Folkston ZIP Codes — Charlton County, GA

There is one unique ZIP code in Folkston, Georgia and it is 31537. Area code: 912.

ZIP codes

544.80

sq mi land

2.27

sq mi water

912

area code

Folkston, GA ZIP code map

About Folkston, GA

Folkston, Georgia, is a charming city located in the southeastern part of the state. It serves as the county seat of Charlton County and is known for its welcoming community and southern hospitality. With a rich history and numerous local attractions, Folkston offers residents and visitors alike a unique glimpse into rural Georgia life.

Location & geography

Folkston is situated in the eastern part of Charlton County and boasts a diverse landscape that includes both land and water. The city is approximately 30 miles northwest of the coastal city of Jacksonville, Florida, and about 50 miles southwest of the bustling city of Brunswick, Georgia. Covering a total land area of 544.80 square miles, with an additional 2.27 square miles dedicated to water, Folkston features a mix of rolling terrain and natural surroundings.

Community & economy

Folkston is known for its small-town charm, with a close-knit community where neighbors tend to know one another. The local economy is primarily driven by industries such as agriculture, timber, and tourism, making it a hub for visitors seeking a taste of rural Georgia. Daily life in Folkston is characterized by a slower pace, friendly interactions, and a strong sense of community involvement.

Transportation

The city is accessible via major highways, including U.S. Route 1 and U.S. Route 23, which connect Folkston to nearby cities and regions. The nearest primary airport is Jacksonville International Airport, located just under 35 miles to the south, offering various domestic flights. Public transit options are limited, so personal vehicles are typically the main mode of transportation for residents.

History

Folkston was founded in the early 1900s and has since served as a significant center for trade and transportation in Charlton County. Key industries such as railroad operations and agriculture have historically played a major role in its development, as evidenced by its connection to major rail lines. Over the decades, the city has hosted notable events, including the annual Folkston Folk Festival, which celebrates the local culture.

Did you know?

One little-known fact about Folkston is its proximity to the Okefenokee Swamp, one of the largest freshwater swamps in North America, which is just a short drive away. Additionally, Folkston is famous for its historic train watching platform, where enthusiasts gather to see numerous freight trains passing through the area.

ZIP codes for Folkston, GA (1)

ZIP code	City	County	Map
31537	Folkston	Charlton	View map

Demographics & statistics

10,155

Population

39.4

Median age

$46,159

Median household income

$22,820

Per capita income

$112,900

Median home value

$684

Median monthly rent

71.7%

Home ownership

20.6%

Poverty rate

9.7%

Unemployment

2,847

Housing units

12.3%

Bachelor's or higher

Age distribution

Male Female

276

Under 5

197

248

5–9

178

286

10–14

204

383

15–19

275

326

20–24

233

1,060

25–34

758

842

35–44

602

776

45–54

555

306

55–59

219

375

60–64

269

644

65–74

461

337

75–84

241

85+

← Male

Female →

Age summary

Group	Count	%
Under 18	1,619	15.9%
18 and over	8,536	84.1%
65 and over	1,787	17.6%
Median age	39.4 years

Race & ethnicity

White 57.8%

Black or African American 34%

Two or more races 4.4%

Hispanic or Latino 1.2%

Other race 1%

Asian 1%

American Indian / Alaska Native 0.6%

Group	Count	%
White	5,941	57.8%
Black or African American	3,498	34%
Two or more races	448	4.4%
Hispanic or Latino	126	1.2%
Other race	104	1%
Asian	99	1%
American Indian / Alaska Native	65	0.6%

Household income

Under $10k 10.3%

$10k–$15k 4.2%

$15k–$25k 11.4%

$25k–$35k 7.2%

$35k–$50k 23.0%

$50k–$75k 16.9%

$75k–$100k 12.0%

$100k–$150k 12.2%

$150k–$200k 1.2%

$200k+ 1.7%

Range	% of households
Under $10k	10.3%
$10k–$15k	4.2%
$15k–$25k	11.4%
$25k–$35k	7.2%
$35k–$50k	23.0%
$50k–$75k	16.9%
$75k–$100k	12.0%
$100k–$150k	12.2%
$150k–$200k	1.2%
$200k+	1.7%
Median income	$46,159

Housing

Home values

Under $50k 26.9%

$50k–$100k 20.3%

$100k–$150k 12.1%

$150k–$200k 14.9%

$200k–$300k 13.5%

$300k–$500k 7.7%

$500k–$1M 4.5%

Housing overview

Metric	Value
Median home value	$112,900
Median rent / month	$684
Owner occupied	71.7%
Renter occupied	28.3%
Vacant	11.4%
Single-family detached	61.1%
Large apartment buildings	0.2%
Mobile homes	30.5%
Median rooms	5.5
Avg household size (owned)	2.99

Year built

Era	%
2020 or later	0.3%
2010–2019	3.7%
2000–2009	14.3%
1990–1999	18.1%
1980–1989	16.2%
1970–1979	11.9%
1960–1969	11.4%
1950–1959	9.2%
1940–1949	1.4%
1939 or earlier	13.4%

