photo of Hawkinsville, Georgia and what it is like to live there.

Everything You Need to Know About Living in Hawkinsville [2025]

April 01, 2025•21 min read

If you’re wondering whether Hawkinsville, Georgia is a safe and practical place to live, you’re not alone. A lot of people who work in Warner Robins, at Robins Air Force Base, or in Macon start looking for a quieter small town where they can still commute but don’t have to live in the middle of the hustle and bustle.

I’m Chris, a real estate investor and agent with over 20 years of experience in the Middle Georgia real estate market, and my wife Denise and I actually chose to move to Hawkinsville ourselves. So in this article, I’m going to walk you through:

A quick history of Hawkinsville
Where Hawkinsville is and how it’s laid out
What it’s really like to live here
Cost of living and affordability
The Hawkinsville real estate market and types of homes
How Hawkinsville compares to nearby cities like Warner Robins, Perry, Cochran, Cordele and Eastman
Things to do, jobs, schools and local community life
Why we personally chose Hawkinsville for our family

By the end, you’ll have a real, on-the-ground picture of what to expect if you move to Hawkinsville, GA.

If you would rather watch or listen to this content, check out the video!

A Short History of Hawkinsville, Georgia

Hawkinsville was originally established back in the 1830s as a major trading hub for Middle Georgia. Several trade routes converged here, and that’s where it earned its reputation as a kind of “highway hub” long before modern highways were built.

Farmers and traders brought in:

Timber
Cotton
Corn

Those goods were loaded onto boats at the river and shipped down through the river system toward Brunswick, which made Hawkinsville a key stop in the regional trade network.

Fast forward to today and Hawkinsville still plays a similar role. There are around ten different highways that come into and through Hawkinsville, making it a convenient point for industries and travelers moving between:

Savannah
Atlanta
Cordele
Valdosta
And the I-75 corridor in general

It’s still very much a transportation and logistics hub, just in a quieter, small-town way.

Where Is Hawkinsville, GA Located?

If you’re not from Middle Georgia, you might be thinking, “Where exactly is Hawkinsville?”

Almost everybody knows Atlanta and I-75:

Take I-75 south from Atlanta.
Head down to the Georgia National Fairgrounds & Agricenter in Perry, GA.
From there, take Highway 224 east.
Follow 224 straight into Hawkinsville.

You’ll roll right into town.

Back in the 2020 census, Hawkinsville was sitting at around 4,000 people. Today, around 2024–2025, the population has grown to close to 10,000 when you look at Hawkinsville and the surrounding Pulaski County area.

That growth has brought:

New construction
Fresh commercial development
A renewed push to revive historic downtown buildings, especially around Commerce Street

Many of those older commercial buildings are being rehabbed and repurposed into:

Storefronts
New apartments and lofts
Spaces designed to encourage more walkability and foot traffic downtown

What’s It Like Living in Hawkinsville, GA?

So why would anyone move to Hawkinsville instead of just staying in Warner Robins, Perry, or Macon?

The big reason is lifestyle.

Hawkinsville is centrally located in Middle Georgia, but it’s very much a small town. If you’re tired of the speed, traffic and constant activity in:

Warner Robins (which is starting to feel like a “little Atlanta”)
Macon
Columbus
Or Atlanta itself

then Hawkinsville gives you a slower, calmer alternative.

A lot of people who work at Robins Air Force Base or in the Warner Robins area decide they don’t want to live right in the middle of all that busyness. Hawkinsville has become an “overflow city” for Warner Robins and Robins AFB:

You’re only about 30 miles south of Warner Robins.
You get a quieter, slower pace of life.
There’s more of a community feel and small-town atmosphere.

It’s the kind of place where people know each other, where your kids can grow up seeing familiar faces at the store, at church, and on the ball field.

Antiquing, Festivals and the Harness Races

Hawkinsville has also become known for antiquing and small-town events.

Highway 341 runs from Hawkinsville all the way down toward Brunswick, and if you’ve ever heard of the “Peaches to the Beaches” yard sale, you know the route. During that event, antique shops and local vendors up and down the corridor open up and draw shoppers from all over.

Hawkinsville also has a history with harness racing. For years, snowbirds from Canada would bring their horses down here to winter. The local track hosted a Harness Festival race each spring.

