Laurens County

Laurens County, Georgia — key demographics

Population

• Total: ~49,100 (ACS 2019–2023 5-year). 2020 Census: 49,570.

Age

• Median age: ~39.8 years (ACS 2019–2023).
• Age distribution: ~22.8% under 18; ~59.7% 18–64; ~17.5% 65+.

Gender

• Female: ~52.3%
• Male: ~47.7% (ACS 2019–2023).

Race/ethnicity (share of total population; ACS 2019–2023)

• White, non-Hispanic: ~56.6%
• Black or African American, non-Hispanic: ~36.8%
• Hispanic/Latino (any race): ~3.3%
• Two or more races, non-Hispanic: ~1.6%
• Asian, non-Hispanic: ~0.8%
• Other (incl. American Indian/Alaska Native, NHPI), non-Hispanic: ~0.9%

Households and housing (ACS 2019–2023)

• Households: ~18,600
• Average household size: ~2.54
• Family households: ~66% of households
• Owner-occupied share: ~69% (renters ~31%)

Insights

• Population has been broadly stable since 2020.
• Age structure skews slightly older than the Georgia median.
• Racial composition is predominantly non-Hispanic White and non-Hispanic Black, with a small but growing Hispanic share.

Sources: U.S. Census Bureau, American Community Survey 2019–2023 5-year estimates; 2020 Decennial Census.

Laurens County, GA snapshot

• Population and density: ~49,300 residents (2023) across ~807 sq mi ≈ 61 people/sq mi.
• Estimated email users: ~34,000 adults (≈92% of ~37,000 residents age 18+), based on current U.S. adoption levels applied to the county’s age mix.
• Age distribution of email users (estimated): • 18–29: ~6,800 (20%) • 30–49: ~11,000 (32%) • 50–64: ~8,500 (25%) • 65+: ~7,700 (23%)
• Gender split (estimated): ≈52% female, 48% male, reflecting the county’s sex ratio and near‑equal email use by gender.
• Digital access trends: • ~88–90% of households have a computer • ~80% maintain a home broadband subscription • ~14% are mobile‑only internet users • ~10% lack home internet Email access is therefore widespread and notably mobile‑centric for a meaningful minority.
• Local connectivity facts: Coverage is strongest in and around Dublin, with sparser, slower fixed options in rural tracts; lower density raises last‑mile costs and increases reliance on cellular service. Ongoing state/federal broadband investments are shrinking remaining unserved pockets, supporting steady growth in reliable email access across the county.

Mobile phone usage in Laurens County, Georgia (2025 snapshot)

County context

• Population: ~49,500; adults (18+): ~38,000; households: ~19,000 (U.S. Census Bureau, 2023 estimates; ACS-derived household count)
• Settlement pattern: one small urban center (Dublin/East Dublin) along the I‑16 corridor surrounded by low‑density rural tracts

User estimates

• Adult smartphone users: ~31,000 (≈82% of adults), vs ≈88–90% at the Georgia state level (Pew Research Center smartphone ownership, adjusted for county income/age mix)
• Total smartphone users including teens (13–17): ~34,000
• Adults with any mobile phone (smartphone or basic): ~36,000–37,000 (≈95–97% of adults)
• Mobile‑only home internet households (rely on a cellular connection instead of fixed broadband): ≈21–24% of households, or about 4,000–4,600, vs ≈16–18% statewide (Pew Research Center “smartphone‑only” home internet measure)
• Average active SIMs per household: ~1.9–2.2, lower than metro‑Atlanta counties where multi‑line penetration is higher

Demographic breakdown (ownership/usage)

• Age
  • 18–29: ~95–97% smartphone adoption; near‑ubiquitous social/video app usage
  • 30–64: ~85–90% smartphone adoption; high dependence on messaging, navigation, and payments
  • 65+: ~70–76% smartphone adoption; lower app diversity, higher voice/SMS reliance; larger share on budget/prepaid plans
• Income
  • <$50k households (majority in Laurens): smartphone adoption ~76–85%; higher likelihood of prepaid, bring‑your‑own‑device, and data‑capped plans
  • ≥$100k households (smaller share): ~95–98% adoption; higher incidence of 5G mid‑band devices and hotspot add‑ons
• Race/ethnicity
  • Differences in smartphone ownership by race are modest after income/age are accounted for; Black and Hispanic adults show slightly higher likelihood of being mobile‑only for home internet access than White adults, consistent with national patterns
• Geography within county
  • Dublin/East Dublin census tracts: higher 5G device penetration and data consumption; more work‑from‑home hotspot use
  • Southern/eastern rural tracts: more basic Android devices, heavier off‑peak usage to manage data caps, and greater reliance on Wi‑Fi calling

Digital infrastructure and performance

• Coverage and technology mix
  • All three national carriers (AT&T, T‑Mobile, Verizon) provide countywide LTE; 5G is established in Dublin/East Dublin and along I‑16/US‑441/US‑80, with patchier 5G off‑corridor where LTE remains primary
  • Practical downlink performance ranges:
    • Dublin/East Dublin: mid‑band 5G typically 150–400 Mbps; LTE 25–80 Mbps
    • Rural tracts/wooded areas: LTE commonly 10–30 Mbps; 5G low‑band 30–100 Mbps where present
• Capacity and sites
  • Dozens of registered macro towers across ~800+ square miles, with co‑location by multiple carriers on I‑16 and around schools/industrial parks; small‑cell density is low outside the city core
• Backhaul and fiber
  • Multiple fiber routes traverse the I‑16 corridor; fiber and cable are prevalent in Dublin but thin out quickly in rural areas, driving higher mobile‑only reliance
• Public safety and resilience
  • FirstNet (AT&T) presence around emergency services; coverage and generator‑backed sites are strongest in city and highway corridors

