Metro area profile · Georgia
Dalton, GA metro area market data
How the Dalton metro area compares with other metro areas for 56 business types: competitors, household spending, official counts and growth.
- Population, 2025
- 147,819
- +3.5% since 2020
- Households
- 52,080
- Median household income
- $67,846
- +39.9% vs. 2015–2019, before inflation
- Median home value
- $208,800
- Jobs located here
- 67,757
- Highest market score
- 77
- HVAC and plumbing, #14 of 387 scored metro areas
A site report maps the competitors on map listings around any address in the Dalton metro area by name and distance, and the households and spending within reach. Or open the report at the center of the Dalton metro area. Signed out, you see a blurred preview; on an account, each report is one action.
Free10 actions over 3 days, no cardSurvey estimates 2020–2024 · population estimates 2025 · official business counts 2023 · map listings September 2026 · Data credits · How we measure
What this means
The Dalton metro area has an estimated 147,819 people and 52,080 households. Population estimates show the Dalton metro area grew 3.5% from 2020 to 2025, in step with the U.S. (+3.1%). Median household income in the Dalton metro area is $67,846, 16% below the U.S. median of $80,734. Against the 2015–2019 survey, the median rose 39.9%, before inflation.
Relative to the U.S., household spending in the Dalton metro area runs highest on vehicle insurance (an index of 139, where 100 is the U.S. average) and lowest on memberships, classes and admissions (63).
Of the business types scored in the Dalton metro area, HVAC and plumbing companies (77), real estate businesses (76) and home repair companies (75) have the highest Groundwork market scores. For HVAC and plumbing companies, that ranks #14 of 387 scored metro areas.
The Dalton metro area takes in 2 counties: Whitfield County and Murray County. Against the U.S., map listings per household run highest for convenience stores (2.4 times the U.S. rate) and lowest for real estate agents and brokers (72% below the U.S. rate).
All 56 business types in the Dalton metro area
Highest Groundwork market score first. Each score compares the Dalton metro area with other metro areas for that business type, from 0 to 100. Spending per listing divides a whole spending line (all vehicle repairs, all eating out) by one type’s listings: the demand for each competitor, not a business’s revenue. Compare it across markets with its index, where 100 is the U.S. figure for the same type; the real estate types, whose line is all housing costs, show the index only. How the score works.
| Business type | Score | Rank among metro areas | Listings | Per 10k households | Spending per listing | Spending per listing vs. U.S. (100) | Official establishments |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| HVAC and plumbing | 77 | #14 of 387 | 20 | 3.8 | $7M | 147 | 26 |
| Real estate | 76 | #15 of 387 | 73 | 14.0 | Index only | 235 | 41 |
| Home repair trades | 75 | #17 of 387 | 44 | 8.4 | $3.2M | 131 | 58 |
| Real estate agents and brokers | 75 | #19 of 387 | 45 | 8.6 | Index only | 303 | 23 |
| Pet grooming and boarding | 75 | #27 of 386 | 12 | 2.3 | $3.5M | 139 | 5 |
| House cleaning | 75 | #31 of 375 | 9 | 1.7 | $8M | 124 | 17 |
| Lawn, cleaning and pest control | 74 | #35 of 387 | 40 | 7.7 | $1.8M | 107 | 52 |
| Pet businesses | 72 | #46 of 387 | 40 | 7.7 | $1.1M | 121 | 19 |
| Insurance agencies | 72 | #68 of 387 | 80 | 15.4 | $1.8M | 141 | 51 |
| Landscaping and lawn care | 71 | #67 of 385 | 24 | 4.6 | $3M | 102 | 30 |
| Property management | 69 | #40 of 374 | 10 | 1.9 | Index only | 134 | 10 |
| Coffee shops and cafes | 69 | #47 of 387 | 37 | 7.1 | $4.9M | 131 | 15 |
| Electricians | 68 | #55 of 383 | 10 | 1.9 | $14M | 116 | 23 |
| Child care and preschools | 66 | #76 of 387 | 12 | 2.3 | $1.6M | 164 | 26 |
| Pet stores | 66 | #77 of 382 | 8 | 1.5 | $5.3M | 117 | 3 |
| Gyms, studios and classes | 65 | #63 of 387 | 42 | 8.1 | $774K | 117 | 17 |
| Dentists and orthodontists | 64 | #95 of 387 | 45 | 8.6 | $1.2M | 123 | 28 |
| Pest control | 62 | #92 of 345 | 7 | 1.3 | $10.2M | 100 | 5 |