It hasn’t been as active in recent years, but the track is now leased by a private owner, and from what I understand, there are efforts to bring the harness festival racing back. If that restarts, it will add even more local flavor and tourism to the town.

Small-Town Living: Hawkinsville’s Recent Growth

For a long time, Hawkinsville didn’t grow much at all. While places like Perry and Warner Robins were exploding, Hawkinsville stayed almost frozen in time.

In recent years, that’s changed.

New people and new ideas have come in, and with the help of the Chamber of Commerce and the city council, Hawkinsville has started to revitalize. You see:

More business activity
More community events
New concepts for development
A stronger push to make downtown and surrounding areas more inviting

It’s still very much a small town, but it’s a small town with momentum.

Cost of Living in Hawkinsville, GA

When my family moved to Hawkinsville, one of the first things I noticed was the traffic.

It was noticeably slower and lighter than Warner Robins or Perry, which told me something important: fewer people are rushing around, buying and selling all the time. That often translates into a slightly different cost structure.

In general, the cost of living in Hawkinsville is:

Roughly comparable to Warner Robins and Perry in many categories
Sometimes a little less expensive when demand is lower

Because Hawkinsville, Cordele and Eastman are smaller towns, they often have to keep gas and everyday items priced competitively with the surrounding bigger cities. That means:

You can sometimes catch better gas prices here.
Groceries and other day-to-day needs can feel a little easier on the wallet.

It’s not a night-and-day difference, but when you add it all up, it can help stretch your budget.

The Hawkinsville Real Estate Market: Stable and Steady

Now let’s talk real estate.

This is where Hawkinsville really stands out compared to nearby cities like Warner Robins and Perry.

During the 2008 housing bust, Warner Robins and Perry saw significant drops in home values. In many cases, they were hit with price declines in the mid-teens to around twenty percent, and values were bouncing around more often because those markets are busier and have more turnover.

Hawkinsville was different.

Because:

The market is smaller
People tend to buy and stay
There is less rapid turnover

Hawkinsville only saw something in the single-digit to low double-digit range in terms of price declines, roughly around 6–10 percent rather than the steep drops you’d see in more active markets.

On the flip side, Hawkinsville’s home prices don’t spike as fast as hot markets either. For example, if you bought a $150,000 house in 1995, it might be:

Still around $150,000 a few years later, or
Maybe around $175,000 today

So you’re not seeing the massive appreciation that some people hope for, but you’re also not riding the same roller coaster on the way down. It’s a more stable, predictable market, which a lot of families and retirees actually prefer.

Types of Homes You’ll Find in Hawkinsville

For a small town, Hawkinsville offers a surprisingly diverse mix of housing.

Here’s what you’ll see:

Historic Homes

Merritt Street features homes dating back to the 1870s and 1890s.
One of the oldest homes in town, around 25 Merritt Street, was built in the early 1800s.
There is a historical society in town that keeps an eye on these properties. They’re not overly strict, but they do care about preserving historical character and can help guide you if you want to buy and maintain a historic home.

Mid-Century and Traditional Neighborhoods

Neighborhoods built in the 1960s and 1970s
Plenty of brick ranch-style and contemporary homes
Solid, established streets with mature trees and long-time residents

New Construction and Infill

Builders have started using vacant lots among 1980s and 1990s homes to put up new construction.
There are also a few newer subdivisions on the outskirts of Hawkinsville that are finishing up now.

So whether you want:

A historic charmer
A practical brick ranch
Or a more modern, new-build home

you’ve got options in Hawkinsville.

How Hawkinsville Compares To Nearby Cities (Niche Rankings & Stats)

To get a more structured look at Hawkinsville, we can peek at how the town is rated on Niche.com.

According to Niche:

Hawkinsville scores a solid “B” across several categories.
That includes diversity, schools, nightlife and job availability.

A few more points from the data:

The median home price is listed at about $156,000, and it’s been inching up in recent months. Realistically, it’s likely closer to the $170,000–$180,000 range now, based on recent trends.
The combined population for Hawkinsville and Pulaski County is around 10,000, a large jump from about 4,000 in 2020.
More than half the population are homeowners, not renters, which usually means higher pride in ownership and better-maintained properties and neighborhoods.

On the ranking side:

Hawkinsville’s 31036 zip code ranks around 105 out of 394 for diversity.
It ranks 123rd in best zip codes to buy a house.

