Candler County is a county in Georgia, United States, on the coastal plain between the Ogeechee and Altamaha river basins. It had a population of 10,981 at the 2020 census and covers 243 square miles (630 km2) of land plus 5.8 square miles (15 km2) of water, centred near 32°24′N 82°04′W.
Metter is the county seat, and its postal code is 30439. The county has one city, one town, and several unincorporated communities, all in the Eastern time zone. Its FIPS code is 13043.
Towns & Villages in Candler County
Candler County has one incorporated city (Metter, the seat) and one incorporated town (Pulaski). The rest of the county is unincorporated — small crossroads communities with no municipal government, listed below as “Unincorp.” Population and ZIP figures are given where the U.S. Census Bureau or USPS records a distinct figure for the place; otherwise the cell reads —.
| Place | Type | Pop. | ZIP |
|---|---|---|---|
| Metter | City · seat | 4,004 | 30439 |
| Pulaski | Town | 211 | 30451 |
| Excelsior | Unincorp. | — | 30439 |
| Aline | Unincorp. | — | — |
| Canoe | Unincorp. | — | — |
| Olifftown | Unincorp. | — | — |
| Parish | Unincorp. | — | — |
| Shamrock | Unincorp. | — | — |
| Union | Unincorp. | — | — |
Metter and Pulaski sit six miles apart on U.S. Route 25, and both take mail out of the 30439 Metter post office district except Pulaski itself, which keeps its own PO-box-only 30451 ZIP.
ZIP Codes
- 30439 — Metter (also serves Excelsior and most of the surrounding countryside)
- 30451 — Pulaski (PO Box delivery only)
The smaller crossroads communities — Aline, Canoe, Olifftown, Parish, Shamrock, and Union — have no ZIP code of their own and are served by the Metter or neighboring-county post offices depending on location.
Geography
Candler County lies on Georgia’s coastal plain, split between two river systems. The Canoochee River sub-basin of the Ogeechee River watershed drains most of the county, while the western section, west of State Route 57, lies in the Ohoopee River sub-basin of the Altamaha River basin. The terrain is flat to gently rolling, with pine flatwoods and farmland covering most of the land area.
Candler County borders Emanuel County to the north, Bulloch County to the east, Evans County to the southeast, Tattnall County to the south, and Toombs County to the southwest.
Demographics
Candler County’s population was 10,981 at the 2020 census, a density of about 45 people per square mile. Metter, the seat, is by far the largest community at 4,004 residents; Pulaski, the county’s only other incorporated place, had 211. Median household income in the county runs below the Georgia median of $74,632, reflecting the county’s rural, agriculture-based economy.
Economy & Local Life
Agriculture — poultry, row crops, and timber — anchors the county’s economy, alongside light manufacturing and services based in Metter. Candler County School District runs Metter Elementary, Metter Middle, and Metter High School, serving the county’s roughly 1,930 students. Guido Gardens, a botanical garden and ministry campus in Metter, is a longtime local landmark and has served as a filming location for religious broadcasts. The county’s best-known annual event is the “Another Bloomin’ Festival,” held the Saturday before Easter in downtown Metter, which draws former residents home alongside food and craft vendors.
History
Candler County was created in 1914 out of parts of Bulloch, Emanuel, and Tattnall counties, and was named for Allen D. Candler, Georgia’s 56th governor. Metter, founded around the turn of the 20th century as a railroad stop, became the county seat. Pulaski was founded in 1900 as a separate railroad town and was incorporated in 1905, nine years before the county itself existed.
Getting There
U.S. Route 25 runs north-south through Metter and Pulaski, and Interstate 16 crosses the northeastern corner of the county, linking it to Savannah and Macon.
- Statesboro — 20 miles northeast
- Savannah — 55 miles east
- Vidalia — 25 miles southwest
- Macon — 90 miles west
The nearest commercial airport is Savannah/Hilton Head International Airport.
Frequently Asked Questions
Where is Candler County, Georgia?
It sits on Georgia’s coastal plain between the Ogeechee and Altamaha river basins, about 55 miles west of Savannah.
What is the population of Candler County?
10,981 people at the 2020 census.
How big is Candler County?
243 square miles (630 km2) of land, plus 5.8 square miles (15 km2) of water.
What is the county seat of Candler County?
Metter is the county seat and largest city.
How many towns are in Candler County?
One city (Metter) and one town (Pulaski), plus several unincorporated communities.
What ZIP codes are in Candler County?
30439 (Metter) and 30451 (Pulaski).
What is Candler County named after?
Allen D. Candler, Georgia’s 56th governor, when the county was created in 1914.
More counties in this state: Towns and villages in Georgia.