| Veterinarians | 62 | #103 of 384 | 15 | 2.9 | $2.8M | 104 | 11 |
| Roofing and gutters | 61 | #107 of 381 | 14 | 2.7 | $10M | 118 | 9 |
| Clothing and shoe stores | 61 | #123 of 387 | 63 | 12.1 | $1.4M | 113 | 26 |
| Optometrists and eye care | 60 | #101 of 386 | 13 | 2.5 | $4.2M | 133 | 8 |
| Gyms | 60 | #103 of 387 | 24 | 4.6 | $1.4M | 104 | 11 |
| Car washes and detailing | 60 | #125 of 387 | 22 | 4.2 | $2.3M | 91 | 6 |
| Martial arts and dance studios | 58 | #116 of 387 | 16 | 3.1 | $2M | 101 | 6 |
| Clothing, shoes and laundry | 57 | #154 of 387 | 95 | 18.2 | $952K | 108 | 33 |
| Chiropractors | 56 | #145 of 386 | 18 | 3.5 | $3M | 126 | 12 |
| Nail salons | 54 | #156 of 387 | 22 | 4.2 | $2M | 118 | 6 |
| Mortgage brokers and lenders | 53 | #157 of 373 | 15 | 2.9 | Index only | 127 | Under 3 |
| Auto repair and car care | 53 | #186 of 387 | 216 | 41.5 | $233K | 87 | 63 |
| Hair salons | 52 | #161 of 387 | 111 | 21.3 | $390K | 91 | 6 |
| Auto repair shops | 52 | #190 of 387 | 136 | 26.1 | $371K | 83 | 41 |
| Restaurants and cafes | 51 | #187 of 387 | 472 | 90.6 | $381K | 103 | 216 |
| Salons, barbers and spas | 51 | #188 of 387 | 219 | 42.1 | $197K | 93 | 25 |
| Collision repair and body shops | 51 | #197 of 381 | 19 | 3.6 | $2.7M | 86 | 10 |
| Bakeries and dessert shops | 50 | #199 of 387 | 47 | 9.0 | $3.8M | 92 | 20 |
| Sit-down restaurants | 49 | #202 of 387 | 277 | 53.2 | $650K | 98 | 74 |
| Laundromats | 45 | #206 of 364 | 7 | 1.3 | $12.9M | 103 | Under 3 |
| Doctors, dentists and clinics | 44 | #244 of 387 | 426 | 81.8 | $127K | 83 | 129 |
| Physical therapy | 43 | #240 of 386 | 30 | 5.8 | $1.8M | 75 | 13 |
| Gas stations | 41 | #261 of 387 | 89 | 17.1 | $1.8M | 77 | 82 |
| Pizza | 40 | #266 of 387 | 35 | 6.7 | $5.1M | 101 | 120 |
| Spas and skin care | 40 | #283 of 387 | 50 | 9.6 | $865K | 99 | 11 |
| Primary care and pediatrics | 35 | #303 of 387 | 51 | 9.8 | $1.1M | 60 | 63 |
| Funeral homes | 34 | #285 of 377 | 13 | 2.5 | $552K | 81 | 10 |
| Tire shops | 31 | #315 of 386 | 41 | 7.9 | $1.2M | 49 | 10 |
| Barbershops | 28 | #340 of 387 | 33 | 6.3 | $1.3M | 69 | Under 3 |
| Dry cleaners | 27 | #245 of 272 | 7 | 1.3 | $12.9M | 82 | 7 |
| Fast food and sandwich shops | 27 | #329 of 387 | 80 | 15.4 | $2.2M | 74 | 120 |
| Grocery stores | 26 | #338 of 387 | 36 | 6.9 | $8.3M | 89 | 32 |
| Convenience stores | 17 | #373 of 387 | 99 | 19.0 | $3M | 38 | 36 |
| Grocery and convenience stores | 17 | #375 of 387 | 158 | 30.3 | $1.9M | 56 | 68 |
| Home inspectors | Not scored | Not scored | 3 | 0.6 | Index only | 94 | Under 3 |
| Oil change and quick lube | Not scored | Not scored | 3 | 0.6 | $16.8M | 122 | 4 |
| Urgent care and walk-in clinics | Not scored | Not scored | 2 | 0.4 | $27.1M | Too few | 5 |
| Yoga, Pilates and fitness studios | Not scored | Not scored | 2 | 0.4 | $16.3M | Too few | 11 |
Household spending in the Dalton metro area
What households here spend in a year on each line, in total and per household, with the index against the U.S. average (100).
| Spending line | A year, all households | Per household | Index vs. U.S. (100) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Vehicle maintenance and repairs | $50.4M | $968 | 101 |
| Gasoline and other fuels | $164.2M | $3,153 | 121 |
| Food away from home | $179.9M | $3,455 | 85 |
| Groceries | $299.3M | $5,747 | 91 |
| Personal care products and services | $43.2M | $830 | 83 |
| Child care and other personal services | $19.8M | $379 | 65 |
| Memberships, classes and admissions | $32.5M | $624 | 63 |
| Medical and dental services | $54.2M | $1,041 | 81 |
| Pets | $42.4M | $814 | 89 |
| Clothing, shoes and related services | $90.4M | $1,737 | 84 |
| Vehicle insurance | $141.4M | $2,715 | 139 |
| Home repairs, maintenance and insurance | $139.7M | $2,682 | 89 |
| Lawn care, cleaning and other household services | $71.7M | $1,376 | 97 |
| Rent and homeowner costs | $742.4M | $14,255 | 86 |
Household spending is estimated from the incomes of the households in each neighborhood, using what households at each income spent nationally in 2024, adjusted for the region. It counts what residents spend, wherever they spend it.