The median income is listed at about $48,000, though I’d argue that number is a bit misleading. A lot of household income tied to Hawkinsville residents actually comes from jobs in:

Warner Robins (Robins Air Force Base and related industries)
Gulfstream
Lockheed Martin
Other employers in the broader Middle Georgia area

Many Hawkinsville residents commute to those jobs but choose to live here, where it’s quieter and feels safer.

Things To Do in Hawkinsville, GA

Let’s be honest. If you’re moving to Hawkinsville, you’re probably not doing it for a wild nightlife scene.

Hawkinsville is for people who want:

Small-town atmosphere
Quiet evenings
Community-focused activities

If you want big-city nightlife, you’re still close enough to:

Warner Robins
Macon
Atlanta
Savannah (famous for its St. Patrick’s Day celebrations)

You can go visit the party and then come home to peace and quiet.

Community Events

Locally, Hawkinsville has plenty going on throughout the year, especially through the Chamber of Commerce and community organizations. Some examples:

Eggs & Issues breakfasts where business leaders and community members get together to discuss local topics
Food Truck Fridays, where dozens of food trucks pull into town along with antique car clubs and families out for a good time
October Riverfest at the Hawkinsville boat landing
Business After Hours events where local business owners meet, network and share ideas
An annual dinner and awards night, where local businesses are recognized for performance and community contributions

The Chamber also works with:

The Small Business Administration (SBA)
Local partners in Perry, Cochran and Eastman

to offer classes and workshops on things like:

Resume writing
Business finances
Starting and running a small business

It’s a very entrepreneur-friendly environment.

Jobs and the Local Economy in Hawkinsville

Most of Hawkinsville’s economy is built on local, family-owned businesses and agriculture.

Some of the employers and industries you’ll see include:

Ace Hardware
Middle Georgia Cotton ginning operations
Southern Landings Golf Club
Hardy Farms Peanuts
Various farm-related and ag-service businesses

Other job opportunities in and around Hawkinsville include:

The Pulaski County Sheriff’s Department
The Department of Corrections facility on the north side of town
Careers related to the nearby Wildlife Management Area, such as forestry or working with the Department of Natural Resources

The Chamber of Commerce is actively working to attract more modern and innovative agricultural businesses to Hawkinsville because agriculture is part of the town’s DNA. The goal is to build on that foundation and bring in more industry and opportunity without losing the small-town feel.

And again, many residents live in Hawkinsville but commute to jobs in Warner Robins and the surrounding area, which gives you the best of both worlds: big-city paycheck, small-town lifestyle.

Parks, Rivers, Hunting and Fishing

If you enjoy being outside, Hawkinsville has plenty to offer.

New City Hall and River Park

The city has recently:

Built a new City Hall on the old cotton gin site.
Created a new park by the river, with:
- Walking areas for you and your dog
- Skateboard and bike ramps for the kids
- Pickleball courts for adults wanting a fun workout

Hunting and Fishing

Hawkinsville sits right along the river, which historically was the main trade route toward Brunswick. Nearby, you’ve got the Wildlife Management Area just north of town, which is a hotspot for:

Deer hunting
Turkey hunting
Wild hog hunting

There’s also:

A shooting range for target practice
A separate section with fishing ponds

If you’d rather not hunt in a WMA, Hawkinsville is surrounded by farmland. Getting connected through church and community groups gives you opportunities to meet farmers who may allow hunting or fishing on their land if you build the right relationships.

Farm & Cattle Auctions

If you’ve never been to a farm auction, Hawkinsville gives you a chance. At the Pulaski County Stockyards, you can watch cattle auctions on Tuesdays. Even if you never bid on a cow, it’s a unique experience that shows you the agricultural heartbeat of the area.

Churches, Community and Friday Night Lights

Hawkinsville sits squarely in the Bible Belt, which means:

There are plenty of churches to choose from.
When you arrive, one of the first questions you’ll likely hear is, “What church do you go to?”

Finding a spiritual home or a community network doesn’t take long here.

And of course, like any true small town, high school football is a big deal.

The Hawkinsville Red Devils are the home team.
You’ll find yourself out at the football field on Friday nights, cheering them on against rivals from Cordele, Cochran, Eastman and other nearby towns.

It’s very much a “Friday Night Lights” environment where community pride shows up in the stands.

Recreation, Youth Sports and Family Life

If you have kids or grandkids, Hawkinsville does a good job of keeping them active.

