Americus is a city in Sumter County, Georgia, United States. The population was 17,013 at the 2000 census. Americus is the birthplace and international headquarters to Habitat for Humanity International. The median income for a household in the city was $26,808, and the median income for a family was $32,132. Males had a median income of $27,055 versus $20,169 for females. The per capita income for the city was $14,168. About 23.4% of families and 27.7% of the population were below the poverty line, including 44.1% of those under age 18 and 19.8% of those age 65 or over.

As of the census of 2000, there were 17,013 people, 6,374 households, and 4,149 families residing in the city. The population density was 626.8/km² (1,623.1/mi²). There were 7,053 housing units at an average density of 259.8/km² (672.9/mi²). The racial makeup of the city was 39.05% White, 58.26% African American, 0.23% Native American, 0.86% Asian, 0.01% Pacific Islander, 0.90% from other races, and 0.69% from two or more races. Hispanic or Latino of any race were 2.49% of the population.