Population and households in the Dalton metro area
- Population, 2025 estimate
- 147,819+3.5% since 2020
- Households
- 52,080
- Median age
- 37.7
- Homes lived in by their owners
- 69%
- Vehicles per household
- 2.1
- Land area
- 635 sq. mi.
- People per square mile
- 227
- Median household income
- $67,846+39.9% vs. 2015–2019, before inflation
- Average household income
- $86,684
- Median home value
- $208,800
- Jobs located here
- 67,757
- Daytime population
- 144,718Residents who don’t work, plus everyone whose job is here
Looking at a specific site in the Dalton metro area?
These figures cover the whole metro area. A site report draws rings around one address and counts what’s inside them: households, spending, jobs, and the competitors on map listings by name and distance, for any of the 56 business types.
Or open the report at the center of the Dalton metro area. Signed out, you see a blurred preview; on an account, each report is one action.
Free10 actions over 3 days, no cardRelated markets
Counties in the Dalton metro area 2
- Whitfield County, GA103,598 people
- Murray County, GA40,562 people
Other markets based in Georgia 12
- Atlanta-Sandy Springs-Roswell, GA metro area6,256,377 people
- Augusta-Richmond County, GA-SC metro area624,181 people
- Savannah, GA metro area418,285 people
- Columbus, GA-AL metro area325,615 people
- Macon-Bibb County, GA metro area234,943 people
- Athens-Clarke County, GA metro area220,197 people
- Gainesville, GA metro area212,705 people
- Warner Robins, GA metro area198,209 people
- Valdosta, GA metro area150,188 people
- Albany, GA metro area146,018 people
- Brunswick-St. Simons, GA metro area115,074 people
- Rome, GA metro area99,693 people
Questions
How fast is the Dalton, GA metro area growing?
Population estimates put the Dalton metro area at 147,819 people in 2025, up 3.5% since 2020, in step with the U.S. (+3.1%). It has 52,080 households. Median household income rose 39.9% from the 2015–2019 survey, before inflation.
How much do households in the Dalton, GA metro area spend?
Households in the Dalton metro area spend about $742.4M a year on rent and homeowner costs, $299.3M on groceries and $179.9M on food away from home. Set against the U.S., households in the Dalton metro area spend the most on vehicle insurance (an index of 139, where 100 is the U.S. average) and the least on memberships, classes and admissions (63).
Which business types have the highest market scores in the Dalton, GA metro area?
The highest Groundwork market scores in the Dalton metro area are for HVAC and plumbing companies (77), real estate businesses (76) and home repair companies (75). The Dalton metro area ranks #14 of 387 scored metro areas for HVAC and plumbing companies.
How does the Dalton, GA metro area compare with the U.S.?
The median household income in the Dalton metro area is $67,846 a year, 16% below the U.S. median of $80,734. The population rose 3.5% from 2020 to 2025, against +3.1% for the U.S. The median home value is $208,800, against $332,700 for the U.S. For its number of households, the Dalton metro area has the most map listings, relative to the U.S., for convenience stores (2.4 times the U.S. rate) and the fewest for real estate agents and brokers (72% below the U.S. rate).
What is the Groundwork market score?
The Groundwork market score runs from 0 to 100 and compares a market with others of its kind for one business type: states with states, metro areas with metro areas, small-town markets and counties with their own. It weighs household spending per competitor (35%), households per business with payroll (25%), population growth (20%) and spending power (20%), each ranked against those peers. A higher score means that, taken together, the market has more household spending and more households for each business already there, faster population growth and more spending per household than similar markets. It describes a market, not any one site or deal. 52 of the 56 business types have a score in the Dalton metro area, each ranked against other metro areas.
How can I see the market around a specific site?
Run a Groundwork site report on an address in the Dalton metro area. It maps the competitors on map listings near the site and sizes the households and spending within the distance you choose. New accounts get 10 actions over 3 days, no card.
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Screening a site or an acquisition in the Dalton metro area?
A site report maps the competitors on map listings near an address and sizes the households and spending around it.
The button opens the report at the center of the Dalton metro area. Signed out, you see a blurred preview; on an account, each report is one action.
This product uses the Census Bureau Data API but is not endorsed or certified by the Census Bureau.
Figures are estimates for research only. Not investment or real estate advice.