Everything You Need to Know When Moving To or Around the Macon, GA Area
Are you planning to move to Macon, GA? Read on to arm yourself with vital information that will make you feel at home quickly.
Macon Demographics
Nicknamed as the “Heart of Georgia,” Macon is pretty small in size. But it’ll always win the hearts of people due to its college-town feel, and beautiful music and art culture.
Macon has a population of 153,621 people, and its population density was 616 people per square mile. The median age is 35.5, which is slightly younger than the national median age of 37.4.
Every household in Macon has an average of 2.6 people. Approximately 53.9% of the population is Black, 39.4% are White, 3.2% are Hispanic and 1.9% are Asian.
The median household income in Macon is $45,920. This is lower than the national median household income of $62,843.
Cost of Living in Macon
Salary.com statistics show that Macon, GA’s average cost of living is about 15% lower than that of the whole U.S. Housing expenses are getting higher, but the cost of living in Macon is lower than in Orlando, San Francisco, Washington, Miami, Chicago, Boston, New York, and Dallas.
To give you an idea of how affordable Macon is, a salary of $65,000 in the city should go up to $91,784 if you’re moving from Macon to Orlando, Florida. Here, we assume you're a homeowner with no child care, and taxes are not included.
Housing forms a large part of the living expenses in Macon. So it’s prudent to economize by going for an affordable apartment or home. The average rent in Macon is $974 per month for a 1,026 sq. ft. apartment. The average home price is $191,990 (as of July 2021) according to Movoto. Apart from housing, be sure to consider transportation and food expenses when moving to this city.
Job Market
Macon’s unemployment rate stands at 4.5% in May 2021, which is lower than the national unemployment rate of 5.4% (as of July 2021). The job market is expected to grow by 34.4% over the next decade.
Once you move into Macon, its economic drivers will welcome you with a plethora of employment opportunities. Robins Air Force Base is the largest employer in the area, boasting more than 22,300 workers and a yearly federal payroll of $1.3 billion.
The other large employers include a diverse mix of companies and institutions like Geico, Houston Healthcare, and Houston County Board of Education. Apart from providing direct jobs, these giants create many indirect job opportunities.
When it comes to literacy matters, 17% of the city dwellers are holders of at least a bachelor’s degree. Those with at least a high school certificate account for 77% of the Macon’s population.
Public Transportation and Commuting
The Atlanta Airport will be at your service whenever you need to fly out for business or vacation. But let’s face it—airport traffic can be stressful. That’s where Groome Transportation steps in to offer transportation to the airport stress-free.
Macon Transit Authority’s buses are the primary providers of public transportation within Macon. You can jump onto one of these low-priced buses to save your gas money. Stand at any bus station, and you’ll see an MTA bus almost every 5 minutes. They operate more than ten fixed routes. If you’re a bike rider, the buses have a front space for the bikes.
Do you want a more convenient means of transport? Uber and Lyft will come to your aid after a few clicks in the smartphone apps.
The average commute time in this city was 20.6 minutes in 2018, so don't expect long traffic snarls.
Metered parking charges are $1.25 per hour if you have some things to do in town for a maximum of three hours. But you can park your car on metered streets free of charge on Sundays, periods past 8 pm, and some national holidays.
Macon’s Culture and Nightlife
Macon also doesn’t disappoint when it comes to entertainment. From ice skating to movies, concerts to circuses, it has it all.
After enjoying an exciting daytime in Macon, you can stay around long enough to catch its memorable night. If you’re a party-goer, you can dance to the beats emanating from the speakers in various bars and clubs while enjoying a bottle of beer.
You can choose from many bars and clubhouses like Billy’s Clubhouse that serves its guests cold drinks while enjoying concerts. For opera lovers, the Grand Opera House will leave you satisfied. Grant’s Lounge and Rigby’s Entertainment Complex are other places to consider for a fun night.
Culture and history buffs will have a wide range of historical sites and museums to choose from. They can enjoy a rich collection of African American history, Ancient Indian mounds, guided van tours, and art galleries. Some of the best museums waiting for you include Ocmulgee National Monument. If you desire to immerse yourself into prehistoric American Indians’ lives, remember to visit this museum.
Scientists and artists can quench their thirst in The Museum of Arts & Sciences. Hay House, Tubman, and the Allman Brothers Band Museum are other awesome places that will take you down memory lane.
After an exhausting tour, remember to visit some of the best restaurants to taste Macon’s signature dishes.
Outdoor Activities
Macon and the neighboring towns will reward you with whatever you desire—canoeing, camping, hiking, boating, and many other outdoor activities. So your outdoor weekend in Macon will not be boring, especially in summer.
Kayaking and canoeing in the Ocmulgee River will give you a unique view of the city. You can also access the lane southern Orchards, sit on a rocking chair, and indulge in homemade ice cream.
Campers can pitch their tents on Lake Tobesofkee’s beaches and go boating on this water body. The cherry blossoms at Third Street Park will surely excite your lunch break, and mountain bikers will fall in love with Arrowhead Park. Hikers find great pleasure doing their thing at the Indian Springs.
These and other outdoor spaces will leave you yearning for more as you consider making Macon your home.
When it comes to Macon, GA weather averages, it has an annual high temperature of 76 degrees Fahrenheit and an annual low temperature of 53 degrees Fahrenheit. Its average annual precipitation is 45.7 inches.
Macon Neighborhood Information
If you’re looking for hot neighborhoods in Macon, Warner Robins should be your number one on your list. A resident in this suburb says they love the affordable and quiet life here, and they’re not planning to move out.
Then there is Gray, a place that has a closely-knit community where everyone knows everyone. Centerville is another neighborhood to consider, especially if safety is your number one priority. Other suburbs include Perry and Byron.
Education and Schools
Suppose you want to move to a place where your little ones will get a solid education. Macon doesn’t fail here.
Monroe County School is among the top performers, and the staff works hard to see that their students graduate. And if you need your children to develop independent and focused learning, one resident recommends the Houston County School District. Be sure also to check out Jones, Peach, and Bibb County Schools.
Is private schooling your thing? Consider Bethany Christian Academy, Central Fellowship Christian Academy, and Montessori of Macon. They are some of the best-performing private schools.
After high school, students can move to some of the best colleges in the area, such as Mercer University, Macon State University, Wesleyan College, and Central Georgia Technical College.
Pros & Cons of Moving to Macon
While Macon, GA, is still a small town, it boasts of a plethora of things that will enrich your life. Unlike the big cities that have overgrown their spaces, this friendly city has maintained its small-town charm. And its unique endowments like the Cherry Blossom Festival are not found anywhere else.
However, Macon has a higher number of violent and property crimes than other cities with almost the same population size. The poverty rates are also not pleasing. But the leadership in this city is working tirelessly to make the city a haven for everyone.
Ready to Move to Macon?
You now have the information you need before moving to Macon, Georgia. But you need a reliable moving company that will ensure your move is stress-free—a company that will customize its services for your exact needs. With College HUNKS Hauling Junk & Moving, your search for a moving company ends here.
We provide full-service movers that are always ready to offer you reliable, top-notch packing and moving services. They come with 15+ years of commitment to five-star services. So you can rest assured that the movers will handle your belongings with the utmost care, from your current home to the new house in Macon, GA. Get a free estimate on any of our services,, and we’ll be ready to move you to your new place in or around Macon as soon as you’re ready.