The city of Fitzgerald was formed in 1895 by Union soldiers fleeing harsh weather to settle alongside former Confederates, a minority in the southcentral Georgia city. Today, home buyers seeking a quiet, rural setting with a quaint downtown are drawn to the area, says broker Lisa Davis, owner of The Brokerage Real Estate Company, who has eight years of experience in the local housing market. "If you want to live in a small town and you like a small-town feel, it's a place to consider. You can retreat to the country and have a peaceful life," she says, adding, "if you're not afraid of chickens." Wild Burmese chickens, which were released along the nearby Ocmulgee River in the 1960s, have propagated and are frequent visitors to downtown. In their honor, a 62-foot steel chicken statue towers over the historic downtown where the Wild Chicken Festival is held every spring.
Cohabiting alongside the chickens are 9,000 residents, a population that has remained consistent for three decades. Many locals work for the railroads — the city's location along CSX railroads provides a strategic location for industry — as well as the manufacturing, agricultural and forestry sectors.
Fitzgerald is rural city with an average home price of $149,000.
Fitzgerald's unofficial mascot is honored by a 62-foot tall statue of the Burmese chicken.
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Home prices lower than state and national median
The median home price in Fitzgerald is $149,000, well below the national and state median. "It attracts families, retirees and investors due to its lower cost of living and accessibility to larger markets like Tifton and Albany," Davis says. The city is mostly made up of single-family homes, though some larger houses have been split up into apartments. The historic district is laid out in a grid-like pattern, and its streets are filled with early 20th-century Victorians, Spanish Colonials and Queen Annes. Around 50 historic structures are built of granitoid — a gray concrete block once produced in the city. Most homes date from the 1950s to the early aughts and include ranchers, split-levels and Craftsman styles.
Large Queen Anne style homes sit back on lots with well maintained landscaping in Fitzgerald.
Fitzgerald's wide streets feature lush green lots with a variety of housing types and styles dating back to the 1950s including Victorian style homes.
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Local restaurants in Fitzgerald’s historic downtown
Fitzgerald is one of Georgia's only planned cities, with a walkable downtown that forms a perfect square divided into four equal parts. Local restaurants and boutiques are near the intersection of Central Avenue and South Main Street, where roads are paved with red bricks. The Grand Theatre, a 1930s art deco structure, shows new movies and hosts community gatherings. The Carnegie Center, which dates from 1915, displays artwork and holds a variety of classes. Big-box stores like Walmart and chain restaurants are to the south of the city along the Ocilla Highway.
The Fitzgerald Grand Theatre is a restored Art Deco theater that now runs feature films.
The Carnegie Center hosts art events throughout the year in Fitzgerald.
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Paulk Park surrounds County Lake
Paulk Park surrounds the 5-acre County Lake, which has a boat ramp and is stocked with catfish and bass. There are also walking trails and sports fields. Blue and Gray Park — named after the colors of both armies' uniforms in the Civil War — sits on 8 acres with a basketball court and walking trail. Other parks downtown include Boggus Park, which has skating ramps, and Legion Park, home to the municipal swimming pool. About 30 miles away is Ben Hill Landing on the Ocmulgee River for boating and camping.
The Blue and Grey Park in Fitzgerald features a walking trail.
You can park your RV around County Lake at Paulk Park in Fitzgerald.
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Students attend Ben Hill County schools
Fitzgerald is part of the Ben Hill County School District, which gets a C on Niche. The district operates five schools and serves over 3,000 students. Wiregrass Georgia Technical College has a local campus.
Fitzgerald's Ben Hill County Middle School receives a C grade on Niche.
Wiregrass Georgia Technical College has a campus in Fitzgerald that residents go to.
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The Wild Chicken Festival honors Fitzgerald’s unofficial mascot
The town gathers over three days in March at The Wild Chicken Festival to celebrate its unofficial mascot. It starts with a street dance party on Friday, followed by vendors and food booths lining downtown streets on Saturday, and culminates with a concert at the Grand Theatre on Sunday. Autumn is welcomed at The Fitzgerald Fall Festival in September, which features an antique tractor show and parade. The event originated in 1896 when Union and Confederate soldiers marched together in a harvest festival parade.