Bedrooms

Size	% of units
No bedroom (studio)	0.0%
1 bedroom	4.9%
2 bedrooms	19.8%
3 bedrooms	55.9%
4 bedrooms	18.4%
5+ bedrooms	0.9%

Vehicles per household

Vehicles	% of households
No vehicle	6.5%
1 vehicle	31.0%
2 vehicles	31.5%
3 or more	31.0%

Heating fuel

Fuel type	%
Utility gas	10.2%
Electricity	87.0%
Propane / LP gas	2.3%
Wood	0.3%
No fuel used	0.3%

Households & families

Household type	Count	%
Married-couple family	1,377	40.9%
Cohabiting couple	318	9.4%
Male householder, no spouse	878	26.1%
Female householder, no spouse	795	23.6%
Households with children under 18	949	28.2%
Households with seniors (65+)	1,179	35.0%
Average household size	2.77

Marital status

Status	Male	Female
Never married	42.7%	31.5%
Married	33.9%	40.4%
Separated	3.8%	1.8%
Widowed	1.4%	14.3%
Divorced	18.3%	12.0%

Education

Less than 9th grade 6.0%

Some HS, no diploma 9.1%

HS graduate 45.3%

Some college, no degree 21.4%

Associate's degree 5.9%

Bachelor's degree 9.4%

Graduate / professional 2.9%

Metric	%
HS diploma or higher	84.9%
Bachelor's or higher	12.3%

School enrollment (ages 3–17)

Type	Count	%
Nursery / preschool	112	6.1%
Kindergarten	103	5.6%
Elementary school	782	42.3%
High school	371	20.1%
College / grad school	481	26.0%

Employment

Industry of employment

Manufacturing 18.9%

Retail trade 16.3%

Education & healthcare 16.1%

Public administration 10.4%

Professional & management 8.7%

Construction 7.6%

Arts, food & hospitality 7.5%

Transportation & utilities 5.2%

Agriculture & mining 3.8%

Finance & real estate 2.2%

Information 1.4%

Wholesale trade 1.0%

Other services 0.9%

Occupation

Category	%
Management, business & arts	19.0%
Service	20.7%
Sales & office	14.9%
Natural resources & construction	12.8%
Production & transportation	32.7%

Employment type

Type	%
Private sector	73.1%
Government	24.6%
Self-employed	2.3%
Unpaid family workers	0.0%

Commute

Method	%
Drive alone	96.0%
Carpool	1.4%
Public transit	0.0%
Walk	0.0%
Other means	1.0%
Avg commute (minutes)	26.2

Poverty

All people 20.6%

Under 18 years 39.4%

18 and over 16.8%

Married-couple families 6.0%

Female-led households 37.6%

Income support

Source	% of households
Social Security	40.9%
Retirement income	17.2%
Supplemental Security	7.4%
Cash public assistance	0.4%
Food stamps / SNAP	25.5%

Health indicators

Condition	%
High blood pressure	42.7%
High cholesterol	34.3%
Heart disease	8.4%
Stroke	4.7%
Asthma	10.9%
Arthritis	28.5%
Kidney disease	3.9%
Pulmonary disease	10.4%
Cancer	5.6%

Behavior / access	%
Binge drinking	14.9%
No physical activity	35.6%
Less than 7 hrs sleep	40.5%
Fair or poor health	25.0%
Poor mental health	18.4%
Poor physical health	15.2%
No health insurance	28.6%
Visited doctor (checkup)	75.7%
Visited dentist	41.8%
Cholesterol screening	86.4%
Teeth loss	27.2%

Veterans & disability

Veterans	Count	%
Civilian veterans	777	9.1%

Disability	%
Any disability	18.7%
Under 18	8.0%
18–64 years	16.3%
65 and over	37.3%

Health insurance coverage

Type	%
Private insurance	55.3%
Public insurance	41.1%
Uninsured under 19	3.0%

Language & origin

Language spoken at home (age 5+)

Language	Count	%
English only	9,682	95.3%
Spanish	263	2.7%
Other Indo-European	243	2.5%
Asian & Pacific Islander	7	0.1%
Other languages	13	0.1%

Place of birth & citizenship

Origin	Count	%
Native born (US)	9,791	96.4%
Born in same state	9,678	95.3%
Born in different state	5,299	52.2%
Foreign born	113	1.1%
Naturalized citizen	364	3.6%
Not a US citizen	4	1.1%

Ancestry

Ancestry	Count	%
Italian	799	7.9%
Arab	702	6.9%

Ancestry	Count	%
French	473	4.7%
English	13	0.1%

Technology access

Metric	% of households
Computer access	33.2%
Internet access	91.3%

Source: U.S. Census Bureau, American Community Survey 2025 estimates.

Frequently asked questions

What ZIP codes does Folkston, GA have?

Folkston, GA has one ZIP code: 31537. Each ZIP code serves a distinct delivery area within the city and surrounding region.