Worth County is a county in Georgia, United States, in the state’s south-central coastal plain between Albany and Tifton. It had a population of 20,784 at the 2020 census and covers 575 square miles (1,490 km2), centred near 31°33′N 83°51′W.
Sylvester is the county seat, and its postal code is 31791. The county has three cities, one town, and several unincorporated communities. Worth County observes Eastern time and carries FIPS code 13321.
Towns & Villages in Worth County
Sylvester anchors the county as its largest city and commercial hub; Poulan, Warwick, and Sumner sit along the old rail corridors to the east and south, and a handful of unincorporated crossroads round out the county.
| Place | Type | Pop. | ZIP |
|---|---|---|---|
| Sylvester | City · seat | 5,644 | 31791 |
| Poulan | City | 760 | 31781 |
| Warwick | City | 504 | 31796 |
| Sumner | Town | 445 | 31789 |
| Oakfield | Unincorp. | — | 31774 |
| Bridgeboro | Unincorp. | — | 31791 |
| Acree | Unincorp. | — | 31791 |
ZIP Codes
- 31791 — Sylvester (also serves Bridgeboro and Acree)
- 31781 — Poulan
- 31796 — Warwick
- 31789 — Sumner
- 31774 — Oakfield
Small farm settlements such as Doles and Isabella have no post office of their own and are served by the Sylvester or Poulan ZIPs.
Geography
Worth County sits in the flatwoods of the Dougherty Plain, a gently rolling landscape of pine plantations, pecan orchards, and peanut and cotton fields drained by the Flint River and its tributaries along the county’s eastern edge. Of the county’s 575 square miles, 571 square miles are land and 4.1 square miles are water.
Worth County borders Crisp County to the north, Turner County to the northeast, Tift County to the east, Colquitt County to the south, Mitchell County to the southwest, Dougherty County to the west, and Lee County to the northwest.
Demographics
Worth County had 20,784 residents at the 2020 census, with a 2025 estimate of roughly 20,059 — a small decline typical of rural south Georgia counties. Sylvester, the county seat, is by far the largest community, followed by Poulan. The county’s median household income runs well below the Georgia figure of $74,632, reflecting an economy still centred on agriculture. Population density is light, at roughly 36 people per square mile of land.
Economy & Local Life
Agriculture drives Worth County’s economy, and Sylvester has long billed itself the “Peanut Capital of the World” for the crop’s dominance in local farming and processing. Cotton, pecans, and timber round out the county’s row-crop and forestry base, alongside poultry operations and county and school-system employment centred in Sylvester. Warwick hosts the National Grits Festival each April, drawing thousands of visitors for cook-offs and a grits-themed parade.
History
The Georgia General Assembly created Worth County on December 20, 1853, from Dooly and Irwin counties, making it the state’s 106th county. It was named for Major General William J. Worth, a New York officer who served in the Mexican–American War. The county’s own territory later helped form two of its neighbors: Tift and Turner counties were both carved from Worth County land in 1905. Sylvester was platted in 1893 along a new rail line and incorporated as the county seat in 1898.
Getting There
U.S. Route 82 runs east–west through Sylvester, linking the county to Albany and Tifton, while State Route 133 runs north–south toward Cordele and Moultrie.
- Albany — 25 miles west
- Tifton — 25 miles east
- Cordele — 30 miles north
- Moultrie — 25 miles south
Southwest Georgia Regional Airport in Albany is the nearest commercial airport. Amtrak does not serve Worth County; the closest station is in Cordele.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the Worth County seat?
Sylvester is the county seat.
What is the Sylvester postcode?
Sylvester’s ZIP code is 31791.
What was Worth County’s population at the 2020 census?
It had a population of 20,784 at the 2020 census.
How large is Worth County?
The county covers 575 square miles (1,490 km2), of which 571 square miles is land.
Which counties border Worth County?
Crisp, Turner, Tift, Colquitt, Mitchell, Dougherty, and Lee counties.
Why is Sylvester called the Peanut Capital of the World?
Peanut farming and processing have shaped Sylvester’s economy since the early 20th century, and the city has used the nickname for decades.
When was Worth County formed?
The Georgia General Assembly created it on December 20, 1853, from Dooly and Irwin counties.
More counties in this state: Towns and villages in Georgia.