I-75 connects to Atlanta
Interstate 75, 25 miles away, travels 183 miles north into Atlanta and 77 miles south to Valdosta and on to Gainesville in Florida. Smaller cities nearby include Albany, 60 miles east, and Tifton, 27 miles south. The nearest airport is Tallahassee International Airport, 127 miles south. The Ben Hill Transit System charges $3 for rides that must be scheduled in advance. Dorminy Medical Center has a 75-bed hospital in downtown.
Weather and crime in Fitzgerald
Fitzgerald experiences hot, humid summers and mild winters. Although hurricanes in the area are not typical, Hurricane Helene caused widespread power outages and downed trees in 2024. According to Georgia Bureau of Investigation statistics, incidents of violent crime in Fitzgerald rose slightly while incidents of property crime decreased. The statistics show Ben Hill County's crime rate was well above the rate in neighboring Telfair and Wilcox counties.
Written By
Josh Gully
Photography Contributed By
Kristinah Archer
Video By
Houston Knight
Interested in learning more about homes in this area?
Reach out to
Lisa Davis,
an experienced agent in this area.
GreatSchools:
The GreatSchools Rating helps parents compare schools within a state based on a variety of school quality indicators and provides a helpful picture of how effectively each school serves all of its students. Ratings are on a scale of 1 (below average) to 10 (above average) and can include test scores, college readiness, academic progress, advanced courses, equity, discipline and attendance data. We also advise parents to visit schools, consider other information on school performance and programs, and consider family needs as part of the school selection process.
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On average, homes in Fitzgerald, GA sell after 76 days on the market compared to the national average of 49 days. The median sale price for homes in Fitzgerald, GA over the last 12 months is $159,450, up 7% from the median home sale price over the previous 12 months.
Welcome to a cherished 3rd generation homestead nestled in the heart of South Georgia. This unique property offers the perfect blend of rural charm, natural beauty, and functional acreage, making it ideal for those seeking a quiet country lifestyle or a working farmstead. Situated on a picturesque, fully fenced and cross-fenced property, the land features two stocked ponds, perfect for peaceful
Welcome to a cherished 3rd generation homestead nestled in the heart of South Georgia on 89 acres. This unique property offers the perfect blend of rural charm, natural beauty, and functional acreage, making it ideal for those seeking a quiet country lifestyle or a working farmstead. Situated on a picturesque, fully fenced and cross-fenced property, the land features two stocked ponds, perfect
Charming 3-Bedroom Brick Home on a Spacious Corner Lot! Welcome to this beautifully maintained 3-bedroom, 1-bath brick home, perfectly situated on a desirable corner lot. Step inside to find a warm and inviting living room with a stunning fireplace, perfect for cozy evenings. The updated tiled shower adds a modern touch, while the screened back porch offers a peaceful space to relax and enjoy the
Jack Allen Apartments is a beautiful, apartment community located in Fitzgerald, GA. Nearby you can enjoy the breathtaking views at Jefferson Davis State Park, High Falls State Park, and Milton "Buddy" Hopkins Nature Preserve. Not to mention the Wild Adventures Amusement Park, Summer Waves Water Park, and the Georgia Sea Turtle Center. Feeling hungry? There are a number of delicious restaurants
Property Id: 1699303Kick Off Summer with $0 First Month Rent!! Reduced Security Deposit!! *Terms and Conditions ApplyJack Allen Apartments is a beautiful, apartment community located in Fitzgerald, GA. Nearby you can enjoy the breathtaking views at Jefferson Davis State Park, High Falls State Park, and Milton "Buddy" Hopkins Nature Preserve. Not to mention the Wild Adventures
Property Id: 1699304Kick Off Summer with $0 First Month Rent!! Reduced Security Deposit!! *Terms and Conditions ApplyJack Allen Apartments is a beautiful, apartment community located in Fitzgerald, GA. Nearby you can enjoy the breathtaking views at Jefferson Davis State Park, High Falls State Park, and Milton "Buddy" Hopkins Nature Preserve. Not to mention the Wild Adventures
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