Valdosta
Metropolitan statistical area
Valdosta metropolitan statistical area
Valdosta Commercial Historic District
Valdosta Commercial Historic District
Map of Valdosta MSA
Valdosta MSA highlighted in red
CountryUnited States
State(s)Georgia
Largest cityValdosta
Area
 • Total1,607.4 sq mi (4,163 km2)
Population
 (2022)
 • Total151,408
 • Density94.2/sq mi (36.4/km2)
Area code229

The Valdosta metropolitan area, designated the Valdosta metropolitan statistical area by the U.S. Office of Management and Budget, or simply Greater Valdosta, is a metropolitan statistical area consisting of four counties—Brooks, Echols, Lanier, and Lowndes—centered on the city of Valdosta. Located in Southeastern Georgia, the metropolitan area's population was 151,408 according to the 2022 American Community Survey.[1]

Geography

The Valdosta metropolitan area is located within Southeast Georgia, bordering the U.S. state of Florida. For U.S. census purposes, the Valdosta metropolitan area includes four counties: Brooks, Echols, Lanier, and Lowndes. Encompassing a total area of 1,607.4 square miles (4,200 km2), if the MSA were a state, it would be larger than Rhode Island; and if it were a sovereign state, it would be larger than Denmark's Faroe Islands, and larger than the island nation of São Tomé and Príncipe.

Principal communities

Places with more than 50,000 inhabitants

Places with 1,000 to 5,000 inhabitants

Places with fewer than 1,000 inhabitants

Unincorporated communities

Demographics

At the 2000 U.S. census, there were 119,560 people, 42,666 households, and 29,474 families residing in the MSA.[2] By the 2022 American Community Survey's estimates, the Valdosta metropolitan area's population increased to 151,408,[1] up from 148,126 according to the 2010 U.S. census.[3]

According to the 2000 U.S. census, the racial makeup of the MSA was 62.42% White, 33.37% African American, 0.40% Native American, 0.98% Asian, 0.04% Pacific Islander, 1.54% from other races, and 1.25% from two or more races. Hispanic or Latinos of any race were 3.19% of the population. In 2022, its racial and ethnic composition was 53% White, 34% African American, 1% Asian, 5% multiracial, and 7% Hispanic or Latino of any race.[1] The increased demographic diversity follows the greater nationwide diversification as of 2020.[4][5]

In 2000, the median income for a household in the MSA was $28,516, and the median income for a family was $34,044. Males had a median income of $26,347 versus $19,250 for females. The per capita income for the MSA was $15,019.[2] In 2022, the median household income for the Valdosta metropolitan area was $51,926 with a per capita income of $27,935. Approximately 17% of the metropolitan area lived at or below the poverty line, and the median value of an owner-occupied housing unit was $178,500.[1]

Economy

Valdosta State University

The Valdosta metropolitan area forms the economic center of Southeast Georgia. According to the Georgia Department of Economic Development, Greater Valdosta and Southeast Georgia's largest industries were the military through the Georgia Air National Guard, and healthcare and education, stimulated by the Mayo Health Clinic System and Valdosta State University.[6] Valdosta State University operates a center of economic development for the region,[7] aiming to increase development within industrial businesses, healthcare, education, arts and athletics. The city of Valdosta hosts Valdosta Mall, the area's regional mall.

Media

The media market of the metropolitan area is centered in the city of Valdosta. Portions of the metropolis also receive television and radio networks from the Tallahassee, Florida media market.

Newspaper

Radio

AM:

  • WJEM 1150 AM; 5 kW Gospel
  • WVLD 1450 AM; 1 kW Rock (Rock 106.9)
  • WGUN 950 AM; 4 kW Adult Urban Contemporary
  • WRFV 910 AM; 50 kW

FM:

  • WDDQ TALK 92.1 FM Talk radio
  • WAYT 88.1 FM Christian Contemporary (licensed to Thomasville)
  • WVVS 90.9 FM VSU station
  • WWET 91.7 FM (Georgia Public Broadcasting)
  • WAAC 92.9 FM Country
  • WJYF 95.3 FM Christian Contemporary
  • WQPW 95.7 FM Adult Contemporary
  • WJEM 96.1 (repeater of 1150 AM)
  • WGOV-FM 96.7 FM Urban
  • WAFT 101.1 FM Christian
  • WXHT 102.7 FM Pop Hits (Broadcast from Valdosta but licensed to Madison, Florida)
  • WSTI 105.3 FM Classic Soul and R&B (Broadcast from Valdosta but licensed to Quitman)
  • W295AO 106.9 Rock (repeater of WVLD 1450AM)
  • WWRQ 107.9 FM The Beat

Television

  • WSWG channel 44 is the local CBS affiliate licensed to Valdosta and based in Moultrie. The station serves the Valdosta and Albany areas, and includes subchannels offering programming from MyNetworkTV and Me-TV.
  • WXGA-TV channel 8 is the local GPB outlet, licensed to Waycross.

Transportation

Highways

There are many signed highways in the area, including the one interstate highway system, five U.S. routes, and 15 state routes:

Airports

There are two airports in the area, which also provide service to the Southeast Georgia region:

See also

References

  1. 1 2 3 4 "Census profile: Valdosta, GA Metro Area". Census Reporter. Retrieved 2023-12-28.
  2. 1 2 "U.S. Census website". U.S. Census Bureau. Retrieved 2008-01-31.
  3. ↑ "Metropolitan and Micropolitan Statistical Areas Population Totals: 2020-2022". U.S. Census Bureau. Retrieved 2024-01-07.
  4. ↑ "New 2020 census results show increased diversity countering decade-long declines in America's white and youth populations". Brookings. Retrieved 2024-01-07.
  5. ↑ "Census shows US is diversifying, white population shrinking". AP News. 2021-08-13. Retrieved 2024-01-07.
  6. ↑ "Southeast Georgia - Region 11". Georgia Department of Economic Development. Retrieved 2023-12-28.
  7. ↑ "Center for South Georgia Regional Impact". Valdosta State University. Retrieved 2024-01-03.

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