Bryan County, GA Population Growth: Hyundai, Schools & Richmond Hill

Q: Why is Bryan County growing so fast?

Four converging drivers: the $7.59B Hyundai Metaplant and supplier ecosystem, A-rated Bryan County Schools, high median household income ($107,486) with 2.34% unemployment, and Coastal Georgia lifestyle with quick Savannah and beach access. Growth is overwhelmingly domestic in-migration.

Bryan county courthouse in pembroke ga county seat anchoring the fastest growing county in georgia — The Bryan County Courthouse in Pembroke — county seat of Georgia’s fastest-growing county (+71% since 2010).

Bryan County didn’t just grow over the last 15 years — it exploded. From 30,233 residents in 2010 to roughly 53,000 in 2025, it’s added more than 71% to its population and now ranks as the #1 fastest-growing county in Georgia and among the top 10 in the entire United States. If you’re trying to understand where Coastal Georgia real estate is heading, you start here.

This is the data-driven breakdown of Bryan County’s growth — what’s actually driving it, which cities are absorbing the demand, what the schools look like, and what it means for investors and families weighing a move to Richmond Hill, Pembroke, or the new Hyundai corridor near Ellabell.

Bryan County Population Growth at a Glance

Year	Bryan County	Richmond Hill (city)	Pembroke (city)
2010 Census	30,233	9,281	~2,153
2020 Census	44,738	16,633	2,524
2024 Census est.	51,105	19,839	~2,750
2025 est.	~53,000	~20,600	2,799
Growth 2010→2025	+71%	+122%	+30%

Sources: Georgia Legislative Reapportionment Office; U.S. Census Bureau QuickFacts; St. Louis FRED; Atlanta Journal-Constitution, May 2026.

Richmond Hill alone more than doubled in 15 years. That’s not gradual suburban drift — it’s a structural shift. And it’s not slowing: the county added roughly 1,200 residents from 2023 to 2024 alone, with USAFacts attributing nearly all of it to domestic in-migration.

The Four Forces Behind Bryan County’s Growth

1. The Hyundai Metaplant America (HMGMA) — A $7.59 Billion Anchor

The single biggest economic development project in Georgia history sits in Ellabell, in the north-central part of Bryan County. The Hyundai Motor Group Metaplant America represents a $7.59 billion initial investment across a 2,923-acre megasite, with 16 million square feet of factory floor space. Hyundai Motor Group’s total Georgia commitment now stands at $12.6 billion, including the LG Energy Solution battery joint venture.

The first Hyundai IONIQ 5 rolled off the line in October 2024, and the plant celebrated its grand opening in March 2025. As of early 2026, roughly 1,400 “Meta Pros” work at the facility, with 73.2% sourced from the Greater Savannah area. The state incentive package targets 8,500 direct jobs by 2031, with a $2.7 billion expansion announced at Hyundai’s September 2025 investor day to lift production capacity to 500,000 vehicles per year.

And that’s just the assembly plant itself. Hyundai’s supplier network has already announced about 6,900 jobs and $2.5 billion in additional investment across 12 Georgia counties — including Sewon America’s body-parts plant in neighboring Effingham County. Every one of those workers needs housing within commuting distance.

Container ship at the port of savannah — The Port of Savannah feeds 651,000 Georgia jobs and pulls workforce demand into Bryan County.

2. The Schools — Bryan County Schools Is the Real Magnet

If you ask any Richmond Hill real estate agent what families ask about first, it isn’t beaches or commute times — it’s schools. Bryan County Schools educates 10,800+ students with a 94.6% four-year graduation rate and ranks in the top 3–10% of Georgia districts in tested content areas. Niche grades the district A– and ranks it #29 in Georgia.

Standout schools include:

Richmond Hill High School — Niche A; 93% graduation rate; brand-new campus opened fall 2025; Georgia DOE score 87.7 (Efficient).
McAllister Elementary — Niche A; the district’s top-performing elementary by Georgia DOE score (93.7).
Frances Meeks Elementary — Niche A; 91.6 DOE score.
Dr. George Washington Carver Elementary — Niche A–; 92.5 DOE score.
Richmond Hill Middle School — Niche A; 84.2 DOE score; 76.5% of 8th graders reading at grade level.