Key ways Laurens County differs from the Georgia state pattern

• Lower smartphone adoption: ~82% of adults vs ≈88–90% statewide, reflecting an older age profile and lower median income
• Higher mobile‑only reliance: ≈21–24% of households vs ≈16–18% statewide, due to limited fixed‑line competition outside Dublin
• Slower average mobile speeds outside the core: rural LTE often 10–30 Mbps vs statewide median mobile speeds closer to major metros
• More prepaid and budget plans: higher share of price‑sensitive users than state average; greater BYOD and sub‑$50/month plan usage
• Later mid‑band 5G build‑out off the highway/city grid compared with metro counties, producing a wider gap between on‑corridor and off‑corridor user experience

Methodological notes and sources

• Population/households from U.S. Census Bureau (2023 estimates); rural/urban mix from county geography
• Smartphone and mobile‑only rates grounded in Pew Research Center Mobile Fact Sheet (2023) and adjusted to Laurens County’s age, income, and rural profile
• Coverage/performance ranges reflect FCC Broadband Map mobile layers (2024), carrier public coverage disclosures, and typical rural Georgia speed observations along comparable corridors

Practical implications

• Businesses should assume reliable mid‑band 5G in Dublin and along I‑16, but plan for LTE‑grade performance and indoor signal challenges in outlying areas
• Public agencies and schools will find elevated demand for mobile hotspot lending and Wi‑Fi calling support in rural tracts
• Carriers can gain share by adding rural sector capacity, extending mid‑band 5G off‑corridor, and offering aggressive prepaid family plans with generous hotspot data in non‑served and underserved blocks

Social media usage in Laurens County, Georgia (2024–2025 snapshot)

Population baseline

• Total population: 49,570 (2020 Census, Laurens County)
• Estimated active social media users: ~35,700 (≈72% of total population, modeled using U.S. penetration rates)

User composition

• Gender (among social media users): ~53% female, 47% male (reflects county demographics and slightly higher adoption among women on major platforms)
• Age distribution of social media users (modeled from county age structure and U.S. adoption by age):
  • 13–17: 7%
  • 18–24: 11%
  • 25–34: 18%
  • 35–44: 17%
  • 45–54: 16%
  • 55–64: 15%
  • 65+: 16%

Most-used platforms in Laurens County (share of local social media users; modeled 2024)

• YouTube: 82% (~29,300 users)
• Facebook: 72% (~25,700)
• Instagram: 41% (~14,600)
• TikTok: 34% (~12,100)
• Snapchat: 27% (~9,600) Secondary platforms
• Pinterest: 30% (~10,700), strong female skew
• X (Twitter): 19% (~6,800), concentrated among news/sports followers
• Reddit: 18% (~6,400), younger/tech-leaning users
• LinkedIn: 17% (~6,100), concentrated among healthcare, education, logistics, and public-sector professionals
• Nextdoor: 6% (2,100), limited in rural areas

Behavioral trends and engagement patterns

• Community-first on Facebook: High engagement with local groups and pages tied to schools, churches, youth sports, public safety, weather alerts, and county/city announcements. Facebook Events are a primary discovery tool for local happenings.
• Marketplace-heavy: Strong buy/sell/trade activity on Facebook Marketplace and local swap groups; peak interest in vehicles, tools/equipment, furniture, and home goods; evenings show the highest response rates.
• Video-forward consumption: Long-form/how-to, sermons, and local sports streams on YouTube; short-form clips (15–60 seconds) via Facebook Reels and TikTok drive reach with under-35s.
• Messaging dominance: Facebook Messenger is ubiquitous for coordinating community, church, school, and team activities; WhatsApp use is smaller but growing with younger and multilingual residents.
• Timing hotspots: Noticeable engagement peaks 7–9 a.m., 12–1 p.m., and 6–9 p.m.; Friday evenings and weekend mornings perform well for sports and events; Sunday afternoons are strong for faith and family content.
• Trust dynamics: Word-of-mouth matters—posts shared by known community members (coaches, pastors, small-business owners) outperform brand-only messaging; UGC and testimonials boost conversions.
• Platform roles
  • Facebook: Community, local news, events, commerce
  • YouTube: Education/how-to, church services, local sports and long-form viewing
  • Instagram: Lifestyle, local boutiques, food, and event highlights; Reels for discovery
  • TikTok: Entertainment and trends for teens/young adults; local creators gaining traction
  • Snapchat: Daily communication among teens/college-age; strong for quick updates and behind-the-scenes
  • Pinterest: DIY, recipes, home projects, and seasonal planning; strong female engagement
• Device and format: Mobile-first usage dominates; vertical video and short captions improve completion rates and shares.
• Geo-targeting reality: Most activity clusters within ~15–25 miles of Dublin; hyperlocal targeting (ZIPs around Dublin, East Dublin, Dexter, Rentz, Dudley, Cadwell) improves ad efficiency.

Notes on method and sources

• Population: U.S. Census Bureau, 2020 Decennial Census (Laurens County, GA).
• Social media penetration and platform adoption: Modeled using Pew Research Center’s Social Media Use in 2024, combined with the county’s age/gender profile and rural-market usage patterns. Counts are rounded estimates to reflect realistic local adoption.