Dougherty County lies in southwestern Georgia, created December 15, 1853, and named for Charles Dougherty. Its county seat is Albany, which serves as a regional economic, cultural and healthcare hub for southwest Georgia. The county’s geography largely covers the coastal plain with river corridors (Flint River). Character is urban to semi-urban around Albany city, and more semi-rural in the outlying zones. Housing types in the city include older historic homes, modest mid-century houses, and newer subdivisions; further out you’ll find homes on larger lots, acreage parcels, and farmland homes. Existing home purchase prices in the city and closer suburbs are moderate — for example many homes may be priced in the US$160,000-$300,000 range depending on location and condition. In nicer subdivisions or newer builds, you might see $300,000-$400,000+. For building a new home on a modest lot with decent finish you might budget $300,000-$400,000+ depending on size and site. Proximity: Albany gives good regional amenities, making Dougherty more convenient than very remote counties, but it’s still not immediate to the major metro Atlanta area (~175 miles). The county is a strong option for those seeking a mixture of town amenities and affordable housing, with land availability in the outskirts.