Bryan County is also the only school district in Georgia bisected by a military installation — Fort Stewart — giving it deep military-family enrollment alongside the new wave of Hyundai families. The district employs 1,800+ people, with 68% of teachers holding master’s degrees or higher, and runs more than 23 career, technical, and agricultural pathways.

3. The Income Profile — Bryan County Is Wealthier Than You Think

Most people don’t realize this: Bryan County’s median household income hit $107,486 in 2024 per the U.S. Census SAIPE — up from $93,057 in 2022. That puts it well above the Georgia state median and above the national figure. The county’s unemployment rate sits at 2.34%, and 45.13% of the working-age population holds an associate’s degree or higher per Bryan County Economic Development.

This income profile matters for one reason: it supports the price points investors are seeing. The median home sale price across Bryan County is $448,000 (up 5.9% YoY per Realtor.com), with Richmond Hill listings averaging $459,999. Median Richmond Hill rent runs $2,500/month — and rentals turn fast.

4. The Coastal Lifestyle + Savannah Access

Richmond Hill sits 25 minutes south of downtown Savannah via I-95 and US-17, 15 minutes from Fort Stewart’s main gate via GA-144, and 25 minutes from Savannah/Hilton Head International Airport. The Ogeechee River runs through the city’s east side, feeding tidal creeks, fishing, and marina access. Add in low-tax Georgia, no state income tax on Social Security, and quick beach access to Tybee, and you have a relocation pitch that essentially sells itself once families see it.

Where the New Homes Are Going Up

Bryan County still has development runway — but rapid growth has triggered community pushback, with the AJC reporting in May 2026 on debates about temporary development moratoriums. Smart investors are positioning before those constraints tighten supply further.

Current active and high-profile communities:

Heartwood at Richmond Hill — 7,000-acre master-planned wellness community near the Hyundai megasite. Phase 1 (365 build-to-rent homes + clubhouse) is going vertical now, with a 25-year build-out projection of 10,000+ homes. St. Joseph’s/Candler Hospital is directly across the road.
Waterways (Pulte Homes) — Ogeechee River master-planned community with marina access, Bill Dance Signature Fishing Center, pool and tennis. Homes from the high $350s.
McAllister Pointe (Smith Family Homes) — 4–5 bedroom homes from $485K–$630K+, named for the top-rated elementary school.
Buckhead North subdivisions (East Chastain, Cambridge, Kingston, McGregor, Sandy Springs, Shadow Moss) — established neighborhoods $300K–$600K+, popular with Fort Stewart families.
Sterling Links — golf-community neighborhood with established lots.
Richmond Place — military-family favorite for its central Richmond Hill location.

What This Means for Real Estate Investors

Three signals matter for anyone underwriting Bryan County deals:

Rental demand is structural, not cyclical. You have a verified 8,500-job pipeline at HMGMA by 2031, plus supplier hires, plus continuous Fort Stewart turnover, plus Gulfstream commuters. That’s a multi-source rental tenant base — and the new Heartwood Phase 1 build-to-rent product is the smart-money read on it.
Schools justify the premium. Bryan County homes trade at a measurable premium to neighboring Effingham and Liberty counties, and the A-rated schools are the reason. Investors who buy in McAllister Elementary, Frances Meeks, and Richmond Hill HS zones command better rent stability and lower vacancy.
Inventory is up, but prices are holding. Bryan County inventory rose 51% off the COVID lows, with Zillow showing Richmond Hill values down 1.3% YoY through January 2026. This is a normalization window, not a downturn — and for first-time investors who couldn’t buy in 2021–2023, it’s the first real opportunity to enter at sustainable numbers.

