The Town FilesMetter, Georgia
City in Candler County · population 4,004 (2020 Census)
- Median home
- $156,300
- Household income
- $35,759
- Jan low / Jul high
- 39° / 92°
- Snow a year
- 0 in
- Tornadoes ≤10 mi since 1950
- 9
- Median age
- 44.8
Metter is a city of 4,004 people in Candler County, Georgia. The median home is worth $156,300, below the typical Georgia town ($202,650). It ranks easier by car than 73% of Georgia towns, quieter than 71% of Georgia towns.
How Metter ranks
Percentile among Georgia towns with at least 500 people on The Town Files lifestyle rankings. 50 is typical for the state; 90 means better than 90% of Georgia towns.
Homes and cost of living
The median home in Metter is worth $156,300, below the typical Georgia town ($202,650). Homes cost about 4.4 times the median household income of $35,759, which is more affordable than 20% of Georgia towns. Median rent is $585 a month. 48.0% of households own their home.
| Housing | Metter | Typical Georgia town |
|---|---|---|
| Median home value | $156,300 | $202,650 |
| Median rent | $585 | $1,000 |
| Median household income | $35,759 | $57,176 |
| Home value ÷ income | 4.4× | 3.4× |
| Homeownership | 48.0% | 60.5% |
| Median year built | 1981 | 1984 |
| Seasonal / vacation homes | 4.2% | — |
Who lives in Metter
| People | Metter | Typical Georgia town |
|---|---|---|
| Median age | 44.8 | 37.1 |
| Age 65 and over | 25.0% | 15.9% |
| Under 18 | 20.4% | — |
| Bachelor's degree or higher | 16.1% | 19.6% |
| Below the poverty line | 15.2% | 16.2% |
| Veterans | 6.8% | — |
| Born outside the U.S. | 8.3% | — |
| Work from home | 2.1% | 7.9% |
| Average commute | 21.3 min | 26.6 min |
| Homes with broadband | 83.3% | 88.0% |
Weather in Metter
July highs average 92.3°F and January lows 39.1°F. About 47.2 inches of rain and melted snow fall a year, with 0.2 inches of snow (typical Georgia town: 0.4 in). Expect about 82 days a year at 90°F or hotter and 24 nights at or below freezing.
Tornadoes, storms and disasters
9 tornadoes have passed within 10 miles of Metter since 1950, compared with 17 for the typical Georgia town. 1 rated (E)F2 or stronger. The strongest, an EF3, struck on May 11, 2008 about 8.2 miles from the town center. The most recent was on May 11, 2008.
Hail of 1 inch or larger has been reported within 10 miles 17 times; the largest was 2.75 inches on February 14, 1984.
Severe weather in Candler County since 1996
Candler County has been included in 22 federal disaster or emergency declarations since 1953, most often for drought, hurricane, snowstorm.
| Declared | Incident | Declaration |
|---|---|---|
| January 24, 2026 | Winter Storm | EM-3642: Severe Winter Storm |
| September 30, 2024 | Hurricane | DR-4830: Hurricane Helene |
| September 26, 2024 | Tropical Storm | EM-3616: Hurricane Helene |
| September 24, 2024 | Tropical Storm | DR-4821: Tropical Storm Debby |
| August 5, 2024 | Tropical Storm | EM-3607: Hurricane Debby |
Jobs and pay in Candler County
Candler County had 2,937 jobs in 2024, paying an average of $45,049 a year. Unemployment was 2.5% in 2023; in Metter itself the ACS puts it at 0%.
Public schools in Metter
4 public schools with 2,146 students, about 15.3 students per teacher.
| School | Grades | Students | Per teacher |
|---|---|---|---|
| Metter Elementary School | PK-5 | 993 | 14.8 |
| Metter Middle School | 6-8 | 510 | 15.0 |
| Metter High School | 9-12 | 463 | 17.1 |
| Metter College and Career Academy | 6-12 | 180 | 15.0 |
Towns near Metter
- Statesboro, GA17.0 mi · 33,438 people · home $197,900
- Claxton, GA18.4 mi · 2,602 people · home $162,000
- Lyons, GA20.0 mi · 4,239 people · home $122,000
- Swainsboro, GA20.6 mi · 7,425 people · home $109,300
- Reidsville, GA21.5 mi · 2,515 people · home $119,100
- Vidalia, GA23.5 mi · 10,785 people · home $158,500
- Millen, GA29.3 mi · 2,966 people · home $86,300
Metter questions
Is Metter, Georgia a good place to retire?
On The Town Files lifestyle rankings, Metter scores better for retirees than 63% of Georgia towns and quieter than 71%. 25.0% of residents are 65 or older (median age 44.8).
How much does a house cost in Metter?
The median owner-occupied home in Metter is valued at $156,300 (Census ACS 2020–2024), against a median household income of $35,759, so homes cost about 4.4 times income. Median rent is $585 a month.
What is the weather like in Metter?
July highs average 92.3°F and January lows 39.1°F (NOAA 1991–2020 normals). It gets about 47.2 inches of precipitation a year and 0.2 inches of snow.
Does Metter get tornadoes?
9 tornadoes have passed within 10 miles of Metter since 1950 (NOAA Storm Events); the strongest was an EF3 on May 11, 2008. The typical Georgia town has had 17.
- U.S. Census Bureau, American Community Survey 5-year estimates (2020–2024)
- U.S. Census Bureau, 2020 Census and 2025 Gazetteer (2020 / 2025)
- NOAA NCEI U.S. Climate Normals (1991–2020)
- NOAA NCEI Storm Events Database (1950–2026)
- FEMA OpenFEMA Disaster Declarations (this product uses the FEMA OpenFEMA API but is not endorsed by FEMA) (1953–2026)
- NCES Common Core of Data (2023–24)
- BLS Quarterly Census of Employment and Wages; USDA ERS county unemployment (BLS LAUS) (2000–2024)
- The Town Files lifestyle rankings, built from federal demographic, school, crime and housing data (2025)