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.
In 2000, there were 17,484 people, 6,673 households, and 4,631 families living in the county.[19] 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). In 2010, there were 17,634 people, 6,794 households, and 4,730 families living in the county.[20] By the2020 United States census, there were 17,194 people, 6,443 households, and 4,019 families residing in the county.
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. 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.[21] 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.[22]