One risk to monitor: the September 2025 ICE raid at the HL-GA battery construction site delayed that facility’s opening by 2–3 months minimum. The vehicle assembly plant was unaffected, and Hyundai leadership reaffirmed the expansion plan, but the supplier ramp-up timeline carries some 2026 execution risk.

Frequently Asked Questions

How fast is Bryan County, Georgia growing?

Bryan County grew from 30,233 residents in 2010 to roughly 53,000 in 2025 — about 71% growth in 15 years. It currently ranks as the #1 fastest-growing county in Georgia (159 counties) and among the top 10 fastest-growing counties in the entire United States.

What is the population of Richmond Hill, GA?

Richmond Hill’s 2024 Census estimate was 19,839, with 2025 projected near 20,600 and 2026 around 21,361 at a 3.69% annual growth rate per World Population Review. The city’s population has more than doubled since 2010 (9,281 → ~21,000).

How many people will work at the Hyundai Metaplant?

HMGMA employs roughly 1,400 workers as of early 2026, with a target of 8,500 direct jobs by 2031 per the state incentive agreement. Hyundai’s $2.7 billion September 2025 expansion announcement adds another 3,000 direct and indirect jobs across Georgia, and the broader supplier network has announced 6,900 jobs across 12 counties.

Are Bryan County, Georgia schools good?

Yes. Bryan County Schools is rated A– by Niche, ranks #29 in Georgia, and has a 94.6% graduation rate. Richmond Hill High School (new 2025 campus), Richmond Hill Middle, McAllister Elementary, Frances Meeks Elementary, and Dr. George Washington Carver Elementary all earn Niche grades of A or A–. The district places in the top 3–10% of Georgia districts on tested content areas.

What is the median home price in Richmond Hill, GA?

As of April 2026, the median sale price in Richmond Hill was $390,000 (up 2.6% YoY) and the median listing price was $459,999, per Realtor.com. Bryan County overall posts a median sale price near $448,000. Median rent in Richmond Hill sits at $2,500/month, with 174 active rental listings.

How long is the commute from Richmond Hill to Savannah?

Richmond Hill to downtown Savannah averages about 25 minutes off-peak via I-95 and US-17, stretching to 30–45 minutes during peak hours. The ACS reports a mean commute time of 30.9 minutes for Richmond Hill residents. Fort Stewart’s main gate is 15 minutes south via GA-144, and Savannah/Hilton Head International Airport is 25 minutes north.

Why is Bryan County growing so fast?

Four converging drivers: (1) the $7.59B Hyundai Metaplant and its supplier ecosystem, (2) A-rated Bryan County Schools, (3) high median household income ($107,486) and 2.34% unemployment supporting demand, and (4) Coastal Georgia lifestyle with quick Savannah and beach access. The growth is overwhelmingly domestic in-migration — families moving from higher-cost regions for better schools, jobs, and quality of life.

Is Bryan County a good place to invest in real estate?

For investors targeting long-term cash flow and appreciation, Bryan County’s fundamentals are among the strongest in the Southeast: verified job pipeline through 2031, top-rated schools, structurally limited supply, and rising household income. The current inventory rebuild (+51%) and slight price softening creates a more favorable entry window than 2021–2023. See our investment property loans guide and Richmond Hill investor mortgage guide for financing strategy.

Sources & Further Reading

Ready to Move on Bryan County?

Whether you’re a Hyundai transferee, a military family, a first-time investor, or trading up from Chatham County, Bryan County’s growth story is just getting started. Team 912 sells, manages, and finances investment property across Richmond Hill, Pembroke, Ellabell, and the entire Savannah MSA.

One practical tip for anyone moving into the county during this growth wave: closing dates and moving dates rarely line up perfectly. Many of our Hyundai transferees and PCS families use Sid’s Self Storage in Pembroke to bridge the gap — it’s locally owned, offers drive-up units in several sizes, and rents month-to-month so you’re not locked into a long-term contract while you house-hunt.

📞 Call Julie Gates at (912) 376-1641 or email julie@team912.com.