According to theU.S. Census Bureau, the county has a total area of 254 square miles (660 km2), of which 250 square miles (650 km2) is land and 3.8 square miles (9.8 km2) (1.5%) is water.[6]
The majority of Ben Hill County, its northern and eastern portions, are located in the LowerOcmulgee River sub-basin of theAltamaha River basin. The northwestern corner of the county, east ofRebecca, is located in theAlapaha River sub-basin of theSuwannee River basin. The southeastern corner of the county, east ofFitzgerald, is located in theSatilla River sub-basin of theSt. Marys-Satilla River basin.[7] Ben Hill County is part of theSoutheast Georgia region.
As of the2020 census, the county had a population of 17,194; there were 4,019 families residing in the county. Of the residents, 23.4% were under the age of 18 and 18.9% were 65 years of age or older; the median age was 41.1 years. For every 100 females there were 90.8 males, and for every 100 females age 18 and over there were 88.2 males. 65.6% of residents lived in urban areas and 34.4% lived in rural areas.[18][19][20]
There were 7,074 households in the county, of which 29.4% had children under the age of 18 living with them and 35.6% had a female householder with no spouse or partner present. About 31.6% of all households were made up of individuals and 14.1% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older.[19]
There were 8,124 housing units, of which 12.9% were vacant. Among occupied housing units, 58.5% were owner-occupied and 41.5% were renter-occupied. The homeowner vacancy rate was 1.9% and the rental vacancy rate was 5.9%.[19]
In 2010, there were 17,634 people, 6,794 households, and 4,730 families living in the county.[22]
In 2010, the median income for a household in the county was $30,134 and the median income for a family was $35,868. Males had a median income of $32,613 versus $23,320 for females. The per capita income for the county was $15,529. About 22.7% of families and 26.9% of the population were below thepoverty line, including 39.0% of those under age 18 and 16.3% of those age 65 or over.[23]
In 2000, there were 17,484 people, 6,673 households, and 4,631 families living in the county. The population density was 69 inhabitants per square mile (27/km2). There were 7,623 housing units at an average density of 30 per square mile (12/km2).[24]
In 2000, the median income for a household in the county was $27,100, and the median income for a family was $33,023. Males had a median income of $26,750 versus $19,547 for females. Theper capita income for the county was $14,093. 22.30% of the population and 18.70% of families were below the poverty line. Out of the total people living in poverty, 33.30% are under the age of 18 and 17.60% are 65 or older.[24]
According to the 2022American Community Survey, the county's median household income was $38,255 with a per capita income of $22,625. An estimated 26.5% of the county lived at or below the poverty line.[25]
