Vacant Wendy's
For sale6121 Oak St, Eastman, GA 31023-8940
Eastman, GA
Eastman is the county seat of Dodge County in central Georgia, positioned along the historic Macon and Brunswick Railroad and connected by U.S. Highways 23 and 341. Founded in the 19th-century timber boom, the community grew around sawmills, rail transportation, and regional commerce. Today, Eastman is known for its small-town character, aviation education, historic architecture, and connection to the origins of Stuckey’s Pecan Shoppe, founded here in 1937. Sugar Creek and the surrounding Wiregrass landscape add a rural setting, while the city’s courthouse, historic school buildings, and transportation links reflect its role as a longtime regional center.
Recreational Delights
Eastman’s recreation is centered on community facilities and outdoor pursuits. Dodge County Golf Club offers a nine-hole course, swimming pool, and golf-cart amenities beside the railroad tracks. The Eastman-Dodge County Recreational Fields on the Eastman-Dublin Highway provide organized youth football, baseball, tee ball, cheerleading, soccer, and girls’ flag football. Sugar Creek, southwest of the city, contributes a natural element to the landscape, while the surrounding countryside is suited to scenic drives, informal outdoor activities, and exploring Georgia’s rural heritage. The city’s compact setting and nearby highways also make neighboring communities and regional attractions accessible for day trips.
Culinary Scene
Eastman’s food culture reflects its small-town Georgia setting, with an emphasis on regional Southern cooking, home-style meals, and locally familiar comfort food. Its most distinctive culinary legacy is Stuckey’s Pecan Shoppe, founded in Eastman in 1937 during the Great Depression and later recognized for its roadside pecan products throughout the United States. Pecans and other traditional Georgia flavors remain closely associated with the city’s identity. Rather than a concentrated restaurant district, Eastman’s food scene is dispersed through local eateries and community gathering places, with dining tied to family traditions, regional agriculture, and the hospitality of Dodge County.
Demographics
- Eastman has a supplied population estimate of 5,584, while the 2020 census recorded 5,658 residents; the city is a compact county-seat community with strong regional importance.
- The median age is 38.3, closely matching the U.S. median of 38.9. The 2020 census reported 24.0% of residents under 18 and 17.9% age 65 or older.
- Median household income is $52,394, below the U.S. median of $80,734. Eastman reported 2,262 households and 2,473 housing units in the 2020 census.
Population
5,584
Growth -0.71%
Households
2,222
Growth 6.11%
Median Age
38.3
US Median Age 38.9
Median Household Income
$52,394
US Median Household Income $80,734
Radius Metrics Highlights in 3-mile radius
4,969
Total population
46%
5 year population growth projection
1,963
Total households
$27,408
Per capita income
| 1 Mile | 3 Miles | 5 Miles | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Total population | 1,417 | 4,969 | 8,302 |
| 5 year projected total population | 5,995 | 7,279 | 12,386 |
| Total households | 605 | 1,963 | 3,214 |
| Current Median Household Income | $41,014 | $42,420 | $46,569 |
| 5 year projected median household income | $42,513 | $47,636 | $59,015 |
| Current Per Capita Income | $32,929 | $27,408 | $26,070 |
| 5 year projected per capita income | $51,486 | $38,978 | $35,623 |
| Median home value | $116,572 | $105,237 | $113,200 |
Education
Middle Georgia State University — Georgia Aviation Campus
Dodge County High School
Dodge County Middle School
Dodge County Elementary School
Entertainment
Peabody School, a National Register-listed historic school building
Dodge County Courthouse, a landmark associated with Eastman’s civic history
Stuckey’s Pecan Shoppe heritage site and local pecan tradition
Orphans Cemetery historical marker
Quality of Life
Eastman offers a modest-cost, small-town lifestyle with schools, youth recreation, a golf club, aviation education, and convenient highway access. Its county-seat role supports essential services and community institutions, while the rural setting provides space and a slower pace. Lower household incomes may limit amenities compared with larger Georgia cities, but housing availability, local identity, and nearby countryside contribute to its appeal.
2022 Population by age
4%
0-4 Years
21%
5-19 Years
7%
20-24 Years
28%
25-44 Years
23%
45-64 Years
17%
65+ Years
Employers
4%
Unemployment rate
Employment sectors
Manufacturing
24.64%
Educational Services
17.48%
Health Care and Social Assistance
10.91%
Construction
10.1%
Accommodation and Food Services
8.42%
Public Administration
8.29%
Administrative and Support and Waste Management Services
7.11%
Finance and Insurance
4.62%
Transportation and Warehousing
3.03%
Retail Trade
2.49%
Other
2.9%