The town has a well-used Recreation Department and Recreation Center, with a full schedule during:

Spring
Summer
Fall

Sports include:

Baseball
Soccer
Football
T-ball and youth leagues

In fact, some of my own grandkids are in t-ball right now, which is why I joke that I can’t stay still too long. There’s always some game to get to.

It’s the kind of place where:

Weekend plans often revolve around ball fields,
You see the same families over and over,
And your kids grow up with a strong sense of community and teamwork.

The Hawkinsville Food Scene

For a small town, Hawkinsville has a nice mix of local places to eat, and it’s been improving in recent years.

Some options include:

Huddle House – A familiar franchise and local hangout.
Tom & Sandy’s Horseshoe – Known for a solid Sunday brunch and hometown cooking.
The Steakhouse – Offers a Thursday buffet that locals look forward to each week.
A hole-in-the-wall burger joint right in historic downtown Hawkinsville on Commerce Street that’s a great lunchtime spot.

In addition, local owners have been buying and renovating historic downtown buildings:

One of those is now Heritage, a fine dining restaurant with apartment lofts above it, bringing a bit of an urban feel to small-town Hawkinsville.
If you’re craving seafood, Shell’s Restaurant recently opened along 247 near Lisa’s Corner Market, giving you another dining option not far from town.

One beloved spot, Georgia Bob’s, has unfortunately closed, but it’s a good example of how the food scene has been evolving and how new places are continuing to pop up.

Schools in Hawkinsville and Pulaski County

If you’re a parent, schools are always near the top of the list.

Pulaski County and the Board of Education have recently made a major change: they tore down the old individual school buildings and built a single, all-in-one school complex for the county.

This new campus brings together:

Elementary school students
Middle school students
High school students

All in one main building.

How They Keep Age Groups Separate

Understandably, some parents worried about having all age groups in one place. The good news is the building is carefully laid out:

Each age group has its own separate section.
Access is controlled with card-scanning doors, so:
- Middle schoolers aren’t wandering into the high school area.
- Elementary kids aren’t mixing with older students in the hallways.

The design allows teachers and administrators to consolidate resources while still making sure younger kids stay with their age group and environment.

Expanded Sports and Recreation Facilities

With the new consolidated school, the district was able to repurpose the old school sites:

The old elementary school now serves as a large outdoor sports complex with ball fields and track facilities for high school sports.
The former middle school area has been converted to tennis courts and other outdoor activities.

Pulaski County and Hawkinsville are clearly investing in modernizing the school system and supporting both education and athletics for local kids.

Home Prices: Hawkinsville vs Warner Robins and Perry

Let’s talk about what your money actually buys.

In places like Perry and Warner Robins, the median home price has been running around $280,000, and more recently settling closer to about $250,000.

In Hawkinsville:

Niche lists the median home price around $156,000.
Based on what I’m seeing, it’s likely closer to $170,000–$180,000 now as the market has inched up.

Even so, with a budget of about $200,000, you can:

Be extremely comfortable in Hawkinsville.
Shop from a wide range of historic homes, mid-century houses and newer builds.
Often get more house and more land than you would in the bigger surrounding cities.

If your goal in moving to Hawkinsville is to enjoy a small-town lifestyle and live below your means, you’re in a good spot. Lower home prices can mean:

Smaller mortgage payments
More savings
The ability to retire earlier or redirect money toward travel, hobbies or investments

I always encourage people to live below their means, build savings and give themselves the freedom to enjoy life sooner rather than later. Hawkinsville makes that more realistic for a lot of families.

Our Personal Story: Why We Moved to Hawkinsville

Let me share a little bit of our own journey, because it captures the feel of this place better than any statistic.

My wife Denise and I moved to Hawkinsville around 2006. At the time, we were living in Crawford County. Our daughter went to a middle school orientation there and what she saw (and what we saw) didn’t sit right with us. We won’t go into all the details, but it was enough that we knew:

“This is not where we want our kids going to school.”

We started looking for land and a community that felt safer and more aligned with how we wanted to raise our kids.

On the way back from looking at some land, we stopped at a McDonald’s in Hawkinsville. Now, this may sound funny, but the people working there were some of the nicest, friendliest fast-food employees we had ever met. That simple experience made a big impression, especially on Denise. It gave her a sense of the tone of the town.

