% from other races, and 2.6% from two or more races. Those of Hispanic or Latino origin made up 6.1% of the population.^[9]

Of the 8,053 households, 38.8% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 38.3% were married couples living together, 23.3% had a female householder with no husband present, 32.9% were non-families, and 28.1% of all households were made up of individuals. The average household size was 2.64 and the average family size was 3.25. The median age was 33.1 years.^[9]

2020 census

As of the 2020 United States census, there were 29,051 people, 8,543 households, and 5,778 families residing in the city.

Events

The city hosts a Geranium Festival each springtime on the third Saturday in May, celebrating the locally grown flowers and community.^[16] The one-day festival serves as a showcase of local artistry and talent through the open-air craft markets and live musical performances. The festival is sponsored by the McDonough Lions Club, and held on the McDonough Square and surrounding areas.^[16]

Henry County School District

The Henry County School District holds grades pre-school to grade twelve. The district has twenty eight elementary schools, nine middle schools, and ten high schools.^[18] The district has 1,543 full-time teachers and over 40,000 students.^[19]

Elementary schools

Private schools

Higher education

• Gordon State College has a satellite center in McDonough.^[24]
• Mercer University opened a campus in McDonough in 2003, and offers teacher education, criminal justice, and general studies.^[25]
• Grace Biblical Seminary opened in 2004, and offers theological and ministries degrees.{18}
• Atlanta Bible College is located in McDonough.

Film

• The film A Madea Christmas was filmed in the town square and around McDonough.^[28]
• The television show Resurrection was filmed in the town square and around McDonough.
• Scenes for the 1989 Civil War film, Glory, were filmed in the city.^[29]
• A pilot episode for Roswell was filmed on the city square at the old Phillips 66 service station.
• The 1977 film Smokey and the Bandit was filmed primarily in Georgia in the cities of McDonough, Jonesboro and Lithonia.^[30]

Transportation

Xpress GA provides local bus service.

McDonough is served by the following highways:

• Interstate 75
• U.S. Highway 23
• Georgia State Route 20
• Georgia State Route 42
• Georgia State Route 81
• Georgia State Route 155
• Georgia State Route 351
• Georgia State Route 401
• Georgia State Route 920 (unsigned designation for Jonesboro Rd)

Until the mid-1960s the Southern Railway operated the Cincinnati to Miami Ponce de Leon, which made stops in McDonough.^[31]