She liked:

The small-town, everybody-knows-you feel
The fact that Hawkinsville was far enough away from more “volatile” areas like Warner Robins and Macon, where crime rates and big-city issues are more common
The idea that our kids would likely be safer here and grow up in a calmer environment

Along the way, we connected with Mr. Bobby, the building inspector at the local planning and zoning office. He pointed us to Francis and Walter, who owned the land that eventually became our home site.

When we first pulled up the driveway to that piece of land, there were two does standing there at the end of the drive. They watched us, then took off running into the woods.

For Denise, that was it. She saw the deer and said, in essence, “This is the place.”

That moment sealed the deal, and we built our home here.

And here’s the balance Hawkinsville gives you:

If you ever want excitement or nightlife, you’ve got:
- Macon
- Warner Robins
- Atlanta
- Savannah (just a few hours away, perfect for a weekend on River Street)

You can drive into the action when you feel like it, then come back home to quiet.

So… Is Hawkinsville, GA a Safe Place to Live?

No city is perfect, and no town is completely free from crime, but from my own family’s experience and from years of working here as a real estate professional, I can tell you this:

Hawkinsville has a calmer, slower, more small-town feel than Warner Robins or Macon.
Many families choose Hawkinsville specifically because they feel it is safer and more peaceful for raising kids.
It has a strong sense of community, church life, school pride and neighborly connection.

If you want big-city energy, Hawkinsville is probably not your town. If you want small-town safety, community and a more affordable way of life, it’s absolutely worth a serious look.

Ready To Explore Homes in Hawkinsville, GA?

If you’re thinking about moving to Hawkinsville or anywhere in Middle Georgia, I’m here to help.

Whether you’re:

PCSing to Robins Air Force Base,
Looking for a quieter place to raise your family,
Retiring and wanting to stretch your budget in a small town, or
Interested in a historic home or land in Pulaski County

I can walk you through:

Current listings and off-market opportunities
Neighborhoods that fit your lifestyle and budget
The pros and cons of Hawkinsville vs Warner Robins, Perry and other nearby cities

Have questions about Hawkinsville or Middle Georgia real estate?
Reach out today to schedule a free, no-pressure consultation and start planning your move with someone who actually lives and works here.
Schedule your consultation today!

Frequently Asked Questions About Living in Hawkinsville, GA

1. Is Hawkinsville, GA a good place to raise a family?

Yes. Hawkinsville offers:

A quiet, small-town environment
A modern consolidated school campus with separated sections for each grade level
Active youth sports and recreation programs
Strong church and community networks

Many parents choose Hawkinsville over bigger nearby cities because they feel it’s safer and more personal.

2. How does the cost of living in Hawkinsville compare to Warner Robins or Perry?

The overall cost of living in Hawkinsville is generally comparable to Warner Robins and Perry, but:

Housing is often more affordable, with lower median home prices.
You can sometimes catch better gas and grocery prices due to competition with surrounding cities.

If you’re willing to live a little farther out and commute, Hawkinsville can make it easier to live below your means and save more money.

3. What types of homes are available in Hawkinsville?

Hawkinsville has:

Historic homes from the 1800s, especially along Merritt Street
Mid-century brick ranches and contemporary homes from the 1960s and 1970s
1980s and 1990s neighborhoods
New construction both in existing neighborhoods and on the outskirts of town

Whether you want charm, convenience, or something brand new, there’s a mix of options at generally lower price points than many larger markets nearby.

4. Are there jobs in Hawkinsville, or do most people commute?

There are jobs in:

Local family-owned businesses
Agricultural operations
The Sheriff’s Department
The Department of Corrections
Roles connected to the Wildlife Management Area and DNR

However, many residents live in Hawkinsville and commute to jobs in Warner Robins, Robins Air Force Base, Macon and surrounding areas, combining big-city pay with small-town living.

5. What is there to do in Hawkinsville for fun?

Hawkinsville offers:

Community events like Food Truck Fridays, Riverfest and Eggs & Issues
Youth sports and recreation at local parks and fields
Hunting, fishing and outdoor activities at the river and nearby Wildlife Management Area
Local restaurants from burger joints to fine dining

For major nightlife or big events, you’re a reasonable drive from Warner Robins, Macon, Atlanta and Savannah, so you can go enjoy the action and then come home to peace and quiet.